Interesting Luzon Dagger?

[Lew]

Just picked this up on eBay. Seems like an older piece but from what era?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200719989000?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_720wt_922

[Ferguson]

I know you've got to buy the knife, not the story, but Lucien G Berry served in the Philippines with the US Volunteers. It looks old enough to have been brought back by him. I watched it for several auctions but just couldn't pull the trigger. Nice one.


Steve

[Lew]

Just added pics :) The hilt looks like kamagong to me?

[Robert]

Hello Lew,
I'm glad you won the auction on this great looking dagger as it will make a great addition to your collection. Like Steve, I watched it for several auctions too but being financially eembarrassed at the present time could not bid. Whether or not the seller can back up his claim of this being brought back after the war by Lucien G Berry I believe that this dates to that time period "late nineteenth century/early twentieth century. I would also agree with you that the the hilt is made from kamagong. Again, my congratulations on a very nice addition to you collection.

Robert


P.S.
When you get tired of looking at it please feel free to send it my way.

[Dimasalang]

Nice pick up! I would tend to believe the story since the piece can be traced back to the estate along with other pieces of the period. :) Would be cool to actually trace Capt Lucien G. Berry locations while in the Philippines, might get a better idea of where this piece actually came from. If you can get which Volunteers he served with, you can also find out which battles they were involved in. :D

[Robert]

Here are a couple of links that might be of some interest. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/lgberry.htm and http://www.royalpanji.net/sulu_sultanate_flags_-_6.html

Robert

[Lew]

The dagger arrived today. So I gave it a mild cleaning and it all looks good :). It's nice and solid with a kamagong hilt and a twelve inch blade.

[Robert]

Lew, Glad to hear it has arrived safely. Now that it has been cleaned and inspected can we expect new and better pictures???:D Did the seller supply any proof that it was owned by Berry? I would be really great if he could. Looking forward to the new pictures.

Robert

[Lew]

Will post pics tomorrow. All he supplied me with is that piece of paper :shrug:

Will email him and see what other proof he may have ;) :rolleyes:

[Lew]

I found this on the web today. Lucien G Berry was indeed stationed in Southern Luzon.
http://books.google.com/books?id=-5WOrmt_VxcC&pg=PA211&lpg=PA211&dq=lucien+g+berry+philippines&source=bl&ots=6_1UxbwBHH&sig=gl2lOmqlqUW4pOcFTKhmiGLoN4w&hl=en&sa=X&ei=eXJbT8G6DcTt0gGmuMDaDw&ved=0CFIQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=lucien%20g%20berry%20philippines&f=false

[Lew]

Here is an updated pic after I cleaned up the blade And conditioned the scabbard.

[Lew]

Bump!

I replaced the blurry pic with one from my camera ;) .

[Robert]

It really cleaned up nice. I can't believe the scabbard looks that good now. Great job !!

Robert

[ThePepperSkull]

Very nice piece!

I wasn't aware there were older pieces that used kamagong as hilt material. A bit of a revelation for me. Thanks for sharing, Lew!

[Lew]

Very nice piece!

I wasn't aware there were older pieces that used kamagong as hilt material. A bit of a revelation for me. Thanks for sharing, Lew!


I guess it was whatever the local bladesmith had on hand at that time. It probably came from a small village shop :shrug: . The blade does seem less refined than the others of that period in time. I take it that Southern Luzon was more rural than the other parts of that area. I will research it and get back to guys :)

[Lew]

This was what I was able to come up with that corresponds with Lucien C. Berry's service in Southern Luzon.

MIGUEL C. MALVAR
(1865-1911) Revolutionary General

Malvar returned to the country in June 1898, bringing with him about 2000 rifles that greatly helped his compatriots. Appointed commanding general of Southern Luzon, he organized the forces in Batangas, Mindoro, and Tayabas. Eventually, the Filipinos won their victory, prompting Aguinaldo to declare independence from Spanish colonialism on June 12, 1898. Unfortunately, this independence from colonial rule was short lived.
On February 4, 1899, the Philippine-American War broke out. Malvar responded to the new enemy with courage. He fought the American forces in Muntinglupa, San Pedro, Tunasan, Kalamba and Kabuyaw. Appointed division general and chief of the second zone of operations in Southern Luzon, General Malvar delegated his task with General Juan Cailles, his deputy. He fought with the forces of General Artemio Ricarte in defending several towns of Laguna.
Faced with a better-trained and better-armed enemy, the Filipinos turned into guerrilla warfare, which proved to be more effective. The American soldiers did not take this lightly. They inflicted stricter measures in stopping Malvar and other guerillas. Aimed at starving them, they took the civilians in military zones, and destroyed villages, crops and animals along with their more intense military campaign that eventually resulted to the capture of Aguinaldo in Palanan.

So it seems that this dagger could have been captured from one of these freedom fighters that fought against the American forces stationed in that area or it was a private purchase piece Berry just picked up?