Please educate me on this Philippine Sword

[Ferguson]

Hello friends,
I love the style of this sword that recently closed on Ebay. But the hilt and scabbard looks new. I thought it might be a remounted old blade, but another forumite thought it was probably artificially aged. Looking at the price that this piece went for, what gives? Is it new? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6554400265&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Also, if it is new, were punal/gunong ever made this long? I would buy an new piece like this, but not for $400! :rolleyes:

Looking forward to your insight.

Steve

[Battara]

This looks like a lumad piece and is discussed under another title here. My feel is that it is newer, at least the scabbard. The metal mounts look recent to me. The blade looks like WWII to me. I'll let the others comment.

[Ian]

Steve:

We've been talking about this one on another thread, as well as a couple of earlier examples -- Interesting Lumad sword (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=707). Despite the apparent age (patina) on the blade, I think this one is all recently made. The blade style is not a recognized Moro pattern, and a contact of mine in Manila has identified the sword as coming from the Tagakaolo (Kaolo, Kaolu) people who live around Mt. Apo, just outside Davao City.

Good quality workmanship in this piece, but not a $400 sword IMHO. I paid about half that amount for another one on eBay a couple of months ago.

Ian.

[VANDOO]

IT STRIKES ME AS WELL MADE AND HAS ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES BUT APPEARS NEWER AND IN TOO GOOD A CONDITION. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS OFFERED BY A SELLER YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH, IF THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS THAT JUST DON'T LOOK RIGHT BEWARE. ITS FINE TO BUY A MORE RECENT PIECE BUT YOU SURE DON'T WANT TO PAY TOP ANTIQUE PRICES FOR IT. :eek:

[Ferguson]

Gentlemen,
Thank you again for your knowledge. I read the other thread and it's very interesting. There's so much to learn, and so few brain cells left. ;)

I love the graceful lines of that style.

Steve