Barung or keping-type sword, re-handled?

[wildwolberine]

New addition to the collection. Hoping to get some input on this. Can I call this a barung or keping? Blade is pretty thin, slightly tapered. I suspect it’s an older blade that’s been re-handled. If so, can anyone identify the sword the hilt would have originally belonged to? I noticed the blade has a “x” mark similar to my Luzon Hundang. I was able to wiggle the hilt off with little effort. Overall feels like a well-used piece. I feel it might be from Palawan? Thanks!

Dimensions: 52 cm overall length, 41 cm by 6 cm blade.

[chmorshuutz]

At first look I thought it's from Palawan as well, mainly because of the rattan weaving. If it's indeed from Palawan, they call it badung.

[Ian]

Hi WW:

Interesting piece you have there. I took your picture and outlined where the maximum width of the blade occurs. It is actually on the hilt side of the blade rather than further towards the tip. A Palawano badung has a much more forward-weighted blade, with the maximum width closer to the tip than the hilt. Thus, this is not a Palawano badung IMHO. It is more in keeping with a Sulu blade that has been dressed in another fashion.

In the following picture, I have shown the line of maximum width on your blade and also two arrowed features of your scabbard: one is the slanted area of attachment for a string belt; the other is a small "wing" to the throat of the scabbard on its bottom side.

227383

Now compare this arrangement with a Zamboanga bolo. There is the same slanted attachment for the belt and a similar wing on the scababrd. Also, the hilts are made from similar light-colored hardwood and are consistent with a Zamboanga origin.

227384

Here are some further pictures of that bolo, which is probably of WWII vintage.

227385
227386

And here is an old picture of Chavacano men wearing these bolos. The similar scabbard styles to yours are readily apparent.

227387

To summarize, I think you have either a Sulu barung blade dressed in Chavacano fashion, or a bolo made and assembled in Zamboanga.

[wildwolberine]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the input. This forum is such a great resource for folks who appreciate ethnographic edged weapons!