Katipunan dagger?
 

Hi!

I just won an auction that I am excited about. I think it is a "Katipunan" dagger (actually, as many of you have pointed out, many of these are First Philippine Republic). I won't get it for a few weeks, but I thought I would show the photos I got from the auction house.

What attracted me to it was the engraving on the blade - it had an engraved F which in other contexts stands for Filipinas, the old name for the Philippines. I am curious if anyone has seen similar engravings before?

Also, I know that folks have attributed these to Ilocos region, but couldn't they be Southern Luzon (Batangas/Cavite) as well?

Any comments welcome!

cheers, mdp10003

Hello Michael,

Our resident specialists on things Luzon overlooked this thread, I believe.


Yes, I like this, too - good craftmanship.

Congrats, nice dagger!

Regards,
Kai

Thanks! I am getting it next week and am excited to hold it in my hand! I am still learning about these bladed weapons!

Nice engraving on this piece. This particular piece I would assign to the Ilocanos.

Hello Michael, Welcome to the forum and congratulations on this great addition to your collection. I agree that this is of Ilocanos origin as Jose has pointed out. Most of the daggers that I have seen that are of southern origin either have a tang that does not extend completely through the hilt or if they do they do not usually have the bead on the very end of the hilt like yours does. This is just a personal observation and if incorrect I am sure someone with more knowledge on the subject will correct me. I have one item that has the same F engraved on it but not the rest of the floral design that your has. A very nice find and wonderful addition to your collection.

Best,
Robert

Wow Robert, that is a very nice blade! I am partial to the ones that are engraved or have markings that connect it to Katipunan or the Philippine Republican Army! Thanks also (and to Jose) for schooling me on the differences between the northern Ilocos and the Tagalog styles.

Here is my example of this same type of dagger from Ilocos Norte. Notice the waves, the hilt style, and the back inscription in Spanish stating it was made in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. On the other side it also has the emblem of the 1st Philippine Republic.