Newly Acquired Datu Barong Sword

Battara · 13th April 2019, 06:13 PM

Thank you folks.

Regarding the blade, it was so rusted and deeply pitted. I took it off, but I had to leave some of the pitting where it is or else risk the metal's integrity.

And yes there are woven copper bands on the hilt.

xasterix · 14th April 2019, 01:17 PM

Great sword! I'm curious though- from which BangsaMoro tribe would this have originated? My reading on the ukkil is Sama. I'm interested if there are other opinions regarding this

kai · 14th April 2019, 05:30 PM

Tausug from hat to toe, IMHO.

Also the carved ukkil motifs are fairly large and relaxed - not the tighter carving with smaller motifs I usually associate with Sama...

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 15th April 2019, 02:12 AM

I'm with Kai on this. The ukkil on this is Tausug to my eyes when I held and worked on it.

xasterix · 15th April 2019, 02:33 AM

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

xasterix · 15th April 2019, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I'm with Kai on this. The ukkil on this is Tausug to my eyes when I held and worked on it.

Hi guys, sorry if I'm quite persistent- I'm just wondering what defining features point toward Tausug. For my part, my take on the ukkil is that it's characteristic of what I personally call as the '2-bit swirl' of ukkil from Tawi-tawi which is present even in modern Tawi-tawi weaps. My attached picture contains the following weaps' scabbard ukkil:

A. Datu Barung
B. WW2-era Sama Barung
C. Another barung discussed somewhere else in this forum, which I surmise to be Sama Barung as well
D. Modern Sama Barung sourced from Bongao, Tawi-tawi

As you can see, the 2-bit swirl ukkil motif is present in all blades. Moreover, one of Spunjer's qualifying features for a Sama barung- the curving upward of the scabbard throat on one side only- is present in all samples.

Would like to hear your thoughts further. Sorry I'm trying to learn as well, that's why I'm interested in seeing this through

Battara · 15th April 2019, 08:42 PM

For me Sama does have an upturn on the scabbard, but it is more abrupt than the others. I have noticed this abrupt upturn on the ukkil on the pommels as well.

I would question your picture C as Sama. Might be, but I would lean more toward Tausug both on the crocodile mouth and on the style of the ukkil upturn on the scabbard.

Battara · 15th April 2019, 08:43 PM

Perhaps we should start another thread to discuss just Sama characteristics so as not to deter too much from this thread.

13th April 2019, 06:13 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Thank you folks. Regarding the blade, it was so rusted and deeply pitted. I took it off, but I had to leave some of the pitting where it is or else risk the metal's integrity. And yes there are woven copper bands on the hilt.

14th April 2019, 01:17 PM	#2
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 674	Great sword! I'm curious though- from which BangsaMoro tribe would this have originated? My reading on the ukkil is Sama. I'm interested if there are other opinions regarding this

14th April 2019, 05:30 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Tausug from hat to toe, IMHO. Also the carved ukkil motifs are fairly large and relaxed - not the tighter carving with smaller motifs I usually associate with Sama... Regards, Kai

15th April 2019, 02:12 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I'm with Kai on this. The ukkil on this is Tausug to my eyes when I held and worked on it.

15th April 2019, 02:33 AM	#5
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 674	Thanks for the feedback everyone!

15th April 2019, 08:42 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	For me Sama does have an upturn on the scabbard, but it is more abrupt than the others. I have noticed this abrupt upturn on the ukkil on the pommels as well. I would question your picture C as Sama. Might be, but I would lean more toward Tausug both on the crocodile mouth and on the style of the ukkil upturn on the scabbard.

15th April 2019, 08:43 PM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Perhaps we should start another thread to discuss just Sama characteristics so as not to deter too much from this thread.