Barong Research Recommendations?

S. Jamieson · 26th August 2019, 04:49 AM

Hello All,

I'm very excited to have bought my first antique/ethnographic arms, two barongs and a keris. I was not terribly familiar with these types of swords before, but I thought these were quite good-looking, so I went ahead and bought them, figuring that I could learn more afterwards.

So, what resources and literature would you recommend to research barongs? The library system in my area is pretty good, and I have access to a large university library, so I'd love to dive down this particular rabbit-hole.

(I've also just recently joined this forum, so I'm hoping to get a few posts under my belt to earn my way out of probation!)

Gratia vobis ago,
S. Jamieson.

David · 30th August 2019, 02:38 AM

Welcome to the forums.
I don't know of that many good writer sources on barongs aside from Cato's Moro Sword and there is only very basic info there on these weapons.
I would recommend to post some images here and see what the gang has to say.
Post your keris over on the keris forum and we can talk.

Ian · 30th August 2019, 09:26 AM

Hi S. Jamieson,

Welcome to the Ethno Forum. As far as books on Moro weapons, you will find very few. The most comprehensive to date is "Moro Swords" by Robert Cato. This is now out of print, hard to find, and has become quite expensive. There are diverse views of Mr Cato and his book, but it does represent one person's attempt to describe in a somewhat systematic manner the common Moro weapons of the last 100–150 years. The best place to look for information, IMHO, is here on these forums. As David has said, you will find a number of well informed and helpful members here who will give you an honest appraisal of what you have and will share their expertise on the weapons, their origins, how to care for and repair them, etc. We never discuss prices (please make sure you read the Forum Rules at the top of the Forum Home Page). We also have policies concerning the posting of pictures of items, particularly if you ask for an identification/evaluation or wish an inscription to be translated. Again, please read the stickies and Forum Policies.

I look forward to seeing what you have.

Ian.

S. Jamieson · 11th September 2019, 05:54 AM

Thank you for your kind welcomes!

Thank you also for the recommendation. I'll see if I can get Robert Cato's book through the ILL system at the University. It's good to have somewhere to start.

I've attached some photos of the two barongs to this reply. I really do think that they are quite beautiful, and I hope that y'all enjoy them too! I'll see what I can do about getting the keris up on the other forum.

Gratia vobis ago,
S. Jamieson.

kai · 11th September 2019, 07:10 PM

Welcome to the forum!

Both seem to be neat examples - dimensions and some more pics would be great!

Regards,
Kai

Ian · 11th September 2019, 09:17 PM

Hi S.J.,

Two nice looking barung which appear to have some age. I think the second (smaller) is probably late 19th or early 20th C, and the larger one is probably a little later with a scabbard from about the mid-20th C. The blades show a nice laminated pattern.

It would be helpful to see the hilts in more detail to get a better idea of age.

Ian.

26th August 2019, 04:49 AM	#1
S. Jamieson Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: California Central Coast Posts: 3	Barong Research Recommendations? Hello All, I'm very excited to have bought my first antique/ethnographic arms, two barongs and a keris. I was not terribly familiar with these types of swords before, but I thought these were quite good-looking, so I went ahead and bought them, figuring that I could learn more afterwards. So, what resources and literature would you recommend to research barongs? The library system in my area is pretty good, and I have access to a large university library, so I'd love to dive down this particular rabbit-hole. (I've also just recently joined this forum, so I'm hoping to get a few posts under my belt to earn my way out of probation!) Gratia vobis ago, S. Jamieson.

30th August 2019, 09:26 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Hi S. Jamieson, Welcome to the Ethno Forum. As far as books on Moro weapons, you will find very few. The most comprehensive to date is "Moro Swords" by Robert Cato. This is now out of print, hard to find, and has become quite expensive. There are diverse views of Mr Cato and his book, but it does represent one person's attempt to describe in a somewhat systematic manner the common Moro weapons of the last 100–150 years. The best place to look for information, IMHO, is here on these forums. As David has said, you will find a number of well informed and helpful members here who will give you an honest appraisal of what you have and will share their expertise on the weapons, their origins, how to care for and repair them, etc. We never discuss prices (please make sure you read the Forum Rules at the top of the Forum Home Page). We also have policies concerning the posting of pictures of items, particularly if you ask for an identification/evaluation or wish an inscription to be translated. Again, please read the stickies and Forum Policies. I look forward to seeing what you have. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 31st August 2019 at 04:56 AM. Reason: Typos

11th September 2019, 05:54 AM	#4
S. Jamieson Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: California Central Coast Posts: 3	Thank you for your kind welcomes! Thank you also for the recommendation. I'll see if I can get Robert Cato's book through the ILL system at the University. It's good to have somewhere to start. I've attached some photos of the two barongs to this reply. I really do think that they are quite beautiful, and I hope that y'all enjoy them too! I'll see what I can do about getting the keris up on the other forum. Gratia vobis ago, S. Jamieson. Attached Images

30th August 2019, 02:38 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	Welcome to the forums. I don't know of that many good writer sources on barongs aside from Cato's Moro Sword and there is only very basic info there on these weapons. I would recommend to post some images here and see what the gang has to say. Post your keris over on the keris forum and we can talk.

11th September 2019, 07:10 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Welcome to the forum! Both seem to be neat examples - dimensions and some more pics would be great! Regards, Kai

11th September 2019, 09:17 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Hi S.J., Two nice looking barung which appear to have some age. I think the second (smaller) is probably late 19th or early 20th C, and the larger one is probably a little later with a scabbard from about the mid-20th C. The blades show a nice laminated pattern. It would be helpful to see the hilts in more detail to get a better idea of age. Ian.