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

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

Well I will take a stab at this question :D :rolleyes: The smaller one is made for throwing maybe a hunting spear?


Lew

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

Thanks
 

Thanks Lew & Colin for your replies.
Regards Stu