Two Interesting Moro Barong/Barung

kai · 21st August 2022, 11:02 AM

The big one certainly is a bummer, Charles!

The hilt strikes me as typical Tausug (I guess this style may be also found outside of the core area inhabited if only for travel/expat communities/trade).

The scabbard seems to have stylistic elements of Sama culture (even if less extensively covered by carving as often seen).

The blade shape does resemble pieces from Maranao or even Palawan and Sabah. Even if it doesn't show contrasting laminations, have you already tried etching, Charles?

Regards,
Kai

JeffS · 21st August 2022, 02:57 PM

Nice set. I scored a little barong, also in nearly perfect shape from RSWORD.

CharlesS · 21st August 2022, 04:43 PM

Lovely piece, Jeff. Interesting to that even though it’s a smaller example of the blade profile of yours is very similar to my large example with what I call a “big belly”.

Battara · 21st August 2022, 08:26 PM

Charles I love the carving on the long one.

Ian · 21st August 2022, 11:07 PM

Charles,

Your heavy, fat-bellied sword looks quite old to me. That style of hilt is a junggayan form from the 19th C, and fat-bellied barung seemed to be more common then. The forward weighting of the blade and the slightly upturned tip might suggest a Palawano or Zamboanga origin. It's a very interesting sword.

I have heard a theory that the barung may have derived originally from a fat-bellied chopper, like this one, possibly of Chinese origin.

Battara · 22nd August 2022, 11:44 PM

Picture please Ian?

21st August 2022, 02:57 PM	#2
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 423	Nice set. I scored a little barong, also in nearly perfect shape from RSWORD. Attached Images

21st August 2022, 11:02 AM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	The big one certainly is a bummer, Charles! The hilt strikes me as typical Tausug (I guess this style may be also found outside of the core area inhabited if only for travel/expat communities/trade). The scabbard seems to have stylistic elements of Sama culture (even if less extensively covered by carving as often seen). The blade shape does resemble pieces from Maranao or even Palawan and Sabah. Even if it doesn't show contrasting laminations, have you already tried etching, Charles? Regards, Kai

21st August 2022, 04:43 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Lovely piece, Jeff. Interesting to that even though it’s a smaller example of the blade profile of yours is very similar to my large example with what I call a “big belly”.

21st August 2022, 08:26 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,270	Charles I love the carving on the long one.

21st August 2022, 11:07 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Charles, Your heavy, fat-bellied sword looks quite old to me. That style of hilt is a junggayan form from the 19th C, and fat-bellied barung seemed to be more common then. The forward weighting of the blade and the slightly upturned tip might suggest a Palawano or Zamboanga origin. It's a very interesting sword. I have heard a theory that the barung may have derived originally from a fat-bellied chopper, like this one, possibly of Chinese origin.

22nd August 2022, 11:44 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,270	Picture please Ian?