Can anybody tell me what this is?

S

snowmanhanson

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Sep 21, 2009
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Okay, here's the story. My grandfather gave me this knife/sword/machete/whateveritis many years ago. He told me that while serving in the Army Air Corps during or shortly after the Korean War, he drove then hiked to the top of a mountain in the Philippines where he was stationed. He said that on the mountain, there were wrecked World War II aircraft strewn about, obviously from a major air battle that took place in the skies above. He told me that he crawled into a Japanese Zero and removed this from the belt of the long deceased pilot.

Now, my grandfather tended to embellish his stories, but he seemed deadly serious on this particular night, even including an encounter with the Filipino tribe of the Ilongot, who were headhunters (which Wikipedia and other sources confirm as a possibility). He passed away three years ago, and I never questioned him further about it.

Anyway, below are links to pictures of the blade on my photobucket account. From end to end, it measures about 18 inches. There are no markings except for the "V" on the scabbard. The wood of the scabbard and handle is very lightweight, perhaps bamboo. The scabbard is held together with two strands of what seems to be copper wire (one of which crosses directly over the "V"). I don't know if those are original or added by my grandfather. Ditto for the leather belt loop and leather string to tie around your leg. It does seem quite old, and the metal is very pitted (same condition as when I received it).

So, if anyone can tell me if this is actually some kind of personal weapon carried by Zero pilots, and if so what it is called, that would be greatly appreciated. Furthermore, if that's not what it is, and anyone has any info about it, that would be wonderful as well. I would also like a general idea of what it might be worth (not that I'm even remotely planning on selling it).

Thanks in advance for your time. Here's the links to the pictures:

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/snowmanhanson/s01.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/snowmanhanson/s03.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/snowmanhanson/s02.jpg

Thanks again.

I apologize, I am new here and just found the knife collecting and identification forum. Perhaps a mod could move this thread there. Sorry again.
 
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Hello there!

A precious piece of personal history there!

Not really an expert but from its general shape, it does seem to resemble a Filipino talibong blade; a field tool yet with an inherent "weapon" design and always strapped around the waists of the rural folk.

Filipino_TALIBONG.18204532_std.jpg


187-iag28.jpg


It should be noted though that the terms or labels of blades/tools get used interchangeably since the point of reference was sometimes in terms of function rather than a specific design. Hence, one may say his blade maybe a talibong or pinuti yet a bit different in appearance than what would be the usual design. This blade design though is predominantly a staple of the Visayan and some parts of the Mindanao regions. Both regions are of the Southern Philippines.

Yes, the Igorots (lit. "mountain peoples") of the Cordillera Region of Northern Philippines (which include various tribes like the Ifugaos, Bontocs, Kankanaeys, Isnegs, Ibalois, etc.) were once feared head-hunters. However, their blades were generally shorter with rounder or wide-bellied tips (like the pinahig below. I have one just like it in my collection) -

6a00d8341f9d6353ef0120a4d62eca970b-800wi


So if I'm understanding your grandfather's story correctly, he took it off the body from a downed Zero form the Northern highlands, yet this was a Southern blade design. The Japanese pilot probably got it from somewhere down south then? :confused:

Again I'm just telling some very general facts about my country and not really a discerning expert. Not sure though about it monetary value as well.
 
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enderwiggin: That, I already knew.

cali & gbuskirk: Thank you very much for the info.

untamed: Wow! Thank you so much, that was very informative. The second picture you posted is the closest thing I've ever seen to what I have. The wood of the handle is quite compelling, as it is very similar to mine. When you say "field tool", I assume you're talking about cultivating, bushwhacking, and the sort? I will do some more research of my own now that I have a lead.

Thanks again for all the info.
 
WWII era Japanese pilots had the right to carry wakizashi short swords. This was because of the cramped space aboard military aircraft, which was also true for naval officers serving in smaller crafts and submarines. Typically, only Japanese Army officers carried a long sword into combat.

It may be an interesting story from your grandfather, but no self-respecting Imperial Japanese fighter pilot would have been caught dead with a native blade on his person, besides, the sword was not "tucked" into his belt while flying, but placed next to his leg. By the end of WWII and long before the Korean War, the dead would have already been looted of all valuables and buried by the natives.
 
fairly common pattern in phill.
either a golok or a barong
probably hand forged
if handle is dark with figure in grain,& if hard wood ,is probably monkey pod wood.
 
Yep, looks like most talibon I've seen in my admittedly limited Internet travels. Untamed's photos are not too unlike a modern Indonesian version I own:

Talibon20061003_sm.jpg
 
snowmanhanson said:
When you say "field tool", I assume you're talking about cultivating, bushwhacking, and the sort? I will do some more research of my own now that I have a lead.

Thanks again for all the info.
Click to expand...

Yer welcome! Glad to have helped a bit.

Yes, that sort. However, as with some Filipino designs I mentioned earlier, there is somehow an inherent "weapon design/potential" mixed into the design (you could see it somehow in its pistol-grip with a "tail" at the butt meant for retention and the arched belly of the cutting edge as well as its overall slimness making it fast in the hand). The talibong is one of them, I daresay a weapon somehow disguising itself as a tool.

Er, I have no right to doubt your grandpa's accounts (my own grandpa served under the USN in WW2). Like I said, its a Southern design but found in a wreck way uuuuuup North? CWL post (post #7) also gives one to think about.

Anyways, what you have now and the precious memory and history of loved one is more important. I think we can all agree on that :thumbup:
 
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It does look alot like a talibong IMO too, it also looks like it's been re-handled at some point as the angle
with the blade is off and that big brass pin looks out of place. The fit with the sheath looks to be out too.
 
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