Another interesting Moro sword

Bill · 25th July 2006, 05:16 PM

Great sword. Looked through "from the rainbow's varied hue" for the "tiger stripe" pattern on the textile, but no match. Cato's photo #33 has a kampilan with a large scrolled hilt, not a match, but suggests this sword may have been for a bodyguard of important person. Hard to make out the "sundi" or prongs on the top edge of the blade, from your pic. Does appear to be a variation; but if we trust Cato only shows "Philippine" swords, then it really can't be identified from that, as there are plenty of variations.

Ian · 25th July 2006, 05:38 PM

I agree with Charles and Michael that this one is probably N. Borneo. Van Zonneveld shows some examples in his book from N. Borneo as well as the Philippines, and I think this particular hilt style is more consistent with N. Borneo than Mindanao. The suggestion that this one might have been a datu's weapon or "sword of state" has some credibility too.

Beautiful and unusual example of a kampilan. Keep them coming Artzi!

Unfortunately, this conflict seems it will go for a while longer. I hope you and your family stay safe through this dangerous time, and that there will not be many more casualties on either side before a solution is reached.

Ian.

VVV · 25th July 2006, 06:23 PM

I had a look in two other books and found the following illustrations of Kampilans collected in North Borneo in the 19th C.

The first is from Ling Roth, The Natives of Sarawak and British North Borneo, published in 1896.

The two other illustrations are from W Hein, Indonesische Schwertgriffe, published in 1899.

Michael

PS Sorry about the picture quality on the Hein 1 but I only have my mobile phone camera available at the moment.

25th July 2006, 05:16 PM	#1
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Great sword. Looked through "from the rainbow's varied hue" for the "tiger stripe" pattern on the textile, but no match. Cato's photo #33 has a kampilan with a large scrolled hilt, not a match, but suggests this sword may have been for a bodyguard of important person. Hard to make out the "sundi" or prongs on the top edge of the blade, from your pic. Does appear to be a variation; but if we trust Cato only shows "Philippine" swords, then it really can't be identified from that, as there are plenty of variations.

25th July 2006, 05:38 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,611	I agree with Charles and Michael that this one is probably N. Borneo. Van Zonneveld shows some examples in his book from N. Borneo as well as the Philippines, and I think this particular hilt style is more consistent with N. Borneo than Mindanao. The suggestion that this one might have been a datu's weapon or "sword of state" has some credibility too. Beautiful and unusual example of a kampilan. Keep them coming Artzi! Unfortunately, this conflict seems it will go for a while longer. I hope you and your family stay safe through this dangerous time, and that there will not be many more casualties on either side before a solution is reached. Ian.

25th July 2006, 06:23 PM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I had a look in two other books and found the following illustrations of Kampilans collected in North Borneo in the 19th C. The first is from Ling Roth, The Natives of Sarawak and British North Borneo, published in 1896. The two other illustrations are from W Hein, Indonesische Schwertgriffe, published in 1899. Michael PS Sorry about the picture quality on the Hein 1 but I only have my mobile phone camera available at the moment. Attached Images