Small Philippine Dagger

[Robert]

My latest, a small "Spanish Colonial"? Philippine dagger.

Total length 11-1/2 inches
Hilt length 4-7/8 inches
Blade length 6-5/8 inches
Blade at thickest 5/16 inch
Blade at widest 1-1/4 inches
All fittings are brass.

The grip is horn with a spiral groove cut into it that is lined with a channel shaped brass strip. By the way the channel is secured into the groove at each end ( by a small nail) I also believe there might have been a twisted wire set into the channel at one time that is now missing.

As usual, all comments on this piece are welcome.

Robert

[Ferguson]

Hi Robert,
I can't really tell you much about yours. I have a single edged knife with a similar hilt. Supposedly the brass in the channels was to look similar to a sword hilt. Here's mine.

Steve Ferguson

[Robert]

Hi Ferguson,
At the ends of the brass channels on your knife how is the brass held in place? On this dagger there is a flat headed nail with the head being flush with the outer surface of the horn grip which leaves about 1/32 or a little more of the nail shank exposed. The nail head is not small enough to be driven down into the channel and there is enough room for a wire to easily go around the exposed nail shank. That is why I think at one time there might have been twisted white metal or coin silver wire in the channel and the nails held it and the brass both in place. I wish I had the sheath for mine like you have for yours. :D What are the dimensions of your knife?

[VANDOO]

I HAVE A DAGGER JUST LIKE THAT AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE I PICKED IT UP AROUND 1965. I WILL SEE IF I CAN DIG IT OUT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY WIRE IN THE HANDLE OR A SHEITH. I HAVEN'T SEEN MANY OVER THE YEARS SO I WOULD GUESS THEY ARE UNCOMMON. INTERESTING BLADE AS IT IS MADE TO LOOK ALMOST LIKE A SPEAR BLADE.

[Battara]

I have a similar hilted katipunan bolo and the nail keeps the twisted brass wire in the handle also, at both ends.

[Ferguson]

Mine has a hole about the width of the groove at the end of each channel. A dowel made of horn or wood holds the brass strip in. I'll post dimensions tonight.

Steve

[Robert]

Vandoo and Battara, could you post pictures and dimensions of the examples that you have? Would anyone like to make a call on whether or not this piece is Spanish Colonial? Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Robert

[Ferguson]

Dimensions on mine:
14" overall
8 1/2" blade length
1 5/8" blade width
Blade thickness .240" at guard

Pic of the hilt showing the horn pin that holds the brass in.

Steve