Maranao short sword

Battara · 3rd July 2026, 03:16 AM

I saw a Maranao short sword sold on this auction site for $990. It is not the usual brass tourist thing, but of some quality. The scabbard is made of silver (or silver plate) and gold plated pierced brass. The hilt is also made of gold plated brass and silver or silver plate. The blade is of better quality and engraved.

The chasing and engraving work is in Maranao designs.

I would date this to the end of the 1890s-1900.

I have never seen this type of sword with this quality before. Any info would be helpful.

drac2k · 3rd July 2026, 02:16 PM

Interesting.I've always associated this style of dagger as well past WW2;I guess I was wrong again,lol.The workmanship is excellent as you have noted, however, to me, the blade does not look original to the piece.

David · Yesterday, 03:45 PM

It is a nice blade, but i am not convinced it is that old. Like Drac i would place any knife of this style as post WWII. I don't believe the extra quality necessary places it in an earlier era. It was simply made for a wealthier clientele. Stylistically it is still a more recent piece. There may be another name for these, but i would call it a gunong.

3rd July 2026, 03:16 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,409	Maranao short sword I saw a Maranao short sword sold on this auction site for $990. It is not the usual brass tourist thing, but of some quality. The scabbard is made of silver (or silver plate) and gold plated pierced brass. The hilt is also made of gold plated brass and silver or silver plate. The blade is of better quality and engraved. The chasing and engraving work is in Maranao designs. I would date this to the end of the 1890s-1900. I have never seen this type of sword with this quality before. Any info would be helpful. Attached Images

3rd July 2026, 02:16 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,334	Interesting.I've always associated this style of dagger as well past WW2;I guess I was wrong again,lol.The workmanship is excellent as you have noted, however, to me, the blade does not look original to the piece. Last edited by drac2k; 3rd July 2026 at 02:17 PM. Reason: grammar

Yesterday, 03:45 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,299	It is a nice blade, but i am not convinced it is that old. Like Drac i would place any knife of this style as post WWII. I don't believe the extra quality necessary places it in an earlier era. It was simply made for a wealthier clientele. Stylistically it is still a more recent piece. There may be another name for these, but i would call it a gunong.