I have only been collecting since 2002. First it was Chinese swords, then Javanese and Balinese keris.
In March of 2004 a good friend called me and aid that he was having a "garage sale" and that among the items was a "wavy bladed sword." He knew that I collected "wavy bladed knives" and thought that I might be interested.
He had two swords and a dagger. I had never seen swords like these before. He said his relative had collected these pieces when he was stationed in the Philippine in the late 1800s, but neither he, nor I had any idea where they were made.
The quality was evident, so I bought all three for a total of $600.
The "wavy blade" was a huge, by Javanese standards, kris. I fell instantly in love with this big powerful sword that happened to be a double fuller twist core with original scabbard.
Turned out to be not only my first Moro piece, but as time has gone by, one of my favorites.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=garage+sale
The dagger looked European and truthfully I really did not like it all that much, so I posted it on this forum to find out more.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=garage+sale
I like it a LOT more now. There is a strong likelihood that this dagger belonged to Philippine Katipunan General Leandro Fullon. I have promised it to a deserving forumite who traces his linage back to Fullon.
The third piece was a Kampilan. Also an exceptional piece. Will dig out my pictures and post them later.