Group of African spears, Batonka? Zambesi River area?

katana · 28th March 2006, 05:22 PM

Purchased these spearheads a while ago, all 4 bought together from a militaria collector. These were part of a lot dated 18c-19c.
I have had difficulty in finding the origins of these spear heads, until I found this listing from Therion Arms.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

The spear heads are tanged and secured by iron banding, very, very similar to the spear listed above. Each of the spear heads have approximately 6-7'' of the original shaft attached. A real shame that someone decided to shorten them

. One of the spears seems certainly, to be a fishing spear/harpoon. The large spearhead, is very heavy, the shaft is 1.5'' (3.75 cms) diameter and would surely be a stabbing spear. The other 2 (barbed) are not symmetrical, in that they look as if they have lost some of the barbs. But as far as I can tell they were manufactured that way. Any help/comments will be gratefully received, thankyou.

Tim Simmons · 28th March 2006, 05:31 PM

Nice pointy things, even 19th cent might be a little optimistic but one learns to accept that some militaria dealers usually add a century or two what ever.

katana · 28th March 2006, 07:20 PM

Hi Tim,
it does seem common that sellers often embellish an item with fanciful stories

I personally think late 19c/early 20c, but,that is just a 'feeling', the patina of the iron heads seems consistent with that sort of age. As does the remaining shafts.
I was hoping that this 'group' are a range of spearheads produced by the same tribe/culture, have you any ideas? I have never seen iron banding used to secure the head, before. Only the 'usual' (?), hide or wire (braided and whipped)

Luc LEFEBVRE · 28th March 2006, 10:06 PM

I've searched in "Waffen aus Zentral Afrika" Museum für Völkerkunde Stuttgart and "Ijzerwerk van Central-Afrika" H.Westerdijk book.
There are similar arrows heads but they are not tanged and secured by iron banding.
Luc

katana · 28th March 2006, 10:23 PM

Thanks for looking Luc

28th March 2006, 05:22 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Group of African spears, Batonka? Zambesi River area? Purchased these spearheads a while ago, all 4 bought together from a militaria collector. These were part of a lot dated 18c-19c. I have had difficulty in finding the origins of these spear heads, until I found this listing from Therion Arms. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1 The spear heads are tanged and secured by iron banding, very, very similar to the spear listed above. Each of the spear heads have approximately 6-7'' of the original shaft attached. A real shame that someone decided to shorten them . One of the spears seems certainly, to be a fishing spear/harpoon. The large spearhead, is very heavy, the shaft is 1.5'' (3.75 cms) diameter and would surely be a stabbing spear. The other 2 (barbed) are not symmetrical, in that they look as if they have lost some of the barbs. But as far as I can tell they were manufactured that way. Any help/comments will be gratefully received, thankyou. Attached Images

28th March 2006, 05:31 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Nice pointy things, even 19th cent might be a little optimistic but one learns to accept that some militaria dealers usually add a century or two what ever.

28th March 2006, 07:20 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Tim, it does seem common that sellers often embellish an item with fanciful stories I personally think late 19c/early 20c, but,that is just a 'feeling', the patina of the iron heads seems consistent with that sort of age. As does the remaining shafts. I was hoping that this 'group' are a range of spearheads produced by the same tribe/culture, have you any ideas? I have never seen iron banding used to secure the head, before. Only the 'usual' (?), hide or wire (braided and whipped)

28th March 2006, 10:06 PM	#4
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	I've searched in "Waffen aus Zentral Afrika" Museum für Völkerkunde Stuttgart and "Ijzerwerk van Central-Afrika" H.Westerdijk book. There are similar arrows heads but they are not tanged and secured by iron banding. Luc

28th March 2006, 10:23 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thanks for looking Luc