Military Barong

mrcjgscott · 11th November 2012, 11:49 PM

Hello all,

I am more familiar with kukri, but today a very good friend made me the custodian of this barong. Being a weapon I am totally unfamiliar with I wonder if the presence of a military style leather frog/hanger, means that it is a military example, or merely a barong which somebody chose to carry whilst serving. The benefits of such a knife speak for themselves.

The leather itself is a great fit, and general wear shows the two have been together for quite some time.

The leather has a military marking of a crown over an M, does anybody recognise the marking, or have a guess as to nationality?

Any information, comments or suggestions are most welcome!

kronckew · 12th November 2012, 09:51 AM

that is a cocos island parang. the scabbard and overall blade shape are diagnostic, note the integral finger guard.

there is one malay family in the cocos island that makes them. apparently the german commerce raider Emden grounded there after being disabled by british warship HMAS Sydney in ww1. the family mentioned uses it as a steel source. they made a lot of them for sale to troop ships that stopped by on the way to war in ww2.

the frog on yours may have been added later.

i have two myself, they come in assorted sizes. mine have 4.75" and 9" blades. yours appears to be larger. also pic of the Emden

spiral · 12th November 2012, 09:52 AM

Id guess Java? Indonesia Chris, looks possibly related to a Wedung?

Given that I wonder if the crown over M is Dutch?

Spiral

kronckew · 12th November 2012, 10:04 AM

ah, spiral - we cross posted.

definitely a cocos island parang (or golok) (see post no. 2.) ref: Imperial war museum, london.

i'd bet the frog was added by a soldier in ww2.

info on the cocos (keeling) islands: Linky

p.s. forgot to mention the scabbards and grips are made of ironwood.

mrcjgscott · 12th November 2012, 12:23 PM

'+Thank you Kronckew&Spiral,

Most interesting indeed!

Blade length 13 inches, overall 17 3/4's inches.

I like the idea that a piece of German ship was crafted into a knife, and possibly sent back to fight the Germans!

I also love the fact it was made by on family from such a small community!

It is a great knife, and I am very pleased to add it to my collection.

Thanks again for the information,

Chris

mrcjgscott · 12th November 2012, 12:41 PM

Further update,

The crown M marking ties in with German naval markings from WW1 (the M denoting Marine, in conjunction with the crown of the Kaiser 1871-1918)

The use of such leatherwork, gathered/salvaged from the beached German ship, would tie in with Kronckew's attribution.

Exciting stuff!!

spiral · 12th November 2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

ah, spiral - we cross posted.

definitely a cocos island parang (or golok) (see post no. 2.) ref: Imperial war museum, london.

i'd bet the frog was added by a soldier in ww2.

info on the cocos (keeling) islands: Linky

p.s. forgot to mention the scabbards and grips are made of ironwood.

Ahhh great stuff Kronckew! There you go Crhis! Nice history to go with it.

Spiral

kronckew · 12th November 2012, 02:46 PM

interesting info on the crown 'm'.

definitely this is a case of beating swords into ... er, more swords - in lieu of plowshares!

11th November 2012, 11:49 PM	#1
mrcjgscott Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 189	Military Barong Hello all, I am more familiar with kukri, but today a very good friend made me the custodian of this barong. Being a weapon I am totally unfamiliar with I wonder if the presence of a military style leather frog/hanger, means that it is a military example, or merely a barong which somebody chose to carry whilst serving. The benefits of such a knife speak for themselves. The leather itself is a great fit, and general wear shows the two have been together for quite some time. The leather has a military marking of a crown over an M, does anybody recognise the marking, or have a guess as to nationality? Any information, comments or suggestions are most welcome! Attached Images

12th November 2012, 09:51 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	that is a cocos island parang. the scabbard and overall blade shape are diagnostic, note the integral finger guard. there is one malay family in the cocos island that makes them. apparently the german commerce raider Emden grounded there after being disabled by british warship HMAS Sydney in ww1. the family mentioned uses it as a steel source. they made a lot of them for sale to troop ships that stopped by on the way to war in ww2. the frog on yours may have been added later. i have two myself, they come in assorted sizes. mine have 4.75" and 9" blades. yours appears to be larger. also pic of the Emden Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 12th November 2012 at 10:26 AM.

12th November 2012, 10:04 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	ah, spiral - we cross posted. definitely a cocos island parang (or golok) (see post no. 2.) ref: Imperial war museum, london. i'd bet the frog was added by a soldier in ww2. info on the cocos (keeling) islands: Linky p.s. forgot to mention the scabbards and grips are made of ironwood. Last edited by kronckew; 12th November 2012 at 10:31 AM.

12th November 2012, 09:52 AM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Id guess Java? Indonesia Chris, looks possibly related to a Wedung? Given that I wonder if the crown over M is Dutch? Spiral

12th November 2012, 12:23 PM	#5
mrcjgscott Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 189	'+Thank you Kronckew&Spiral, Most interesting indeed! Blade length 13 inches, overall 17 3/4's inches. I like the idea that a piece of German ship was crafted into a knife, and possibly sent back to fight the Germans! I also love the fact it was made by on family from such a small community! It is a great knife, and I am very pleased to add it to my collection. Thanks again for the information, Chris

12th November 2012, 12:41 PM	#6
mrcjgscott Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 189	Further update, The crown M marking ties in with German naval markings from WW1 (the M denoting Marine, in conjunction with the crown of the Kaiser 1871-1918) The use of such leatherwork, gathered/salvaged from the beached German ship, would tie in with Kronckew's attribution. Exciting stuff!!

12th November 2012, 02:46 PM	#8
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	interesting info on the crown 'm'. definitely this is a case of beating swords into ... er, more swords - in lieu of plowshares!