Another campilon

[DaveS]

Here is another interesting campilon. The handle is made from narwal ivory in a non-traditional form. Blade is laminated and is 27 inches long, 32 1/2 inches overall. On the back of the handle is a Spanish coin. I believe this blade is one of the oldest I've owned. It just has a feel to it that the later ones don't seem to have although I don't have any real proof. Just my thoughts. What do you think?........Dave.

[Sajen]

Hello Dave,

nice one, very nice lamination on the blade. The handle have a very nice patina. What let you to be sure that it is narwhale ivory? Frankly said I've handled only one time old narwhale ivory and can't remember really how it has looked. Again, outstanding and unusual campy!

Regards,
Detlef

[VANDOO]

A BEAUTIFUL BLADE AND UNUSUAL HANDLE. NO DOUBT IT WOULD BE AN INTERESTING STORY OF HOW NARWHALE IVORY AND A KAMPILLIAN CAME TOGETHER. A UNIQUE AND LIKELY ONE OF A KIND SWORD.

[DaveS]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

A BEAUTIFUL BLADE AND UNUSUAL HANDLE. NO DOUBT IT WOULD BE AN INTERESTING STORY OF HOW NARWHALE IVORY AND A KAMPILLIAN CAME TOGETHER. A UNIQUE AND LIKELY ONE OF A KIND SWORD.

Barry: I'm not surprised any more about anything I see on a moro sword. There was so much trade going on between different groups, that you just never know what you might see that would look out of place. Somehow I don't think this particular campilon would have been used by a moro after it was rehandled. Probably some other group nearby..........Dave.

[David]

Originally Posted by DaveS

Somehow I don't think this particular campilon would have been used by a moro after it was rehandled. Probably some other group nearby.

Just curious why you would say this. Why would such material not be acceptable by a Moro?

[T. Koch]

It's narwhal without a doubt, with some of the nicest age crack patterning I've seen - and I see a lot of it!

[DaveS]

Originally Posted by David

Just curious why you would say this. Why would such material not be acceptable by a Moro?

David: It's not that this stuff would not be acceptable to a Moro, it's just that, in my mind anyway that most would go with the form of a traditional handle. I think it's just human nature. Most people in any culture are going to go with what they are used to. Of course there always going to be exceptions though..........Dave.

[DaveS]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Dave,

nice one, very nice lamination on the blade. The handle have a very nice patina. What let you to be sure that it is narwhale ivory? Frankly said I've handled only one time old narwhale ivory and can't remember really how it has looked. Again, outstanding and unusual campy!

Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef: There is a man in San Francisco that works a lot in ivory, and when I should it to him he said it was from the very base of the narwal skull. That is the only part that would have the diameter for a decent sized handle after being carved down. But even he stated he couldn't be 100% sure on this one without removing the coin on the back end. Yes, this camp does have a nice standout pattern, better than some that I've owned.........Dave

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by DaveS

Hi Detlef: There is a man in San Francisco that works a lot in ivory, and when I should it to him he said it was from the very base of the narwal skull. That is the only part that would have the diameter for a decent sized handle after being carved down.

Hi Dave,

this was the reason why I have asked this question. Very rare material and seldom seen at ethnograhic weapons.

Regards,
Detlef

[kino]

Dave, this blade has a really nice contrast, was the blade etched with phosphoric acid?

[DaveS]

Originally Posted by kino

Dave, this blade has a really nice contrast, was the blade etched with phosphoric acid?

Albert: Yes. Phosphoric is pretty much all I use anymore unless the metal doesn't respond well. Then, as a very last resort, ferric chloride......Dave.

[mross]

Originally Posted by DaveS

Here is another interesting campilon. The handle is made from narwal ivory in a non-traditional form. Blade is laminated and is 27 inches long, 32 1/2 inches overall. On the back of the handle is a Spanish coin. I believe this blade is one of the oldest I've owned. It just has a feel to it that the later ones don't seem to have although I don't have any real proof. Just my thoughts. What do you think?........Dave.

I know what you mean "It just has a feel to it" I've held many Moro weapons and some just feel awkward while others are just scary. Leaves me with no doubt which one I would trust.