Kampilan metal guards or "staples"

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Rick

Nice to see another cast bronze staple, Jose.
Talk about intricate work, nicely done.

Agreed, that is stunning old world workmanship.

I recall there was a silver one within these pages, cast in the form of snakes. Anyone know it?

[werecow]

This one Gavin?

[Gavin Nugent]

That's the one!

Battara, can you tell us more about it?
Was this refitted or a modern bespoke request?

[Battara]

This was my attempt at restoration. When i owned this piece it had half of the bone guard present. So I made another bone part to try to match, then replaced the missing guard with a twisted double snake made of chased silver with each end in the form of a snake head with copper eyes. I chose to do this to match the other parts of the kampilan hilt mounts.

Years later, a new dealer took all of that out, did their own bone, and got rid of any guard.

This is one which I wish I didn't have to sell off at the time.

[Battara]

The first picture is how I received it.

The second picture is what I was trying to match with the new guard I made. This "ring" was holding the long Maranao cloth mansala in place.

I placed the third picture of my guard work below the second for comparison.