Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

RSWORD · 26th February 2005, 12:49 PM

Gentleman

I had the pleasure of getting to handle this sword last night. It's new owner happens to be Battara. There are a few interesting features to the piece which definitely suggests it is not a second half of the 20th century, at least definitely not the blade. Jose had etched the blade and it turned out to be 2 panel twist core damascus with a high carbon edge. I think this is a very rare feature on non-Moro swords from the Philippines. I think that was a pleasant surprise. He had the hilt off of the sword and the tang has a nice blackish patina that would suggest the blade is most probably a 19th century blade. The hilt was a very nice burled wood and the brass ferrule/guard does actually fit the hilt tightly. (they were loose when he received the piece.) We are of the opinion that the hilt, while it may be newer than the blade, is not recent. I think he ended up with a great piece given the twist core blade and lovely hilt. Money well spent.

Pictures to come when he has a chance to take them.

26th February 2005, 12:49 PM	#13
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	Gentleman I had the pleasure of getting to handle this sword last night. It's new owner happens to be Battara. There are a few interesting features to the piece which definitely suggests it is not a second half of the 20th century, at least definitely not the blade. Jose had etched the blade and it turned out to be 2 panel twist core damascus with a high carbon edge. I think this is a very rare feature on non-Moro swords from the Philippines. I think that was a pleasant surprise. He had the hilt off of the sword and the tang has a nice blackish patina that would suggest the blade is most probably a 19th century blade. The hilt was a very nice burled wood and the brass ferrule/guard does actually fit the hilt tightly. (they were loose when he received the piece.) We are of the opinion that the hilt, while it may be newer than the blade, is not recent. I think he ended up with a great piece given the twist core blade and lovely hilt. Money well spent. Pictures to come when he has a chance to take them.