Mixed-age and mixed-ethnicity kampilan

xasterix · Yesterday, 01:47 PM

It's pretty rare for a well-preserved piece to pop up in the Philippines (most of the nice pieces are in US, EU, etc) so I jumped at this opportunity. This kampilan is a good example of how a Moro traditional blade can have mixed components.

I believe the Maranao-made blade is mid to late 1800s, while the hilt is late 1800s to early 1900s (either a replacement or an upgrade). The postwar scabbard is Lumad-made, possibly T'boli. There's a 1903-S US-Philippine one peso silver coin pinned to the "eye" of the pommel, and a square silver insert on the blade part towards the hilt, a talismanic protection against black magic or hostile spells. Blade length is 30.5 inches, overall length is 41 inches.

I tested the kampilan on some soft targets using the proper one-handed wield: https://youtu.be/HUc8xdV3NLs?si=FHcobhjD3lkEUd1v

wildwolberine · Yesterday, 06:55 PM

I really like the carving & the grain on that hilt

Battara · Yesterday, 09:50 PM

The carving is truly wonderful and not like more recent mid 20c examples.

Ian · Yesterday, 10:23 PM

Very nice example! The hilt looks pristine.

Is there anything in particular that leads you to assign a Maranao origin to the blade?

Regards, Ian.

xasterix · Today, 12:26 PM

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Ian, I'm betting it's Maranao because I've been observing a trend of Maranao-provenanced blades (kris, kampilan, panabas, etc) having silver or brass inserts, sometimes in the form of okir or Koran verses. The design at the tip is also something that Maranao would do.

drac2k · Today, 01:47 PM

Beautiful Sword;I really like the file work on the back of the tip of the blade.
Funny, I always assumed that the kampilan was a two handed weapon;seeing is believing,thanks for educating me.

Yesterday, 01:47 PM	#1
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 686	Mixed-age and mixed-ethnicity kampilan It's pretty rare for a well-preserved piece to pop up in the Philippines (most of the nice pieces are in US, EU, etc) so I jumped at this opportunity. This kampilan is a good example of how a Moro traditional blade can have mixed components. I believe the Maranao-made blade is mid to late 1800s, while the hilt is late 1800s to early 1900s (either a replacement or an upgrade). The postwar scabbard is Lumad-made, possibly T'boli. There's a 1903-S US-Philippine one peso silver coin pinned to the "eye" of the pommel, and a square silver insert on the blade part towards the hilt, a talismanic protection against black magic or hostile spells. Blade length is 30.5 inches, overall length is 41 inches. I tested the kampilan on some soft targets using the proper one-handed wield: https://youtu.be/HUc8xdV3NLs?si=FHcobhjD3lkEUd1v Attached Images Last edited by xasterix; Yesterday at 02:43 PM.

Yesterday, 06:55 PM	#2
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 126	I really like the carving & the grain on that hilt

Yesterday, 09:50 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,314	The carving is truly wonderful and not like more recent mid 20c examples.

Yesterday, 10:23 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,459	Very nice example! The hilt looks pristine. Is there anything in particular that leads you to assign a Maranao origin to the blade? Regards, Ian.

Today, 12:26 PM	#5
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 686	Thanks for the kind words everyone! Ian, I'm betting it's Maranao because I've been observing a trend of Maranao-provenanced blades (kris, kampilan, panabas, etc) having silver or brass inserts, sometimes in the form of okir or Koran verses. The design at the tip is also something that Maranao would do.

Today, 01:47 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,275	Beautiful Sword;I really like the file work on the back of the tip of the blade. Funny, I always assumed that the kampilan was a two handed weapon;seeing is believing,thanks for educating me.