A vintage shandigan keping
 

Just won a vintage keping with a "shandigan" blade. 51 cm long.

Your comments?

Interesting item! I really like the rattan bands. I guess I will get this discussion started. Mostly I have questions. Shandigan is the word for chisel grind? Right handed blade. With the mother of pearl inlays that makes it post WWII? 1970-90s? Was this produced in Visayas or northern Zamboanga?

Thanks for the post.
-IP

Hi IP,

I am not sure if the braided bands at the handle are from rattan, could be also some sort of metal, I am unsure, we have to wait until I have it in my hands.
And yes, shandigan is for the chisel grind (especially barong). It's not MOP inlay but white colour, I guess chalk colour but I also think that it is a mid. to end 20th century piece. I think that it originates from Mindanao, possibly Zamboanga, but I am curious what others think.
Thank you for your interest in my new acquisition.

Regards,
Detlef

Just to clarify the term shandigan. A shandigan blade has a swollen edge and usually a slightly hollow ground area above it. It is not a chisel edge in that the swelling occurs symmetrically on both sides and the is a variant of the V-grind seen on regular barung blades.

The item shown in the original post is a keping with a chisel ground blade. The dress is interesting. Although the shape of the wooden scabbard is consistent with a 20th C Tausug barung (central ridge, upraised toe, asymmetric mouth of the scabbard, etc.) the lime-filled decorations are atypical. the decoration at the throat does have a triangular element, but it is not in the usual place for a Tausug example. The carvings are just not right for traditional Tausug work. Similarly, the down-turned hilt with carved end is not a Tausug feature.

Given the chisel ground blade and the atypical dress, I think this may be an odd Zamboanga piece where Visayan influence is fairly strong. Palawano is another possibility. Xasterix may be able to place it better.

Yes, you are correct, my mistake, sorry for any confusion!