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

ariel · 2nd January 2021, 06:38 PM

I suspect that the so-called " low-end" examples were the real battle one. The ones with handles of exotic materiels and with artistically carved fragile handles likely never saw a real fight.

The Bud Dajo one is, IMHO, priceless. It carries with it an awesome story.
If I were collecting Philippine weapons I would have chosen it over the rich and intricate ones.

kronckew · 3rd January 2021, 08:24 AM

Forget to add this one Mid-20th c. Zamboangan with simple Maranao hilt. Guess they couldn't be bothered to get the pommel protrusions carved.25in. LOA in scabbard, 15.75 in. (40cm.) blade, 2.75in. wide, 4mm thick at the spine, 675 grams.

xasterix · 3rd January 2021, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

I suspect that the so-called " low-end" examples were the real battle one. The ones with handles of exotic materiels and with artistically carved fragile handles likely never saw a real fight.

The Bud Dajo one is, IMHO, priceless. It carries with it an awesome story.
If I were collecting Philippine weapons I would have chosen it over the rich and intricate ones.

That depends sir. There are lavishly dressed samples that have "wise" blades. The kris in my avatar has an ivory pommel and suassa hilt, but the blade has chips and is slightly bent, obviously used in battle. Conversely, there are also non-lavish samples that were never used, and are perfectly preserved.

Jerseyman · 5th January 2021, 12:24 AM

I only have a couple of these - a simple hilt with a nice twist-core blade which I picked up from Gavin years ago (currently in storage and no photos to hand), and this one picked up very recently. I've only had a chance to give it a quick wipe down so far.

It's had a bit of a hard life, but I thought it was worth posting as it has a poor man's version of the wire wrap on Pepperskull's barong - exactly the same I think except it's in cord which has frayed quite a bit.

A small area of corrosion on an otherwise nice hollow-ground blade, and an old collector's number on the hilt.

Measurements

Length 56cm
Hilt 15.5cm
Ferrule 17 x 3 x 2.4cm
Pommel 16.5 x 3.8cm
Finials 1 x 0.8cm
Blade length 40.5cm
Blade width 3 > 6.5cm
Spine 0.8 > 0.1cm

xasterix · 5th January 2021, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerseyman

I only have a couple of these - a simple hilt with a nice twist-core blade which I picked up from Gavin years ago (currently in storage and no photos to hand), and this one picked up very recently. I've only had a chance to give it a quick wipe down so far.

It's had a bit of a hard life, but I thought it was worth posting as it has a poor man's version of the wire wrap on Pepperskull's barong - exactly the same I think except it's in cord which has frayed quite a bit.

A small area of corrosion on an otherwise nice hollow-ground blade, and an old collector's number on the hilt.

Measurements

Length 56cm
Hilt 15.5cm
Ferrule 17 x 3 x 2.4cm
Pommel 16.5 x 3.8cm
Finials 1 x 0.8cm
Blade length 40.5cm
Blade width 3 > 6.5cm
Spine 0.8 > 0.1cm

A really nice piece! This one has a lot of character. I like how the original owner wrapped the whole hilt...I've wielded a very similar-looking sample, but its blade wasn't shandigan.

Royston · 18th January 2021, 11:36 AM

Here is my contribution

kai · 18th January 2021, 08:16 PM

Very nice collection, Roy!

kronckew · 18th January 2021, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Very nice collection, Roy!

Yup, cool stuff. Excellent!

Sajen · 18th January 2021, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Very nice collection, Roy!

Agree!

xasterix · 18th January 2021, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royston

Here is my contribution

Amazing collection! One of the best I've seen so far. May we inquire for more info regarding the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th samples? The 6th sample seems extra interesting as it has provenance note.

Royston · 23rd January 2021, 08:51 AM

Hello Xasterix.
Can't tell you too much about them as I find Barung nomenclature somewhat confusing.
However, #5 is slightly hollow ground but it does not have a pronounced rib so I don't think it could be called shandigan.

The inscription on #6 is hard to read. I can only make out:-
From (somewhere) village
I cannot read the second line at all
Bought by Col Bird ?
April 4 1900

Cheers
Roy

3rd January 2021, 08:24 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,230	Forget to add this one Mid-20th c. Zamboangan with simple Maranao hilt. Guess they couldn't be bothered to get the pommel protrusions carved.25in. LOA in scabbard, 15.75 in. (40cm.) blade, 2.75in. wide, 4mm thick at the spine, 675 grams. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 3rd January 2021 at 08:35 AM.

5th January 2021, 12:24 AM	#4
Jerseyman Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 97	Cord Weave Hilt I only have a couple of these - a simple hilt with a nice twist-core blade which I picked up from Gavin years ago (currently in storage and no photos to hand), and this one picked up very recently. I've only had a chance to give it a quick wipe down so far. It's had a bit of a hard life, but I thought it was worth posting as it has a poor man's version of the wire wrap on Pepperskull's barong - exactly the same I think except it's in cord which has frayed quite a bit. A small area of corrosion on an otherwise nice hollow-ground blade, and an old collector's number on the hilt. Measurements Length 56cm Hilt 15.5cm Ferrule 17 x 3 x 2.4cm Pommel 16.5 x 3.8cm Finials 1 x 0.8cm Blade length 40.5cm Blade width 3 > 6.5cm Spine 0.8 > 0.1cm Attached Images

2nd January 2021, 06:38 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I suspect that the so-called " low-end" examples were the real battle one. The ones with handles of exotic materiels and with artistically carved fragile handles likely never saw a real fight. The Bud Dajo one is, IMHO, priceless. It carries with it an awesome story. If I were collecting Philippine weapons I would have chosen it over the rich and intricate ones.

18th January 2021, 11:36 AM	#6
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	More Barongs Here is my contribution Attached Images

18th January 2021, 08:16 PM	#7
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Very nice collection, Roy!

23rd January 2021, 08:51 AM	#11
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Hello Xasterix. Can't tell you too much about them as I find Barung nomenclature somewhat confusing. However, #5 is slightly hollow ground but it does not have a pronounced rib so I don't think it could be called shandigan. The inscription on #6 is hard to read. I can only make out:- From (somewhere) village I cannot read the second line at all Bought by Col Bird ? April 4 1900 Cheers Roy