|
|
Post by Robert Coleman on Feb 5, 2010 1:40:34 GMT -5
Hello VeeVee, and thank you for your interest. Both of these knives would probably just have been referred to as Dagas and could possibly have been paired with a short sword. I am extremely happy that at least one of them still has its original leather scabbard that is still in decent condition (for its age) as they are usually missing.
Robert
|
|
|
|
Post by VeeVee on Feb 6, 2010 11:35:32 GMT -5
The scabbard does look like it's in very good condition. Do you know how this was stored over the years before you acquired it that the scabbard is in that good shape?
|
|
|
|
Post by Robert Coleman on Feb 6, 2010 16:41:14 GMT -5
Hello VeeVee, To be quite honest I have no idea on how this particular knife was stored over the long years before I acquired it. Sadly a lot of items like this that were brought back by servicemen and world travelers were just put into drawers, closets and storage trunks never to be seen again until found after the person who brought them back originally had passed away. I would guess that this could have been the case with this knife as the missing tip of the scabbard looks to have been eaten by mice. On the other hand others were cared for as cherished items by their owners and maintained in a proper manor helping to insure their survival in good condition. Again, thank you for your interest in these wonderful pieces of art and history.
Robert
|
|
|
|
Post by Robert Coleman on Feb 18, 2010 0:04:16 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by VeeVee on Feb 18, 2010 6:40:40 GMT -5
Now that looks a lot like the bolos Bonifacio is portrayed with in illustrations and sculptures  Are these items acquired stateside from "bring-backs?" |
|
|
|
Post by Robert Coleman on Feb 18, 2010 9:42:33 GMT -5
Hello VeeVee, Yes, all the items that I have were acquired stateside and most were described as being brought back from either the Spanish American War or WWII. On the other hand, some were described as being anything from Confederate bowie knives to American Indian scalping knives.   ;D Others that were mostly bought at garage sales were just sold as old knives or swords with no idea of where they were from. I have been looking for a Bonifacio bolo with a hilt carved in this manor for quite some time and was very pleased when I found this one especially as it still has it's original scabbard with it. I have had the chance to purchase others before but none had the scabbard with them. I wish that we did not live so far away from each other as we could put our two collections together to make a very interesting and informative display at one of the larger gun and knife shows. Again my thanks for your interest. Robert |
|
|
|
Post by Robert Coleman on Feb 27, 2010 2:09:47 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I thought that I would post a new picture of the hilt after a light cleaning. Now it is possible to see the amount of work and detail put into the hilt of this bolo. The entire top section of the hat is made of brass and the eye sockets are lined with small pieces of copper tubing. The decorative band on the brass ferrule is also made of copper. Robert  |
|
|
|
Post by VeeVee on Feb 27, 2010 10:17:58 GMT -5
Outstanding! Robert, how do you know so much about Philippine bolos, daggers, and knives? It's not like there are lots of books about them...
|
|
|
|
Post by dimasalang on Feb 27, 2010 13:34:11 GMT -5
Nice one as always Robert!  That is my next goal also. Outstanding! Robert, how do you know so much about Philippine bolos, daggers, and knives? It's not like there are lots of books about them... Robert is an expert and knows how and where to look for old Philippine weapons.  |
|
|
|
Post by Robert Coleman on Feb 28, 2010 15:15:52 GMT -5
Hello Dimasalang,
Thank you very much for your kind words. I have alway just thought of myself as an enthusiast and not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I leave that title to you and the others on this forum. Best of luck in acquiring one of these and if I do locate another I will be more than happy to let you know.
Best Regards
Robert
|
|
|
|
Post by VeeVee on Mar 1, 2010 6:32:02 GMT -5
Indeed he is Just wondering how one gets to work up to that level since books about Philippine blades are not exactly available. |
|
|
|
Post by dimasalang on Mar 2, 2010 0:59:57 GMT -5
Indeed he is Just wondering how one gets to work up to that level since books about Philippine blades are not exactly available. We have a group online of collectors...we all share our knowledge and ideas. Its great. Beats any book really. Since Robert is sharing, I'll post my recent purchase...a Visayan sword.   This is called a Talibon(also known as a Garab). From the Leyte/Samar region...used by the Waray Waray warriors and Pulahans dated back when America colonized the islands. Note, Visayan swords usually have a chiseled edge...meaning the blade is flat on one side. And as you can see this one has a unique shaped handle. This is the real deal...not one those fake WWII "souvenir" wallhangers brought to the US by American sailors. |
|
|
|
Post by Robert Coleman on Mar 2, 2010 16:07:43 GMT -5
Dimasalang,
As I have said before, this is a wonderful sword and a rarely seen weapons grade example. Most of these as you stated are tourist grade meant only as souvenirs. I was hoping when I started this thread that others would post examples of the items that they have in their own collections. Could you post the measurements for this item with it for a better idea of its size? Thank you again for contributing the pictures of this wonderful piece to this thread.
Robert
|
|
|
|
Post by dimasalang on Mar 3, 2010 17:20:44 GMT -5
I'll start sharing more then. I just measured this sword last night. Blade is ~21". Full length is 28". I love this thing...it feels perfect. Swinging, thrusting, chopping, slashing...it is extremely well balanced! Wish someone could make me a sword like this today! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Robert Coleman on Mar 3, 2010 18:07:03 GMT -5
"I'll start sharing more then." Wonderful, I can't wait to see more of your collection. Hopefully more forum members will follow suite.  Robert |
|
|
|
Post by VeeVee on Mar 4, 2010 20:20:21 GMT -5
Yes it would be nice to have a dedicated thread for Philippine blades...
|
|
|
|
Post by Robert Coleman on Mar 5, 2010 15:29:24 GMT -5
Hello VeeVee, I have changed the header to reflect this idea and hopefully it will get more participation from other forum members. Now all we can do is wait and see what happens. ;D
Robert
|
|
|
|
Post by dimasalang on Mar 11, 2010 20:12:18 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Robert Coleman on Mar 11, 2010 21:22:22 GMT -5
Hello, yes unfortunately I did. I was planning on bidding on it and the tabak cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270539991696&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT but the bidding has gone well beyond my financial ability to bid. It went for over $600.00  I knew this day would come but was hoping it would not be here so fast.  It is nice to see these items starting to get the attention that they have always deserved though. Well, there are always garage sales and gun shows to possibly find something. How about posting some of your collection for the good people of the forum to see ? Robert |
|
|
|
Post by dimasalang on Mar 12, 2010 14:55:20 GMT -5
Now thats just way off the chart. I was watching that listing also. Way too much I would say. Now I don't feel so bad for buying the other D ring sword that was posted discreetly and went for a few hundred dollars less. ;D  Did you happen to see this one also and bid on it? I'll post more pics when I get it.  I planned to post some of my collection up last night...then I realized I actually don't have that many photos of each. I'll take some photos over the weekend. |
|
;D Others that were mostly bought at garage sales were just sold as old knives or swords with no idea of where they were from. I have been looking for a Bonifacio bolo with a hilt carved in this manor for quite some time and was very pleased when I found this one especially as it still has it's original scabbard with it. I have had the chance to purchase others before but none had the scabbard with them. I wish that we did not live so far away from each other as we could put our two collections together to make a very interesting and informative display at one of the larger gun and knife shows. Again my thanks for your interest.
I knew this day would come but was hoping it would not be here so fast. 
It is nice to see these items starting to get the attention that they have always deserved though. Well, there are always garage sales and gun shows to possibly find something. 