Any thoughts about this one ?

Freddy · 5th August 2006, 07:18 PM

I purchased this knife some time ago. It looked interesting, but I honestly don't know what it is. I guess it's from the Philippines, but that's just a guess. Any help would be welcome.

This knife measures 45 cm, with a blade of 33,5 cm. As you can see, the handle is in the form of a man's head (with moustache). The eyes are made of two pieces of ceramic. There's a metal ferule and a cross bar with one end pointing upwards and one end pointing downwards. The blade is very strong with a thick middle section. The edges are not very sharp, so I think it was more some kind of stilletto (or main gauche ?)
It has a leather covered wooden sheath.

I think it's not a newly made piece as the head shows quite some patina. The leather on the sheath also looks old.

Here are some pics :

ariel · 5th August 2006, 07:41 PM

A cigarette is missing

Lew · 5th August 2006, 07:49 PM

Freddy

Looks to me like a Turkish or British officers's head probably a converted bayonet blade? I like it

Lew

Freddy · 5th August 2006, 08:05 PM

I don't think it's a bayonet blade. It's too crudely made.

Justin · 6th August 2006, 05:06 PM

Nice one! I like these obscure pieces.

I think it does look Philipino but the short hilt looks really odd.

Could you post a closer pic of the top of the scabbard? Maybe the leather work will help to ID it.

Tim Simmons · 6th August 2006, 05:15 PM

I would say this is from around Afghanistan as the chaps astrakhan hat and big eastern moustache seem to suggest.

Freddy · 6th August 2006, 09:07 PM

Here are the pics, Justin.

The leather is old.

The handle fits well in my hand.

5th August 2006, 07:18 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Any thoughts about this one ? I purchased this knife some time ago. It looked interesting, but I honestly don't know what it is. I guess it's from the Philippines, but that's just a guess. Any help would be welcome. This knife measures 45 cm, with a blade of 33,5 cm. As you can see, the handle is in the form of a man's head (with moustache). The eyes are made of two pieces of ceramic. There's a metal ferule and a cross bar with one end pointing upwards and one end pointing downwards. The blade is very strong with a thick middle section. The edges are not very sharp, so I think it was more some kind of stilletto (or main gauche ?) It has a leather covered wooden sheath. I think it's not a newly made piece as the head shows quite some patina. The leather on the sheath also looks old. Here are some pics :

5th August 2006, 07:41 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	A cigarette is missing

5th August 2006, 07:49 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Freddy Looks to me like a Turkish or British officers's head probably a converted bayonet blade? I like it Lew

5th August 2006, 08:05 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I don't think it's a bayonet blade. It's too crudely made.

6th August 2006, 05:06 PM	#5
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Nice one! I like these obscure pieces. I think it does look Philipino but the short hilt looks really odd. Could you post a closer pic of the top of the scabbard? Maybe the leather work will help to ID it.

6th August 2006, 05:15 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I would say this is from around Afghanistan as the chaps astrakhan hat and big eastern moustache seem to suggest.

6th August 2006, 09:07 PM	#7
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here are the pics, Justin. The leather is old. The handle fits well in my hand.