basement relic -> Panabas!

DaveA · 15th August 2014, 01:06 AM

Late last week I happened to be browsing eBay soon after someone posted a basement relic sword for sale. It was reportedly brought back from The Philippines in the 1950's, mounted and hung on the wall by the seller's grandparents. The pictures were small and fuzzy but the distinctive shape of a panabas was there. I decided not to wait and took a gamble. The seller feels he got a really good deal for a rusty bit of metal, and I feel pretty good too!

The sword arrived today. Here are first pictures, before cleaning or rust removal.

Overall length: 43 inches
Hilt length: 13 inches. Plain wood with metal (brass?) helping secure blade.
Blade width: 1 ¼ inches at hilt to 4 ¼ inches at widest
Blade thickness: ¼ inch tapering distally towards tip
Blade is loose in hilt and easily removed; tang shows age

Decoration: Floral carving along entire back side of blade on both sides. Numerous metal plugs, intact. Serrated back edge near tip with small spike, concave clip point drop to tip. Overall angle shape.

Comments welcome, please. I can't recall seeing a panabas with a blade decorated in this way. Thoughts?

Best Regards,

Dave A

15th August 2014, 01:06 AM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	basement relic -> Panabas! Late last week I happened to be browsing eBay soon after someone posted a basement relic sword for sale. It was reportedly brought back from The Philippines in the 1950's, mounted and hung on the wall by the seller's grandparents. The pictures were small and fuzzy but the distinctive shape of a panabas was there. I decided not to wait and took a gamble. The seller feels he got a really good deal for a rusty bit of metal, and I feel pretty good too! The sword arrived today. Here are first pictures, before cleaning or rust removal. Overall length: 43 inches Hilt length: 13 inches. Plain wood with metal (brass?) helping secure blade. Blade width: 1 ¼ inches at hilt to 4 ¼ inches at widest Blade thickness: ¼ inch tapering distally towards tip Blade is loose in hilt and easily removed; tang shows age Decoration: Floral carving along entire back side of blade on both sides. Numerous metal plugs, intact. Serrated back edge near tip with small spike, concave clip point drop to tip. Overall angle shape. Comments welcome, please. I can't recall seeing a panabas with a blade decorated in this way. Thoughts? Best Regards, Dave A Attached Images