New Interesting Philippine Bolo

[VANDOO]

ITS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO ACCURATELY PLACE A AGE ON A ITEM ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE IT IN HAND. BUT I WILL TRY TO EXPLAIN MY REASONING ON THIS KNIFE. MY BEST GUESS , FOR SOME REASON I THINK LUZON ISLAND AND DUE TO THE STEEL FERRULE AND BAND ON THE SCABBARD WW2 OR LATER. THE BLADE MAY OR MAY NOT BE OLDER THAN THE FITTINGS AND THE SCABBARD MAY BE OLDER THAN THE METAL BANDS OR IT MAY ALL HAVE BEEN DONE AT THE SAME TIME. WHEN AND WHY THE PAINT WAS ADDED COULD ONLY BE ANSWERED BY THE ONE WHO DID IT BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS MUCH MORE RECENT THAN THE HANDLE BUT IT DOES LOOK LIKE WW2 OR NEWER PAINT. ITS ALWAYS INTERESTING TO SEE AND DISCUSS THESE ITEMS ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT THE CLASSIC TRADITIONAL FORMS.

[Ian]

Robert:

Interesting piece and I don't find the painted hilt a distraction. This is the third or fourth example I have seen that would seem to have come from Luzon. The wood "hanger" on the scabbard is occasionally seen in central Luzon, and a recent example I showed from Apalit had such an arrangement (see the scabbard for the fat-belly bolo in Post #1 of this thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18769).

I also have a modern example of a painted hilt on a late 20th C barung (purchased 1998) that probably came from the Lake Lanao or Palawan area. Here are some pictures of that one:













The painting in this case seems to have occurred at the time of manufacture.

Ian.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

This is the third or fourth example I have seen that would seem to have come from Luzon. The wood "hanger" on the scabbard is occasionally seen in central Luzon, and a recent example I showed from Apalit had such an arrangement (see the scabbard for the fat-belly bolo in Post #1 of this thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18769).

Hello Ian,

yes, forget complete the recently discussed short Apalit bolos, they has also this belt hooks at the scabbard. But be you aware of Luzon bolos with "monster" hilts? I know them only from Batangas and Bicol.

Regards,
Detlef

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Ian,

yes, forget complete the recently discussed short Apalit bolos, they has also this belt hooks at the scabbard. But be you aware of Luzon bolos with "monster" hilts? I know them only from Batangas and Bicol.

Regards,
Detlef

I can't recall these styles of hilts coming from other areas of Luzon.

Ian

[Sajen]

Thank you Ian! So when the bolo is a Luzon piece it would originate from one of this both areas.

Regards,
Detlef

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Thank you Ian! So when the bolo is a Luzon piece it would originate from one of this both areas.

Regards,
Detlef

That seems a reasonable assumption. However, where the scabbard came from could be different.

Ian.

[Robert]

ITS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO ACCURATELY PLACE A AGE ON A ITEM ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE IT IN HAND.

AND DUE TO THE STEEL FERRULE AND BAND ON THE SCABBARD WW2 OR LATER.

This is very true. I am just trying to get a few ideas on this piece before it arrives. As for the paint, the only part that I find a little over the top is the paint on the blade itself, but at the same time I also realize that even though to my taste it is quite ugly it has helped over the years to protect the blade from rust. Though not always the case I was under the impression that the brazed steel ferrules and bands on Luzon pieces were usually used as an indicator of being older while their brass equivalents usually indicated a possible later date of construction as brass like aluminum was more readily available after the turn of the 20th century. I think that I have an identification of who or what the hilt represents, it is Lrrr, Ruler Of The Planet Omicron Persei 8.

Best,
Robert

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Robert

I think that I have an identification of who or what the hilt represents, it is Lrrr, Ruler Of The Planet Omicron Persei 8.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

MY BEST GUESS , FOR SOME REASON I THINK LUZON ISLAND AND DUE TO THE STEEL FERRULE AND BAND ON THE SCABBARD WW2 OR LATER. THE BLADE MAY OR MAY NOT BE OLDER THAN THE FITTINGS AND THE SCABBARD MAY BE OLDER THAN THE METAL BANDS OR IT MAY ALL HAVE BEEN DONE AT THE SAME TIME.

Hello Barry,

I doubt that the steel ferrule and steel band at the scabbard could be an indication that the knife is from WWII or later, some very old pieces shows this features.

Regards,
Detlef