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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Posts: 166
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Once again my thanks go out to Ian without who I assuredly would not have found this blade.
What struck us right off was the unusual pommel design and a two slab pegged scabbard design that I had not seen before. The dealer said it was Maranao probably from the Lake Lanao region (currently a hotbed of Abu Sayyaf activity) but I don't know enough yet to make that call. This one, after conservation, proved to be completely orginal, no apparent repairs or redressing even down to the wooden pegged one-side-open scabbard (although it did appear to have been restained at one time). Before conservation ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Posts: 166
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And again after conservation.
![]() ![]() [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v17/wilked/Philippines/Picture028.jpg [/IMG] Still some red hair stuck in the dowels when I pulled one out! ![]() ![]() And a shot in relation to the stove to show the size of this puppy! ![]() Educate me! |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 91
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Wow. That hilt with the swept pommel is great. Thanks for posting that.
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#4 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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Quite an interesting pommel !
Sea Eagle , Makara , Naga , I can't seem to decide which form it is . The crossguard too is a very interesting shape . Just my preference but I liked the crusty old finish , then again you can see more carving detail now . ![]() Outstanding example Dan ! I'll bet this one feels good in your hand . ![]() |
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#5 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 987
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#6 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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How about some top and edge pics of this hilt .
Is it pierced . I have always wondered from which perspective these hilts should be viewed ' I'm guessing that it is working edge down . (please pardon my futzing with your image) ![]() ![]() It looks almost like an opening plant or flower . Is that a metal insert in the circle ? I love kampilan , I think they're the most lethal sword in the panoply of Moro edged weapons . They are also uniquely different from all other Moro swords . Last edited by Rick; 21st January 2005 at 11:27 PM. |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: VISAYAS and MINDANAO
Posts: 169
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WOW!!! That is truly a unique and rare kampilan. The pommel is truly nothing I've seen before. The carving is well executed! Not only do you have a unique pommel, but you have a scabbard and a crossguard with handguard/staples on BOTH sides...rare on both accounts. This is truly a unique find. The blade looks like it is in pretty good shape and, as Federico noticed, is probably hiding a nice pattern.
I was also wondering as well if the pommel is a recarve, but then there wouldn't be enough material there if the original pommel was your typical kampilan swallow's tail/croccodile jaw form. But as Federico mentions, if it was a re-carve, then the only form possible with enough material to re-carve from would be one of those ultra-rare kampilan hilt forms that Cato mentions in his book and is pictured there as well. I've never actually seen one of those forms, but the picture in the book where the Moro retainer has it resting on his shoulder shows how massive it is. If I remember right, these kampilans were more ceremonial than actually usable. If indeed this example is a recarve of one of those massive rare forms, it was probably done to lighten the weight of the pommel and to make it a more viable weapon. In any case, the pommel is truly unique whether it's original or a recarve (it does kind of look like a parrot ![]() Now don't go buy every unique sword while your in the Philippine, Dan!!! Save some for us ![]() |
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posts: 1,254
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Looks 100% like a bird to me. Very stylized certainly, but if any other animal has eyes and beak in relation like that it can only be a turtle. If it's not an animal I suppose it can be a plant, but I didn't notice anyone getting excited when I mentioned that before as a possible prototype for a S PI hilt. FYI most (not neccessarily all, but way most) sword decorations worldwide are made to be viewed when the sword is in its typical display position; typically point-down, at the hip or wall, but A/ that doesn't address edge-up/edge-down, and B/ kampilans seem to have been commonly carried rather than worn?...
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Posts: 166
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Rick, i'll try to get some more edge pics tomorrow for you and no the center disk is not metal just carved wood.
I haven't decided on replacing the hair yet. For those of you who like the crusty look all I can say is I've been in the Army too long, I CANNOT leave a weapon in an unservicable condition it drives me nuts (they did their job well). I will always clean and polish and preserve to try and return it to it's former glory and insure if it can be made servicable again it will be (this includes sharpening). As for the recarve theory, I have my doubts as the carving on this handle is pierced clean through twice at the beak and once over the disk (pics don't show this but now that you are aware you can probably find the spots). Zelbone, I wouldn't mind etching the blade but, have never done it before and don't want this piece to be the first try. I would very much appreciate your help and advice when you come through. Thanks all, I REALLY like this piece it was an instant decsion at first inspection. |
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#10 | |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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![]() I tend to agree , I think this hilt is not a re-carve but a rare and beautiful variant . |
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#11 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Posts: 312
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Recarves when done well can be extremely hard to detect. While there is the occaisional ad-hoc recarve that are easily detectable, when we are talking recarve here, we are talking someone with lots of money looking to change a piece and take no small steps at it. They are also looking to hide the fact that it has been done. So clues to traditional re-fits and recarves are generally much more subtle, such as off lines, etc... Which is what makes this piece to me a likely candidate for being a recarve. It is obviously very well done, but there are a few features that are off. I doubt the carver had a slip, and if he did, for such a nice piece I doubt he would be let off with just placing it on anyways. Anyways, this is a level of pickiness in Moro Weaponry that we normally dont do on the forum. I know the vast bulk of my swords are ones that have all been tweaked here and there, and the fact does not take away from the quality of the piece, when done very well. Unless of course you are adamant about having 100% original, but then to do that you suddenly limit yourself away from the vast majority of the stuff on the market these days.
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