19th century Philippine Halberd from Spanish Colonial Guard

KraVseR · 24th August 2014, 07:24 PM

Sorry, can you tell more about Alabarderos de la Guardia del Virrey? Maybe who have image of this warriors?

mdp10003 · 24th August 2014, 07:56 PM

The Albarderos were the personal bodyguards of the Spanish Captain-General (Governor) in the colonial times in the Philippines.

Actually, the Guardias del Virreyes operated in Spanish colonies in Latin America. I found out from the book "Legislación militar aplicada al ejército de Filipinas" published in 1879 that in Spanish Philippines, the guards were the Guardias de Albarderos del Real Sello (Halberdier Guards of the Royal Seal), which operated from 1589-1867. They were replaced in 1874 until presumably the end of the Spanish colonial regime in 1898 by the Guardias del Capitan General (Guards of the Captain-General).

In both cases, they were a small unit (20-30 men), who were drawn from the best soldiers in the regular army and were entrusted with protection of the governor. Two halberdiers usually accompanied the governor (with their halberds) when he left the palace.

Battara · 25th August 2014, 01:29 AM

I saw these earlier - nice picture and great info. Thanks!

mdp10003 · 25th August 2014, 05:00 AM

I was contacted over the weekend by the deputy director of the National Museum of the Philippines, and they are very interested in acquiring at least one of the halberd heads I was fortunate enough to win in auction. I am leaning towards donating one to the National Museum, where they can find their way home in Manila. I am just doing due diligence to see if they really need this in their collection, and what its likely fate would be in their collection. (Sorry, Robert).

KraVseR · 25th August 2014, 12:28 PM

Thanks! I find few images, this is Alabarderos de la Guardia del Virrey or not?

mdp10003 · 25th August 2014, 01:45 PM

I am not certain - they are certainly Albarderos, but probably not Virreyes (which means viceroy), since that unit was discontinued.

Battara · 26th August 2014, 12:09 AM

Yes check on what the museums will do. I was told that some of my things should go to a museum other there as national treasures (according to Antique Road Show) but not now since they may go in through the front door and out the back door!

24th August 2014, 07:56 PM	#2
mdp10003 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 28	The Albarderos were the personal bodyguards of the Spanish Captain-General (Governor) in the colonial times in the Philippines. Actually, the Guardias del Virreyes operated in Spanish colonies in Latin America. I found out from the book "Legislación militar aplicada al ejército de Filipinas" published in 1879 that in Spanish Philippines, the guards were the Guardias de Albarderos del Real Sello (Halberdier Guards of the Royal Seal), which operated from 1589-1867. They were replaced in 1874 until presumably the end of the Spanish colonial regime in 1898 by the Guardias del Capitan General (Guards of the Captain-General). In both cases, they were a small unit (20-30 men), who were drawn from the best soldiers in the regular army and were entrusted with protection of the governor. Two halberdiers usually accompanied the governor (with their halberds) when he left the palace. Last edited by mdp10003; 24th August 2014 at 09:29 PM.

25th August 2014, 05:00 AM	#4
mdp10003 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 28	Donating to the National Museum I was contacted over the weekend by the deputy director of the National Museum of the Philippines, and they are very interested in acquiring at least one of the halberd heads I was fortunate enough to win in auction. I am leaning towards donating one to the National Museum, where they can find their way home in Manila. I am just doing due diligence to see if they really need this in their collection, and what its likely fate would be in their collection. (Sorry, Robert).

25th August 2014, 12:28 PM	#5
KraVseR Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ukraine Posts: 128	Thanks! I find few images, this is Alabarderos de la Guardia del Virrey or not? Attached Images

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24th August 2014, 07:24 PM	#1
KraVseR Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ukraine Posts: 128	Sorry, can you tell more about Alabarderos de la Guardia del Virrey? Maybe who have image of this warriors?

25th August 2014, 01:29 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,270	I saw these earlier - nice picture and great info. Thanks!

25th August 2014, 01:45 PM	#6
mdp10003 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 28	I am not certain - they are certainly Albarderos, but probably not Virreyes (which means viceroy), since that unit was discontinued.

26th August 2014, 12:09 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,270	Yes check on what the museums will do. I was told that some of my things should go to a museum other there as national treasures (according to Antique Road Show) but not now since they may go in through the front door and out the back door!