Old machete

[Eustace]

Today brought me an old machete to clean and sheath. The man also wanted a new handle, but I dissuaded him - the original is made of horn in pretty good condition.
After a little cleaning, a stamp was found - EL LIBERTADOR SIMON BOLIVAR. The information on the net about the brand is scarce - possibly German production.
The story is the most interesting. The man claims that machete is from his grandfather, who during the Second World War served in the Bulgarian occupation troops in Greece and brought it from there.
So is there any connection with any army or is it an accidental find of the grandfather?
I couldn't take a good picture of the marking. Tomorrow, after I clean it, I'll try again.

[TPK]

Hello Georgi,

Maybe you have already found this, maybe not. Looks like the one you have.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... any-no-721

[Eustace]

Hello Georgi,

Maybe you have already found this, maybe not. Looks like the one you have.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... any-no-721

Thanks Tom! Yes, I saw that. Unfortunately, it does not provide much information about the manufacturer or dating.

[knife7knut]

Georgi: It sounds like it might be from South America.Haven't seen that stamp before but I will see if I can find anything on it. Hope all is well with you my friend!

[Eustace]

Georgi: It sounds like it might be from South America.Haven't seen that stamp before but I will see if I can find anything on it. Hope all is well with you my friend!

Thanks, Ray! I hope everything is fine with you too!

A few photos after cleaning and repairing the handle. The question may seem silly, but is it possible that the handle is not a horn but a celluloid?

[knife7knut]

Georgi: It sounds like it might be from South America.Haven't seen that stamp before but I will see if I can find anything on it. Hope all is well with you my friend!

Thanks, Ray! I hope everything is fine with you too!

A few photos after cleaning and repairing the handle. The question may seem silly, but is it possible that the handle is not a horn but a celluloid?

That last picture of the butt end tells me that it is horn. Usually the easiest way to tell if it is horn is to examine it under a loupe of about 10x.Horn is basically solidified hair and it will exhibit long parallel lines running the length of the handle and the end will sometimes look like the core of bone or antler. Although I discourage hot pin testing of any kind ,if you choose to do that it will give off the smell of burning hair. If I had to guess I would say it was cow horn.

[Eustace]

Georgi: It sounds like it might be from South America.Haven't seen that stamp before but I will see if I can find anything on it. Hope all is well with you my friend!

Thanks, Ray! I hope everything is fine with you too!

A few photos after cleaning and repairing the handle. The question may seem silly, but is it possible that the handle is not a horn but a celluloid?

That last picture of the butt end tells me that it is horn. Usually the easiest way to tell if it is horn is to examine it under a loupe of about 10x.Horn is basically solidified hair and it will exhibit long parallel lines running the length of the handle and the end will sometimes look like the core of bone or antler. Although I discourage hot pin testing of any kind ,if you choose to do that it will give off the smell of burning hair. If I had to guess I would say it was cow horn.

I also think it is a horn, but a person with a lot of experience in the Bulgarian forum claims that it can be celluloid. I haven't seen an old celluloid, I haven't worked with one, and I don't know what the resemblance to horns is.

[knife7knut]

I also think it is a horn, but a person with a lot of experience in the Bulgarian forum claims that it can be celluloid. I haven't seen an old celluloid, I haven't worked with one, and I don't know what the resemblance to horns is.

Again I would refer to the last picture.The lines are clearly visible.Not straight but parallel to each other. One easy way to tell: rub the surface briskly with a dry cloth. Celluloid will give off a very distinct odor whereas horn usually will not. Do not rub too hard though because if it were celluloid it might flare up.Just my opinion my friend.

[edge213]

Looks like horn to me also.