Visayan Sword

Lew · 18th September 2012, 12:05 AM

Just picked up this interesting late 20th century sword. I have no idea what it's called

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=261097505613

Robert · 18th September 2012, 05:13 AM

Hello Lew, I could be wrong but I would call this a sansabar though I think it is a very late example it is a very nice sword. Hope this might be of some help. Auction pictures below.

Regards,
Robert

VVV · 18th September 2012, 09:45 AM

I also have one of these bolos.
The seller thought it came from Panay but I haven't found out much more about it.

Michael

Dimasalang · 19th September 2012, 08:20 PM

I also have one strikingly similar. Chiseled edge makes it more so coming from the Visayas region. I also was told Panay. My guess would be these to be 30s or WWII(or a little after) production, but to me it does feel more of a weapon then a farming implement or even a tourist piece. The blade is somewhat thick but the slim shape makes it feel more like a rod in my hand. A filipino martial art or stick art really comes to mind when holding this one, as it really feels like a cross between a stick and sword. An eskrimador weapon maybe?(considering FMAs was really taking off in that specific region and era). The weight and balance feels good...and the blade material doesn't feel or look cheap.

Lew · 20th September 2012, 12:18 AM

Thanks guys. It should be here this Friday will let you know what my impression is

.

Lew · 20th September 2012, 07:15 PM

The piece arrived today. It seems to be of good quality and has a 5/16th inch thick blade at the hilt and the sharpness is good to. Probably a 1980s-90s as far as age goes but may be earlier (Vietnam era)?

Bangkaya · 10th October 2012, 05:49 AM

Interesting sword, but not a sansibar. There is nothing on this sword that points to a Carigara or Jaro, Leyte sword making tradition where the sansibar is made. It is a visayan sundang, but the blade shape is more like a dahong palay of Luzon. But everything else points to a Visayan origin. The scabbard is really interesting, I've seen similar sundang with the same scabbards coming from Zamboanga. This is a possibility since Zamboanga is sort of a the melting pot in Mindanao with Visayan, Moro, and Lumad influences. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Regards,
Bangkaya

Reichsritter · 11th October 2012, 08:25 AM

Looks like a stretched Binagon to me with subo' (dipped in hot oil)

18th September 2012, 12:05 AM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Visayan Sword Just picked up this interesting late 20th century sword. I have no idea what it's called http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=261097505613

18th September 2012, 05:13 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Lew, I could be wrong but I would call this a sansabar though I think it is a very late example it is a very nice sword. Hope this might be of some help. Auction pictures below. Regards, Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 18th September 2012 at 04:40 PM.

18th September 2012, 09:45 AM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I also have one of these bolos. The seller thought it came from Panay but I haven't found out much more about it. Michael

19th September 2012, 08:20 PM	#4
Dimasalang Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 264	I also have one strikingly similar. Chiseled edge makes it more so coming from the Visayas region. I also was told Panay. My guess would be these to be 30s or WWII(or a little after) production, but to me it does feel more of a weapon then a farming implement or even a tourist piece. The blade is somewhat thick but the slim shape makes it feel more like a rod in my hand. A filipino martial art or stick art really comes to mind when holding this one, as it really feels like a cross between a stick and sword. An eskrimador weapon maybe?(considering FMAs was really taking off in that specific region and era). The weight and balance feels good...and the blade material doesn't feel or look cheap.

20th September 2012, 12:18 AM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Thanks guys. It should be here this Friday will let you know what my impression is .

20th September 2012, 07:15 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The piece arrived today. It seems to be of good quality and has a 5/16th inch thick blade at the hilt and the sharpness is good to. Probably a 1980s-90s as far as age goes but may be earlier (Vietnam era)?

10th October 2012, 05:49 AM	#7
Bangkaya Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 38	Interesting sword, but not a sansibar. There is nothing on this sword that points to a Carigara or Jaro, Leyte sword making tradition where the sansibar is made. It is a visayan sundang, but the blade shape is more like a dahong palay of Luzon. But everything else points to a Visayan origin. The scabbard is really interesting, I've seen similar sundang with the same scabbards coming from Zamboanga. This is a possibility since Zamboanga is sort of a the melting pot in Mindanao with Visayan, Moro, and Lumad influences. Sorry I couldn't be more help. Regards, Bangkaya

11th October 2012, 08:25 AM	#8
Reichsritter Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 26	Looks like a stretched Binagon to me with subo' (dipped in hot oil)