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#1 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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Well, This has finally arrived. I was really starting to worried that it had gotten lost in the mail. A late 19th to early 20th century Philippine bolo with a nicely carved carabao grip in the shape of a clenched fist. The finely carved but damaged scabbard is made of a dark wood with wire bands (most of which are replacements) holding the two sides together. I cannot make out the writing carved around the hilt but it looks like SON?-APALIT?-PAMP?-CASTRO Any help with filling in what the missing worn letters might be and the meaning would be greatly appreciated. Measurements below.
Total Length = 25 inches Blade Length = 18 inches Blade At Thickest = 5/16 inch Hilt Length = 7 inches I am going to try to upload the pictures one at a time so that they might stay in order so please be patient as this might take a while. I will also be adding pictures of the scabbard. Robert Last edited by Robert Coleman; 23rd November 2010 at 01:04 AM. |
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#2 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
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Here are a few pictures of the scabbard. All comments are welcome.
Robert |
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#3 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,285
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#4 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Well, by blade alone I would steer away from Pampangan. However, the fist and carving look good, so I might hesitantly say pre-1900. The hilt is made of worn horn (hey that rhymes
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#5 |
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Makati
Posts: 69
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I think the scabbard is made of Balayong wood. Its deep purple color is highly prized for making furnitures. The wood is no longer available. High end furnitures made of Balayong wood were made in Pampanga up to the very early 1900s.
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#6 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Balayang wood - not familiar with it. I was basing my thoughts on the red coloration. Interesting.........
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#7 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
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Hello everyone and thank you for your replies.
Rick, Thank you for the link. One of the first things I did when this arrived and I found the words carved into the hilt was to do a google search on them and the link you posted was one of the first that I checked out. Jose, Yes, the hilt is of worn horn ![]() ![]() Nacho, Like Jose I have never heard of Balayong wood. The color of this wood is very dark, almost like teak but with like you say "a deep purple color" to it. It looks more reddish in the photos because of the flash. Now if someone can tell me the meaning of the words carved into the hilt I would be happy. ![]() ![]() Robert |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 26
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Hi Robert-
A Kapangpangan (a local of Pampanga) friend told me that Apalit is known for bolos, knives and anything metal (rakes, spade hoes etc.). It even have a barangay (local community) called "Capalangan" "Palang" a generic term for knives or bolo. My guess is Castro & Sons of Apalit Pampanga is one of the old home businesses around Apalit that make these domestic metal products. |
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#9 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
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Thanks Reicsritter, that would make a lot of sense......
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#10 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
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Reicsritter,
Thank you very much. Like Jose said "that would make a lot of sense......". If this is the case, it will be the first time I have seen one of these marked in this way by the maker. Has anyone else seen or have an item from the Philippines that has been marked by the maker in this fashion ? In the mean time I have found that this has a laminated blade and because of my poor picture taking ability I will try doing an etch on it later hopefully to bring it out enough so I might be able to get a few good pictures to post. Again my thank for all the help so far. Robert |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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Just have won a very similar Apalit bolo, I guess that it is from the same time frame as the one from Robert, this one has a blonde horn handle without the inscription Robert's bolo has and a leather scabbard instead of a wooden one. Here some pictures from the seller. Robert, hope it's ok that I hijack your thread.
Regards, Detlef |
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#12 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
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Congratulations Sajen! Albino horn is harder to find. Nice carving too.
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#13 |
EAAF Staff
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Hello Detlef, I am very happy to see that you were the one who won this great bolo. The auction photos of this piece were not the best I have ever seen so I am really looking forward to seeing more and hopefully better ones after it arrives. My congratulations to you on being able to add this rare piece to your collection.
Best, Robert |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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Congratulations! Is a very beautiful piece !! Im sure bolo is very happy in his new home !!
Best regards Carlos |
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#15 |
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Thank you all three for the kind words.
![]() Jose, would you agree with my age guess? Robert, will post some better pictures when I have received it. Carlos, yes, I am sure that it will be happy with it's new friends. ![]() Regards, Detlef |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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congrats, Detlef!
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#17 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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Thank you Ron! ![]() |
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#18 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
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I'd agree to your age estimate, more with late 19thc.
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#19 | |
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![]() Best regards, Detlef |
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#20 |
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Just finished cleaning the blade from rust. Here some hopeful better pictures.
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#21 |
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Some close up's
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#22 |
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Thickness at the base nearly 1 cm --- 0.4'!
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#23 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
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Great work! Nice piece!
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#24 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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