Barung - finally.

kronckew · 23rd July 2019, 08:37 PM

Finally found an older barung inside my budget. sharp mas heck too. the 'crest' on the pommel end has snapped off, but grip is otherwise undamaged. Metal fittings appear a yellowish silvery metal, not sure what it is, doen't appear to be brass or bronze, or aluminum.

the small 'beak' on the lower front of the pommel is as original, no beard, Scabbard has a few cracks I will address, and a bit of the tip also cracked off & break has been worn down. Not sure how old, or what area it comes from, any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

Aslan Paladin · 24th July 2019, 04:51 AM

It seems like a Sulu barung from around World War 2 era based on the crest emerging directly from the back of the pommel and the central ridge line on the scabbard. Nice carving on the top of the scabbard. I like the elongated, sipput-type blade as well. Congratulations.

kronckew · 24th July 2019, 09:16 AM

Thanks, Forgot to mention the blade is 18in. long, 2.5 in. at it's widest and about 0.25 in. thick at the bolster, distal tapering of course...

The scabbard has a black spot on it in the photo, it's actually a hole all the way thru. I wonder if it was for a previous owner to nail it on his wall. (no hole in the blade thank the gods...) Odd place for it tho.

Battara · 24th July 2019, 06:59 PM

There is the possibility that this is a Samal piece based on the scabbard work on top.

Also the "nose" section looks like it may have been longer and later reshaped.

23rd July 2019, 08:37 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	Barung - finally. Finally found an older barung inside my budget. sharp mas heck too. the 'crest' on the pommel end has snapped off, but grip is otherwise undamaged. Metal fittings appear a yellowish silvery metal, not sure what it is, doen't appear to be brass or bronze, or aluminum. the small 'beak' on the lower front of the pommel is as original, no beard, Scabbard has a few cracks I will address, and a bit of the tip also cracked off & break has been worn down. Not sure how old, or what area it comes from, any suggestions appreciated. Thanks. Attached Images

24th July 2019, 04:51 AM	#2
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	It seems like a Sulu barung from around World War 2 era based on the crest emerging directly from the back of the pommel and the central ridge line on the scabbard. Nice carving on the top of the scabbard. I like the elongated, sipput-type blade as well. Congratulations. Last edited by Aslan Paladin; 24th July 2019 at 07:48 AM.

24th July 2019, 09:16 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	Thanks, Forgot to mention the blade is 18in. long, 2.5 in. at it's widest and about 0.25 in. thick at the bolster, distal tapering of course... The scabbard has a black spot on it in the photo, it's actually a hole all the way thru. I wonder if it was for a previous owner to nail it on his wall. (no hole in the blade thank the gods...) Odd place for it tho.

24th July 2019, 06:59 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	There is the possibility that this is a Samal piece based on the scabbard work on top. Also the "nose" section looks like it may have been longer and later reshaped.