Newly Acquired Datu Barong Sword

Aslan Paladin · 16th October 2018, 08:39 AM

I've just bought this datu barong sword with a kamagong/horn and ivory/bone junggayan pommel and I would like to share some pics for our data base. Prior to this I already have one but this new one has a complete pommel unlike my previous one which has a broken beak (pics can be seen here http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23502). I have asked Battara to restore it to its former glory and I know he will do a magnificent job as he always does. Pics are from the seller. Comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

CharlesS · 16th October 2018, 12:36 PM

Looks to be a gorgeous example after some restoration and 'tlc'.

Congrats!

Ian · 16th October 2018, 02:18 PM

Looks like a very nice example of a known type of barung with MOP inlays in the pommel. Although showing some wear and tear on the hilt, the pommel seems to be all there--often they show some chipping or are missing some of the MOP plates. I'm sure Jose will do a wonderful job on it.

Ian.

Sajen · 16th October 2018, 06:22 PM

Hi Algelan,

very nice example, you will know already who will restore the broken band at the hilt!

It's otherwise in more as good condition but very well paid!

Regards,
Detlef

Aslan Paladin · 17th October 2018, 09:10 AM

Thanks Charles, it is indeed going to be a stand out addition to my collection once it is restored. It is hard to find datu barongs of this type with the pommels intact (plume, beak and inlays).

Ian - rather than mother of pearl, I think the pommel inlays are either ivory (hopefully) or bone, with a few of the inlays inlaid themselves in the center with black dots probably made of water buffalo horn. The middle silver band is damaged, looks like missing a large section. The plaited silver wire bands appear to be intact though, maybe just needing to be fixed in place by soldering once the damaged band is fixed or replaced. The bottom part of the scabbard is also damaged and the blade is extensively pitted. But as you've said Jose will do a wonderful job on it - he was exactly who I had in mind to restore the sword when I decided to bid on it.

Sajen - If the middle band wasn't damaged like that I would have just taken the sword as is, the blade I could just smooth out myself and the damaged bottom part of the scabbard I would just leave alone. But we all know there is only one man who could do justice with regards to the type of restoration this sword deserves. And I think I did get a steal with the price I paid for it and it will be more obvious once it is finally restored to its old glory.

Aslan Paladin · 9th April 2019, 07:18 PM

I have received the restored datu barong from Jose and as always he has done a magnificent job. Here are the pictures of the restored sword. Enjoy.

Aslan Paladin · 9th April 2019, 07:23 PM

Here is a side by side comparison of the sword before and after restoration.

mross · 9th April 2019, 07:46 PM

Darn

Jose, that's some nice work

kai · 10th April 2019, 05:05 PM

Darn, Algelan, that's some nice barung!

kai · 10th April 2019, 05:40 PM

Very nice barung; the scabbard deserves special mention, too!

The braided wire looks like copper rather than suasa, I guess?

I do believe that the blade deserves a full polish though!

Regards,
Kai

CharlesS · 11th April 2019, 12:00 AM

Isn't it amazing what a little elbow grease and clean-up will do!!?? You have really brought this barung back to life in such a way that the Moros of old would really appreciate it.

Well done, and congrats!

Oliver Pinchot · 11th April 2019, 02:44 AM

Especially when they're Jose's elbows

Ian · 11th April 2019, 10:46 AM

Great sword. Jose's work just keeps getting better! Wonderful resto work on the hilt and scabbard.

Ian

Battara · 13th April 2019, 06:13 PM

Thank you folks.

Regarding the blade, it was so rusted and deeply pitted. I took it off, but I had to leave some of the pitting where it is or else risk the metal's integrity.

And yes there are woven copper bands on the hilt.

xasterix · 14th April 2019, 01:17 PM

Great sword! I'm curious though- from which BangsaMoro tribe would this have originated? My reading on the ukkil is Sama. I'm interested if there are other opinions regarding this

kai · 14th April 2019, 05:30 PM

Tausug from hat to toe, IMHO.

Also the carved ukkil motifs are fairly large and relaxed - not the tighter carving with smaller motifs I usually associate with Sama...

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 15th April 2019, 02:12 AM

I'm with Kai on this. The ukkil on this is Tausug to my eyes when I held and worked on it.

xasterix · 15th April 2019, 02:33 AM

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

xasterix · 15th April 2019, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I'm with Kai on this. The ukkil on this is Tausug to my eyes when I held and worked on it.

Hi guys, sorry if I'm quite persistent- I'm just wondering what defining features point toward Tausug. For my part, my take on the ukkil is that it's characteristic of what I personally call as the '2-bit swirl' of ukkil from Tawi-tawi which is present even in modern Tawi-tawi weaps. My attached picture contains the following weaps' scabbard ukkil:

A. Datu Barung
B. WW2-era Sama Barung
C. Another barung discussed somewhere else in this forum, which I surmise to be Sama Barung as well
D. Modern Sama Barung sourced from Bongao, Tawi-tawi

As you can see, the 2-bit swirl ukkil motif is present in all blades. Moreover, one of Spunjer's qualifying features for a Sama barung- the curving upward of the scabbard throat on one side only- is present in all samples.

Would like to hear your thoughts further. Sorry I'm trying to learn as well, that's why I'm interested in seeing this through

Battara · 15th April 2019, 08:42 PM

For me Sama does have an upturn on the scabbard, but it is more abrupt than the others. I have noticed this abrupt upturn on the ukkil on the pommels as well.

I would question your picture C as Sama. Might be, but I would lean more toward Tausug both on the crocodile mouth and on the style of the ukkil upturn on the scabbard.

Battara · 15th April 2019, 08:43 PM

Perhaps we should start another thread to discuss just Sama characteristics so as not to deter too much from this thread.

16th October 2018, 08:39 AM	#1
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Newly Acquired Datu Barong Sword I've just bought this datu barong sword with a kamagong/horn and ivory/bone junggayan pommel and I would like to share some pics for our data base. Prior to this I already have one but this new one has a complete pommel unlike my previous one which has a broken beak (pics can be seen here http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23502). I have asked Battara to restore it to its former glory and I know he will do a magnificent job as he always does. Pics are from the seller. Comments would be appreciated. Thanks. Attached Images Last edited by Aslan Paladin; 16th October 2018 at 11:50 AM.

9th April 2019, 07:18 PM	#6
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	I have received the restored datu barong from Jose and as always he has done a magnificent job. Here are the pictures of the restored sword. Enjoy. Attached Images

9th April 2019, 07:23 PM	#7
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Here is a side by side comparison of the sword before and after restoration. Attached Images

16th October 2018, 12:36 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Looks to be a gorgeous example after some restoration and 'tlc'. Congrats!

16th October 2018, 02:18 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Looks like a very nice example of a known type of barung with MOP inlays in the pommel. Although showing some wear and tear on the hilt, the pommel seems to be all there--often they show some chipping or are missing some of the MOP plates. I'm sure Jose will do a wonderful job on it. Ian.

16th October 2018, 06:22 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Hi Algelan, very nice example, you will know already who will restore the broken band at the hilt! It's otherwise in more as good condition but very well paid! Regards, Detlef

17th October 2018, 09:10 AM	#5
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Thanks Charles, it is indeed going to be a stand out addition to my collection once it is restored. It is hard to find datu barongs of this type with the pommels intact (plume, beak and inlays). Ian - rather than mother of pearl, I think the pommel inlays are either ivory (hopefully) or bone, with a few of the inlays inlaid themselves in the center with black dots probably made of water buffalo horn. The middle silver band is damaged, looks like missing a large section. The plaited silver wire bands appear to be intact though, maybe just needing to be fixed in place by soldering once the damaged band is fixed or replaced. The bottom part of the scabbard is also damaged and the blade is extensively pitted. But as you've said Jose will do a wonderful job on it - he was exactly who I had in mind to restore the sword when I decided to bid on it. Sajen - If the middle band wasn't damaged like that I would have just taken the sword as is, the blade I could just smooth out myself and the damaged bottom part of the scabbard I would just leave alone. But we all know there is only one man who could do justice with regards to the type of restoration this sword deserves. And I think I did get a steal with the price I paid for it and it will be more obvious once it is finally restored to its old glory.

9th April 2019, 07:46 PM	#8
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	Darn Jose, that's some nice work

10th April 2019, 05:05 PM	#9
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Darn, Algelan, that's some nice barung!

10th April 2019, 05:40 PM	#10
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Very nice barung; the scabbard deserves special mention, too! The braided wire looks like copper rather than suasa, I guess? I do believe that the blade deserves a full polish though! Regards, Kai

11th April 2019, 12:00 AM	#11
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Isn't it amazing what a little elbow grease and clean-up will do!!?? You have really brought this barung back to life in such a way that the Moros of old would really appreciate it. Well done, and congrats!

11th April 2019, 02:44 AM	#12
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	Especially when they're Jose's elbows

11th April 2019, 10:46 AM	#13
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Great sword. Jose's work just keeps getting better! Wonderful resto work on the hilt and scabbard. Ian

13th April 2019, 06:13 PM	#14
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Thank you folks. Regarding the blade, it was so rusted and deeply pitted. I took it off, but I had to leave some of the pitting where it is or else risk the metal's integrity. And yes there are woven copper bands on the hilt.

14th April 2019, 01:17 PM	#15
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 653	Great sword! I'm curious though- from which BangsaMoro tribe would this have originated? My reading on the ukkil is Sama. I'm interested if there are other opinions regarding this

14th April 2019, 05:30 PM	#16
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Tausug from hat to toe, IMHO. Also the carved ukkil motifs are fairly large and relaxed - not the tighter carving with smaller motifs I usually associate with Sama... Regards, Kai

15th April 2019, 02:12 AM	#17
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	I'm with Kai on this. The ukkil on this is Tausug to my eyes when I held and worked on it.

15th April 2019, 02:33 AM	#18
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 653	Thanks for the feedback everyone!

15th April 2019, 08:42 PM	#20
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	For me Sama does have an upturn on the scabbard, but it is more abrupt than the others. I have noticed this abrupt upturn on the ukkil on the pommels as well. I would question your picture C as Sama. Might be, but I would lean more toward Tausug both on the crocodile mouth and on the style of the ukkil upturn on the scabbard.

15th April 2019, 08:43 PM	#21
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Perhaps we should start another thread to discuss just Sama characteristics so as not to deter too much from this thread.