A Moro "Pir-rong"

CharlesS · 24th April 2005, 03:24 AM

Here's something I picked up not long ago...I've dubbed it a "Pir-rong". The blade is a typical barong blade of good quality, heavy, and good pattern welded damascus typical of the late 19th and early 20th Century. The hilt of course was the real "seller"....carved of wood, not horn as would be more typical of a pira. Very interesting piece that feels great in the hand. Forum member Philip Tom made the scabbard. After discussing it we thought a pira-like scabbard would be more appropriate for such a piece.

tom hyle · 24th April 2005, 03:40 AM

Nice, and perhaps goes some distance toward explaining some what I now see are pira-esque features on some modern barongs' pommels.

Spunjer · 24th April 2005, 04:05 AM

WOW! nice barung, charless.....mmmkay, now where do fit that in my so-called outline?

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, 03:24 AM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	A Moro "Pir-rong" Here's something I picked up not long ago...I've dubbed it a "Pir-rong". The blade is a typical barong blade of good quality, heavy, and good pattern welded damascus typical of the late 19th and early 20th Century. The hilt of course was the real "seller"....carved of wood, not horn as would be more typical of a pira. Very interesting piece that feels great in the hand. Forum member Philip Tom made the scabbard. After discussing it we thought a pira-like scabbard would be more appropriate for such a piece. Attached Images

24th April 2005, 04:52 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,031	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, 03:40 AM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Nice, and perhaps goes some distance toward explaining some what I now see are pira-esque features on some modern barongs' pommels.

24th April 2005, 04:05 AM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	WOW! nice barung, charless.....mmmkay, now where do fit that in my so-called outline?

24th April 2005, 02:54 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	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.