NEWLY AQUIRED BARONG

[Royston]

Just bought this at a local antiques fair.
Looks like a real fighter. It is very sharp.
Tempered edge is apparent and I think the blade may be laminated but an etch will have to wait for a month as I am just off back to work.

65 cm ( 25 inches ) long overall

Blade is 49 cm ( 19 inches ) long and 6mm thick at the spine.
It is also slightly hollow ground which I have not seen before.

No scabbard unfortunately.

Near the hilt is a small decoration on the blade that I first mistook for a crack.

Any suggestions as to date and place of origin would be appreciated.

Thanks
Roy

[kai]

Hello Roy,

The blade seems to have a raised ridge along the edge - that would make it a shandigan barung. The blade could well be 19th c.; the pommel is from the first quarter of the 20th c. IMHO.

Regards,
Kai

[Battara]

I agree with you Kai. There might be the slight possibility that the piece is Samal, but the pommel looks more like 1st quarter of 20c.

[Royston]

Thank you Gentlemen

Roy