barung, kris, gunong: my first post

Pinoy Blade Hunter · 23rd May 2017, 06:22 PM

good day, i have been reading some threads here for a few weeks now, and am really fascinated about the opinions and information you guys share here.

i have a few pieces in my small collection that i would like to have your opinions on as to estimated age and origin.

thank you in advance

Battara · 23rd May 2017, 09:34 PM

Mabuhay and welcome to our little forum!

Your barong and gunning (the dagger) are of more recent manufacture. The barong from the Sulu region and the gunong looks to be perhaps from the Maranao (Mindanao for sure).

The kris looks also recent, although perhaps the blade might be WWII at the earliest. As far as the hilt is concerned it is later than the blade, but the blade might be Maguindanao, though I am a little inclined toward Sulu (close ups would be more helpful).

Nice work one the barong and gunong.

Ian · 24th May 2017, 02:54 AM

Hello and Welcome to the Forum.

Three nice examples of 20th C. Moro work. I agree with Battara about the likely age of these pieces, and that the kris might be Sulu in origin.

Look forward to seeing any more pieces you may have.

Ian.

Pinoy Blade Hunter · 24th May 2017, 08:22 AM

here are some more closeup pics of the barong

Pinoy Blade Hunter · 24th May 2017, 08:24 AM

and here are some more pics of the kris

Pinoy Blade Hunter · 24th May 2017, 10:52 AM

thank you for your replies. i am now trying to find out how to etch the blades of the kris and barong as i have seen so many beautiful photos of your etched blades.

any tips would be appreciated. i am planning to use white cane vinegar.

Sajen · 24th May 2017, 02:58 PM

Hello Jose and Ian,

agree with you both to have here three 20th century pieces but it's maybe a little disappointing for our new member to read "recent" for the age of his pieces. Would agree with recent for the gunong but it's a very nice worked piece. The barong is maybe from WWII area, so I would call it "vintage"

.
But very nice carved pommel!

The kris seems to my eyes the oldest piece of this small collection and when my eyes don't play a bad game with me I think to see that the gangya is separat, so maybe is this piece from the 1920/30ties?

Regards,
Detlef

Pinoy Blade Hunter · 24th May 2017, 03:23 PM

here are the kris and barong as i have received them the first time. the former owner coated it with "rust converter" thats why it was all black.

i had sanded it down a bit to remove most of the black, and put on metal polish.

the barongs thread wrapping was disintegrating, i re-wrapped it with cotton thread.

the gunong i got in that condition, i didnt do anything to it but wipe it with cloth damp with a little oil.

Ian · 24th May 2017, 06:01 PM

PBH:

You will find a lot of discussion of etching blades on these pages. If you use the Search function there should be plenty of guidance.

In the original culture it would be common to use pineapple juice or lime juice to etch the blades, and both of these natural acids work well. White vinegar is also good. Many people also use ferric chloride which can be found at hardware stores in the U.S. but may be harder to find in the Philippines.

The nice thing about etching blades lightly is that you can polish them back to bright metal and start again if you don't like the finish. Just don't get the etchant on the more delicate materials on the hilts.

Good luck and please show us the results of your etching.

Ian.

23rd May 2017, 06:22 PM	#1
Pinoy Blade Hunter Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 62	barung, kris, gunong: my first post good day, i have been reading some threads here for a few weeks now, and am really fascinated about the opinions and information you guys share here. i have a few pieces in my small collection that i would like to have your opinions on as to estimated age and origin. thank you in advance Attached Images Last edited by Pinoy Blade Hunter; 24th May 2017 at 09:57 AM.

24th May 2017, 08:22 AM	#4
Pinoy Blade Hunter Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 62	here are some more closeup pics of the barong Attached Images

24th May 2017, 08:24 AM	#5
Pinoy Blade Hunter Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 62	and here are some more pics of the kris Attached Images

24th May 2017, 03:23 PM	#8
Pinoy Blade Hunter Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 62	here are the kris and barong as i have received them the first time. the former owner coated it with "rust converter" thats why it was all black. i had sanded it down a bit to remove most of the black, and put on metal polish. the barongs thread wrapping was disintegrating, i re-wrapped it with cotton thread. the gunong i got in that condition, i didnt do anything to it but wipe it with cloth damp with a little oil. Attached Images

23rd May 2017, 09:34 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Mabuhay and welcome to our little forum! Your barong and gunning (the dagger) are of more recent manufacture. The barong from the Sulu region and the gunong looks to be perhaps from the Maranao (Mindanao for sure). The kris looks also recent, although perhaps the blade might be WWII at the earliest. As far as the hilt is concerned it is later than the blade, but the blade might be Maguindanao, though I am a little inclined toward Sulu (close ups would be more helpful). Nice work one the barong and gunong.

24th May 2017, 02:54 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	Hello and Welcome to the Forum. Three nice examples of 20th C. Moro work. I agree with Battara about the likely age of these pieces, and that the kris might be Sulu in origin. Look forward to seeing any more pieces you may have. Ian.

24th May 2017, 10:52 AM	#6
Pinoy Blade Hunter Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 62	thank you for your replies. i am now trying to find out how to etch the blades of the kris and barong as i have seen so many beautiful photos of your etched blades. any tips would be appreciated. i am planning to use white cane vinegar.

24th May 2017, 02:58 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Hello Jose and Ian, agree with you both to have here three 20th century pieces but it's maybe a little disappointing for our new member to read "recent" for the age of his pieces. Would agree with recent for the gunong but it's a very nice worked piece. The barong is maybe from WWII area, so I would call it "vintage" . But very nice carved pommel! The kris seems to my eyes the oldest piece of this small collection and when my eyes don't play a bad game with me I think to see that the gangya is separat, so maybe is this piece from the 1920/30ties? Regards, Detlef

24th May 2017, 06:01 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	PBH: You will find a lot of discussion of etching blades on these pages. If you use the Search function there should be plenty of guidance. In the original culture it would be common to use pineapple juice or lime juice to etch the blades, and both of these natural acids work well. White vinegar is also good. Many people also use ferric chloride which can be found at hardware stores in the U.S. but may be harder to find in the Philippines. The nice thing about etching blades lightly is that you can polish them back to bright metal and start again if you don't like the finish. Just don't get the etchant on the more delicate materials on the hilts. Good luck and please show us the results of your etching. Ian.