Moro swords: are we facing an epidemics?

ariel · 11th September 2006, 08:48 PM

Over the past several months I have noticed a profusion of Moro swords on e-bay coming directly from the Philippines .
Here is an example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=012
Can experts explain to me (us?) what is going on?
1. A sudden increase in the willingmess of the Moro people to sell their antiquities?
2. An emergence of an industry manufacturing "aged" swords (and, likely, other "antiques") akin to wnat we see in China?

Rick · 11th September 2006, 09:18 PM

That is an interesting surface on the blade .

Also the blade looks a mite on the thin spined side .

VANDOO · 11th September 2006, 09:39 PM

YES TO BOTH QUESTIONS.

THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PRODUCTION OF SWORDS AND KNIVES TO SELL TO TOURISTS. SOME ARE AGED TO MAKE THEM LOOK OLD AND SOME ARE NOT. THE EXAMPLE OF A PIRA YOU SHOW IS A MORE RECENT ARTIFICIALLY AGED EXAMPLE WITH A THIN POORLY MADE BLADE. PERHAPS A SERVICIBLE BLADE BUT THIN AND POORLY MADE WHEN COMPARED TO A GOOD OLD EXAMPLE. THE HORN WORK ON THE HANDLES OF THESE CAN BE VERY ORNATE AND THEY CAN DO VERY GOOD WORK. I HAVE BID ON A COUPLE OF FANTASY KAMPILLIANS FROM THE SAME SOURCES THAT WERE VERY ORNATE BUT THEY WENT FAR TOO HIGH FOR WHAT THEY WERE. SO NOW I AM SURE THE MAKER/SELLERS WILL WANT TOO MUCH FOR ANY FUTURE PRODUCTIONS.

THE HIGH DEMAND AND PRICES ON EBAY HAS MADE IT EASIER FOR DEALERS TO BUY OLDER WEAPONS TO SELL AS THEY CAN PAY MORE AND STILL MAKE A LARGE PROFIT. SOME ARE COMPLETE OLD EXAMPLES OTHERS ARE OLD BLADES PUT TOGETHER WITH NEWER AGED HANDLES OR OLDER HANDLES WITH NEWER AGED BLADES. SOME ARE PLAIN EXAMPLES THAT HAVE HAD SILVER, BRASS OR OTHER DECORATIONS ADDED TO MAKE THEM MORE APPEALING TO BUYERS. THESE TYPES OF WEAPONS HAVE BEEN AROUND IN SHOPS ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR A VERY LONG TIME BUT YOU DIDN'T SEE VERY MANY UNLESS YOU TRAVELLED. NOW ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TURN ON THE COMPUTER TO BE OFFERED STUFF FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. OFTEN THE FIRST SHOP TO START SELLING ON EBAY WILL SELL ALL HIS INVENTORY AND THEN GO BUY OUT THE STUFF FROM THE OTHER SHOPS WHO HAVE NO MARKET AND SELL THAT AS WELL. OFTEN THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE FACE BUYING ON EBAY IS WE ONLY HAVE PICTURES TO JUDGE PATINA, CONDITION AND AGE, WHICH IS DIFFICULT AS ARTIFICIALLY AGEING IS OFTEN VERY WELL DONE.

Bill M · 11th September 2006, 10:27 PM

A friend of mine wants it. Tried to talk him out of it, but he likes it. Asked me to put a sniper bid of $100 on it. He decided that the marks on the handle are from a battle. Where they protected the guy's wrist.

Wish I had not shown him mine. Ah well.

Bill M · 20th September 2006, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

That is an interesting surface on the blade .

Also the blade looks a mite on the thin spined side .

Came today. Got to get it to my friend.

Actually it is not too bad, the weird pattern is rust. Spine is on the thin side. May clean it up and post some pictures.

Lew · 20th September 2006, 04:10 AM

Bill

I think this sword is of recent manufacture and the blade seems artificially aged but if your friend likes thats all that matters.

Lew

Bill M · 20th September 2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Bill

I think this sword is of recent manufacture and the blade seems artificially aged but if your friend likes thats all that matters.

Lew

Lew,

It looks recent to me also. I will make my friend a wooden stand for his mantle and he will tell his friends about the "Battle scarred sword." At least he does not have much money in it.

He is traveling right now and it will be a few weeks before I can show it to him, so I may still post a few picturs after I clean it up a bit.

Bill

CharlesS · 20th September 2006, 02:57 PM

One of the sellers(who shall remain nameless here) on Ebay offering some Moro pieces is quite honest and upfront about his offerings and whether or not they are antique.

It's really quite simple...old, authentic pieces are listed under "Antiques", while later pieces, remounted old blades, etc. are listed under "Collectibles" on Ebay by him.

I also find him very honest and direct in any communication about his pieces.

I am sure many of you know who I am referring to.

William.m · 24th September 2006, 02:02 PM

Have you noticed that the same seller as put up this sword for sale. It looks almost identical to the one you bought heightening my suspicions that the sword is indeed modern.

David · 24th September 2006, 03:16 PM

William, i am afraid that it is against forum policy to post auctions before they have ended.

philkid · 30th September 2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

One of the sellers(who shall remain nameless here) on Ebay offering some Moro pieces is quite honest and upfront about his offerings and whether or not they are antique.

It's really quite simple...old, authentic pieces are listed under "Antiques", while later pieces, remounted old blades, etc. are listed under "Collectibles" on Ebay by him.

I also find him very honest and direct in any communication about his pieces.

I am sure many of you know who I am referring to.

Lord Voldemort?

CollectingNewbie · 6th October 2006, 02:23 AM

This gentleman is very honest about his listings, I recently purchased one of these blades from him because it looked very intereasting to me. I asked him what he knew about the blade and he said that he thinks they are new production from somewhere close to where he lives. I love the look of it but I think when it gets here in the next few days Ill re sell it, I made a last minute impulse buy and its not as old of a peice as Id like to keep in my collection. So if anyones looking for one Ill be posting one for sale or trade on here and ebay shortly.

11th September 2006, 08:48 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Moro swords: are we facing an epidemics? Over the past several months I have noticed a profusion of Moro swords on e-bay coming directly from the Philippines . Here is an example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=012 Can experts explain to me (us?) what is going on? 1. A sudden increase in the willingmess of the Moro people to sell their antiquities? 2. An emergence of an industry manufacturing "aged" swords (and, likely, other "antiques") akin to wnat we see in China?

24th September 2006, 02:02 PM	#9
William.m Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England Posts: 104	Have you noticed that the same seller as put up this sword for sale. It looks almost identical to the one you bought heightening my suspicions that the sword is indeed modern. Last edited by Ian; 24th September 2006 at 04:37 PM. Reason: Remove URL to current eBay listing. Ian.

11th September 2006, 09:18 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	That is an interesting surface on the blade . Also the blade looks a mite on the thin spined side .

11th September 2006, 09:39 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	YES TO BOTH QUESTIONS. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PRODUCTION OF SWORDS AND KNIVES TO SELL TO TOURISTS. SOME ARE AGED TO MAKE THEM LOOK OLD AND SOME ARE NOT. THE EXAMPLE OF A PIRA YOU SHOW IS A MORE RECENT ARTIFICIALLY AGED EXAMPLE WITH A THIN POORLY MADE BLADE. PERHAPS A SERVICIBLE BLADE BUT THIN AND POORLY MADE WHEN COMPARED TO A GOOD OLD EXAMPLE. THE HORN WORK ON THE HANDLES OF THESE CAN BE VERY ORNATE AND THEY CAN DO VERY GOOD WORK. I HAVE BID ON A COUPLE OF FANTASY KAMPILLIANS FROM THE SAME SOURCES THAT WERE VERY ORNATE BUT THEY WENT FAR TOO HIGH FOR WHAT THEY WERE. SO NOW I AM SURE THE MAKER/SELLERS WILL WANT TOO MUCH FOR ANY FUTURE PRODUCTIONS. THE HIGH DEMAND AND PRICES ON EBAY HAS MADE IT EASIER FOR DEALERS TO BUY OLDER WEAPONS TO SELL AS THEY CAN PAY MORE AND STILL MAKE A LARGE PROFIT. SOME ARE COMPLETE OLD EXAMPLES OTHERS ARE OLD BLADES PUT TOGETHER WITH NEWER AGED HANDLES OR OLDER HANDLES WITH NEWER AGED BLADES. SOME ARE PLAIN EXAMPLES THAT HAVE HAD SILVER, BRASS OR OTHER DECORATIONS ADDED TO MAKE THEM MORE APPEALING TO BUYERS. THESE TYPES OF WEAPONS HAVE BEEN AROUND IN SHOPS ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR A VERY LONG TIME BUT YOU DIDN'T SEE VERY MANY UNLESS YOU TRAVELLED. NOW ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TURN ON THE COMPUTER TO BE OFFERED STUFF FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. OFTEN THE FIRST SHOP TO START SELLING ON EBAY WILL SELL ALL HIS INVENTORY AND THEN GO BUY OUT THE STUFF FROM THE OTHER SHOPS WHO HAVE NO MARKET AND SELL THAT AS WELL. OFTEN THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE FACE BUYING ON EBAY IS WE ONLY HAVE PICTURES TO JUDGE PATINA, CONDITION AND AGE, WHICH IS DIFFICULT AS ARTIFICIALLY AGEING IS OFTEN VERY WELL DONE.

11th September 2006, 10:27 PM	#4
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	A friend of mine wants it. Tried to talk him out of it, but he likes it. Asked me to put a sniper bid of $100 on it. He decided that the marks on the handle are from a battle. Where they protected the guy's wrist. Wish I had not shown him mine. Ah well.

20th September 2006, 04:10 AM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Bill I think this sword is of recent manufacture and the blade seems artificially aged but if your friend likes thats all that matters. Lew

20th September 2006, 02:57 PM	#8
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	One of the sellers(who shall remain nameless here) on Ebay offering some Moro pieces is quite honest and upfront about his offerings and whether or not they are antique. It's really quite simple...old, authentic pieces are listed under "Antiques", while later pieces, remounted old blades, etc. are listed under "Collectibles" on Ebay by him. I also find him very honest and direct in any communication about his pieces. I am sure many of you know who I am referring to.

24th September 2006, 03:16 PM	#10
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,023	William, i am afraid that it is against forum policy to post auctions before they have ended.

6th October 2006, 02:23 AM	#12
CollectingNewbie Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 160	This gentleman is very honest about his listings, I recently purchased one of these blades from him because it looked very intereasting to me. I asked him what he knew about the blade and he said that he thinks they are new production from somewhere close to where he lives. I love the look of it but I think when it gets here in the next few days Ill re sell it, I made a last minute impulse buy and its not as old of a peice as Id like to keep in my collection. So if anyones looking for one Ill be posting one for sale or trade on here and ebay shortly.