South-east Asian dagger needs a brainstorm
 

Something I acquired last year. I know for sure it comes from the Philippines but I want better than that. Here is what I think it could be:
A Moro (Tausug?) punal / punal de keris known local as gunong. Can it be older than mid 20th century?
The ulu-ulu pistol hilt is made of a stained hardwood. The salungan or sheath is made of red wood (likely narra wood) and chased brass rings. A long punto or ferule of brass rings makes the transition to the long solid blade simply adorned with one crude grove. Back top mount ring has a chassed and pierced work loop-clip (how is that clip named?) pretty fancy craftsmanship.
Seems rather small in my hands, at least the grip, blade is fairly well sized. I hope the picture sizes is OK...let me know if you need more details...http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...IA/Punal01.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...IA/Punal02.jpg

Hi Radu

Its a nice punal/gunong but it seems to be mid 20th century to me. The hilt looks like carabao horn to me and not wood?



Lew

Carabao it is, guilty of not paying attention ;)

Yeah, I'm of the mid 20c crowd. On the money on horn and Tausug gunong. I would also add that it has narra wood scabbard with brass and white metal fittings, althought the ferrule could be silver, but more likely white metal. I believe these turned up after the ban on swords after the last of the Moro wars in 1915.

I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS ANSWERS AND ALSO LIKE THE BIG DIAMONDBACK RATTLE SNAKE SKIN BACKDROP :D

Complimets of a reckless Italian 12 gauge in a partridge huntin'.