Kampilan Variations

drac2k · 30th June 2013, 08:48 PM

I enjoy collecting native weapons, especially those from the Philippines;so it is no surprise that kampilans hold a special place in my pursuits.The 4 kampilans that I am submitting pictures of are a little off the beaten path.The three engraved blades are all relatively heavy, skillfully and deeply chiseled.I have found an example of the kampilan with the traditional handle on a site titled "Collection of Philippine Islands in the United States National Museum,"the Smithsonian.It is credited to the Moros,from Lake Lanao, Mindanao.Some small discussion has been made as to whether these are tourist items,ceremonial swords,etc..I would like the opinion of the Forum community.
The last sword has a good kampilan blade, with a U.S. 1870 Ames short naval sword brass handle.I can formulate a connection how someone in the Philippines got a U.S. naval sword and turned it into a T'boli weapon,but until I can document other examples, I am afraid that my theory is only conjecture;comments on this sword would also be welcomed !

Battara · 1st July 2013, 04:47 AM

All the blades seem original to me. The hilts are not: the first 2 are of recent manufacture.

The 3rd one seems to have all parts original as far as I can tell.

If you use this site's search engine you can find more info on kampilans and there variations.

Must admit I like to go kamping to, though I am very picky.

And by the way, most kamps in the Philippines come from the Maranao or Magindanao tribes of Moros.

drac2k · 1st July 2013, 05:09 AM

Thanks for your comments, I agree.Any idea on the brass handled variation.

VANDOO · 1st July 2013, 07:51 PM

NICE SELECTION OF KAMPILIAN VARIATIONS.

THE QUESTION IS
1.DID A MORO PUT THE BRASS HANDLE OF THE ENEMY ON A KAMP. BLADE OR 2.DID A NON MORO PUT THE HANDLE ON THE KAMP. BLADE? I SUSPECT CHOICE 2.
HERE ARE A COUPLE OF VARIATIONS
1. DESCRIBED AS A LUZON KAMPILIAN WITH HORN HANDLE AND STEEL GAURD, BRASS FERULE AND POMEL NUT.THE BLADE AND HANDLE GOES TOGETHER AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A RECENT COMBINATION LIKE SOME, HORN SHOWS GOOD AGE AND USE. KAMPILIAN BLADE DIFFERENT FROM MORO WORKMANSHIP.
2. WOOD HANDLE AND GAURD OF THE MORE COMMON FORM WITH A BLADE WITH WAVES FORGED INTO IT AND DESIGN CUT INTO BLADE.

drac2k · 1st July 2013, 10:03 PM

Those are really nice; I especially like the kampilan that starts off in a serpentine style and then straightens out! Any history on the items, or is that lost as it usually is ?

Battara · 2nd July 2013, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thanks for your comments, I agree.Any idea on the brass handled variation.

Well the brass handle is either from a French or US Civil War artillery sword and does not originally belong but was placed on there at a later date, probably by a later American owner.

drac2k · 2nd July 2013, 04:43 AM

While this is possible, I don't think an American collector would sacrifice an !870 Ames Naval short sword (I have one and it matches perfectly), for what he thought might be an inferior sword. Whoever did it, did a great job, as it is penned, with no movement; the only American possibility, would be Bannerman, who did take poetic license with a lot of weapons.Guess I'll try to find one of my old Bannerman catalogs where they have kampilans for $5.00, Sundangs for$3.00,.....................and see if I can find a match.

Gavin Nugent · 2nd July 2013, 04:02 PM

These are beaut weapons.

Here are some more within this link.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=pershing

For the one I present, my thanks to Jeff Pringle for his help in obtaining supporting data on his trip to an LA museum were Pershing gifted many items and thanks too to Bob Fulton for pointing out why the date would be wrong on the tag and how this most likely came to be so.

Not wanting to diverse but I also like spears and this is one of my finest :-)

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=Moro+spear

Gavin

drac2k · 3rd July 2013, 01:34 AM

What a magnificent spear .I was going to post some of my Moro spears, but after seeing your wonderful piece, I decided not to, so instead I'll post another engraved kampilan, that I just rediscovered in my collection.
Once again, thank you for sharing that wonderful treasure !

Battara · 3rd July 2013, 02:28 AM

First, lucky you for "finding" these pieces in your collection. Posting your spears would be nice too.

Gavin, if ever want to throw away that kamp of yours, please let me know (it's on my wish list). I'll now go back behind your dumpster and wait..

Gavin Nugent · 3rd July 2013, 09:57 AM

Agreed, spears are always nice to view!!!

Battara, stranger things have happened....I am having a major shift of focus and am selling off most of my personal collections....but as yet I haven't drilled down too far other than passing on my Mughal items.

Gavin

30th June 2013, 08:48 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,174	Kampilan Variations I enjoy collecting native weapons, especially those from the Philippines;so it is no surprise that kampilans hold a special place in my pursuits.The 4 kampilans that I am submitting pictures of are a little off the beaten path.The three engraved blades are all relatively heavy, skillfully and deeply chiseled.I have found an example of the kampilan with the traditional handle on a site titled "Collection of Philippine Islands in the United States National Museum,"the Smithsonian.It is credited to the Moros,from Lake Lanao, Mindanao.Some small discussion has been made as to whether these are tourist items,ceremonial swords,etc..I would like the opinion of the Forum community. The last sword has a good kampilan blade, with a U.S. 1870 Ames short naval sword brass handle.I can formulate a connection how someone in the Philippines got a U.S. naval sword and turned it into a T'boli weapon,but until I can document other examples, I am afraid that my theory is only conjecture;comments on this sword would also be welcomed ! Attached Images

1st July 2013, 07:51 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	NICE SELECTION OF KAMPILIAN VARIATIONS. THE QUESTION IS 1.DID A MORO PUT THE BRASS HANDLE OF THE ENEMY ON A KAMP. BLADE OR 2.DID A NON MORO PUT THE HANDLE ON THE KAMP. BLADE? I SUSPECT CHOICE 2. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF VARIATIONS 1. DESCRIBED AS A LUZON KAMPILIAN WITH HORN HANDLE AND STEEL GAURD, BRASS FERULE AND POMEL NUT.THE BLADE AND HANDLE GOES TOGETHER AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A RECENT COMBINATION LIKE SOME, HORN SHOWS GOOD AGE AND USE. KAMPILIAN BLADE DIFFERENT FROM MORO WORKMANSHIP. 2. WOOD HANDLE AND GAURD OF THE MORE COMMON FORM WITH A BLADE WITH WAVES FORGED INTO IT AND DESIGN CUT INTO BLADE. Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 1st July 2013 at 08:02 PM.

3rd July 2013, 01:34 AM	#9
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,174	What a magnificent spear .I was going to post some of my Moro spears, but after seeing your wonderful piece, I decided not to, so instead I'll post another engraved kampilan, that I just rediscovered in my collection. Once again, thank you for sharing that wonderful treasure ! Attached Images

1st July 2013, 04:47 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	All the blades seem original to me. The hilts are not: the first 2 are of recent manufacture. The 3rd one seems to have all parts original as far as I can tell. If you use this site's search engine you can find more info on kampilans and there variations. Must admit I like to go kamping to, though I am very picky. And by the way, most kamps in the Philippines come from the Maranao or Magindanao tribes of Moros.

1st July 2013, 05:09 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,174	Thanks for your comments, I agree.Any idea on the brass handled variation.

1st July 2013, 10:03 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,174	Those are really nice; I especially like the kampilan that starts off in a serpentine style and then straightens out! Any history on the items, or is that lost as it usually is ?

2nd July 2013, 04:43 AM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,174	While this is possible, I don't think an American collector would sacrifice an !870 Ames Naval short sword (I have one and it matches perfectly), for what he thought might be an inferior sword. Whoever did it, did a great job, as it is penned, with no movement; the only American possibility, would be Bannerman, who did take poetic license with a lot of weapons.Guess I'll try to find one of my old Bannerman catalogs where they have kampilans for $5.00, Sundangs for$3.00,.....................and see if I can find a match.

2nd July 2013, 04:02 PM	#8
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	These are beaut weapons. Here are some more within this link. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=pershing For the one I present, my thanks to Jeff Pringle for his help in obtaining supporting data on his trip to an LA museum were Pershing gifted many items and thanks too to Bob Fulton for pointing out why the date would be wrong on the tag and how this most likely came to be so. Not wanting to diverse but I also like spears and this is one of my finest :-) http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=Moro+spear Gavin

3rd July 2013, 02:28 AM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	First, lucky you for "finding" these pieces in your collection. Posting your spears would be nice too. Gavin, if ever want to throw away that kamp of yours, please let me know (it's on my wish list). I'll now go back behind your dumpster and wait..

3rd July 2013, 09:57 AM	#11
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Agreed, spears are always nice to view!!! Battara, stranger things have happened....I am having a major shift of focus and am selling off most of my personal collections....but as yet I haven't drilled down too far other than passing on my Mughal items. Gavin