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#1 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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Normally I don't buy items with aluminium fittings but this Philippine bolo seemed interesting so here it is. Blade length is only 13-5/8 inches and is 1-1/2 inches at the widest point and 3/8 inch thick at the hilt. Horn grip in the shape of a horses hoof. All the fittings and the decoration on the grip are made of aluminium. This is a very well built bolo with a blade much thicker than any that I've seen on any tourist piece so far. I would appreciate your ideas on the age of this and if you think this is or is not a tourist item. I have seen one knife that was decorated almost exactly like this before that was dated 1930 something on the blade. Thanks for any help that can be offered.
Robert |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Virginia
Posts: 520
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I do not know about phillipine items but I have seen historic pieces with aluminum fittings before. Such as german pieces from the 1900 till wwII It seems that for a time it was not looked on as a "cheap metal" like it is today. Here is a luftwaffen sword made by solingen with aluminum fittings http://snyderstreasures.com/images/g...affeeSMFHF.jpg
Like you though it always raises suspicion |
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#3 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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Rob
I was watching that piece ![]() ![]() ![]() Lew |
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#4 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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RhysMichael, Thank you for responding and for the link. That is a very interesting sword in itself. I have heard that in the late 19th and early 20th century that aluminium was sometimes used to decorate in the same manor as silver and wasn't considered a cheap metal until later in the 20th century.
Lew, I'm very happy with this so I guess I won't be sending it out to you. ![]() Robert Last edited by Robert Coleman; 28th February 2009 at 06:01 AM. |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,653
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Aluminium in ore form is plentiful. It was the industrial processes that required the 'capital' and industrial network/know how to extract it.
A silver metal that does not rust and is easily worked / cast available to pre-industrial cultures....I would say it would be definately be regarded as a 'precious' metal It seems that it was after WW2 that aluminium became 'cheap'. Alot of 'downed' aircraft (over Pacific regions, Africa etc), whose fuselage's were predominately aluminium, provided alot of scavenged metal for the locals to re-cycle. I have an African short sword with an aluminium cast hilt which is from the late 1940's Regards David |
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