An old plamingko

h0ll0wman · 16th September 2022, 12:12 AM

I recently acquired this beautiful piece. The fittings on the scabbard and hilt seems to be brass and aluminum.

Battara · 16th September 2022, 02:26 AM

Very nice with aluminum(?) mounts. The head could be that of Bakunawa from the Visayas. Post WW2 looks like.

xasterix · 16th September 2022, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Very nice with aluminum(?) mounts. The head could be that of Bakunawa from the Visayas. Post WW2 looks like.

I'm just curious- since it has brass, could it possibly be pre-war? I've noticed that the WW2/immediately postWW2 Panay pieces only have aluminum fittings (no brass parts anymore). Level of detail might also correspond to prewar.

Just a thought, though, am no Panay expert- always looking forward to learn more!

Battara · 16th September 2022, 06:46 PM

I guess the question is are the white metal parts aluminum or silver or nickel-copper alloy? They look aluminum to me and this wasn't in ample supply until WW2. Brass/bronze has always been available. So a testing of the metal would be the only way to be 100% sure of silver content or not.

h0ll0wman · 17th September 2022, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I guess the question is are the white metal parts aluminum or silver or nickel-copper alloy? They look aluminum to me and this wasn't in ample supply until WW2. Brass/bronze has always been available. So a testing of the metal would be the only way to be 100% sure of silver content or not.

It feels and look aluminum to me. Is there a simple way to test the metal fittings? Regarding the silver content.

kino · 17th September 2022, 05:28 PM

Nice find, hollowman.
Judging by the amount of aluminum vs brass used, maybe it wasn’t readily available or possibly a post-WWII addition / replacement.

Battara · 17th September 2022, 09:19 PM

Kino has a point. Might be earlier with latter additions. They are nicely done in any case.

h0ll0wman · 18th September 2022, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

Nice find, hollowman.
Judging by the amount of aluminum vs brass used, maybe it wasn’t readily available or possibly a post-WWII addition / replacement.

interesting information. thank you sir.

h0ll0wman · 18th September 2022, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Kino has a point. Might be earlier with latter additions. They are nicely done in any case.

I appreciate all your inputs Battara.

kronckew · 18th September 2022, 02:51 PM

Don't forget, up till 1886, when, with the availability of cheap electric power, they invented the electrical processing of alumina into aluminium, it was a rare and precious metal and only used for decorative embellishments like this Knife & scabbard.

Aluminium did exist and was used much earlier than y'all think. I hear a cutler made a dinner setting for a King about 1825 with aluminium handles.

Aluminium was certainly available and used in the late 19c., and readily available pre WW1 for structural military use - when they used it to build airships - Zeppelins - to bomb London. Duralumin alloy used in airships was invented in Germany in 1909 and was a state secret for a while. But that's another story.

Use of easily salvaged aluminium from WW2 aircraft wrecks, of course, expanded greatly during/after WW2 in the far east.

16th September 2022, 12:12 AM	#1
h0ll0wman Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 78	An old plamingko I recently acquired this beautiful piece. The fittings on the scabbard and hilt seems to be brass and aluminum. Attached Images

16th September 2022, 02:26 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,342	Very nice with aluminum(?) mounts. The head could be that of Bakunawa from the Visayas. Post WW2 looks like.

16th September 2022, 06:46 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,342	I guess the question is are the white metal parts aluminum or silver or nickel-copper alloy? They look aluminum to me and this wasn't in ample supply until WW2. Brass/bronze has always been available. So a testing of the metal would be the only way to be 100% sure of silver content or not.

17th September 2022, 05:28 PM	#6
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,020	Nice find, hollowman. Judging by the amount of aluminum vs brass used, maybe it wasn’t readily available or possibly a post-WWII addition / replacement.

17th September 2022, 09:19 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,342	Kino has a point. Might be earlier with latter additions. They are nicely done in any case.

18th September 2022, 02:51 PM	#10
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	Don't forget, up till 1886, when, with the availability of cheap electric power, they invented the electrical processing of alumina into aluminium, it was a rare and precious metal and only used for decorative embellishments like this Knife & scabbard. Aluminium did exist and was used much earlier than y'all think. I hear a cutler made a dinner setting for a King about 1825 with aluminium handles. Aluminium was certainly available and used in the late 19c., and readily available pre WW1 for structural military use - when they used it to build airships - Zeppelins - to bomb London. Duralumin alloy used in airships was invented in Germany in 1909 and was a state secret for a while. But that's another story. Use of easily salvaged aluminium from WW2 aircraft wrecks, of course, expanded greatly during/after WW2 in the far east.