TWO AFRICAN SPEARS for comment

kahnjar1 · 8th December 2008, 05:53 AM

Thanks to those who provided information on the 2 axes posted recently.
Following these, the same owner has these 2 spears for comment. Both appear to be of folded construction rather than forged from solid bar.
The longest one is 1.4 metres, and there other (wider blade) is 1.32 metres. Blade length for the wide one is 345mm and 100mm for the smaller blade. The wirework on both is very nice and the one with the wide blade has sewn skin between the woven wire bands. The other has skin of some sort shrunk onto the end of the haft. Overall these both have a very nice age patina, and are almost certainly not tourist items.
Any information on these items would be welcome.
As with the axes, I would think that these will probably appear on the Swap Forum at some later stage.
Regards Stuart

colin henshaw · 8th December 2008, 03:17 PM

Good old spears. From South-Eastern Africa somewhere, probably one of the Nguni tribal groups.

Regards

kahnjar1 · 8th December 2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Good old spears. From South-Eastern Africa somewhere, probably one of the Nguni tribal groups.

Regards

Any ideas on the purpose of the smaller bladed one?
Stuart

Lew · 8th December 2008, 05:29 PM

Well I will take a stab at this question

The smaller one is made for throwing maybe a hunting spear?

Lew

colin henshaw · 8th December 2008, 05:32 PM

The longer spear with the smaller blade would likely be for throwing, the shorter one with the larger blade would be retained in the hand for close-quarter work.

Regards, Colin

kahnjar1 · 13th December 2008, 06:00 AM

Thanks Lew & Colin for your replies.
Regards Stu

8th December 2008, 05:53 AM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,731	TWO AFRICAN SPEARS for comment Thanks to those who provided information on the 2 axes posted recently. Following these, the same owner has these 2 spears for comment. Both appear to be of folded construction rather than forged from solid bar. The longest one is 1.4 metres, and there other (wider blade) is 1.32 metres. Blade length for the wide one is 345mm and 100mm for the smaller blade. The wirework on both is very nice and the one with the wide blade has sewn skin between the woven wire bands. The other has skin of some sort shrunk onto the end of the haft. Overall these both have a very nice age patina, and are almost certainly not tourist items. Any information on these items would be welcome. As with the axes, I would think that these will probably appear on the Swap Forum at some later stage. Regards Stuart Attached Images

13th December 2008, 06:00 AM	#6
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,731	Thanks Thanks Lew & Colin for your replies. Regards Stu

8th December 2008, 03:17 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Good old spears. From South-Eastern Africa somewhere, probably one of the Nguni tribal groups. Regards

8th December 2008, 05:29 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Well I will take a stab at this question The smaller one is made for throwing maybe a hunting spear? Lew

8th December 2008, 05:32 PM	#5
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	The longer spear with the smaller blade would likely be for throwing, the shorter one with the larger blade would be retained in the hand for close-quarter work. Regards, Colin