19th century Latin American fighting knife?

wildwolberine · 26th June 2023, 03:16 AM

Wondering if anyone can confirm my assumption this is 19th century Latin American? I don’t have much experience with that region. Certainly looks like a Spanish Colonial sheath, I’ve ruled out Philippines but could be wrong. Maybe the characteristics ring a bell?

Blade 24 cm
OAL 37 cm

Seller photos, will update once received

(Please move if I’ve posted this in the wrong thread)

M ELEY · 27th June 2023, 05:23 PM

I would wager Spanish colonial and perhaps Brazilian. The star and SS patterns I've seen on a few Brazilian sword hilts like the one I used to own. Of course, these decorations are seen with other cultures (Moroccan, Algerian), but the overall look of the piece, the 'facone'-style blade and even the squared guard are more Central/South American. My 2 cents...

wildwolberine · 28th June 2023, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

I would wager Spanish colonial and perhaps Brazilian. The star and SS patterns I've seen on a few Brazilian sword hilts like the one I used to own. Of course, these decorations are seen with other cultures (Moroccan, Algerian), but the overall look of the piece, the 'facone'-style blade and even the squared guard are more Central/South American. My 2 cents...

Ok, thanks for your input! Will look into a Brazilian origin for this knife.

wildwolberine · 30th June 2023, 01:36 AM

Here’s the knife, cleaned up a bit. There’s a name on the underside of the hilt that wasn’t in the seller photos - a nice surprise! The fittings cleaned up nicely, and the wood looks better after a treatment with linseed oil.

RobT · 1st July 2023, 12:40 AM

wildwolberine,

I don't see any features on this knife or sheath that are inconsistent with the Philippines. The "squared guard" that M ELEY pointed out is not uncommonly found in Philippine daggers. I also note that the general shape and the slightly kopis edge is also commonly found on the so called "Philippine bowies". That "Del Sr" signature you show could actually be an abbreviation for Del Sur which refers to Illocos Del Sur in the Philippines which is a main manufacture site for Philippine bowies.

Sincerely,
RobT

wildwolberine · 1st July 2023, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

wildwolberine,

I don't see any features on this knife or sheath that are inconsistent with the Philippines. The "squared guard" that M ELEY pointed out is not uncommonly found in Philippine daggers. I also note that the general shape and the slightly kopis edge is also commonly found on the so called "Philippine bowies". That "Del Sr" signature you show could actually be an abbreviation for Del Sur which refers to Illocos Del Sur in the Philippines which is a main manufacture site for Philippine bowies.

Sincerely,
RobT

RobT,

Thanks for your input! I could not find a similar example on the forum, I would appreciate any links to threads. I suspect this isn’t the original blade profile, it shows a lot of sharpening. The straight spine and edge and centered vs. offset tang are distinctive. The sheath is quite simple and lacks any reinforcement or ornamentation at the throat (of course this could be missing).

26th June 2023, 03:16 AM	#1
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 109	19th century Latin American fighting knife? Wondering if anyone can confirm my assumption this is 19th century Latin American? I don’t have much experience with that region. Certainly looks like a Spanish Colonial sheath, I’ve ruled out Philippines but could be wrong. Maybe the characteristics ring a bell? Blade 24 cm OAL 37 cm Seller photos, will update once received (Please move if I’ve posted this in the wrong thread) Attached Images

30th June 2023, 01:36 AM	#4
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 109	Here’s the knife, cleaned up a bit. There’s a name on the underside of the hilt that wasn’t in the seller photos - a nice surprise! The fittings cleaned up nicely, and the wood looks better after a treatment with linseed oil. Attached Images

1st July 2023, 12:40 AM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 488	Philippines? wildwolberine, I don't see any features on this knife or sheath that are inconsistent with the Philippines. The "squared guard" that M ELEY pointed out is not uncommonly found in Philippine daggers. I also note that the general shape and the slightly kopis edge is also commonly found on the so called "Philippine bowies". That "Del Sr" signature you show could actually be an abbreviation for Del Sur which refers to Illocos Del Sur in the Philippines which is a main manufacture site for Philippine bowies. Sincerely, RobT

27th June 2023, 05:23 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,096	I would wager Spanish colonial and perhaps Brazilian. The star and SS patterns I've seen on a few Brazilian sword hilts like the one I used to own. Of course, these decorations are seen with other cultures (Moroccan, Algerian), but the overall look of the piece, the 'facone'-style blade and even the squared guard are more Central/South American. My 2 cents...