Philippine Officer's Dagger

Battara · 11th May 2020, 06:32 AM

Greetings folks,

I got this little dagger off of eBay. It is 14 inches overall. The blade is wavy and made from a file (see pics).

Now the hilt is made of horn with silver inlays and mounts. 3 silver stars on each side and a single star on front and back. The line sections were missing but 3 nail holes in each section, so I restored these and made silver nails as well.

Originally the blade was covered in red rust, the silver mounts tarnished black, and the horn was covered in a film of dirt and something else.

I think this is might be a 1st Republic dagger and perhaps Ilokano (if not it could be Visayan, but I lean towards Ilokano).

I am wondering if this might be an in-between period, between the exposure of the Katipunan and the creation of the 1st Philippine Republic at Malolos under Aguinaldo. The triangle sun face and 3 stars is missing, but the 3 stars for the 3 island groups is present.

Any thoughts would be helpful.

Battara · 11th May 2020, 06:35 AM

This is how I got the piece:

carlos · 11th May 2020, 10:43 AM

Wow!! Great work in restauration. A beautiful dagger and a great adquisition!!! I love this dagger !!!
Best regards
Carlos

Victrix · 11th May 2020, 10:52 AM

Excellent job. It’s beautiful and historic as well!

Will M · 11th May 2020, 11:03 PM

Only a skilled eye can see what's beneath the crud. This is a very nice blade.

Battara · 14th May 2020, 07:36 AM

Thank you folks!

I did a little comparison to other Ilokano daggers and am now of the opinion that this is indeed Ilokano.

Sajen · 16th May 2020, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I got this little dagger off of eBay. It is 14 inches overall. The blade is wavy and made from a file (see pics).

Hello Jose,

Now I know who bid me out on this one!!

And it turned out like I guessed, it's a real beauty!!

I would go with you and believe it's Ilokano origin.

Regards,
Detlef

PS:

Battara · 16th May 2020, 09:46 PM

Thanks Detlef!

Yeah I saw the potential too.

I am firming up what I have learned about the differences between the Visayan styles and the Ilokano styles of wavy blades.

carlos · 16th May 2020, 10:59 PM

I didn,t see the auction...maybe the next time!

Sajen · 17th May 2020, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Thanks Detlef!

Yeah I saw the potential too.

This are the highlights of collecting IMVHO when you find a very neglected beauty and bring it back to former glory. Certainly a piece of history, I am glad that it is now in good hands!

Regards,
Detlef

Battara · 28th May 2020, 07:05 AM

I am wondering if the silver parts above and below the middle star are parts of sun rays of Katipunan and 1st Republic flags. Compare:

http://www.watawat.net/flags_and_sym...punan_-_5.html

http://www.watawat.net/from_the_kati..._symbol-6.html

And some pictures here from the Watawat website:

Sajen · 29th May 2020, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I am wondering if the silver parts above and below the middle star are parts of sun rays of Katipunan and 1st Republic flags. Compare:

http://www.watawat.net/flags_and_sym...punan_-_5.html

http://www.watawat.net/from_the_kati..._symbol-6.html

And some pictures here from the Watawat website:

Hello Jose,

I would say yes, it's a symbol of the 1st Republic.

Regards,
Detlef

11th May 2020, 06:32 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Philippine Officer's Dagger Greetings folks, I got this little dagger off of eBay. It is 14 inches overall. The blade is wavy and made from a file (see pics). Now the hilt is made of horn with silver inlays and mounts. 3 silver stars on each side and a single star on front and back. The line sections were missing but 3 nail holes in each section, so I restored these and made silver nails as well. Originally the blade was covered in red rust, the silver mounts tarnished black, and the horn was covered in a film of dirt and something else. I think this is might be a 1st Republic dagger and perhaps Ilokano (if not it could be Visayan, but I lean towards Ilokano). I am wondering if this might be an in-between period, between the exposure of the Katipunan and the creation of the 1st Philippine Republic at Malolos under Aguinaldo. The triangle sun face and 3 stars is missing, but the 3 stars for the 3 island groups is present. Any thoughts would be helpful. Attached Images

11th May 2020, 06:35 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	This is how I got the piece: Attached Images

28th May 2020, 07:05 AM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	I am wondering if the silver parts above and below the middle star are parts of sun rays of Katipunan and 1st Republic flags. Compare: http://www.watawat.net/flags_and_sym...punan_-_5.html http://www.watawat.net/from_the_kati..._symbol-6.html And some pictures here from the Watawat website: Attached Images

11th May 2020, 10:43 AM	#3
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 755	Wow!! Great work in restauration. A beautiful dagger and a great adquisition!!! I love this dagger !!! Best regards Carlos

11th May 2020, 10:52 AM	#4
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 763	Excellent job. It’s beautiful and historic as well!

11th May 2020, 11:03 PM	#5
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 406	Only a skilled eye can see what's beneath the crud. This is a very nice blade.

14th May 2020, 07:36 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Thank you folks! I did a little comparison to other Ilokano daggers and am now of the opinion that this is indeed Ilokano.

16th May 2020, 09:46 PM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Thanks Detlef! Yeah I saw the potential too. I am firming up what I have learned about the differences between the Visayan styles and the Ilokano styles of wavy blades.

16th May 2020, 10:59 PM	#9
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 755	I didn,t see the auction...maybe the next time!