Bagobo sword

RSWORD · 26th February 2005, 12:49 PM

Gentleman

I had the pleasure of getting to handle this sword last night. It's new owner happens to be Battara. There are a few interesting features to the piece which definitely suggests it is not a second half of the 20th century, at least definitely not the blade. Jose had etched the blade and it turned out to be 2 panel twist core damascus with a high carbon edge. I think this is a very rare feature on non-Moro swords from the Philippines. I think that was a pleasant surprise. He had the hilt off of the sword and the tang has a nice blackish patina that would suggest the blade is most probably a 19th century blade. The hilt was a very nice burled wood and the brass ferrule/guard does actually fit the hilt tightly. (they were loose when he received the piece.) We are of the opinion that the hilt, while it may be newer than the blade, is not recent. I think he ended up with a great piece given the twist core blade and lovely hilt. Money well spent.

Pictures to come when he has a chance to take them.

Ian · 26th February 2005, 10:24 PM

Battara: Nice surprise with the blade. I will be interested to see the pictures and particularly close up details of the hilt and scabbard.

Zel: Don't have a single contact in Davao. The one person I knew there in antiques died several years ago and his stock was sold off. Sorry.

Ian.

tom hyle · 27th February 2005, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

Jose had etched the blade and it turned out to be 2 panel twist core damascus with a high carbon edge. I think this is a very rare feature on non-Moro swords from the Philippines.

Couple years ago it was thought a very rare feature on Moro swords....

Spunjer · 27th February 2005, 02:25 PM

saw battara's sword (bagobo) in person yesterday and indeed it has the twist core blade! beautiful piece.

zel,
your best bet in davao is Aldivenco for antique shops.

Battara · 1st March 2005, 04:10 AM

I may bring the piece to Timonium (I love show and tell

).

Spunger, glad to have met you and glad you came to the show.

Spunjer · 1st March 2005, 11:29 AM

likewise, jose. was really a pleasure just hanging out with you, rsword and manteris

Battara · 23rd March 2005, 06:21 PM

As promised, here are pictures of the bagobo sword after I restored it. I made the chain, the brass end cap (with beads) and etched the blade showing twist core. (sent to Lee for resizing).

Enjoy.

wilked aka Khun Deng · 25th March 2005, 11:58 AM

Beautiful Batara, Sorry I've been gone so long. I did get one day off to go sword shopping and here's what I picked up. Scabbards been repaired and the brass is really worn (handle is incredibly small). I especially liked the decoration added to the butt of the scabbard, don't know if you can make it out in the pictures, but it gave me a laugh when I was cleaning it and figured out what it was.

26th February 2005, 10:24 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	Battara: Nice surprise with the blade. I will be interested to see the pictures and particularly close up details of the hilt and scabbard. Zel: Don't have a single contact in Davao. The one person I knew there in antiques died several years ago and his stock was sold off. Sorry. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 26th February 2005 at 11:58 PM.

23rd March 2005, 06:21 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	As promised, here are pictures of the bagobo sword after I restored it. I made the chain, the brass end cap (with beads) and etched the blade showing twist core. (sent to Lee for resizing). Enjoy. Attached Images Last edited by Lee Jones; 25th March 2005 at 11:47 AM.

25th March 2005, 11:58 AM	#8
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	Another bagobo Beautiful Batara, Sorry I've been gone so long. I did get one day off to go sword shopping and here's what I picked up. Scabbards been repaired and the brass is really worn (handle is incredibly small). I especially liked the decoration added to the butt of the scabbard, don't know if you can make it out in the pictures, but it gave me a laugh when I was cleaning it and figured out what it was. Attached Images

26th February 2005, 12:49 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	Gentleman I had the pleasure of getting to handle this sword last night. It's new owner happens to be Battara. There are a few interesting features to the piece which definitely suggests it is not a second half of the 20th century, at least definitely not the blade. Jose had etched the blade and it turned out to be 2 panel twist core damascus with a high carbon edge. I think this is a very rare feature on non-Moro swords from the Philippines. I think that was a pleasant surprise. He had the hilt off of the sword and the tang has a nice blackish patina that would suggest the blade is most probably a 19th century blade. The hilt was a very nice burled wood and the brass ferrule/guard does actually fit the hilt tightly. (they were loose when he received the piece.) We are of the opinion that the hilt, while it may be newer than the blade, is not recent. I think he ended up with a great piece given the twist core blade and lovely hilt. Money well spent. Pictures to come when he has a chance to take them.

27th February 2005, 02:25 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	saw battara's sword (bagobo) in person yesterday and indeed it has the twist core blade! beautiful piece. zel, your best bet in davao is Aldivenco for antique shops.

1st March 2005, 04:10 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I may bring the piece to Timonium (I love show and tell ). Spunger, glad to have met you and glad you came to the show.

1st March 2005, 11:29 AM	#6
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	likewise, jose. was really a pleasure just hanging out with you, rsword and manteris