African Spears - Origins?

laEspadaAncha · 17th July 2010, 01:11 AM

Spear 4:

Spear head length: 7 in. / 18 cm (to the end of the two barbs)
Width at widest: 1 1/8 in. / 3 cm
Ferrule/socket length: 7 in. / 18 cm (including barbs on ferrule)
Ferrule/socket diameter at shaft: 5/8 in. / 1.5 cm
Notes: Iron coil at base of shaft. Well-balanced - I'm guess a throwing (hunting) spear? Spears 5 & 6 are very similar to spear 4 (moreso 5 than 6), sharing general dimensions (both spear head and spear OAL), incised designs, and the same squared-off cubic element on the socket.

Spear 5:

Spear head length: 9 1/4 / 23.5 cm
Width at widest: 2 1/4 / 5.7 cm
Ferrule/socket length: 21 1/4 / 54 cm
Ferrule/socket diameter at shaft: 5/8 / 1.5 cm
Notes: This is the lone African spear I already owned. At least I presume it's African. Spike opposite spear head measures 35 inches.

Lew · 17th July 2010, 05:29 PM

From top to bottom Olombo or Lokele the next two are Ngbandi I will get back to you on the others. Ok the barbed ones seem to be Tubu Daza.

laEspadaAncha · 17th July 2010, 11:00 PM

Thanks Lew...

What about that leaf spear at the bottom (of the first pic) with the pronounced medial ridge?

Lew · 17th July 2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laEspadaAncha

Thanks Lew...

What about that leaf spear at the bottom (of the first pic) with the pronounced medial ridge?

Probably Masai. Hard to tell can't see the bottom of it.

katana · 18th July 2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laEspadaAncha

What about that leaf spear at the bottom (of the first pic) with the pronounced medial ridge?

Hi Chris,
I agree with Lew, likely Masai....but possibly neighbouring Samburu.

Nice spears, congrats

Regards David

laEspadaAncha · 18th July 2010, 11:03 PM

Hi David,

Thanks - on both counts... I had wondered if the one spear I already had was Masai, but prior to your and Lew's input, my own suggested attribution was nothing more than pure guesswork on my part.

Rgds,

Chris

17th July 2010, 01:11 AM	#1
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	...and the rest Spear 4: Spear head length: 7 in. / 18 cm (to the end of the two barbs) Width at widest: 1 1/8 in. / 3 cm Ferrule/socket length: 7 in. / 18 cm (including barbs on ferrule) Ferrule/socket diameter at shaft: 5/8 in. / 1.5 cm Notes: Iron coil at base of shaft. Well-balanced - I'm guess a throwing (hunting) spear? Spears 5 & 6 are very similar to spear 4 (moreso 5 than 6), sharing general dimensions (both spear head and spear OAL), incised designs, and the same squared-off cubic element on the socket. Spear 5: Spear head length: 9 1/4 / 23.5 cm Width at widest: 2 1/4 / 5.7 cm Ferrule/socket length: 21 1/4 / 54 cm Ferrule/socket diameter at shaft: 5/8 / 1.5 cm Notes: This is the lone African spear I already owned. At least I presume it's African. Spike opposite spear head measures 35 inches.

17th July 2010, 05:29 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	From top to bottom Olombo or Lokele the next two are Ngbandi I will get back to you on the others. Ok the barbed ones seem to be Tubu Daza. Attached Images Last edited by Lew; 17th July 2010 at 05:44 PM.

17th July 2010, 11:00 PM	#3
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Thanks Lew... What about that leaf spear at the bottom (of the first pic) with the pronounced medial ridge?

18th July 2010, 11:03 PM	#6
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Hi David, Thanks - on both counts... I had wondered if the one spear I already had was Masai, but prior to your and Lew's input, my own suggested attribution was nothing more than pure guesswork on my part. Rgds, Chris