Don't know what this Philippine weapon handle is ...
 

Was hoping someone would know ... I previously had a small collection of turn of the century Philippine weapons (Igorot): a fal-feg spear, a kay-yan spear, and a poison dart quiver. I have since sold them off ... but amongst that collection was an item I never could identify, even after asking a few friends who may have known what it was. Our guess was that it was an axe handle of some sort ... but I seriously doubt it, as I don't see how it could support an axe head without coming off easily, and it doesn't resemble other axe handles from that region/time period as the other collectibles.

I'm assuming this is from the same region/time frame. It's just under 16 inches long, weighs less than 1.5 pounds. The metal ring that fits over the notch is is somewhat snug, but comes off with medium force. There are no sharp points on it at all, the end is blunt and thick:



Any help identifying this would be greatly appreciated. I would like to solve the mystery. Thanks in advance :)

Well to me it actually does look like an Igorot axe handle, though modified and cut down. Igorot axe head slots are of the same construction.

Hmm ... everything I Googled on axe handles for that area (Bontoc, Kalinga, etc) brought up handles that looked different from mine, although I didn't consider it had perhaps *originally* been an axe handle and then modified and cut down.

The blunt end is extremely smooth and bulbous shaped ... looks like it was made that way I think ? Which part would be cut down and modified do you think, the head slot ?

Concerning the slot being of the same construction ... only the slot is the grooved portion of the handle. There isn't anywhere else for a tang to go, if you know what I'm trying to say. On typical handles, is there also a slot *in* the handle for a tang to fit, or is the notch the only place for the axe head to fit into a groove ? Do you have some links to pics to show similar construction design ?

Thanks for your reply by the way, I really appreciate it.

It the handle of an Isneg axe.

Bingo, I think that's spot on :)

Thank you very much !

Nonoy Tan is right. I'd even say for other groups to. The tang is cut in a way where the tang fits into the slot in the handle with the iron collar for reinforcement.

I also want to add that this piece may be later as well, like WWII.....

As far as modified, I think it is the part opposite the collar.

That's cool ... after looking at some pics from Nonoy Tan's other posts, I saw the resemblance immediately. Most of the other axe handles I saw from just "generic" Googling seemed to be thinner and with a notch or something in them where the hand might hold the axe. It was nice to further nail it down.

As far as it being from a later period, possibly WWII ... it could be. The previous related items I had in the collection, however, were brought over from a WWI vet from that time (2 spears and a dart quiver for example). It was agreed by a local buddy of mine who collects such things that they were late 1800's (the other items), etc ... but I don't know of course. I have to appeal to authority on most of these items, and that's the level of how I'm versed in them :) I am trusting second hand sources, so I suppose it's possible this is from WWII in era, but the original owner who brought them over, *his family* claimed he did so after his WWI tours.

Thanks again to everyone who responded, I am always appreciative when the knowledgable share their knowledge :) Many thanks :)

It is possible that this handle could be from between the wars, say 1930s, but I would go no further than that.