Masai Spear and Sword

Battara · 6th May 2017, 11:44 PM

I want to say that they are both Masai, in Kenya.

The spear is known as a "lion spear" and yes the sword is a seme.

Timo Nieminen · 7th May 2017, 08:53 AM

Is the seme scabbard (and grip) fairly new? Or recently re-coloured?

The blade looks old (newer ones are usually made from machete blades and don't look like short fat lion spear blades), and if the colour is old, it's survived very well.

Battara · 7th May 2017, 07:12 PM

The seme does look newish, doesn't it?

Sajen · 7th May 2017, 09:27 PM

So far I know are the really old seme blades look like Timo described and older ones have a central rib like the one in question and from the middle of the 20th centry were used flat blades from recycled machete blades or other material. But like the others said, the colour look really fresh, early collected in it's life or recent, the only two possibilities IMVHO.

The lion spear look like it has some good age.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 7th May 2017, 09:40 PM

The first two pictures show seme like from Timo described, the real old ones. Third picture show an older example with similar blade shape like Miguels one, the last picture an example from recent times but used.

Miguel · 9th May 2017, 04:54 PM

Thank you Battara, Timo and Detlef for your comments and photos which are much appreciated. I think Timo`s suggestion that the Seme is an older one that has had the hilt recovered and the scabbard replaced or re-coloured is most likely to be correct. From what I have read about the Seme the older ones besides having median ridges also had ribbed hilts as shown on the third photo posted by Detlef whereas the handle on mine is smooth as on the later ones, also both the hilt and scabbard show little signs of wear. Thank you again.
Miguel

7th May 2017, 09:27 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	So far I know are the really old seme blades look like Timo described and older ones have a central rib like the one in question and from the middle of the 20th centry were used flat blades from recycled machete blades or other material. But like the others said, the colour look really fresh, early collected in it's life or recent, the only two possibilities IMVHO. The lion spear look like it has some good age. Regards, Detlef Last edited by Sajen; 7th May 2017 at 09:41 PM.

7th May 2017, 09:40 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	The first two pictures show seme like from Timo described, the real old ones. Third picture show an older example with similar blade shape like Miguels one, the last picture an example from recent times but used. Attached Images

6th May 2017, 11:44 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I want to say that they are both Masai, in Kenya. The spear is known as a "lion spear" and yes the sword is a seme.

7th May 2017, 08:53 AM	#2
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Is the seme scabbard (and grip) fairly new? Or recently re-coloured? The blade looks old (newer ones are usually made from machete blades and don't look like short fat lion spear blades), and if the colour is old, it's survived very well.

7th May 2017, 07:12 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	The seme does look newish, doesn't it?

9th May 2017, 04:54 PM	#6
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Thank you Battara, Timo and Detlef for your comments and photos which are much appreciated. I think Timo`s suggestion that the Seme is an older one that has had the hilt recovered and the scabbard replaced or re-coloured is most likely to be correct. From what I have read about the Seme the older ones besides having median ridges also had ribbed hilts as shown on the third photo posted by Detlef whereas the handle on mine is smooth as on the later ones, also both the hilt and scabbard show little signs of wear. Thank you again. Miguel