Moro Punal?

[imas560]

Hello,
I have just received a punal.
The overall length is approx 300mm (11.8 inch).
The scabbard bands and guard look like aluminium.
The ferrul looks like brass (almost like shell casing brass).
Any help in identification would be much appreciated.
The auction read as "Original Philippine Islands Punal Fighting Knife in very fine condition as acquired after WWII by a US GI.."
many thanks

[Battara]

Yup - definitely looks like a Moro WWII gunong. Not unusual for these during this period to have aluminum bands and the use of brass since both were plentiful then.

[imas560]

thanks Battara

[Ferguson]

Very nice blade. You've got a good honest piece.

Steve

[imas560]

Thanks Steve

[Sajen]

Hello Imas,

here a gunong from the same time frame, the fittings are also from aluminium. This one is 305 mm sheathed.

Regards,

Detlef

[drac2k]

I have often seem many fine blades with aluminum fittings, etc. and the common assumption in my local area has been that these were WW2 period produced. I have often wondered if these could be older blades, repaired or refitted with what was apparently the most plentiful, easy to work with material from downed planes etc.Did the aluminum from these aircraft have any talismanic significance to those who harvested it ?

[Battara]

Usually these have later blades of the period. No talismanic meaning to the aluminum to my knowledge, only that it is a cheap replacement for silver.

[imas560]

Very nice example thanks Sajen.
Thanks for the posts everyone.