Philippines dagger

JeffS · 1st August 2025, 06:36 PM

Does anyone recognize this style? Peened hilt, copper guard, brass ferrule, horn handle (some bug holes). 6.5" blade, 11" OAL.

Battara · 3rd August 2025, 03:06 AM

I had a similar one years ago. it is from Luzon island and made of horn and bronze. It is probably from the 1950s or 1960s.

Ian · 5th August 2025, 12:51 PM

Hi Jeff.

As Battara has noted, this is from Luzon. Many of these Luzon wavy-bladed knives were brought back to the U.S. by servicemen serving in the Philippines post-WWII. It appears that most were manufactured in Central Luzon, near the major US Airforce Base (Clark AFB) and not far from the large US Naval Base at Subic Bay. A lot of US soldiers passed through these bases during the Vietnam War. The hilt style on this one is a little different from the usual Central Luzon examples, and it might be a bit older.

Sajen · 6th August 2025, 05:01 PM

When ferrule and guard are two single parts it could be an older example.

JeffS · 7th August 2025, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

When ferrule and guard are two single parts it could be an older example.

This is two pieces. If bronze, the guard has a high copper content as evidenced by the red color and it is soft enough to be crimped onto the blade. The ferrule and pommel cap are a harder yellow alloy.

Ian · 13th August 2025, 06:41 PM

Thanks Jeff. Could you post a close up picture of the guard and the crimped area. This sounds like an unusual construction.

Sajen · 18th August 2025, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

When ferrule and guard are two single parts it could be an older example.

Hi Jeff,

This is a very good sign. I've seen this before, at the first look this construction looks like the one-piece mid. 20th century examples, but I've seen a few with two-piece construction where I was pretty sure that these pieces have been much older.

I would polish the brass up a little bit, the two colours will be better visible.

Regards,
Detlef

1st August 2025, 06:36 PM	#1
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 441	Philippines dagger Does anyone recognize this style? Peened hilt, copper guard, brass ferrule, horn handle (some bug holes). 6.5" blade, 11" OAL. Attached Images

3rd August 2025, 03:06 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,342	I had a similar one years ago. it is from Luzon island and made of horn and bronze. It is probably from the 1950s or 1960s.

5th August 2025, 12:51 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,515	Hi Jeff. As Battara has noted, this is from Luzon. Many of these Luzon wavy-bladed knives were brought back to the U.S. by servicemen serving in the Philippines post-WWII. It appears that most were manufactured in Central Luzon, near the major US Airforce Base (Clark AFB) and not far from the large US Naval Base at Subic Bay. A lot of US soldiers passed through these bases during the Vietnam War. The hilt style on this one is a little different from the usual Central Luzon examples, and it might be a bit older.

6th August 2025, 05:01 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	When ferrule and guard are two single parts it could be an older example.

13th August 2025, 06:41 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,515	Thanks Jeff. Could you post a close up picture of the guard and the crimped area. This sounds like an unusual construction.