Recognize this?

Jim McDougall · 27th May 2025, 05:15 PM

Tough one Jeff.
As you have noted, while in Filipino context, Luzon, approximated by the hilt presumably....the blade as often the case likely European. While I know little on SE Asian or the archipelagos as far as blade making, I dont think 'diamond section' was ever a form used in blades.

As far as the decoration, this loosely follows European conventions, including Spanish of course, but it seems rather crudely applied, perhaps in imitation of these types of panels on blades. Naturally Spanish styles were often copied in armor, helmets etc. so speculatively this instance might follow.

The blade has been too reprofiled to distinguish its original form.
Still, as always, the character of these colonially situated weapons is always intriguing.

27th May 2025, 05:15 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,565	Tough one Jeff. As you have noted, while in Filipino context, Luzon, approximated by the hilt presumably....the blade as often the case likely European. While I know little on SE Asian or the archipelagos as far as blade making, I dont think 'diamond section' was ever a form used in blades. As far as the decoration, this loosely follows European conventions, including Spanish of course, but it seems rather crudely applied, perhaps in imitation of these types of panels on blades. Naturally Spanish styles were often copied in armor, helmets etc. so speculatively this instance might follow. The blade has been too reprofiled to distinguish its original form. Still, as always, the character of these colonially situated weapons is always intriguing.