Northern Philippine dagger

[Ferguson]

Approximately 13" overall length with a delicate and ornate hilt, this dagger has a hardened edge, and brass trim. The horn hilt is inlaid with brass wire and brass dots. The butt is intricately grooved and filed, and has horn dot inlays. Workmanship is impeccable. The top of the guard is shaped like a stylized bird? The bottom of the guard is shield shaped. Blade thickness at the spine is about 7/32", and the blade has no markings.

Ebay story is that it was taken off a Japanese soldier (aren't they all?). Written in ink on the scabbard is "Japanise knive" and something unreadable.

I'm guessing pre WWII, but that's only a guess. Any ideas about time period and place of manufacture?
I love this dagger! :)

Steve

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/sferguson53/Public/PI-dagger-out.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/sferguson53/Public/PI-dagger-hilt-overall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/sferguson53/Public/Pi-dagger-hilt-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/sferguson53/Public/PI-dagger-hilt.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/sferguson53/Public/PI-dagger-butt.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/sferguson53/Public/PI-dagger-scabbard-throat.jpg

[Lew]

Steve

What a horrible knife. ;) :D

Only kidding. Very nice piece.


Lew

[Battara]

Hi Steve,

Very nice puppy! I would say that it was done in the 1930s-40s. The bird is an eagle on the guard and was being ussed after the Americans "pacified" the Philippines. Nice condition too. The hilt form is in a horses hoof.

Thank you for sharing.

[Ferguson]

Thanks Lew for the comments. :)

And thank you Jose for the dating. I would have been happy with 1950s, but I've VERY happy with pre WWII.

Steve