19th century Philippine Halberd from Spanish Colonial Guard

mdp10003 · 24th August 2014, 01:22 AM

I know it does not really qualify as ethnographic, but I thought I would post two halberd heads that I just won at auction and that can serve as a contemporaneous look to some of the swords/daggers some of us collect from the Katipunan/First Philippine Republic. They were captured during the Spanish-American War, and were used by a special guards unit - the Alabarderos de la Guardia del Virrey - that guarded the Spanish colonial governor in the 19th century. Examples of these halberds are found in the President Rutherford Hayes Center and reputedly in the Smithsonian. They are unmarked steel, fairly large - 27" x 17".

drac2k · 24th August 2014, 02:34 AM

FANTASTIC ! One of the neatest ,coolest, nicest thing that I've seen in a while !

Robert · 24th August 2014, 04:22 AM

Wonderful items and in such good condition. Did you get any provenance with these, possibly paperwork that traces their line of ownership over the years? Even if you didn't they are still a great addition to any collection. My congratulations to you on your new acquisitions.

Best,
Robert

mdp10003 · 24th August 2014, 04:47 AM

Unfortunately, no provenance yet but I have reason to believe it was in the Arkansas state collection and they deaccessioned it. I will confirm when i get them.

Robert · 24th August 2014, 05:02 AM

Looking forward to hearing what you find out. Hopefully if these were owned by that institution they will be able to furnish you with a complete history on them. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress. If you ever get tired of looking at them I have a space on my wall that would fit them perfectly.

Best,
Robert

KraVseR · 24th August 2014, 07:24 PM

Sorry, can you tell more about Alabarderos de la Guardia del Virrey? Maybe who have image of this warriors?

erinsheff · 13th December 2014, 12:40 PM

I was thrilled to find this thread when I googled the above title. I inherited two of these, brought from the Philippines by my grandfather who was a tobacco planter there in the 1900s. The only date I know for sure is that of my mother's birth in Manila in 1907.
One halberd has the original pole with a metal base. The other is just the head; I replaced the pole.
I'm finding this site a bit intimidating, not wishing to break the rules.
However, if someone will tell me how to post an image from my iPhotos, I will be happy to comply.
erinsheff

estcrh · 13th December 2014, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erinsheff

I was thrilled to find this thread when I googled the above title. I inherited two of these, brought from the Philippines by my grandfather who was a tobacco planter there in the 1900s. The only date I know for sure is that of my mother's birth in Manila in 1907.
One halberd has the original pole with a metal base. The other is just the head; I replaced the pole.
I'm finding this site a bit intimidating, not wishing to break the rules.
However, if someone will tell me how to post an image from my iPhotos, I will be happy to comply.
erinsheff

You can send the images to me if you want and I will post them for you, let me know.

24th August 2014, 01:22 AM	#1
mdp10003 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 28	19th century Philippine Halberd from Spanish Colonial Guard I know it does not really qualify as ethnographic, but I thought I would post two halberd heads that I just won at auction and that can serve as a contemporaneous look to some of the swords/daggers some of us collect from the Katipunan/First Philippine Republic. They were captured during the Spanish-American War, and were used by a special guards unit - the Alabarderos de la Guardia del Virrey - that guarded the Spanish colonial governor in the 19th century. Examples of these halberds are found in the President Rutherford Hayes Center and reputedly in the Smithsonian. They are unmarked steel, fairly large - 27" x 17". Attached Images Last edited by mdp10003; 24th August 2014 at 03:59 AM.

24th August 2014, 04:47 AM	#4
mdp10003 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 28	Provenance Unfortunately, no provenance yet but I have reason to believe it was in the Arkansas state collection and they deaccessioned it. I will confirm when i get them.

13th December 2014, 12:40 PM	#7
erinsheff Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 1	Philippine Halberds I was thrilled to find this thread when I googled the above title. I inherited two of these, brought from the Philippines by my grandfather who was a tobacco planter there in the 1900s. The only date I know for sure is that of my mother's birth in Manila in 1907. One halberd has the original pole with a metal base. The other is just the head; I replaced the pole. I'm finding this site a bit intimidating, not wishing to break the rules. However, if someone will tell me how to post an image from my iPhotos, I will be happy to comply. erinsheff

24th August 2014, 02:34 AM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,175	FANTASTIC ! One of the neatest ,coolest, nicest thing that I've seen in a while !

24th August 2014, 04:22 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Wonderful items and in such good condition. Did you get any provenance with these, possibly paperwork that traces their line of ownership over the years? Even if you didn't they are still a great addition to any collection. My congratulations to you on your new acquisitions. Best, Robert

24th August 2014, 05:02 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Looking forward to hearing what you find out. Hopefully if these were owned by that institution they will be able to furnish you with a complete history on them. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress. If you ever get tired of looking at them I have a space on my wall that would fit them perfectly. Best, Robert

24th August 2014, 07:24 PM	#6
KraVseR Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ukraine Posts: 128	Sorry, can you tell more about Alabarderos de la Guardia del Virrey? Maybe who have image of this warriors?