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Old Today, 09:03 AM   #5
Ian
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
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Thanks Rob! Nice example of the questions I have raised. The MOP inserts are a sign of the hilt having been decorated in Zamboanga. The horse hoof pommel is of a Sulu type, but its fairly extreme downwards tilt suggests a possible Yakan influence. That would not be surprising. Yakan are found in significant numbers in Zamboanga, and Basilan is a short ferry journey away. I believe that the hilt on yours was probably wrapped with black twine that was woven and knotted (see my small Sulu bangkung hilt above).

The MOP decorations date from the WWII era and later. Similarly, the black cord wraps are roughly of that period. As for a scabbard, it is likely that it too featured MOP inserts at the throat and these were occasionally found down the front of the scabbard. The cut out star on your pommel was probably filled with MOP also.

As for the terminal part of my example B, this is a recognized shape for kris tips, dating from the pre-WWII years and later. It is produced by making the tip more acutely pointed, perhaps better suited for stabbing.
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