Another Oddity From the Philippines

[Rafngard]

Hello All,

I was another bidder on this, but I forgot to bid higher ;-)
I was hoping that someone on the forum picked this one up.
A cool, unique find! Consider me jealous.

It's not a major resemblance, but there's a structure near the top of the scabbard that reminds me of the wooden hanger on a Philippine knife of mine posted here.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21718

Both Jose and Ian thought this one might be from Bicol.

Hopefully this helps

Thanks,
Leif

[Battara]

I might also place this blade as Visayan or even Ilokano due to the type of "okir" floral motif inlays. The style of luks in the blade and the "ganga" also make me think this, though these are not as strong for me as the "okir motif. Also the engraving as Ian says is more delicate and precise, as in Spanish influenced engraving.

What I find interesting is the hilt which looks like it comes from an old WWII OSS bolo hilt with a slight modification at the top end. OSS hilts were based on the sarimanok designs of the barong and kris. If not OSS, then a copy of the OSS taking it back in the opposite direction towards the Moro (the European scroll at the back end)

I would not be surprised if the ensemble were placed together in WWII.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Battara

I might also place this blade as Visayan or even Ilokano due to the type of "okir" floral motif inlays. The style of luks in the blade and the "ganga" also make me think this, though these are not as strong for me as the "okir motif. Also the engraving as Ian says is more delicate and precise, as in Spanish influenced engraving.

Thanks Jose. I was hoping you would come to the same conclusion on the engraving--a Spanish influence makes sense.

What I find interesting is the hilt which looks like it comes from an old WWII OSS bolo hilt with a slight modification at the top end. OSS hilts were based on the sarimanok designs of the barong and kris. If not OSS, then a copy of the OSS taking it back in the opposite direction towards the Moro (the European scroll at the back end)

Yes, those old WWII-era U.S. adaptations of a barung are really hard to find. I had one once but it went as a result of theft many years ago. If I recall correctly, the checkered grip was made from hard rubber.

I would not be surprised if the ensemble were placed together in WWII.

Good possibility.