Need your expertise please re: south american knife
 

I purchased this knife at an auction in southern New Mexico. It is entirely hand made with no maker's mark or imprint on the blade. The handle appears to be made of a horn with ivory accents and brass nails. The base of the handle and tip are also brass and the guard is some kind of carved metal. The overall length is 12 1/4". The blade is 7 1/2" long and 1 1/8" at the widest point. I was told by someone who looked at pictures that this is probably a South American type knife dating from the mid-1800's. Can anyone provide me with more information please? Help!!

Ooops!
 

Sorry about the BIG pictures. When I edited them on my image manager, they looked pretty small. I was surprised how BIG they were when my thread posted, particularly the picture of the hilt end! Good thing I didn't post a picture of myself. LOL

Not really my area, but it looks rather Philippino to
me. Interesting to see what others say.

Rich S

Pilipino 1950s Luzon.

Filipino or Mexican
 

I agree with both Federico and Rich -- this could be from the Philippines. I think it is more likely Mexican, though, largely because of the blade shape, widening from hilt towards the tip and then the pronounced clip point. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish the Mexican and Philippine bolos from c. 1950, and the materials were often simiilar (although the Filipino knives tended to have darker horn handles -- carabao vs steer?). Mexican knives often have a cryptic message or saying engraved on them and are often identifed as "Mexico." Philippine knives of this ilk tend to have tropical scenes or simply "Philippines" lightly engraved.

Ian.

The blade shape is consistent with Philippine stuff. Here is an example from my own collection.

http://home.earthlink.net/~federicom...ages/i-256.jpg

Which the handle material is most likely Water buffalo horn, with bone inserts.

Some indicators of the age and location.

First overall dagger style.

Second, use of aluminum for the guard and what appears to be brass tubing. very popular after WWII, considering the plethora of free material left over from planes and shell casings.

Third peened tang.

Fourth horn hilt.