A Moro "Pir-rong"

Ian · 24th April 2005, 04:52 AM

Chuck:

What you have is a rare, but not unique, example of a Yakan barung, most likely from Basilan. The resemblance to a pira hilt is not coincidental. I have seen one other example in Manila (not for sale unfortunately), and I think Artzi or Lion Gate may have had a similar barung many years ago.

Nice find. This one does not seem to have a lot of age, but hard to tell from the pictures. Would you say early 20th C.?

Ian.

CharlesS · 24th April 2005, 02:54 PM

Ian,

Thanks for the extra info. Some of the "pir-rung's" age is hidden by restoration to the blade, and a newly made scabbard. The patination to the hilt's wood is dramatic and lovely, and may not really expose itself in the pics. Blades of this thickness are rarely encountered post-1945, so certainly I'd say early 20th at least, and maybe late 19th Cent.

24th April 2005, 04:52 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Yakan barung Chuck: What you have is a rare, but not unique, example of a Yakan barung, most likely from Basilan. The resemblance to a pira hilt is not coincidental. I have seen one other example in Manila (not for sale unfortunately), and I think Artzi or Lion Gate may have had a similar barung many years ago. Nice find. This one does not seem to have a lot of age, but hard to tell from the pictures. Would you say early 20th C.? Ian.

24th April 2005, 02:54 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Ian, Thanks for the extra info. Some of the "pir-rung's" age is hidden by restoration to the blade, and a newly made scabbard. The patination to the hilt's wood is dramatic and lovely, and may not really expose itself in the pics. Blades of this thickness are rarely encountered post-1945, so certainly I'd say early 20th at least, and maybe late 19th Cent.