Nice Moro Kampillan

CharlesS · 25th September 2024, 04:27 PM

Here is a very nice and I believe very old Moro kampillan...I think from at least the early 19th Century... or older. The blade is just over 28in./71cm. and is a rather standard kampillan design, showing a nice, narrow, and controlled temper line.
The whalebone hilt is probably the best example I have seen carved in that material. It measures 9.5in./24cm. in length. The detail is very well done showing considerable craftsmanship. The guard apparently came loose at some point and was reinforced with a rattan tie onto the grip. It looks to have been tied only on the upper portion of the guard. There are no shadows or lines indicating a similar tie to the lower portion. The patina has given the hilt a sort of "honey-colored" hue which I think is lovely.
The horsehair tuffs are restored.
I am just curious if anyone else notices a tiny face at the very end of the top of the hilt(see pic from the top of the hilt)? Maybe it's intentional, or maybe I am seeing things!

JeffS · 25th September 2024, 05:30 PM

Welcome back Charles! Thanks for sharing, I would be curious to see other whalebone examples. The little face looks displeased you discovered him. 🤣

carlos · 25th September 2024, 08:10 PM

Congratulations!!! Is a great piece, very unusual, always is a pleasure see this type of kampilan.
Best regards
Carlos

Battara · Yesterday, 11:33 PM

Nice. I watched this one. Thought about restoring it myself.

Ian · Today, 02:04 AM

Hi Charles,

Very nice kampilan indeed. I believe the use of whalebone indicates a prestigious weapon because it is an uncommon material on these swords, and some of the other examples I have seen were said to have distinguished owners. The way that rattan has been used to anchor the cross piece to the hole behind the "saddle" of the grip is suggestive of similar mountings on Maguindanao kris. My guess is that this kampilan was owned by a Maguindanao datu or other member of the nobility. The horse hair is nicely trimmed and recent, as you note.

25th September 2024, 04:27 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,856	Nice Moro Kampillan Here is a very nice and I believe very old Moro kampillan...I think from at least the early 19th Century... or older. The blade is just over 28in./71cm. and is a rather standard kampillan design, showing a nice, narrow, and controlled temper line. The whalebone hilt is probably the best example I have seen carved in that material. It measures 9.5in./24cm. in length. The detail is very well done showing considerable craftsmanship. The guard apparently came loose at some point and was reinforced with a rattan tie onto the grip. It looks to have been tied only on the upper portion of the guard. There are no shadows or lines indicating a similar tie to the lower portion. The patina has given the hilt a sort of "honey-colored" hue which I think is lovely. The horsehair tuffs are restored. I am just curious if anyone else notices a tiny face at the very end of the top of the hilt(see pic from the top of the hilt)? Maybe it's intentional, or maybe I am seeing things! Attached Images

25th September 2024, 05:30 PM	#2
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 327	Welcome back Charles! Thanks for sharing, I would be curious to see other whalebone examples. The little face looks displeased you discovered him. 🤣

25th September 2024, 08:10 PM	#3
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Congratulations!!! Is a great piece, very unusual, always is a pleasure see this type of kampilan. Best regards Carlos

Yesterday, 11:33 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,205	Nice. I watched this one. Thought about restoring it myself.

Today, 02:04 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,172	Hi Charles, Very nice kampilan indeed. I believe the use of whalebone indicates a prestigious weapon because it is an uncommon material on these swords, and some of the other examples I have seen were said to have distinguished owners. The way that rattan has been used to anchor the cross piece to the hole behind the "saddle" of the grip is suggestive of similar mountings on Maguindanao kris. My guess is that this kampilan was owned by a Maguindanao datu or other member of the nobility. The horse hair is nicely trimmed and recent, as you note.