Nice heavy barung, pre-ww2?

kronckew · 18th August 2016, 05:12 PM

found this online at an auction house about a hour and a half drive from me. i was the only bidder on it yesterday, so got it reasonably, tho i had to drive to pick it up today.

only catalogue info was 'MORO BARONG SINGLE EDGED WEAPON IN WOODEN SHEATH 40cm' no other dimensions, provenance, etc.

25in. LOA in scabbard, 15.75 in. (40cm.) blade, 2.75in. wide, 4mm thick at the spine, 675 grams. heavy brass or bronze bands on wood grip with incised decorations. grip is 7in. long, the brass/bronze part is 2 3/8in. of that.
blade looks like it may have a hardened insert edge. convex grind edge needs a a bit of sharpening. i'm guessing it's early 20th c., pre ww2.

heavy wood scabbard looks glued, no signs of past bands, central ridge, seam opened on edge side i will glue down & rattan band it.

Sajen · 18th August 2016, 09:03 PM

Hello Kronckew,

I could be wrong but to me it look WWII or later, second half of 20th century would be my guess.

Regards,
Detlef

CharlesS · 18th August 2016, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

I could be wrong but to me it look WWII or later, second half of 20th century would be my guess.

I agree with Detlef, though this is a style I have not seen before.

Spunjer · 18th August 2016, 10:10 PM

this particular piece looks like something that would come out of the province of Lanao (del Sur, or Norte, but either way, it's Maranao country).
and yes, per Detlef and Charles, 2nd half of 20th century

kronckew · 19th August 2016, 12:19 AM

i initially thought it was not as fancy as most other other older ones, but it has a simple art deco look to it. if modern, it was/is well and sturdily made for post war. seems a nice piece in any case, and a bit different style than the std. barongs.

closups of grip & bolster:

Battara · 19th August 2016, 02:50 AM

In complete agreement with everyone.

18th August 2016, 05:12 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	Nice heavy barung, pre-ww2? found this online at an auction house about a hour and a half drive from me. i was the only bidder on it yesterday, so got it reasonably, tho i had to drive to pick it up today. only catalogue info was 'MORO BARONG SINGLE EDGED WEAPON IN WOODEN SHEATH 40cm' no other dimensions, provenance, etc. 25in. LOA in scabbard, 15.75 in. (40cm.) blade, 2.75in. wide, 4mm thick at the spine, 675 grams. heavy brass or bronze bands on wood grip with incised decorations. grip is 7in. long, the brass/bronze part is 2 3/8in. of that. blade looks like it may have a hardened insert edge. convex grind edge needs a a bit of sharpening. i'm guessing it's early 20th c., pre ww2. heavy wood scabbard looks glued, no signs of past bands, central ridge, seam opened on edge side i will glue down & rattan band it. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 18th August 2016 at 06:28 PM.

19th August 2016, 12:19 AM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	i initially thought it was not as fancy as most other other older ones, but it has a simple art deco look to it. if modern, it was/is well and sturdily made for post war. seems a nice piece in any case, and a bit different style than the std. barongs. closups of grip & bolster: Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 19th August 2016 at 12:41 AM.

18th August 2016, 09:03 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,468	Hello Kronckew, I could be wrong but to me it look WWII or later, second half of 20th century would be my guess. Regards, Detlef

18th August 2016, 10:10 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	this particular piece looks like something that would come out of the province of Lanao (del Sur, or Norte, but either way, it's Maranao country). and yes, per Detlef and Charles, 2nd half of 20th century

19th August 2016, 02:50 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	In complete agreement with everyone.