Long Moro Twistcore spear

Ferguson · 14th February 2008, 01:02 AM

Beautiful! What a specimen.
Steve

kino · 14th February 2008, 01:48 AM

It's just lovely, Bill.

CharlesS · 14th February 2008, 12:41 PM

Gorgeous example, but I agree with Battara and doubt it was ever meant for serious combat, and I am betting its weight makes it a cumbersome "thrower".

Lew · 14th February 2008, 03:42 PM

Bill

very sweet spear. I agree it's way too long and heavy to be a thrower it seems to me a better longer distance jabber.

Lew

A. G. Maisey · 14th February 2008, 11:02 PM

I do not know anything about Moro weaponry, but I do have considerable background in Javanese and Balinese weaponry.

In these cultures a spear intended to be used in the hand and not thrown usually has a much more substantial shaft than this one, a shaft that swells in the mid point to afford better grip.

I agree that the quality of the blade of this spear could indicate a weapon used on ceremonial occasions, however the narrow section shaft seems more to indicate a thrown weapon.

The Roman pilum was a heavy thrown spear that weighed up to 8.5 pounds, and could travel 90 feet or so.

Cord spear throwers are well known and widely spread. Use of cord spear throwers is recorded in the Pacific region.

http://www.nma.gov.au/cook/artefact.php?id=337

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/8682/jav.htm

http://dictionary.reference.com/brow...20thrower?r=14

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilum

Bill M · 15th February 2008, 01:35 AM

I agree with Alan.

There is another twist here. The ferrule next to the spear head appears to be a good quality silver. However the ferrule holding the loop looks to be brass and does not match the silver ferrule in material, design or quality.

Could this have been added later?

For what it is worth, the end with the loop is horn.

I had quite a cleaning job to do on this piece. The ferrule and spear head were soaked with yellow coating, perhaps shellac? I was pleasantly surprised by the silver.

Rick · 15th February 2008, 03:27 PM

A confession of sorts; I have thrown my Mandaya spears (9 feet loa) a few times .
The targets were compressed bales of peat moss .
From 35 feet away the spear went completely through the bale every time .

Seems the mass really helps with penetration .

My two Moro fighting spears are more like six feet long; much easier IMHO to handle with a shield .

15th February 2008, 01:35 AM	#6
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	I agree with Alan. There is another twist here. The ferrule next to the spear head appears to be a good quality silver. However the ferrule holding the loop looks to be brass and does not match the silver ferrule in material, design or quality. Could this have been added later? For what it is worth, the end with the loop is horn. I had quite a cleaning job to do on this piece. The ferrule and spear head were soaked with yellow coating, perhaps shellac? I was pleasantly surprised by the silver. Attached Images Last edited by Bill Marsh; 15th February 2008 at 01:48 AM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

14th February 2008, 01:02 AM	#1
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Beautiful! What a specimen. Steve

14th February 2008, 01:48 AM	#2
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	It's just lovely, Bill.

14th February 2008, 12:41 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Gorgeous example, but I agree with Battara and doubt it was ever meant for serious combat, and I am betting its weight makes it a cumbersome "thrower".

14th February 2008, 03:42 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Bill very sweet spear. I agree it's way too long and heavy to be a thrower it seems to me a better longer distance jabber. Lew

14th February 2008, 11:02 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,029	I do not know anything about Moro weaponry, but I do have considerable background in Javanese and Balinese weaponry. In these cultures a spear intended to be used in the hand and not thrown usually has a much more substantial shaft than this one, a shaft that swells in the mid point to afford better grip. I agree that the quality of the blade of this spear could indicate a weapon used on ceremonial occasions, however the narrow section shaft seems more to indicate a thrown weapon. The Roman pilum was a heavy thrown spear that weighed up to 8.5 pounds, and could travel 90 feet or so. Cord spear throwers are well known and widely spread. Use of cord spear throwers is recorded in the Pacific region. http://www.nma.gov.au/cook/artefact.php?id=337 http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/8682/jav.htm http://dictionary.reference.com/brow...20thrower?r=14 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilum

15th February 2008, 03:27 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,342	A confession of sorts; I have thrown my Mandaya spears (9 feet loa) a few times . The targets were compressed bales of peat moss . From 35 feet away the spear went completely through the bale every time . Seems the mass really helps with penetration . My two Moro fighting spears are more like six feet long; much easier IMHO to handle with a shield .