latest spear head aquisition

Kmaddock · 1st March 2020, 09:40 PM

Hi
Do you think the tang has been worked on as it Looks to be very small in relation to the blade

I would have taught if it was mounted in a shaft the leverage of the blade would pop the tang out of the ide of the shaft quiet easily

I taught yari also when I first saw the photo.

Regards

Ken

David R · 1st March 2020, 09:57 PM

It does look small, but so are the tangs on most Philippine spears. Like you say, they look too small, but I see the same on a lot of ethnic blades.....

Below is an example posted on this site some time ago.

Ian · 4th March 2020, 09:35 PM

Hi David,

You are not getting much help with the Philippine origin (or otherwise) of your spear head, and I'm thinking that is because the hollow ground nature of the blade is causing people to scratch their heads a bit. I find it odd for a Philippine spear, but perhaps it is a rare variant. At the same time, I can't think of a clear alternative origin.

Ian.

David R · 4th March 2020, 09:54 PM

This is exactly why I posted it, it does not look like the run of the mill Budiak, though I have seen some of them get close..... It is very much an armour piercing blade, and some Moro did wear armour!

At some point I will give it a scrub and an etch, and see what comes out.

Battara · 5th March 2020, 04:39 AM

Moro armour has more carabao and brass plates. This spearhead profile looks more for chainmaille than Moro armour.

I think it is also too thin for the usual Moro spearhead. And most Philippine spears have round tangs, nothing like this.

Ian is right - I was also scratching my head.

David R · 5th March 2020, 11:20 AM

Looking around I have found Moro spears that are narrow, though not quite as narrow as mine. Regarding the tang, one pic below is of my spear tang, and the other of a known Moro spear.

Battara · 6th March 2020, 12:57 AM

As I said "most" are round tangs, and even the example of a square tang that you show is not like the hollowed spearhead - it is rounded at top of the tang. Now most of then other Philippine spearheads that are square at the base are from Lumad groups (ie. Bagobo).

Also yours in question is not just narrower than Moro spearheads, but also (so far) Moro spearheads are not hollow ground.

1st March 2020, 09:57 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,135	It does look small, but so are the tangs on most Philippine spears. Like you say, they look too small, but I see the same on a lot of ethnic blades..... Below is an example posted on this site some time ago. Attached Images

5th March 2020, 11:20 AM	#6
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,135	Looking around I have found Moro spears that are narrow, though not quite as narrow as mine. Regarding the tang, one pic below is of my spear tang, and the other of a known Moro spear. Attached Images

1st March 2020, 09:40 PM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 545	Hi Do you think the tang has been worked on as it Looks to be very small in relation to the blade I would have taught if it was mounted in a shaft the leverage of the blade would pop the tang out of the ide of the shaft quiet easily I taught yari also when I first saw the photo. Regards Ken

4th March 2020, 09:35 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,522	Hi David, You are not getting much help with the Philippine origin (or otherwise) of your spear head, and I'm thinking that is because the hollow ground nature of the blade is causing people to scratch their heads a bit. I find it odd for a Philippine spear, but perhaps it is a rare variant. At the same time, I can't think of a clear alternative origin. Ian.

4th March 2020, 09:54 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,135	This is exactly why I posted it, it does not look like the run of the mill Budiak, though I have seen some of them get close..... It is very much an armour piercing blade, and some Moro did wear armour! At some point I will give it a scrub and an etch, and see what comes out.

5th March 2020, 04:39 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Moro armour has more carabao and brass plates. This spearhead profile looks more for chainmaille than Moro armour. I think it is also too thin for the usual Moro spearhead. And most Philippine spears have round tangs, nothing like this. Ian is right - I was also scratching my head.

6th March 2020, 12:57 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	As I said "most" are round tangs, and even the example of a square tang that you show is not like the hollowed spearhead - it is rounded at top of the tang. Now most of then other Philippine spearheads that are square at the base are from Lumad groups (ie. Bagobo). Also yours in question is not just narrower than Moro spearheads, but also (so far) Moro spearheads are not hollow ground.