Go on... show us your Barung!!!

Royston · 23rd January 2021, 08:51 AM

Hello Xasterix.
Can't tell you too much about them as I find Barung nomenclature somewhat confusing.
However, #5 is slightly hollow ground but it does not have a pronounced rib so I don't think it could be called shandigan.

The inscription on #6 is hard to read. I can only make out:-
From (somewhere) village
I cannot read the second line at all
Bought by Col Bird ?
April 4 1900

Cheers
Roy

kronckew · 23rd January 2021, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royston

...
The inscription on #6 is hard to read. I can only make out:-
From (somewhere) village
I cannot read the second line at all
Bought by Col Bird ?
April 4 1900...

I enlarged it, and sharpened it a bit. I still can't make out anything on that second line. The rest would make a good example for a doctor's handwriting, it's so obscure. Maybe someone else can try?

Ian · 23rd March 2021, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

I enlarged it, and sharpened it a bit. I still can't make out anything on that second line. The rest would make a good example for a doctor's handwriting, it's so obscure. Maybe someone else can try?

Wayne, as a physician let me translate this early 20th C "doctor's handwriting."

From Moro Village
the(?) Island of Jolo
Bought by Col Bird(?)
April 4 1900

kino · 24th January 2021, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royston

The inscription on #6 is hard to read. I can only make out:-
From (somewhere) village
I cannot read the second line at all
Bought by Col Bird ?
April 4 1900

(somewhere) could be “Moro”

2nd line, 1st word crossed out “Sul”, as in Sulu, 2nd word looks like “Island”
3rd word, the last 4 letters looks like”jolo”

xasterix · 23rd March 2021, 10:46 AM

Adding another barung to the thread...partially restored, had to plug holes and cracks on the c-horn. I'll be restoring the blade to full functionality soon. Taking a mugshot before it's fully live again

Ian · 23rd March 2021, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xasterix

Adding another barung to the thread...partially restored, had to plug holes and cracks on the c-horn. I'll be restoring the blade to full functionality soon. Taking a mugshot before it's fully live again

Hi Xas. Very nice old barung. The hilt looks Yakan to me--would you agree?

Battara · 24th March 2021, 01:22 AM

I agree - Yakan

xasterix · 24th March 2021, 12:41 PM

Thanks for the assessment, Ian and Jose. I neglected to take a picture of the opposite side; here are post-restoration pics already. There's a Chinese chop-mark on that side. It supposedly translates as "to lead" or "leader," but further research is being done by a Chinese friend to confirm.

Because of the chop-mark I'd agree that it's Sulu archipelago, but not necessarily of Yakan make.

Ian · 24th March 2021, 10:43 PM

Xas,

Nice that it has a Chinese mark. The blade appears to have a nice laminated pattern with an inserted edge. Do you plan to etch it?

Ian.

24th March 2021, 12:41 PM	#8
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 598	Thanks for the assessment, Ian and Jose. I neglected to take a picture of the opposite side; here are post-restoration pics already. There's a Chinese chop-mark on that side. It supposedly translates as "to lead" or "leader," but further research is being done by a Chinese friend to confirm. Because of the chop-mark I'd agree that it's Sulu archipelago, but not necessarily of Yakan make. Attached Images

23rd January 2021, 08:51 AM	#1
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 441	Hello Xasterix. Can't tell you too much about them as I find Barung nomenclature somewhat confusing. However, #5 is slightly hollow ground but it does not have a pronounced rib so I don't think it could be called shandigan. The inscription on #6 is hard to read. I can only make out:- From (somewhere) village I cannot read the second line at all Bought by Col Bird ? April 4 1900 Cheers Roy

23rd March 2021, 10:46 AM	#5
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 598	Adding another barung to the thread...partially restored, had to plug holes and cracks on the c-horn. I'll be restoring the blade to full functionality soon. Taking a mugshot before it's fully live again Attached Images

24th March 2021, 01:22 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I agree - Yakan

24th March 2021, 10:43 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,043	Xas, Nice that it has a Chinese mark. The blade appears to have a nice laminated pattern with an inserted edge. Do you plan to etch it? Ian.