Inscribed Filipino-American War souvenir dagger

Jim F · 20th January 2010, 08:13 PM

Hello Everyone,

As a means of introduction, I am a longtime collector of and full-time dealer in exceptionally fine and advanced quality American Civil War artifacts. That having been said, I've also developed a very keen eye and appreciation for any and all historical material that I may encounter in the course of pursuing said Civil War items. Such was the case with the inscribed Filipino knife that was souvenired at Lipa in Batangas province by Corporal Louis Murphy of Co. D, 21st U.S. Infantry, on March 20th, 1902, which I purchased at an estate sale in Columbus, Ohio.

Though I am familiar, of course, with the Filipino-American War of 1899 - 1913 and the heavy involvement of the 21st U.S. Infantry therein, I knew nothing about this type of dagger at the time of acquisition and hence in the course of my internet research happened upon your website, in particular the below thread posted by a member with the user name "Ferguson" in April of 2009.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=81558

Attached are some photographs of the piece. Please understand that I am seeking neither an appraisal nor an evaluation here. I am merely writing for the hope and purpose of sharing the discovery with those who best appreciate it, plus learning in the process the exact period of manufacture and historical background of the dagger, as well as the proper and most accurate nomenclature and terminology in discussing and identifying it.

The descriptive features are as follows:

The dagger within its scabbard measures overall approximately 15 inches long (as the leather of the scabbard has slightly shrunk, I have not forced down the last one-quarter-inch of the blade).

The dagger itself (which is extremely well made and very tight) measures approximately 14.5 inches long, with the blade measuring approximately 9.5 inches from point to hilt. The eight-sided handle is of very dark wood, perhaps ebony or teak, and is fluted asymmetrically and very nicely worn and mellowed. The furniture appears to be of a white metal alloy (save for the octagonal collar, which may be of silver), with one side of the S-shaped cross-guard and the top of the pommel cap bearing incised decorative engraving.

The scabbard itself measures approximately 10.25 inches long and is made of black leather (double-stitched with twine down the center) with embossed tooled designs along the entire length on one side. Condition is very good, other than minor flaking to the finish and some stretched threads at the lower section. The two mounts and the tailpiece, or drag, definitely seem to be crafted of silver and are secured by tiny rivets or brads, only one of which is missing. Engraved upon the center mount is the symbol that one forum member alluded to earlier as being from the flag designed by Aguinaldo - a face within the sun within a triangle anchored by three stars. Upon the top mount is the inscription relating to the American soldier who souvenired the dagger: “Corp./Louis Murphy/Co. D, 21st Inf./Lipa/20 de Marso 1902.” As a specialist and expert authenticator in my field of the nuances of antique dry-point engraving, I find it interesting that the decorative work on the dagger furniture, the engraved flag symbol on the center mount, and the military inscription on the top mount (genuine in all cases and in all respects) were, in my opinion, all done in different hands and undoubtedly at different times.

So, there you have it, gentlemen. Your knowledgeable comments and insights are most welcomed. Thank you so much for your time and attention, as well as the opportunity to present this item.

Jim F.

Battara · 20th January 2010, 09:11 PM

Welcome to the forum.

I'll start. Definitely a first republic PI dagger. Probably belonged to a Filipino officer. Silver mounts. The date is about right. I would say from the island of Luzon and perhaps Tagalog by the blade profile and shape. Thank you for sharing this piece with us.

carlos · 21st January 2010, 09:56 AM

Hello Jim!!
Wellcome to the forum!!
This dagger is a very beautiful and very good preserved, I just fall in love!!

If sometime you decide to sell it please tell me !!

thanks again for the pictures
best regards
carlos

Jim F · 21st January 2010, 02:54 PM

Thank you, Battara and Carlos, for your kind responses!

I've since learned a lot about the personal history of Corporal Louis Murphy. He enlisted in Co. D of the 21st U.S. Infantry on March 6, 1899, in Philadelphia, for a three-year term. His enlistment officer was a Lt. Moses. Louis was 22 years, 2 months old, and was described as 5' 4' tall, with grey eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion. His occupation at the time of enlistment was "laborer."

He was discharged at Lipa, P.I. at the expiration of his term of service (March 5, 1902) with the rank of Corporal and immediately re-enlisted at Lipa on the very next day, again for a period of three years. This time his occupation was listed as "soldier". Note that he acquired the dagger just two weeks later.

He remained in Co. D of the 21st U.S. Infantry but later transferred to the 11th Cavalry, Company H, and finally the 12th Cavalry, Company E. He was discharged on March 5, 1905, at Camp McGrath in Batangas, Philippine Islands, with the rank of Sergeant and an "excellent" service record.

In answer to your question about my selling the dagger, Carlos, it is my understanding that the forum rules frown on such bartering topics, and I certainly wish to remain respectful here.

Thanks again,
Jim F.

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]

Rick · 21st January 2010, 04:11 PM

Hi Jim,
Sorry about that little bit of necessary editing .

You may contact Carlos via PM .

BTW, That's what I call provenance .

David · 21st January 2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

BTW, That's what I call provenance .

Indeed!

20th January 2010, 08:13 PM	#1
Jim F Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3	Inscribed Filipino-American War souvenir dagger Hello Everyone, As a means of introduction, I am a longtime collector of and full-time dealer in exceptionally fine and advanced quality American Civil War artifacts. That having been said, I've also developed a very keen eye and appreciation for any and all historical material that I may encounter in the course of pursuing said Civil War items. Such was the case with the inscribed Filipino knife that was souvenired at Lipa in Batangas province by Corporal Louis Murphy of Co. D, 21st U.S. Infantry, on March 20th, 1902, which I purchased at an estate sale in Columbus, Ohio. Though I am familiar, of course, with the Filipino-American War of 1899 - 1913 and the heavy involvement of the 21st U.S. Infantry therein, I knew nothing about this type of dagger at the time of acquisition and hence in the course of my internet research happened upon your website, in particular the below thread posted by a member with the user name "Ferguson" in April of 2009. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=81558 Attached are some photographs of the piece. Please understand that I am seeking neither an appraisal nor an evaluation here. I am merely writing for the hope and purpose of sharing the discovery with those who best appreciate it, plus learning in the process the exact period of manufacture and historical background of the dagger, as well as the proper and most accurate nomenclature and terminology in discussing and identifying it. The descriptive features are as follows: The dagger within its scabbard measures overall approximately 15 inches long (as the leather of the scabbard has slightly shrunk, I have not forced down the last one-quarter-inch of the blade). The dagger itself (which is extremely well made and very tight) measures approximately 14.5 inches long, with the blade measuring approximately 9.5 inches from point to hilt. The eight-sided handle is of very dark wood, perhaps ebony or teak, and is fluted asymmetrically and very nicely worn and mellowed. The furniture appears to be of a white metal alloy (save for the octagonal collar, which may be of silver), with one side of the S-shaped cross-guard and the top of the pommel cap bearing incised decorative engraving. The scabbard itself measures approximately 10.25 inches long and is made of black leather (double-stitched with twine down the center) with embossed tooled designs along the entire length on one side. Condition is very good, other than minor flaking to the finish and some stretched threads at the lower section. The two mounts and the tailpiece, or drag, definitely seem to be crafted of silver and are secured by tiny rivets or brads, only one of which is missing. Engraved upon the center mount is the symbol that one forum member alluded to earlier as being from the flag designed by Aguinaldo - a face within the sun within a triangle anchored by three stars. Upon the top mount is the inscription relating to the American soldier who souvenired the dagger: “Corp./Louis Murphy/Co. D, 21st Inf./Lipa/20 de Marso 1902.” As a specialist and expert authenticator in my field of the nuances of antique dry-point engraving, I find it interesting that the decorative work on the dagger furniture, the engraved flag symbol on the center mount, and the military inscription on the top mount (genuine in all cases and in all respects) were, in my opinion, all done in different hands and undoubtedly at different times. So, there you have it, gentlemen. Your knowledgeable comments and insights are most welcomed. Thank you so much for your time and attention, as well as the opportunity to present this item. Jim F. Attached Images

21st January 2010, 09:56 AM	#3
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Congratulations!! Hello Jim!! Wellcome to the forum!! This dagger is a very beautiful and very good preserved, I just fall in love!! If sometime you decide to sell it please tell me !! thanks again for the pictures best regards carlos

21st January 2010, 02:54 PM	#4
Jim F Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3	Some further history... Thank you, Battara and Carlos, for your kind responses! I've since learned a lot about the personal history of Corporal Louis Murphy. He enlisted in Co. D of the 21st U.S. Infantry on March 6, 1899, in Philadelphia, for a three-year term. His enlistment officer was a Lt. Moses. Louis was 22 years, 2 months old, and was described as 5' 4' tall, with grey eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion. His occupation at the time of enlistment was "laborer." He was discharged at Lipa, P.I. at the expiration of his term of service (March 5, 1902) with the rank of Corporal and immediately re-enlisted at Lipa on the very next day, again for a period of three years. This time his occupation was listed as "soldier". Note that he acquired the dagger just two weeks later. He remained in Co. D of the 21st U.S. Infantry but later transferred to the 11th Cavalry, Company H, and finally the 12th Cavalry, Company E. He was discharged on March 5, 1905, at Camp McGrath in Batangas, Philippine Islands, with the rank of Sergeant and an "excellent" service record. In answer to your question about my selling the dagger, Carlos, it is my understanding that the forum rules frown on such bartering topics, and I certainly wish to remain respectful here. Thanks again, Jim F. [FONT=Palatino Linotype] Last edited by Rick; 21st January 2010 at 04:08 PM.

20th January 2010, 09:11 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	Welcome to the forum. I'll start. Definitely a first republic PI dagger. Probably belonged to a Filipino officer. Silver mounts. The date is about right. I would say from the island of Luzon and perhaps Tagalog by the blade profile and shape. Thank you for sharing this piece with us.

21st January 2010, 04:11 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Hi Jim, Sorry about that little bit of necessary editing . You may contact Carlos via PM . BTW, That's what I call provenance .