Barong

Miguel · 4th July 2017, 04:02 PM

Hello everyone, I would be most grateful if our more knowledgeable members of this type of weapon could tell me if it is authentic or a tourist item and if the former its origin ?
O/L is 16.5 ins out of scabbard with a 11.75 ins blade x 1.875 ins at its widest part.
Thank you.
Miguel

mariusgmioc · 4th July 2017, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguel

Hello everyone, I would be most grateful if our more knowledgeable members of this type of weapon could tell me if it is authentic or a tourist item and if the former its origin ?
O/L is 16.5 ins out of scabbard with a 11.75 ins blade x 1.875 ins at its widest part.
Thank you.
Miguel

Hello Miguel,

I am by no means very knowledgeable but from the photos appears the blade is laminated, which I believe is a good sign.

Indicating the thickness of the blade and whether it is sharp or not, might also help in forming a more educated oppinion.

However, on the downside it appears to be of very recent production and with a very atypical clipped point configuration I have never seen on a Barong before.

I am curious myself to see what others have to say about it but I am rather suspicious about it.

Sajen · 4th July 2017, 06:18 PM

Hello Miguel,

it's a post WWII barong, it could be worked for local use but also as tourist barong. The clipped point is indead very unusual. Like Marius said, the lamination is a good sign but seems worked very coarse.

Regards,
Detlef

kino · 4th July 2017, 06:42 PM

interesting blade shape. Looks similar to the one in Cato's book (pg. 23), but not as graceful. Could it have been done as an afterthought?

kai · 6th July 2017, 02:22 AM

Hello Miguel,

Etching the blade would certainly be interesting!

Could you please post close-ups of the hilt?

Regards,
Kai

Miguel · 6th July 2017, 03:33 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies they are much appreciated.

[I]Indicating the thickness of the blade and whether it is sharp or not, might also help in forming a more educated opinion.

You are quite right Marius and I will rectify this as soon as I am next in my loft. The photos are what I took some time ago when I started to catalogue my collection. I omitted to include the thickness at the time so will have to root it out of its storage box. From memory the blade is robust and sharp.

[I]it's a post WWII barong, it could be worked for local use but also as tourist barong. The clipped point is indead very unusual. Like Marius said, the lamination is a good sign but seems worked very coarse.

Thanks Detlef, your age estimate seems to agree with Marius.

interesting blade shape. Looks similar to the one in Cato's book (pg. 23), but not as graceful. Could it have been done as an afterthought?
4th July 2017 06:18 PM.

Thanks Kino, I don't know whether the clip point was added or not. Will try to get an idea when I root it out.

Etching the blade would certainly be interesting!

Could you please post close-ups of the hilt?

I have never etched a blade yet but I may have a try as a number of my weapons may benefit from it. Regarding the photos I will gladly take some when I have rooted it out.

Thanks again.

Miguel

4th July 2017, 04:02 PM	#1
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Barong Hello everyone, I would be most grateful if our more knowledgeable members of this type of weapon could tell me if it is authentic or a tourist item and if the former its origin ? O/L is 16.5 ins out of scabbard with a 11.75 ins blade x 1.875 ins at its widest part. Thank you. Miguel Attached Images

4th July 2017, 06:18 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Hello Miguel, it's a post WWII barong, it could be worked for local use but also as tourist barong. The clipped point is indead very unusual. Like Marius said, the lamination is a good sign but seems worked very coarse. Regards, Detlef

4th July 2017, 06:42 PM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	interesting blade shape. Looks similar to the one in Cato's book (pg. 23), but not as graceful. Could it have been done as an afterthought?

6th July 2017, 02:22 AM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Miguel, Etching the blade would certainly be interesting! Could you please post close-ups of the hilt? Regards, Kai

6th July 2017, 03:33 PM	#6
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Thanks everyone for your replies they are much appreciated. [I]Indicating the thickness of the blade and whether it is sharp or not, might also help in forming a more educated opinion. You are quite right Marius and I will rectify this as soon as I am next in my loft. The photos are what I took some time ago when I started to catalogue my collection. I omitted to include the thickness at the time so will have to root it out of its storage box. From memory the blade is robust and sharp. [I]it's a post WWII barong, it could be worked for local use but also as tourist barong. The clipped point is indead very unusual. Like Marius said, the lamination is a good sign but seems worked very coarse. Thanks Detlef, your age estimate seems to agree with Marius. interesting blade shape. Looks similar to the one in Cato's book (pg. 23), but not as graceful. Could it have been done as an afterthought? 4th July 2017 06:18 PM. Thanks Kino, I don't know whether the clip point was added or not. Will try to get an idea when I root it out. Etching the blade would certainly be interesting! Could you please post close-ups of the hilt? I have never etched a blade yet but I may have a try as a number of my weapons may benefit from it. Regarding the photos I will gladly take some when I have rooted it out. Thanks again. Miguel