Advice for Fist of Ilokano Bolo

Battara · 6th February 2019, 03:58 AM

Greetings folks,

I am restoring this Katipunan Ilokano bolo. The missing silver parts of the horn hilt are done and I finished the silver mounts on the replacement WWII scabbard. At the end of the hilt is a ball that is the end of the tang.

What perplexes me is the hole in the fist fingers. Would it have been for a silver ring (several examples have this), a tassel, or what?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Battara · 6th February 2019, 04:19 AM

I forgot - here is a picture of the blade:

xasterix · 6th February 2019, 06:07 AM

Good Lord, that's one hell of a sword.

Sorry, I don't know about the missing part, just came here to drool over it...

Rick · 6th February 2019, 06:33 AM

Looks like a ring should go there.
I would think the shank would be let into the finger a bit though; just to keep it a bit more secure.

Battara · 7th February 2019, 02:53 AM

According to Lorenz in recent correspondence, the scalloped blade profile definitely makes this Ilokano (as earlier mentioned by Ian), and that there was most probably a ring there.

What he is not sure of is why around the top finger instead of the "ring finger". Could it be an indication of status or rank among the Katipunan?

David · 7th February 2019, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

What he is not sure of is why around the top finger instead of the "ring finger". Could it be an indication of status or rank among the Katipunan?

Why would a ring on such a hand specifically need to go on the "ring finger". Despite the name, rings are often worn on the other fingers as well in various cultures.

6th February 2019, 03:58 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Advice for Fist of Ilokano Bolo Greetings folks, I am restoring this Katipunan Ilokano bolo. The missing silver parts of the horn hilt are done and I finished the silver mounts on the replacement WWII scabbard. At the end of the hilt is a ball that is the end of the tang. What perplexes me is the hole in the fist fingers. Would it have been for a silver ring (several examples have this), a tassel, or what? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Attached Images

6th February 2019, 04:19 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I forgot - here is a picture of the blade: Attached Images

6th February 2019, 06:07 AM	#3
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 670	Good Lord, that's one hell of a sword. Sorry, I don't know about the missing part, just came here to drool over it...

6th February 2019, 06:33 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Looks like a ring should go there. I would think the shank would be let into the finger a bit though; just to keep it a bit more secure.

7th February 2019, 02:53 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	According to Lorenz in recent correspondence, the scalloped blade profile definitely makes this Ilokano (as earlier mentioned by Ian), and that there was most probably a ring there. What he is not sure of is why around the top finger instead of the "ring finger". Could it be an indication of status or rank among the Katipunan?