Puzzling Filipino (?) bolo

Sajen · 5th April 2020, 09:36 AM

Agree, the scabbard look very Bicolano.

Intersting piece Ian!

Regards,
Detlef

CharlesS · 5th April 2020, 01:04 PM

Very interesting Ian. I am not sure I've seen a brass insert, aside from wire inlay, on a Filipino blade before.

Sajen · 5th April 2020, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

I am not sure I've seen a brass insert, aside from wire inlay, on a Filipino blade before.

Hello Charles,

You forget examples like this: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=bolo

Regards,
Detlef

asomotif · 5th April 2020, 09:26 PM

I still have my doubts about the inlay.

Look at the parts that I have marked.
There is pitting in the brass ? there is pitting on the edge of the iron/steel and the brass. Where have you ever seen that iron and brass are showing the exact sort of corrosion.
Also the file marks, they go smoothly from the iron into the brass.

Alao the shape of the inlay does not make sense.

I still go for varnish or glue remains.

Best regards,
Willem

Ian · 5th April 2020, 10:43 PM

Thanks Willem. All good points, which are particularly apparent on the blown up picture. As noted previously, the blade has been treated with a hard substance and I can't get to the underlying surface without destroying that coating. Organic solvents have not helped. I think you are correct that it is likely something on the blade rather than an inlay.

Ian · 6th April 2020, 12:56 AM

Several days ago, I sent these pictures to our fellow forumite, xasterix, for his opinion. I delayed putting his views up because I didn't want to bias the discussion. Here is what he said:

Quote:

I strongly suspect this to either be from Masbate or Northern Samar. Both of these areas are a sort of 'in-between' of Luzon and Visayas blades; I've seen that type of scabbard before from Masbate, but that blade type is also produced in Northern Samar. They simply call it 'Masbad' and is an oddity from their other blades, because it is their only V-grind (and not the usual chisel). I hope you don't mind, I showed it to a friend ... and he thinks it's from outside PH. So there you have two conjectures on that one.

Something further to think about. Personally, I believe this is a Filipino bolo. The intermediate position of Masbate between Bicol and the rest of the Visayas makes xas' suggestion appealing.

Ian.

drac2k · 6th April 2020, 02:28 AM

Great Bolo!
Now let me play detective as well. I believe what you see are the remains of scotch tape that covered a descriptive label about the item; over the years the tape yellowed. The tag was removed with the tape and thus you have the brass colored perimeter where the tape was left; the tag may even be the one now on the scabbard. Measure it and see if it fits.

5th April 2020, 09:26 PM	#4
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	I still have my doubts about the inlay. Look at the parts that I have marked. There is pitting in the brass ? there is pitting on the edge of the iron/steel and the brass. Where have you ever seen that iron and brass are showing the exact sort of corrosion. Also the file marks, they go smoothly from the iron into the brass. Alao the shape of the inlay does not make sense. I still go for varnish or glue remains. Best regards, Willem Attached Images

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5th April 2020, 09:36 AM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,212	Agree, the scabbard look very Bicolano. Intersting piece Ian! Regards, Detlef

5th April 2020, 01:04 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Very interesting Ian. I am not sure I've seen a brass insert, aside from wire inlay, on a Filipino blade before.

5th April 2020, 10:43 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	Thanks Willem. All good points, which are particularly apparent on the blown up picture. As noted previously, the blade has been treated with a hard substance and I can't get to the underlying surface without destroying that coating. Organic solvents have not helped. I think you are correct that it is likely something on the blade rather than an inlay.

6th April 2020, 02:28 AM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,258	Great Bolo! Now let me play detective as well. I believe what you see are the remains of scotch tape that covered a descriptive label about the item; over the years the tape yellowed. The tag was removed with the tape and thus you have the brass colored perimeter where the tape was left; the tag may even be the one now on the scabbard. Measure it and see if it fits.