Punal size and construction

[Klop]

Dear members,

This is my first Punal / gunong which was a surpise in size when it arrived, it is really small while the workmanship and materials are fine; elephant ivory, buffalo horn, laminated blade.

In the bulb some of the inlay dots are missing, the middle one on the right hand side seems to be lead or alu and appears to be fixating the tang. Is that a common constuction on these knives? And is this size an abnormality, maybe made for a woman or child?

All thoughts are wellcome.

Kind regards,
Eric.

[Ian]

Hi Eric.

Welcome to the Forum. Some dimensions of your gunong would be interesting for discussion. The materials and general condition suggest fairly recent manufacture.

[Klop]

Hi Ian,

thanks for your input, here is a picture with a ruler (centimeters), blade is about 9 cm long.

Kind regards,
Eric.

[Sajen]

Hi Eric,

I've seen and handled some of these miniature gunongs, I guess they are souvenirs. I have a similar one, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...54&postcount=1
Our member Spunjer also has some very nice ones but can't find the thread at the moment.
Here some others in small size from other members: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=gunong & http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24831

Like said, I think they are souvenirs, I would guess that yours is from around 1940.

Regards,
Detlef

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

Those you cite exhibit traditional workmanship - I'd tend to believe that Eric's example is post-WW2, possibly quite recent considering the scabbard and the seemingly fresh resin; also fixing the tang with a metal pin is not traditional and functionally not terribly convincing if done from any soft metal...

Eric, the blade seems to be pretty thin - any measurements?

Regards,
Kai

[Klop]

Hello Detlef, thanks for your input, much appreciated.

Hi Kai,

The blade is 2 mm thick/thin - wouldn't expect much more for a miniature if it's not meant as a functional weapon. However I still wouldn't like being cut or stabbed with this toy. In my hands it would be a push dagger with the stem between index and middle finger

I don't think this is as recent as you do, given workmanship, condition of the blade and the nice yellowish patin on the ivory. Detlefs guesstimate makes more sense to me. I cleaned the blade and gave it a hot water "etch" to see the pattern, that is what you're seeing now.

About the metal pin riddle, I'm not sure if the tang really is secured with the metal, my question was if this method is used on these daggers. I didn't expect that, rather tang in resin.

I can see a little bit inside the bulb through the next hole and there I see some of the metal protruding - but I can't see where it goes completely. In any case at this moment it is the only metal dot in the bulb, maybe there have been more in the past. It doesn't come out the other side like a mekugi on japanese swords. As for strength, that is not relevant for a miniature/souvenir but I'd say that if the Japanese have been using small bamboo pegs for centuries on fullsize swords in actual battle then a soft metal pin would be enough to fix the blade on a miniature dagger - again IF it touches the tang at all. I'm starting to think it doesn't and is in fact just another decoration dot.

Some more pics with scabbard deconstructed.

Kind regards,
Eric.

[David]

That's a nice little item you have there. I'm pretty much in line with what Detlef stated about dating, though i'm not convinced "souvenir" is definitely the case. While this little dagger isn't a practical weapon it might have some other cultural significance and miniatures of blades have been created around the world in many cultures that aren't necessarily meant to be sold to tourists. It is nicely constructed from good materials and has a laminated blade. And you did a nice job on the renovations. If it were mine i might even consider locating some MOP to fill the empty holes in the hilt.
Early gunongs were indeed rather small daggers. The blades got larger when colonial powers banned swords. They were meant for stealth, to be concealed weapons. But you do need a dagger to be long enough to ensure it does some actually damage and 9cm probably would be more a nuisance than a death blow.
Here is my early gunong. The blade here is a 13.4cm. I think it would be hard (though not impossible) for anything much small to be used as a weapon.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Those you cite exhibit traditional workmanship - I'd tend to believe that Eric's example is post-WW2, possibly quite recent considering the scabbard and the seemingly fresh resin; also fixing the tang with a metal pin is not traditional and functionally not terribly convincing if done from any soft metal...

Hello Kai,

Like the others I think that I am correct by my dating, compare the example in question with this two big examples from my collection.

Regards,
Detlef

[Rafngard]

Originally Posted by Sajen

compare the example in question with this two big examples from my collection.

Hello Detlef,

I know you've seen one of these before, but I have near twins of your two examples in my collection.

Have fun,
Leif