Spear? Indian? Sangu?

Bill M · 2nd January 2007, 10:18 PM

From the estate of a former employee of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in the 1920s. It was commonplace to use original artifacts during plays; as this piece was used.

Spear is 75.5 inches long and about 1.5 inches at the ball near the butt. The head is about 26 inches long and is four sided. The shaft above the handle, the handle itself and below the handle is six sided. Then it alternates with round and six-sided to the ball at the butt. It is solid steel.

I suspect it is a version of a Sang or Sangu from central or south India. Possibly Rajput horse/camel spear.

Any information anyone can offer is requested.

Runjeet Singh · 2nd January 2007, 11:59 PM

What an interesting piece!...I would agree with Bill...Central or South Indian, and yes call it a sang if you like. Isn't the decoration strange though, similar to decoration seen on good Algerian Flyssa Swords.

Here is a very different South Indian Sang from the Armoury of Mysore. Note the similarities in the butt piece.

Somebody onec claimed that my example is from Ceylon, it is obviously not (mysore inscription). However, does anybody have any knowledge of Sangs from Ceylon?

Regards,
Runjeet.

Robert · 3rd January 2007, 12:39 AM

I know nothing of the weapons of India but this is absolutely beautiful! How do you keep finding these wonderful items? One thing though, this looks more like a javelin than any spear that I've seen. What is the weight?

Battara · 3rd January 2007, 01:00 AM

Bill, looks like it is Indian, or Indo-Persian-Afghani. Very nice.

CharlesS · 3rd January 2007, 02:12 AM

Beautiful example. I used to have one and sold it. I am betting this one is heavy, nicely balanced, and that its point and velocity would make short work of most shields and armour.

Tim Simmons · 3rd January 2007, 09:08 AM

What a glorious thing. I love the decoration. Compere with this one. I think the African look becomes more clear.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=lance

Tim Simmons · 14th November 2008, 06:49 PM

I will bet my last £ that this is also African. The brass and copper inlay along with the engraving is African. West African sahara type of work. I must say that to my mind this is a superb and not common item. Beautiful.

2nd January 2007, 10:18 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Spear? Indian? Sangu? From the estate of a former employee of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in the 1920s. It was commonplace to use original artifacts during plays; as this piece was used. Spear is 75.5 inches long and about 1.5 inches at the ball near the butt. The head is about 26 inches long and is four sided. The shaft above the handle, the handle itself and below the handle is six sided. Then it alternates with round and six-sided to the ball at the butt. It is solid steel. I suspect it is a version of a Sang or Sangu from central or south India. Possibly Rajput horse/camel spear. Any information anyone can offer is requested. Attached Images

14th November 2008, 06:49 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	AFRICA!!!!! I will bet my last £ that this is also African. The brass and copper inlay along with the engraving is African. West African sahara type of work. I must say that to my mind this is a superb and not common item. Beautiful.

2nd January 2007, 11:59 PM	#2
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	What an interesting piece!...I would agree with Bill...Central or South Indian, and yes call it a sang if you like. Isn't the decoration strange though, similar to decoration seen on good Algerian Flyssa Swords. Here is a very different South Indian Sang from the Armoury of Mysore. Note the similarities in the butt piece. Somebody onec claimed that my example is from Ceylon, it is obviously not (mysore inscription). However, does anybody have any knowledge of Sangs from Ceylon? Regards, Runjeet.

3rd January 2007, 12:39 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I know nothing of the weapons of India but this is absolutely beautiful! How do you keep finding these wonderful items? One thing though, this looks more like a javelin than any spear that I've seen. What is the weight?

3rd January 2007, 01:00 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Bill, looks like it is Indian, or Indo-Persian-Afghani. Very nice.

3rd January 2007, 02:12 AM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Beautiful example. I used to have one and sold it. I am betting this one is heavy, nicely balanced, and that its point and velocity would make short work of most shields and armour.

3rd January 2007, 09:08 AM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	What a glorious thing. I love the decoration. Compere with this one. I think the African look becomes more clear. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=lance