Original Items: Only One Available. This is a fantastic example of a Filipino Gunong style dagger that was sent home as a souvenir to the wife of Radio Technician 1st Class Frank Emile Olschner, of the United States Coast Guard Cutter Ingham (WHEC-35). She was the most decorated vessel in the Coast Guard fleet and was the only cutter to ever be awarded two Presidential Unit Citations. Ingham was the last active warship in the US fleet with a U-Boat kill. There is a fantastic pair of 1945 dated letters from Frank to his wife, one of which explains how he came across and obtained the knife.

The following are excerpts from the letter:

“You said in one of your letters that a Jap gun would be a nice souvenir, to me it would be something to get in the way and gather dust. I have seen some of the nice bolo knives in hand made cases, these knives had nice handles, the natives will trade them for two mattress covers, they don’t want us to trade clothes. I will make no further comment at this time on the trading business, however I will have more to say on my return. The last place we were the natives would come out in bum-boats and try to trade with us, some of the natives had pearls, or mother of pearls which was very reasonable when it came to bartering clothes, however when money became the medium exchange the price was pretty stiff.”

While the letter was typed, it is very difficult to understand in certain spots due to grammar mistakes. The last paragraph he states that “I am rather tired tonight and this letter looks like one written by a high school kid..” The main aspects of the letter are easy to understand and the point of the letter can be easily “extracted” while reading.

The gunong is a knife from Mindanao and the Visayas islands of the Philippines. In the ancient past, it was called bunong by the Tagalog people. It is essentially a diminutive form of the larger kalis or kris. The gunong serves both as a utility knife and as a thrusting weapon used for close quarter fighting—usually as a last defense. It is most often associated with the Maranao, among whom the gunong was traditionally carried by both sexes, although it exists in other cultures throughout Mindanao and the Visayas. The weapon is generally tucked into the back of a waist sash.

The gunong is one of many bladed weapons portrayed in the "Weapons of Moroland" plaque that has become a common souvenir item and pop culture icon in the Philippines. It is also known as punyal (also known as puñal de kris or kris knife) among Visayans and the Yakan people; and badao among the Lumad people (which also applies to the balarao daggers).

As with its larger relative, the kris or kalis, gunong can be either straight or wavy-bladed like this example. The blade may be single or double-edged and broadens towards the hilt to protect the bearer's fingers. The sheath and the handle can be made from either wood or metal. The style of the hilt can be used to differentiate modern pieces from those made before the American occupation. This example is double edged with a wood and brass scabbard.

This is a wonderful example and shows signs of use with surface oxidation giving it a nice aged brown color. There are a few nicks in the blade but it is in overall great condition.

This example is not a modern tourist item, it is the real thing dating from the 19th to early 20th century. Many of these were brought home from the South East Pacific after WWII.

A very nice example of the legendary Gunong dagger, ready to display!

USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35)
USCGC Ingham (WPG/WAGC/WHEC-35) is one of only two preserved Treasury-class United States Coast Guard Cutters. Originally Samuel D. Ingham, she was the fourth cutter to be named for Treasury Secretary Samuel D. Ingham. She was the most decorated vessel in the Coast Guard fleet and was the only cutter to ever be awarded two Presidential Unit Citations.

Ingham was built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The Treasury Department awarded her contract on 30 January 1934. Her keel was laid on 1 May 1935, and she was launched on 3 June 1936, along with her sisters USCGC William J. Duane (WPG-33), USCGC Taney (WHEC-37) and the USCGC George W. Campbell (WPG-32). Ingham was christened by Ms. Katherine Ingham Brush on that date and the new cutter was formally commissioned on 12 September 1936.

Ingham served with distinction during World War II on convoy duty. Protecting ships ferrying vital supplies to Britain, Ingham battled stormy weather, German U-boats, and enemy aircraft. On 15 December 1942, during one crossing, Ingham engaged and sank the enemy submarine U-626. After 1944, Ingham served as an amphibious flagship and she would later take part in three campaigns in the Pacific Theater. Ingham was the last active warship in the US fleet with a U-Boat kill.