Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Ian · 11th December 2016, 06:07 AM

Hi Danny,

Welcome back.

I like this old barung. It seems to have started out as a Moro barung, and I think Detlef is right that it is probably late 19th C. It looks as though it has seen some heavy use.

At some point a non-Moro has modified the hilt and replaced the scabbard. IMO the wrapping of the hilt and scabbard have a European/U.S. influence. The scabbard is an approximate and simple representation of a Tausug or similar barung scabbard, but lacks the usual ornate carving of the throat and tip which makes me think it is not from a local culture. Of some interest are the areas of cord binding around the scabbard. This is something I have seen often on GI bring back pieces, especially on theater knives from WWII and later.

The wrapping of the hilt with braided wire is also rather plain and crude, resembling simple whipping that is taught to Boy Scouts here. Again, I don't think this is the work of a Moro, Dayak, or other indigenous person. Similarly, the use of resin or pitch over the metal punto might not be a native repair, although tree and other natural resins are used by local cultures.

The areas of whipping with twine on the scabbard and hilt are not typical of the local peoples, although similar simple wrappings with rattan or other local materials are found. Unfortunately, the pictures provided don't show how the end pieces of twine on the scabbard have been secured. Attached is a graphic of simple European-style whipping applied to rope. The finishing of the end pieces in the third and fourth steps leads to typical features that are easily identified. In particular, you can feel a ridge where the final end (b) has been pulled down behind the whipping itself. You can see such a ridge behind the wire wrapping of the hilt on this sword. On the other hand, local cultures tend to bury the ends by weaving them back into the wrapping layers, usually in a circumferential manner, avoiding the ridge that is formed by the simple whipping technique.

It would help to know a little about the history of this piece. Was it brought back by a serviceman stationed in the Philippines? That's what it most looks like to me. As others have noted, the scabbard seems to be a later replacement.

Ian.

11th December 2016, 06:07 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,041	Hi Danny, Welcome back. I like this old barung. It seems to have started out as a Moro barung, and I think Detlef is right that it is probably late 19th C. It looks as though it has seen some heavy use. At some point a non-Moro has modified the hilt and replaced the scabbard. IMO the wrapping of the hilt and scabbard have a European/U.S. influence. The scabbard is an approximate and simple representation of a Tausug or similar barung scabbard, but lacks the usual ornate carving of the throat and tip which makes me think it is not from a local culture. Of some interest are the areas of cord binding around the scabbard. This is something I have seen often on GI bring back pieces, especially on theater knives from WWII and later. The wrapping of the hilt with braided wire is also rather plain and crude, resembling simple whipping that is taught to Boy Scouts here. Again, I don't think this is the work of a Moro, Dayak, or other indigenous person. Similarly, the use of resin or pitch over the metal punto might not be a native repair, although tree and other natural resins are used by local cultures. The areas of whipping with twine on the scabbard and hilt are not typical of the local peoples, although similar simple wrappings with rattan or other local materials are found. Unfortunately, the pictures provided don't show how the end pieces of twine on the scabbard have been secured. Attached is a graphic of simple European-style whipping applied to rope. The finishing of the end pieces in the third and fourth steps leads to typical features that are easily identified. In particular, you can feel a ridge where the final end (b) has been pulled down behind the whipping itself. You can see such a ridge behind the wire wrapping of the hilt on this sword. On the other hand, local cultures tend to bury the ends by weaving them back into the wrapping layers, usually in a circumferential manner, avoiding the ridge that is formed by the simple whipping technique. It would help to know a little about the history of this piece. Was it brought back by a serviceman stationed in the Philippines? That's what it most looks like to me. As others have noted, the scabbard seems to be a later replacement. Ian. Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 11th December 2016 at 06:19 AM.