Barong

Hombre · 1st September 2019, 10:48 AM

Need opinions about this blade....
I think it is a barong from the Philippines....
Lenght 66 cm....
Any opinion at all very much appreciated...

Best,
Stefan

Sajen · 1st September 2019, 02:08 PM

Hi Stefan,

Yup, it's a barong, I guess that it's Samal but others like Ian or Jose will be able to tell you more. The back crest of the pommel was broken and get recarved. A polish and etch will show maybe a nice lamination. I would guess that it's from the first quarter of the 20th century.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 1st September 2019, 02:38 PM

Hi Stefan,

Very nice barung. I would say early 20th C and I especially like the blade which appears to have an inserted edge in the san mei method.. Detlef has noted the crest being absent on the pommel. Rather than broken and recarved, I think it was made this way as I have another example that is very similar and seems to be original rather than repaired. I think it is a barung from the Sulu Archipelago, perhaps Yakan (based on the prominently down-turned pommel). Jose or xasterix might have a better idea of its origin.

Regards,

Ian

Sajen · 1st September 2019, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Detlef has noted the crest being absent on the pommel. Rather than broken and recarved, I think it was made this way as I have another example that is very similar and seems to be original rather than repaired.

Hi Ian,
Good possible. I think we need to see a close up from this area to be sure.

Regards,
Detlef

Battara · 1st September 2019, 08:31 PM

I agree with Ian on the dating. It might be Yakan, but I lean toward Samal as Detlef indicated due to the angle of the hilt.

Also Detlef has a good point - polish and then etch the blade and make all those wonderful laminations come out.

CharlesS · 2nd September 2019, 12:50 PM

Very nice throughout, but I really like the woven rattan ferrule...you don't see that very often, and this one is really nicely done.

xasterix · 3rd September 2019, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Stefan,

Very nice barung. I would say early 20th C and I especially like the blade which appears to have an inserted edge in the san mei method.. Detlef has noted the crest being absent on the pommel. Rather than broken and recarved, I think it was made this way as I have another example that is very similar and seems to be original rather than repaired. I think it is a barung from the Sulu Archipelago, perhaps Yakan (based on the prominently down-turned pommel). Jose or xasterix might have a better idea of its origin.

Regards,

Ian

Thanks for the referral sir Ian. I concur with Sulu. Nice piece!

Helleri · 3rd September 2019, 08:33 PM

That butt though. It tempts me to twirl it on my finger.

Battara · 3rd September 2019, 10:17 PM

I would suggest that Sulu would have a hilt top with a slope closer to a 45 degree angle, and thus I lean away from Tausug but more toward Samal (though still in the Sulu island chain).

1st September 2019, 10:48 AM	#1
Hombre Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 232	Barong Need opinions about this blade.... I think it is a barong from the Philippines.... Lenght 66 cm.... Any opinion at all very much appreciated... Best, Stefan Attached Images

1st September 2019, 02:38 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	Hi Stefan, Very nice barung. I would say early 20th C and I especially like the blade which appears to have an inserted edge in the san mei method.. Detlef has noted the crest being absent on the pommel. Rather than broken and recarved, I think it was made this way as I have another example that is very similar and seems to be original rather than repaired. I think it is a barung from the Sulu Archipelago, perhaps Yakan (based on the prominently down-turned pommel). Jose or xasterix might have a better idea of its origin. Regards, Ian Last edited by Ian; 1st September 2019 at 03:19 PM. Reason: Added link

1st September 2019, 02:08 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Hi Stefan, Yup, it's a barong, I guess that it's Samal but others like Ian or Jose will be able to tell you more. The back crest of the pommel was broken and get recarved. A polish and etch will show maybe a nice lamination. I would guess that it's from the first quarter of the 20th century. Regards, Detlef

1st September 2019, 08:31 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I agree with Ian on the dating. It might be Yakan, but I lean toward Samal as Detlef indicated due to the angle of the hilt. Also Detlef has a good point - polish and then etch the blade and make all those wonderful laminations come out.

2nd September 2019, 12:50 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Very nice throughout, but I really like the woven rattan ferrule...you don't see that very often, and this one is really nicely done.

3rd September 2019, 08:33 PM	#8
Helleri Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Chino, CA. Posts: 219	That butt though. It tempts me to twirl it on my finger.

3rd September 2019, 10:17 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I would suggest that Sulu would have a hilt top with a slope closer to a 45 degree angle, and thus I lean away from Tausug but more toward Samal (though still in the Sulu island chain).