Unknown club (amazon and purple heart wood?)

Roland_M · 9th August 2017, 03:23 PM

A recently aquired very nice Club of unknown origin.

The club is massive of almost square shaped wood. Length is 93 cm, weight 1200 Grams.

The Club seems to be made of Purple Heart Wood but I'm unsure because it is not purple but a very deep red color. The endings are almost black, which indicates some decades or more of age.

The hilt is much too small for my Hand, similar to a Tulwar from 1800 or before. Another indicator for an old club.

Is anyone able to identify this club and is it worth for collecting or more a high quality training piece?

The effectiveness of this club in combat must be absolutely extreme, probably more effective than most swords.

And this color is so amazing, I'm absolutely in love with it! It conquered my heart in just a few seconds. If one opens a package and such a piece is inside, it is like Christmas, birthday and whatever on one day.

Regards,
Roland

colin henshaw · 9th August 2017, 05:07 PM

Looks a fine piece, congratulations. With that angular construction I would guess it comes from South America, maybe Northern Brazil ?

Roland_M · 9th August 2017, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Looks a fine piece, congratulations. With that angular construction I would guess it comes from South America, maybe Northern Brazil ?

Thank you.
South America is also my guess. The club was bought by the grandfather of the previous owner in South America, at least he said.

The point of balance of the club is quite exactly in the middle, which leads to a massive forward balance. 1200 Grams and such a forward balance. It is hard to imagine, that this club was really used in combat. But when I cleaned it with sweet almond oil and carnauba + beeswax, the front half was much more "dirty" than the half with the handle. And I also know, that South American Indians has been extremely tough guys.

Roland

Tim Simmons · 9th August 2017, 06:03 PM

That is a lovely club. The purple colour may suggest that it is not a particularly old example but that is not what is necessarily the all important thing about Amazon ? South American tribal weapons. I would say from my limited exploration of Amazonian material that it is from Maranhao state. I have a similar form club that was sold to me by an ex FUNAI operative and labelled as coming from Krikati people.

Tim Simmons · 10th August 2017, 02:49 PM

Just another thought about your club. The handle could well be a pommel and the grip might be above. Does the club feel controllable if gripped that way?

Useful colour change link.
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-ar...-exotic-woods/

Bob A · 10th August 2017, 04:54 PM

Pernambuco is a Brazilian wood used for making violin bows, as well as a source of dye. Looking at your item made me consider the possibility that it is made of this wood.

9th August 2017, 03:23 PM	#1
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 525	Unknown club (amazon and purple heart wood?) A recently aquired very nice Club of unknown origin. The club is massive of almost square shaped wood. Length is 93 cm, weight 1200 Grams. The Club seems to be made of Purple Heart Wood but I'm unsure because it is not purple but a very deep red color. The endings are almost black, which indicates some decades or more of age. The hilt is much too small for my Hand, similar to a Tulwar from 1800 or before. Another indicator for an old club. Is anyone able to identify this club and is it worth for collecting or more a high quality training piece? The effectiveness of this club in combat must be absolutely extreme, probably more effective than most swords. And this color is so amazing, I'm absolutely in love with it! It conquered my heart in just a few seconds. If one opens a package and such a piece is inside, it is like Christmas, birthday and whatever on one day. Regards, Roland Attached Images

9th August 2017, 06:03 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	That is a lovely club. The purple colour may suggest that it is not a particularly old example but that is not what is necessarily the all important thing about Amazon ? South American tribal weapons. I would say from my limited exploration of Amazonian material that it is from Maranhao state. I have a similar form club that was sold to me by an ex FUNAI operative and labelled as coming from Krikati people. Attached Images

10th August 2017, 02:49 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Just another thought about your club. The handle could well be a pommel and the grip might be above. Does the club feel controllable if gripped that way? Useful colour change link. http://www.wood-database.com/wood-ar...-exotic-woods/ Last edited by Tim Simmons; 10th August 2017 at 04:03 PM.

9th August 2017, 05:07 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Looks a fine piece, congratulations. With that angular construction I would guess it comes from South America, maybe Northern Brazil ?

10th August 2017, 04:54 PM	#6
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	Pernambuco is a Brazilian wood used for making violin bows, as well as a source of dye. Looking at your item made me consider the possibility that it is made of this wood.