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View Full Version : Unusual metal handle barong

JeffS
19th February 2025, 12:07 AM
I had an offer accepted on this Ebay purchase. I'm curious if anyone has seen anything like this. The handle appears to be well cast bronze or brass with copper ornamentation welded on. The short punto apparently has silver plating that has worn off in some spots, the underlying metal having a copper hue. The blade profile is sharper than typical. It looks like it has some age. It is a decent size at 22.5" OAL, and blade length of 16.75". Photos are from the Ebay listing.
xasterix
19th February 2025, 04:23 AM
I had an offer accepted on this Ebay purchase. I'm curious if anyone has seen anything like this. The handle appears to be well cast bronze or brass with copper ornamentation welded on. The short punto apparently has silver plating that has worn off in some spots, the underlying metal having a copper hue. The blade profile is sharper than typical. It looks like it has some age. It is a decent size at 22.5" OAL, and blade length of 16.75". Photos are from the Ebay listing.

Halloo Jeff! This a Maranao-made "keping." It's usually mistaken for barung since there are some slight similarities; but the overall aesthetic and blade profile is different.
Sajen
19th February 2025, 09:27 AM
Hi Jeff,

A nice keping, congrats! :cool:

Regards,
Detlef
JeffS
19th February 2025, 01:23 PM
Halloo Jeff! This a Maranao-made "keping." It's usually mistaken for barung since there are some slight similarities; but the overall aesthetic and blade profile is different.
You know, I had that thought it could be a keping as I recalled that there were a number of threads on the topic but for some reason I didn't run it down. Im pleased to be receiving one. Have you seen a full metal handle on these before? Any thoughts on age?
Ian
19th February 2025, 02:09 PM
Hi Jeff,

Xasterix can probably give you the best age estimate. Most of this type of Maranao brass/bronze metalwork seems to be post-WWII. My guess is that yours is mid-20th C or later. As Marawi craftsmen ramped up their production for Filipino and foreign consumption in the marketplace, a lot more brass/bronze scabbards and hilts appeared in the 1970s and are still found in Manila and other main centers.