Philippino Bowie/Navaja

David · 1st January 2014, 11:17 PM

Thanks Robert. I see the similarities.

Battara · 2nd January 2014, 04:08 AM

I agree it is Luzono, late 19th century. When I get the chance I will post some pictures. These well carved horn hilts are on pieces from both Luzon and the Visayas.

ArmsAndAntiques · 3rd January 2014, 03:09 AM

Hi all

Thanks for all the comments. I had an idea that it was Visayan but Filipino and Southeast Asian items are out of my full range of knowledge. The dimensions are as follows:

11" overall 6" blade 2.5" width of blade.

Looks very much like a Filipino insipired navaja to me...which would make sense considering the historical record.

Spunjer · 3rd January 2014, 05:17 PM

hello LL,
welcome! now that's one cool dagger you got there!!! yes, it's 1st revolutionary era piece. the blade profile does looks like a navaja, but it also reminds me of a stubby version of a visayan blade colloquially known as plamingko. the handles on these pieces have somewhat similar motif to the rank insignias of the 1st Revolutionary soldiers. it has been postulated then, that the carvings on the handle signified the rank of the original owner.
what's interesting is your description of the blade; it's silver???
i have posted mine for comparison. the handle is similar, but with a more common design blade.

ArmsAndAntiques · 3rd January 2014, 05:36 PM

The blade is not silver but appears to have been silver plated. I purchased it as a "fish serving knife" as the owner thought the silver plate made it part of a serving set. I knew better, that it was likely Filipino, but not much more than that. That's particularly interesting that this would have been of the revolutionary era and that the carving would reflect the rank of the officer. It's just loads better quality than much of the other Filipino items that have passed through my hands.

best
LL

Battara · 4th January 2014, 12:52 AM

Was it silver plated or nickel plated? Many Americans and British loved to nickel plate blades (and throw away the scabbards

).

carlos · 4th January 2014, 01:47 PM

Very beautiful piece, I love this combination.
I had seen one similar in a spanish museum, in the national Museum of Antrophologhy , in Madrid.

My piece have a similar engraved hilt

3rd January 2014, 05:17 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	hello LL, welcome! now that's one cool dagger you got there!!! yes, it's 1st revolutionary era piece. the blade profile does looks like a navaja, but it also reminds me of a stubby version of a visayan blade colloquially known as plamingko. the handles on these pieces have somewhat similar motif to the rank insignias of the 1st Revolutionary soldiers. it has been postulated then, that the carvings on the handle signified the rank of the original owner. what's interesting is your description of the blade; it's silver??? i have posted mine for comparison. the handle is similar, but with a more common design blade. Attached Images

4th January 2014, 01:47 PM	#7
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 751	Very beautiful piece, I love this combination. I had seen one similar in a spanish museum, in the national Museum of Antrophologhy , in Madrid. My piece have a similar engraved hilt Attached Images

1st January 2014, 11:17 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	Thanks Robert. I see the similarities.

2nd January 2014, 04:08 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I agree it is Luzono, late 19th century. When I get the chance I will post some pictures. These well carved horn hilts are on pieces from both Luzon and the Visayas.

3rd January 2014, 03:09 AM	#3
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	Hi all Thanks for all the comments. I had an idea that it was Visayan but Filipino and Southeast Asian items are out of my full range of knowledge. The dimensions are as follows: 11" overall 6" blade 2.5" width of blade. Looks very much like a Filipino insipired navaja to me...which would make sense considering the historical record.

3rd January 2014, 05:36 PM	#5
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	The blade is not silver but appears to have been silver plated. I purchased it as a "fish serving knife" as the owner thought the silver plate made it part of a serving set. I knew better, that it was likely Filipino, but not much more than that. That's particularly interesting that this would have been of the revolutionary era and that the carving would reflect the rank of the officer. It's just loads better quality than much of the other Filipino items that have passed through my hands. best LL

4th January 2014, 12:52 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Was it silver plated or nickel plated? Many Americans and British loved to nickel plate blades (and throw away the scabbards ).