Go on... show us your Barung!!!

Indio_Ira · 14th April 2021, 08:43 PM

Hello Everyone,

Brand new member here and thank you for approving my account!

I'm quite new to collecting so I appreciate everyone's knowledge here and input. Here is my Barong with silver hilt and ivory pommel.

The scabbard seems to have been made later than the blade since it has a 1937 US coin. It is held together by nickle bands.

Would love to hear any feedback on where this Barong originated from on from what year.

Thanks!

kai · 15th April 2021, 01:52 AM

Welcome to the forum!

More pics and specs of the blade would be good.

The hilt and scabbard are likely Maranao work from after WWII.

The blade might also be Maranao but difficult to tell from the limited pics.

Regards,
Kai

kronckew · 15th April 2021, 09:57 AM

Dimensions (length, width, thickness of blade and weight help too. Please show both sides of the blade/grip. and scabbard

Blades are often older than scabbards as they tended to drop their scabbards before a battle, and recover them after victory. If they lost, they didn't need it, the new owner could either get a new one made, or have a look to see where the previous owners dropped them & find one that fit. Even if the old owner won, he may have had a new one made if it were damaged or worn, or he wanted a more decorated one.

pindang · 30th April 2021, 10:34 PM

Hello everyone.

I’m new to the forum, this is my first post. I’ve been collecting barungs for a while, here are a few pics I’d like to share.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

kai · 2nd May 2021, 01:53 AM

Welcome to the forum!

That's a neat collection for a start - especially the series of slender barung which all seem to hail from the first half of the 20th century.

The first looks like an antique blade in recent scabbard; some more pics would be good.

Do you know the maker of the last example?

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 2nd May 2021, 10:29 AM

Also from me a welcome to the forum Pindang!

Nice collection of barungs.

Regards,
Detlef

pindang · 2nd May 2021, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Also from me a welcome to the forum Pindang!

Nice collection of barungs.

Regards,
Detlef

Thank you Sir!

pindang · 2nd May 2021, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Welcome to the forum!

That's a neat collection for a start - especially the series of slender barung which all seem to hail from the first half of the 20th century.

The first looks like an antique blade in recent scabbard; some more pics would be good.

Do you know the maker of the last example?

Regards,
Kai

Thank you. I’ll post more pics of the first example. Sorry, I don’t know who is the maker of the last piece.

kai · 5th May 2021, 12:03 AM

Thanks! Another nice example from the first half of the 20th century; the blade seems to be of above-average quality and could be an older, antique piece that got rehilted. The scabbard does seem to show some wear; it clearly exhibits modern craftsmanship though and will be a later replacement.

Quote:

I don’t know who is the maker of the last piece.

This looks much more recent overall. What does the writing on the scabbard say?

Regards,
Kai

pindang · 3rd May 2021, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Welcome to the forum!

That's a neat collection for a start - especially the series of slender barung which all seem to hail from the first half of the 20th century.

The first looks like an antique blade in recent scabbard; some more pics would be good.

Do you know the maker of the last example?

Regards,
Kai

Kai, here are a few more pics of the first barung.

pindang · 13th June 2021, 06:41 PM

Here are a few barungs from my collection.

kronckew · 14th June 2021, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pindang

Here are a few barungs from my collection.

😀 You only have a few? You need more.

pindang · 14th June 2021, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

😀 You only have a few? You need more.

I agree sir! 😎😜😊

Indio_Ira · 8th July 2021, 03:44 AM

Sorry all for the late reply on this.

But had to move across the coast and then work occupied my time.
Here's more photos and specs:

Blade length - 13 1/2inches
Thickness - 3/16
Hilt - close to 6 inches

Total length - 19 inches from tip of the blade and tip of the ivory hilt.

Perhaps that'll help to determine the provenance of it.

Thank you all!

Battara · 9th July 2021, 12:45 AM

This is a nice ivory Maranao barong. I did some restoration work on this. Glad it went to a loving owner!

xasterix · 9th July 2021, 05:07 AM

Among us Filipino collectors, it's Mr pindang that has the most barungs, I'm betting

He has a plethora of them!

Here are my latest barungs...a Sama barung with some initials on the scabbard plate and well-preserved rattan ferrule. 16in blade, hollow ground edge.

Then a barung entrusted to me by Ian, probably the best among my barungs right now...20.75in blade with sandigan edge. Wields really well, but with a beastly momentum on every cut.

Indio_Ira · 9th July 2021, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

This is a nice ivory Maranao barong. I did some restoration work on this. Glad it went to a loving owner!

Thank you sir! I love this Barong. What restoration work did you do?

Ian · 10th July 2021, 12:39 AM

Xas,

You are accumulating quite a collection of barung! I'm pleased you like the shandigan blade. As you say, it is quite a beast and longer than most shandigan. Look forward to hearing how it cuts for you.

kai · 10th July 2021, 12:47 AM

Hello Jose,

Quote:

This is a nice ivory Maranao barong. I did some restoration work on this.

Thanks for confirming! The blade is not easy to evaluate from the limited pics - do you think it also is Maranao or is it a recycled Sulu blade?

Regards,
Kai

Indio_Ira · 10th July 2021, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Jose,

Thanks for confirming! The blade is not easy to evaluate from the limited pics - do you think it also is Maranao or is it a recycled Sulu blade?

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,
Please let me know what other photographs does the forum need to better help identify my blade? I'll be more than happy to take them for everyone so it can be evaluated.

Thanks
Ira

gp · 4th September 2021, 07:34 PM

first time I read the title "Go on... show us your Barung!!! "....

my first thoughts where, where did a decent christian guy like me end up...?
between a bunch of perverts....
or ruffians....?

luckily I recognized a few names of decent lads and the pics shown were OK !

Question I have is :

what attracks you to a barong ?
why do you like it and what about it you like ?

FYI: I am from the Netherlands or Holland if you like and by tradition or better due to historical ties we do have a certain affinity with the kris.
Both peoples : Indonesian decent and also Dutch, us Cloggies thus

like the kris
Not only as a cold weapon as such and the historical part, but also due to its mystical, spiritual nature.
Noticing that most of you do not have that personal and or historical tie with the barong country/ countries, I am curious what attracts you to it?
No disrespect nor offence intended ...

BR

Gunar

Rick · 4th September 2021, 10:15 PM

Hi, US here,
Have you forgotten the Philippine Revolution at the end of the Span-AM war?

IIRC America was quite involved in the Philippines during that time; and shortly thereafter in WWII.
Americans have those historical ties to the Islands. Three of my ancestors were there over that span of time; one died there somewhere in the wilds of Mindanao.

Fatal beauty.
A Barung is a very efficient tool for separating people from their limbs; they were used for that purpose back then. Some of the simple real antique ones have a certain feeling when you hold them, almost like they're old veterans that have stories to tell could we only hear them.

Ian · 4th September 2021, 10:44 PM

Gunar,

Rick has pointed to the historical connection between the US and the Philippines. The US had a lot of trouble with the Moros in the southern parts of the country after "inheriting" ownership of the islands in 1899. Not just the Moros, but with unhappy residents throughout the islands. However, the Moros were the most troublesome and conflicts continued for another 15 years or so. There was a respect for the Moros and their weapons. The barung was perhaps the most feared weapon as it was more easily concealed than the kris, and often used by juramentados for magsabil or "honor attacks" against the enemy.

Many Moro and other Philippine weapons have found their way to the US, often brought back by US servicemen who continued to be stationed in the Philippines after Philippine independence following WWII. The eruption of Mt Pinatubo in 1991 damaged Clark AFB and the neighboring Subic Bay Naval Base, and finally led to US military withdrawal from the islands.

Much like the Dutch experience in Indonesia, there remains an interest in things Filipino in the US, and of course we have a sizeable Filipino community living here.

As Rick noted too, the barung is of interest to collectors for its functional aspects. When wielding it, it is easy to feel the power that a blow from one of these blades would unleash, while some simple cutting tests reveal it to be an awesome weapon.

Rick · 5th September 2021, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

As Rick noted too, the barung is of interest to collectors for its functional aspects. When wielding it, it is easy to feel the power that a blow from one of these blades would unleash, while some simple cutting tests reveal it to be an awesome weapon.

Yes, I have a vintage photo of the loser of a fight which I will spare the membership from seeing, he looks like a doll that has been disassembled.

14th April 2021, 08:43 PM	#1
Indio_Ira Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 26	Datu Barong Hello Everyone, Brand new member here and thank you for approving my account! I'm quite new to collecting so I appreciate everyone's knowledge here and input. Here is my Barong with silver hilt and ivory pommel. The scabbard seems to have been made later than the blade since it has a 1937 US coin. It is held together by nickle bands. Would love to hear any feedback on where this Barong originated from on from what year. Thanks! Attached Images

30th April 2021, 10:34 PM	#4
pindang Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 14	Hello everyone. I’m new to the forum, this is my first post. I’ve been collecting barungs for a while, here are a few pics I’d like to share. Hope everyone has a great weekend! Attached Images

13th June 2021, 06:41 PM	#11
pindang Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 14	Barungs Here are a few barungs from my collection. Attached Images

8th July 2021, 03:44 AM	#14
Indio_Ira Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 26	Sorry all for the late reply on this. But had to move across the coast and then work occupied my time. Here's more photos and specs: Blade length - 13 1/2inches Thickness - 3/16 Hilt - close to 6 inches Total length - 19 inches from tip of the blade and tip of the ivory hilt. Perhaps that'll help to determine the provenance of it. Thank you all! Attached Images

9th July 2021, 05:07 AM	#16
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 640	Among us Filipino collectors, it's Mr pindang that has the most barungs, I'm betting He has a plethora of them! Here are my latest barungs...a Sama barung with some initials on the scabbard plate and well-preserved rattan ferrule. 16in blade, hollow ground edge. Then a barung entrusted to me by Ian, probably the best among my barungs right now...20.75in blade with sandigan edge. Wields really well, but with a beastly momentum on every cut. Attached Images

15th April 2021, 01:52 AM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,252	Welcome to the forum! More pics and specs of the blade would be good. The hilt and scabbard are likely Maranao work from after WWII. The blade might also be Maranao but difficult to tell from the limited pics. Regards, Kai

15th April 2021, 09:57 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,167	Dimensions (length, width, thickness of blade and weight help too. Please show both sides of the blade/grip. and scabbard Blades are often older than scabbards as they tended to drop their scabbards before a battle, and recover them after victory. If they lost, they didn't need it, the new owner could either get a new one made, or have a look to see where the previous owners dropped them & find one that fit. Even if the old owner won, he may have had a new one made if it were damaged or worn, or he wanted a more decorated one.

2nd May 2021, 01:53 AM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,252	Welcome to the forum! That's a neat collection for a start - especially the series of slender barung which all seem to hail from the first half of the 20th century. The first looks like an antique blade in recent scabbard; some more pics would be good. Do you know the maker of the last example? Regards, Kai

2nd May 2021, 10:29 AM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,732	Also from me a welcome to the forum Pindang! Nice collection of barungs. Regards, Detlef

9th July 2021, 12:45 AM	#15
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,200	This is a nice ivory Maranao barong. I did some restoration work on this. Glad it went to a loving owner!

10th July 2021, 12:39 AM	#18
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,167	Xas, You are accumulating quite a collection of barung! I'm pleased you like the shandigan blade. As you say, it is quite a beast and longer than most shandigan. Look forward to hearing how it cuts for you.

4th September 2021, 07:34 PM	#21
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 701	first time I read the title "Go on... show us your Barung!!! ".... my first thoughts where, where did a decent christian guy like me end up...? between a bunch of perverts.... or ruffians....? luckily I recognized a few names of decent lads and the pics shown were OK ! Question I have is : what attracks you to a barong ? why do you like it and what about it you like ? FYI: I am from the Netherlands or Holland if you like and by tradition or better due to historical ties we do have a certain affinity with the kris. Both peoples : Indonesian decent and also Dutch, us Cloggies thus like the kris Not only as a cold weapon as such and the historical part, but also due to its mystical, spiritual nature. Noticing that most of you do not have that personal and or historical tie with the barong country/ countries, I am curious what attracts you to it? No disrespect nor offence intended ... BR Gunar

4th September 2021, 10:15 PM	#22
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,287	Martial History Hi, US here, Have you forgotten the Philippine Revolution at the end of the Span-AM war? IIRC America was quite involved in the Philippines during that time; and shortly thereafter in WWII. Americans have those historical ties to the Islands. Three of my ancestors were there over that span of time; one died there somewhere in the wilds of Mindanao. Fatal beauty. A Barung is a very efficient tool for separating people from their limbs; they were used for that purpose back then. Some of the simple real antique ones have a certain feeling when you hold them, almost like they're old veterans that have stories to tell could we only hear them. Last edited by Rick; 4th September 2021 at 10:29 PM.

4th September 2021, 10:44 PM	#23
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,167	Gunar, Rick has pointed to the historical connection between the US and the Philippines. The US had a lot of trouble with the Moros in the southern parts of the country after "inheriting" ownership of the islands in 1899. Not just the Moros, but with unhappy residents throughout the islands. However, the Moros were the most troublesome and conflicts continued for another 15 years or so. There was a respect for the Moros and their weapons. The barung was perhaps the most feared weapon as it was more easily concealed than the kris, and often used by juramentados for magsabil or "honor attacks" against the enemy. Many Moro and other Philippine weapons have found their way to the US, often brought back by US servicemen who continued to be stationed in the Philippines after Philippine independence following WWII. The eruption of Mt Pinatubo in 1991 damaged Clark AFB and the neighboring Subic Bay Naval Base, and finally led to US military withdrawal from the islands. Much like the Dutch experience in Indonesia, there remains an interest in things Filipino in the US, and of course we have a sizeable Filipino community living here. As Rick noted too, the barung is of interest to collectors for its functional aspects. When wielding it, it is easy to feel the power that a blow from one of these blades would unleash, while some simple cutting tests reveal it to be an awesome weapon.