Filipino blade - what do I have here?

[kai]

Thanks Carlos!

Beautiful blade!

I hope so...

Do you know age aproximatelly?

Certainly not my forte; however, going by the hilt's carving, materials, and craftsmanship, I'd estimate it around the turn of the 20th century, possibly even 19th c.

I believe there is a tendency to underestimate the age of Luzon blades with monosteel blades.

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Bringing over the info kindly provided in the other thread:

Originally Posted by xasterix

Your blade profile is what is called "dahong buho" or "dinahong buho", common among several towns in the province of Laguna, Luzon. As for the hilt, that's a curious style, and echoes antique iterations of 'tabak' and 'dahong palay/dinahong palay'. I'm guessing yours was made in Laguna as well.

[Robert]

Because of the overall styling and degree of craftsmanship shown (not only in the hilts carving) I would agree with your dating this piece to the end of the 19th century to early 20th century. Also as I forgot to mention earlier, the copper pin you ask about is most likely for decorative purposes only and that originally each individual flower both near the ferrule and butt cap would have held one.

Best,
Robert

[kai]

Hello Robert,

Because of the overall styling and degree of craftsmanship shown (not only in the hilts carving) I would agree with your dating this piece to the end of the 19th century to early 20th century.

Thanks for chiming in! I've been slow to respond to the comments...

BTW, have you come across any similar "maker's mark" on Luzon blades?

Also as I forgot to mention earlier, the copper pin you ask about is most likely for decorative purposes only and that originally each individual flower both near the ferrule and butt cap would have held one.

Yup, I also forgot to mention this possibility - thanks for reminding me!

It certainly would look neat and be more in line with the horn hilts decorated with pins of silver/etc.; a copper pin may also be too soft to really secure a blade...

It just seemed odd to me that only these 2 pins survived though. Maybe I should get a x-ray done to put that idea to rest...

Regards,
Kai

[Robert]

It would seem a bit redundant to have a single soft copper pin go through the tang (weakening it by drilling) when it already extends completely through the hilt and butt plate and is then peened to secure the blade. With this piece sporting silver fittings you might have the pin checked to see if it isn't a low grade gold alloy instead of copper. This might also explain why most of them are now missing.

Best,
Robert

[kai]

Hello Robert,

It would seem a bit redundant to have a single soft copper pin go through the tang (weakening it by drilling) when it already extends completely through the hilt and butt plate and is then peened to secure the blade.

Yeah, I agree that wouldn't make sense with a peened tang.

With this piece sporting silver fittings you might have the pin checked to see if it isn't a low grade gold alloy instead of copper. This might also explain why most of them are now missing.

Thanks for the good idea - might well be red gold or decent suasa: No tarnishing visible with them while the silver retains quite some old tarnish...

I'll report back when I manage to obtain sound results!

Regards,
Kai

[Robert]

The final fitting the tang extends through before being peened looks a bit yellow in your photos as well, so you might want to have it checked at the same time as the pins.

[kai]

For comparison, I'm adding a regular Luzon blade from possibly the same period; the hilt is the same type as in Robert's example while the blade has a symmetrical bevel (i. e. no chisel grind). [Please excuse the poor pic quality. I traded it with a forumite a long time ago.]

BTW, this common plain hilt type always seems to have 7 facets (which is also reflected in the ferrule).

The ornately-carved hilt has an octagonal ferrule as well as pommel plate though; also the neighboring flowers number 8.

Regards,
Kai
--
Specs:
Length: 492 mm (19.4")
Blade length: 334 mm (13.15")
Blade max. width: 46 mm (1.81")
Blade max. thickness: 8 mm (5/16")
Hilt: 160 mm (6.3")
weight: 598 g

[kai]

Hello xasterix!

Hi Kai! Yes definitely related. Your blade profile is what is called "dahong buho" or "dinahong buho", common among several towns in the province of Laguna, Luzon.

Thanks a lot for your info!

As for the hilt, that's a curious style, and echoes antique iterations of 'tabak' and 'dahong palay/dinahong palay'. I'm guessing yours was made in Laguna as well.

It sure is a really nice carving work with the prominent flowers (possibly even enhanced by copper inlay)! Looks like old-style craftsmanship to me; most likely antique, isn't it?

Any other examples that resemble this style, anyone?

Regards,
Kai