Spear head to identify

[thomas hauschild]

Hi there
I like to get some help to identify this spearhead ( have got it today from a fleemarket for 10 €. The table looks like asian things so I put my post into ethnographic weapons. Feel free to move )

It is 37 cm long. I was sure to see some "lines" under the rust so I bought it. I cleaned it a little bit up and after a handful of seconds of etching there were some brighter layers visible. Maybe a tombak ?

Any comments will be welcome.

Best Thomas

[Tim Simmons]

Looks Central to South African.

[kai]

Looks Central to South African.

Are you sure, Tim?

I can't remember bright pamor-like pattern-welding from that neck of the woods - not my area of expertise though...

Noting that the simple spear head types tend to be very difficult to place positively, I'd assume it to hail from maritime SEA. From the simple base and thickness of the tang, I'd guess this never had any methuk; thus, probably not from Jawa tengah.

Regards,
Kai

[kronckew]

i'm inclined to SEA also. the stepped tang looks more tumbuk-ish than so. african. and it's definitely not zulu.

[David]

I would also vote SEA, most probably somewhere in Indonesia.

[La Pagaru]

Originally Posted by thomas hauschild

Hi there
I like to get some help to identify this spearhead ( have got it today from a fleemarket for 10 €. The table looks like asian things so I put my post into ethnographic weapons. Feel free to move )

It is 37 cm long. I was sure to see some "lines" under the rust so I bought it. I cleaned it a little bit up and after a handful of seconds of etching there were some brighter layers visible. Maybe a tombak

Any comments will be welcome.

Best Thomas

I am very sure this spear comes from Indonesia
if seen from the blades like Sumatra
but when viewed at the bottom, we used to call it "pesi" looking like a Bugis spear from the island of Sulawesi
but what is clear is that this spear comes from Indonesia

LP

[Sajen]

Hello Thomas,

I also think it's Indonesian. You should clean it in vinegar or citrus acid to loosen the rust.

Regards,
Detlef

[thomas hauschild]

After cleaning and etching a little bit

[francantolin]

Hello,
Indonesia too !
Nice pamor !

[Sajen]

Yes, clearly Indonesian! How you have cleaned and etched it?

Regards,
Detlef

[thomas hauschild]

Thanks for the informations.

Detlef....as a knifemaker I have my tricks to etch my own damascus. I touched it ab with my 600/800 finishing stones. The etching was not realy good after iron3, at the end instant coffee worked best.

Best thomas

[kino]

Great job on the etching the Indonesian spearhead Thomas.
I've never heard of etching with instant coffee until now. I had to google it and found the process.
In your experience with it, how does the coffee etchant react with copper or brass?

Thanks for sharing.

[thomas hauschild]

I have no experience with etching brass or copper because I etch my blades before assembly. But a good question. I have some pieces of my own mokume gane ( brass and copper) on the workbench. I will try and post.

Best thomas