Three spears for comment

katana · 19th August 2010, 09:01 PM

Hi Henk,
that is the type of wire-work I have seen on a few African spears....the wire 'coiled' (spring like) around a central wire and then wrapped around the shaft. However, I am sorry I cannot remember the origins of those spears at the moment

...will do some 'digging' The very fine wire wrapped above is probably 'telephone' wire or coil windings from small electric motors. I do not think it very old ....my guess around mid 20th C.

Kind Regards David

Henk · 19th August 2010, 09:42 PM

David,

Hope you can dig up the info. Would apreciate it very much.

The very fine wire is yellow copper also. Was telephone wire or coil windings from small electric motors not red copper wire? I used to break up some of that stuff in my younger years with friends in an attempt to do some technical time spending

I cann't remember seeing yellow copper wire in those things then.

Your age guess could be very correct. It would surprise me if this one is much older.

Thanks and regards, Henk

Jim McDougall · 19th August 2010, 10:39 PM

Actually many southern Sudanese spears did use bamboo, and from I understand this was from Nuba regions. This barbed style spear does seem to resemble some Sudanese spears, though it does seem rather sheet like steel and more likely fairly modern. Interesting on the coiled wire also, and how surplus or salvaged materials are always put to use in these ways, incredibly industrious.
It does seem that Zande, as David suggested might be quite possible also, as they are situated in regions of southwest Sudan, along with Congo regions in the northeast part, and the influences mentioned might well be a factor.

All best regards,
Jim

Henk · 20th August 2010, 08:55 AM

Jim,

Thank you for your input. Although the blade is rather thick it isn't as far as i can see a forged blade but a sheet like steel blade like you noticed.

Thanks and regards, Henk

katana · 21st August 2010, 01:30 PM

Hi Henk,
check this out.....notice the decoration

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=gille

and this page.....scroll down (approx. 1/4 page)

http://www.ezakwantu.com/Gallery%20A...%20Weapons.htm

Regards David

Henk · 21st August 2010, 03:14 PM

Hi David,

Awsome. So it is Somali, Danakil, a ceremonial spear.

Great!! Thanks David!

Regards, Henk

katana · 21st August 2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henk

Hi David,

Awsome. So it is Somali, Danakil, a ceremonial spear.

Great!! Thanks David!

Regards, Henk

You're very welcome

Regards David

21st August 2010, 01:30 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Henk, check this out.....notice the decoration http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=gille and this page.....scroll down (approx. 1/4 page) http://www.ezakwantu.com/Gallery%20A...%20Weapons.htm Regards David Last edited by katana; 21st August 2010 at 01:52 PM.

19th August 2010, 09:01 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Henk, that is the type of wire-work I have seen on a few African spears....the wire 'coiled' (spring like) around a central wire and then wrapped around the shaft. However, I am sorry I cannot remember the origins of those spears at the moment ...will do some 'digging' The very fine wire wrapped above is probably 'telephone' wire or coil windings from small electric motors. I do not think it very old ....my guess around mid 20th C. Kind Regards David

19th August 2010, 09:42 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	David, Hope you can dig up the info. Would apreciate it very much. The very fine wire is yellow copper also. Was telephone wire or coil windings from small electric motors not red copper wire? I used to break up some of that stuff in my younger years with friends in an attempt to do some technical time spending I cann't remember seeing yellow copper wire in those things then. Your age guess could be very correct. It would surprise me if this one is much older. Thanks and regards, Henk

19th August 2010, 10:39 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,457	Actually many southern Sudanese spears did use bamboo, and from I understand this was from Nuba regions. This barbed style spear does seem to resemble some Sudanese spears, though it does seem rather sheet like steel and more likely fairly modern. Interesting on the coiled wire also, and how surplus or salvaged materials are always put to use in these ways, incredibly industrious. It does seem that Zande, as David suggested might be quite possible also, as they are situated in regions of southwest Sudan, along with Congo regions in the northeast part, and the influences mentioned might well be a factor. All best regards, Jim

20th August 2010, 08:55 AM	#4
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Jim, Thank you for your input. Although the blade is rather thick it isn't as far as i can see a forged blade but a sheet like steel blade like you noticed. Thanks and regards, Henk

21st August 2010, 03:14 PM	#6
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Hi David, Awsome. So it is Somali, Danakil, a ceremonial spear. Great!! Thanks David! Regards, Henk