knife Philippines

[Hombre]

This one was bought (not by me) in Manila 35 years ago. I do not know anything about it and should really appreciate any information at all when it comes to this knife. Is it just a tourist thing or....I know the pictures are not good at all but the only ones I have for the moment. Thank you!

[Battara]

Mabuhay!

This is called a gunong by the Moros of the Southern Philippines, most being from Mindanao Island, and therefore being of either the Maguindanao or the Maranao tribes.

In this particular example, this gunong seems to be post 1930s, based on the shape of the ivory pommel and the types of waves in the blade. The silver plating (so it looks to me) indicates easily Mindanao Island, along with the okir vegetation motif.



Congratulations and welcome to our little forum!

[David]

I'd love to see some better and closer images of the hilt. The color looks odd to me for older ivory and i am wondering if it is not clam shell.

[Sajen]

Hello Hombre,

welcome to the forum. The pommel don't look like ivory to my eyes either. How is the feel inside the hand? Like stone? Like David said it could be clam shell.
Here you can see some of my gunongs: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19082&highlight=gunong but this isn't the only thread about gunongs, use the search function with the key word "gunong", you will find many informations.

Regards,
Detlef

[kronckew]

blade seems a bit roughly filed & of lesser quality than the rest of the unit. i would have expected a smoother finish and maybe even some incised line art. how thick is the blade?

[David]

blade seems a bit roughly filed & of lesser quality than the rest of the unit. i would have expected a smoother finish and maybe even some incised line art. how thick is the blade?
Agree about the blade and the pointiness of the curves makes me think it is much later than the 1930s. :shrug:

[Battara]

Now that I see the pictures on a larger screen (and not a phone screen), I agree - the pommel might be something else - close ups might be helpful!

I agree David - the blade might well be the 1950s or even 1960s. However, I have seen 1930s looks/waves in the blade just like these.

Many of these after a certain time period were indeed made for US soldiers, although during the ban on Moro swords after the Battle of Bud Bagsak in 1915, gunongs grew more ornate and even larger since they were the only weapons not banned during that same time period for Moros to wear.

[Robert]

Maybr these will be of some help. My vote is for shell.

Best,
Robert

[Hombre]

Thank you very much for the nice welcome!
Also thank you very much for your inputs on this knife. I really appreciate it.
Will take more pictures of the knife when I can do it in natural light.

Sajen, you have a very nice gunong Collection. Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Stefan
Sweden

[Hombre]

Here come some more pictures....

Best,
Stefan
Sweden

[kronckew]

bone...

[Sajen]

bone...

Yep, agree, two glued (?) bone plates.

[Hombre]

Thank you very much for your information. I really appreciate it.

Does that mean that it is a tourist thing and not worth collecting or....

[kronckew]

:) i look on them as place holders in my collection until i can get a better one.

i do also have an oops corner in the closet for the real doozy mistooks. i think all collectors do. we learn from out mistakes. ;)

[Sajen]

Does that mean that it is a tourist thing and not worth collecting or....

Sorry, yes I think it's a tourist gunong, I've also two of this type and use them as letter opener. :D

Regards,
Detlef

[Ian]

:) i look on them as place holders in my collection until i can get a better one.

i do also have an oops corner in the closet for the real doozy mistooks. i think all collectors do. we learn from out mistakes. ;)I call mine the "drawer of shame." :( Mistakes are inevitable, but we don't have to repeat them.

[Hombre]

Thank you again for the information.
Well, I guess, I am lucky then becuase it is not mine.... :D

Instead as a beginner I have to put my money on books....

Best,
Stefan

[Sajen]

Instead as a beginner I have to put my money on books....


Hi Stefan,

about gunongs you don't will find books. :shrug: But here is a link with some informations: http://home.earthlink.net/~federicomalibago/moroweapons.html
And this place will give you also some good informations.

Regards,
Detlef

[Hombre]

Thank you, Detlef!
I really appreciate it!

Best,
Stefan

[Battara]

The link Sajen provided is the best and most authoritative source on gunongs at present.