A child's Gunong with a "French Ivory"? Pommel?

Rafngard · 2nd April 2019, 03:25 AM

Hello All,

This gunong arrived in the mail today, an epray purchase.
It's a tiny one (7 inches in length, in scabbard), probably made for a child. I'd guess it's from the 1930s.

I'm not sure what the pommel is made from. The seller said bone, but I don't think so. I also don't think it's ivory. My best guess is "French ivory" which is an artificial, celluloid based "ivory," one of the first synthetic plastics (developed in the 1880s). The layers suggest this, but I'm not sure I've seen gunongs with pommels made of this material before. It's also possible that it was originally another material and what we're seeing is a later replacement.

Also on the hilt, the open work bulb is something I'm in love with. The bands (ferrules) on either side may be swassa (a gold/silver/copper alloy).

What do people think, am I on the right track, or totally off base?

Any and all opinions welcome.

Thanks,
Leif

Rafngard · 2nd April 2019, 03:27 AM

Also, for size comparison, and not at all as an excuse to show family photos.

The new one is second from the left

mross · 2nd April 2019, 05:31 PM

Nice family! The new one looks to be about the same configuration as the second from right.

Rick · 2nd April 2019, 06:23 PM

Hi Leif,
Looking at your photos of the blade it almost looks like it could be made of silver alloy. Maybe it's just color shift but with that high polish it has it just looks a bit different from the other blades.

Sajen · 2nd April 2019, 07:48 PM

Hello Leif,

I think it belong to the same family as the small ones in down on this picture, it's the collection from Ron, once shown in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=gunong
I own also such a gunong but with wooden handle. Also shown in the above thread. I think you are correct about the pommel material.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 4th April 2019, 02:47 AM

Hi Leif:

Nice addition to your collection. I think 1930s or a little later would be about right for this one. The pictures that you show do suggest that the hilt could be made of celluloid rather than ivory. Small, readily concealed knives like this one were also carried by women, and are often quite nicely decorated (as yours shows).

Ian.

2nd April 2019, 03:25 AM	#1
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 340	A child's Gunong with a "French Ivory"? Pommel? Hello All, This gunong arrived in the mail today, an epray purchase. It's a tiny one (7 inches in length, in scabbard), probably made for a child. I'd guess it's from the 1930s. I'm not sure what the pommel is made from. The seller said bone, but I don't think so. I also don't think it's ivory. My best guess is "French ivory" which is an artificial, celluloid based "ivory," one of the first synthetic plastics (developed in the 1880s). The layers suggest this, but I'm not sure I've seen gunongs with pommels made of this material before. It's also possible that it was originally another material and what we're seeing is a later replacement. Also on the hilt, the open work bulb is something I'm in love with. The bands (ferrules) on either side may be swassa (a gold/silver/copper alloy). What do people think, am I on the right track, or totally off base? Any and all opinions welcome. Thanks, Leif Attached Images

2nd April 2019, 03:27 AM	#2
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 340	Also, for size comparison, and not at all as an excuse to show family photos. The new one is second from the left Attached Images

2nd April 2019, 07:48 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Hello Leif, I think it belong to the same family as the small ones in down on this picture, it's the collection from Ron, once shown in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=gunong I own also such a gunong but with wooden handle. Also shown in the above thread. I think you are correct about the pommel material. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

2nd April 2019, 05:31 PM	#3
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	Nice family! The new one looks to be about the same configuration as the second from right.

2nd April 2019, 06:23 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Hi Leif, Looking at your photos of the blade it almost looks like it could be made of silver alloy. Maybe it's just color shift but with that high polish it has it just looks a bit different from the other blades.

4th April 2019, 02:47 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Hi Leif: Nice addition to your collection. I think 1930s or a little later would be about right for this one. The pictures that you show do suggest that the hilt could be made of celluloid rather than ivory. Small, readily concealed knives like this one were also carried by women, and are often quite nicely decorated (as yours shows). Ian.