Question On Odd Barong

[Robert]

This ended on ebay a few days ago and I thought that it was very different looking for a barong, that is if it even is a barong. Looking at the blade where it meets the hilt you can see small protrusions almost like a rudimentary guard. It seems to be very well made with a horn hilt and possibly silver fittings. Unfortunately there were no measurement in the description. Has anyone seen anything like this before? Photos are from the auction.

Robert

[migueldiaz]

don't know moro swords that much. but earlier (at the swap forum), the pics below were posted. i think the one with the white background was spunjer's.

@ron, do these swords have a special name? salamat!

[David]

See the barong in post # 40 for similar protrusions...
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=14086&page=2

[Robert]

Lorenz and David, Thank you both for the pictures and the link to examples of others similar to this. It seems funny that most of the similar barongs are to be found in the swap forum but there seems to be little to no information on their origin or age other than the one small tag next to the barong in Lorenz photo in the link referred to by David. Here is another photo of a similar barong that was posted by Freebooter, again in the swap forum. Thank you both for your help.

Robert

[Robert]

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]

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]

Could this be a Visayan barong?

[kai]

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

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

Regards,
Kai

[Robert]

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

[KuKulzA28]

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

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!

[kai]

Hello Robert,

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.

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]

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

[Sajen]

Just reread this thread, I was in Indonesia when it was posted!

Beautiful barong Robert, congrats for it and your wife!!

Regards,

Detlef

[ThePepperSkull]

Horn and silver -- My favourite combination! A very curious, but very nice, piece! Once again I find myself envious of your collection, Mr Coleman.

[Indianajones]

If it may help; I do find the octagonal handle with those rings at an interval quite similar style as I have seen on the long curved-bladed beheading swords. Hope you know what I mean (or perhaps someone else).
Am not sure myself (100%) of where those beheadingswords where used, but I believe Maranao (tribe), Mindanao isld.?? (my expertise lies more to N.-Phil.)
Congrats though; very nice one; always nice to have a piece of silver deco.

[Robert]

Hello everyone, I would like to thank you all for your help and opinions on this barong as well as the other items. I cannot tell you all how surprised I was when she did this, she is defiantly a keeper.

"If it may help; I do find the octagonal handle with those rings at an interval quite similar style as I have seen on the long curved-bladed beheading swords. Hope you know what I mean"

Indianajones, Do you mean something like this panabas?