GUNONG

[nechesh]

I am presenting a newly acquired gunong (thanks rsword) that i suspect is either late 19th or early 20thC. The fittings are all silver and the cross piece appears to be made from a silver coin of some sort.
Do the materials used here (silver and fine burled wood) indicate possible datu ownership? I would imagine the original owner was at least well off. Does anyone know when this form originated? I can't recall ever having seen an example that was from before the mid 19thC. Does anyone have any views on the uses of this weapon? I have read the info on Federico's site, but wonder if anyone has any different or additional thoughts.