What kind of sword is this???

David · 6th March 2013, 05:10 AM

Not the same style at all, but here is another Spanish Colonial sword with the initials "SB" on it (plus an extra "B").
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15261
I also lean toward Philippines based on materials. Looks like i really nice sword.
BTW, since it's been mentioned more than one, i would like to point out that the symbol on the blade is a 5-pointed star, but technically it is not a "pentagram". A pentagram is literally "five lines" and denotes 5-pointed stars created with just 5 crossing lines. The 5-pointed star definitely has some historical connection with the Philippines, though generally it is not depicted alone, but with a half moon as a symbol of Islam or in groups of 3 along with a sun symbol as it first appeared on the flag in 1898. I've never seen this exact style of star with the internal "stick figure", but it could still be from the Philippines.

VVV · 6th March 2013, 05:47 AM

Thanks for all interesting comments and references!

David, I am sorry for being sloppy with how I used the term pentagram, of course you are correct on this.

Michael

M ELEY · 6th March 2013, 08:02 AM

Opps! Wasn't paying attention to the 'SB' lettering! Retract the Chinese conjecture! I hadn't thought about the colonial Spanish Philippine connection (always stuck in the Amer SW and Indies, I guess!). Would like to see more examples of that interesting combination of cultures.

Atlantia · 6th March 2013, 11:28 AM

Hmmm, this type of horn and the shape of the handle (and is that a large horn 'washer' between the hilt and guard?) reminds me of the huge Golok I've got below, which took me to Java and then to Sumatra. The faceted star reminded me of something I'd seen about Sumatra in WW2 and the Japanese, which took me to this:
http://www.hubert-herald.nl/IndoSumSel.htm

"In 1942 the Gouvernement Sumatra, created in 1938 was occupied by Japanese Forces and placed under the jurisdiction of the 25th Army. This army had a five-pointed faceted star as its emblem."

Just some thoughts.
Beautiful sword BTW! Congratulations.

David · 6th March 2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Thanks for all interesting comments and references!

David, I am sorry for being sloppy with how I used the term pentagram, of course you are correct on this.

Michael

No worries Michael and you weren't the only one or i wouldn't have bothered commenting. I just didn't want to see folks starting to infer some occult references here which always pop up around the use of the pentagram. This star seems to be on a different track.

Jim McDougall · 6th March 2013, 03:42 PM

Outstanding input Gene!!! Thank you for the data and illustration of that 'faceted five point star'.
David, I would like to thank you as well for the correction on the character of this five point star on the sword, which is as you well point out, emphatically not a pentagram. That was quite careless of me as I know full well that a pentagram is with intersecting lines and this differently structured star is of course not the same, I simply used the term in error.
I think too often many of us forget that certain terms which have become deeply imbedded in occult circumstances are best avoided unless used properly. Very nicely explained.

VVV · 6th March 2013, 07:01 PM

Thanks Gene!!!

This also explains the green buffalo hilt.

Michael

Atlantia · 6th March 2013, 09:20 PM

Thanks for the compliments Jim and Michael,
Not sure if I'm onto anything, just some thoughts.

Best
Gene

6th March 2013, 11:28 AM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hmmm, this type of horn and the shape of the handle (and is that a large horn 'washer' between the hilt and guard?) reminds me of the huge Golok I've got below, which took me to Java and then to Sumatra. The faceted star reminded me of something I'd seen about Sumatra in WW2 and the Japanese, which took me to this: http://www.hubert-herald.nl/IndoSumSel.htm "In 1942 the Gouvernement Sumatra, created in 1938 was occupied by Japanese Forces and placed under the jurisdiction of the 25th Army. This army had a five-pointed faceted star as its emblem." Just some thoughts. Beautiful sword BTW! Congratulations. Attached Images

6th March 2013, 09:20 PM	#8
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Thanks for the compliments Jim and Michael, Not sure if I'm onto anything, just some thoughts. Best Gene Last edited by Atlantia; 6th March 2013 at 11:38 PM.

6th March 2013, 05:10 AM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	Not the same style at all, but here is another Spanish Colonial sword with the initials "SB" on it (plus an extra "B"). http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15261 I also lean toward Philippines based on materials. Looks like i really nice sword. BTW, since it's been mentioned more than one, i would like to point out that the symbol on the blade is a 5-pointed star, but technically it is not a "pentagram". A pentagram is literally "five lines" and denotes 5-pointed stars created with just 5 crossing lines. The 5-pointed star definitely has some historical connection with the Philippines, though generally it is not depicted alone, but with a half moon as a symbol of Islam or in groups of 3 along with a sun symbol as it first appeared on the flag in 1898. I've never seen this exact style of star with the internal "stick figure", but it could still be from the Philippines.

6th March 2013, 05:47 AM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks for all interesting comments and references! David, I am sorry for being sloppy with how I used the term pentagram, of course you are correct on this. Michael

6th March 2013, 08:02 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,165	Opps! Wasn't paying attention to the 'SB' lettering! Retract the Chinese conjecture! I hadn't thought about the colonial Spanish Philippine connection (always stuck in the Amer SW and Indies, I guess!). Would like to see more examples of that interesting combination of cultures.

6th March 2013, 03:42 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,292	Outstanding input Gene!!! Thank you for the data and illustration of that 'faceted five point star'. David, I would like to thank you as well for the correction on the character of this five point star on the sword, which is as you well point out, emphatically not a pentagram. That was quite careless of me as I know full well that a pentagram is with intersecting lines and this differently structured star is of course not the same, I simply used the term in error. I think too often many of us forget that certain terms which have become deeply imbedded in occult circumstances are best avoided unless used properly. Very nicely explained.

6th March 2013, 07:01 PM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks Gene!!! This also explains the green buffalo hilt. Michael