Philippines dagger

[JeffS]

Does anyone recognize this style? Peened hilt, copper guard, brass ferrule, horn handle (some bug holes). 6.5" blade, 11" OAL.

[Battara]

I had a similar one years ago. it is from Luzon island and made of horn and bronze. It is probably from the 1950s or 1960s.

[Ian]

Hi Jeff.

As Battara has noted, this is from Luzon. Many of these Luzon wavy-bladed knives were brought back to the U.S. by servicemen serving in the Philippines post-WWII. It appears that most were manufactured in Central Luzon, near the major US Airforce Base (Clark AFB) and not far from the large US Naval Base at Subic Bay. A lot of US soldiers passed through these bases during the Vietnam War. The hilt style on this one is a little different from the usual Central Luzon examples, and it might be a bit older.

[Sajen]

When ferrule and guard are two single parts it could be an older example. ;)

[JeffS]

When ferrule and guard are two single parts it could be an older example. ;) This is two pieces. If bronze, the guard has a high copper content as evidenced by the red color and it is soft enough to be crimped onto the blade. The ferrule and pommel cap are a harder yellow alloy.

[Ian]

Thanks Jeff. Could you post a close up picture of the guard and the crimped area. This sounds like an unusual construction.

[Sajen]

When ferrule and guard are two single parts it could be an older example. ;)

Hi Jeff,

This is a very good sign. I've seen this before, at the first look this construction looks like the one-piece mid. 20th century examples, but I've seen a few with two-piece construction where I was pretty sure that these pieces have been much older. :cool:
I would polish the brass up a little bit, the two colours will be better visible.

Regards,
Detlef