Maranao Punal Gunong dagger

The ‘Gunong’ or ‘Punal’ is a type of dagger mainly found among the muslim Maranao people on Mindanao, Southern Philippines. A type of dagger used for stabbing and cutting. They come in two main forms; straight bladed or curved like a keris. They vary in size and materials, often to implicate rank or social status. Large examples were more expensive and were often carried by local chieftains (Datu) or by decorated and experienced warriors. Lengths of these ‘Gunong’ vary from ca. ten centimeters up to sixty centimeters or more.

This example:
A very large example, probably made for a ‘Datu’ with a nice wooden hilt and copper fittings decorated with a floral filigree pattern. The guard is made of brass with a chiseled decor of foliage. The blade is well forged and truly functional and shows a segmented construction similar to the ‘Kalis’ or keris. The mid section has a medial ridge with a tapering cutting edge. The entire blade is double edged which widened at the base and narrows down to a long stretched straight tip.
The scabbard consists of two wooden slabs which are covered in brass and copper embossed with floral motifs and a very stylistic locket to attach the dagger to ones cloths.