Bolo / Parang ???

Robert · 4th May 2011, 03:10 PM

Michael and Jose, Thank you both for your comments. This is a rather interesting looking piece, I just wish that I had more information on it or at least some better pictures. At this point I do not know if the hilt is made of wood or horn or even if the tang extends all the way through the hilt or not. It is to bad that there was no scabbard with it to help in identifying its possible origin.

Robert

Battara · 4th May 2011, 04:12 PM

I'm pretty sure it goes through until the end. That I usually don't see until WWII, but the blade is not WWII........

Sajen · 4th May 2011, 04:26 PM

Hello Robert,

very interesting sword. Can't wait to see better pictures.

Regards,

Detlef

Robert · 5th May 2011, 11:49 PM

Hello Detlef, And thank you, I too think that this is a very interesting sword and I wish that it would just hurry up and get here so that I can give it a light cleaning and post more pictures of it as well as the dimensions. Maybe then with the new (and I hope better) pictures I will be able to get more of the forum members thoughts on it.

Robert

migueldiaz · 6th May 2011, 09:08 AM

The blade is definitely southern Luzon (i.e., Bicol), while the hilt is Tagalog. Thus it looks like a Tagalog got hold of a Bicol blade and rehilted it (or vice versa).

The hybrid configuration is very possible, because the two regions are just next to each other (please see attached map).

[Robert, it looks like there's some engraving on the blade. Please do show us detailed pics later, please. Thanks!]

Robert · 7th May 2011, 07:57 PM

Hello everyone,
The minasbad arrived and I don't think I could be happier. It is 23-1/4 inches in total length with a 17-3/8 inch blade. A its widest point the blade is 1-1/4 inches while at its narrowest point it is 11/16 inch. The blade is 7/16 of an inch thick at the hilt. The hilt itself is made of what looks to be very dark kamagong wood and has a seamed brass collar. The only damage to the hilt is an old age crack that can be seen in the pictures. The tang of the blade does not extend completely through hilt. Here are a few poor pictures of it after a light cleaning (the blade was covered in layers of old wax and dirt with very little actual rust) and some ren wax.

Robert

P.S.
Lorenz, Thank you for the information and the map. Unfortunately when this arrived I found that there was no engraving on the blade.

Battara · 8th May 2011, 03:29 AM

Have you etched it yet?

6th May 2011, 09:08 AM	#5
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	The blade is definitely southern Luzon (i.e., Bicol), while the hilt is Tagalog. Thus it looks like a Tagalog got hold of a Bicol blade and rehilted it (or vice versa). The hybrid configuration is very possible, because the two regions are just next to each other (please see attached map). [Robert, it looks like there's some engraving on the blade. Please do show us detailed pics later, please. Thanks!] Attached Images

7th May 2011, 07:57 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello everyone, The minasbad arrived and I don't think I could be happier. It is 23-1/4 inches in total length with a 17-3/8 inch blade. A its widest point the blade is 1-1/4 inches while at its narrowest point it is 11/16 inch. The blade is 7/16 of an inch thick at the hilt. The hilt itself is made of what looks to be very dark kamagong wood and has a seamed brass collar. The only damage to the hilt is an old age crack that can be seen in the pictures. The tang of the blade does not extend completely through hilt. Here are a few poor pictures of it after a light cleaning (the blade was covered in layers of old wax and dirt with very little actual rust) and some ren wax. Robert P.S. Lorenz, Thank you for the information and the map. Unfortunately when this arrived I found that there was no engraving on the blade. Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 8th May 2011 at 07:16 AM.

4th May 2011, 03:10 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Michael and Jose, Thank you both for your comments. This is a rather interesting looking piece, I just wish that I had more information on it or at least some better pictures. At this point I do not know if the hilt is made of wood or horn or even if the tang extends all the way through the hilt or not. It is to bad that there was no scabbard with it to help in identifying its possible origin. Robert

4th May 2011, 04:12 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I'm pretty sure it goes through until the end. That I usually don't see until WWII, but the blade is not WWII........

4th May 2011, 04:26 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,212	Hello Robert, very interesting sword. Can't wait to see better pictures. Regards, Detlef

5th May 2011, 11:49 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Detlef, And thank you, I too think that this is a very interesting sword and I wish that it would just hurry up and get here so that I can give it a light cleaning and post more pictures of it as well as the dimensions. Maybe then with the new (and I hope better) pictures I will be able to get more of the forum members thoughts on it. Robert

8th May 2011, 03:29 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Have you etched it yet?