Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - 19th century Latin American fighting knife?

RobT · 4th July 2023, 12:14 AM

Gavin Nugent,

As I wrote, I don't see any features on the knife or sheath in question that are inconsistent with the Philippines. That being said, my knowledge of Mexican knives is very limited so I will take your word for it that Mexico is also a possibility. After all, it's not unreasonable to expect knives from two former Spanish colonies to look similar. However, there is that "Del Sr." to account for. If it doesn't stand for Illocos Del Sur in the Philippines, does it stand for a southern Mexican area? I doubt that it is a personal name because "Del Sr." would just translate as "of the senior".
I must however, take issue with your statement that Philippine knives "'typically' have a screw on pommel nut". I looked over my entire collection of Philippine knives with clip point blades (over 16 items) and none of them have a screw on pommel nut. Likewise, none of my double edge Philippine daggers (6 total) have this feature. I have one short sword with a screw on nut but all the rest with a through tang, have the tang peened over a pommel nut or washer.

Sincerely,
RobT

4th July 2023, 12:14 AM	#8
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 535	Mexico Possible but Screwed Pommel Nut? Gavin Nugent, As I wrote, I don't see any features on the knife or sheath in question that are inconsistent with the Philippines. That being said, my knowledge of Mexican knives is very limited so I will take your word for it that Mexico is also a possibility. After all, it's not unreasonable to expect knives from two former Spanish colonies to look similar. However, there is that "Del Sr." to account for. If it doesn't stand for Illocos Del Sur in the Philippines, does it stand for a southern Mexican area? I doubt that it is a personal name because "Del Sr." would just translate as "of the senior". I must however, take issue with your statement that Philippine knives "'typically' have a screw on pommel nut". I looked over my entire collection of Philippine knives with clip point blades (over 16 items) and none of them have a screw on pommel nut. Likewise, none of my double edge Philippine daggers (6 total) have this feature. I have one short sword with a screw on nut but all the rest with a through tang, have the tang peened over a pommel nut or washer. Sincerely, RobT