my latest barung (chinese markings)

[Pinoy Blade Hunter]

I recently got this one, rusty and chipped blade, but i decided to still get it because of the hilt. i know it is silver ferule and silver string wrap (or silver alloy)

after cleanup, chinese markings came out. a chinese friend says it reads "CLAW" or at least thats the nearest meaning to the chinese characters.

i dont intend to grind out the big chip as i believe it tells a story of how the blade lived its life before.

additional insights are welcome.

i have asked friends and they dated this to late 1800s to early 1900s. Chinese steel, moro craftsmanship.