Help identifying 2 spears please

Kmaddock · 17th September 2017, 04:29 PM

Hi
I added the two attached spears to my collection, they came with a mixed bag of items, I purchased a nice Tulwar (that was the item I wanted) and the spears came in the package along with some other stuff.
Only one was complete with head, and both have end spikes.

Does anyone know where these might be from

Length overall 63 inches, head is 9 inches and the staff is 1 and 3/4 inch diameter.

Very hefty and I do not imagine they would be suitable for throwing
Four thick leather bands on the shaft with weaving decoration on the bands
The hide is wrapped around shaft and stitched closed

The spear head has some forging flaws but is very sharp and rudimentary decoration on both sides. The head has a square tang and seems to be a friction fit into the shaft

The spikes at the opposing ends are not particularly sharp but reasonably substantial.

Any information appreciated

Regards

Ken

kronckew · 17th September 2017, 07:50 PM

i'm prejudiced because i do not like them, they look like old decorative items of remembrance for those that travel that have been long neglected. the heads look like a piece of sheet metal welded to the round rod and tarted up a bit. some of the leather work looks a bit NW african (poss. mandinga). of what use they would be for hunting or war i cannot say. i could be wrong tho (and frequently am) so i await, as you do, input from the more knowledgeable here.

Kmaddock · 17th September 2017, 08:04 PM

Hi Kronckew
I don't particularly like them either so I take no offence at all. When I see two items v similar together this always makes me suspicious of tourist stuff
I do not think the "blade" is welded to the square tang though
There are some forging flaws and creases on the blade
I paid for the Tulwar and these came in the auction lot as unwanted by me items
Thanks for taughts though
Regards
Ken

Timo Nieminen · 18th September 2017, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmaddock

Does anyone know where these might be from

I don't have anything new to add, just that I agree with Kronckew that they look (a) West African, quite possibly Mandinka, and (b) tourist/souvenir.

They're big for tourist spears. Maybe for local use in dance?

17th September 2017, 04:29 PM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Help identifying 2 spears please Hi I added the two attached spears to my collection, they came with a mixed bag of items, I purchased a nice Tulwar (that was the item I wanted) and the spears came in the package along with some other stuff. Only one was complete with head, and both have end spikes. Does anyone know where these might be from Length overall 63 inches, head is 9 inches and the staff is 1 and 3/4 inch diameter. Very hefty and I do not imagine they would be suitable for throwing Four thick leather bands on the shaft with weaving decoration on the bands The hide is wrapped around shaft and stitched closed The spear head has some forging flaws but is very sharp and rudimentary decoration on both sides. The head has a square tang and seems to be a friction fit into the shaft The spikes at the opposing ends are not particularly sharp but reasonably substantial. Any information appreciated Regards Ken Attached Images

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17th September 2017, 07:50 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	i'm prejudiced because i do not like them, they look like old decorative items of remembrance for those that travel that have been long neglected. the heads look like a piece of sheet metal welded to the round rod and tarted up a bit. some of the leather work looks a bit NW african (poss. mandinga). of what use they would be for hunting or war i cannot say. i could be wrong tho (and frequently am) so i await, as you do, input from the more knowledgeable here.

17th September 2017, 08:04 PM	#3
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Kronckew I don't particularly like them either so I take no offence at all. When I see two items v similar together this always makes me suspicious of tourist stuff I do not think the "blade" is welded to the square tang though There are some forging flaws and creases on the blade I paid for the Tulwar and these came in the auction lot as unwanted by me items Thanks for taughts though Regards Ken