Odd kampilan
 

This one finished this evening online. It is an unusual kampilan for several reasons, primarily with respect to the hilt and scabbard. My first thought was a Borneo origin, but one of the Lumad tribes on Mindanao is another possibility. Anyone have a good idea about where this one originated?

Ian.
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The scabbard carving reminds me very much of what is seen on garabs/talibon scabbards. Not sure it corresponds to anything Moro or from Borneo.

Thanks Charles. Yes, I also had the same thought about the scabbard--the fluted treatment along the main length of the scabbard is suggestive of what can be found on old garab scabbards from Leyte/Samar. However, the wooden hanger on this scababrd is not typical of Visayan swords. An interesting cross-cultural piece.

----------------Attachment: Garab with longitudinal grooves carved on the scabbard-----------------
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Just following the garab line a little further. Attached is a picture from one fo Detlef's (sajen) garab. It has a fluted scabbard, but interestingly this scabbard originally came with a hole at the toe (see auction pic below), similar to the holes seen on the scabbard of our mystery kampilan. Detlef filled this hole with an "eye," which you can see in the last attachment here.

Ian.

---------------Attachment: Garab with scabbard showing an "eye" on the toe----------------
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The carving on he handle we can find it in Borneo.


The scabbard looks like an later addition.


Dajak

Dajak:

Yep, the short "jaws" on the hilt are what suggested Borneo to me too. The scabbard might well be a later addition. Thanks for your thoughts.