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Originally Posted by CharlesS
Here are three interesting bangkungs from the Moro and, I suspect, Visayan, people. The three are all from the same collection and probably collected about the same time. Two appear to be Moro, one with a naga pommel and the other with what appears to be a very Malay influenced pommel with two Spanish coin inserts. The third appears to be Visayan, at least the hilt, also with two Spanish coin inserts to the pommel.
Though the length, width, and curvature of the blades vary very slightly, their profile and pattern-welded structure are essentially the same.
I found the hilts of particular interest. I have never seen Bangkungs mounted in this way. Of course the pommels are all unique, but the grips are interesting as well. Note that two have reptile skin grips, and the same two have as many as half a dozen added rattan and corded bands for extra grip and stability, and only one has a traditional Moro ferrule. The third looks to be mounted in a Visayan style, with a unique brass guard decorated in floral motifs.
Unfortunately, none of these retained their original scabbards, which probably would have told us more about them
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Off the bat, I'd say the top one can be a Sulu bangkung, while the two lower ones seem to have Maranao hilts. Reason for this is that the both hilt styles, as well the practice of placing a coin as an 'eye,' is still made by Maranao artisans. I'm not aware of any other place in Mindanao (nor the other Moro tribes) that have such hilts, although it also appears in some Lumad pieces (which can be attributed to trade).