Another 3 old African spears ...not certain as to origins
 

Added another three spears for my 'picket fence' display .....well when and if I get permission from the 'other half' :o :D

All nicely balanced throwing spears which have had a lot of use .... the 'wear marks' on the shaft match the 'balance point' :cool:
Although they are socketted, two are different to any other similar type I have owned. The sockets are more 'open' with a groove that accommodates the shaft. A hand forged nail helps keep them secure. Does this design help in ID'ing the spears origins.

All information, comments gratefully received :) Thank you

Regards David

Hi David

Nice old spears. I can't say from where exactly, but that stepped or "ogee" section blade often means from Zimbabwe (Mashona) or thereabouts, as does the twist of iron to the butt. The concept of a nail through the socket is sometimes seen in spears from Central Africa.

Usually socketed blades (as opposed to tanged) are from north of the Zambezi, so perhaps they are from the Zambia/Congo region...

Regards
Colin

Hi Colin,
thank you very much for your informative input :) Now I have a direction to 'aim' further research.

All the best
David

Hello David,
the work of all three spears looks a little bit crude. The Haussa spears from Nigeria have great similarities. Zimbabwe I think can't be, because all three spear points are fixed with sockets/tubes which goes over the shaft. Zimbabwe and all southern spears have this iron tang, which goes into the shaft. The iron twist you found also on Hausa spears.
Best regards
Wolf from
www.spearcollector.com

Danke Wolf :) ,
agreed the forging is a little rough......but the balance on these spears is excellent. I suspect the smaller 'headed' spear is for hunting / fishing. The large blade possibly for large game/war. I suppose that as these are thrown... the spearhead just needs to be functional and not refined. They (the spears) definately seem to have some age.

Respekt David

Hi David

To let you know, I had a visit to the Powell-Cotton Museum in Birchington yesterday, and they have a spear very similar to these (hole in socket, barbed head, bamboo shaft & coil to butt), described as being from Abyssinia...

Regards

Outstanding Colin,
thank you very much. Abyssinia makes perfect sense. The seller had also acquired a Massai broad bladed spear (lion) from the same source (an elderly gentleman whom had been to Africa early 1900's) So geographically speaking they are 'bang next door'. Thank you for remembering me. Unless I find a 'made in ....' label on any of these spears.....Abyssenia it is :) :D

Best
David

Hey David,
Great spears, but pulleeze tell me the picket fence thing is just a figure of speech! :)
I can never get the Scottish basket hilt blades that were discovered welded into a picket fence in England, all taken from captured weapons at the Culloden debacle, out of my mind whenever I hear that term. I've never looked at a pocket fence the same.
Looking forward to more on the grouping.

All the best,
Jim

I believe Colin is right.

I would like to add I believe it's southern Ethiopia. I have seen very similar hunting spears there, but the north differs. It would also make sense with the other spear that came with it.

The metal binding on the spears is still found today on pilgrims staffs in Ethiopia.

Hey Jim ;) ,
a picket fence made of basket hilted blades :eek: ...indeed criminal , what a waste. Obviously done as a political 'statement'. As to my 'picket fence', a line of spears along a wall ......unfortunately unlikely to happen....the 'other half' is not as keen as I ....can't understand it myself :rolleyes: :D

Hi Tribalarms,
thank you for further confirming these spears are from Southern Sudan (part of old Abyssinia) :)

Kind Regards David