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Old 30th December 2006, 03:41 PM   #1
stekemest
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Default African spears. Tourist stuff or genuine weapons?

Hi,

I got these weapons a few years ago. Are they genuine weapons from Africa or just some modern tourist stuff?

Any help appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

- Peter
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Old 30th December 2006, 04:50 PM   #2
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Hi,
the 2 long points are Masai from Kenya-Tanzania.
Regards,
Danny
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Old 30th December 2006, 04:52 PM   #3
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Yes, also the shorter is masai but all are tourist stuff

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FLavio
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Old 30th December 2006, 04:53 PM   #4
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Thank you.
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Old 3rd January 2007, 06:50 PM   #5
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THEY ARE ALL MASAI ITEMS, THE HIDE COVER WITH BEADS GOES ON THE SMALL SPEAR POINT. THE LARGER SPEAR POINT IS THE BLADE OF A MASAI LION SPEAR AND THE SPIKE IS THE OTHER END OF THE SAME SPEAR(THE BUTT SPIKE). THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SHORT PIECE OF WOOD CONECTING THE TWO PARTS. THE SPEARS ARE STILL CARRIED AND USED BY THE MASAI AND ARE ALSO SOLD TO TOURISTS. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IN THE SPEARS IS IF THE MASAI BUYS IT FROM THE SHOP AND CARRIES IT THEN ITS THE REAL THING IF ON THE OTHER HAND A TOURIST BUYS IT FROM THE SAME SHOP IT IS A TOURIST SOUVINEER.
PICTURE OF MASAI WITH OLD FORMS OF LION SPEARS NOTE HOW LONG THE BLADES ARE.
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Old 3rd January 2007, 07:38 PM   #6
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I would agree generally about whether an African buys the spear or a tourist does, except that I think there is quite a discernable difference from the tourist models and modern real ones. Just look at the surface finish the lack of file marks, the quality of forging. This is seriously sharp.
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