Hill tribe sword

Sajen · 9th March 2025, 01:49 PM

Hi Jeff,

When I first looked at your pictures a Philippines Luzon origin comes to my mind, this also would explain the engravings on the blade. Are the handle mounts from iron? Is the tang peened at the end from the handle?
See here a similar handle style, taken from an older thread. I really don't think that your sword is a hill tribe sword/blade.

Regards,
Detlef

JeffS · 9th March 2025, 06:36 PM

Good point. I won't have it in hand for awhile so won't know if there is a peen, but the handle also certainly matches your example. The blade, of course, is not hill tribe but I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade blade repurposed for use. Does the carving motif style look familiar from Philippines examples?

9th March 2025, 01:49 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,207	Hi Jeff, When I first looked at your pictures a Philippines Luzon origin comes to my mind, this also would explain the engravings on the blade. Are the handle mounts from iron? Is the tang peened at the end from the handle? See here a similar handle style, taken from an older thread. I really don't think that your sword is a hill tribe sword/blade. Regards, Detlef Attached Images Last edited by Sajen; 9th March 2025 at 03:25 PM.

9th March 2025, 06:36 PM	#2
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 427	Good point. I won't have it in hand for awhile so won't know if there is a peen, but the handle also certainly matches your example. The blade, of course, is not hill tribe but I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade blade repurposed for use. Does the carving motif style look familiar from Philippines examples?