Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1014 - Philippine Barong with Laminated Steel Blade

A nice example of the Moro barong (barung). The hilt is of gnarled wood with a long silver allow ferrule. The carved finials on the pommel remain intact although narrow stable appearing lengthwise cracks have developed running with the grain. The 15½ inch (39 cm) single-edged leaf shaped blade has a maximum thickness of 0.185 inches (0.47 cm). Patchy dark old oxidative spots are present on the blad along with a few small pits especially near the tip and one side appears to have been scoured with light scratching. The pattern of a moderately fine laminated steel construction is evident at the edge. The wooden sheath has shallow carving at either end and repairs at breaks near the tip as well as the carved extension from the mouth. The halves of the scabbard have pulled apart in the far third on the edge side and the edge may shift out of the scabbard. This hazardous situation appears repairable either with a band or adhesive. Overall length is 23¼ inches (59 cm) with a total weight of 24 ounces (695 grams).




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