Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice curved short knife from the Philippines, as used by the Moro people. 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.

The knife is in wonderful condition and is complete with the original wood scabbard. The scabbard is held together with braided reeds as in the traditional manor. The knife featured was brought home by a soldier who was on Leyte. The scabbard and pommel is engraved with LEYTE P.I. in multiple areas, with what appears to be specific locations and names of soldiers, though they are difficult to make out.

A lovely, worn example that comes more than ready for further research and display.