Post Your Latest Acquisition here...

[Spunjer]

...or your not so latest one. it'd be nice to have some type of catalog to compare future acquisitions... maybe a small description with with measurements would be nice.

i'll start:

visayan binangon
OAL = 25.75"
blade length = 21"
widest part = 1 5/8"

peculiarities:
the hilt is only decorated on one side

[RomaRana]

Maasai Rungu modern type
from the Allen A Heflin collection
notes painted on in typical Heflin manner
20 1/2" oal
dated 1/23/65

[Freddy]

Great idea !

Here's mine :

A very small Shona knife.

OAL = 19 cm
blade length = 12,3 cm
widest part = 1,9 cm

peculiarities:
the hilt is made of a different type of wood. Decoration only on the front.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1665.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1664.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1664.jpg

[Freddy]

Oops :o Third picture is the wrong one !

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1666.jpg

[TVV]

Here is mine. A simple, heavy mandau from Borneo
21" OAL, blade 17"

[Alan62]

Not sure what exactly
Some kind of Armour peircing Choora
13.5 overall
8.75 Blade

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/dagGar1005.jpg

[LabanTayo]

Its not a sword, but its my newest toy.

Custom made for me, Elder Bamboo fly rod.
7' 10" 5 weight 2/2.

[Andrew]

I haven't been buying much lately, but this interesting little thing caught my eye:

http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/20AW.jpg

These are the auction photos. I haven't had the time to take better shots.

Riding crop of woven textile/horsehair with new synthetic "naugahide" tip. Low-grade silver handle and wire work, small knife hidden in the handle.

There is a replica of a Thai royal seal set in the pommel.

[Titus Pullo]

Well, you know! Siam (now Thailand) was and is a melting pot of cultures. That could blade could have been inspired by Indian or Arab merchants. That's just my guess, but all I'm saying Thai people and culture are a blend of many ethnic groups, including Indians and the Malay people.

[Spunjer]

maranao kris (sundang espada)
OAL = 27"
blade length = 23"
handle = 4"

one piece banati scabbard. laminated blade.

[punal]

Its not a sword, but its my newest toy.

Custom made for me, Elder Bamboo fly rod.
7' 10" 5 weight 2/2.


Do you deep sea fish, LabanTayo?
I never tried fly fishing, but sure am a saltwater fisherman.
So. Cal. to Maxican waters will surely give you lots of fun.

Can you post your biggest catch, I should say? just kidding!

punal

[Rick]

Okay , my three latest .

[LabanTayo]

Do you deep sea fish, LabanTayo?
I never tried fly fishing, but sure am a saltwater fisherman.
So. Cal. to Maxican waters will surely give you lots of fun.

Can you post your biggest catch, I should say? just kidding!

punal

Punal,
Never been SW fishing. Maybe I need to have you guide me there in SoCal!!!
:)

[punal]

Punal,
Never been SW fishing. Maybe I need to have you guide me there in SoCal!!!
:)


LabanTayo,

I normally fish during mid-albacore season (June-July).
Blue/yellow fin tunas and dorados as well are out there during this time of year. Yeah, let me know if you can come over this summer! I'll tour you around So. Cal.! I even have an extra gear here for you, fully rigged ready to be cast. do you prefer conventional or spinning reel?

Punal

[drdavid]

Here is my latest, a beautiful Balinese golok.Blade length 17.75 inches, overall length 25.25 inches and the veneer on the sheath is spectacular.
Peculiarity: This is very large for a golok

[punal]

Horse hoof handle w/ three fullers Kris.
Over all length: 29"
Blade: 23"
Width: 2"

[Robert]

Not a weapon but still interesting. Ifugao, very fine and tight weaving probably early 20th century.

[Bill]

Punal, Interesting Kris. Robert, Looks like you found a good one. The orange on the inside is from being in contact with skin. You can find them in Manila but they are artificially "browned" to "age" them. I've seen stated, if it has a bulul, it is a fake. However, I have seen several old pics with the bulul. Somewhere I have some info on tangkil/tuckar that you might find interesting. Rather busy lately, but when I come across it, I'll email it to you.

[Robert]

Bill,
Thank you very much for your comments on the armband and for the information that you offer. I'm looking forward to receiving it. I found this picture somewhere but don't remember where. It's not the best quality but it does show an armband with a bulul. Thanks again.

Robert

[Lew]

Hi All

These were my last two purchases.



Lew

[Titus Pullo]

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5933/budhastatue6ci.jpg

I wish I had this though. I have a smaller statue, but nothing of that scale. I think a lot of Asian fighting arts (especially the Siamese) are rooted the religeous belifes. You know...fighting against evil, to protect your homeland and the people.

[VVV]

My latest from Borneo - Dayak Parang with an unusual carved rhino hilt slightly resembling the one pictured in Nieuwenhuis.

Michael

[Spunjer]

the fang on the handle is a reminiscence of the "diety' hilt of panay/negros...

[Rick]

My latest from Borneo - Dayak Parang with an unusual carved rhino hilt slightly resembling the one pictured in Nieuwenhuis.

Michael

I'd call that a Makara hilt .
Opinions ?

[BluErf]

Yep, its a very nice makara hilt.

[VVV]

Definetely looks like a Makara now when you mention it. I didn't think about it because it's from Borneo. Also interesting with the fangs that resembles Visayan deity hilts.
But still puzzled why a Dayak would decorate a parang hilt with a Makara?

Michael

[Flavio]

Hi all,

this is my last purchase a Danakil, Issa gilè from Dijbouti and adjacent areas of Ethiopia and Somalia (sorry for the poor pictures, but it isn't yet arrived :( )

[Valjhun]

Here goes the latest mine:

Burmese dha:

Overall: 85 cm
Blade: 55 cm
Thickness: 0,5 cm
Widest point: 4 cm

[galvano]

Hello with all.
I am new member.
Here my last purchase

[Henk]

Galvano,

Welcome to the forum.

Nice keris, but you should turn the ukiran (hilt) to the other side.

[Valjhun]

Hi Galvano!

Killer Choora :eek: ! One of the nicest I've ever seen, and it seems quite big too. Is the blade wootz? Can you post some detailed photos of the blade?

[Rich]

Just picked up a 1941 "trench art" Finnish puukko. Sheath made
from downed aircraft aluminum. Knife is commercial of the period.

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinpic/puukko.jpg

Rich

[Andrew]

Just picked up a 1941 "trench art" Finnish puukko. Sheath made
from downed aircraft aluminum. Knife is commercial of the period.

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinpic/puukko.jpg

Rich


Interesting artwork on that scabbard, Rich. Looks like a grouping of various WWII military insignias? According to Google, "Muisto" is Finnish for "memory".

Have you come up with anything about this one? Very cool knife. :cool:

[galvano]

here details
the top of the blade
the hilt
guard
and the structure of the blade.it is not wootz is steel of bloomery furnace

[Spunjer]

that's a nice lamination pattern..

[kino]

Not exactly new to me. I've had it for a few years now.

Moro Kris with a Kemoh kakatua.

[Spunjer]

hey kino, long time no hear from you! thanks for showing us one of your collection. btw, what's a 'Kemoh'? salamat...

[kino]

Howzit Spunger, Kemoh is the giant clam (Tridacna). The Kakatua is carved from the shell of the giant clam. I don't know of a Pilipino term for it. Kemoh, is what the Indo/Malays (?) calls it.
Just wondering if there are other Moro weapons with Kemoh hilts out there. Giant clams were plentyful back in the day. We had a few for yard decor.

Go Seahawks............

[punal]

My very latest.

[Spunjer]

punal,

wow! your collection seems to be growing fast! really like the silver kakatua...


kino,

howzit, brah! mahalo for sharing that rare with us that rare hilt. hopefully some of the more senior collectors can chime in on this...

[Montino Bourbon]

To myself!

It was on hold; when the hold disappeared, right on my birthday, I knew that 'it is written' that I was the new owner.

Talk about intense! It's the kind of thing that you can feel the vibration. This is definitely a pusaka.

Oh, and don't ask how old I turned; let's just say that if you know the Beatle's 'Sergeant Pepper' you already know.

[Montino Bourbon]

tell me if you can see the pic's, please.

[Rick]

Hi Montino , I can see them although it's a strange format to post pictures . Mostly we use the jpg format and upload them to the site .

Let me introduce you to your pusaka's brother .. ;) :D

[Montino Bourbon]

Here's jpegs... and I want to have details on the sheath, since I have to make one.

Congratulations! is the handle rhino horn?

[Andy Davis]

Hi all
Well actually this is my oldest piece. That is, the first serious weapon I bought and still one of my favourites and not seen on this forum or anywhere else too often.
A Dha with a clipped 2 blade I think we called it.
Did put it in about 2 years ago but nice to rephoto it, give it a polish and show it again. Awsome bit of blade construction in my opinion but the photos dont really show the changes in width and angles too well. Take my word for it then. Its good ;)
Cheers
Andy

[Robert]

This is the latest addition to my collection. The age I believe to be late 19th to mid 20th century. Grip is horn with brass fittings. The blade is double beveled on one side only, the other side is flat. Both edges are sharpened from the decorative filing to the tip. The sheath was described as being either sheep or goat skin but it is paper thin which I have never seen before. It has shrunken so badly over the years and is so brittle that it is almost useless. As usual I would appreciate any comments or information you would like to give on this item, especially on the care and preservation of the sheath. Thank you.


Blade 12-3/4" in length
Blade 1-3/16" wide at hilt
Blade 3/16" thick at hilt
Hilt 4-3/4" in length
Guard 2-7/16" wide


Robert

[Panton]

...gaucho knife, once again without a sheath.....will I ever own a complete piece?
But then.....nice vintage filework.

[Robert]

Greetings Panton and welcome to the forum. I was thinking with the decorations on the blade and the overall design of this dagger that it was more likely from the Philippines than South America. It does show a great deal of Spanish influence in its design but I have never seen a gaucho knife of this style before. Do you by chance have any reference to ones of this style? I would really be interested in seeing them. What really puzzles me is what the scabbard is made. Would anyone else care to make any comments on the dagger or scabbard?


Robert

[ariel]

Nice Karud!
Artzi mentioned several times on this Forum that the way rhino-horn was cut for this particular handle indicates Bukharan origin. Am I quoting him correctly?
The blade is wonderful: real wootz, intact, elegant.
A wet dream of a knife..... :cool:

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

The last I bought, throwing knife from the Gbaya, Ngbaka, Ngombe, tribes of the north of Congo.
XIXth
44cm height, 35cm width.

[kino]

Picked up this, bling wearing kid, yesterday. On the hilt side of the wooden
handguard is a veneer of horn, under the horn is a round piece of cloth.

[Spunjer]

holy fo-shizzle! nice silver work on that tenegre. with a dated coin at that... i wonder if that's the year it was made? did it came with the scabbard? regardless, nice acquisition, kino..

[kino]

Spunger, No scabbard. I don't think the bolo was made on the same date
that on the coin. Maybe late 19th, early 20th Cent.

[Battara]

I'm with Spunger, beautiful silver work and craftsmanship on the tenegre (grumble, grumble, envy, envy....).

[M ELEY]

Ebay item #6251660306. Got it for a steal (money is tight right now, but I couldn't resist a bargain!). These true tomahawk axes (the weapon/tools of ealy America) were just as real as the so-called trade pipe tomahawks. Used by soldiers, frontiersmen and Indians, they are very misunderstood and so bargains can still be found. This one dates to 1790-1840 (height of the fur trade) and the "nail pulling slot" is actually a beaver trap chain pull (squared off cut). Although not ethnographic in the classic sense, still unusual enough to be of interest and an important part of istory...

[Titus Pullo]

Hi all
Well actually this is my oldest piece. That is, the first serious weapon I bought and still one of my favourites and not seen on this forum or anywhere else too often.
A Dha with a clipped 2 blade I think we called it.
Did put it in about 2 years ago but nice to rephoto it, give it a polish and show it again. Awsome bit of blade construction in my opinion but the photos dont really show the changes in width and angles too well. Take my word for it then. Its good ;)
Cheers
Andy

It's very crude, but very affective weapons, nonetheless! I read that the Thais, and other Tai speaking people, which include the Laotion, Shan, and some group living in southern China and Vietnam, are originally from the Southern Southeast Asia and the Islands around there. It is believe the ancestors of the Tai people are very much like the Daic people, who actually might be the more ancient group of Tai speaking people; they live on Borneo, Northern Phillipines, and other parts the South. They then reimmigrated back to the mainland Asia and then spread southward into Southeast Asia. There is a smiliarity between the Tai and Daic people's language. Also, If you look at the way these people fight, they also like to fight with machetes, which ofcourse are similar to the Thai and Shan machete like swords.

"No guts...no glory!"

[kino]

Picked this one up at the Gun Show. The seller had it on his table for over a year. I couldn't pass it up after he asked me to name my price. Has some damage with rusted blade, but it still retains its beauty. Where is this Yataghan from.

[kino]

Three more from todays gun show excursion. One in need of dental repair. The silver Kakatua has damage and the blade is sporting some nicks.

[ibeam]

Great Pieces.

Share some pix when you clean them up and back from the DENTIST. ;)

[Spunjer]

One in need of dental repair....



hey, he reminds me of mang isko, the drunk that used to hung around nanay pacing's carenderia, LOL...

[Dajak]

Hi this is my latest

[kino]

That's a nice one D. I've been looking at that for a while. I like that fabric
wrapped scabbard, a fullered blade, and the Ivory kakatua.

Spunger,
I also recall back in the day, a man with a smashed grill hanging around the Sari-sari store, looking for someone to kick him down some tuba. LOL!

[VVV]

A beautiful Kris!
I have also had my eyes on this one for a while.
The fabric on the scabbard is very interesting and I haven't seen
that before. Do you know the meaning/purpose of it?

Michael

[Dajak]

Hi Michael this signs are also used by headhunters from Assam to Borneo
It is an very big Kris it looks more an sword The Ivory pommel is very big.
The first time it was for sale I was to late but he get it back an than I was the first to get it.

I normally don t collect this stuff but this one I like.

[kronckew]

thought i'd add in my flyssa, not exactly my latest but quite recently aquired:

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/flyssa01.jpg

[Spunjer]

latest acquisition:

here's a


...sword.


can anyone shed a light on this whether it's filipino or indonesian? handle is carabao horn, pommel appears to be a bat, and it has a peened tang. ferrule is brass.

OAL=28"
blade:
length=21.5"
widest point=2"
thickness closest to the hilt=3/8"

[Tim Simmons]

This arrived this morning. From areas south of Lake Victoria 66cm long but only a 5cm diameter head so more of a gentleman's club than that of a warrior, could still give someone a very unpleasant whack.

[VVV]

I recognise Spunjer's beauty from eBay. ;)
Think it's Visayan and related to this one

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1906

Michael

[Spunjer]

michael,

the handle design does look similar, from the way the grip is designed, to the copper/brass cap on the pommel. also the blade is generally similar in design. a fellow forumite informed me that it might be of dyak origin. my initial hunch was luzon, batangas to be exact; not sure tho...

[VVV]

Spunjer,

I doubt that it has anything to do with Dayaks.

Michael

[mross]

A beautiful Kris!
I have also had my eyes on this one for a while.
The fabric on the scabbard is very interesting and I haven't seen
that before. Do you know the meaning/purpose of it?

Michael

Dajak, Kino, VVV;
Could you let me know where this Kris came from? It seems several of you had
a eye on it, and I'm always looking for places to feed my addiction. So could you
let me know your source?
Thanks,
Mike

[kino]

Spunger, good catch. It looks Bisaya to me, but what do I know.

Mross, PM sent.

[Dajak]

Hi Mross this kris was for sale By an european weapon dealer

http://www.ashokaarts.com/edgedweapons/edgedweapons.htm

His name is Stefan and I met him several times when he visit my country.

Very high class weapons he have.

[Valjhun]

My latest... I'm happy!! :D

[Spunjer]

latest one:

barung with a bigger-than-your-average-handle:

OAL= 25.5"
Blade= 18.25"

comparison with other barungs (third pic)

[galvano]

today. your comment

[Flavio]

today. your comment



GREAT :eek: !!!!!!

[Ian]

Ron:

The full length tang with brass butt cap and peened over tang speaks of Luzon. The bat head suggests Batangas, as does the blade shape, brass ferrule and small guard. I vote Batangas (Luzon) for this one.

Ian.

latest acquisition:

here's a


...sword.


can anyone shed a light on this whether it's filipino or indonesian? handle is carabao horn, pommel appears to be a bat, and it has a peened tang. ferrule is brass.

OAL=28"
blade:
length=21.5"
widest point=2"
thickness closest to the hilt=3/8"

[Ian]

Ron:

Nice acquisition.

The middle one of the three, with the longer than average punto, might come from the Samal people (Tawi-Tawi) in the Sulu Archipelago. There are others here more knowledgable than I am about the finer distinctions among barung hilts.

Ian

latest one:

barung with a bigger-than-your-average-handle:

OAL= 25.5"
Blade= 18.25"

comparison with other barungs (third pic)

[Ian]

Here is a recent acquisition that comes from the Tagbanua people of central Palawan. It has several features that resemble Moro weapons -- notably, the shape of the hilt and scabbard, and okir engravings on each. I have not been able to determine if the Tagbanua are a tribal group of Muslims or if they simply copy the weapons style of the Palawano or other Moro groups.

In any case, this bolo bears a striking resemblance to a bangkung.

OAL in scabbard = 21 in.
Length of blade = 14.75 in.
Length of hilt = 5 in.
Thickness of blade just in front of hilt = 3/16 in.

Ian.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Igreaves/Palawanobangkung1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Igreaves/Palawanobankung2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Igreaves/Palawanobangkung3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Igreaves/Palawanobangkung6.jpg

[Yannis]

today. your comment

Four good khyber swords with two scabbards and an a interesting shield. Ottoman?

[Spunjer]

The bat head suggests Batangas, as does the blade shape, brass ferrule and small guard. I vote Batangas (Luzon) for this one.


ian,

yes, that's what i was thinking as well. the scabbard also screams luzon. well, batangueno, lol.


The middle one of the three, with the longer than average punto, might come from the Samal people...

you notice the punto too, huh? the latest one, it does have a short punto. as for the gap, another forumite mentioned that most likely it had a carabao horn ring around it at one time...

as for your latest acquisition, it's a nice one, ian. maybe this link about tagbanuas will be of help:

http://litera1no4.tripod.com/tagbanua_frame.html


ron

[VVV]

Ian and Ron,
Do you think that mine in this thread also is from Batangas?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1906

I haven't seen that many swords from there, only Balisongs, so I don't have a clue?
Another member also commented it, off the forum, as Batangas.

Michael

[Spunjer]

well, it's just an assumption, michael, about mine being batangas in origin. i'm also basing it on what ian mentioned. the scabbard with yours does look visayan, tho. hmmmm... :confused:

[Ian]

Michael:

Even though your example looks like a typical Malay parang naibur, as described and illustrated in Stone, the full length tang with terminal plate on the hilt is unusual for Malay weapons which are almost always of a blind tang construction. I say "almost always" because although I have not seen a full length tang I don't exclude the possibility that someone else may have.

So I think your example is probably from Batangas also. The sheath does look Pilipino rather than from Borneo. Batangas, even though part of Luzon, is close to the Visayas and that style of scabbard could be from Batangas also.

Ian.

Ian and Ron,
Do you think that mine in this thread also is from Batangas?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1906

I haven't seen that many swords from there, only Balisongs, so I don't have a clue?
Another member also commented it, off the forum, as Batangas.

Michael

[Ian]

Thanks Ron.

Very helpful information on that site. So the Tagbanua people are animists who happened to have lived under the Brunei Sultanate for a few hundred years, as well as enduring Western rule from the Spanish and Americans.

Seems an interesting group. One of the curiosities, at least to me, of language distributions in the Philippines today is that the main language on Palawan is Tagalog. Now Tagalog is the language of the major group on Luzon, but it is a fair distance from Luzon to Palawan, and parts of the Visayas are in between. When I ask locals why Tagalog is spoken on Palawan, they simply say it is part of the Tagalog Region. Anyone have a more specific answer?

Ian.


ian,

as for your latest acquisition, it's a nice one, ian. maybe this link about tagbanuas will be of help:

http://litera1no4.tripod.com/tagbanua_frame.html

ron

[M.carter]

Not really old, nothing special. Arab saif with silver fittings, bone slabs hilt. There are also some markings on the forte of the blade, but nothing of importance

Sorry for the bad pic.

http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/8493/dsci00039uq.jpg

[VVV]

Thanks Ian and Ron for helping me identify my sword!

Michael

PS Ian, the Borneo Parang Nabur is actually one of the exceptions of a full length tang Malay sword. But it has a wing screw at the top of the hilt, not a plate.

[Titus Pullo]

This arrived this morning. From areas south of Lake Victoria 66cm long but only a 5cm diameter head so more of a gentleman's club than that of a warrior, could still give someone a very unpleasant whack.

I think your club would be better if it had ridges on them...for optimal damage.

[Ian]

Michael:

You are absolutely correct. I was thinking of the end plate-peened tang construction when I made the comment above. Loose statement on my part. :o

Ian.


PS Ian, the Borneo Parang Nabur is actually one of the exceptions of a full length tang Malay sword. But it has a wing screw at the top of the hilt, not a plate.

[Spunjer]

Seems an interesting group. One of the curiosities, at least to me, of language distributions in the Philippines today is that the main language on Palawan is Tagalog. Now Tagalog is the language of the major group on Luzon, but it is a fair distance from Luzon to Palawan, and parts of the Visayas are in between. When I ask locals why Tagalog is spoken on Palawan, they simply say it is part of the Tagalog Region. Anyone have a more specific answer?



interesting, ian. didn't know that the predominant dialect over there is tagalog. i always assumed that since it's in the same latitude as the visayan region, a variant of the visayan dialect would be spoken there....

[Eric A]

Not a weapon but still interesting. Ifugao, very fine and tight weaving probably early 20th century. Only Kankanaey and Bontoc have anthropomorphic figures on tangkil. Gaddang, Itneg and Kalinga have simple protrusions of wood/hair, but for the Ifugao the tusks are left bare, as far as I know... ;)

[Eric A]

Bill,
Thank you very much for your comments on the armband and for the information that you offer. I'm looking forward to receiving it. I found this picture somewhere but don't remember where. It's not the best quality but it does show an armband with a bulul. Thanks again.

Robert The photograph is by Eduardo Massferré, taken in Sagada, Mountain Province, ca. 1950

[Ian]

A Philippine tabak, late-19th or early-20th C.

Ian

[Battara]

Nice Ian, I have a similar piece.

[themorningstar]

"odd" gardening tool found in a shed...
talk about the luck o' the irish...
but i'm not irish...
lolz...

[zelbone]

I'd like to see this shed... :D

[Spunjer]

Danganan Kris with blade of sulu origin. 18th c. low grade silver kakatua and banati tagub (mindanao ???) appears to be of later addition, perhaps 19th c. OAL = 26". blade = 21"

[panday]

Danganan Kris with blade of sulu origin. 18th c. low grade silver kakatua and banati tagub (mindanao ???) appears to be of later addition, perhaps 19th c. OAL = 26". blade = 21"


Wow! that's a beautiful kris Spunger :) good catch.

[Mapico1]

I'm a new member,love this idea......
Here's mine,came in today...
Leka tribe from Congo.1900.

[Spunjer]

thanks, pre

[Battara]

Spunger, according to Cato's classifications, your kris might be more Sulu due to the trunk area and the noticible lack of any okir.

[Spunjer]

hi battara.. right you are. the blade has all the sulu characteristic. what i'm wondering about are the hilt and tagub's origin; whether it's mindanao or sulu..

[Pangeran Datu]

Galvano,

Welcome to the forum.

Nice keris, but you should turn the ukiran (hilt) to the other side.


Bear in mind though, that the position of the hilt relative to the scabbard is a convention that may vary from area to area.
For instance, Surakarta and Yogyakarta strictly observe the convention of the hilt being parallel to the scabbard and facing the short end of the crosspiece.
Madura and Bali on the other hand, have their hilts either at an angle to the scabbard and in the direction of the short end of the crosspiece, or, as for Surakarta and Yogyakarta.
As a matter of fact, I have seen kerises from Malaysia, where the hilts are as in the above picture, parallel to the scabbard and facing the long end of the cross piece.
Even in the Moro kris, one can find the hilts parallel to the scabbard and facing either the short end or the long end of the crosspiece.

[drdavid]

Hi all
I posted this Rencong a few weeks back on another thread but not a peep was heard, I like it so much I am posting it again.
cheers
drd

[kronckew]

hi drdavid, love the rencong, here's my horn version:

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/rencong1.jpg

[IainN]

I've had this for a little while but just got around to taking some pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/i_norm/P1010027.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/i_norm/P1010034.jpg

A mid Qing period jian in decent shape, the guard is particularly nice while the pommel is a bit rough in construction. Overall dark chocolate patina which makes photographing a bit of a bummer. :D

You can see the rest of the pics I have of it here:
http://esnips.com/web/inormsPhotos

[kino]

A recent pick up.
OAL 21.5", Blade 13.5"
Like Bill's huge Panabas, this is also a published piece.

[Bill M]

:)

[Battara]

A recent pick up.
OAL 21.5", Blade 13.5"
Like Bill's huge Panabas, this is also a published piece.
Thanks Kino. your pictures are very helpful. I assume that you mean that this is in Cato's book (besides looking familiar). These closeup pictures are wonderful. Maraming Salamat. :D

BTW - what is the "28" about?

[Battara]

Oh, and of course my latest acquistion :D :

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1213&highlight=whalebone+kampilan

[kino]

Thanks Kino. your pictures are very helpful. I assume that you mean that this is in Cato's book (besides looking familiar). These closeup pictures are wonderful. Maraming Salamat. :D

BTW - what is the "28" about?

Way sapayan, B. :) Yes it's in Cato' book & in Arts of Asia magazine.

I don't know what the "28" means. I noticed it when I was cleaning the blade.

Let me know if you have problems in securing the whale bone. I know of someone that deals in Ivory (marine, elephant, fossil), and others of related
nature.

Nice catch on the Kamp.

[Lew]

Here is my last purchase.

Lew

[Tim Simmons]

Nice stick 28 inches.

[Bill M]

Nice stick 28 inches.

Zulu? Swazi?

[utami]

hi drdavid, love the rencong, here's my horn version:


hmm, you have a wonderfull canggei rencong kronckrew, the hilt & the scabbard made from white horn, i guest. thanks for share with all of us here :)

[utami]

Hi all
I posted this Rencong a few weeks back on another thread but not a peep was heard, I like it so much I am posting it again.
cheers
drd

wow.. what a beutifull pieces you have :) congrat mate
is it a elephant tusk for the hilt and the scabbard ?

[Tim Simmons]

Hello Bill,

Where it comes from is a little hard to be sure of. The seller had a very similar but much longer, a staff but damaged, with leather covering the ball part. The stitched leather work reminded me of West African work and as I have another long twisted baton from West Africa I am inclined to think this may well be from those parts rather than the south. Just guess work, nice old one.

[panday]

Just wanted to share my newest acquisitions.

[Spunjer]

nice! i was saving for the the one on the very top, lol, but at the rate i was going, i had 33 months to go. glad it went to you, tho...

[Bill M]

Just wanted to share my newest acquisitions.

WOW!

Very nice. Beyond nice! Excellent! If you ever want an air-condtioned, humidity controlled environment to store the barongs, please let me know! Top dollar!

Is the MP-5 selective fire?

[Lew]

Panday

Now you know that your firearms are not period appropriate for your barongs you will have to do better :D

Lew

[kino]

WOW! Are those loaded with HYDRASHOCKS! :eek: Ya got a FA kit for that SP? It's useless w/o one. Contact my homies from Carson if you need one :D

[panday]

Is the MP-5 selective fire?

Bill,
It's a simi-auto Cal. version.



nice! i was saving for the the one on the very top, lol, but at the rate i was going, i had 33 months to go. glad it went to you, tho...

Spunjer,
salamat D're :)



WOW! Are those loaded with HYDRASHOCKS! Ya got a FA kit for that SP? It's useless w/o one. Contact my homies from Carson if you need one

Kino,
just got it back last week from a friend of mine in No. Cal. ;) i dismantled the kit months ago, now i just need to find it so i can put it back. loaded w/ BLACK TALON :D



Now you know that your firearms are not period appropriate for your barongs you will have to do better

Lew,
Your absolutely right, i'll do better next time. just happy to have them back.


Here's a full house photo.
Thanks guys. enjoy :)

[Lee]

I never know what will catch my eye when I go to the giant flea market over in Brimfield, MA. Earlier this month, I brought this home. I do know what it is, now, at least generically. I'll pop in a link to a site about these things later, but solicit any opinions first.

[Ian]

Hi Lee.

Interesting looking small blade and handle. Seems to me it is a tool of some sort, rather than a weapon. A little like a farrier's knife for cleaning horse's hooves, but this looks too nice for such a mundane purpose.

My first thought was an old fleam to let blood from horses, people. A popular practice in the 19th C. Otherwise, I suppose it could be a wood working tool for carving or some other small knife purpose.

I don't think it is a Native American knife ("crooked knife"). It has a nice "folk" look to the hilt and the whipping on the handle does not strike me as Native American. Blade looks sturdy and forged.

Be interested to hear what others think.

Ian.

[Lee]

Hi Ian,

I think that this actually is a "crooked knife" functionally as it clearly fits in the hand to be used as a single-handed draw knife. It has some age to it, but I would hesitate to put this particular example of the tool before the first half of the 20th century and I would similarly hestitate to identify this particular example's cultural origin.

A couple of good links I found to "crooked knives":

Mo-co-ta-gan: Crooked Knives (http://members.aol.com/mocotagan/index.html)
Mocotaugan: The Story and Art of the Crooked Knife (http://www.mocotauganthebook.com/index.html)

[Tim Simmons]

I have seen a "crooked" knife in a local junk shop. I will see if it is still there in the morning and if cheap enough buy it to compare. It has an antler handle and no binding with absolutely no indication that it is not English. A rural or urban for all that matters, farriers search tool. I really know nothing about horses being more of a Townie.

[Ian]

Lee:

It was the blade that put me off. I think of "crooked knives" as having more square-ended blades with a terminal hook. But I see from your referenced sites that not all blades have such an appearance.

It seems curious that this style is unknown to occur before the 19th C.

Ian.

[Spunjer]

never thought i get to see one of these in my collection, but i guess every now and then even the blind dog gets lucky. just got it yesterday. being beautified at the moment (pedicure, manicure,hot wax treatment...). will post better pics in the future. pic one by itself, pic two, the handle, and pic three compared with a barung for size comparison.

OAL= 24.5"
Blade= 18"
Blade thickness (by the hilt)=7/16"
Width at the widest point= 2.5"

pretty much the classic bangkung described on cato's book. banati handle with silver punto.

[mross]

Very nice. I would say that's a very lucky dog!

[Battara]

Congratulations! Nice puppies (woof! :D ).

[The Double D]

I never know what will catch my eye when I go to the giant flea market over in Brimfield, MA. Earlier this month, I brought this home. I do know what it is, now, at least generically. I'll pop in a link to a site about these things later, but solicit any opinions first.

Don't mean to be flip, but this looks like a table knife stuck in carved piece of wood.

[kino]

Hey Spunger, Post some photos after you clean it up. Good catch!

[Spunjer]

shoots, kino..
just got done etching the blade and the lamination is pretty cool! i dunno anything about different types, but the best i can describe this would be sandwiching metal sheets and shaping the blade from there. the other sundang i have that i think would have a similar pattern would be the garab i have. i'm enclosing a picture of the garab's lamination. will take pics of the bangkung's lamination tomorrow...

[Spunjer]

here's the blade. i believe it's the first picture where it looks as if the blade was used to block what appears to be an incoming blow, so much so that it made a dent and separated the lamination weld. i would say it's a battle scar. on the bottom picture, you could almost see the 'stepladder' (for a better lack of terms) lamination on the blade, left side...

[Spunjer]

back to her glory days...

[kino]

on the bottom picture, you could almost see the 'stepladder' (for a better lack of terms) lamination on the blade, left side...

Spunger, Good clean-up job. I think my lousy monitor doesn't show the pattern on the Bangkung. Too dark.

Here is my Bangkung. The silver Punto is a later replacement done by our own Battara, stand up B and wave your hand, so everyone can see you.

[Ian]

Ron:

That's quite a dent. Possibly a strike from a bullet?

Ian.

[Spunjer]

ian,

the distance of the dent is about a third of the total length from the tip, and the thickness at this point is still 5/16". needless to say, it's a solid, heavy blade. it would take a lot to create that dent. bullet grazing it is a strong possibililty.



kino,

wow, excellent piece you got there, brah! the naga hilt itself is unique, but another aspect that's interesting is where the blade connects to the handle, you know, the grills. pretty common on northern sundangs, but i've never seen that on moro weapons. btw, don't you have the shandigan bangkung as well?

[Battara]

Kino,

I forgot all about that piece. Hope the drool stains don't show. :o I liked working on that piece.

BTW - I waved but couldn't see anyone wave back. :D

[Lew]

Ron:

That's quite a dent. Possibly a strike from a bullet?

Ian.

Ian

That dent was more likely made by a parry from another weapon the chances that a bullet caused the damage is slim to none ;) You would have to shoot the back of the sword jjj-just right :D :p .

Lew

[Hrthuma ibn Marwan]

Hello all, I am new here :)

Some of my stuff:

Arabian Dagger:http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1757/dagnh3.gif


Early 20th century Portoguese bayonet:
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4381/swrd42nd.gif


Ottoman sword, approximately 200ish years old:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4412/swrd10wz.gif


I am just starting my collection of real antique weapons, as well as newly made replicas.

[Ian]

Welcome Hrthuma. Hope you enjoy your time here. :)

Ian.

[Hrthuma ibn Marwan]

Thanks Ian :)

And I will try to post a closer look to my blades. I might also get a new sword soon. And I think I might need some assistance identifying where and when it was used.

Thanks again

[CollectingNewbie]

Just got this Tulwar last week and The Indo Persian Axe? yesterday, Ill post better pics of the axe once I get it.

[Hrthuma ibn Marwan]

That Tulwar is pretty decent.
I have seen a tulwar in a shop(near where I live) but it looked very blunt and rusty. Yours look pretty cheerfull ;)

[CollectingNewbie]

Thanks, its my first Tulwar and I think it was a great buy, just grabed it off ebay for $102.00. I dont know much about Tulwars but it was posted as an 18th century blade, its in excelent shape, and you can still very faintly see some of the artwork on the handle.

[Hrthuma ibn Marwan]

Thanks, its my first Tulwar and I think it was a great buy, just grabed it off ebay for $102.00. I dont know much about Tulwars but it was posted as an 18th century blade, its in excelent shape, and you can still very faintly see some of the artwork on the handle.

18th century Tulwar for $102? and a Tulwar in good shape? I dont know about the rest, but I think you are a lucky man :p

Congrats :)

[Tim Simmons]

I got this today to show with the horse knife Lee post at the top of the page.

[Battara]

This looks like a type of Native American Indian carving knife.

[S.Al-Anizi]

Hello all, I am new here :)

Some of my stuff:



Hello Hurthuma, may I get to see more of that gorgeous sword? :D It looks real nice, I bet it has a european blade, and is likely fitted in Damascus.

[Hrthuma ibn Marwan]

Hello Hurthuma, may I get to see more of that gorgeous sword? :D It looks real nice, I bet it has a european blade, and is likely fitted in Damascus.

How about those? :p

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8668/oto1xb8.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/6951/oto8wo6.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/3743/oto7ju1.jpg

Its not clear on the second picture, but the blade has some sort of engarving. The dealer said it was Ottoman. It shows a cresent and a sun if I am not mistaken. The blade also has the "dimashqi" patterns on it.
Hope this helps, if you want anymore info or pictures taken, tell me :)

[CollectingNewbie]

Just won another one off ebay :D

[Lew]

Just won another one off ebay :D

I had my eye on that one but shot my load on that kundrik sword last week. It's a very nice example. When you get it try using a bit of mineral oil on the horn so it does not get too dried out.

Lew

[panday]

moro daggers....

[panday]

thanks for the silver clamp battara :)

[Battara]

thanks for the silver clamp battara :)
Your very welcome. :D

I was wondering what you were going to do with the blade once you got that silver junggayan kris.

[panday]

1)kampilan (crock jaw is ivory, cross guard is whalebone).

2)24-25? waves horsehoof kris.

3)visayan bolo.

[panday]

sorry, add. pics......

[Battara]

Nice Panday - is that a new kampilan?

[panday]

Nice Panday - is that a new kampilan?


yes battara, it's a new one, just got it this friday. i thought it was another whalebone :)

[Bill M]

Blade is 14" OAL 18" Ganja is not separate. Laminated blade.

Full sized kris for comparison.

Comments?

[Bill M]

I think this is a Kuba Ikula. Open to comments about age and authenticity.

14" overall.

[Battara]

I know that African is not my specialty, but Bill what you have is a nice puppy - the copper Kuba knives are scarcer and I believe are ceremonial to be used by nobility. I like it. :)

[Robert]

I'm the same, I know very little about these but I know what I like and I like this a lot!! Great blade.

Robert

[Tim Simmons]

Very nice Bill totally genuine perhaps 1930-40. This is my latest African find. Ball staff, diameter 4.5cm, shown next to a light knobkerrie.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NA003.jpg

[Bill M]

Thanks for the kind words on the Kuba gents. Hope that some of the African collectors will comment.

Anything about the little kris?

[Bill M]

Budiknon Shield and a few other Moro pieces. Early Christmas presents. Let's see this would be Christmas of 2006, 2007 and 2008 -- maybe 2009?

[Lew]

Bill

I have been having a problem with Santa :( He keeps stuffing my stocking with sharp pointy swords but he forgets the scabbards. So when I wake up on X-MAS day I find the swords have cut through the bottom of the stockings and they are sticking into my nice wood floors :mad: ;) Can you email him and let him know of the problem since he must really like you because he brings you such nice toys :D

Lew

[kino]

Budiknon Shield and a few other Moro pieces. Early Christmas presents. Let's see this would be Christmas of 2006, 2007 and 2008 -- maybe 2009?

:( Daayum, all I get are socks and underoos. It does pay to be good. I see that shield was made for you. The letter "M" at the top of it. Can you post a photo of the Barung on the right, it seems to be in the shadows.

[Bill M]

:( Daayum, all I get are socks and underoos. It does pay to be good. I see that shield was made for you. The letter "M" at the top of it. Can you post a photo of the Barung on the right, it seems to be in the shadows.


Daayum Kino, he is a bit shy, but I'll drag him out and stand him at attention in front o' me purple cloth.

[kino]

WOW! A good looking family of weapons. Cool display. Thanks for sharing.

[Bill M]

WOW! A good looking family of weapons. Cool display. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Kino, for the kind words.

[Bill M]

In the grand tradition of Panday and his coat rack, 25 pounds of 19th c Moro armor.

Wish I had a 28 inch waist.

[David]

Well Bill....i have a 28" waist (well, OK, 29", but a deep inhale and a dap of cooking oil here and there... ;) )....and,well you know, it being Christmas time and all and, well, the spirit of giving and all that.... :rolleyes: :D

[David]

Actually, i'd be more interested in seeing a picture of you in the Vanson. :p :D

[Bill M]

Actually, i'd be more interested in seeing a picture of you in the Vanson. :p :D


Hmmm. It glows in the dark. Startling when hanging in the closet.

[CollectingNewbie]

just won this one this monring :D

[Bill M]

Nice bulova axe. Looks authentic. You should chnage your name :D from Newbie!

[Tim Simmons]

Got this today. 102cm long. I have been admiring it all afternoon with very cold lager and some lovely biltong a local South African chap down the road makes. Rather nice :) .

[Freddy]

I found this one recently at an antique market.

I think it's a Hadendoa dagger. Don't think it's very old, but it's complete with its leather sheath. And............it was cheap at only 5 Euro.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Hadendoa-detail2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Hadendoa.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/hadendoa-detail1.jpg

[roshan]

Thanks Ron.

Very helpful information on that site. So the Tagbanua people are animists who happened to have lived under the Brunei Sultanate for a few hundred years, as well as enduring Western rule from the Spanish and Americans.

Seems an interesting group. One of the curiosities, at least to me, of language distributions in the Philippines today is that the main language on Palawan is Tagalog. Now Tagalog is the language of the major group on Luzon, but it is a fair distance from Luzon to Palawan, and parts of the Visayas are in between. When I ask locals why Tagalog is spoken on Palawan, they simply say it is part of the Tagalog Region. Anyone have a more specific answer?

Ian.

This is simply due to migration from parts of the Philippines with high population densities to areas with lower ones, resulting in the natives of those regions being reduced to minorities, and eventually, assimilated. This isnt something unique to Palawan. The large island of Mindoro, which lies between Palawan and the Tagalog speaking areas of Luzon has shared the same fate. Much of Mindanao has been turned into a Visayan "lebensraum" and Cebuano is now the lingua franca of much of the region. Similarly, the Ilocanos have spread out from their core Ilocos region and have Ilocanized most of northern Luzon.

Palawan has a lot of native languages, Tagbanwa is not the only one. There is also the Palawan language, as well as other tribal tongues. Interestingly, the Tagbanwa are amongst the few peoples of the Philippines who continue to use native writing systems of Brahmi (Sanskrit alphabet) origin.

I think in a couple of generations, we are going to see a drastic reduction in the number of languages and ethnic groups in the Philippines.

[kahnjar1]

:D This was subject of earlier thread. Managed to "extract" it from its owner, and it now lives with the rest of my Dha.

[CharlesS]

As a lover of cross cultural pieces, I am absolutely in love with this "dha-war".

Very interesting. Do you think it was all "born together", or composite, and if composite, older or younger??

Thanks for sharing.

[kahnjar1]

As a lover of cross cultural pieces, I am absolutely in love with this "dha-war".

Very interesting. Do you think it was all "born together", or composite, and if composite, older or younger??

Thanks for sharing.
Hi Charles,
Refer previous thread dated 30th January "Help with Identification Please". All discussion re this item is there.
Regards Stuart

[ThePepperSkull]

Three more from todays gun show excursion. One in need of dental repair.
hey, he reminds me of mang isko, the drunk that used to hung around nanay pacing's carenderia, LOL...

Personally, that monster hilt reminded me of my Tito Boy. He loves his lambanog. :D



On another note, I thought I would revive this thread in case anyone wanted to share a new acquisition, but did not want to start a new thread on their newfound piece.

I have a couple of kris coming in that I find particularly simple (but well done) and would not generate enough discussion to warrant separate threads (WWII. separate gangya. both maranao. I love 'em as much as someone can love an inanimate object, but that's basically all that could be said about these pieces to be honest.) That being said, I thought it would be wise for me to post them here once they arrive, since I am still anxious to share them.

Pics when they come in!

[Sajen]

On another note, I thought I would revive this thread in case anyone wanted to share a new acquisition, but did not want to start a new thread on their newfound piece.


That's really funny, just yesterday I read this thread again und thought about to reactivate it again. ;) :cool:

I am curious to see your new babys!

Regards,

Detlef

[Spunjer]

hahahahaha! everyone has a tito boy, but why is it that there's no tita girl :shrug: ?

[Spunjer]

Kamagong pommel with ivory inlays; 6 1/2" long and 2" wide. 16" laminated blade. in comparison with two other junggayans on the bottom pic

[CharlesS]

Magnificent Spunjer!...you know one of those is my "dream piece!" ;)

[Spunjer]

Note taken, Charles, hehe...

[Battara]

Nice pieces. Perdy! :D

[ThePepperSkull]

Very purdy indeed. The Ivory and Gold combination is beautiful.

[Maurice]

Magnificent Spunjer!...you know one of those is my "dream piece!" ;)
Ron, can you make a note that I want the other 2 that Charles doesn't want? ;-)

Here my latest acquisition to share!

Rg,
Maurice

[Montino Bourbon]

I took a one-week long smithing class and made this. Yes, I have videos of me hammering the red-hot steel.

I was inspired by the 12th century sword “Hocho Masamune". The "yaki-ire", quenching the steel to harden it after applying clay to the blade, came out perfectly, and the hamon is clearly visible.

My friend and colleague Michael Bell of Dragonfly Forge taught the class. I made the sheath and handle, sort of "Shira-saya" style, after I got back.

[Bill M]

One of my dream pieces. Ron has the only one I ever saw that was similar. I very much admire the way he acquired it! Scratch and sniff!!"

This much gold is very rare. Makes Islamic men weak. "Unless you are a king." Well-known Moro authority told me. Perhaps both of these were made for kings?

[A.alnakkas]

"This much gold is very rare. Makes Islamic men weak"

Not more then other human beings ;)

beautiful pieces all and lovely Craftmanship, Montino.

[asomotif]

This much gold is very rare. Makes Islamic men weak. "Unless you are a king."
:rolleyes: Weakens your budget, unless you are a king ;)

Very nice piece. Love the structure of the ivory.

Best regards,
Willem

[Gavin Nugent]

:rolleyes: Weakens your budget, unless you are a king ;)

Damn right there, my budget is very weak now :shrug:

My thanks to a quiet member for helping me obtain this example.....hmmmmm gold :D

Gav

[A.alnakkas]

Amazing ! congrats Gav. Is it wootz?

[Gavin Nugent]

Amazing ! congrats Gav. Is it wootz?

G'day Lofty,

No wootz but a very fine patterened blade. E.Astvatsaturyan shows a small line drawing of the same pattern in the work on Caucasian arms. The steel quality is amazing, extreme gratitude to he who made this available to me.

Gav

[Spunjer]

Wow, that's a beauty, maurice! Love the inlay work!
I think what Bill meant was the belief in old Mindanao, not necessarily Islam in general even at that point in time...

[RDGAC]

My latest purchase - and not at all an inexpensive one. EIC lock, locally converted to percussion; silver inlaid barrel with cannon-form muzzle. Good, solid stock. Weighs a fair bit. Woven, multi-strand, hessian rope sling. Bloody beautiful old girl!

[chregu]

hello together
These are the latest achievements of the past week.
regards Chregu

[ThePepperSkull]

Last acquisition for a while. While biased in my preference towards older Sulu blades, I've found a new respect and admiration for the larger, broader pieces from Mindanao.

I've always wanted a straight Maranao battle piece ever since I saw Ferguson and Bill Marsh's collections of kris a few years ago on another forum. This one's a little more ornate than other ones I have seen, which are usually very spartan in the use of metal fittings and have some sort of rattan wrap or non-laquered jute wrap instead of the black laquered wrap that this one has.

Despite this, it does still seem like a very powerful, no-nonsense Kris.

Got it for what I consider a very reasonable price. Can't wait to handle this in person. If anyone has anything to add, I would be very appreciative. What social standing did the original owner belong to? etc etc.

[Sajen]

Nice and complete kris without sheath. Like the patina at the handle. Would guess that it is a good fighter so not from a person of special status.
Do you plan to etch the blade when you have received it?

Regards,

Detlef

[Battara]

I agree nice Maranao piece.

[ThePepperSkull]

Thank you, gentlemen. I've always wanted a straight kris and having spoken with forum members Spunjer and harimauhk (among others) about it over the past couple of months, I've learned to really appreciate the broader and heavier Maranao and Maguindanao pieces, especially the more spartan "battle pieces", as they have been dubbed colloquially. Very no-nonsense, very beauiful in its austerity.

I most definitely do plan on etching it, Detlef. I do not have much experience in etching and FeCl is hard to come by in Canada (It used to be easier to get apparently, but by 2008 it became more difficult as chemicals are very strictly regulated), so I am currently practicing on modern blades using vinegar, lemon juice and pineapple juice to see which gets me a better result. After I have confidence in my etching abilities I will move onto genuine pieces like this one.

[Sajen]

I most definitely do plan on etching it, Detlef. I do not have much experience in etching and FeCl is hard to come by in Canada (It used to be easier to get apparently, but by 2008 it became more difficult as chemicals are very strictly regulated), so I am currently practicing on modern blades using vinegar, lemon juice and pineapple juice to see which gets me a better result. After I have confidence in my etching abilities I will move onto genuine pieces like this one.

I use vinegar and have had very good results!

Good luck and regards,

Detlef

[Battara]

I would recommend that if you are to do that then heat up the liquid before applying it to the metal.

[Rick]

I agree nice Maranao piece.

Can we call the kakatua pommel Maranao style ? :)

[Battara]

Both Maranao and Maguindanao tribes used the kakatua hilts as well.

Good question.

[RDGAC]

Since I already posted a thread on it, here it is: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15441

[DanielUka]

Damn right there, my budget is very weak now :shrug:

My thanks to a quiet member for helping me obtain this example.....hmmmmm gold :D

Gav

AMAZING !! very beautiful weapon ! where did you find it ?

[David R]

These have just arrived. To be frank, when I bid on them I neither expected nor particularly wanted to get them. It was an experiment to see what would be accepted as a bid from the UK, ...and I won,... and they are here. So what have I got? Coming from China........they are slightly different from the posted vendors photo, one of them has a tang 27 cm 10.5 ins long but otherwise just as described and shown, width from barb to barb 5 cm on one and just under that on the other.

[Timo Nieminen]

These have just arrived. To be frank, when I bid on them I neither expected nor particularly wanted to get them. It was an experiment to see what would be accepted as a bid from the UK, ...and I won,... and they are here. So what have I got? Coming from China........they are slightly different from the posted vendors photo, one of them has a tang 27 cm 10.5 ins long but otherwise just as described and shown, width from barb to barb 5 cm on one and just under that on the other.

Modern, and an attempt at a replica of bronze Chinese arrowheads, Shang, Zhou, through to Warring States style. Most Chinese heads had relatively short tangs, but long tangs were used too. Also socketed heads, especially in Qin and Han. After that, iron/steel heads rather than bronze.

"Attempt" I say, since these are huge compared to the usual long-tanged Chinese bronze arrowheads. And very fat, too. The long 25cm or so ones are usually thinner, with much smaller blades. So, these look like the maker got the size very wrong. Perhaps these should be about 10-12 cm long?

I don't recognise what particular heads these are meant to be copies of, so can't check what the original size was.

These are usually brass, rather than bronze like the originals. The quality of the modern copies (not just of arrowheads, but spears, axes, swords, ge) varies a lot. Some are quite nice.

[David R]

I am Not disappointed, as I did not expect them to be genuine, and the price was silly low, with free shipping an' all. In fact I don't see how they made anything on the deal. I am now torn between keeping them as a curiosity, or selling them at the next "Steampunk" fair with an outragous and tongue in cheek "backstory", (while making it clear they are modern).
They served their purpose as a test, I now know I can buy spear and arrow heads internationaly via ebay. Pity is I am put off buying anything from China, even passing up on a WW2 militia spearhead at a decent price, because of the likelyhood it was a more recent fake.
On another note, I just won these off ebay from Japan. Shabby, and so not desirable to the higher end collector, but interesting to me. And will go nicely with the yari.

[Stan S.]

Hey David, are those leggings or sleeves?

[David R]

They are a sleeve,Kote, I think for the lower arm, ie back of the hand to the elbow, of a type called Han-gote or possibly Tekoh. (6)
The Edo period was generaly peacefull, with feuds, policing and piracy rather than war, so real combat armour tended to be light raiders stuff. Full armours were made but as ceremonial stuff not functional. I am hopefull these are examples of the lightweight gear. And if not, heh, no matter. Shipping is costing more than the bid, the total about what I pay for second hand Kimono.

[David R]

The above photo and drawing from this very usefull site http://www.iz2.or.jp/english/index.htm My ambition is to put the above gear, or something like it together using as much genuine stuff as possible.

[Rick]

Both Maranao and Maguindanao tribes used the kakatua hilts as well.

Good question.

It would be nice to establish regional/tribal styles if possible . :)

[Dom]

my latest acquisition ... parts for "shamshir" (Khevsurian)
- type: Khmali
- origin: Georgia
- style: Persian
- steel garnitures with copper inlaid
very good state - 19th Century
as far as I understood, relatively rare, to rare :p

all the best

à +

Dom

[David R]

Very nice pieces Dom. What are you going to do with them, mount them on a sword or display as separate bits.

[Stan S.]

Dom, just beutiful! It is rare to see a complete matching set of shamshir fittings, especially when they are of a better quality such as yours

[Dom]

Hi David, thanks Stan for your nice comments
very good, and pertinent question :p
several alternatives are ... front to me
- found a beautiful blade (johar) and handle,
without to forget to met some one able to make a good scabbard,
covered with leather, and with a spiral stitching brass ...
otherwise
- to keep it like it is, and to have it, in display
last alternative
- to sale it, will be not a concern to find a collector interested by :p

till yet, nothing decided, there no emergency ;)

à +

Dom

[David R]

Hi Dom, regarding the scabbard stitching, the thread is passed through short lengths of "gold bullion" which is a spiral wire used in embroidery, it is in fact usualy gold plated over silver. They still use it for uniforms in the UK, mainly for insignia, badges and rank markings. Also used in India for their goldwork on textiles.
If you have difficulty in getting it I have a couple of contacts that might help.

[Dom]

If you have difficulty in getting it I have a couple of contacts that might help.Thanks a lot David
this kind of information is very important, too important to be ignored :D
and I've no touch in that field, actually :shrug:
thank you in advance for information, and for your kind help :p

à +

Dom

[Timo Nieminen]

My newest: a kukri/khukuri with a carved horn hilt. What is the tool with the loop used for?

[kronckew]

it's a button hook. typical tool with some khukuris. rare to find shoes with buttons nowadays, so most people have no clue as to what it is or how to use it. google 'button hook'.

the two most usually found standard tools are a karda - small utility knife - and a chakma(k) which is a hardened unsharpened tool used for burnishing the edge. some come with a multitude of tools: tweezers, awls, fire striker, tinder pouch, etc.

[Timo Nieminen]

My only guess for the hook tool would have been ear cleaner, but those are usually spoon shaped (at least in East Asia). Looking now, I see that ear cleaners in kukri tool kits have the same kind of spoon shaped tips as East Asian ones.

Both other tools are sharpened. Don't know if they originally were; both have signs of non-original sharpening. Haven't checked hardness yet.

[Rick]

No ? :)

[David R]

Went to a local arms fair on Sunday, varied lots as always, and came away with these.
The curved knife is a puzzler, a sort of mini Kindjal. It is a tourist piece it is much better than the run of the mill item. My guess it has no great age, but made for wear with national costume, for dance or festival, or even for a child. The grip scales are horn, inlaid with dots of a pink material, and the grey rivit heads of base metal. The blade a good bright steel. The scabbard is neatly made, wood core, covered with leather and blackened metal.
Comments welcomed, actually comments invited please, I would like peeps opinion on both of these.
The update is on the kote, I took them into the R.A. where they were seen by Ian Bottomly. They are full kote for an "ashigaru" peasant spearman, cheap munition armour. The long plate at the right is the shoulder plate, small plates and mail on the upper arm, mail over the elbow, and long plates over the fore arm, no handguard as that is a samurai feature. Probably early Edo therefore, and Ian thinks they could even be 16thC.

[kronckew]

nice bhutanese dossum on the left. shows signs of it's traditional hairpin laminations.

[Henk]

The curved knife is a puzzler, a sort of mini Kindjal.

David,
In my opinion it is a kurdish jambiya. Very nice one.

[kronckew]

this just followed me home, can i keep it?
i promise i'll look after it, and feed it and hug it and stroke it.
and empty it's litter box.

[estcrh]

They are a sleeve,Kote, I think for the lower arm, ie back of the hand to the elbow, of a type called Han-gote or possibly Tekoh. (6)
David, your kote appear to be ashigaru kote, basic armored sleeves for the ashigaru foot soldier. They would cover the arm from the shoulder to the wrist. Here is a pair to show how yours originally looked.

[David R]

David, your kote appear to be ashigaru kote, basic armored sleeves for the ashigaru foot soldier. They would cover the arm from the shoulder to the wrist. Here is a pair to show how yours originally looked.
Hi estcrh I can confirm your ID, they were looked at by Mr Ian B at the RA and he said the same thing. I have given them a steam to relax the hemp backing, and now have to consider whether to go any further with them....they are still shabby but now more identifiable.
Since getting these I have had a few more bits in, and will post them soon. Sorry to be so late with an response, I managed to miss your posting till today.

[David R]

I did another arms fair over the weekend, and bought two new items. The Keris is posted over in the appropriate forum, a battered example but I am content with it at the price. The other is a small dha which I had seen the previous fair in a western scabbard. This time the dealer had it in the right one, albeit damaged...so I bought it, and filled a gap in my collection. The end of the sheath is damaged and lacking an end cap, so I will have to get one made for it.
The inlay is yellow metal and let in properly in cut cells as opposed to koftgari, in fact to me the blade looks a bit well made for the quality of the hilt and scabbard.

[Battara]

Nice brass inlay. Well done.

[A.alnakkas]

Got this today.

[Gavin Nugent]

Your photos are much nicer Lofty, congrats on a fine looking piece.

Gav

[A.alnakkas]

Your photos are much nicer Lofty, congrats on a fine looking piece.

Gav

Thanks Gav,

I'll need to get me a better background though :P

[kino]

A Kampilan. This one has a big chunky cross guard and a big wire knuckle / hard guard to boot.

I did some cleaning up, light etch and braided a few rattan bands.
Some before and after photos.

[Sajen]

A Kampilan. This one has a big chunky cross guard and a big wire knuckle / hard guard to boot.

I did some cleaning up, light etch and braided a few rattan bands.
Some before and after photos.


Very nice after your care! :) When you need to sort one from your display to get a free space for the new one feel free to send it to me! ;) :D

Regards,

Detlef

[CharlesS]

Great kampillan Kino.

Could you teach us how to make rattan bands like that??? I can't tell you how many times I could have used them!

[sabertasche]

My latest and probably last purchase (actually trade) of the year a gunto with ancestral blade. It's in great shape and haven't even begun to study it but plan to over the Christmas holidays.

Seasons Greetings to you all!

Greg

[Sajen]

Great kampillan Kino.

Could you teach us how to make rattan bands like that??? I can't tell you how many times I could have used them!


Second this query! ;)

[kino]

When you need to sort one from your display to get a free space for the new one feel free to send it to me! ;) :D

I'm going to squeeze this one in there. It will fit, I'm sure of it. :D

Could you teach us how to make rattan bands like that??? I can't tell you how many times I could have used them!
Second this query!

I learned it here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8C6UKKZ81I
I practiced with paracord until I was proficient with the knot /weave. I could weave one with paracord in less than 5 minutes but when it came to weaving it with rattan it took me close to 45 minutes to complete one ring.
I want to learn the Gaucho knot and the headhunters knot, they have tutorials in youtube as well.

[Spunjer]

nice thick handguard on the Kampy, Al! is that brass??? how long is the blade? love the rattan rings you've added. for a minute i thought you were gonna say you remember this skill from civics class. i know i didn't, lol. nice job!