Another 3 old African spears ...not certain as to origins

Jim McDougall · 31st July 2009, 05:58 AM

Hey David,
Great spears, but pulleeze tell me the picket fence thing is just a figure of speech!

I can never get the Scottish basket hilt blades that were discovered welded into a picket fence in England, all taken from captured weapons at the Culloden debacle, out of my mind whenever I hear that term. I've never looked at a pocket fence the same.
Looking forward to more on the grouping.

All the best,
Jim

tribalarms · 3rd August 2009, 04:05 PM

I believe Colin is right.

I would like to add I believe it's southern Ethiopia. I have seen very similar hunting spears there, but the north differs. It would also make sense with the other spear that came with it.

The metal binding on the spears is still found today on pilgrims staffs in Ethiopia.

katana · 3rd August 2009, 08:33 PM

Hey Jim

,
a picket fence made of basket hilted blades

...indeed criminal , what a waste. Obviously done as a political 'statement'. As to my 'picket fence', a line of spears along a wall ......unfortunately unlikely to happen....the 'other half' is not as keen as I ....can't understand it myself

Hi Tribalarms,
thank you for further confirming these spears are from Southern Sudan (part of old Abyssinia)

Kind Regards David

31st July 2009, 05:58 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Hey David, Great spears, but pulleeze tell me the picket fence thing is just a figure of speech! I can never get the Scottish basket hilt blades that were discovered welded into a picket fence in England, all taken from captured weapons at the Culloden debacle, out of my mind whenever I hear that term. I've never looked at a pocket fence the same. Looking forward to more on the grouping. All the best, Jim

3rd August 2009, 04:05 PM	#2
tribalarms Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26	I believe Colin is right. I would like to add I believe it's southern Ethiopia. I have seen very similar hunting spears there, but the north differs. It would also make sense with the other spear that came with it. The metal binding on the spears is still found today on pilgrims staffs in Ethiopia.

3rd August 2009, 08:33 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hey Jim , a picket fence made of basket hilted blades ...indeed criminal , what a waste. Obviously done as a political 'statement'. As to my 'picket fence', a line of spears along a wall ......unfortunately unlikely to happen....the 'other half' is not as keen as I ....can't understand it myself Hi Tribalarms, thank you for further confirming these spears are from Southern Sudan (part of old Abyssinia) Kind Regards David