Moro kampilan (?) Spanish American war era

Ian · 9th April 2025, 12:38 PM

Hi Jim,

Your sword in post #6 is unlikely to be Visayan. As noted by Sajen already it is more likely from Luzon. There are swords from Cebu that show similar hilts, presumably because it was a significant city with heavy Spanish influence, but I think this is more likely a Luzon sword. The narrow ricasso is unusual for Luzon swords, although we do see that feature on some Bicol swords such as the minasbad. I also have a bat-headed sword from Bicol that has a clipped blade and a narrow "waist" at the ricasso.

Bicol swords and knives seem to be a nexus of Luzon and Visayan styles, and some Bicol blades have chisel grinds. There are other scattered areas in Luzon where chisel ground blades are found, but they are not commonly made on Luzon.

The blade seems also to be unusually long (a measured length would help), and elsewhere on these pages it has been noted several times that during WWII swords of increased length were produced to counter the Japanese katana. If the blade on your sword is 28+ inches in length, then I think it is likely WWII era in manufacture. It is my understanding that swords of that length were rarely (if ever) made in Luzon and the Visayas before WWII. However, xasterix is the one here who can give you the best reading on that issue.

Lastly, the guard. Yes, it does resemble those on some of the espada ancha from Latin America. However, Chinese influence is also a possibility, especially in regard to the D-guard with down-turned quillion.

Regards, Ian.

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9th April 2025, 12:38 PM	#15
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Hi Jim, Your sword in post #6 is unlikely to be Visayan. As noted by Sajen already it is more likely from Luzon. There are swords from Cebu that show similar hilts, presumably because it was a significant city with heavy Spanish influence, but I think this is more likely a Luzon sword. The narrow ricasso is unusual for Luzon swords, although we do see that feature on some Bicol swords such as the minasbad. I also have a bat-headed sword from Bicol that has a clipped blade and a narrow "waist" at the ricasso. Bicol swords and knives seem to be a nexus of Luzon and Visayan styles, and some Bicol blades have chisel grinds. There are other scattered areas in Luzon where chisel ground blades are found, but they are not commonly made on Luzon. The blade seems also to be unusually long (a measured length would help), and elsewhere on these pages it has been noted several times that during WWII swords of increased length were produced to counter the Japanese katana. If the blade on your sword is 28+ inches in length, then I think it is likely WWII era in manufacture. It is my understanding that swords of that length were rarely (if ever) made in Luzon and the Visayas before WWII. However, xasterix is the one here who can give you the best reading on that issue. Lastly, the guard. Yes, it does resemble those on some of the espada ancha from Latin America. However, Chinese influence is also a possibility, especially in regard to the D-guard with down-turned quillion. Regards, Ian.