Philippine Sword With Unusual Hilt

Ian · 16th October 2007, 06:52 PM

Hi Robert:

That looks like a fairly recently made hilt from Luzon, notwithstanding the worm damage. The blade may be a bit older, but the "AD" stamp at forte suggests that this one started life as a leaf spring from an automobile. Scabbard is probably hte oldest part of the ensemble.

The cut out finger holds have been around in the Philippines since at least WWII. I have several similar aluminium hilts that are stamped with dates immediately after WWII. The horn versions seemed to post date those, however.

Late 20th C Luzon knife and hilt is my guess. Perhaps made for a Gi stationed in Luzon.

Ian.

16th October 2007, 06:52 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Hi Robert: That looks like a fairly recently made hilt from Luzon, notwithstanding the worm damage. The blade may be a bit older, but the "AD" stamp at forte suggests that this one started life as a leaf spring from an automobile. Scabbard is probably hte oldest part of the ensemble. The cut out finger holds have been around in the Philippines since at least WWII. I have several similar aluminium hilts that are stamped with dates immediately after WWII. The horn versions seemed to post date those, however. Late 20th C Luzon knife and hilt is my guess. Perhaps made for a Gi stationed in Luzon. Ian.