Original Item: One Only. This is a very nice broad bladed "bolo knife" from the Moro people of the Philippines, with a fantastic carved horn handle and wooden scabbard. The collective term Moro people or Bangsamoro people refers to the 13 Islamized ethnolinguistic groups of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan. They had fought against the United States during the Philippine-American War of 1899 - 1902, in which the Moro tribe rebelled against American rule. The insurrection had been going on since the early 1890s, when the Spanish still claimed the Philippines as their Colony. However, after their defeat by the United States in the Spanish American War, the Philippine islands were ceded to the U.S.. Most of the Moro tribe actually continued the struggle until their final defeat in 1913.

During WWII, The Moros fought against the Japanese occupation of Mindanao and Sulu during World War II and eventually drove them out. Also when the Japanese occupied the northern Borneo area, they also helped their relatives there in a struggle to fight off the Japanese where many of them, including women and children, were massacred after their revolt with the Chinese had been foiled by the Japanese.

When the U.S. defeated Japan and the Philippines were freed, many U.S. serviceman brought back mementos from the Islands, which sadly had suffered large losses of life due to Japanese occupation.

This bolo knife is fairly classic in style, though it definitely shows western influences, as the earlier "bolo" knives were much thinner and more like knives found elsewhere in the South Pacific in design. This example dates to the late 19th century period, and has a 9 inch blade, with an overall length of 14 inches. The blade is 2 1/8 inches wide at its widest point, and is quite heavy, perfect for chopping through foliage, as well as enemies. The grip is made from a single animal horn, with the tang of the blade pressed in directly and most likely glued in place with plant resin. The end of the pommel is open, though it may have had a cover at one point.

It comes contained in the original wood scabbard, which is fitted with sheet nickel alloy at the top and bottom, and also has three bands securing the two halves of the wooden body together. The top throat fitting is made from carved horn, as is the small belt loop fitting on the back.

Please See Stone's Glossary page 390 to see various styles of these Philippine Moro Swords.

Very interesting and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9"
Blade Style: "Bolo" machete with a "Fat" belly
Overall length: 14“
Scabbard Length: 9 1/2"