My New PI 1st Republic General's Dagger

Ferguson · 6th October 2013, 02:10 PM

Congratulations Jose! What an amazing and important piece. I've so glad it found its way to you.

Steve

Sajen · 6th October 2013, 03:01 PM

Amazing!

Glad that it found the way to you!

Regards,

Detlef

David · 6th October 2013, 05:50 PM

Wonderful find! Congrats!

Spunjer · 6th October 2013, 06:18 PM

Heck of a piece you got there, bro! very happy for you that you're replacing your stolen pieces with quality ones!
indeed, this piece is from the 1st republic. really hard to find quality pieces from the tagalog region in the revolution era, so you are a very lucky person, my friend. i'm enamored with the unusual handle on that one, whereas the relatively common ones are plain, elongated football shape.
now i'm wondering about this which-come-first-the-chicken-or-the-egg question: would this be a stylized version of the other type of handle in which it's wrapped with silver and/or brass wire (which i refer to as the barber pole type), or would yours be the older style and the barber pole type be the later version? something to think about...
by the way, i don't think that's a gecko; i believe it's a bayawak, or monitor lizard. there has to be a meaning behind that snake eating a bayawak. can't find anything doing a quick google search about some forgotten legend regarding this two animals. perhaps a more thorough search? the bayawak could also represent spain, with the snake representing the filipino people...

kino · 7th October 2013, 02:53 AM

Impressive!!!
Love the stars on the scabbard.
I recall Miguel Diaz mentioning that Filipino Christian and Muslim blades have symbols of heaven and the underworld on their weapons. I think this is a good example the stars representing heaven and the serpent the underworld.
Congrats on a good find.

Battara · 7th October 2013, 04:39 AM

Thank you everyone so far. Heaven and underworld, and bayawak - things to consider.

Once again, as I was praying for God to show me what to get, this sat in a glass case and no one, not even the famous eBay dealers, either saw or went for it.

Yes a great replacement for 2 of lower (but very good) quality that were stolen.

Another example of how God makes something good come out of somethings bad, at least in my life.

If you can find more information on your suggestions that would be great. I do know that the 3 stars at least represent the 3 sections of the Philippines in union for the cause: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao (and adjacent islands).

Robert · 14th October 2013, 12:32 AM

What an absolutely magnificent dagger Jose. I have always wanted and have been looking for another example of these serpent hilt daggers or swords ever sense I first saw Carlos's example. I absolutely agree that this was a very high ranking officer's personnel weapon and more than likely (because of the reasons state by you and others) did belong to a general. There are just a couple of questions I have about it. First, is the blade the same on both sides or is the other side flat or slightly concave? Second, is the scabbard just leather or is it leather over wood? Other than that, all I can really say is I am very happy that you have been so fortunate to have been able to acquire this wonderful piece to hopefully help take some of the sting out of your earlier unfortunate loss. Congratulation my friend. Looking forward to seeing more photos.

Best,
Robert

Battara · 15th October 2013, 12:06 AM

Robert, there is a raised median ridge on both sides of the blade. Blade is roughly flat.

Also the scabbard is silver over thick leather - no wood. Surprised it has lasted this long.

6th October 2013, 02:10 PM	#1
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Congratulations Jose! What an amazing and important piece. I've so glad it found its way to you. Steve

6th October 2013, 03:01 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,207	Amazing! Glad that it found the way to you! Regards, Detlef

6th October 2013, 05:50 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	Wonderful find! Congrats!

6th October 2013, 06:18 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Heck of a piece you got there, bro! very happy for you that you're replacing your stolen pieces with quality ones! indeed, this piece is from the 1st republic. really hard to find quality pieces from the tagalog region in the revolution era, so you are a very lucky person, my friend. i'm enamored with the unusual handle on that one, whereas the relatively common ones are plain, elongated football shape. now i'm wondering about this which-come-first-the-chicken-or-the-egg question: would this be a stylized version of the other type of handle in which it's wrapped with silver and/or brass wire (which i refer to as the barber pole type), or would yours be the older style and the barber pole type be the later version? something to think about... by the way, i don't think that's a gecko; i believe it's a bayawak, or monitor lizard. there has to be a meaning behind that snake eating a bayawak. can't find anything doing a quick google search about some forgotten legend regarding this two animals. perhaps a more thorough search? the bayawak could also represent spain, with the snake representing the filipino people...

7th October 2013, 02:53 AM	#5
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	Impressive!!! Love the stars on the scabbard. I recall Miguel Diaz mentioning that Filipino Christian and Muslim blades have symbols of heaven and the underworld on their weapons. I think this is a good example the stars representing heaven and the serpent the underworld. Congrats on a good find.

7th October 2013, 04:39 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Thank you everyone so far. Heaven and underworld, and bayawak - things to consider. Once again, as I was praying for God to show me what to get, this sat in a glass case and no one, not even the famous eBay dealers, either saw or went for it. Yes a great replacement for 2 of lower (but very good) quality that were stolen. Another example of how God makes something good come out of somethings bad, at least in my life. If you can find more information on your suggestions that would be great. I do know that the 3 stars at least represent the 3 sections of the Philippines in union for the cause: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao (and adjacent islands).

14th October 2013, 12:32 AM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	What an absolutely magnificent dagger Jose. I have always wanted and have been looking for another example of these serpent hilt daggers or swords ever sense I first saw Carlos's example. I absolutely agree that this was a very high ranking officer's personnel weapon and more than likely (because of the reasons state by you and others) did belong to a general. There are just a couple of questions I have about it. First, is the blade the same on both sides or is the other side flat or slightly concave? Second, is the scabbard just leather or is it leather over wood? Other than that, all I can really say is I am very happy that you have been so fortunate to have been able to acquire this wonderful piece to hopefully help take some of the sting out of your earlier unfortunate loss. Congratulation my friend. Looking forward to seeing more photos. Best, Robert

15th October 2013, 12:06 AM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Robert, there is a raised median ridge on both sides of the blade. Blade is roughly flat. Also the scabbard is silver over thick leather - no wood. Surprised it has lasted this long.