Antique Filipino Islamic Moro Sword Kampilan

Antique 19th century Filipino (Sultanate of Maguindanao), Mindanao - Moro Islamic large Sword Kampilan. It comprises a long and very sharp single-edged finely hand forged blade, widening toward its tip elaborately shaped on the form of the stylized shark head. Showing slightly visible laminations watered pattern throughout its surfaces.

The blade is well-balanced by the hilt, so there is no feel of weight of a long blade.
A wooden hilt with a boat shaped crossguard, forked pommel finely sculptured in the form of the stylized open crocodile’s jaws carved with traditional Okir motifs the grip is bound with fabric cord.

The kampilan is a sword used by the Muslims Moro people.

The Moro name, originated from the Spanish word “Moor” (Moors -Muslims), is used for the collective Muslim tribes situated mainly on the Sulu Archipelago and Mindanao Island in Southern Philippines. There are known four major Moro tribes: the Samal (Zamboanga), the Maguidanao (Mindanao), the Maranao (Mindanao), and the Tausug (Sulu).

The Moro people are tenacious when it comes to their ancient traditions, which they practice as long as they live. They were never conquered by Spain. The Moros are known to be fierce warriors and have developed a wide range of efficient weapons. The blade, whether as a sword or the tip of a spear, was emblematic of the Moro warrior culture every bit as much as it was among the ancient Greeks, the Scottish Highlanders of the 17th Century. The Moros shared with other warrior cultures the value of facing one's enemy face to face in hand combat, and in this regard, they became masters of close quarters combat. Those who died in battle were celebrated by long-ingrained cultural traditions.

REFERENCES:
1. Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago” Albert G. Van Zonneveld
2.A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times” by George Cameron Stone.
3. Steel and Magic - Edged Weapons of the Malay Archipelago. Deutsches Klingenmuseum in Solingen.

We will provide the buyer with a copy of the pages from the mentioned references together with a certificate of authenticity.

CONDITION: Showing age and usage, blade slightly pitted,

MEASUREMENTS:
Overall length: 104.5 cm (41.14 inches).
Blade length: 77.5 cm (30.51 inches).
Width of the blade at the widest point: 6 cm (2.36 inches).