Swords and Spear Heads

Daddydog · 15th February 2011, 02:31 AM

Can someone please assist me in learning about these swords and spear heads. I am researching the history of a deceased U.S. Army General who owned these items. He was in the Philippines from 1899-1909 serving in Ilocoa Norte, Luzon, Batongas Province and Zamboanga. I am most curious about the age of the weapons and origin. Thanks for any information.

Rick · 15th February 2011, 08:10 PM

Bump

VANDOO · 15th February 2011, 10:57 PM

ALL PIECES ARE OF PHILIPPINE ORIGINS AS SUSPECTED. THE KRIS SWORD WITH THE MOTHER OF PEARL INLAY ON THE HORSE HOOF POMMEL IS LIKE THOSE FOUND AROUND ZAMBOANGA, MINDANAO IS. THE HANDLE LOOKS ORIGINAL TO THE BLADE BUT NEEDS SOME TENDER LOVING CARE. THE SCABBARD IS LIKELY A REPLACEMENT OR IF IT DOSENT FIT WELL ONE THAT DOSEN'T GO WITH THE SWORD, I WOULD GUESS THIS IS THE OLDER OF THE TWO SWORDS. THE SECOND SWORD LOOKS TO HAVE HAD THE HANDLE REPLACED AND REWOUND WITH CORD THAT IS MORE MODERN THAN THAT USUALLY FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES SO PROBABLY DONE WW2. THE SCABBARD LOOKS VERY INTERESTING AND SOME CLOSE UPS OF THE TOP AND BOTTOM CARVED SECTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL IN MAKEING A GOOD IDENTIFICATION. IT LOOKS LIKE GOOD QUALITY AND LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE HORN. BOTH KRIS WILL BE MORO AND FROM MINDANAO IS. THE SPEARS PROBABLY WW2 PERIOD POSSIBLY TRADE GOODS OR MAY BE LOCAL MADE?
THE GUYS WITH MORE KNOWLEGE WILL NO DOUBT HAVE MORE INFO FOR YOU SOON IN THE MEANTIME WELCOME TO THE FORUM.

Battara · 15th February 2011, 11:00 PM

Well, I hate to tell you, but these are Moro pieces from the southern Philippines, and I would guess from Mindanao. In any case they are not from Ilocos Norte. They even seem to be later than 1909, more like the 1920s. You have 2 Moro (Maguindanao tribe?) kris swords and 2 spearheads.

Is it possible that he stayed a while there after the Moro-American Wars? Is it even possible that the source was incorrect on the attribution of who they belonged to?

Daddydog · 15th February 2011, 11:49 PM

My thanks to everyone for your responses and willingness to share your knowledge. I do hope to be able to remove active rust and help to preserve the noted deterioration on the blades. I'm not sure what to do with the handles.
The scabbards seem to fit but they too have some damage. There is no doubt on ownership as they were purchased as part of his estate sell. I suppose he could have traveled there after 1909 to visit friends. This is a great forum! After seeing so much here, I may be developing yet another collection interest.

Battara · 16th February 2011, 04:53 AM

I do admit I love the okir work on the top of the scabbard.

15th February 2011, 02:31 AM	#1
Daddydog Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2	Swords and Spear Heads Can someone please assist me in learning about these swords and spear heads. I am researching the history of a deceased U.S. Army General who owned these items. He was in the Philippines from 1899-1909 serving in Ilocoa Norte, Luzon, Batongas Province and Zamboanga. I am most curious about the age of the weapons and origin. Thanks for any information.

15th February 2011, 11:49 PM	#5
Daddydog Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2	My thanks to everyone for your responses and willingness to share your knowledge. I do hope to be able to remove active rust and help to preserve the noted deterioration on the blades. I'm not sure what to do with the handles. The scabbards seem to fit but they too have some damage. There is no doubt on ownership as they were purchased as part of his estate sell. I suppose he could have traveled there after 1909 to visit friends. This is a great forum! After seeing so much here, I may be developing yet another collection interest. Attached Images

15th February 2011, 08:10 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,268	Bump

15th February 2011, 10:57 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	ALL PIECES ARE OF PHILIPPINE ORIGINS AS SUSPECTED. THE KRIS SWORD WITH THE MOTHER OF PEARL INLAY ON THE HORSE HOOF POMMEL IS LIKE THOSE FOUND AROUND ZAMBOANGA, MINDANAO IS. THE HANDLE LOOKS ORIGINAL TO THE BLADE BUT NEEDS SOME TENDER LOVING CARE. THE SCABBARD IS LIKELY A REPLACEMENT OR IF IT DOSENT FIT WELL ONE THAT DOSEN'T GO WITH THE SWORD, I WOULD GUESS THIS IS THE OLDER OF THE TWO SWORDS. THE SECOND SWORD LOOKS TO HAVE HAD THE HANDLE REPLACED AND REWOUND WITH CORD THAT IS MORE MODERN THAN THAT USUALLY FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES SO PROBABLY DONE WW2. THE SCABBARD LOOKS VERY INTERESTING AND SOME CLOSE UPS OF THE TOP AND BOTTOM CARVED SECTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL IN MAKEING A GOOD IDENTIFICATION. IT LOOKS LIKE GOOD QUALITY AND LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE HORN. BOTH KRIS WILL BE MORO AND FROM MINDANAO IS. THE SPEARS PROBABLY WW2 PERIOD POSSIBLY TRADE GOODS OR MAY BE LOCAL MADE? THE GUYS WITH MORE KNOWLEGE WILL NO DOUBT HAVE MORE INFO FOR YOU SOON IN THE MEANTIME WELCOME TO THE FORUM.

15th February 2011, 11:00 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,143	Well, I hate to tell you, but these are Moro pieces from the southern Philippines, and I would guess from Mindanao. In any case they are not from Ilocos Norte. They even seem to be later than 1909, more like the 1920s. You have 2 Moro (Maguindanao tribe?) kris swords and 2 spearheads. Is it possible that he stayed a while there after the Moro-American Wars? Is it even possible that the source was incorrect on the attribution of who they belonged to?

16th February 2011, 04:53 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,143	I do admit I love the okir work on the top of the scabbard.