Another campilon

Battara · 11th March 2014, 12:26 AM

I have resisted commenting until now. To me this hilt seems wrong on several levels to be contemporary with the blade:

1. Narwal ivory would be so difficult to get to the southern Philippines, even through trade.

2. The pin keeping the old Spanish coin in the pommel - usually there is no pommel cap on kampilans.

3. When one rarely sees this type of hilt shape, it is usually because the pommel has been broken so many times that the isn't much left.

4. Unless the cross guard is made of horn, ivory would not normally be used without also using other higher ranking materials in suite.

These are my thoughts on this piece. It all may be authentic, or at least the blade may be older, and yes trade went very far and anything is possible. I guess I have my reservations until proved or convinced otherwise.

11th March 2014, 12:26 AM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I have resisted commenting until now. To me this hilt seems wrong on several levels to be contemporary with the blade: 1. Narwal ivory would be so difficult to get to the southern Philippines, even through trade. 2. The pin keeping the old Spanish coin in the pommel - usually there is no pommel cap on kampilans. 3. When one rarely sees this type of hilt shape, it is usually because the pommel has been broken so many times that the isn't much left. 4. Unless the cross guard is made of horn, ivory would not normally be used without also using other higher ranking materials in suite. These are my thoughts on this piece. It all may be authentic, or at least the blade may be older, and yes trade went very far and anything is possible. I guess I have my reservations until proved or convinced otherwise.