A UNUSUAL SHARKTOOTH TOOL

KraVseR · 15th October 2013, 07:51 PM

And where you acquired it? What country is this?

Sajen · 15th October 2013, 09:09 PM

Without reading the comment from Henk was my first impression as well, a knuckle duster. Very intersting item!

Regards,

Detlef

jwkiernan · 16th October 2013, 05:42 AM

Vandoo,

I have lurked on the form for years, but now that I have retired from Active Duty, I can play a bit more!

Polynesian are not my area of expertise (not sure if I have one), but have a great interest in the Polynesian cultures and have been able to see some great collections of weapons and artifacts.

That said the wood (from the photo's) almost looks like Koa (Acacia Koa) or Kauila (Alphitonia Ponderosa) (both Koa and Kauila look similar) native to the Hawaiian Islands.

There are several different shark toothed weapons used in the Hawaiian Martial art of Lua. The most often pictured is a leiomano/Palau Papa Niho Mano (paddle shaped/oval mirror shaped with teeth around the outside), however there are several other shark toothed weapons that I am unaware of the true name for but are referred to as knuckledusters. These were weapons and only used as such from my reading (again, not intensive).

The Maori also utilized a shark toothed knife called a Maripi...every specimen of these I have observed is very heavily carved in the Maori style.

The specimen you have recently acquired looks as if it slips over two fingers with the rest of the curved guard if you will, protects the other two fingers...just my tow cents for what it is worth...neat piece! Congrats!

Respectfully,

John

VANDOO · 16th October 2013, 06:16 AM

UNFORTUNATRLY THE SELLER HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT IS , NOR DO I. IT WAS UNUSUAL ENOUGH AND SOMETHING I HAD NOT SEEN BEFORE SO I TOOK A CHANCE ON IT. I HAVE SEEN PICTURES AND HAVE SOME SHARK TEETH KNUCKLE DUSTERS BUT THEY ARE NOTHING LIKE THIS ITEM. THE SMALL SIZE AND FRAGILE NATURE OF THE DEVICE LEAD ME TO SUSPECT IT WAS NOT A WEAPON HOPEFULLY HENK WILL HAVE SOME PICTURES OF SOMETHING SIMULAR TO HELP IDENTIFY IT. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY SOMEONE WOULD GO TO THE TROUBLE OF MAKEING THIS JUST FOR A COMMON TOOL WHEN ONE LOSE SHARK TOOTH WOULD SERVE MOST TOOL FUNCTIONS BETTER.

SO PERHAPS CEREMONIAL OR A RATHER FRAGILE INEFECIENT WEAPON.

A PICTURE OF FULL ARMOR WITH ONE TYPE OF HAND GAURD/KNUCKLE DUSTERS. I AM STILL LOOKING FOR A PICTURE OF MINE .

16th October 2013, 06:16 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	UNFORTUNATRLY THE SELLER HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT IS , NOR DO I. IT WAS UNUSUAL ENOUGH AND SOMETHING I HAD NOT SEEN BEFORE SO I TOOK A CHANCE ON IT. I HAVE SEEN PICTURES AND HAVE SOME SHARK TEETH KNUCKLE DUSTERS BUT THEY ARE NOTHING LIKE THIS ITEM. THE SMALL SIZE AND FRAGILE NATURE OF THE DEVICE LEAD ME TO SUSPECT IT WAS NOT A WEAPON HOPEFULLY HENK WILL HAVE SOME PICTURES OF SOMETHING SIMULAR TO HELP IDENTIFY IT. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY SOMEONE WOULD GO TO THE TROUBLE OF MAKEING THIS JUST FOR A COMMON TOOL WHEN ONE LOSE SHARK TOOTH WOULD SERVE MOST TOOL FUNCTIONS BETTER. SO PERHAPS CEREMONIAL OR A RATHER FRAGILE INEFECIENT WEAPON. A PICTURE OF FULL ARMOR WITH ONE TYPE OF HAND GAURD/KNUCKLE DUSTERS. I AM STILL LOOKING FOR A PICTURE OF MINE . Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 16th October 2013 at 07:13 AM.

15th October 2013, 07:51 PM	#1
KraVseR Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ukraine Posts: 128	And where you acquired it? What country is this?

15th October 2013, 09:09 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Without reading the comment from Henk was my first impression as well, a knuckle duster. Very intersting item! Regards, Detlef

16th October 2013, 05:42 AM	#3
jwkiernan Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 37	Vandoo, I have lurked on the form for years, but now that I have retired from Active Duty, I can play a bit more! Polynesian are not my area of expertise (not sure if I have one), but have a great interest in the Polynesian cultures and have been able to see some great collections of weapons and artifacts. That said the wood (from the photo's) almost looks like Koa (Acacia Koa) or Kauila (Alphitonia Ponderosa) (both Koa and Kauila look similar) native to the Hawaiian Islands. There are several different shark toothed weapons used in the Hawaiian Martial art of Lua. The most often pictured is a leiomano/Palau Papa Niho Mano (paddle shaped/oval mirror shaped with teeth around the outside), however there are several other shark toothed weapons that I am unaware of the true name for but are referred to as knuckledusters. These were weapons and only used as such from my reading (again, not intensive). The Maori also utilized a shark toothed knife called a Maripi...every specimen of these I have observed is very heavily carved in the Maori style. The specimen you have recently acquired looks as if it slips over two fingers with the rest of the curved guard if you will, protects the other two fingers...just my tow cents for what it is worth...neat piece! Congrats! Respectfully, John