I'd Love to Learn More About This N. Philippines Sword

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

I bought this because it was a bargain, and in such good shape. I recognized it as Filipino, but admittedly know nothing more about it. I am only recently starting to study N. Filipino blades.

So, with that, I'd appreciate any info on this sword.

Dimensions:
Overall length: 23.25in.
Blade length: 17in.
Blade's widest point: 1.75in.

Sorry for necro-ing- but consistent to my quest to give due credit to Southern Luzon blades, I would like to assert that this is a Taal-made blade, as evidenced by the following:

1. Scabbard pattern
2. Horsehoof- type hilt consistent of other providenced Taal blades
3. Blade profile classified in Taal as 'kinampit' (not to be mistaken with the 'kinampit' profile of Panay, Visayas blades).

I'll provide samples to prove points 1 & 2.

MPM is a Taal maker who signed his blades, along with another maker known as JC. As you can clearly see from one of the pictures, MPM placed TAAL below his initials.

[Rick]

Here is a JC.

[pbleed]

I've come across blades with scabbards like this but never known how they were worn. Can you clarify that?
Peter

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Rick

Here is a JC.

Rick, nice sample, looks really well-preserved!

pbleed, I have no idea right now- but I have blades with that kind of scabbard too, strange that I've never tried them on...will update you once I"ve worn them

[Rafngard]

Originally Posted by xasterix

pbleed, I have no idea right now- but I have blades with that kind of scabbard too, strange that I've never tried them on...will update you once I"ve worn them

I think I've seen a photo, maybe from Batangas?, of someone wearing a something like this with the "belt" diagonally across the chest, from one shoulder to the opposite hip, like a messenger bag. I can't find it right now but I think he was pictured with a pile of coconuts. This might explain the way the belt goes diagonally across the sheath.

I'll see if I can find it.

Thanks,
Leif

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Rafngard

I think I've seen a photo, maybe from Batangas?, of someone wearing a something like this with the "belt" diagonally across the chest, from one shoulder to the opposite hip, like a messenger bag. I can't find it right now but I think he was pictured with a pile of coconuts. This might explain the way the belt goes diagonally across the sheath.

I'll see if I can find it.

Thanks,
Leif

Hallo Leif, here. I'm wearing a modern Southern Luzon trad blade, from Laguna, that's a province near Batangas. Same scabbard tieup style

[Ian]

I posted an old stereo picture a while ago of coconut workers in Laguna Province. Their bolos are quite well depicted, and the sheaths have a simple arrangement for suspension, with the belt angled across the sheath. Those pictures are here.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Ian

I posted an old stereo picture a while ago of coconut workers in Laguna Province. Their bolos are quite well depicted, and the sheaths have a simple arrangement for suspension, with the belt angled across the sheath. Those pictures are here.

Yup, thanks for the pic! Same way that I'm wearing it. It must be a Tagalog thing, that suspension type.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by xasterix

Rick, nice sample, looks really well-preserved!

Xasterix, could you put a name to this blade pattern if you know it; and could you guess at the approximate age?

I gather that JC is not making bladed weapons now?
Thank you.

[Battara]

Xasterix and Ian, I was thinking of that exact same steropicture when you mentioned the suspension.

Tagalog? - sure. Though I wonder if others did this as well.....

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Rick

Xasterix, could you put a name to this blade pattern if you know it; and could you guess at the approximate age?

I gather that JC is not making bladed weapons now?
Thank you.

Hi Rick, from a Taal/Batangas perspective, they called that 'kinampit' as per a 1917 reference. It's confusing because there's also a 'kinampit' blade profile in Panay, Visayas.

But from a modern Laguna perspective, they call that blade profile 'uhas tari.' The latter name (uhas tari) has different blade profiles depending on the area. But from what I've gathered, the profile originated from Bicol region.

[Rick]

Thank you very much Xasterix.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Rick

Thank you very much Xasterix.

I forgot to give an age estimate. Preww2 I think. 1930s, possibly earlier