My gunong collection and some thoughts

Sajen · 21st March 2015, 03:33 PM

Very interesting discussion!

And Rick has a very good point with the revolver style. And Robert with the use of canteen sheet. And I am sure that the maker of gunongs have had complete other view about the use of aluminum as we have it today.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 4th June 2015, 04:13 PM

Have just get another interesting example from ebay. The seller provided only two pictures and not much information. I am very unsure about the age of this example, handle (pommel) and ferrule is an early style but the blade shows sharp luks which is a sign of much later examples. I doubt that the fittings are from silver. Pommel seems to be from bone. All comments are welcome, special age guesses.

Rick · 4th June 2015, 04:59 PM

I think there's also a chance this handle is of Tridacna, or the Giant Clam shell .
I didn't get to see the item description on ebay; are there any more pictures available Detlef ?

Sajen · 4th June 2015, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I think there's also a chance this handle is of Tridacna, or the Giant Clam shell .
I didn't get to see the item description on ebay; are there any more pictures available Detlef ?

Hello Rick,
that would be a nice surprise. It was described as "Chinese Kris Dagger" and the seller posted only this both pictures and no measurements. Hope that it is not one of this small souvenir gunongs.

Regards,
Detlef

Battara · 4th June 2015, 06:24 PM

So far I would place this piece in the 1940s. The mounts could be white metal, or tarnished silver.

The pommel shape is not quite the earlier forms. I have seen these made going back to the 1950s. Earlier forms curve and are not bent straight.

Sajen · 4th June 2015, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

So far I would place this piece in the 1940s. The mounts could be white metal, or tarnished silver.

The pommel shape is not quite the earlier forms. I have seen these made going back to the 1950s. Earlier forms curve and are not bent straight.

Thank you Jose for your educated opinion.

This would explain the sharp luks and the good condition. But the workmanship look quite good. Do you think that to this time they were worked for locals or for tourists?

Regards,
Detlef

Robert · 5th June 2015, 12:42 AM

Hello Detlef,
I would not worry too much about this being a small piece made for tourist as most of the ones of this style I've seen are from 10/12 inches in length. As Jose has pointed out the hilt having the sudden bend and not a slow or flowing curve points to its being of later construction and I would agree with his estimate of age placing this most likely in the 1940's. I'm not sure the pointed luks being present on a gunong is an accurate way of dating them any longer as there is now some evidence that pointed luks on kris have been in use long before previously thought. That being said I would not think it would be too much of a stretch of the imagination to think that pointed luks might not also have been used on gunong blades from the same time period. Any way it goes I like this piece and am looking forward to its arrival.

Best,
Robert

Sajen · 10th January 2016, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Have just get another interesting example from ebay. The seller provided only two pictures and not much information. I am very unsure about the age of this example, handle (pommel) and ferrule is an early style but the blade shows sharp luks which is a sign of much later examples. I doubt that the fittings are from silver. Pommel seems to be from bone. All comments are welcome, special age guesses.

Here pictures of the gunong after it has received some maintenance. The fittings seems to be from (coin?) silver and are very well worked. I haven't etched the blade until now.
I think that this piece is post WWII. I am unsure if this is a very well worked early tourist example or worked for real use, what you think?

Sajen · 8th May 2016, 06:43 PM

Another recent addition, a rather big one, overall 12". Very unusual blade shape. Enjoy.

kronckew · 8th May 2016, 07:34 PM

gorgeous!

Sajen · 8th May 2016, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

gorgeous!

Thank you!

David · 8th May 2016, 08:07 PM

Well, damn Det! That's a nice one! Love that blade. If it ever tells you it would like to vacation in the States give me a shout.

4th June 2015, 04:13 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,207	Have just get another interesting example from ebay. The seller provided only two pictures and not much information. I am very unsure about the age of this example, handle (pommel) and ferrule is an early style but the blade shows sharp luks which is a sign of much later examples. I doubt that the fittings are from silver. Pommel seems to be from bone. All comments are welcome, special age guesses. Attached Images

8th May 2016, 06:43 PM	#9
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,207	Another recent addition, a rather big one, overall 12". Very unusual blade shape. Enjoy. Attached Images

21st March 2015, 03:33 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,207	Very interesting discussion! And Rick has a very good point with the revolver style. And Robert with the use of canteen sheet. And I am sure that the maker of gunongs have had complete other view about the use of aluminum as we have it today. Regards, Detlef

4th June 2015, 04:59 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I think there's also a chance this handle is of Tridacna, or the Giant Clam shell . I didn't get to see the item description on ebay; are there any more pictures available Detlef ?

4th June 2015, 06:24 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	So far I would place this piece in the 1940s. The mounts could be white metal, or tarnished silver. The pommel shape is not quite the earlier forms. I have seen these made going back to the 1950s. Earlier forms curve and are not bent straight.

5th June 2015, 12:42 AM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Detlef, I would not worry too much about this being a small piece made for tourist as most of the ones of this style I've seen are from 10/12 inches in length. As Jose has pointed out the hilt having the sudden bend and not a slow or flowing curve points to its being of later construction and I would agree with his estimate of age placing this most likely in the 1940's. I'm not sure the pointed luks being present on a gunong is an accurate way of dating them any longer as there is now some evidence that pointed luks on kris have been in use long before previously thought. That being said I would not think it would be too much of a stretch of the imagination to think that pointed luks might not also have been used on gunong blades from the same time period. Any way it goes I like this piece and am looking forward to its arrival. Best, Robert

8th May 2016, 07:34 PM	#10
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	gorgeous!

8th May 2016, 08:07 PM	#12
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	Well, damn Det! That's a nice one! Love that blade. If it ever tells you it would like to vacation in the States give me a shout.