Nice old Ilocano knife

Ian · 17th March 2005, 02:08 AM

Rick:

I have to agree with Mark. I don't see much to indicate a Spanish origin. The finely milled brass at either end of the wooden handle strikes me as more of a French or Italian trait. The sheath also looks French or thereabouts (Britain, Germany). The inscribed design, as noted already, is very suggestive of Katipunan influence. If we use Battara's dating, the knife likely would have been inscribed with those symbols around 1900, but the knife itself could be older -- and I think it is. Perhaps mid- to late-19th C.

The Ilocano knife is pre WWII, I think.

Ian.

zelbone · 17th March 2005, 09:16 AM

The dagger most likely belonged to a Katipunan member. It may look European, but most likely was made in the Philippines in the European style. I've seen several Katipunan daggers that you would swear were made in Europe only to notice that the hilts were made of carabao horn, kamagong, or narra.

As for the bolo, it's a nice old example...you know it's old since it has a wooden scabbard. Pre-WWII?...definately.

MABAGANI · 31st March 2005, 06:42 AM

Although much of the early hilt/sword forms are still followed by modern blade makers in the Ilocano regions, I would would not automatically start calling all old Katipunan era blades with the same form, Ilocano...sometimes on the elaborate old pieces with markings and symbols on the blade, hilt and scabbards you can start pinpointing origins.

Conogre · 31st March 2005, 05:01 PM

I have to admit to being somewhat stymied by the non-Philippine reaction of many of you, as whan I saw it my immediate reaction was 1900's era northern Philippines.
Although posted on another thread, this piece seems VERY similar to my rather rudimentry eye.
Mike

17th March 2005, 02:08 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Interesting knife, Rick ... Rick: I have to agree with Mark. I don't see much to indicate a Spanish origin. The finely milled brass at either end of the wooden handle strikes me as more of a French or Italian trait. The sheath also looks French or thereabouts (Britain, Germany). The inscribed design, as noted already, is very suggestive of Katipunan influence. If we use Battara's dating, the knife likely would have been inscribed with those symbols around 1900, but the knife itself could be older -- and I think it is. Perhaps mid- to late-19th C. The Ilocano knife is pre WWII, I think. Ian.

31st March 2005, 05:01 PM	#4
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	I have to admit to being somewhat stymied by the non-Philippine reaction of many of you, as whan I saw it my immediate reaction was 1900's era northern Philippines. Although posted on another thread, this piece seems VERY similar to my rather rudimentry eye. Mike Attached Images

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17th March 2005, 09:16 AM	#2
zelbone Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: VISAYAS and MINDANAO Posts: 169	The dagger most likely belonged to a Katipunan member. It may look European, but most likely was made in the Philippines in the European style. I've seen several Katipunan daggers that you would swear were made in Europe only to notice that the hilts were made of carabao horn, kamagong, or narra. As for the bolo, it's a nice old example...you know it's old since it has a wooden scabbard. Pre-WWII?...definately.

31st March 2005, 06:42 AM	#3
MABAGANI Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 221	Although much of the early hilt/sword forms are still followed by modern blade makers in the Ilocano regions, I would would not automatically start calling all old Katipunan era blades with the same form, Ilocano...sometimes on the elaborate old pieces with markings and symbols on the blade, hilt and scabbards you can start pinpointing origins.