A Very Interesting Philippine Weapon

Battara · 2nd August 2022, 11:26 PM

The scabbard though looks more Visayan to me. Ian what are your thoughts?

RobT · 3rd August 2022, 12:29 AM

Hi All,

Ian makes a good point (no pun intended). The point of my serpentine bladed short sword is a dead ringer for the one on drac2k's blade. I wonder if the strange metal piece in front of the D-guard isn't a remnant of the type of cross guard on my sword. Perhaps the dagger got a new sheath, hilt, and guard in the Visayas.

Sincerely,
RobT

drac2k · 3rd August 2022, 02:58 AM

The metal piece in front of the "D guard," is actually part of the blade; the same configuration as yours at the base of your blade above the hilt only shorter.

Ian · 3rd August 2022, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

The scabbard though looks more Visayan to me. Ian what are your thoughts?

I agree Battara. That leather wrap at the throat does have a Visayan flavor and the brass bands would also be consistent. Maybe a later pairing of blade and scabbard

Ian · 3rd August 2022, 01:18 PM

Hi Rob,

Your example is another central/northern Luzon piece, possibly Kapangan or Ilokano in manufacture. I think yours is somewhat later in manufacture, probably post WWII. These were common bring backs by U.S. military stationed in the Philippines after WWII.

Victrix · 3rd August 2022, 03:10 PM

I think the presence of a handguard marks this out as a military weapon.

drac2k · 3rd August 2022, 06:30 PM

In regards to a handguard disqualifying it as a military weapon, I respectfully disagree. We have our famous American Civil War "D Guard Bowies," The L.F.&C & the ACCO 1917 Trench Knives, as well as a host of WW1 & WW2 Theater Made knives w/"D Guards, " not to mention Jason McCord's cut-down Cavalry sword that he often employed in the Western Frontier.
Paramilitary units often had non-standardized weapons such as this one; whether the application was practical or not was of secondary importance; just so long as they were scary.
Usually, with your typical souvenir pieces, you not only have a date and a name but a place, which this one doesn't, which tells me that this one wasn't generically made.

3rd August 2022, 12:29 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 563	Rehilted? Hi All, Ian makes a good point (no pun intended). The point of my serpentine bladed short sword is a dead ringer for the one on drac2k's blade. I wonder if the strange metal piece in front of the D-guard isn't a remnant of the type of cross guard on my sword. Perhaps the dagger got a new sheath, hilt, and guard in the Visayas. Sincerely, RobT Attached Images

3rd August 2022, 02:58 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	The metal piece in front of the "D guard," is actually part of the blade; the same configuration as yours at the base of your blade above the hilt only shorter. Last edited by drac2k; 3rd August 2022 at 03:02 AM. Reason: to add information

2nd August 2022, 11:26 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	The scabbard though looks more Visayan to me. Ian what are your thoughts?

3rd August 2022, 01:18 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Hi Rob, Your example is another central/northern Luzon piece, possibly Kapangan or Ilokano in manufacture. I think yours is somewhat later in manufacture, probably post WWII. These were common bring backs by U.S. military stationed in the Philippines after WWII.

3rd August 2022, 03:10 PM	#6
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	I think the presence of a handguard marks this out as a military weapon.

3rd August 2022, 06:30 PM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	In regards to a handguard disqualifying it as a military weapon, I respectfully disagree. We have our famous American Civil War "D Guard Bowies," The L.F.&C & the ACCO 1917 Trench Knives, as well as a host of WW1 & WW2 Theater Made knives w/"D Guards, " not to mention Jason McCord's cut-down Cavalry sword that he often employed in the Western Frontier. Paramilitary units often had non-standardized weapons such as this one; whether the application was practical or not was of secondary importance; just so long as they were scary. Usually, with your typical souvenir pieces, you not only have a date and a name but a place, which this one doesn't, which tells me that this one wasn't generically made.