Go on... show us your Barung!!!

[Spunjer]

i thought Andy Stevens thread regarding choora was most excellent, so i decided to create this one, in honor of the Barung. it would be fun to see the different barungs from everyone's collection. as we know, the variance between barungs are subtle, compared to the kris, but each one is individually unique and an art to its own. so here's a few from last year's family picture. the gasahs were added as props...
A) warrior's barung, with an unusual, fully intact carabao's horn ferrule
B) shandigan blade, with bold pile lamination pattern
C) from the Sama people, with a zulfikar engraved close to the handle
D) my first junggayan pommeled barung
E) kamagong with ivory inlays datu barung
F) big, chunky ivory hilted with gold ferrule barung
G) most excellent carved junggayan hilt with naga inlays on the blade
H) a junggayan handle barung, very chunky in design with shorter than usual ferrule compensated with a longer than average blade
I) chased ferruled barung with double edged blade
J) my very first barung, just an every day variation
K) an older piece, with a chopmark stamp on the blade
L) a real thick shandigan blade, with an unusual handle design

[A.alnakkas]

Wow very beautiful mate! Too bad I have non to share :-)

[Battara]

Ah what the heck! I don't have as many but I have 3:

top: fossil mastodon pommel and silver sleeve

middle: ivory pommel with silver sleeve and swassa ferrule

bottom: wood with ivory inlay pommel, silver braided and chased, brass sleeve

[Stan S.]

Wow! Just wow!

[paolo]

I have only two. The first is Sulu, the second one was brought at the battle of Bud Dajo.
Paolo

[ariel]

I always thought that handles with the carved box-like "beak" of the kakatua pommel appeared in the 1930s. At least, that's what I read here from the Moro gurus. If so, the inscription dated 1907 might be a little suspect. Am I totally wrong?

[Spunjer]

jose, always loved your ivory pieces! rare indeed, that fossilized handle you have! when i grow up, i'd love to own one like that!!!
@paolo two excellent pieces you have! the silver covered handle is incredible!
@ariel, regarding the appendage: that's what cato proposed, among other things, but more and more, there are plenty that have the same appendages with strong provenance dating back at the turn of the century.
added couple pictures. the barung below was brought back around 1900-1901 by Webb Hayes (the tip broke off, but you could still see it). on the second pic, please note the two gentlemen at the back, second and third from the right (or is it left, lol). second seated from the left is Datu Unga, Tausug warrior extraordinaire. hard to see, but i can assure you his barung has the same appendage. picure was taken early 1900's.
what concerns me more about paolo's other barung is the date given. 1st battle of Bud Dajo was March 5-8, 1906, while the second one was in 1911. on the first battle, i could see someone getting confused with the days, but how can anyone forget the year? :shrug:

[VVV]

Here are my favorites.

Michael

[Spunjer]

Yowza! on the first one, have you ever thought about re-seating the blade? love the simple, yet elegant lines on that bottom piece! i've never seen that big, chunky ivory handled one! thanks for sharing

[Sajen]

Hello,

by all this beautiful examples I am almost a little bit shamed to show my two simple barung. The smaller one with not original sheat (is it matching?). Both are Samal in my humble opinion.

Regards,

Detlef

[David]

OK, you guys are all giving me Barung envy. It's the one type of blade that i truly want, but have yet to find the right example for me. Some real unusual examples here. Just beautiful.... :)

[Spunjer]

sajen, nothing wrong with your examples! thanks for posting them. i wish everyone would post their barungs, even the WW2 ones, not just the blingy ones!!!

[Sajen]

sajen, nothing wrong with your examples! thanks for posting them. i wish everyone would post their barungs, even the WW2 ones, not just the blingy ones!!!

Thank you for your kind words! :)
Do you think that the sheath is matching with the barung from style?

Regards,

Detlef

[Rick]

Nt ....

[Spunjer]

i can't tell you either way, sajen... if you refer back to the picture of the datus above, you will notice that the one standing on the far left appears to have a similar type handle like the one that you have. he's most likely Tausug..
rick, the smaller one: is it the one with with buckshots (or something like that) stuffed in the ferrule??? thanks for posting..

[KuKulzA28]

sajen, nothing wrong with your examples! thanks for posting them. i wish everyone would post their barungs, even the WW2 ones, not just the blingy ones!!!

even none blingy ones welcome eh? Well, here goes. :shrug:

[migueldiaz]

here's most of my barungs in my humble collection ...

[kino]

An excellent gathering guys. Love those silver hilted examples.
Here are some of mine.

[Nathaniel]

Fantastic Post, Beautiful blades!

[Royston]

Three simple ones. Old photos, they are much cleaner now.

Roy

[Loedjoe]

Here are a few more. (Sajen - 'simple' barung are just as beautiful)

[Sajen]

OMG, so beautiful examples, thank you all for sharing. Loedjoe thank you for your kind words! :)

Here pictures from the lamination of my bigger barong.

[Spunjer]

wow, excellent barungs! loedjoe, welcome to the forum, and thanks for posting your pieces. you should post more often ;)
sajen, that's one heck of a lamination you got!!!

please keep it coming, guys!!!

[Ferguson]

I only have one nice one.
Steve

[Spunjer]

thanks, ferguson! that's a beautiful junggayan. my question is: does the peg on the repaired part goes all the way? first time i've seen it repaired like that...

[Ferguson]

thanks, ferguson! that's a beautiful junggayan. my question is: does the peg on the repaired part goes all the way? first time i've seen it repaired like that...

No, I think it just repairs a bad spot in the wood. Not sure how deep it is.
Thanks,
Steve

[trenchwarfare]

Awesome blades guys. Does this one count? :p Only "Barung", I have. Could have been done by a native, or GI. Or could've been done by a Japanese. They were on some of the islands for so long, some of them, "Went native".

[Rick]

Nice temper line .

[ThePepperSkull]

Very nice, trenchwarfare! I love cross-cultural pieces. They're always very inventive.

[Maurice]

thanks, ferguson! that's a beautiful junggayan. my question is: does the peg on the repaired part goes all the way? first time i've seen it repaired like that...
Ron, for years ago I had a pira with a similar peg like ferguson's barungpommel.
That peg went all the way.

Maurice

[trenchwarfare]

These pieces make want to get back into ethnographic blades. I too, like the marriage of the barung hilt, to the tanto blade. I once saw a katana, that was re-hilted in Africa, with a decorated scabbard. Would love to know the story behind that one.

[ThePepperSkull]

A recently acquired Samal (Or is it Yakan?) piece. Massive 46cm blade (18 in), silver punto, silver hilt wrapping.

Anyone have any other examples of this type of hilt weaving on a Barung?

[Battara]

I was watching this one. Congratulations. Nice piece and although I have seen this type of weaving before on a barong, usually it is in brass and not silver. Extensive silver.

[Nathaniel]

Wow, Amazing Thread, Amazing Pieces, Guys! Thanks for sharing!

[kino]

I found this ~3 weeks ago. Just had the opportunity to photograph it.
Blade length is 19.5"
The Barung with the lighter background belongs to a friend. Apologies for the poor image. I took a photo of a paper photograph.

Unlike Battara, all I've seen with wire wraps in this fashion were silver.

[Sajen]

Just bought this WWII area barong because something appealed my eyes by this one.

[LakanPating]

My Samal barung...

[Timo Nieminen]

Here are my barong beyond the 2 in http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15389.

#3 is 565g, about 6mm thick near the hilt. Cuts very nicely. The grip is wrapped in cord (hemp?), going over part of the metal fittings. What sins might it hide?

#4 is 610g, about 6.5mm thick near the hilt. Blade has broad fuller (or should I call it hollow-forged?). Seems like a very heavy hilt. Just cleaned this yesterday; it was a little dirty when I got it (very recently).

The scabbard is in poor shape, with lots of splits in the wood along the grain, and the two halves mostly separate. But nothing missing, so just the kind of thing that would be "traditionally" fixed by wrapping with black electrical tape. A less Western solution would be rattan or hemp cord. Would need to lacquer (or some suitable glue). Is there any traditional of fabric wrapping?

Is #5 a barong? The blade has an asymmetric profile - the left side is flat, and the right side is convex. The blade is thin; just over 5mm at the hilt, but within a few centimetres, it thins to about 4.5mm.

[kai]

Congrats, Timo - interesting acquisitions!

I'd posit that all warrant etching and close-ups posted in seperate, dedicated threads.

#3 is 565g, about 6mm thick near the hilt. Cuts very nicely. The grip is wrapped in cord (hemp?), going over part of the metal fittings. What sins might it hide?
Is that cord or fabric? Cord wrappings over the silver sleeve a very common to enhance the grip. Looks like a good, antique warrior piece to me and close-ups may tell wether any work needs to be done.

#4 is 610g, about 6.5mm thick near the hilt. Blade has broad fuller (or should I call it hollow-forged?). Seems like a very heavy hilt. Just cleaned this yesterday; it was a little dirty when I got it (very recently).
That's a shandigan blade (the wear may indicate quite a bit of age). Neat scabbard and hilt - I like it!

The scabbard is in poor shape, with lots of splits in the wood along the grain, and the two halves mostly separate. But nothing missing, so just the kind of thing that would be "traditionally" fixed by wrapping with black electrical tape. A less Western solution would be rattan or hemp cord. Would need to lacquer (or some suitable glue). Is there any traditional of fabric wrapping?
Rattan would be the way to go if really needed. Any wooden pins remaining or traces of these? A careful restoration should help to preserve this scabbard.

Is #5 a barong? The blade has an asymmetric profile - the left side is flat, and the right side is convex. The blade is thin; just over 5mm at the hilt, but within a few centimetres, it thins to about 4.5mm.
No. Visayan and looks pretty recent (post WW2).

Regards,
Kai

[Timo Nieminen]

Is that cord or fabric? Cord wrappings over the silver sleeve a very common to enhance the grip. Looks like a good, antique warrior piece to me and close-ups may tell wether any work needs to be done.


Cord. The cord has something gluey slathered over it; also the blade end of the hilt has the same "glue". Looks (and feels) like dirty grey-brown PVA glue.


Rattan would be the way to go if really needed. Any wooden pins remaining or traces of these? A careful restoration should help to preserve this scabbard.


It needs something, at least at the throat, since there are 6 long splits in the wood along the grain, about 1/3 - 1/2 of the length of the scabbard. The back (i.e., the part where the back of the blade sits) is the worst. Tight strapping, especially with glue/lacquer will hold it.

I can't see any pins, wooden or metal, just two pieces of wood. Hidden pins? Considering that the two halves are separate along most of the blade edge, and a past modern regluing attempt has come loose, it would be good glue holding the ends of the scabbard together with no pins at all. But I can't see any.


No. Visayan and looks pretty recent (post WW2).


It clearly isn't a Moro barong. But as a taxonomic question: when is a barong-like thing a barong, and when is it not a barong?

[Spunjer]

the Barung is indigenous to the people of the Sulu Sultanate. it has a distinct blade and handle. there are blades in the visayan region that has a somewhat similar profile, but they are referred as something else, depending on what island they were originally from.

[migueldiaz]

thanks ron for the comment. just to add to that, the leaf-shaped blade profile can also be found in northern philippines, for instance in northern luzon (see att. pic). in there, it's called a buneng, which is their generic term for a utility blade.

[Sajen]

This one will come to my collection soon: http://www.ebay.com/itm/251239550702?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Will post pictures when I have received it and have worked on it.

Have someone seen a barong before with a copper ferrule?

Regards,

Detlef

[Battara]

Interesting piece. Nice to have it complete instead of broken off pieces.

Copper ferrule........well anything is possible since I have seen brass, white metal, silver, and even the rare gold versions. Copper - not until now.

[Sajen]

The unbroken handle and the very good price was the reason why I bought it. I am curious to hold it in my hands to see which metal the the ferrule is worked from.

Regards,

Detlef

[Spunjer]

Will post pictures when I have received it and have worked on it. Have someone seen a barong before with a copper ferrule? Regards, Detlef

Hello Detlef,
nice barung, you got there! and a good price as well.
not the initial choice of ferrule material, but yes, copper has been used from time to time.
would love to see that barung all cleaned up!

here's another example:

[Sajen]

Thank you Ron for both, your kind words and for posting this example with copper ferrule. Like said before, will post pictures again when I have received it and worked on it. Will clean & etch the blade and will give the wooden handle oil as well I will polish the copper.

Regards,

Detlef

[Sajen]

Have received the barong. There is unfortunately a small piece at the crest of the handle missing. The resin was broken out and replaced by exposy. The ferrule isn't from copper but from brass, maybe with a high copper content. The blade I have cleaned but there have been old grinding traces which I don't was able to polish away. The etching with vinegar wasn't succsessful but it is still a nice piece.

[kronckew]

nice aunt-eeks!

all i have are these recent ones.

[Timo Nieminen]

Here are my barong at this time. (1-4 have been shown before; #3 & #4 are just upthread.) Individual photos, measurements, and comments for each are in http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19144

#14 and #15 are modern, #10 & #13 are decorated blades, #6 is touristy.

[Gavin Nugent]

Here are my lonely Barong. The one in the image provided, I have always wondered if it is Borneo.

My other from the Sulu region with a triple core twist blade is seen here;
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16592&highlight=santa+christmas

One of the best ones I had that I enjoyed very much is now with Charles;
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18413&highlight=silver+barong

Gavin

[Maurice]

Here are my lonely Barong. The one in the image provided, I have always wondered if it is Borneo.

My other from the Sulu region with a triple core twist blade is seen here;
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16592&highlight=santa+christmas

One of the best ones I had that I enjoyed very much is now with Charles;
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18413&highlight=silver+barong

Gavin

Hi Gav,

These types are for sure my favorite.
Yours is in perfect condition.
I think Borneo is a very good option, and I would say it is.

Kind regards,
Maurice

[xasterix]

I liked this thread a lot when I was starting my steel-collecting journey, so I'm necro-ing it. Here's my favorite so far.

[kronckew]

I've added one since my last post on this thread:

[Battara]

I liked this thread a lot when I was starting my steel-collecting journey, so I'm necro-ing it. Here's my favorite so far.
Nice shadrigan blade!

[ariel]

Burst of activity in January 2012, them self-extinguishing dribbling up to 2014. Than silence until today. And... B-a-aahm! Another wave ( like covid).
I love how this Forum works: nothing is forgotten, new information is posted in bursts, and sometimes it changes the way we look at things.
It is like one of the main laws of Talmud: there is no before or after, our understanding may be interruptible, but always deeper and deeper.
Good job, colleagues!

[ariel]

I suspect that the so-called " low-end" examples were the real battle one. The ones with handles of exotic materiels and with artistically carved fragile handles likely never saw a real fight.

The Bud Dajo one is, IMHO, priceless. It carries with it an awesome story.
If I were collecting Philippine weapons I would have chosen it over the rich and intricate ones.

[kronckew]

Forget to add this one Mid-20th c. Zamboangan with simple Maranao hilt. Guess they couldn't be bothered to get the pommel protrusions carved.25in. LOA in scabbard, 15.75 in. (40cm.) blade, 2.75in. wide, 4mm thick at the spine, 675 grams.

[xasterix]

I suspect that the so-called " low-end" examples were the real battle one. The ones with handles of exotic materiels and with artistically carved fragile handles likely never saw a real fight.

The Bud Dajo one is, IMHO, priceless. It carries with it an awesome story.
If I were collecting Philippine weapons I would have chosen it over the rich and intricate ones.

That depends sir. There are lavishly dressed samples that have "wise" blades. The kris in my avatar has an ivory pommel and suassa hilt, but the blade has chips and is slightly bent, obviously used in battle. Conversely, there are also non-lavish samples that were never used, and are perfectly preserved.

[Jerseyman]

I only have a couple of these - a simple hilt with a nice twist-core blade which I picked up from Gavin years ago (currently in storage and no photos to hand), and this one picked up very recently. I've only had a chance to give it a quick wipe down so far.

It's had a bit of a hard life, but I thought it was worth posting as it has a poor man's version of the wire wrap on Pepperskull's barong - exactly the same I think except it's in cord which has frayed quite a bit.

A small area of corrosion on an otherwise nice hollow-ground blade, and an old collector's number on the hilt.


Measurements

Length 56cm
Hilt 15.5cm
Ferrule 17 x 3 x 2.4cm
Pommel 16.5 x 3.8cm
Finials 1 x 0.8cm
Blade length 40.5cm
Blade width 3 > 6.5cm
Spine 0.8 > 0.1cm

[xasterix]

I only have a couple of these - a simple hilt with a nice twist-core blade which I picked up from Gavin years ago (currently in storage and no photos to hand), and this one picked up very recently. I've only had a chance to give it a quick wipe down so far.

It's had a bit of a hard life, but I thought it was worth posting as it has a poor man's version of the wire wrap on Pepperskull's barong - exactly the same I think except it's in cord which has frayed quite a bit.

A small area of corrosion on an otherwise nice hollow-ground blade, and an old collector's number on the hilt.


Measurements

Length 56cm
Hilt 15.5cm
Ferrule 17 x 3 x 2.4cm
Pommel 16.5 x 3.8cm
Finials 1 x 0.8cm
Blade length 40.5cm
Blade width 3 > 6.5cm
Spine 0.8 > 0.1cm


A really nice piece! This one has a lot of character. I like how the original owner wrapped the whole hilt...I've wielded a very similar-looking sample, but its blade wasn't shandigan.

[drac2k]

I posted 2 barongs on the same day that this thread was begun not realizing that it was started, so let me add 3 of my other blades.

[xasterix]

I posted 2 barongs on the same day that this thread was begun not realizing that it was started, so let me add 3 of my other blades.

Merciful Lord...that's a king's ransom of really nice barungs! Great collection!

[kronckew]

Drac2k, nice batch of barungs, the scabbard wrappings on them are giving me ideas...

[drac2k]

Thanks, guys.

[Sajen]

Beautiful barongs drac2k!

Here a update of my ones, some are gone, some are new to the collection.

[drac2k]

WOW Sajen, pretty darn nice ones you got there yourself; and with scabbards!

[Sajen]

WOW Sajen, pretty darn nice ones you got there yourself; and with scabbards!

Thank you! :) But yours with the inlaid blades are outstanding.

The scabbards by the first one from left and the second from right are not original to the blades but fit them fairly well. The two at right are shadigan blades, not good to see in the pictures.

[xasterix]

Just received this barung last week, passed on by another forumite =) so difficult to get rid of the leaf-blade bug.

[kronckew]

Just received this barung last week, passed on by another forumite =) so difficult to get rid of the leaf-blade bug.

True, I have more barungs than I have hands to use them.

Is that dark streak in the scabbard a crack or a darker graining? A closeup of the carving near the scabbard mouth and of the grip pommel would be useful too. And, I have this odd desire to oil & rub my wood scabbards with furniture oil... Might do the Kris ones too.

:) I love the R'eyes' mark on the blade root...cool trademark. Mfg by M.Reyes I presume.

[xasterix]

True, I have more barungs than I have hands to use them.

Is that dark streak in the scabbard a crack or a darker graining? A closeup of the carving near the scabbard mouth and of the grip pommel would be useful too. And, I have this odd desire to oil & rub my wood scabbards with furniture oil... Might do the Kris ones too.

:) I love the R'eyes' mark on the blade root...cool trademark. Mfg by M.Reyes I presume.

Hi sir, it's a crack...the scabbard is damaged. I've included additional pictures.

[kronckew]

Nice, I'd be tempted to wick some superglue into the handle crack & possibly fill the scabbard defect with a wood putty or filler of some sort if you can do it without blocking the entrance of the blade, or possibly just wrap it in a few spots with rattan or other appropriate cord. But that's just me...

[Royston]

Here is my contribution

[kai]

Very nice collection, Roy!

[kronckew]

Very nice collection, Roy!
Yup, cool stuff. Excellent!

[Sajen]

Very nice collection, Roy!

Agree! :) :cool:

[xasterix]

Here is my contribution

Amazing collection! One of the best I've seen so far. May we inquire for more info regarding the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th samples? The 6th sample seems extra interesting as it has provenance note.

[Royston]

Hello Xasterix.
Can't tell you too much about them as I find Barung nomenclature somewhat confusing.
However, #5 is slightly hollow ground but it does not have a pronounced rib so I don't think it could be called shandigan.

The inscription on #6 is hard to read. I can only make out:-
From (somewhere) village
I cannot read the second line at all
Bought by Col Bird ?
April 4 1900

Cheers
Roy

[kronckew]

...
The inscription on #6 is hard to read. I can only make out:-
From (somewhere) village
I cannot read the second line at all
Bought by Col Bird ?
April 4 1900...

I enlarged it, and sharpened it a bit. I still can't make out anything on that second line. The rest would make a good example for a doctor's handwriting, it's so obscure. Maybe someone else can try?

[kino]

The inscription on #6 is hard to read. I can only make out:-
From (somewhere) village
I cannot read the second line at all
Bought by Col Bird ?
April 4 1900


(somewhere) could be “Moro”

2nd line, 1st word crossed out “Sul”, as in Sulu, 2nd word looks like “Island”
3rd word, the last 4 letters looks like”jolo”

[xasterix]

Adding another barung to the thread...partially restored, had to plug holes and cracks on the c-horn. I'll be restoring the blade to full functionality soon. Taking a mugshot before it's fully live again :)

[Ian]

I enlarged it, and sharpened it a bit. I still can't make out anything on that second line. The rest would make a good example for a doctor's handwriting, it's so obscure. Maybe someone else can try?Wayne, as a physician let me translate this early 20th C "doctor's handwriting." :rolleyes:

From Moro Village
the(?) Island of Jolo
Bought by Col Bird(?)
April 4 1900

[Ian]

Adding another barung to the thread...partially restored, had to plug holes and cracks on the c-horn. I'll be restoring the blade to full functionality soon. Taking a mugshot before it's fully live again :)Hi Xas. Very nice old barung. The hilt looks Yakan to me--would you agree?

[Battara]

I agree - Yakan

[xasterix]

Thanks for the assessment, Ian and Jose. I neglected to take a picture of the opposite side; here are post-restoration pics already. There's a Chinese chop-mark on that side. It supposedly translates as "to lead" or "leader," but further research is being done by a Chinese friend to confirm.

Because of the chop-mark I'd agree that it's Sulu archipelago, but not necessarily of Yakan make.

[Ian]

Xas,

Nice that it has a Chinese mark. The blade appears to have a nice laminated pattern with an inserted edge. Do you plan to etch it?

Ian.

[xasterix]

Xas,

Nice that it has a Chinese mark. The blade appears to have a nice laminated pattern with an inserted edge. Do you plan to etch it?

Ian.

Hi Ian, yup I've etched it. It's monosteel :)

[Indio_Ira]

Hello Everyone,

Brand new member here and thank you for approving my account!

I'm quite new to collecting so I appreciate everyone's knowledge here and input. Here is my Barong with silver hilt and ivory pommel.

The scabbard seems to have been made later than the blade since it has a 1937 US coin. It is held together by nickle bands.

Would love to hear any feedback on where this Barong originated from on from what year.

Thanks!

[kai]

Welcome to the forum!

More pics and specs of the blade would be good.

The hilt and scabbard are likely Maranao work from after WWII.

The blade might also be Maranao but difficult to tell from the limited pics.

Regards,
Kai

[kronckew]

Dimensions (length, width, thickness of blade and weight help too. Please show both sides of the blade/grip. and scabbard

Blades are often older than scabbards as they tended to drop their scabbards before a battle, and recover them after victory. If they lost, they didn't need it, the new owner could either get a new one made, or have a look to see where the previous owners dropped them & find one that fit. Even if the old owner won, he may have had a new one made if it were damaged or worn, or he wanted a more decorated one.

[pindang]

Hello everyone.

I’m new to the forum, this is my first post. I’ve been collecting barungs for a while, here are a few pics I’d like to share.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

[kai]

Welcome to the forum!

That's a neat collection for a start - especially the series of slender barung which all seem to hail from the first half of the 20th century.

The first looks like an antique blade in recent scabbard; some more pics would be good.

Do you know the maker of the last example?

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Also from me a welcome to the forum Pindang! :)

Nice collection of barungs. :cool:

Regards,
Detlef

[pindang]

Welcome to the forum!

That's a neat collection for a start - especially the series of slender barung which all seem to hail from the first half of the 20th century.

The first looks like an antique blade in recent scabbard; some more pics would be good.

Do you know the maker of the last example?

Regards,
Kai

Thank you. I’ll post more pics of the first example. Sorry, I don’t know who is the maker of the last piece.

[pindang]

Also from me a welcome to the forum Pindang! :)

Nice collection of barungs. :cool:

Regards,
Detlef

Thank you Sir!

[pindang]

Welcome to the forum!

That's a neat collection for a start - especially the series of slender barung which all seem to hail from the first half of the 20th century.

The first looks like an antique blade in recent scabbard; some more pics would be good.

Do you know the maker of the last example?

Regards,
Kai

Kai, here are a few more pics of the first barung.

[kai]

Thanks! Another nice example from the first half of the 20th century; the blade seems to be of above-average quality and could be an older, antique piece that got rehilted. The scabbard does seem to show some wear; it clearly exhibits modern craftsmanship though and will be a later replacement.


I don’t know who is the maker of the last piece.
This looks much more recent overall. What does the writing on the scabbard say?

Regards,
Kai

[pindang]

Thanks! Another nice example from the first half of the 20th century; the blade seems to be of above-average quality and could be an older, antique piece that got rehilted. The scabbard does seem to show some wear; it clearly exhibits modern craftsmanship though and will be a later replacement.



This looks much more recent overall. What does the writing on the scabbard say?

Regards,
Kai

Yes, I believe its the newest of the barungs i posted. its someones name and address written on the scabbard.

[kronckew]

I'm not overly fond of the coloured electricians tape wraps, it has a bad habit of degenerating and coming loose, and then the glue is weak and doesn't stick to the tape - but sticks aggressively to the wood, staining it & is difficult to remove. I'd remove it and wrap it with rattan, or even string, possibly in colours like the tape, if you like that effect.

[kronckew]

...
What does the writing on the scabbard say?
...
Kai
looks like the initials D.C. (or P.S.)

[pindang]

I'm not overly fond of the coloured electricians tape wraps, it has a bad habit of degenerating and coming loose, and then the glue is weak and doesn't stick to the tape - but sticks aggressively to the wood, staining it & is difficult to remove. I'd remove it and wrap it with rattan, or even string, possibly in colours like the tape, if you like that effect.

Thank you for the tips sir!

[xasterix]

Suddenly in love with this "new" barung...

[SanibelSwassa]

I believe both of these to be early 1900’s late 1800’s, but would love thoughts as to age. The 2nd is from David’s collection.

[Ian]

I would agree with your assessment, with perhaps greater emphasis on late 19th C than early 20th C. Both barung have kakatua hits that occurred in the 19th C, the second one being a junggayan hilt of that period. The second example is a very good barung.


Does the first example have a shandigan blade? It's hard to tell from the pictures.

[pindang]

Here are a few barungs from my collection.

[kronckew]

Here are a few barungs from my collection.


😀 You only have a few? You need more.

[pindang]

😀 You only have a few? You need more.

I agree sir! 😎😜😊

[Ian]

Pindang,

Wow. What a lovely selection of older barung! You said "a few" of your barung. Do you have more of these beauties?

By any chance, do you have pictures of them on a white or lighter background? If so, would you mind posting those? I would like to archive pictures of these (mainly) 19th C examples, and the dark background makes the hilts hard to see.

Congratulations on having such a fine collection of these beautiful blades.

Ian.

[pindang]

Pindang,

Wow. What a lovely selection of older barung! You said "a few" of your barung. Do you have more of these beauties?

By any chance, do you have pictures of them on a white or lighter background? If so, would you mind posting those? I would like to archive pictures of these (mainly) 19th C examples, and the dark background makes the hilts hard to see.

Congratulations on having such a fine collection of these beautiful blades.

Ian.

Ian,

Yes I have more!

I’ll try and take some pictures for you with a lighter back ground this week.

Have a great day!

[Indio_Ira]

Sorry all for the late reply on this.

But had to move across the coast and then work occupied my time.
Here's more photos and specs:

Blade length - 13 1/2inches
Thickness - 3/16
Hilt - close to 6 inches

Total length - 19 inches from tip of the blade and tip of the ivory hilt.

Perhaps that'll help to determine the provenance of it.

Thank you all!

[Battara]

This is a nice ivory Maranao barong. I did some restoration work on this. Glad it went to a loving owner!

[xasterix]

Among us Filipino collectors, it's Mr pindang that has the most barungs, I'm betting :) He has a plethora of them!

Here are my latest barungs...a Sama barung with some initials on the scabbard plate and well-preserved rattan ferrule. 16in blade, hollow ground edge.

Then a barung entrusted to me by Ian, probably the best among my barungs right now...20.75in blade with sandigan edge. Wields really well, but with a beastly momentum on every cut.

[Indio_Ira]

This is a nice ivory Maranao barong. I did some restoration work on this. Glad it went to a loving owner!

Thank you sir! I love this Barong. What restoration work did you do?

[Ian]

Xas,


You are accumulating quite a collection of barung! I'm pleased you like the shandigan blade. As you say, it is quite a beast and longer than most shandigan. Look forward to hearing how it cuts for you.

[kai]

Hello Jose,

This is a nice ivory Maranao barong. I did some restoration work on this.
Thanks for confirming! The blade is not easy to evaluate from the limited pics - do you think it also is Maranao or is it a recycled Sulu blade?

Regards,
Kai

[Indio_Ira]

Hello Jose,


Thanks for confirming! The blade is not easy to evaluate from the limited pics - do you think it also is Maranao or is it a recycled Sulu blade?

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,
Please let me know what other photographs does the forum need to better help identify my blade? I'll be more than happy to take them for everyone so it can be evaluated.

Thanks
Ira

[xasterix]

Hello Kai,
Please let me know what other photographs does the forum need to better help identify my blade? I'll be more than happy to take them for everyone so it can be evaluated.

Thanks
Ira

A full-length photograph with the weapon on one side (see mine) would be great :)

[kai]

Hello Ira,

Please let me know what other photographs does the forum need to better help identify my blade?
Your pic of the whole piece in post #88 is not bad - a larger pic of the blade would be great (the one in post #110 is taken at an angle): Make sure though to minimize effects of wide angle lenses, especially mobile phone lenses easily result in distorted lines. If available, try a tele lens and keeping the lens exactly vertical above the center of the blade; utilize only the middle of the pic for the part to be shown and later crop the high rez pic; try to keep as much size as well as resolution as possible! (The forum software now accepts quite large pics - more than is stated in the old rules...)

Both sides of the blade, please. And a view on the top (back of the blade) to see the distal taper would be kind. Sometimes a close-up of the base of the blade as well as closer to the tip reveals additional details.

BTW, Jose, did you try to etch this blade? Any laminations?

Barung blades are quite tough to evaluate from pics and handling them gives you much more data for any attribution. Thus, it would be great to hear Jose's thoughts on this blade, too!

Regards,
Kai

[Indio_Ira]

Thank you everyone for the guidance.

Here's some additional photos. Please let me know if you guys need more angles.

Once I get a better camera I'll use it when taking photos, for now I'm only using my iPhone.

Thanks
Ira

[Battara]

Regarding restoration, I made the ivory tail from scratch and the silver nail that helps keep it in place. Also I re-attached the middle ivory plug on top and refitted the blade and pommel.

Regarding attribution, this style of barong (and especially the okir) are Maranao. There are some other examples (which I would have to look up). It is true that the Maranao are not generally known for their barongs, I think this is a later development, like in the early 20th century. Is the blade Maranao or Sulu? - will have to look into that.

[Battara]

Here are some pre-restoration pictures of the pommel.

[kai]

Hello Jose,

Thanks for the resto details - well done!


Regarding attribution, this style of barong (and especially the okir) are Maranao. There are some other examples (which I would have to look up). It is true that the Maranao are not generally known for their barongs, I think this is a later development, like in the early 20th century. Is the blade Maranao or Sulu? - will have to look into that.
Any additional insight appreciated - especially pics of any relatively early examples!

The late 20th/21st century "barong" from Marawi seem quite aimed at the international collector's market including local antique and curio/souvenir shops (as is much of the other blade production as well).

These latter examples usually seem to come with blades resembling the Palawan version rather than traditional Sulu shapes. Given the diversity of antique Moro blades, it would be good to establish if there possibly were any indigeneous barung-like blades around in Maranao or Maguindanao cultures, too.

Regards,
Kai

[Indio_Ira]

Here are some pre-restoration pictures of the pommel.

Wow, thank you for sharing this! You did a great job with the restoration.

It was my first Barong so I am very happy with it.

[Ian]

Indio_Ira,

I think your blade is of Sulu manufacture but the dress is distinctly Maranao in the style of silverwork on the hilt and the composition of the scabbard. The Sulu origin of the blade can be deduced from the area of maximum width of the blade (shown by the rectangular outline on the attached picture), which less than halfway towards the tip. Blades from Palawan and Zamboanga have more distal areas of maximum width. The different geometries confer different handling characteristics.

Ian

[CharlesS]

These are my two latest...

[Indio_Ira]

These are my two latest...

Awesome pieces!! Specially the ivory ball pommel hilt.

What’s the provenance of the top Barong with a larger width blade?

[kino]

Charles, that faceted hilt is uncommon, very nice. What’s even better is the scabbard, amazing wood grain. What’s on the reverse side of the scabbard?

[CharlesS]

What’s the provenance of the top Barong with a larger width blade?

Generally when I see octagonal hilts and ferrules I think of Sulu, but I have also learned not to be to "rules" oriented when identifying a piece's origin.:)

[CharlesS]

Charles, that faceted hilt is uncommon, very nice. What’s even better is the scabbard, amazing wood grain. What’s on the reverse side of the scabbard?

I agree Kino. The reverse side is the same. I am travelling at the moment and will confirm that when I get home.

[CharlesS]

Awesome pieces!! Specially the ivory ball pommel hilt.

A ball pommel barong had been on my wish list for 20 years. I knew they existed, though quite rare. I even had trouble convincing some collectors that they did exist. This one, being with that hilt, is just that much more special. The balance and heft of the piece is amazing. It is very heavy. The scabbard is made for it, but is later to the barong.

Now there is one more style of ball pommel barong on my list...

[kai]

Hello Charles,

Congrats on 2 nice acquisitions!


A ball pommel barong had been on my wish list for 20 years. I knew they existed, though quite rare. I even had trouble convincing some collectors that they did exist. This one, being with that hilt, is just that much more special. The balance and heft of the piece is amazing. It is very heavy. The scabbard is made for it, but is later to the barong.
Certainly looks like quite a beast - what are the dimensions and weight?

I have no qualms about this blade originating from the 19th century; the scabbard certainly is a much later replacement (apparently of really nice quality though!).

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

These are my two latest...

Both are beautiful and very rare Charles, congrats! :):cool:

Regards,
Detlef

[kino]

A Barung that has a similar pommel construction to IndioIra’s. The dovetailed crest reminds me of a Torogan’s panolong

[Battara]

Kai that tail okir is Maranao.

Very nice.

[kino]

that tail okir is Maranao.

Makes sense, the Torogan that I'm referring to is in Maranao territory.

[chmorshuutz]

Not very fancy looking, but I like this one from Sulu.

[xasterix]

Not very fancy looking, but I like this one from Sulu.

A modern one, looks really good. Made by my friends from a Sulu outfit, I'm guessing.

[xasterix]

I found an old barung with missing pommel and scabbard. I decided to have it re-made by pandays and artisans from Patikul, Sulu. I'm pleased with the final product; it's the perfect melding of old + new craftmanship.

[Ian]

Lovely refit Xas. That is also a beautiful etch on the blade too.


A fully authentic Sulu barung, with modern fittings!

[xasterix]

Lovely refit Xas. That is also a beautiful etch on the blade too.


A fully authentic Sulu barung, with modern fittings!

Thanks very much Ian! Very difficult not to accumulate leaf-shaped blades...barungs are like relentlessly-growing leaves in a tree!

[kino]

Xas, what type of wood is the pommel carved from?

Echoing Ian's comment on the blades etching.

[xasterix]

Xas, what type of wood is the pommel carved from?

Echoing Ian's comment on the blades etching.

Hi Albert! It's the usual bunti / banati :)

[gp]

first time I read the title "Go on... show us your Barung!!! "....


my first thoughts where, where did a decent christian guy like me end up...?
between a bunch of perverts....
or ruffians....?

luckily I recognized a few names of decent lads and the pics shown were OK !:p

Question I have is :

what attracks you to a barong ?
why do you like it and what about it you like ?


FYI: I am from the Netherlands or Holland if you like and by tradition or better due to historical ties we do have a certain affinity with the kris.
Both peoples : Indonesian decent and also Dutch, us Cloggies thus :) like the kris
Not only as a cold weapon as such and the historical part, but also due to its mystical, spiritual nature.
Noticing that most of you do not have that personal and or historical tie with the barong country/ countries, I am curious what attracts you to it?
No disrespect nor offence intended ...

BR

Gunar

[Rick]

Hi, US here,
Have you forgotten the Philippine Revolution at the end of the Span-AM war? :)
IIRC America was quite involved in the Philippines during that time; and shortly thereafter in WWII.
Americans have those historical ties to the Islands. Three of my ancestors were there over that span of time; one died there somewhere in the wilds of Mindanao.

Fatal beauty.
A Barung is a very efficient tool for separating people from their limbs; they were used for that purpose back then. Some of the simple real antique ones have a certain feeling when you hold them, almost like they're old veterans that have stories to tell could we only hear them.

[Ian]

Gunar,

Rick has pointed to the historical connection between the US and the Philippines. The US had a lot of trouble with the Moros in the southern parts of the country after "inheriting" ownership of the islands in 1899. Not just the Moros, but with unhappy residents throughout the islands. However, the Moros were the most troublesome and conflicts continued for another 15 years or so. There was a respect for the Moros and their weapons. The barung was perhaps the most feared weapon as it was more easily concealed than the kris, and often used by juramentados for magsabil or "honor attacks" against the enemy.

Many Moro and other Philippine weapons have found their way to the US, often brought back by US servicemen who continued to be stationed in the Philippines after Philippine independence following WWII. The eruption of Mt Pinatubo in 1991 damaged Clark AFB and the neighboring Subic Bay Naval Base, and finally led to US military withdrawal from the islands.

Much like the Dutch experience in Indonesia, there remains an interest in things Filipino in the US, and of course we have a sizeable Filipino community living here.

As Rick noted too, the barung is of interest to collectors for its functional aspects. When wielding it, it is easy to feel the power that a blow from one of these blades would unleash, while some simple cutting tests reveal it to be an awesome weapon.

[Rick]

As Rick noted too, the barung is of interest to collectors for its functional aspects. When wielding it, it is easy to feel the power that a blow from one of these blades would unleash, while some simple cutting tests reveal it to be an awesome weapon.

Yes, I have a vintage photo of the loser of a fight which I will spare the membership from seeing, he looks like a doll that has been disassembled.

[Battara]

Long ago I almost used 1890 fighting barong (my first antique piece) in defending my wife and myself against someone who I thought would break down our door. Fortunately (for him) he did not come through. The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

[kronckew]

... The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.
I like your anecdote.


An anecdote from a US Officer during the Moro Rebellion, early 1900's told the tale of a Jurementado (Moro suicide assassin high on ganja) who surprised a patrol and cut a soldier in half with his sword after being shot with the guy's krag. The officer emptied his issue .38 into the Moro who finally succumbed withing inches of being able to kill him. The sword was not a Kris or kampilan, but a barung. After many close calls in that war, the US shifted away from the 9mm(.355in.) range of available weapons to the bigger .45 cal. ones, winding up with the colt model 1911 .45acp, which is still in service with those in the know, the bean counters who haven't read the history books prefer the 9mm, but the special forces choice is frequently the .45acp 1911. During the Moro thingy, many soldiers wrote their families and asked to have a .45 long colt revolver sent to them. During the recent brouhaha in the Middle East many soldiers wrote home to have their families send them a .45acp 1911.


My Visayan barung (bottom, post 49 above) also lives on a wardrobe shelf near the bedroom door, justincase. When I lived in the states a 1911 was closer. Not allowed to have one here in the UK, so I make do with the next best thing, a sharp pointy.

[Rick]

JUNGLE PATROL by Vic Hurley is full of anecdotes from that era. It's about the Philippine Constabulary. Last published in 1938 I believe.

[kino]

Hi Albert! It's the usual bunti / banati :)

Thanks Xas. I had a feeling it was but wasn’t sure.

[gp]

thnx a lot for all your replies!

I knew about the US' involvement in WWII but not so much before that period.

Nevertheless these stories make it more interesting and give " life" to the barong. That is for me

[gp]

Long ago I almost used 1890 fighting barong (my first antique piece) in defending my wife and myself against someone who I thought would break down our door. Fortunately (for him) he did not come through. The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

better be kind to your wife then...:)

[kronckew]

thnx a lot for all your replies!

I knew about the US' involvement in WWII but not so much before that period.

Nevertheless these stories make it more interesting and give " life" to the barong. That is for me


Watch n'The Real Glory' 1939 -Gary Cooper, available on Amazon Prime Video in the USA or on DailyMotion (https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2e5h32)



Read up on Pershing and the Moro 'insurrection' which had been going on whhen the spanish were there, and continued when the USA took over. About half the Datu & tribes were pro-USA & fought the other half with us.



Not our finest hour. Pershing stopped the insurrection by killing everyone who rebelled, men, women, children, livestock, and bvurning their villages. It was a brutal war.

[xasterix]

Sharing a recent acquisition from a retired Yakan military personnel in Basilan. 70s Yakan barung and matching sundang.

[kai]

Hi Xas,

70s Yakan barung and matching sundang.
I hope you don't mind me asking - what is the difference? :)

Given that modern makers seem to allow for quite a bit of room regarding shapes and flow of lines, I'd be inclined to tag both as (modern) barung blades...

Regards,
Kai

[xasterix]

Hi Xas,


I hope you don't mind me asking - what is the difference? :)

Given that modern makers seem to allow for quite a bit of room regarding shapes and flow of lines, I'd be inclined to tag both as (modern) barung blades...

Regards,
Kai

Hi Kai,

If you look closely, the blade profile is different than that of a fighting blade. The bottom one is used for utility :) That blade is called "manuk-manuk" or simply "sundang" among the Yakan. Very useful in the farm or jungle.

[Ian]

Watch n'The Real Glory' 1939 -Gary Cooper, available on Amazon Prime Video in the USA or on DailyMotion (https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2e5h32)

Read up on Pershing and the Moro 'insurrection' which had been going on whhen the spanish were there, and continued when the USA took over. About half the Datu & tribes were pro-USA & fought the other half with us.

Not our finest hour. Pershing stopped the insurrection by killing everyone who rebelled, men, women, children, livestock, and bvurning their villages. It was a brutal war.Wayne, I think you will find that Pershing was involved mainly with incidents on Mindanao, and specifically in the area around Lake Lanao occupied by the Maranao groups. His activities were over a relatively short period, perhaps 3–4 years if I recall correctly. The worst treatment of the Moros at the hands of the U.S. was on Jolo, and Pershing was involved with one of the last of those battles, while others occurred before his time in the Philippines. Pershing was tough and methodical in battle. In the battle at Bud Bagsak in 1913, the Moros and their families had withdrawn into their fort that was then shelled by artillery. Most Moros died during the bombardment, including women and children. Many of the women were also combatants according to contemporary accounts. It was a decisive U.S. victory but not the last conflict.

[Battara]

Here are my 4 barongs:

[Rick]

I don't think things 'were pacified' with the Muslim tribes in the southern Philippines until the mid-late thirties pre-war with the advent of Japanese invasion.
The sporadic violence still continues to this day.
An acquaintance of mine's son was murdered on a diving trip in the area a couple of years ago. :eek:

[ariel]

Couple of months ago there were 3 barungs offered by a respectable auction house. Two were very handsome, and went for ~$1,500 ( as far as I remember).
The third one was very simple and even had no scabbard. But it has a yellowed paper glued to the blade with genuinely old inscription:

" Barong of the savage Moro. Taken from the Mag sabil devil Mahamet by Scout at Parang (a town on the main island of Sulu)and given to Sgt. Brewster, 1907".

Nobody bid on it, even though its expected price was $1,000 and starting price much lower.

Well, some people collect esthetically pleasing pieces. And that's fine. But I kind of cannot understand why would they pass on a true piece of history....


I sent the address to Ian: I am not good manipulating images; hopefully he can give us an idea of what a true killing barung looked like.

[ariel]

I don't think things 'were pacified' with the Muslim tribes in the southern Philippines until the mid-late thirties pre-war with the advent of Japanese invasion.
The sporadic violence still continues to this day.
An acquaintance of mine's son was murdered on a diving trip in the area a couple of years ago. :eek:

Years ago I saw a TV program dealing with the situation in Moro lands. Political violence was still in full blast. It was led by Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF), Abu Sayyaf Group and Bangsamoro Liberation Front with ~12,000 fighters. We are not talking about isolated incidents. Many Moros joined ISIS.


And they apparently won: in 2014 they signed a peace agreement with the central government and their elected government is planned to be established in 2022.

What social/political course will it take is still unknown, but a big cause for concern for the entire SE Asia.

[Ian]

Couple of months ago there were 3 barungs offered by a respectable auction house. Two were very handsome, and went for ~$1,500 ( as far as I remember).
The third one was very simple and even had no scabbard. But it has a yellowed paper glued to the blade with genuinely old inscription:

"Barong of the savage Moro. Taken from the Mag sabil devil Mahamet by Scout at Parang (a town on the main island of Sulu) and given to Sgt. Brewster, 1907".

Nobody bid on it, even though its expected price was $1,000 and starting price much lower.

Well, some people collect aesthetically pleasing pieces. And that's fine. But I kind of cannot understand why would they pass on a true piece of history....

I sent the address to Ian: I am not good manipulating images; hopefully he can give us an idea of what a true killing barung looked like.The barung to which Ariel refers has subsequently been sold by the auction house (no price indicated). Here are pictures of this handsome 19th C. weapon that likely killed at least a few Americans and their Filipino allies.

The blade is approximat4ly 18.5 inches in length, which was fairly long for the period. It is clearly a cutting and a stabbing weapon. The hilt has a minimal kakatua pommel that is found on many fighting barung.

.

[ariel]

Thanks Ian!

[Ian]

Years ago I saw a TV program dealing with the situation in Moro lands. Political violence was still in full blast. It was led by Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF), Abu Sayyaf Group and Bangsamoro Liberation Front with ~12,000 fighters. We are not talking about isolated incidents. Many Moros joined ISIS.

And they apparently won: in 2014 they signed a peace agreement with the central government and their elected government is planned to be established in 2022.

What social/political course will it take is still unknown, but a big cause for concern for the entire SE Asia.I visited southern Mindanao, Zamboanga, and Basilan in the late 1990s. I was accompanied by locals and only went where I was told I could go safely. Westerners were being kidnapped at that time and held for ransom. Some did not make it out. On a couple of ventures into the rural areas around Davao City I had an escort of Philippine soldiers. In the early 2000s there was the added concern about Abu Sayyaf, a group loosely linked to Al Quaeda.

Quite apart from the long time practice of piracy in the South China Sea, the Bangsamoro region has always been a tense and dangerous area for outsiders. The local politics are diverse, with internal conflicts, but are unified in opposition to outside interference. The struggle for self rule has played out for centuries, with increasing emphasis in the last 120 years and especially since WWII.

[xasterix]

Got this barung from Mr Cecil Quirino's collection. My oldest barung so far. It's remarkably well-preserved. It's highly similar to the Leiden barung that was discussed in an old topic here. I fixed the misaligned blade and bent edge; other than that, it's in very good condition.

18-in blade with sandigan/shandigan edge, kamagong hilt, carabao horn pommel, a long ferrule with some sort of brass alloy.

[thomas hauschild]

After etching the blade slightly. Unluckily one of the MOP-pieces is missing. I needed to add the top 4 cm of the rattan on the scabbard. I very happy with this find.

Best Thomas

[JeffS]

I had been looking for the right barong for a couple of years, a few months back I finally found one. The blade was very rusty but cleaned up nice outside of some pitting. The ferule is very thick silver. Below is a more recent purchase.

[xasterix]

Nice barungs, gentlemen! It still amazes me just how many variants and personal effects barungs can have through the different eras and locations in the Sulu archipelago.

It's almost been a year, so I'm necro'ing this thread again :D here's my all-time favorite barung, a variant with an upper clipped edge. It is WW2-era, and I reset it just recently.

[kronckew]

Forget to add this one from northern Borneo, fullered and decorated blade


Others at the Barung with fullers (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=27873) thread.

[kai]

Hello Wayne,

I realise that you put 'Dyak' in quotes but for future reference we should clarify here that these barung originate from Moro expat communities on the northern coasts of Borneo and are not culturally associated with any of the Dayak ethnic groups.

I believe that most of these variant examples originate from Kota Belud which has been a blade making center supplying probably all of Sabah's western coast (and, considering the short distance, not surprising to show up in major ports like Kota Kinabalu). One might also note that Kota Belud is really close to Palawan, too.

Regards,
Kai

[werecow]

Attached are the sales pics from my example, which I bought about 2.5 years ago. Blade length 42 cm. The scabbard is missing a bit at the top and is split in a few places.

[xasterix]

Attached are the sales pics from my example, which I bought about 2.5 years ago. Blade length 42 cm. The scabbard is missing a bit at the top and is split in a few places.

Wonderful barung, straight-up fighter!

[JeffS]

A couple more have sprouted up since my last photo... Thanks to Kino for the great new addition.

[Interested Party]

A couple more have sprouted up since my last photo... Thanks to Kino for the great new addition.

Nice display. A little off topic, but could we see the back of those stands? Are they secure? I live in an earthquake zone.

[xasterix]

A couple more have sprouted up since my last photo... Thanks to Kino for the great new addition.

Very nice barungs!

[JeffS]

Nice display. A little off topic, but could we see the back of those stands? Are they secure? I live in an earthquake zone.

Answered this here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.php?p=283727&postcount=99

[kino]

Adding 3 more Barung’s to the thread.

[ASPaulding]

The 3 in my collection.

[xasterix]

The 3 in my collection.

Great barungs! I especially like the topmost- I'm guessing the ferrule was replaced somewhere in Central Luzon (likely Tagalog) and granted a new scabbard.

[ASPaulding]

Great barungs! I especially like the topmost- I'm guessing the ferrule was replaced somewhere in Central Luzon (likely Tagalog) and granted a new scabbard.

Thank you. When I found that barung it was in need of some serious attention.

[xasterix]

Adding 3 more BarungÂ’s to the thread.

Amazing pieces as always sir!!!