Inscribed Filipino-American War souvenir dagger

[Jim F]

Hello Everyone,

As a means of introduction, I am a longtime collector of and full-time dealer in exceptionally fine and advanced quality American Civil War artifacts. That having been said, I've also developed a very keen eye and appreciation for any and all historical material that I may encounter in the course of pursuing said Civil War items. Such was the case with the inscribed Filipino knife that was souvenired at Lipa in Batangas province by Corporal Louis Murphy of Co. D, 21st U.S. Infantry, on March 20th, 1902, which I purchased at an estate sale in Columbus, Ohio.

Though I am familiar, of course, with the Filipino-American War of 1899 - 1913 and the heavy involvement of the 21st U.S. Infantry therein, I knew nothing about this type of dagger at the time of acquisition and hence in the course of my internet research happened upon your website, in particular the below thread posted by a member with the user name "Ferguson" in April of 2009.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=81558

Attached are some photographs of the piece. Please understand that I am seeking neither an appraisal nor an evaluation here. I am merely writing for the hope and purpose of sharing the discovery with those who best appreciate it, plus learning in the process the exact period of manufacture and historical background of the dagger, as well as the proper and most accurate nomenclature and terminology in discussing and identifying it.

The descriptive features are as follows:

The dagger within its scabbard measures overall approximately 15 inches long (as the leather of the scabbard has slightly shrunk, I have not forced down the last one-quarter-inch of the blade).

The dagger itself (which is extremely well made and very tight) measures approximately 14.5 inches long, with the blade measuring approximately 9.5 inches from point to hilt. The eight-sided handle is of very dark wood, perhaps ebony or teak, and is fluted asymmetrically and very nicely worn and mellowed. The furniture appears to be of a white metal alloy (save for the octagonal collar, which may be of silver), with one side of the S-shaped cross-guard and the top of the pommel cap bearing incised decorative engraving.

The scabbard itself measures approximately 10.25 inches long and is made of black leather (double-stitched with twine down the center) with embossed tooled designs along the entire length on one side. Condition is very good, other than minor flaking to the finish and some stretched threads at the lower section. The two mounts and the tailpiece, or drag, definitely seem to be crafted of silver and are secured by tiny rivets or brads, only one of which is missing. Engraved upon the center mount is the symbol that one forum member alluded to earlier as being from the flag designed by Aguinaldo - a face within the sun within a triangle anchored by three stars. Upon the top mount is the inscription relating to the American soldier who souvenired the dagger: “Corp./Louis Murphy/Co. D, 21st Inf./Lipa/20 de Marso 1902.” As a specialist and expert authenticator in my field of the nuances of antique dry-point engraving, I find it interesting that the decorative work on the dagger furniture, the engraved flag symbol on the center mount, and the military inscription on the top mount (genuine in all cases and in all respects) were, in my opinion, all done in different hands and undoubtedly at different times.

So, there you have it, gentlemen. Your knowledgeable comments and insights are most welcomed. Thank you so much for your time and attention, as well as the opportunity to present this item.

Jim F.