what kind of lance is this?

fernando · 6th January 2007, 10:29 PM

Hi Henk
I do think it is visible that the haft was cut shorter, although not necessarily a great length of it. Let's consider for example that its present length is the maximum allowed for postal transportation. I have heard cases where spear hafts are abandoned or cut shorter for such reason.
Tim, you make me fear i was blind for the second time with this piece. I was thinking that the haft was a whole cane piece, only with an unusual "jump" between the sections . Now you tell me that actually the sections were loose parts with diferent thicnesses, later put together to form the haft. Quite a bizarre solution, right ?
Yes, the price became more favourable, both in amount and currency. I swapped this lance and a vintage book cabinet ( for my daughter ) with two little pistols i wasn't interested on.

fernando · 6th January 2007, 11:05 PM

Can i call this piece a tombak ?
And the steel forging method, any characteristic name for it, rather than just plain steel ?
Thanks for help.

Henk · 7th January 2007, 09:25 AM

Fernando,

I have such a similar spear haft on a spear. Still I think it isn't shortened with a saw, maybe with a file or something like that to flatten the bottom of the haft. And maybe some less smarter person rubbed with it on a stone. On the picture I wouldn't say it is a fresh saw cut. A saw cut is more smoother and cleaner.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1672

Take a look at the third spear. Not a very sharp picture, but you can se that the haft is similar to yours.

To call this a tombak? I'm not very sure, but I think a tombak is something different. I would prefer to call it a lance or a spear with a good forged steel blade.

fernando · 7th January 2007, 12:54 PM

I will stick to your definition, and register this piece in my little old arms record as a Sumatran lance ( no Portuguese for spear ).
Those are very nice pieces, in the pictures you show.
I am back thinking that the rattan cane haft is made of one only piece, of a species with deep differences between the nodes, and not separate sections stuck together. If i well understand what i have read about rattan, the canes are usually peeled off to provide weaving material, and the remaning cores are what actually is used for shafting. This would well cause a more pronounced cavity between the nodes. I have a shooting cane with a similar situation.
Thanks again and tot seens
fernando

Henk · 9th January 2007, 09:41 PM

Hi Fernando,

Wished i could say something in portugese to you. Your dutch is better than my portugese

Those lances are very nice indeed. Certainly the first two ones, about the third one i'm a bit unsure. The haft is similar to your piece but mine has an uncommon spearhead. Don't know what to think about it.

I think you're right about the rattan material. The peeled bark is weaving material and what remains can be used for a shaft.

You got yourself a very nice and aged sumatran lance. Congrats with this one, it certainly deserves a place in your collection.

6th January 2007, 10:29 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Henk I do think it is visible that the haft was cut shorter, although not necessarily a great length of it. Let's consider for example that its present length is the maximum allowed for postal transportation. I have heard cases where spear hafts are abandoned or cut shorter for such reason. Tim, you make me fear i was blind for the second time with this piece. I was thinking that the haft was a whole cane piece, only with an unusual "jump" between the sections . Now you tell me that actually the sections were loose parts with diferent thicnesses, later put together to form the haft. Quite a bizarre solution, right ? Yes, the price became more favourable, both in amount and currency. I swapped this lance and a vintage book cabinet ( for my daughter ) with two little pistols i wasn't interested on. Attached Images

6th January 2007, 11:05 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	How to name it Can i call this piece a tombak ? And the steel forging method, any characteristic name for it, rather than just plain steel ? Thanks for help.

7th January 2007, 12:54 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Dank je wel, Henk I will stick to your definition, and register this piece in my little old arms record as a Sumatran lance ( no Portuguese for spear ). Those are very nice pieces, in the pictures you show. I am back thinking that the rattan cane haft is made of one only piece, of a species with deep differences between the nodes, and not separate sections stuck together. If i well understand what i have read about rattan, the canes are usually peeled off to provide weaving material, and the remaning cores are what actually is used for shafting. This would well cause a more pronounced cavity between the nodes. I have a shooting cane with a similar situation. Thanks again and tot seens fernando

7th January 2007, 09:25 AM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Fernando, I have such a similar spear haft on a spear. Still I think it isn't shortened with a saw, maybe with a file or something like that to flatten the bottom of the haft. And maybe some less smarter person rubbed with it on a stone. On the picture I wouldn't say it is a fresh saw cut. A saw cut is more smoother and cleaner. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1672 Take a look at the third spear. Not a very sharp picture, but you can se that the haft is similar to yours. To call this a tombak? I'm not very sure, but I think a tombak is something different. I would prefer to call it a lance or a spear with a good forged steel blade.

9th January 2007, 09:41 PM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Hi Fernando, Wished i could say something in portugese to you. Your dutch is better than my portugese Those lances are very nice indeed. Certainly the first two ones, about the third one i'm a bit unsure. The haft is similar to your piece but mine has an uncommon spearhead. Don't know what to think about it. I think you're right about the rattan material. The peeled bark is weaving material and what remains can be used for a shaft. You got yourself a very nice and aged sumatran lance. Congrats with this one, it certainly deserves a place in your collection.