Is this even a Barung?

Ian · 18th September 2015, 03:25 AM

Hi Ron:

Is that scabbard original to the blade. The down turned quillion on the hilt would not seem to fit well into the mouth of the scabbard. Otherwise, I'd say it was pretty much a Visayan mess. A bit from here, a bit from there, but no consistent traditional pattern.

I don't think this started out as a barung blade. It's a little narrow perhaps, although more recent examples can be this narrow. The file work on the spine could be Visayan (or Tagalog), but I have no idea what the engravings on the blade may represent.

Interesting non-traditional piece. An old fantasy sword perhaps?

Ian.

18th September 2015, 03:25 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Hi Ron: Is that scabbard original to the blade. The down turned quillion on the hilt would not seem to fit well into the mouth of the scabbard. Otherwise, I'd say it was pretty much a Visayan mess. A bit from here, a bit from there, but no consistent traditional pattern. I don't think this started out as a barung blade. It's a little narrow perhaps, although more recent examples can be this narrow. The file work on the spine could be Visayan (or Tagalog), but I have no idea what the engravings on the blade may represent. Interesting non-traditional piece. An old fantasy sword perhaps? Ian.