Nice to see how the new models have developed. The first ginunting I got of the Force Recon-version had a more plain pommel and a plain wooden scabbard. That was when we were training with Tuhon in Philippines in 2005 and I think it was the numbered edition. At the moment I am traveling so I can't check at the studio where I keep my stick bag and unfortunately I don't have any pictures of it on my computer.
Like you I always preferred the full size version. The main reason to have it as short as the military version is that it is easier to carry with the rest of the equipment. A secondary reason might be that it was developed to counter the, also short, barong blades.
Here is a couple of pictures of the late 90's official PTK-version of the ginunting and the talibong. Both of them full length and with a high S-guard.
Michael
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