Question On Odd Barong

Robert · 25th July 2011, 04:44 PM

I am posting Lorenz picture from the Museo Naval in Madrid that David referred to in the link he posted so it might be easier to compare the two as well as a photo of the tag associated with it. It looks to me to be the closest in blade profile showing the same protrusions at the base of the blade that the one I posted has. I really think the one in Lorenz post is the most interesting because of the fact that the blade is slotted both above and below the talismanic symbols running down the center of the blade.

Robert

Robert · 28th July 2011, 02:21 AM

Imagine my surprise when this barong showed up on my doorstep with 5 other items as a birthday present from my lovely wife. It measures 24 inches in total with an 18-3/4 inch blade that is 7/16 inch thick at the hilt and 2-1/2 inches wide at its widest point. The fittings are silver on a beautiful horn hilt with the piece weighting in at 2 pounds 2 ounces.

Robert

Lew · 28th July 2011, 10:46 PM

Could this be a Visayan barong?

kai · 29th July 2011, 12:43 AM

Doesn't look like a classic single-beveled Visayan blade.

I get more of a Mindanao feel with this one - Lumad?

Regards,
Kai

Robert · 29th July 2011, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Doesn't look like a classic single-beveled Visayan blade.

I get more of a Mindanao feel with this one

Hello Kai, That was what I was thinking after looking at the one in Lorenz post (picture above) showing the same protrusions at the base of the blade and the museum tag saying Mindanao. Though the hilts are very different the overall style of the blade is the same.

Robert

kai · 29th July 2011, 07:18 AM

Hello Robert,

Quote:

That was what I was thinking after looking at the one in Lorenz post (picture above) showing the same protrusions at the base of the blade and the museum tag saying Mindanao.

The museum tag says "Armas de los Moros de Jolo y Mindanao, Filipinas" - with Jolo being the seat of power of the Sulu sultanate, this basically boils down to that some museum curator thinks the displayed pieces are of Moro origin and, thus, originated from Sulu or Mindanao (probably not based on detailed research on this sword). One would need to delve into the original museum records (if extant) as well as try researching the family history of the donator including military records (if extant) to possibly be able to propose a likely origin of this sword.

Quote:

Though the hilts are very different the overall style of the blade is the same.

The similarities are certainly interesting. However, given the notches in your example and the engraving of the other example, I'd hesitate to positively declare even the blades to be of the same origin.

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 29th July 2011, 02:12 PM

What a nice clean up! Looks like a shadrigan blade on it. Lovely piece. (Great wife!

)

KuKulzA28 · 29th July 2011, 01:57 AM

I don't have much constructive to add to this
since I don't know much about these blades but...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

Imagine my surprise when this barong showed up on my doorstep with 5 other items as a birthday present from my lovely wife

WOW.

niiiiice!

25th July 2011, 04:44 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I am posting Lorenz picture from the Museo Naval in Madrid that David referred to in the link he posted so it might be easier to compare the two as well as a photo of the tag associated with it. It looks to me to be the closest in blade profile showing the same protrusions at the base of the blade that the one I posted has. I really think the one in Lorenz post is the most interesting because of the fact that the blade is slotted both above and below the talismanic symbols running down the center of the blade. Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 25th July 2011 at 10:58 PM.

28th July 2011, 02:21 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Imagine my surprise when this barong showed up on my doorstep with 5 other items as a birthday present from my lovely wife. It measures 24 inches in total with an 18-3/4 inch blade that is 7/16 inch thick at the hilt and 2-1/2 inches wide at its widest point. The fittings are silver on a beautiful horn hilt with the piece weighting in at 2 pounds 2 ounces. Robert Attached Images

28th July 2011, 10:46 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Could this be a Visayan barong?

29th July 2011, 12:43 AM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Doesn't look like a classic single-beveled Visayan blade. I get more of a Mindanao feel with this one - Lumad? Regards, Kai

29th July 2011, 02:12 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	What a nice clean up! Looks like a shadrigan blade on it. Lovely piece. (Great wife! )