Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Ian · 5th April 2022, 04:59 PM

Hi RSWORD,

What a fascinating sword and in excellent condition! A few comments on the sword, its scabbard and inscriptions.

First, the dates you noted are too late for this to be a Katipunan sword--they fit with the time frame of the First Republic, and this is supported by reference to a US military entity.

Second, the sun and three stars is a motif that is from the Philippine flag and found at the hoist within a white equilateral triangle. The sun has eight rays representing the provinces that rose up against Spain. Those may be the provinces listed on the scabbard, but I can't see all of them.

Third, the date "January 15" does not coincide with any major political event that I can find. It is close to the promulgation of the Malolos Constitution (January 20, 1899) which created the First Philippine Republic. Perhaps a Filipino scholar has an answer.

Fourth, the mention of the 32nd US Volunteers on such a nationalistic item is very strange, and seems out of place because the Filipino-American War was still in progress in 1901.

Lastly, the origin of this sword. The scabbard with its heart-shaped belt hanger and snake head at the tip is probably from Apalit in the province of Pampanga.

5th April 2022, 04:59 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,033	Hi RSWORD, What a fascinating sword and in excellent condition! A few comments on the sword, its scabbard and inscriptions. First, the dates you noted are too late for this to be a Katipunan sword--they fit with the time frame of the First Republic, and this is supported by reference to a US military entity. Second, the sun and three stars is a motif that is from the Philippine flag and found at the hoist within a white equilateral triangle. The sun has eight rays representing the provinces that rose up against Spain. Those may be the provinces listed on the scabbard, but I can't see all of them. Third, the date "January 15" does not coincide with any major political event that I can find. It is close to the promulgation of the Malolos Constitution (January 20, 1899) which created the First Philippine Republic. Perhaps a Filipino scholar has an answer. Fourth, the mention of the 32nd US Volunteers on such a nationalistic item is very strange, and seems out of place because the Filipino-American War was still in progress in 1901. Lastly, the origin of this sword. The scabbard with its heart-shaped belt hanger and snake head at the tip is probably from Apalit in the province of Pampanga.