Repurposed Spontoon?

Jim McDougall · 19th January 2026, 11:31 PM

I think you're onto something Capn.....the ferruling does resemble certain weaponry in Indonesia, Ceylon etc. and the tombak image is compelling.
Note the curious lion head compared to the Sinhalese example hanger you had posted in 2010...note the distinctively 'toothey' mouth.

Spontoons seem typically to have 'winged' appendages added to the blade, and were of course typically socketed for the haft rather than tanged, though of course there were likely variations.

The compelling sense of Dutch and East Indies potential for this unusual combination would seem a quite possible case and with the Massachusetts provenance recalls the notable 'China trade' in these ports in 18th c.
Interesting potential!

19th January 2026, 11:31 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,820	I think you're onto something Capn.....the ferruling does resemble certain weaponry in Indonesia, Ceylon etc. and the tombak image is compelling. Note the curious lion head compared to the Sinhalese example hanger you had posted in 2010...note the distinctively 'toothey' mouth. Spontoons seem typically to have 'winged' appendages added to the blade, and were of course typically socketed for the haft rather than tanged, though of course there were likely variations. The compelling sense of Dutch and East Indies potential for this unusual combination would seem a quite possible case and with the Massachusetts provenance recalls the notable 'China trade' in these ports in 18th c. Interesting potential!