Moro punal bronze guard? - Page 2

Ian · 30th March 2025, 02:50 AM

Just one last thought on the similarity between gunong and kris blade styles. Here is a relatively modern kris blade that shows the square shoulder preceding the first luk on the "back edge" of the blade, and the ">"-shaped point with its acutely angled tip. The blade does not have a separate gangya, and the tang is very short (although Moro kris can have surprisingly short tangs, this one is shorter than most). The elephant trunk area suggests a Maguindanao origin for this blade.

The okir style engraved on the blade, with cross-hatching, is found on early 20th C pieces (say, 1900–1920/1930), and this is consistent with the blade features noted above. Similar blades were made later without the engraved okir.

I think this may help date some of the gunong shown here. However, the production of these small knives has extended for more than a century, and continue today. Those seen for sale now are nearly all 20th C in origin, sometimes reflecting earlier styles. I don't think one can say that because the blade on a gunong resembles a kris style of the late 19th C or early 20th C it is therefore from that same period. I think one can say it is of a style that does not predate the corresponding kris style, however it could have been produced decades later. Only a small fraction of Moro gunong/punal coming on to the market these days are 19th C in origin and it is good to see pictures of knives in an early style posted in this thread. The popularity of the gunong as a souvenir item will see its continued production in the Philippines, although current quality may not be what it once was.

Ian · 24th May 2025, 12:13 PM

Here's another one with the older style of brass ferrule and guard, similar to others shown in this thread. The blade may be a recycled end portion of a Moro kris. The scabbard appears to be newer than the knife.
Overall length 30 cm (~11.5 in.)
.

drac2k · 26th May 2025, 06:06 PM

Since everyone was posting punals,I thought I might post a couple of mine.

Ian · 27th May 2025, 02:15 AM

Hi drac, Very nice gunong in heavy silver mounts. I think these are all 20th C examples, whereas this thread has been focussing on earlier pieces with brass/bronze ferrules and guards.

drac2k · 2nd June 2025, 07:26 PM

Ooops;who knew that a thread that was titled "Bronze and Brass Punals," meant punals with bronze & brass fittings,lol.I guess my powers of observation haven't diminished(just not improved).
Let me try again

Ian · 2nd June 2025, 11:53 PM

That's much better.

Those both look older examples. The more elongated, less "globular," pommel on the bottom one looks like an older style, and the top one has a brass/bronze ferrule that fits right in with the styles shown in the earlier part of this thread.

Nice examples. Thanks for sharing them.

30th March 2025, 02:50 AM	#31
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,392	Just one last thought on the similarity between gunong and kris blade styles. Here is a relatively modern kris blade that shows the square shoulder preceding the first luk on the "back edge" of the blade, and the ">"-shaped point with its acutely angled tip. The blade does not have a separate gangya, and the tang is very short (although Moro kris can have surprisingly short tangs, this one is shorter than most). The elephant trunk area suggests a Maguindanao origin for this blade. The okir style engraved on the blade, with cross-hatching, is found on early 20th C pieces (say, 1900–1920/1930), and this is consistent with the blade features noted above. Similar blades were made later without the engraved okir. I think this may help date some of the gunong shown here. However, the production of these small knives has extended for more than a century, and continue today. Those seen for sale now are nearly all 20th C in origin, sometimes reflecting earlier styles. I don't think one can say that because the blade on a gunong resembles a kris style of the late 19th C or early 20th C it is therefore from that same period. I think one can say it is of a style that does not predate the corresponding kris style, however it could have been produced decades later. Only a small fraction of Moro gunong/punal coming on to the market these days are 19th C in origin and it is good to see pictures of knives in an early style posted in this thread. The popularity of the gunong as a souvenir item will see its continued production in the Philippines, although current quality may not be what it once was. Attached Images

24th May 2025, 12:13 PM	#32
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,392	Here's another one with the older style of brass ferrule and guard, similar to others shown in this thread. The blade may be a recycled end portion of a Moro kris. The scabbard appears to be newer than the knife. Overall length 30 cm (~11.5 in.) . Attached Images

26th May 2025, 06:06 PM	#33
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,258	Since everyone was posting punals,I thought I might post a couple of mine. Attached Images

2nd June 2025, 07:26 PM	#35
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,258	Ooops;who knew that a thread that was titled "Bronze and Brass Punals," meant punals with bronze & brass fittings,lol.I guess my powers of observation haven't diminished(just not improved). Let me try again Attached Images

27th May 2025, 02:15 AM	#34
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,392	Hi drac, Very nice gunong in heavy silver mounts. I think these are all 20th C examples, whereas this thread has been focussing on earlier pieces with brass/bronze ferrules and guards.

2nd June 2025, 11:53 PM	#36
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,392	That's much better. Those both look older examples. The more elongated, less "globular," pommel on the bottom one looks like an older style, and the top one has a brass/bronze ferrule that fits right in with the styles shown in the earlier part of this thread. Nice examples. Thanks for sharing them.