Kampilan

kai · 22nd January 2023, 01:10 AM

You're welcome, Jim!

Quote:

I dont have these weapons at hand, just these photos, so do not unfortunately have dimensions. It seems these are noted to be quite long but this I believe was around 30" blade, not the larger blades of up to 40" or more.

About 30" is typical. Though examples are known, I'd consider 40" to be oversize.

Quote:

Now I'm curious about the large staple (now absent) but I did read that some of these had chain mail attached to the guard.

Very few examples seem have to survived - I'd love to see pics of any extant pieces! I dare to posit that this wasn't common.

Quote:

I understand that these were a combat weapon and contrary to other edged weapon forms used in these regions, did not serve as tools as required as well.

Yes, the kamp has dedicated combat and ceremonial functions (as have lots of other blade types from the archipelago). Some other do have hybrid functions though.

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 22nd January 2023, 02:19 AM

Often the mansala is blessed by an imam.

Kai is right a out the staple.

The okir on the top and bottom of the lower "jaw" look Maranao to me, but sometimes Maguindanao and even Iranun okir are similar, being adjacent to each other.

Jim McDougall · 22nd January 2023, 04:01 PM

Guys, thank you again, these insights are great, and its good to be learning more on these.
Ed, good forensics!!!! didn't think of the tiles which I think are 12" so this would be 21-24".

Were these ever used at sea, it seems like in the Philippines there were war boats etc. Also I thought of the Sea Dayaks...but they were Borneo correct?

Battara · 23rd January 2023, 02:02 AM

Yes, but some Moros lived in Borneo and traded with the Sea Dayaks as well.

And some tribes like the Moro Iranun had kampilans on their larger boats.

werecow · 23rd January 2023, 01:57 PM

Is this the "staple" / chain mail you guys are referring to?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8530

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21204

Jim McDougall · 23rd January 2023, 03:59 PM

Thanks Jose! I was thinking maybe this shorter blade might have been for seaborne use. I have seen these termed 'cutlass' though it seems that is a colloquial term pretty much thrown around by writers describing any heavy chopping blade.

Werecow, yes, thats it, thank you for the pics, these are great!

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22nd January 2023, 02:19 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,379	Often the mansala is blessed by an imam. Kai is right a out the staple. The okir on the top and bottom of the lower "jaw" look Maranao to me, but sometimes Maguindanao and even Iranun okir are similar, being adjacent to each other.

22nd January 2023, 04:01 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,821	Guys, thank you again, these insights are great, and its good to be learning more on these. Ed, good forensics!!!! didn't think of the tiles which I think are 12" so this would be 21-24". Were these ever used at sea, it seems like in the Philippines there were war boats etc. Also I thought of the Sea Dayaks...but they were Borneo correct?

23rd January 2023, 02:02 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,379	Yes, but some Moros lived in Borneo and traded with the Sea Dayaks as well. And some tribes like the Moro Iranun had kampilans on their larger boats.

23rd January 2023, 01:57 PM	#5
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 653	Is this the "staple" / chain mail you guys are referring to? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8530 http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21204

23rd January 2023, 03:59 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,821	Thanks Jose! I was thinking maybe this shorter blade might have been for seaborne use. I have seen these termed 'cutlass' though it seems that is a colloquial term pretty much thrown around by writers describing any heavy chopping blade. Werecow, yes, thats it, thank you for the pics, these are great!