Go on... show us your Barung!!!

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Ian

As Rick noted too, the barung is of interest to collectors for its functional aspects. When wielding it, it is easy to feel the power that a blow from one of these blades would unleash, while some simple cutting tests reveal it to be an awesome weapon.

Yes, I have a vintage photo of the loser of a fight which I will spare the membership from seeing, he looks like a doll that has been disassembled.

[Battara]

Long ago I almost used 1890 fighting barong (my first antique piece) in defending my wife and myself against someone who I thought would break down our door. Fortunately (for him) he did not come through. The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Battara

... The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

I like your anecdote.


An anecdote from a US Officer during the Moro Rebellion, early 1900's told the tale of a Jurementado (Moro suicide assassin high on ganja) who surprised a patrol and cut a soldier in half with his sword after being shot with the guy's krag. The officer emptied his issue .38 into the Moro who finally succumbed withing inches of being able to kill him. The sword was not a Kris or kampilan, but a barung. After many close calls in that war, the US shifted away from the 9mm(.355in.) range of available weapons to the bigger .45 cal. ones, winding up with the colt model 1911 .45acp, which is still in service with those in the know, the bean counters who haven't read the history books prefer the 9mm, but the special forces choice is frequently the .45acp 1911. During the Moro thingy, many soldiers wrote their families and asked to have a .45 long colt revolver sent to them. During the recent brouhaha in the Middle East many soldiers wrote home to have their families send them a .45acp 1911.


My Visayan barung (bottom, post 49 above) also lives on a wardrobe shelf near the bedroom door, justincase. When I lived in the states a 1911 was closer. Not allowed to have one here in the UK, so I make do with the next best thing, a sharp pointy.

[Rick]

JUNGLE PATROL by Vic Hurley is full of anecdotes from that era. It's about the Philippine Constabulary. Last published in 1938 I believe.

[gp]

Originally Posted by Battara

Long ago I almost used 1890 fighting barong (my first antique piece) in defending my wife and myself against someone who I thought would break down our door. Fortunately (for him) he did not come through. The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

better be kind to your wife then...