Newbie with Kampilan questions

Dimasalang · 15th January 2009, 07:43 AM

Hi everybody,

Newbie here. I registered awhile back and have been lurking here for quite some time now, this forum is just filled with great information, I'm learning a lot and I can't get enough. Thanks to Spunjer I now have a new "expensive" hobby. A little about myself, I guess I would say Im somewhat of an amatuer researcher on Philippine history; particularly the Philippine Revolution, Philippine American War, and on up to the Moro uprisings. Being heavily influenced by this time period has got me curious about weapons(both firearms and blades) of that era...and after hearing an ear full from Spunjer on another forum, I finally began my own little collection of Philippine weapons late last year.

Well anyways, I got questions on a Kampilan I acquired this year(gotta love the sellers that don't know what they have). Not that I know everything, but this one looks to be somewhat unique(Im guessing). The guard has a serpent carved in to it(both sides) and the blade has some symbols engraved in to it(the symbol is "mirrored" on the other side as well). Also Spunjer had a thread a few days ago about a brassy colored blade on one of his kris's...this Kampilan also has a very brassy finish to it. Looking at the blade straight on it appears like a regular silver finish(like the photo of tip), but once looking at the blade at an angle, the brassy finish shines through significantly(it is really yellow). This is throughout the entire blade of the sword...there are some dings and it looks like it is not just a surface coating. Also if anyone has info of the era and possible region this one is from, please let me know. Tried to take pics the best I could of this...sorry, Im no pro at photography either. Hope you guys like this one.

Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

-Kevin

Rick · 15th January 2009, 07:29 PM

Hi Kevin, that's a super looking piece; congratulations and welcome !

The asymetrical guard is seen more rarely then the typical kamp guard; this feature may help to locate the area of origin .

How about a close up of the handle/pommel ?

Atlantia · 15th January 2009, 07:52 PM

Hi Kevin,
What a nice looking sword, sorry I don't know enough about these to to really add to the discussion of it, but I can certainly add to Ricks welcome!

Regards
Gene

Jim McDougall · 15th January 2009, 08:30 PM

I'd like to welcome you as well Dimasalung! and as a 'kamp follower'

I'll join in congratulating you on a great acquisition. There is a great deal of knowledge around here on these weapons, as you note, and Spunjer certainly is one of the pillars of that core.
A word of caution.....watch out for 'sellers who dont know what they have' !!
This is one of many old ploys used often in the sale of collectibles and antiques. Most individuals, even dealers involved in selling these items will ask many questions before selling them, and we constantly encounter posts from folks trying to find out what they have and how much its worth.

Its great to have you here joining us, knowledge is the best weapon you can own, and here we all learn together.

All the best,
Jim

Dom · 15th January 2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimasalang

Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks guys

Hi Kevin
welcome here, my knowledge in Far-East weapons is nil, I may just appreciated the esthetic of it, and a little bit more, if there is some thing writting in "arabic.
On the blade of your Kampilan, the name of "God" in arabic script.

à +

Dom

Dimasalang · 16th January 2009, 01:01 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! After digging through the archives from this forum, it feels like I have been missing out on a lot of great stuff and I am a bit overwhelmed by all the information. Wish I knew about this place years ago, could of helped answer questions I had for the longest time...really happy to be here and hopefully I can contribute in someway.

I'll try and get more close up pics of the handle/pommel Rick. Thanks for the insight Jim. Thanks Dom for that translation!..been contemplating the symbols since I got the sword.

Bill M · 16th January 2009, 11:20 AM

Also a warm welcome!

Your kampilan has a similar shaped guard to mine. When I posted this I meant to say "unusual guard," not "unusual hilt."

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...usual+kampilan

Dimasalang · 17th January 2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

Also a warm welcome!

Your kampilan has a similar shaped guard to mine. When I posted this I meant to say "unusual guard," not "unusual hilt."

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...usual+kampilan

Hi Bill, YES they are very close to one another. Nice piece! Is yours in the shape of an animal? I wish mine didn't have so much damage.

15th January 2009, 07:43 AM	#1
Dimasalang Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 264	Newbie with Kampilan questions Hi everybody, Newbie here. I registered awhile back and have been lurking here for quite some time now, this forum is just filled with great information, I'm learning a lot and I can't get enough. Thanks to Spunjer I now have a new "expensive" hobby. A little about myself, I guess I would say Im somewhat of an amatuer researcher on Philippine history; particularly the Philippine Revolution, Philippine American War, and on up to the Moro uprisings. Being heavily influenced by this time period has got me curious about weapons(both firearms and blades) of that era...and after hearing an ear full from Spunjer on another forum, I finally began my own little collection of Philippine weapons late last year. Well anyways, I got questions on a Kampilan I acquired this year(gotta love the sellers that don't know what they have). Not that I know everything, but this one looks to be somewhat unique(Im guessing). The guard has a serpent carved in to it(both sides) and the blade has some symbols engraved in to it(the symbol is "mirrored" on the other side as well). Also Spunjer had a thread a few days ago about a brassy colored blade on one of his kris's...this Kampilan also has a very brassy finish to it. Looking at the blade straight on it appears like a regular silver finish(like the photo of tip), but once looking at the blade at an angle, the brassy finish shines through significantly(it is really yellow). This is throughout the entire blade of the sword...there are some dings and it looks like it is not just a surface coating. Also if anyone has info of the era and possible region this one is from, please let me know. Tried to take pics the best I could of this...sorry, Im no pro at photography either. Hope you guys like this one. Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks guys! -Kevin

15th January 2009, 07:29 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	Hi Kevin, that's a super looking piece; congratulations and welcome ! The asymetrical guard is seen more rarely then the typical kamp guard; this feature may help to locate the area of origin . How about a close up of the handle/pommel ?

15th January 2009, 07:52 PM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Kevin, What a nice looking sword, sorry I don't know enough about these to to really add to the discussion of it, but I can certainly add to Ricks welcome! Regards Gene

15th January 2009, 08:30 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,767	I'd like to welcome you as well Dimasalung! and as a 'kamp follower' I'll join in congratulating you on a great acquisition. There is a great deal of knowledge around here on these weapons, as you note, and Spunjer certainly is one of the pillars of that core. A word of caution.....watch out for 'sellers who dont know what they have' !! This is one of many old ploys used often in the sale of collectibles and antiques. Most individuals, even dealers involved in selling these items will ask many questions before selling them, and we constantly encounter posts from folks trying to find out what they have and how much its worth. Its great to have you here joining us, knowledge is the best weapon you can own, and here we all learn together. All the best, Jim

16th January 2009, 01:01 AM	#6
Dimasalang Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 264	Thanks for the warm welcome guys! After digging through the archives from this forum, it feels like I have been missing out on a lot of great stuff and I am a bit overwhelmed by all the information. Wish I knew about this place years ago, could of helped answer questions I had for the longest time...really happy to be here and hopefully I can contribute in someway. I'll try and get more close up pics of the handle/pommel Rick. Thanks for the insight Jim. Thanks Dom for that translation!..been contemplating the symbols since I got the sword.

16th January 2009, 11:20 AM	#7
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Also a warm welcome! Your kampilan has a similar shaped guard to mine. When I posted this I meant to say "unusual guard," not "unusual hilt." http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...usual+kampilan