Batangas sword

Royston · 9th August 2010, 09:22 PM

I have been meaning to post this for some time.
I aquired it more than 20 years ago at a Wallis and Wallis auction in Lewis. It was being sold as a Parang Nabur and considering the picture in Stone's it is easy to see why.

Length is 72 cm with a 56 cm blade.
Thickness of the blade near the hilt is 11mm.

The hilt is of some very dark wood or horn covered with silver.
Knucklebow and crossguard are of iron or steel.

The scabbard is all wood.

All comments will be appreciated.

Regards
Roy

Maurice · 9th August 2010, 10:18 PM

Hello Roy,

What a Beautifull sword!
What I can see on your images the handle is made of horn.

is the protrusion at the handguard (at the side of the spine of the blade) broken off, or what could be the function of that little thing? (maybe it could be used as a blade taker/breaker?)

Oh, just for mentioning,.....I like thick blades over 1 cm thick... :-)

Is there any evidence that the brass (?) ferrule near the handguard is not original? I guess this was also one a silver one.

How are the silver dots connected in the horn? Are those silver nails?

Kind Regards,
Maurice

katana · 9th August 2010, 10:52 PM

Hi Roy,
nice sword......is it the photo's...I can see patterning in the blade....not certain whether you should etch though (I'll leave that to a more informed formite to advise).

Congrats

Best Regards David

Dimasalang · 10th August 2010, 12:07 AM

I don't think this sword is of Batangas. I know when some folks mention "from Southern Luzon" they think from Batangas...but the Bikol region is considered deep South Luzon. Bikol is known for this type of sword, which they call a Minasbad. Lorenz has more info on this sword.

Battara · 10th August 2010, 12:48 AM

What a great piece! Been looking for one like this. AND you have the scabbard as well! Thanks for posting this - very helpful since these don't seem to be very common.

Also I would etch the blade.

And thanks too to Dimasalang. Yes we had been told these were Batangas, but you seem to have better information - Bikol, and called a minasbad.

Wonderful!

ThePepperSkull · 10th August 2010, 02:07 AM

seconded! absolutely wonderful!

Monster-pommeled blades are quickly becoming a favourite of mine to see and read about on these forums.

Thank you all for the information and for sharing your collections with us!

9th August 2010, 09:22 PM	#1
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 441	Batangas sword I have been meaning to post this for some time. I aquired it more than 20 years ago at a Wallis and Wallis auction in Lewis. It was being sold as a Parang Nabur and considering the picture in Stone's it is easy to see why. Length is 72 cm with a 56 cm blade. Thickness of the blade near the hilt is 11mm. The hilt is of some very dark wood or horn covered with silver. Knucklebow and crossguard are of iron or steel. The scabbard is all wood. All comments will be appreciated. Regards Roy Attached Images Last edited by Royston; 9th August 2010 at 09:25 PM. Reason: Spelling !!

9th August 2010, 10:18 PM	#2
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Beautifull!! Hello Roy, What a Beautifull sword! What I can see on your images the handle is made of horn. is the protrusion at the handguard (at the side of the spine of the blade) broken off, or what could be the function of that little thing? (maybe it could be used as a blade taker/breaker?) Oh, just for mentioning,.....I like thick blades over 1 cm thick... :-) Is there any evidence that the brass (?) ferrule near the handguard is not original? I guess this was also one a silver one. How are the silver dots connected in the horn? Are those silver nails? Kind Regards, Maurice

9th August 2010, 10:52 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Roy, nice sword......is it the photo's...I can see patterning in the blade....not certain whether you should etch though (I'll leave that to a more informed formite to advise). Congrats Best Regards David

10th August 2010, 12:07 AM	#4
Dimasalang Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 264	I don't think this sword is of Batangas. I know when some folks mention "from Southern Luzon" they think from Batangas...but the Bikol region is considered deep South Luzon. Bikol is known for this type of sword, which they call a Minasbad. Lorenz has more info on this sword.

10th August 2010, 12:48 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,154	What a great piece! Been looking for one like this. AND you have the scabbard as well! Thanks for posting this - very helpful since these don't seem to be very common. Also I would etch the blade. And thanks too to Dimasalang. Yes we had been told these were Batangas, but you seem to have better information - Bikol, and called a minasbad. Wonderful!

10th August 2010, 02:07 AM	#6
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	seconded! absolutely wonderful! Monster-pommeled blades are quickly becoming a favourite of mine to see and read about on these forums. Thank you all for the information and for sharing your collections with us!