Spear Head Help Needed

Robert · 8th September 2005, 11:41 PM

Here is a spear head that I think is African in origin but I'm not quite sure. There is also a scabbard that has nothing to do with it but any comments on its possible age are also more than welcome.

Total length of spear head is 18-1/2 inches.
Blade length is 14-1/8 inches.
Blade width is 1-3/8 at widest point.
Blade thickness is slightly less than 1/8 inch.

Scabbard length is 16-3/4 inches.
Width as widest point is 2-1/4 inches.

Again thanks for any help offered.

Robert

Montino Bourbon · 9th September 2005, 01:54 AM

I would say that the spear head is African.

CharlesS · 9th September 2005, 02:32 AM

The spear head is almost certainly African, though I have no clue about the exact origin.

More interesting to me is the scabbard which is a far better then usual scabbard for a Filipino 'talibon' sword. From the looks of it, I'd say early to middle 20th Cent.

Robert · 9th September 2005, 04:50 AM

Montino and Charles,
Thanks for your input on the spear head. Now if someone could just tell me who made it. I was thinking that the scabbard could possible date from the very end of the 19th century up to about WWII. I don't think it is any newer than that, but what do I know.

Ian · 9th September 2005, 10:58 PM

Scabbard looks to be from the Eastern Visayas (Leyte, Samar, Cebu) -- mid-20th C. or thereabouts from its appearance.

Ian.

Robert · 9th September 2005, 11:23 PM

Ian,
Thanks for the info. Could possibly you offer any insight on the origins of the spear head?

Robert

zelbone · 10th September 2005, 02:57 AM

The scabbard is for a garab.

snakeman · 12th September 2005, 02:27 AM

hey all:
I'm new here, but I think I can answer who made it.
My good friend just came back from a hunting trip in africa, and he brought home a spear that looks just like the head you have.
It was presented to him for a great shot, from a masai warrior assist chief.
Hope this helps.

zalmoxis · 13th September 2005, 07:21 AM

Spearhead is Africann from Ex Belgian Congo, Ngbandi tribe.

Robert · 16th September 2005, 05:53 PM

My thanks to everyone for their help in identifying the spear head and for your help on dating the scabbard.

Robert

8th September 2005, 11:41 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Spear Head Help Needed Here is a spear head that I think is African in origin but I'm not quite sure. There is also a scabbard that has nothing to do with it but any comments on its possible age are also more than welcome. Total length of spear head is 18-1/2 inches. Blade length is 14-1/8 inches. Blade width is 1-3/8 at widest point. Blade thickness is slightly less than 1/8 inch. Scabbard length is 16-3/4 inches. Width as widest point is 2-1/4 inches. Again thanks for any help offered. Robert Attached Images

9th September 2005, 01:54 AM	#2
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	I would say that the spear head is African.

9th September 2005, 02:32 AM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	The spear head is almost certainly African, though I have no clue about the exact origin. More interesting to me is the scabbard which is a far better then usual scabbard for a Filipino 'talibon' sword. From the looks of it, I'd say early to middle 20th Cent.

9th September 2005, 04:50 AM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Montino and Charles, Thanks for your input on the spear head. Now if someone could just tell me who made it. I was thinking that the scabbard could possible date from the very end of the 19th century up to about WWII. I don't think it is any newer than that, but what do I know.

9th September 2005, 10:58 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Scabbard looks to be from the Eastern Visayas (Leyte, Samar, Cebu) -- mid-20th C. or thereabouts from its appearance. Ian.

9th September 2005, 11:23 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Ian, Thanks for the info. Could possibly you offer any insight on the origins of the spear head? Robert

10th September 2005, 02:57 AM	#7
zelbone Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: VISAYAS and MINDANAO Posts: 169	The scabbard is for a garab.

12th September 2005, 02:27 AM	#8
snakeman Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: bearfoot ranch north central florida Posts: 1	hey all: I'm new here, but I think I can answer who made it. My good friend just came back from a hunting trip in africa, and he brought home a spear that looks just like the head you have. It was presented to him for a great shot, from a masai warrior assist chief. Hope this helps.

13th September 2005, 07:21 AM	#9
zalmoxis Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: GA USA Posts: 76	Spearhead is Africann from Ex Belgian Congo, Ngbandi tribe.

16th September 2005, 05:53 PM	#10
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	My thanks to everyone for their help in identifying the spear head and for your help on dating the scabbard. Robert