There are a few of these unusual hilts around and they represent a significant departure from the more common varieties. To me it looks like the open mouth of a crocodile. If we compare the shape of the grip to most kampilan, we would be tempted to say this one is mounted backwards. The "saddle feature" near the "mouth" is usually where the heel of the hand rests, whereas here it is on the same side as the sharpened edge of the blade and provides support for the little finger as it grips the handle. However, the holes for horse hair are always (at least in my experience) located on the side of the hilt that corresponds to the sharpened edge. And in this example, the holes would be in the correct orientation to the blade. So I guess it was made this way intentionally rather than someone mounting the hilt backwards.
Its general appearance would suggest second half of the 19th C manufacture, although could be early 20th C.
Very interesting example and mostly intact apart from the damage to the guard.
|