Sword club where from??

Tim Simmons · 28th March 2012, 07:11 PM

My latest find. Very interesting sword club. Fast light hard wood, easily break bones. Rather smart carved guard. Nicely balanced weapon. It is covered with a native lacquer. In my mind I think I have seem something along these lines in a book but I cannot find anything. I could be blending thoughts of one of those Maori weapons. In the absents of any real evidence I suspect PNG ? Perhaps somebody has a better idea. It is 38 inches or 96cm long. I show it with something a lot heavier which we might all be more familiar with.

fearn · 28th March 2012, 07:37 PM

Sure it's not from the Philippines? I don't have pictures, but I've seen similar things from eskrima.

Best,

F

edit: found a reference to Philippine sword sticks called "garotes." Not the most original name, but that's my guess for now.

VANDOO · 29th March 2012, 04:40 PM

THIS IS CLOSE TO THE DESIGN OF THE MAORI STAFF/SPEAR WEAPON TAHIATA. I SUSPECT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN USED IN THE SAME FASHON. THE FLAT ROUNDED END FOR STRIKING LIKE A SWORD BLADE AND THE POINTED HEAVY END FOR THRUSTING LIKE A SPEAR. THERE IS NO CARVING AND THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN FORM FROM THE MAORI WEAPON BUT THERE IS MUCH IN COMMON IN FORM AND DESIGN FOR FIGHTING STYLE.
I DOUBT IT WAS GRIPPED IN THE FASHON SHOWN IN THE PHOTO TRY THE AREA OF THE SHAFT CLOSEST TO THE SPEAR END AND CHECK BALANCE OF THE WEAPON USING A TWO HANDED GRIP AS THE MAORI DO. THIS DESIGN IS FOR FAST BLOCKING AND STRIKING AS WELL AS THRUSTING WITH BOTH ENDS. NICE LOOKING CLUB PERHAPS A UNFINISHED MAORI CLUB OR ONE INFLUENCED BY THE MAORI FORM. IT IS SHORT FOR A TAHIATA PERHAPS ONE FOR A YOUNG MAN TO PRACTICE WITH HENCE NO CARVED DESIGNS. ITS PROBABLY A BIT LONG FOR PHILIPPINE CLUBS?.

kahnjar1 · 29th March 2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

THIS IS CLOSE TO THE DESIGN OF THE MAORI STAFF/SPEAR WEAPON TAHIATA. I SUSPECT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN USED IN THE SAME FASHON. THE FLAT ROUNDED END FOR STRIKING LIKE A SWORD BLADE AND THE POINTED HEAVY END FOR THRUSTING LIKE A SPEAR. THERE IS NO CARVING AND THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN FORM FROM THE MAORI WEAPON BUT THERE IS MUCH IN COMMON IN FORM AND DESIGN FOR FIGHTING STYLE.
I DOUBT IT WAS GRIPPED IN THE FASHON SHOWN IN THE PHOTO TRY THE AREA OF THE SHAFT CLOSEST TO THE SPEAR END AND CHECK BALANCE OF THE WEAPON USING A TWO HANDED GRIP AS THE MAORI DO. THIS DESIGN IS FOR FAST BLOCKING AND STRIKING AS WELL AS THRUSTING WITH BOTH ENDS. NICE LOOKING CLUB PERHAPS A UNFINISHED MAORI CLUB OR ONE INFLUENCED BY THE MAORI FORM. IT IS SHORT FOR A TAHIATA PERHAPS ONE FOR A YOUNG MAN TO PRACTICE WITH HENCE NO CARVED DESIGNS. ITS PROBABLY A BIT LONG FOR PHILIPPINE CLUBS?.

Definately not a Taiaha...pic attached....and I very much doubt Maori.(too plain) Barry's reference to "practice sticks" could be correct but such sticks used for Taiaha practice were just usually plain lengths of a suitable tree branch, and full length.
Regards Stu

Tim Simmons · 29th March 2012, 07:08 PM

I too do or should I say did doubt this is a Taiaha. However I have found this New Zealand link which is exactly the same size as my item.

http://www.antiquesreporter.com.au/i...-having-a-car/

I am still very unsure about the type of wood and the finish with a gum/resin lacquer. Also as Stu has mentioned the lack of decoration. I still think it is a weapon though.

kahnjar1 · 29th March 2012, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I too do or should I say did doubt this is a Taiaha. However I have found this New Zealand link which is exactly the same size as my item.

http://www.antiquesreporter.com.au/i...-having-a-car/

I am still very unsure about the type of wood and the finish with a gum/resin lacquer. Also as Stu has mentioned the lack of decoration. I still think it is a weapon though.

That is a Taiaha but you are looking at the pic from the "business end". The plain end furthest away as you look at the pic is the handle end.
Stu

28th March 2012, 07:11 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Sword club where from?? My latest find. Very interesting sword club. Fast light hard wood, easily break bones. Rather smart carved guard. Nicely balanced weapon. It is covered with a native lacquer. In my mind I think I have seem something along these lines in a book but I cannot find anything. I could be blending thoughts of one of those Maori weapons. In the absents of any real evidence I suspect PNG ? Perhaps somebody has a better idea. It is 38 inches or 96cm long. I show it with something a lot heavier which we might all be more familiar with. Attached Images

28th March 2012, 07:37 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Sure it's not from the Philippines? I don't have pictures, but I've seen similar things from eskrima. Best, F edit: found a reference to Philippine sword sticks called "garotes." Not the most original name, but that's my guess for now. Last edited by fearn; 29th March 2012 at 05:47 AM.

29th March 2012, 04:40 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THIS IS CLOSE TO THE DESIGN OF THE MAORI STAFF/SPEAR WEAPON TAHIATA. I SUSPECT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN USED IN THE SAME FASHON. THE FLAT ROUNDED END FOR STRIKING LIKE A SWORD BLADE AND THE POINTED HEAVY END FOR THRUSTING LIKE A SPEAR. THERE IS NO CARVING AND THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN FORM FROM THE MAORI WEAPON BUT THERE IS MUCH IN COMMON IN FORM AND DESIGN FOR FIGHTING STYLE. I DOUBT IT WAS GRIPPED IN THE FASHON SHOWN IN THE PHOTO TRY THE AREA OF THE SHAFT CLOSEST TO THE SPEAR END AND CHECK BALANCE OF THE WEAPON USING A TWO HANDED GRIP AS THE MAORI DO. THIS DESIGN IS FOR FAST BLOCKING AND STRIKING AS WELL AS THRUSTING WITH BOTH ENDS. NICE LOOKING CLUB PERHAPS A UNFINISHED MAORI CLUB OR ONE INFLUENCED BY THE MAORI FORM. IT IS SHORT FOR A TAHIATA PERHAPS ONE FOR A YOUNG MAN TO PRACTICE WITH HENCE NO CARVED DESIGNS. ITS PROBABLY A BIT LONG FOR PHILIPPINE CLUBS?.

29th March 2012, 07:08 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I too do or should I say did doubt this is a Taiaha. However I have found this New Zealand link which is exactly the same size as my item. http://www.antiquesreporter.com.au/i...-having-a-car/ I am still very unsure about the type of wood and the finish with a gum/resin lacquer. Also as Stu has mentioned the lack of decoration. I still think it is a weapon though.