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

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.

Battara · 5th September 2021, 04:45 PM

Long ago I almost used 1890 fighting barong (my first antique piece) in defending my wife and myself against someone who I thought would break down our door. Fortunately (for him) he did not come through. The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

kronckew · 5th September 2021, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

... The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

I like your anecdote.

An anecdote from a US Officer during the Moro Rebellion, early 1900's told the tale of a Jurementado (Moro suicide assassin high on ganja) who surprised a patrol and cut a soldier in half with his sword after being shot with the guy's krag. The officer emptied his issue .38 into the Moro who finally succumbed withing inches of being able to kill him. The sword was not a Kris or kampilan, but a barung. After many close calls in that war, the US shifted away from the 9mm(.355in.) range of available weapons to the bigger .45 cal. ones, winding up with the colt model 1911 .45acp, which is still in service with those in the know, the bean counters who haven't read the history books prefer the 9mm, but the special forces choice is frequently the .45acp 1911. During the Moro thingy, many soldiers wrote their families and asked to have a .45 long colt revolver sent to them. During the recent brouhaha in the Middle East many soldiers wrote home to have their families send them a .45acp 1911.

My Visayan barung (bottom, post 49 above) also lives on a wardrobe shelf near the bedroom door, justincase. When I lived in the states a 1911 was closer. Not allowed to have one here in the UK, so I make do with the next best thing, a sharp pointy.

Rick · 5th September 2021, 05:31 PM

JUNGLE PATROL by Vic Hurley is full of anecdotes from that era. It's about the Philippine Constabulary. Last published in 1938 I believe.

gp · 6th September 2021, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Long ago I almost used 1890 fighting barong (my first antique piece) in defending my wife and myself against someone who I thought would break down our door. Fortunately (for him) he did not come through. The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

better be kind to your wife then...

4th September 2021, 10:15 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	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	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,395	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.

5th September 2021, 04:45 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Long ago I almost used 1890 fighting barong (my first antique piece) in defending my wife and myself against someone who I thought would break down our door. Fortunately (for him) he did not come through. The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

5th September 2021, 05:31 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	JUNGLE PATROL by Vic Hurley is full of anecdotes from that era. It's about the Philippine Constabulary. Last published in 1938 I believe.