Nice heavy barung, pre-ww2?

[kronckew]

found this online at an auction house about a hour and a half drive from me. i was the only bidder on it yesterday, so got it reasonably, tho i had to drive to pick it up today.

only catalogue info was 'MORO BARONG SINGLE EDGED WEAPON IN WOODEN SHEATH 40cm' no other dimensions, provenance, etc.


25in. LOA in scabbard, 15.75 in. (40cm.) blade, 2.75in. wide, 4mm thick at the spine, 675 grams. heavy brass or bronze bands on wood grip with incised decorations. grip is 7in. long, the brass/bronze part is 2 3/8in. of that.
blade looks like it may have a hardened insert edge. convex grind edge needs a a bit of sharpening. i'm guessing it's early 20th c., pre ww2.

heavy wood scabbard looks glued, no signs of past bands, central ridge, seam opened on edge side i will glue down & rattan band it.

[Sajen]

Hello Kronckew,

I could be wrong but to me it look WWII or later, second half of 20th century would be my guess.

Regards,
Detlef

[CharlesS]

I could be wrong but to me it look WWII or later, second half of 20th century would be my guess.


I agree with Detlef, though this is a style I have not seen before.

[Spunjer]

this particular piece looks like something that would come out of the province of Lanao (del Sur, or Norte, but either way, it's Maranao country).
and yes, per Detlef and Charles, 2nd half of 20th century

[kronckew]

i initially thought it was not as fancy as most other other older ones, but it has a simple art deco look to it. if modern, it was/is well and sturdily made for post war. seems a nice piece in any case, and a bit different style than the std. barongs.

closups of grip & bolster:

[Battara]

In complete agreement with everyone.