Barong

[kai]

Hello Miguel,

I also tend to believe that the blade shape is intentional - etching could help to verify age and blade construction. Without more details, I'm not prepared to suggest this is antique: the tip seems a bit thin for fighting...

The nice pommel certainly looks antique to me. While there are old examples with brass fittings, the ferrule & sleeve here look quite crude and probably suggest a later fit/repair (probably contemporary with the scabbard replacement).

I would not call this a barung - as Chris pointed out, there are a bunch of related blades from the Sulu archipelago. An interesting variant!

Regards,
Kai

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Miguel,

I also tend to believe that the blade shape is intentional - etching could help to verify age and blade construction. Without more details, I'm not prepared to suggest this is antique: the tip seems a bit thin for fighting...

The nice pommel certainly looks antique to me. While there are old examples with brass fittings, the ferrule & sleeve here look quite crude and probably suggest a later fit/repair (probably contemporary with the scabbard replacement).

I would not call this a barung - as Chris pointed out, there are a bunch of related blades from the Sulu archipelago. An interesting variant!

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai, thank you for your very interesting comments, you may have gathered that I know little or nothing about these weapons and am most grateful to you and the other members who have contributed for the information provided. The ferrule and sleeve don't appear crude to me but you may be correct regarding a later fit / repair and I have included some photos showing the tang entering the hilt for your info. I would also be grateful if you would explain why you think the scabbard is a replacement as I would never have guessed.
Miguel

[kai]

Hello Miguel,

The ferrule and sleeve don't appear crude to me but you may be correct regarding a later fit / repair

It's not badly done. I was referring to the finer workmanship feasible with the much more malleable silver (compared to the rather stubborn brass). I guess you see the difference if you compare the silver sleeve of Charles' non-Barung shown by Chris in post #11 to your piece: silver flush with the wooden pommel (shrinkage in low-humidity environments can change things a bit though), no sharp edges and nice flow of lines, and decorative rings in the ferrule and final silver band.

I have included some photos showing the tang entering the hilt for your info.

Could you please try to get the base in focus?

I would also be grateful if you would explain why you think the scabbard is a replacement as I would never have guessed.

This kind of MOP inlay is a relatively late fashion. It is quite possible that it was crafted for this blade to complete the ensemble.

Regards,
Kai