Barung with carved Antler(?) hilt.

[kino]

Here’s a Barung with a hilt that looks to be carved from antler. Not your typical PI material.
Sandigan blade, laminated with linear pattern. Blades spine - 7cm.

Share your opinions on this.

[kai]

Hello Albert,

Thanks for posting your new acquisition!

Looks like a quality blade. Any hints visible what made the tip chip?

While stag as hilt material is not really common with Moro pieces, I'm more wondering about the carving motifs at the pommel! The sleeve is on the short side and made from brass; this material and the less precise engraving of the brass makes me think of a commoner's piece. The braided bands certainly are genuine and antique.

The scabbard seems old, too. Close-ups of the carved throat and foot area wold be good.

All in all, I'd posit that this predates 1925 quite a bit and most likely is well into the 19th century.

Blades spine - 7cm

7 mm thick?

Regards,
Kai

[kino]

Hello Kai, yes 7 mm.

Below are closeups of the scabbard carvings.
I’m clueless on the blades tip. Perhaps the photo will reveal something.

[David R]

Originally Posted by kino

Hello Kai, yes 7 mm.

Below are closeups of the scabbard carvings.
I’m clueless on the blades tip. Perhaps the photo will reveal something.

Off the "top of my head" this looks like a typical injury of a too hard tempered piece where the tip was stuck in something, and levered out sideways. Often seen in Fairbairn-Sykes and other daggers.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by David R

Off the "top of my head" this looks like a typical injury of a too hard tempered piece where the tip was stuck in something, and levered out sideways. Often seen in Fairbairn-Sykes and other daggers.

Thanks David. An over-tempered, brittle tip would explain this type of damage.

The lines carved across the end of the hilt are reminiscent of Bagobo/Tagakaolu hilts from around what is now Davao City.

[kino]

Originally Posted by David R

Off the "top of my head" this looks like a typical injury of a too hard tempered piece where the tip was stuck in something, and levered out sideways. Often seen in Fairbairn-Sykes and other daggers.

Thank you David.

Originally Posted by Ian

The lines carved across the end of the hilt are reminiscent of Bagobo/Tagakaolu hilts from around what is now Davao City.

Hi Ian, Does the profile of the pommel have the look of being from Davao and have you seen a similar material utilized in a Lumad or Moro hilt? Thanks.