Katipunan dagger?

mdp10003 · 28th June 2013, 06:54 PM

Hi!

I just won an auction that I am excited about. I think it is a "Katipunan" dagger (actually, as many of you have pointed out, many of these are First Philippine Republic). I won't get it for a few weeks, but I thought I would show the photos I got from the auction house.

What attracted me to it was the engraving on the blade - it had an engraved F which in other contexts stands for Filipinas, the old name for the Philippines. I am curious if anyone has seen similar engravings before?

Also, I know that folks have attributed these to Ilocos region, but couldn't they be Southern Luzon (Batangas/Cavite) as well?

Any comments welcome!

cheers, mdp10003

kai · 3rd July 2013, 07:40 AM

Hello Michael,

Our resident specialists on things Luzon overlooked this thread, I believe.

Quote:

What attracted me to it was the engraving on the blade - it had an engraved F which in other contexts stands for Filipinas, the old name for the Philippines.

Yes, I like this, too - good craftmanship.

Congrats, nice dagger!

Regards,
Kai

mdp10003 · 3rd July 2013, 06:17 PM

Thanks! I am getting it next week and am excited to hold it in my hand! I am still learning about these bladed weapons!

Battara · 3rd July 2013, 06:42 PM

Nice engraving on this piece. This particular piece I would assign to the Ilocanos.

Robert · 4th July 2013, 04:30 AM

Hello Michael, Welcome to the forum and congratulations on this great addition to your collection. I agree that this is of Ilocanos origin as Jose has pointed out. Most of the daggers that I have seen that are of southern origin either have a tang that does not extend completely through the hilt or if they do they do not usually have the bead on the very end of the hilt like yours does. This is just a personal observation and if incorrect I am sure someone with more knowledge on the subject will correct me. I have one item that has the same F engraved on it but not the rest of the floral design that your has. A very nice find and wonderful addition to your collection.

Best,
Robert

mdp10003 · 4th July 2013, 04:36 AM

Wow Robert, that is a very nice blade! I am partial to the ones that are engraved or have markings that connect it to Katipunan or the Philippine Republican Army! Thanks also (and to Jose) for schooling me on the differences between the northern Ilocos and the Tagalog styles.

Battara · 6th July 2013, 05:23 AM

Here is my example of this same type of dagger from Ilocos Norte. Notice the waves, the hilt style, and the back inscription in Spanish stating it was made in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. On the other side it also has the emblem of the 1st Philippine Republic.

28th June 2013, 06:54 PM	#1
mdp10003 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 28	Katipunan dagger? Hi! I just won an auction that I am excited about. I think it is a "Katipunan" dagger (actually, as many of you have pointed out, many of these are First Philippine Republic). I won't get it for a few weeks, but I thought I would show the photos I got from the auction house. What attracted me to it was the engraving on the blade - it had an engraved F which in other contexts stands for Filipinas, the old name for the Philippines. I am curious if anyone has seen similar engravings before? Also, I know that folks have attributed these to Ilocos region, but couldn't they be Southern Luzon (Batangas/Cavite) as well? Any comments welcome! cheers, mdp10003 Attached Images

4th July 2013, 04:30 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Michael, Welcome to the forum and congratulations on this great addition to your collection. I agree that this is of Ilocanos origin as Jose has pointed out. Most of the daggers that I have seen that are of southern origin either have a tang that does not extend completely through the hilt or if they do they do not usually have the bead on the very end of the hilt like yours does. This is just a personal observation and if incorrect I am sure someone with more knowledge on the subject will correct me. I have one item that has the same F engraved on it but not the rest of the floral design that your has. A very nice find and wonderful addition to your collection. Best, Robert Attached Images

6th July 2013, 05:23 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Here is my example of this same type of dagger from Ilocos Norte. Notice the waves, the hilt style, and the back inscription in Spanish stating it was made in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. On the other side it also has the emblem of the 1st Philippine Republic. Attached Images

3rd July 2013, 06:17 PM	#3
mdp10003 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 28	Thanks! I am getting it next week and am excited to hold it in my hand! I am still learning about these bladed weapons!

3rd July 2013, 06:42 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Nice engraving on this piece. This particular piece I would assign to the Ilocanos.

4th July 2013, 04:36 AM	#6
mdp10003 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 28	Wow Robert, that is a very nice blade! I am partial to the ones that are engraved or have markings that connect it to Katipunan or the Philippine Republican Army! Thanks also (and to Jose) for schooling me on the differences between the northern Ilocos and the Tagalog styles.