Katipunan Matulis Short Sword?

Battara · 22nd September 2013, 01:01 AM

Greetings folks,

Here is a matulis tabak that I think is katipunan. However, I am not 100% sure. It is Tagalog in blade form (matulis) and the tang goes all the way through the horn hilt.

What puzzles me is the carving. Is this a Spaniard??

Around 2001 on this forum, Zelbone once said this:

"Actually the head of a dead Spaniard was a very popular motif for pommels of katipunan bolos or swords. The defiant fist or hand pommel was also symbolic of the katipunan effort. The best variety though is the fist grasping the head of a dead Spaniard (you know the head is of a Spaniard because of the heavy moustache that was popular during that time and most Filipinos didn't wear moustaches in that fashion.)" (my bolding of text)

The mustache is huge and the sideburns large. Very European/Spanish. But who is he? What does this carving indicate?

Please help me (some say I need lots of help

)?

22nd September 2013, 01:01 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,189	Katipunan Matulis Short Sword? Greetings folks, Here is a matulis tabak that I think is katipunan. However, I am not 100% sure. It is Tagalog in blade form (matulis) and the tang goes all the way through the horn hilt. What puzzles me is the carving. Is this a Spaniard?? Around 2001 on this forum, Zelbone once said this: "Actually the head of a dead Spaniard was a very popular motif for pommels of katipunan bolos or swords. The defiant fist or hand pommel was also symbolic of the katipunan effort. The best variety though is the fist grasping the head of a dead Spaniard (you know the head is of a Spaniard because of the heavy moustache that was popular during that time and most Filipinos didn't wear moustaches in that fashion.)" (my bolding of text) The mustache is huge and the sideburns large. Very European/Spanish. But who is he? What does this carving indicate? Please help me (some say I need lots of help )? Attached Images