A Very Nice 'Talibon' Sword

CharlesS · 20th October 2005, 08:32 PM

As a collector of Moro swords I typically stay away from the swords of non-Muslim people of the Philippines, but this talibon struck me as exceptional. Dated 1899, the carving is outstanding throughout, and the blade is very thick and heavy. This one really gave me a new found respect for such pieces.

Tim Simmons · 20th October 2005, 09:16 PM

What a beautiful thing, it should really belong to me

. Tim

Spunjer · 20th October 2005, 11:59 PM

wow! what is striking is that it actually has the date engraved!!! nice acquisition, charles...

Bill · 21st October 2005, 12:35 AM

Congrats on a great find. The Visayan Islands started to be under US control in 1899. Cebu was fighting the Spanish control in 1898. I've lean towards thinking this type of sword would be from Cebu. Maybe an early presentation sword to US officer? It sure seems to be in excellent condition. By 1900 there was conflict with Americans. If you find any more info on it, please post.

LabanTayo · 21st October 2005, 01:37 AM

Nice piece, Charles!!!!!
Congrats

VANDOO · 21st October 2005, 01:43 AM

THAT IS A REAL BEAUTY, EXCELLENT WORKMANSHIP, DATED, CLOTH STRAP AND GRIP WRAP INTACT SOMETHING YOU JUST DON'T FIND UNLESS YOU ARE LUCKY. CONGRADULATIONS!
WHAT ARE ITS MEASUREMENTS?

Battara · 21st October 2005, 06:38 AM

Nice puppy Chuckmeister (woof!

). It is possible that this is a capture piece. Cebu and Bohol were fighting until 1901, especially when some Cebuanos moved to Bohol and finally surrendered. I have a similar talibon with the surrender date in ink on mine. Rare to have the cloth on it.

zelbone · 21st October 2005, 07:23 AM

...notice the red wrapped hilt?

Pulahan?!?!?

Cebu?....

try Samar

Renegade Conquistador · 22nd October 2005, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

As a collector of Moro swords I typically stay away from the swords of non-Muslim people of the Philippines, but this talibon struck me as exceptional.

Is there any specific reason why you avoid "non-Muslim" Filipino swords?

Just curious.

Quote:

Dated 1899, the carving is outstanding throughout, and the blade is very thick and heavy. This one really gave me a new found respect for such pieces.

It's a really nice sword. The talibon is probably my favorite of all Filipino edged weapons. I really like the extreme forward cant of the blade--increases chopping capacity, and facilitates thrusts as well.

tom hyle · 23rd October 2005, 06:44 PM

Don't know about Charles S; many collectors have (until recently, it seems) avoided nonMolslem PI swords because of fashion and (incorrect) attitudes regarding quality.
This (though we lack a definition) is the type now being called a "garab"; it's the type with the thumbest, and yours in the particular variation (triple concave sheath front, finialed pommel, etc.) one sees in pretty much all the published sources. This always carried a perhaps inappropriate prestige, but it certainly seems like a nice sword (they usually do).
Most interesting feature may be that this is a left handed sword (unless your photos are reversed or something).

tom hyle · 26th October 2005, 01:24 AM

note the pinned sheath tip.

Battara · 26th October 2005, 04:22 AM

I have noticed that the better talibons (

to the fashions) have a pinned tip with mother of pearl. Mine does as well.

KuKulzA28 · 20th March 2009, 01:01 AM

That looks very nice... if you ever get tired of it, let me know, I can help you out

I have two questions for those knowledgeable about Filipino blades...

Is the Talibon a sword, or a work blade, or is it both?

For example the Force Recon Marines of the Philippines use what's called the ginunting as a machete and sword. However a barong or a kris is mainly a weapon of war... though arguably the barong has application as a cleaver and for cutting greens.
While it has an elegant sweep, talibons tend to be on the heavier side and they range from a knife to around 20" in blade length. This indicates to me that it's built to withstand pressures more than just cutting grasses and vegetation, but perhaps sterner stuff like saplings, bamboo, and people.

Also, what is a garab, and what is a talibon? What do those names mean?

Being Taiwanese American, not Filipino, these names are just labels for me. For example I found out some time ago that ginunting supposedly means scissor, a description of the blade shape perhaps... I also read pinuti means shining white, that is, when the bolo was cleaned and resharpened - ready for fighting.

Thanks guys, always trying to learn

20th October 2005, 08:32 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	A Very Nice 'Talibon' Sword As a collector of Moro swords I typically stay away from the swords of non-Muslim people of the Philippines, but this talibon struck me as exceptional. Dated 1899, the carving is outstanding throughout, and the blade is very thick and heavy. This one really gave me a new found respect for such pieces. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 20th October 2005 at 08:36 PM. Reason: wording error

20th March 2009, 01:01 AM	#13
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	That looks very nice... if you ever get tired of it, let me know, I can help you out I have two questions for those knowledgeable about Filipino blades... Is the Talibon a sword, or a work blade, or is it both? For example the Force Recon Marines of the Philippines use what's called the ginunting as a machete and sword. However a barong or a kris is mainly a weapon of war... though arguably the barong has application as a cleaver and for cutting greens. While it has an elegant sweep, talibons tend to be on the heavier side and they range from a knife to around 20" in blade length. This indicates to me that it's built to withstand pressures more than just cutting grasses and vegetation, but perhaps sterner stuff like saplings, bamboo, and people. Also, what is a garab, and what is a talibon? What do those names mean? Being Taiwanese American, not Filipino, these names are just labels for me. For example I found out some time ago that ginunting supposedly means scissor, a description of the blade shape perhaps... I also read pinuti means shining white, that is, when the bolo was cleaned and resharpened - ready for fighting. Thanks guys, always trying to learn

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20th October 2005, 09:16 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,841	What a beautiful thing, it should really belong to me . Tim

20th October 2005, 11:59 PM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	wow! what is striking is that it actually has the date engraved!!! nice acquisition, charles...

21st October 2005, 12:35 AM	#4
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Congrats on a great find. The Visayan Islands started to be under US control in 1899. Cebu was fighting the Spanish control in 1898. I've lean towards thinking this type of sword would be from Cebu. Maybe an early presentation sword to US officer? It sure seems to be in excellent condition. By 1900 there was conflict with Americans. If you find any more info on it, please post.

21st October 2005, 01:37 AM	#5
LabanTayo Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 177	Nice piece, Charles!!!!! Congrats

21st October 2005, 01:43 AM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THAT IS A REAL BEAUTY, EXCELLENT WORKMANSHIP, DATED, CLOTH STRAP AND GRIP WRAP INTACT SOMETHING YOU JUST DON'T FIND UNLESS YOU ARE LUCKY. CONGRADULATIONS! WHAT ARE ITS MEASUREMENTS?

21st October 2005, 06:38 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,269	Nice puppy Chuckmeister (woof! ). It is possible that this is a capture piece. Cebu and Bohol were fighting until 1901, especially when some Cebuanos moved to Bohol and finally surrendered. I have a similar talibon with the surrender date in ink on mine. Rare to have the cloth on it.

21st October 2005, 07:23 AM	#8
zelbone Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: VISAYAS and MINDANAO Posts: 169	...notice the red wrapped hilt? Pulahan?!?!? Cebu?.... try Samar

23rd October 2005, 06:44 PM	#10
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Don't know about Charles S; many collectors have (until recently, it seems) avoided nonMolslem PI swords because of fashion and (incorrect) attitudes regarding quality. This (though we lack a definition) is the type now being called a "garab"; it's the type with the thumbest, and yours in the particular variation (triple concave sheath front, finialed pommel, etc.) one sees in pretty much all the published sources. This always carried a perhaps inappropriate prestige, but it certainly seems like a nice sword (they usually do). Most interesting feature may be that this is a left handed sword (unless your photos are reversed or something).

26th October 2005, 01:24 AM	#11
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	note the pinned sheath tip.

26th October 2005, 04:22 AM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,269	I have noticed that the better talibons ( to the fashions) have a pinned tip with mother of pearl. Mine does as well.