4 pieces from the Philippines

Freddy · 30th November 2009, 01:46 PM

These have been around for a couple of weeks. Can anyone tell me more ?

Robert · 30th November 2009, 03:45 PM

Hi Freddy,
Could you post pictures of the other side of these and of the end of the hilts. Measurements of blade length, width and thickness as well as total length would also be helpful.

Robert

KuKulzA28 · 30th November 2009, 06:05 PM

The first two seem to be of the Binagong/ginunting from Panay/Negros
The third seems to be of the talibon/garab type but without the characteristic pommel
the fourth might be a matulis/pinuti type from Luzon?

Those are my novice blade aficionado comments. I hope the gurus will speak

Freddy · 30th November 2009, 06:20 PM

I will start with the top one.

Total length : 76 cm
handle : 16 cm (wood)
blade thickness near handle : 1 cm !

Very sharp, single edged blade with a false edge starting at about the middle of the blade. Unfortunately, there is no sheath.

Freddy · 30th November 2009, 09:02 PM

This one has a leather sheath. The handle is made of wood with a metal crossguard. Again single-edged and very sharp. The edge is on the straight side of the blade.

Total length : 60 cm
Handle : 15 cm
Thickness of blade near the handle : 1 cm

Freddy · 2nd December 2009, 09:31 PM

I think the blade is older then the handle and the sheath. All wooden sheath, decorated on one side. The two pieces of wood are held together with 3 rattan bindings. Wooden handle with copper ferrule. The blade is very sharp and is a bit 'hollow' on one side (like you see on a mandau).

Total length : 51 cm
Handle : 9,5 cm
Thickness of blade near the handle : 6 mm

Freddy · 4th December 2009, 05:21 PM

A very slender dagger (?) with a single-edged blade. Handle made out of wood with two copper ferrules. There's also a small crossguard. This piece has a leather sheath.

Total length : 42 cm
handle : 9,5 cm
thickness of blade near the hilt : 5 mm

migueldiaz · 9th December 2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

I will start with the top one.

Total length : 76 cm
handle : 16 cm (wood)
blade thickness near handle : 1 cm !

Very sharp, single edged blade with a false edge starting at about the middle of the blade. Unfortunately, there is no sheath.

Hi Freddy, I have a similar piece which I got from Fernando. But I have yet to firmly establish as to what region in the Philippines such types come from.

Given that such blades (the one you and I have) are not chisel-ground (i.e., the Visayan blades), then in all probability your sword came from Luzon.

migueldiaz · 9th December 2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

This one has a leather sheath. The handle is made of wood with a metal crossguard. Again single-edged and very sharp. The edge is on the straight side of the blade.

Total length : 60 cm
Handle : 15 cm
Thickness of blade near the handle : 1 cm

A leather sheathed Phil. bolo points to a Luzon origin. And then in the pics in the very first post, I thought I saw a peened tang. Thus once again, peened-tang blades are characteristic of Luzon bolos.

migueldiaz · 9th December 2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

I think the blade is older then the handle and the sheath. All wooden sheath, decorated on one side. The two pieces of wood are held together with 3 rattan bindings. Wooden handle with copper ferrule. The blade is very sharp and is a bit 'hollow' on one side (like you see on a mandau).

Total length : 51 cm
Handle : 9,5 cm
Thickness of blade near the handle : 6 mm

The chisel ground blade and the wooden sheath point to a Visayan origin. Also, I saw earlier in eBay a WW2 G.I. souvenir bolo which has a very similar pommel. Then in its scabbard, "Samar, Philippines" is engraved. Thus it is probable that this bolo came from Samar.

migueldiaz · 9th December 2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

A very slender dagger (?) with a single-edged blade. Handle made out of wood with two copper ferrules. There's also a small crossguard. This piece has a leather sheath.

Total length : 42 cm
handle : 9,5 cm
thickness of blade near the hilt : 5 mm

Leather scabbard and peened tang ... looks like another Luzon piece

I have a query for everyone ... does it appear that only Luzon pieces have octagonal hilts (i.e., like the one above)? Thanks in advance!

30th November 2009, 01:46 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	4 pieces from the Philippines These have been around for a couple of weeks. Can anyone tell me more ?

30th November 2009, 09:02 PM	#5
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	number 2 This one has a leather sheath. The handle is made of wood with a metal crossguard. Again single-edged and very sharp. The edge is on the straight side of the blade. Total length : 60 cm Handle : 15 cm Thickness of blade near the handle : 1 cm

2nd December 2009, 09:31 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	3rd sword I think the blade is older then the handle and the sheath. All wooden sheath, decorated on one side. The two pieces of wood are held together with 3 rattan bindings. Wooden handle with copper ferrule. The blade is very sharp and is a bit 'hollow' on one side (like you see on a mandau). Total length : 51 cm Handle : 9,5 cm Thickness of blade near the handle : 6 mm

4th December 2009, 05:21 PM	#7
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	last piece A very slender dagger (?) with a single-edged blade. Handle made out of wood with two copper ferrules. There's also a small crossguard. This piece has a leather sheath. Total length : 42 cm handle : 9,5 cm thickness of blade near the hilt : 5 mm

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30th November 2009, 03:45 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hi Freddy, Could you post pictures of the other side of these and of the end of the hilts. Measurements of blade length, width and thickness as well as total length would also be helpful. Robert

30th November 2009, 06:05 PM	#3
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	The first two seem to be of the Binagong/ginunting from Panay/Negros The third seems to be of the talibon/garab type but without the characteristic pommel the fourth might be a matulis/pinuti type from Luzon? Those are my novice blade aficionado comments. I hope the gurus will speak

30th November 2009, 06:20 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I will start with the top one. Total length : 76 cm handle : 16 cm (wood) blade thickness near handle : 1 cm ! Very sharp, single edged blade with a false edge starting at about the middle of the blade. Unfortunately, there is no sheath.