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Old 18th January 2015, 03:35 PM   #22
Sajen
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Location: Germany, Dortmund
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Originally Posted by Ian
First, the horn hilt is very uncommon (I don't recall another example--I've seen only wooden hilts). Second, the carved "figure" at the end of the hilt is of a form that I've not seen on another talibon or other Visayan weapons--it looks perhaps Indonesian to me, while the "curly hair" reminds me of the creature on the hilt of a Singhalese kastane. Third, I'm having trouble seeing a beveled edge on this one--it could be V-ground, which I have not seen on talibon/garab before. Fourth, the S-shape to the blade is not as pronounced as most talibon--the belly is a little more forward than most (compared with your other two, for example), while the narrowing at forte is a little less pronounced than most talibon. Lastly, the blade looks thin at the forte in one of the pictures and this would be very unusual for a talibon which is typically quite "chunky" in that area.

In favor of this being a talibon is the typical wooden sheath that is characteristically eastern Visayan in construction and style.

So, I think the horn-hilted one is not your typical talibon, perhaps a knife from elsewhere in Visayan dress. Examination in hand will make it apparent to you whether this is a typical talibon, and better pictures would decide the issue for us.

Very good observations Ian. Have received all three pieces and you are correct. The blade isn't beveled in the typical Visayan style and the scabbard don't belong to the sword. The blade is beveled on one side but not with a clear ridge like usual by Visayan blades. Either it was forged this way or someone has sanded it away since there are a lot of brush marks on the entire blade visible, very difficult to say.
Jose have given the sword a ferrule from silver and a guard from horn. Very nice restauration IMHO.
So now I ask myself and all others from where could this sword coming. All comments are very welcome.
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