19th Century Spanish Colonial Sword

Robert · 1st March 2006, 02:37 AM

I would like to give my thanks to all of you who have posted so far for your help and opinions on this sword.

Robert

Ian · 3rd March 2006, 04:34 PM

Robert:

Spanish colonial influences in the Philippines obviously go back a long way. The sword you show looks late 19th C. to me, based on a number of similar knives and swords I have seen that appear to date from that period.

I agree with the suggestion that this one was probably made in Luzon because the tang goes through to the end of the hilt and is peened over. Probably from around the Manila area or a little to the north.

These Spanish colonial pieces come in various lengths, and below is a sword-length example that is probably from the late 19th C. also.

Ian.

Robert · 3rd March 2006, 09:12 PM

Ian,
Thank you for the information and for the beautifull example that that you posted.

Robert

Rick · 4th March 2006, 01:14 AM

Is it my imagination ; am I counting wrong ?
Don't these two swords each have an even number of waves !?
Four for Robert's ; ten for Ian's ?

//Or is it just because it's Friday night !?!

Ian · 5th March 2006, 08:39 PM

Rick:

I think you are correct. Also notice that the tip of the blade points up on these two examples, rather than the usual Moro orientation which is to have the tip point down. The latter is consistent with the orientation of keris blades from other Muslim areas in the region. But the Spanish Colonial versions favor a more European orientation with a slightly upswept tip.

Ian.

1st March 2006, 02:37 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I would like to give my thanks to all of you who have posted so far for your help and opinions on this sword. Robert

3rd March 2006, 04:34 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Robert: Spanish colonial influences in the Philippines obviously go back a long way. The sword you show looks late 19th C. to me, based on a number of similar knives and swords I have seen that appear to date from that period. I agree with the suggestion that this one was probably made in Luzon because the tang goes through to the end of the hilt and is peened over. Probably from around the Manila area or a little to the north. These Spanish colonial pieces come in various lengths, and below is a sword-length example that is probably from the late 19th C. also. Ian.

3rd March 2006, 09:12 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Ian, Thank you for the information and for the beautifull example that that you posted. Robert

4th March 2006, 01:14 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Is it my imagination ; am I counting wrong ? Don't these two swords each have an even number of waves !? Four for Robert's ; ten for Ian's ? //Or is it just because it's Friday night !?!

5th March 2006, 08:39 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Rick: I think you are correct. Also notice that the tip of the blade points up on these two examples, rather than the usual Moro orientation which is to have the tip point down. The latter is consistent with the orientation of keris blades from other Muslim areas in the region. But the Spanish Colonial versions favor a more European orientation with a slightly upswept tip. Ian.