Well, the
antique ethnographic bug has finally bit me and I pulled the trigger (Oh, great. ANOTHER one to bid against
) on what I think is an earlier Gunong.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...OR%3AUS%3A1123
I'm posting this for more knowledge on these items. I'm assuming this is an earlier blade, according to how I recognize Moro Kris, but honestly the Gunong is something that I have absolutely no knowledge about (other than a casual looking over at a few older threads). Perhaps Battara, Kai, and 'Uncle Gunong' among other people can clarify some things?
The blade is a diminutive 4 7/8 inches long according to the description of the item.
What would the sheath have looked like had it been included? How old exactly is this piece? Did it originally have a guard like some of the larger and broader-bladed gunong had, or is this basically in the condition that most of these of its era was produced?
Does anyone have any more examples of gunong from around the time that this one was made?
As always, any and all comments welcome!
Pics below: