latest spear head aquisition

David R · 1st March 2020, 01:11 PM

This one turned up at a collectors meeting, just as I was looking for something like it. The square-ish tang makes me think Philippines, but the narrow, hollow ground section gives me pause for thought. It is very much a stabber and mail piercing blade rather than the broader bladed spears that seem more typical.

I punched it through some card to show the X section more clearly.

drac2k · 1st March 2020, 03:33 PM

I would almost guess that it was a Japanese yari spearhead if it wasn't for the tang configuration. Nice blade whatever it is.

Kmaddock · 1st March 2020, 09:40 PM

Hi
Do you think the tang has been worked on as it Looks to be very small in relation to the blade

I would have taught if it was mounted in a shaft the leverage of the blade would pop the tang out of the ide of the shaft quiet easily

I taught yari also when I first saw the photo.

Regards

Ken

David R · 1st March 2020, 09:57 PM

It does look small, but so are the tangs on most Philippine spears. Like you say, they look too small, but I see the same on a lot of ethnic blades.....

Below is an example posted on this site some time ago.

Ian · 4th March 2020, 09:35 PM

Hi David,

You are not getting much help with the Philippine origin (or otherwise) of your spear head, and I'm thinking that is because the hollow ground nature of the blade is causing people to scratch their heads a bit. I find it odd for a Philippine spear, but perhaps it is a rare variant. At the same time, I can't think of a clear alternative origin.

Ian.

David R · 4th March 2020, 09:54 PM

This is exactly why I posted it, it does not look like the run of the mill Budiak, though I have seen some of them get close..... It is very much an armour piercing blade, and some Moro did wear armour!

At some point I will give it a scrub and an etch, and see what comes out.

1st March 2020, 01:11 PM	#1
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	latest spear head aquisition This one turned up at a collectors meeting, just as I was looking for something like it. The square-ish tang makes me think Philippines, but the narrow, hollow ground section gives me pause for thought. It is very much a stabber and mail piercing blade rather than the broader bladed spears that seem more typical. I punched it through some card to show the X section more clearly. Attached Images

1st March 2020, 09:57 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	It does look small, but so are the tangs on most Philippine spears. Like you say, they look too small, but I see the same on a lot of ethnic blades..... Below is an example posted on this site some time ago. Attached Images

1st March 2020, 03:33 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,231	I would almost guess that it was a Japanese yari spearhead if it wasn't for the tang configuration. Nice blade whatever it is.

1st March 2020, 09:40 PM	#3
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Do you think the tang has been worked on as it Looks to be very small in relation to the blade I would have taught if it was mounted in a shaft the leverage of the blade would pop the tang out of the ide of the shaft quiet easily I taught yari also when I first saw the photo. Regards Ken

4th March 2020, 09:35 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Hi David, You are not getting much help with the Philippine origin (or otherwise) of your spear head, and I'm thinking that is because the hollow ground nature of the blade is causing people to scratch their heads a bit. I find it odd for a Philippine spear, but perhaps it is a rare variant. At the same time, I can't think of a clear alternative origin. Ian.

4th March 2020, 09:54 PM	#6
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	This is exactly why I posted it, it does not look like the run of the mill Budiak, though I have seen some of them get close..... It is very much an armour piercing blade, and some Moro did wear armour! At some point I will give it a scrub and an etch, and see what comes out.