My gunong collection and some thoughts

Robert · 21st March 2015, 01:10 AM

I have always wondered about the use of aluminium in the Philippines being used as a measurement of possible age. Quite a few threads here on the forum point to WWII as the starting point, but I know the US Army was using aluminium for the making of their canteens during the Spanish American War. I wonder how many other items that they used were made of this material as well? This could point to items like this having possibly being made much earlier than the WWII date we have been using when discussing these items.

Best,
Robert

Rick · 21st March 2015, 02:32 AM

Here's another thing to consider; the examples we have seen so far (okay, we haven't seen a lot) are all of revolver form .
I think this points to pre-WW2 otherwise we would see model 1911 45 caliber copies, no ?

Robert · 21st March 2015, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Here's another thing to consider; the examples we have seen so far (okay, we haven't seen a lot) are all of revolver form .
I think this points to pre-WW2 otherwise we would see model 1911 45 caliber copies, no ?

That is a very good question Rick and I totally agree. You would think that more Philippine people would have had a greater chance of seeing a 1911A over the old Colt revolvers that were used earlier. These daggers seem to be a bit on the rare side and I have only seen photos of a dozen or so of them over the years and they were all of the revolver style.

Sajen · 21st March 2015, 03:33 PM

Very interesting discussion!

And Rick has a very good point with the revolver style. And Robert with the use of canteen sheet. And I am sure that the maker of gunongs have had complete other view about the use of aluminum as we have it today.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 4th June 2015, 04:13 PM

Have just get another interesting example from ebay. The seller provided only two pictures and not much information. I am very unsure about the age of this example, handle (pommel) and ferrule is an early style but the blade shows sharp luks which is a sign of much later examples. I doubt that the fittings are from silver. Pommel seems to be from bone. All comments are welcome, special age guesses.

Rick · 4th June 2015, 04:59 PM

I think there's also a chance this handle is of Tridacna, or the Giant Clam shell .
I didn't get to see the item description on ebay; are there any more pictures available Detlef ?

Sajen · 4th June 2015, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I think there's also a chance this handle is of Tridacna, or the Giant Clam shell .
I didn't get to see the item description on ebay; are there any more pictures available Detlef ?

Hello Rick,
that would be a nice surprise. It was described as "Chinese Kris Dagger" and the seller posted only this both pictures and no measurements. Hope that it is not one of this small souvenir gunongs.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 10th January 2016, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Have just get another interesting example from ebay. The seller provided only two pictures and not much information. I am very unsure about the age of this example, handle (pommel) and ferrule is an early style but the blade shows sharp luks which is a sign of much later examples. I doubt that the fittings are from silver. Pommel seems to be from bone. All comments are welcome, special age guesses.

Here pictures of the gunong after it has received some maintenance. The fittings seems to be from (coin?) silver and are very well worked. I haven't etched the blade until now.
I think that this piece is post WWII. I am unsure if this is a very well worked early tourist example or worked for real use, what you think?

Sajen · 8th May 2016, 06:43 PM

Another recent addition, a rather big one, overall 12". Very unusual blade shape. Enjoy.

4th June 2015, 04:13 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Have just get another interesting example from ebay. The seller provided only two pictures and not much information. I am very unsure about the age of this example, handle (pommel) and ferrule is an early style but the blade shows sharp luks which is a sign of much later examples. I doubt that the fittings are from silver. Pommel seems to be from bone. All comments are welcome, special age guesses. Attached Images

8th May 2016, 06:43 PM	#9
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Another recent addition, a rather big one, overall 12". Very unusual blade shape. Enjoy. Attached Images

21st March 2015, 01:10 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I have always wondered about the use of aluminium in the Philippines being used as a measurement of possible age. Quite a few threads here on the forum point to WWII as the starting point, but I know the US Army was using aluminium for the making of their canteens during the Spanish American War. I wonder how many other items that they used were made of this material as well? This could point to items like this having possibly being made much earlier than the WWII date we have been using when discussing these items. Best, Robert

21st March 2015, 02:32 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Here's another thing to consider; the examples we have seen so far (okay, we haven't seen a lot) are all of revolver form . I think this points to pre-WW2 otherwise we would see model 1911 45 caliber copies, no ?

21st March 2015, 03:33 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Very interesting discussion! And Rick has a very good point with the revolver style. And Robert with the use of canteen sheet. And I am sure that the maker of gunongs have had complete other view about the use of aluminum as we have it today. Regards, Detlef

4th June 2015, 04:59 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	I think there's also a chance this handle is of Tridacna, or the Giant Clam shell . I didn't get to see the item description on ebay; are there any more pictures available Detlef ?