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|  24th February 2005, 03:19 PM | #1 | 
| Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK 
					Posts: 5,922
				 |  Clan totem? 
			
			Can anyone tell me more about this carved animal on the scabbard of this large heavy PI knife.As far as I can see it could be a salamander,monitor lizard or a crocodile.Thanks Tim. | 
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|  24th February 2005, 04:55 PM | #2 | 
| Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe 
					Posts: 2,718
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			Frome where in Africa is it? Where on the scabbard is the animal? Do you know how old it is? Jens | 
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|  24th February 2005, 05:19 PM | #3 | 
| Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK 
					Posts: 5,922
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			Hello Jens this piece is from one of the Philippine Islands.I do believe there are members of this forum that know rather a lot about these things.Tim
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|  24th February 2005, 06:39 PM | #4 | 
| Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe 
					Posts: 2,718
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			Yes, as you can see from my post - I am more than lost, but it is an interesting thing, and I would not be surprised if it is a tribal mark. Regards Jens | 
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|  25th February 2005, 01:23 AM | #5 | 
| Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA 
					Posts: 1,254
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			This is from Luzon.  From the highland/northern "Igorot" people.  I forget what it is called.  The handle is a hollow socket, and supposedly they are used as spears in hunting, as well as as dagger/knives.  There is another type with the same handle but an SE angled "bolo" blade, too.   Recycled hoof rasps are a common material for these.  Yours doesn't look that way though.
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|  25th February 2005, 02:20 AM | #6 | 
| Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Land below the wind 
					Posts: 135
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			The carved animal is a lizard. I see these creatures everyday at home on ceilings and walls as they look for mosquitos to feed on. The Malays call it "cicak".
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|  25th February 2005, 04:55 AM | #7 | 
| Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA 
					Posts: 1,725
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			It also looks exactly like the small, flat, nocturnal gecko-like lizards that infest my area.
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|  25th February 2005, 07:56 PM | #8 | 
| Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK 
					Posts: 5,922
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			Thanks Bill.   I like the bits about lizards.Not so keen on your view of the weapon.If you could see the whole thing close up I am sure you would ,as I do,say it is at least pre ww2.Tim
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