Swap meet find

Montino Bourbon · 9th April 2021, 02:34 AM

I found this at a swap meet for a very low price. Any info appreciated. I don't expect that it's a great treasure, but I don't know.

Rick · 9th April 2021, 03:03 AM

I think it's a charming piece Montino It lacks the widening at the base of the blade but I still think it's Moro.
Between wars 1 and 2 maybe for vintage?
I don't know if it was made as a souvenir, but I doubt it, the wrapping on the scabbard looks too functional.
I would have bought it if I were at that sale.

Reset the handle and find a piece of gray MOP to fit that void.

Battara · 9th April 2021, 03:25 AM

This I would put much later, like the 1960s upward. I noticed that the waves, "luks", do not alternate but match each other on the opposite sides, which is not Moro traditionally.

All else is recently made Moro, perhaps Sulu.

David · 14th April 2021, 05:59 PM

Yes, i would imagine the "luks" were simply cut rather than forged. As you can see the flat section in the center of the blade does not curve with the luks. And as José has pointed out, the luks don't alternate ad the would if they were forged. Whether this was done later or at the time the blade was made i do not know.
Not sure what would call this. It isn't a kris/kalis, but it seems too long to be called a gunong/punal. But i agree with Rick that it has a certain charm and i don't think this was a tourist piece either. I would do what Rick suggests. Find some grayish MOP to cut to replace the missing triangle and reset the hilt properly with some gentle overall cleanup. You could also clean up the blade while it is off the hilt and maybe try an etch, though i don't know if this blade will show any lamination. If i had seen this at a show for the right price i would have grabbed it as well.

Ian · 14th April 2021, 09:25 PM

Agree with much of what has been said above. The blade is much more like a long gunong than a kris, and a thin metal guard is a common feature on gunong. The blade features and the luk created by stock removal have been described already. As Battara noted, it is probably from the mid- to late-20th C.

The MOP inserts on the scabbard suggest it was made in Zamboanga or Basilan, and such decorations were common on items made for sale to tourists. However, I don't think this is a tourist piece.

Bangkaya · 16th April 2021, 12:43 AM

Sama gunong/punyal........Tawi-tawi/Sibutu

9th April 2021, 02:34 AM	#1
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	Swap meet find I found this at a swap meet for a very low price. Any info appreciated. I don't expect that it's a great treasure, but I don't know. Attached Images

9th April 2021, 03:03 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I think it's a charming piece Montino It lacks the widening at the base of the blade but I still think it's Moro. Between wars 1 and 2 maybe for vintage? I don't know if it was made as a souvenir, but I doubt it, the wrapping on the scabbard looks too functional. I would have bought it if I were at that sale. Reset the handle and find a piece of gray MOP to fit that void.

9th April 2021, 03:25 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	This I would put much later, like the 1960s upward. I noticed that the waves, "luks", do not alternate but match each other on the opposite sides, which is not Moro traditionally. All else is recently made Moro, perhaps Sulu.

14th April 2021, 05:59 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Yes, i would imagine the "luks" were simply cut rather than forged. As you can see the flat section in the center of the blade does not curve with the luks. And as José has pointed out, the luks don't alternate ad the would if they were forged. Whether this was done later or at the time the blade was made i do not know. Not sure what would call this. It isn't a kris/kalis, but it seems too long to be called a gunong/punal. But i agree with Rick that it has a certain charm and i don't think this was a tourist piece either. I would do what Rick suggests. Find some grayish MOP to cut to replace the missing triangle and reset the hilt properly with some gentle overall cleanup. You could also clean up the blade while it is off the hilt and maybe try an etch, though i don't know if this blade will show any lamination. If i had seen this at a show for the right price i would have grabbed it as well.

14th April 2021, 09:25 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Agree with much of what has been said above. The blade is much more like a long gunong than a kris, and a thin metal guard is a common feature on gunong. The blade features and the luk created by stock removal have been described already. As Battara noted, it is probably from the mid- to late-20th C. The MOP inserts on the scabbard suggest it was made in Zamboanga or Basilan, and such decorations were common on items made for sale to tourists. However, I don't think this is a tourist piece.

16th April 2021, 12:43 AM	#6
Bangkaya Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 38	Sama gunong/punyal........Tawi-tawi/Sibutu