This is an archaic Moro barung from the late 18th C or very early 19th C. Dating is provided by the particular style of the swollen-edged (shandigan) blade, and the earliest known form of nobility (junggayan) hilt for these swords. This is the oldest example I have seen outside of Spanish museums.
The blade shows multiple small areas of pitting and some old stable oxidation, consistent with its age. The hilt shows some signs of age also: the long silver ferrule (punto) has a short split along its seam, and there are fine age cracks and minor scuff marks to the banati wood pommel. Please look at all pictures as these are part of the description.
By Philippines standards, this is a very old sword and is fortunate to have survived in such good condition. Most extant examples of this age are likely to be found in Spanish museums and very few in private collections.
OAL: 23.5 inches
Blade length: 15 inches
Hilt length: 8.5 inches
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