Old Spanish (?) blade in Visayan dress

Ian · 3rd January 2025, 11:57 PM

At first glance this one looks like a rather ordinary Visayan knife, But there is a bit more to it.

The blade is intriguing. It has an acutely pointed tip with a long back false edge. It is almost flat on the reverse side (where there is a wide bevel that is very shallow). The obverse side has a marked bevel. The edge remains very sharp. What is interesting is the gold inlay work on the obverse side. This is very fine and delicate, depicting leaves and flowers, with evidence of inlay work extending down on to the beveled area. About half the inlay has disappeared, but signs remain of where it was. There is enough left to indicate that this is not likely to be traditional Filipino work. It could be European (Spanish?) work, or perhaps Chinese. There is an engraved inscription, "EMS," at the distal end of the inlaid decorations, which pushes me towards a Spanish origin.

The blade appears to be old with a nice patina, to be made from high carbon steel, and there are no laminations obvious. On both sides, there is a sharply demarcated, dark line across the blade adjacent to the hilt that might suggest the blade had an accompanying guard at one time. I would say the blade is 19th C or perhaps late 18th C, dating from the Spanish Colonial period. The edge remains very sharp and the blade has not been sharpened in decades.

As for the hilt and scabbard, these look like WWII-era work and don't do the blade justice. The hilt is very short (8.2 cm, ~3.2 in.) and the blade measures 30.5 cm (12 in.) long. OAL in scabbard is 40.7 cm (16 in.).

As always, your thoughts and comments are most welcome.
.

RobT · 4th January 2025, 01:36 AM

Ian,

Since we were just discussing “Philippine Bowies”, if you add a guard to your blade and replace it with an appropriate hilt, what would you have? I’d be willing to bet that the blade is 19th century. I was looking at the “EMS” engraving and, from the photo, it appears to be initials and a last name (E M SOLxxx). You have the piece in hand so you can confirm whether or not this is possible. As you said, it is a well done blade and far better than its current dress. That being said, the current dress is plain and functional but not shabby or unattractive and would be perfectly acceptable on a lesser blade.

Sincerely,
RobT

Ian · 4th January 2025, 06:27 AM

Hi Rob,

Yes, I thought the same thing! The inscription is actually easier to see in the photographs than in hand. There might well have been a more complete name than just initials.

Interested Party · 5th January 2025, 02:26 PM

I saw "E.M. SOLIS." Though it could be "E.M.SOL.IS." as well.

3rd January 2025, 11:57 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,283	Old Spanish (?) blade in Visayan dress At first glance this one looks like a rather ordinary Visayan knife, But there is a bit more to it. The blade is intriguing. It has an acutely pointed tip with a long back false edge. It is almost flat on the reverse side (where there is a wide bevel that is very shallow). The obverse side has a marked bevel. The edge remains very sharp. What is interesting is the gold inlay work on the obverse side. This is very fine and delicate, depicting leaves and flowers, with evidence of inlay work extending down on to the beveled area. About half the inlay has disappeared, but signs remain of where it was. There is enough left to indicate that this is not likely to be traditional Filipino work. It could be European (Spanish?) work, or perhaps Chinese. There is an engraved inscription, "EMS," at the distal end of the inlaid decorations, which pushes me towards a Spanish origin. The blade appears to be old with a nice patina, to be made from high carbon steel, and there are no laminations obvious. On both sides, there is a sharply demarcated, dark line across the blade adjacent to the hilt that might suggest the blade had an accompanying guard at one time. I would say the blade is 19th C or perhaps late 18th C, dating from the Spanish Colonial period. The edge remains very sharp and the blade has not been sharpened in decades. As for the hilt and scabbard, these look like WWII-era work and don't do the blade justice. The hilt is very short (8.2 cm, ~3.2 in.) and the blade measures 30.5 cm (12 in.) long. OAL in scabbard is 40.7 cm (16 in.). As always, your thoughts and comments are most welcome. . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 4th January 2025 at 06:29 AM. Reason: Spelling

4th January 2025, 01:36 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 510	Former Bowie? Ian, Since we were just discussing “Philippine Bowies”, if you add a guard to your blade and replace it with an appropriate hilt, what would you have? I’d be willing to bet that the blade is 19th century. I was looking at the “EMS” engraving and, from the photo, it appears to be initials and a last name (E M SOLxxx). You have the piece in hand so you can confirm whether or not this is possible. As you said, it is a well done blade and far better than its current dress. That being said, the current dress is plain and functional but not shabby or unattractive and would be perfectly acceptable on a lesser blade. Sincerely, RobT

4th January 2025, 06:27 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,283	Hi Rob, Yes, I thought the same thing! The inscription is actually easier to see in the photographs than in hand. There might well have been a more complete name than just initials.

5th January 2025, 02:26 PM	#4
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 487	I saw "E.M. SOLIS." Though it could be "E.M.SOL.IS." as well.