Long awaited Solomon club

Tim Simmons · 27th June 2014, 04:34 PM

I have wanted an example of this form of club for a long time. Now I have it and jolly fine too. I was lucky to be get paid for some work and it just happened to be there at the right time. Not cheap but got at a good price, sometimes you have to pay. I have seen smaller examples go beyond my reach so I was really pleased with this piece 87cm long and just over 9cm wide at the distal end. Nice heavy old club with lovely carved grip. Fits in nicely with the rest of the Solomon Islands gang.

Battara · 28th June 2014, 12:16 AM

Congratulations! How old are these?

Tim Simmons · 28th June 2014, 07:23 AM

Thank you.
It is quite possible that long ones are at least late 19th century. The new one could be too. Good clubs would be cared for passed on. Even the small one with the shell inlay could be that old. However it is best to assume they are from the early 20th century. In the collecting world one is not to polish clubs, a big no no, but in there real life they would have been nourished with oils and kept like any soldier keeps their gun.

VANDOO · 28th June 2014, 10:18 PM

CONGRADULATIONS A VERY NICE SELECTION OF SOLOMON ISLAND CLUBS.

IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE MOST TYPES. THE WORKMANSHIP IS ESPECIALLY GOOD ON THE NEWEST CLUB. THE HANDLE REMINDS ME A BIT OF THE FORM USED IN THE ISLANDS WHERE THE MASSIM TRIBES LIVE.

Timo Nieminen · 28th June 2014, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

In the collecting world one is not to polish clubs, a big no no, but in there real life they would have been nourished with oils and kept like any soldier keeps their gun.

What oils would they have used?

Tim Simmons · 29th June 2014, 07:26 AM

Coconut oil and probably other plant extracts.

Timo Nieminen · 30th June 2014, 01:13 AM

Would their bows normally be oiled with the same? I'm thinking that, if so, it might be wise to do the same if I'm going to try shooting one.

Tim Simmons · 30th June 2014, 06:31 PM

What I have seen of Solomon Island bows is that they are quite big like English long bows. I cannot believe that somebody with the ability to draw a long bow would neglect the condition of the wood. I would be most interested in your results.

Tim Simmons · 30th June 2014, 08:27 PM

Just having a search about bow care and found this. Oil your bow with linseed oil.
http://www.northwoodtraditionalarche...intenance.html

Timo Nieminen · 30th June 2014, 11:12 PM

Linseed oil is the standard modern bow oil, but not available traditionally in New Guinea and the Solomons. It is an option, from a performance point of view, but I'm interested in trying the traditional solution.

English practice used to be to use a mix of wax, rosin, and tallow (Sir John Smythe, Certain Discourses Military, 1590, wherein he argued for retention of the longbow as a major military weapon). Pig fat could be another option.

27th June 2014, 04:34 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Long awaited Solomon club I have wanted an example of this form of club for a long time. Now I have it and jolly fine too. I was lucky to be get paid for some work and it just happened to be there at the right time. Not cheap but got at a good price, sometimes you have to pay. I have seen smaller examples go beyond my reach so I was really pleased with this piece 87cm long and just over 9cm wide at the distal end. Nice heavy old club with lovely carved grip. Fits in nicely with the rest of the Solomon Islands gang. Attached Images

28th June 2014, 12:16 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Congratulations! How old are these?

28th June 2014, 07:23 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Thank you. It is quite possible that long ones are at least late 19th century. The new one could be too. Good clubs would be cared for passed on. Even the small one with the shell inlay could be that old. However it is best to assume they are from the early 20th century. In the collecting world one is not to polish clubs, a big no no, but in there real life they would have been nourished with oils and kept like any soldier keeps their gun.

28th June 2014, 10:18 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CONGRADULATIONS A VERY NICE SELECTION OF SOLOMON ISLAND CLUBS. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE MOST TYPES. THE WORKMANSHIP IS ESPECIALLY GOOD ON THE NEWEST CLUB. THE HANDLE REMINDS ME A BIT OF THE FORM USED IN THE ISLANDS WHERE THE MASSIM TRIBES LIVE.

29th June 2014, 07:26 AM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Coconut oil and probably other plant extracts.

30th June 2014, 01:13 AM	#7
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Would their bows normally be oiled with the same? I'm thinking that, if so, it might be wise to do the same if I'm going to try shooting one.

30th June 2014, 06:31 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	What I have seen of Solomon Island bows is that they are quite big like English long bows. I cannot believe that somebody with the ability to draw a long bow would neglect the condition of the wood. I would be most interested in your results.

30th June 2014, 08:27 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Just having a search about bow care and found this. Oil your bow with linseed oil. http://www.northwoodtraditionalarche...intenance.html

30th June 2014, 11:12 PM	#10
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Linseed oil is the standard modern bow oil, but not available traditionally in New Guinea and the Solomons. It is an option, from a performance point of view, but I'm interested in trying the traditional solution. English practice used to be to use a mix of wax, rosin, and tallow (Sir John Smythe, Certain Discourses Military, 1590, wherein he argued for retention of the longbow as a major military weapon). Pig fat could be another option.