Philippino Bowie/Navaja

ArmsAndAntiques · 1st January 2014, 06:26 PM

Hello all,

Longtime watcher, first time poster. I have quite an interesting Philippine dagger, appears to have a silver plate blade, with a carved horn handle. Any ideas on it would be appreciated.

Best
LL

Robert · 1st January 2014, 10:07 PM

LL, What an absolute beautiful knife. You have been very fortunate indeed to be able to acquire such a piece. I would say it is a Luzon piece from the late 19th to early 20th century. I have not seen this particular blade shape before but there were many different styles that were made and new ones seem to pop up all the time. All that silver and the craftsmanship that went into the making of this knife is amazing. My congratulations to you on the most wonderful find. If you don't mind, could you post the dimensions of this to go along with the photos?

Robert

David · 1st January 2014, 10:34 PM

Are we sure this is from the Philippines. The carving on the hilt looks more Indonesian to me, maybe Sumatra…

Beautiful knife either way.

Robert · 1st January 2014, 10:51 PM

Hi David, I am looking for other examples of hilt carving like this now. If memoir serves me correctly both Jose and Carlos have items with this same carving on the hilts. I was hoping one or both of the two mentioned would see this and either dispute or verify my thoughts on this piece. In the mean time I will keep searching.

Robert

Here is a link to a thread that shows quite a few different items with carved horn hilts. In one of the photos posted by VANDOO there is a knife similar to the one shown above. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12686

David · 1st January 2014, 11:17 PM

Thanks Robert. I see the similarities.

Battara · 2nd January 2014, 04:08 AM

I agree it is Luzono, late 19th century. When I get the chance I will post some pictures. These well carved horn hilts are on pieces from both Luzon and the Visayas.

1st January 2014, 06:26 PM	#1
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	Philippino Bowie/Navaja Hello all, Longtime watcher, first time poster. I have quite an interesting Philippine dagger, appears to have a silver plate blade, with a carved horn handle. Any ideas on it would be appreciated. Best LL Attached Images

1st January 2014, 10:51 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hi David, I am looking for other examples of hilt carving like this now. If memoir serves me correctly both Jose and Carlos have items with this same carving on the hilts. I was hoping one or both of the two mentioned would see this and either dispute or verify my thoughts on this piece. In the mean time I will keep searching. Robert Here is a link to a thread that shows quite a few different items with carved horn hilts. In one of the photos posted by VANDOO there is a knife similar to the one shown above. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12686 Last edited by Robert; 1st January 2014 at 11:08 PM.

1st January 2014, 10:07 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	LL, What an absolute beautiful knife. You have been very fortunate indeed to be able to acquire such a piece. I would say it is a Luzon piece from the late 19th to early 20th century. I have not seen this particular blade shape before but there were many different styles that were made and new ones seem to pop up all the time. All that silver and the craftsmanship that went into the making of this knife is amazing. My congratulations to you on the most wonderful find. If you don't mind, could you post the dimensions of this to go along with the photos? Robert

1st January 2014, 10:34 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,037	Are we sure this is from the Philippines. The carving on the hilt looks more Indonesian to me, maybe Sumatra… Beautiful knife either way.

1st January 2014, 11:17 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,037	Thanks Robert. I see the similarities.

2nd January 2014, 04:08 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I agree it is Luzono, late 19th century. When I get the chance I will post some pictures. These well carved horn hilts are on pieces from both Luzon and the Visayas.