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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,855
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Here is a nice smaller bangkung that I picked up recently. I believe it is pre-WW2, but from the looks of it and the temper lines, I think it was never meant as a weapon, but as a utility chopper. I especially like the chiseling at the end of the blade.
Scabbard rattan and hilt cording are restored. Comments welcome. Dimensions: Overall length: 23in. Blade length: 16.25in. Widest point of the blade: 2.5in. |
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#2 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,200
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I agree that it is pre-WWII. I love the scabbard and the carving at the end of the blade.
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#3 |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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Thanks for sharing, Charles!
The blade looks heavy - how much does it weight? Max. thickness would be of interest, too! Regards, Kai |
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#4 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,165
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Hi Charles:
Very nice example. Bangkung do come in a variety of sizes and Cato makes the point that many of the less common Moro weapons were derived from tools originally designed for chopping or slashing vegetation. I think this one was designed as a weapon. The nicely carved scabbard and the silver (?) punto underneath the woven grip seem too refined for a simple tool. The carving on the wooden section of the hilt seems a bit unusual for Moro work and reminds me of the hulu rumpung seen on sikin panjang. The file work on the end of the blade is also unusual for Moro work. I've seen similar work on the end of small T'boli kampilans, and I have a couple of choppers from mainland SE Asia with similar designs. One of these is probably from Vietnam and has some features on the hilt suggesting Chinese influence. I like this bangkung -- it is a very interesting piece that seems to have elements suggesting cross-cultural influences. Ian. |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
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Thanks for the observation Ian!
I was basing my "tool/chopper" analysis strictly on the location of the tempered edge, noting it was nowhere close to the tip. What you see in the 2nd photo of the temper line is the end of it(where the glare starts). I would have assumed that a fighting blade would carry to temper on a flat line edge all the way to the tip like we see on most kampillans. But, you have a good point in that it is a bit "dressy" for a working blade. |
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#6 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,165
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Thanks for the additional information Charles. The possible forward extension of the hardened edge seemed to be obscured by the glare in the original photo. I did not realize that the hardening stopped there.
Yes, it seems a bit odd that the hardened edge would not extend all the way to the tip. It's not uncommon to see a hardened edge stop short of the hilt, but not short of the tip. Is the blade etched or is this the natural polish? Etching/further etching might show something more towards the tip. Ian |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
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Ian,
It is impossible to see the end of them temper because of that glare, but that is exactly where it ends...and the blade has been etched. I didn't even realize the pic looked that way until reading your comment. Thanks again for your input. The bangkung handles nicely, and, like you, I like the chiseled end. Btw, the punto is made of brass. |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,726
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Hello Charles,
very nice piece! ![]() ![]() Regards, Detlef |
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