Sharing a pair of gunongs

wildwolberine · 20th June 2025, 11:01 PM

Sharing a couple gunongs. One more recently made item I believe, with aluminum fittings and an engraved blade. The other is I think much older, with possibly silver alloy fittings. I really like the work on the guard and ferrule. I am unsure what the hilt is made of, I assume horn? Curious about the age & origin.

Battara · 21st June 2025, 12:11 AM

I agree with your assessment. The older one with carabao horn also looks to have silver and copper fittings on the hilt.

Sajen · 21st June 2025, 09:20 AM

And I disagree with your assessment, I am very positive that the one with the aluminium fittings is the older one!

The one with the aluminium fittings I would place around the middle of the 20th century (1940 - 1960), the other one I would place around 20 years later.

And yes, I guess that the pommel from the later one is from horn but it's lacquered, so I would remove the paint with 000 steel wool and polish it again.

Regards,
Detlef

wildwolberine · 21st June 2025, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

And I disagree with your assessment, I am very positive that the one with the aluminium fittings is the older one!

The one with the aluminium fittings I would place around the middle of the 20th century (1940 - 1960), the other one I would place around 20 years later.

And yes, I guess that the pommel from the later one is from horn but it's lacquered, so I would remove the paint with 000 steel wool and polish it again.

Regards,
Detlef

Interesting! I assumed the “nicer” blade is the older one. I will consider removing the lacquer in that case. Thanks!

Sajen · 21st June 2025, 10:21 PM

I can be wrong but my feeling tells me that the one with the aluminium fitting is the older one.
Aluminum can get polished up to a very shiny look, just use 000 steel wool with a good metal polish, so it will have looked once.
By the other one the fittings will be from German silver or silver plated, it's also a nice example, I've had once a very similar but sold it years back.
I would also etch the blades with vinegar, minimum the one with the aluminium fittings will have a laminated blade.
Attached are a picture of one of my gunongs with aluminium fittings, polished up!

Regards,
Detlef

20th June 2025, 11:01 PM	#1
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 123	Sharing a pair of gunongs Sharing a couple gunongs. One more recently made item I believe, with aluminum fittings and an engraved blade. The other is I think much older, with possibly silver alloy fittings. I really like the work on the guard and ferrule. I am unsure what the hilt is made of, I assume horn? Curious about the age & origin. Attached Images

21st June 2025, 10:21 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,227	I can be wrong but my feeling tells me that the one with the aluminium fitting is the older one. Aluminum can get polished up to a very shiny look, just use 000 steel wool with a good metal polish, so it will have looked once. By the other one the fittings will be from German silver or silver plated, it's also a nice example, I've had once a very similar but sold it years back. I would also etch the blades with vinegar, minimum the one with the aluminium fittings will have a laminated blade. Attached are a picture of one of my gunongs with aluminium fittings, polished up! Regards, Detlef Attached Images

21st June 2025, 12:11 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,287	I agree with your assessment. The older one with carabao horn also looks to have silver and copper fittings on the hilt.

21st June 2025, 09:20 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,227	And I disagree with your assessment, I am very positive that the one with the aluminium fittings is the older one! The one with the aluminium fittings I would place around the middle of the 20th century (1940 - 1960), the other one I would place around 20 years later. And yes, I guess that the pommel from the later one is from horn but it's lacquered, so I would remove the paint with 000 steel wool and polish it again. Regards, Detlef