knife Philippines

Battara · 8th December 2015, 04:16 PM

Mabuhay!

This is called a gunong by the Moros of the Southern Philippines, most being from Mindanao Island, and therefore being of either the Maguindanao or the Maranao tribes.

In this particular example, this gunong seems to be post 1930s, based on the shape of the ivory pommel and the types of waves in the blade. The silver plating (so it looks to me) indicates easily Mindanao Island, along with the okir vegetation motif.

Congratulations and welcome to our little forum!

David · 8th December 2015, 05:49 PM

I'd love to see some better and closer images of the hilt. The color looks odd to me for older ivory and i am wondering if it is not clam shell.

Sajen · 8th December 2015, 07:56 PM

Hello Hombre,

welcome to the forum. The pommel don't look like ivory to my eyes either. How is the feel inside the hand? Like stone? Like David said it could be clam shell.
Here you can see some of my gunongs: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=gunong but this isn't the only thread about gunongs, use the search function with the key word "gunong", you will find many informations.

Regards,
Detlef

kronckew · 8th December 2015, 09:22 PM

blade seems a bit roughly filed & of lesser quality than the rest of the unit. i would have expected a smoother finish and maybe even some incised line art. how thick is the blade?

David · 8th December 2015, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

blade seems a bit roughly filed & of lesser quality than the rest of the unit. i would have expected a smoother finish and maybe even some incised line art. how thick is the blade?

Agree about the blade and the pointiness of the curves makes me think it is much later than the 1930s.

Battara · 9th December 2015, 01:47 AM

Now that I see the pictures on a larger screen (and not a phone screen), I agree - the pommel might be something else - close ups might be helpful!

I agree David - the blade might well be the 1950s or even 1960s. However, I have seen 1930s looks/waves in the blade just like these.

Many of these after a certain time period were indeed made for US soldiers, although during the ban on Moro swords after the Battle of Bud Bagsak in 1915, gunongs grew more ornate and even larger since they were the only weapons not banned during that same time period for Moros to wear.

Robert · 9th December 2015, 02:16 AM

Maybr these will be of some help. My vote is for shell.

Best,
Robert

9th December 2015, 02:16 AM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Maybr these will be of some help. My vote is for shell. Best, Robert Attached Images

8th December 2015, 04:16 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Mabuhay! This is called a gunong by the Moros of the Southern Philippines, most being from Mindanao Island, and therefore being of either the Maguindanao or the Maranao tribes. In this particular example, this gunong seems to be post 1930s, based on the shape of the ivory pommel and the types of waves in the blade. The silver plating (so it looks to me) indicates easily Mindanao Island, along with the okir vegetation motif. Congratulations and welcome to our little forum!

8th December 2015, 05:49 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	I'd love to see some better and closer images of the hilt. The color looks odd to me for older ivory and i am wondering if it is not clam shell.

8th December 2015, 07:56 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,417	Hello Hombre, welcome to the forum. The pommel don't look like ivory to my eyes either. How is the feel inside the hand? Like stone? Like David said it could be clam shell. Here you can see some of my gunongs: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=gunong but this isn't the only thread about gunongs, use the search function with the key word "gunong", you will find many informations. Regards, Detlef

8th December 2015, 09:22 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	blade seems a bit roughly filed & of lesser quality than the rest of the unit. i would have expected a smoother finish and maybe even some incised line art. how thick is the blade?

9th December 2015, 01:47 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Now that I see the pictures on a larger screen (and not a phone screen), I agree - the pommel might be something else - close ups might be helpful! I agree David - the blade might well be the 1950s or even 1960s. However, I have seen 1930s looks/waves in the blade just like these. Many of these after a certain time period were indeed made for US soldiers, although during the ban on Moro swords after the Battle of Bud Bagsak in 1915, gunongs grew more ornate and even larger since they were the only weapons not banned during that same time period for Moros to wear.