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Old 1st February 2014, 12:26 AM   #1
CharlesS
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Very impressive. I love the clamshell pommel.
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Old 1st February 2014, 01:50 AM   #2
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Impressive indeed. Just a note that either this is not the original hilt or at least the baca-baca have been changed. The sheath seems to fit like a glove so i would image that it was indeed made specifically for this blade. The blade may be older than all the rest though. It's original intention may have been as a parade weapon or perhaps it was made for a very large man, but it seems to have found its way to being a parade blade none the less considering the suassa and clamshell. I wouldn't imaging that the American coins point to it being for an American. Dimes would not be considered a valuable token by an American, they are common and of low denomination, but they could more likely gain some kind of talismanic nature by a local Moro.
Nice find Dave!
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Old 1st February 2014, 07:07 PM   #3
Battara
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Ok I hate to be the buzz kill but all of it appears to me to be of later origin.

The blade has pointed luks (curves), the baka-baka clamps are 1960s style (as David mentioned), and the scabbard is 1950s in style. As far as mounts are concerned, the ferrule and top mount remind me of 1960s and later work.

This all being said, it is possible that this was indeed made for a datu, but in more recent years.

Also good clamshell is hard to find.
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Old 1st February 2014, 08:01 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Battara
Ok I hate to be the buzz kill but all of it appears to me to be of later origin, say, 1930s - 1940s.

The blade has pointed luks (curves), the baka-baka clamps are 1960s style (as David mentioned), and the scabbard is 1950s in style. As far as mounts are concerned, the ferrule and top mount remind me of 1960s and later work.

This all being said, it is possible that this was indeed made for a datu, but in more recent years.

Also good clamshell is hard to find.
To add to Jose's statement, the rattan is definitely later and has been tinted/dyed/stained to look old. I am not familiar with that style of hilt wrap...Jose may know more about that.

I still like that clamshell. It's still an impressive "size queen" special, but Jose may be right on the mark.
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Old 2nd February 2014, 02:32 AM   #5
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Jose: I guess I need some schooling on what constitutes a 1950s style of baka-baka, Obviously I have seen many later styles of clamps that are very thin and not of very high quality. But this piece when in the hand, the clamps don't look any different than many much older ones that we own. Just have no idea what a 50s style looks like, aside from the easily identified tourist pieces.........Dave.
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Old 2nd February 2014, 07:54 AM   #6
Battara
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The lines and "X"s are not aligned with the top of the ganga. Also the "X"s are elongated like these. This style is still made today.

Also notice that the baka-bakas don't fit well (I noticed that gap between the front of the ganga and the baka-baka).
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Old 2nd February 2014, 12:17 PM   #7
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The blade clearly has some age....is it possible it has been remounted?? The off baca-baca would certainly seem to indicate that, as would the hilt wrap, etc.
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Old 3rd February 2014, 11:19 PM   #8
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I suppose it is possible that the blade could be from the 1930s at the earliest. That is when the separate ganga got lost and luks were getting pointy........
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