It is a tuba knife from Panay. This knife has changed little in the last 100 years, so the specific item we are discussing might be a lot older than 30 years. The newer ones (last 30 years) no longer have the characteristic rounded pommel.
The R.O. is most probably the owner's initials. I noticed that the scabbard (tagub) has "Ram..." incised on it. Probably for "Ramon". The "..on" portion appears to have broken off.
The tube gatherer is called a "manangguete" in Iloilo.
|