A really large Punal

Ferguson · 9th November 2007, 02:28 AM

Just received this Punal. The overall length is 17 1/4", with a 12" pattern welded blade. The ferrule and guard are horn, and the handle looks like banati. I haven't ever seen one this large, except for modern tourist pieces, but I've only been collecting for a couple of years. Is one this large common? It's more like a short sword than a dagger. I put a more normal 9 1/4" punal in the picture for scale. Thanks for looking.

Steve Ferguson

Lew · 9th November 2007, 04:22 AM

Very nice piece but now I have a bad case of punal envy

Congrats

Lew

kronckew · 9th November 2007, 07:34 AM

y'all could poke someone's eye out with that thing.

for safety sake send it to me for safekeeping,
i'll make sure it never attacks you.

Battara · 9th November 2007, 04:07 PM

This is one of the larger gunongs that I have seen. At one time after the last of the Moro battles at Bud Bagsak in 1915, Gen.Pershing outlawed (or the US did it) the wearing of swords. Since no respectible man would be seen in public without a bladed weapon, the gunong became even more popular and I believe that some grew to the size of what you have here to replace the vacuum. This is a later piece but not a tourist piece (note the lovely lamination).

I may start calling you the "Gunong Guru".

kronckew - I echo your sentiments and will gladly assist you.

Ferguson · 11th November 2007, 09:05 AM

Gentlemen,
Thanks so much for your replies.

Battara, what time period were you thinking? I guessed pre WWII?

Thanks so much,
Steve

CharlesS · 11th November 2007, 04:28 PM

Noice! very noice!!

Battara · 11th November 2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferguson

Gentlemen,
Thanks so much for your replies.

Battara, what time period were you thinking? I guessed pre WWII?

Thanks so much,
Steve

Certainly pre WWII, perhaps 1920s?

Ferguson · 11th November 2007, 11:42 PM

Thank you Jose!
Steve

D Wilke · 13th November 2007, 02:05 PM

Steve, saw these the day after your post and while I've never seen any this big before they are certainly huge if not near as old as yours (or as nice). None had a decent blade and all looked made for show - but they are HUGE! This place had a mix of mostly tourist stuff with a very few real antiques.

Dan

kronckew · 13th November 2007, 02:21 PM

those last punals seem a tad large for me, would have liked to see the blades tho.

bit newer, bit smaller, bit more functional. 5.25in. blade kamagong wood grip.
prob. made last year. diff. hardened & razor sharp, L6 steel, brass guard/bolster
leather covered wood scabbard with brass belt/sash hook.

some nice user ones still being made....it's not as yet an obsolete art over there.

9th November 2007, 02:28 AM	#1
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	A really large Punal Just received this Punal. The overall length is 17 1/4", with a 12" pattern welded blade. The ferrule and guard are horn, and the handle looks like banati. I haven't ever seen one this large, except for modern tourist pieces, but I've only been collecting for a couple of years. Is one this large common? It's more like a short sword than a dagger. I put a more normal 9 1/4" punal in the picture for scale. Thanks for looking. Steve Ferguson

13th November 2007, 02:05 PM	#9
D Wilke Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Okinawa, JN Posts: 22	Big ones here in Cotobatu too Steve, saw these the day after your post and while I've never seen any this big before they are certainly huge if not near as old as yours (or as nice). None had a decent blade and all looked made for show - but they are HUGE! This place had a mix of mostly tourist stuff with a very few real antiques. Dan Attached Images

13th November 2007, 02:21 PM	#10
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	those last punals seem a tad large for me, would have liked to see the blades tho. bit newer, bit smaller, bit more functional. 5.25in. blade kamagong wood grip. prob. made last year. diff. hardened & razor sharp, L6 steel, brass guard/bolster leather covered wood scabbard with brass belt/sash hook. some nice user ones still being made....it's not as yet an obsolete art over there. Last edited by kronckew; 13th November 2007 at 02:42 PM.

9th November 2007, 04:22 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Very nice piece but now I have a bad case of punal envy Congrats Lew

9th November 2007, 07:34 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	y'all could poke someone's eye out with that thing. for safety sake send it to me for safekeeping, i'll make sure it never attacks you.

9th November 2007, 04:07 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	This is one of the larger gunongs that I have seen. At one time after the last of the Moro battles at Bud Bagsak in 1915, Gen.Pershing outlawed (or the US did it) the wearing of swords. Since no respectible man would be seen in public without a bladed weapon, the gunong became even more popular and I believe that some grew to the size of what you have here to replace the vacuum. This is a later piece but not a tourist piece (note the lovely lamination). I may start calling you the "Gunong Guru". kronckew - I echo your sentiments and will gladly assist you.

11th November 2007, 09:05 AM	#5
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Gentlemen, Thanks so much for your replies. Battara, what time period were you thinking? I guessed pre WWII? Thanks so much, Steve

11th November 2007, 04:28 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Noice! very noice!!

11th November 2007, 11:42 PM	#8
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Thank you Jose! Steve