Sumpitan for sharing and discussion

[Sajen]

Two more sumpitan entered the collection, one has a notch from wood but the important part is broken, both are longer as the first example and both spear points show pitting from corrosion which I have removed, at least the active corrosion. All comments are very welcome.

[Ian]

Nice examples Detlef. Any ideas about how old these are.

Ian

[Treeslicer]

Wow! Blowguns with bayonets. Pretty work, too. Thanks for posting these, y'all.

[Ian]

... one has a notch from wood but the important part is broken ...

I've found this on other examples. It seems that the "sight" is particularly vulnerable to damage--perhaps when the sumpitan is used like a spear to finish off a wounded animal.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

I've found this on other examples. It seems that the "sight" is particularly vulnerable to damage--perhaps when the sumpitan is used like a spear to finish off a wounded animal.

Possible but frankly said it's the first one I've seen with wooden "sight"/notch.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Possible but frankly said it's the first one I've seen with wooden "sight"/notch.

The "notch" seems fairly common in my limited experience. I remember a few examples that had such a structure but most were broken if I recall correctly. If these are fragile, then they may be lost over time which could account for not seeing them very often.

Posted below are pictures from the web which show such a structure on what appear to be old and more recent examples.

Ian.

[Ian]

And three more without that structure, and never seem to have had it.

Ian.

.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Treeslicer

Wow! Blowguns with bayonets. Pretty work, too. Thanks for posting these, y'all.

Thank you! Sumpitans have always a spear point.

Regards,
Detlef

[Robert]

Beautiful pieces Detlef and wonderful new additions to your ever growing collection. One of these days I hope to find one for my own collection along with the dart container and hopefully darts as well.

Best,
Robert

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Robert

Beautiful pieces Detlef and wonderful new additions to your ever growing collection. One of these days I hope to find one for my own collection along with the dart container and hopefully darts as well.

Thank you Robert,

sadly I've sold my very nice tolor some years ago. See here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...0&postcount=33

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Hi Ian,
yes, the notch is fairly common. What I want to say was that a notch from wood is not common, never seen one from wood before. Sumpitans complete without notch I've seen before.
Thank you for posting all this interesting examples.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

Nice examples Detlef. Any ideas about how old these are.

Hi Ian,

thank you! I only can guess. Both spear points seems to have a good age. The one with the bright binding could has a renewed binding but shows already the typical cracks in the rotan which suggest that it is old/antique. The wood from the blow pipe shows also a good patination so I think first half of the 20th century with a maybe older spear point.
The other one shows an overall "smoke" patination from open fire, difficult to guess but could be a little bit older.
I hope Willem or Maurice will comment since I think they will be able to tell us more.

Regards,
Detlef