Sudanese spear scepter

Tim Simmons · 29th May 2012, 05:54 PM

Looking forward to seeing better pictures. The butt end look like aluminium and before people think aluminium means around mid 20th century. Most European armies were issued aluminium mess tin well before WW1 and cookware companies were supplying aluminium pots and pans in the 1890s and perhaps even earlier. Like plastic bowls and buckets I bet the African market lapped them up. Easy to melt and turn into all sort of things.

spiral · 29th May 2012, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

cookware companies were supplying aluminium pots and pans in the 1890s and perhaps even earlier. Like plastic bowls and buckets I bet the African market lapped them up. Easy to melt and turn into all sort of things.

I havent fully researched it Tim, but I thought Aluminium only became a non precious metel around 1912 to 1914 era? So saucepans seem rather unlikely?

Or perahaps Im mistaken?

Id also guess zinc & tin also have a similar apprence in a low res. photo.

Spiral

Lew · 30th May 2012, 03:38 AM

Have a better look

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251067015071...ht_4481wt_1081

Tim Simmons · 30th May 2012, 07:32 AM

Quote {power house of cookware 1893-1920} Just a quick look.

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wmh/...rticleID=26240

Mess tin dated. These were in use well before WW1

http://www.1420h.org.uk/archives/messtin/messtin.html

pre 1914 Russian Aluminiun bottles

http://www.collect-militaria.com/ind...571&page=1&c=5

Timo Nieminen · 30th May 2012, 08:52 AM

De-preciousization was about 1890. Before that, fit for VIPs, capping prestige momuments, etc. After that, rapidly cheaper. Some history at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium#History.

I thought this sceptre/spear/thing was cute, but not really my thing. Also, Quarantine here doesn't like the import of animal products like this. At best, they tend to charge for gamma-irradiation of it before you can get it. But that's my problems with it, not yours, so congrats on a cute sceptre/spear/thing!

Here is my favourite Sudanese thing. It's modern (1970s or 1980s iirc), but supposedly made in the traditional style.

spiral · 30th May 2012, 08:55 AM

Nice piece Lew, Steel I see.

Hi Tim, Yes I see the International Aluminium institute says world production was up to 8000 tonnes by 1900. My error, it was a precious metal untill around 1889

The American firm you linked to started producing cookware in 1914, they original imported ally for novelties from Germany. {The Austrians & Swiss bieng the main producers apparently.}

Spiral

30th May 2012, 07:32 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Quote {power house of cookware 1893-1920} Just a quick look. http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wmh/...rticleID=26240 Mess tin dated. These were in use well before WW1 http://www.1420h.org.uk/archives/messtin/messtin.html pre 1914 Russian Aluminiun bottles http://www.collect-militaria.com/ind...571&page=1&c=5 Last edited by Tim Simmons; 30th May 2012 at 08:03 AM.

30th May 2012, 08:52 AM	#5
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	De-preciousization was about 1890. Before that, fit for VIPs, capping prestige momuments, etc. After that, rapidly cheaper. Some history at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium#History. I thought this sceptre/spear/thing was cute, but not really my thing. Also, Quarantine here doesn't like the import of animal products like this. At best, they tend to charge for gamma-irradiation of it before you can get it. But that's my problems with it, not yours, so congrats on a cute sceptre/spear/thing! Here is my favourite Sudanese thing. It's modern (1970s or 1980s iirc), but supposedly made in the traditional style. Attached Images

29th May 2012, 05:54 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Looking forward to seeing better pictures. The butt end look like aluminium and before people think aluminium means around mid 20th century. Most European armies were issued aluminium mess tin well before WW1 and cookware companies were supplying aluminium pots and pans in the 1890s and perhaps even earlier. Like plastic bowls and buckets I bet the African market lapped them up. Easy to melt and turn into all sort of things.

30th May 2012, 03:38 AM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Have a better look http://www.ebay.com/itm/251067015071...ht_4481wt_1081

30th May 2012, 08:55 AM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Nice piece Lew, Steel I see. Hi Tim, Yes I see the International Aluminium institute says world production was up to 8000 tonnes by 1900. My error, it was a precious metal untill around 1889 The American firm you linked to started producing cookware in 1914, they original imported ally for novelties from Germany. {The Austrians & Swiss bieng the main producers apparently.} Spiral