Moro Kampilan most recently from the great Brimfield Flea Market

Lee · 13th May 2017, 12:29 AM

Acquiring a kampilan has long eluded me, but this one just found me at the giant Brimfield, MA flea market. The dark hardwood hilt is simply, but proficiently carved with the grip wrapped in rattan. Bands of rattan once extended across the guard, but are now largely gone and there is no evidence of any previous iron fittings on the guard. Very faint narrow lengthwise imperfections in the blade are consistent with forging, as are variations in the blade patina.

Overall length is 36¾ inches (93.6 cm) with the blade being 27 inches (68.4 cm). At 0.85 inch (2.2 cm), the blade is quite narrow at the origin and widens to 1.6 inches (4 cm) at the widest point just before the cutouts. There is a fairly uniform tapering of thickness from 0.28 inch (0.72 cm) at the origin to 0.11 inch (0.27 cm) at the widest point as above. The balance point is 6½ inches (16.5 cm) out from the hilt. The weight is 23.4 ounces (664 grams).

Your insights and comments are welcome!

13th May 2017, 12:29 AM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	Moro Kampilan most recently from the great Brimfield Flea Market Acquiring a kampilan has long eluded me, but this one just found me at the giant Brimfield, MA flea market. The dark hardwood hilt is simply, but proficiently carved with the grip wrapped in rattan. Bands of rattan once extended across the guard, but are now largely gone and there is no evidence of any previous iron fittings on the guard. Very faint narrow lengthwise imperfections in the blade are consistent with forging, as are variations in the blade patina. Overall length is 36¾ inches (93.6 cm) with the blade being 27 inches (68.4 cm). At 0.85 inch (2.2 cm), the blade is quite narrow at the origin and widens to 1.6 inches (4 cm) at the widest point just before the cutouts. There is a fairly uniform tapering of thickness from 0.28 inch (0.72 cm) at the origin to 0.11 inch (0.27 cm) at the widest point as above. The balance point is 6½ inches (16.5 cm) out from the hilt. The weight is 23.4 ounces (664 grams). Your insights and comments are welcome! Attached Images