Looking at this old photo of Moro swords

Ian · 31st July 2022, 10:05 PM

There are at least three reasons I can think of for small bladed barung. Concealment, scaled down for a boy, or scaled down for a woman (Moro women did fight beside men if needed).

The smallest old barung I have owned had a blade of about 12 inches IIRC. I sold it to our forum owner, Dr Lee Jones, many years ago who may still have it.

CharlesS · 10th August 2022, 09:25 PM

One of the things I find most interesting about the photo is the fact that several of the barongs are etched exactly the way we might see them restored in a collection today, with very clearly visible pattern welded blades. Others seem to have plain, polished blades. Patterns seem harder to recognize on the krisses.

JeffS · 23rd August 2022, 05:20 PM

This one has a 12.5" blade, thick spine.

10th August 2022, 09:25 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	One of the things I find most interesting about the photo is the fact that several of the barongs are etched exactly the way we might see them restored in a collection today, with very clearly visible pattern welded blades. Others seem to have plain, polished blades. Patterns seem harder to recognize on the krisses. Last edited by CharlesS; 11th August 2022 at 12:27 PM.

23rd August 2022, 05:20 PM	#3
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 427	This one has a 12.5" blade, thick spine. Attached Images

31st July 2022, 10:05 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	There are at least three reasons I can think of for small bladed barung. Concealment, scaled down for a boy, or scaled down for a woman (Moro women did fight beside men if needed). The smallest old barung I have owned had a blade of about 12 inches IIRC. I sold it to our forum owner, Dr Lee Jones, many years ago who may still have it.