Double Edged Ginunting/Binangon/?
 

I picked this one up recently and I was wondering about the age of the sword (early WWII?) and where it might have been made. I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on this. The blade is 17 3/4", double edged (diamond cross-section 1 1/4" wide +-) with a 6 1/4" handle (24"OA) -- copper guard, brass ferrule, and horn handle.
Thanks,
Tom

(pics from seller, bad photo from cell - sorry no camera)

On another note...
I've been trying to learn the nomenclature of Philippine weapons by reading the old posts here, but now I just get a little chuckle from reading "it's a sundang" :) I see the pieces of the puzzle now (just not the finished picture)! Thanks to those of you with personal experience in the Philippines for sharing your insights. It's been very enlightening.
Maraming Salamat!

Hi Tom,
I bid on this and now I know who beat me :p :) ...I liked the blade profile and shape. The hilt has the appearance of an animals lower leg and hoof. My thoughts were that it was likely SEA...but wondered if this was perhaps European and used as a hunting hanger :shrug:

Is there any evidence of lamination.....the grinding marks on the blade could be recent and the blade older than you think. The scabbard could easily be a replacement.

Regards David

The profile of the blade reminds me of a pedang lerus but a bit stronger, like what happened to the kris when it went to the Philippines.
Josh

Hi David,
I'm thinking it's positively Philippine from the handle, scabbard and general construction - a member of the Ginunting/Binangon family (unless someone cares to correct me). I've been looking for one of these since I started Pekiti-Tirsia (FMA) almost a year ago - it's the "official" sword of that art. I don't think it's laminated - the edge looks a little different, but I've found that this can be just a trick of the light on differently polished surfaces. I might etch it just to see though. If anything, it may have an inserted edge. I would agree that the scabbard is a newer replacement.
Tom

Hi Tom,

That's a Luzon blade (sansibar or pinuti?).
Pekiti-Tirsia is originally Panay, and then relocated to Occ. Negros (both Bisayas).
But otherwise it looks like a very nice blade and it's closer to the modern Ginunting
than most old Visayan blades (that are much heavier).

Michael

Hello Tom,

I bet that your Luzon blade will be nicely balanced and agile. The blade could always be older - perhaps give it an etch. Even if this is a monosteel blade, you should see a nicely hardened edge...

A traditional Ginunting has a much more tip-heavy blade which will feel differently. No worries, it is always nice to have a few blades around... :D

Regards,
Kai

Hi Tom,
I wondered why the bid was higher than I expected... I like it alot but I'm glad (now you've explained) you got it :) .... sort of :p

Regards

Michael,
Thanks for the info, especially on PTK - I'm still getting my history together (I'll have to bug my teacher when he gets back). I had the term "Sansibar" associated in my mind with "S" curved blades. I saw the forward curve on this and my brain said "Ginunting" - it seemed a good descriptor for communication, but I'm still sorting out all the terms.

Kai,
Oh yeah, she's beautiful to "dance" with! Very light and nimble. I've got a "philippine klewang" too (I'll post it in a few days when I can borrow a camera) that has that tip heavy feel. Definitely a different beast.

David,
I'll take good care of her for both of us! Cheers!

tom

Batangas
 

Hi All,
I recall reading in this forum that the swelling of the hilt where it meets the ferrule, in combination with the short ferrule itself, is a design especially favored in Batangas.
Sincerely,
RobT