Long Moro Twistcore spear

Bill M · 13th February 2008, 05:32 PM

This is the longest Moro spear I ever saw.

Overall: Eight feet, Seven inches --- 261.6cm in length
Spear head is 17 inches --- 43.2cm
Ferrule is 9 1/2 inches --- 24.1cm

There is a strange iron loop at the butt end. Any ideas?

Bill · 13th February 2008, 06:27 PM

"There is a strange iron loop at the butt end. Any ideas?" I guess the spear could be carried spearhead to the ground & a banner on it but seems unlikely they would need an iron loop for that. I would guess it it ment for a cord so if thrown at sea it could be recovered. Interesting & nice find.

VANDOO · 13th February 2008, 06:51 PM

A VERY NICE SPEAR

I HAVE NOT SEEN A LOOP BEFORE BUT IT DOES APPEAR THAT THE STEEL LOOP ON THE BUTT OF THE SPEAR SHAFT WAS INTENDED FOR ATTACHING A SUBSTANTIAL SIZE LINE SO IT COULD BE RETRIVED.
TWO POSSIBILITYS COME TO MIND RETREVING IT WHEN THROWN INTO THE WATER AS MENTIONED OR RETREVING IT IF THROWN FROM A FORTIFICATION AT AN ENEMY.
THE EXTRA LONG SPEAR WOULD BE GOOD FOR DEFENDING AN APPROACH ALONG A LOW WALL AND IF THE ENEMY WAS STAYING JUST OUT OF REACH OF A THRUST IT COULD BE THROWN AND THEN QUICKLY RETRIEVED PERHAPS PULLING THE ENEMY INTO RANGE OF OTHERS SPEARS IN THE PROCESS.

JUST LOGICAL GUESSES. PERHAPS THERE ARE SOME RECORDS SOMEWHERE OF ITS USE AS THERE WERE PLENTY OF BATTLES THRUOUT MORO HISTORY TO READ ABOUT.

Rick · 13th February 2008, 09:12 PM

I'd figure that to be more a throwing spear judging from it's length .

Very pretty example Bill .

In a marine combat environment the ability to retrieve the weapon is a definite plus .
I suspect some spears would even sink .

Battara · 13th February 2008, 09:41 PM

One of the nicest twist core budiak spears I have seen!

With all that silver I doubt it was for combat but more for court or datu show.

Must admit the butt does throw me for a loop!

Nonoy Tan · 13th February 2008, 09:53 PM

Here is another moro spear butt with a "loop."

Tim Simmons · 13th February 2008, 10:03 PM

Nonoy, any chance of a look at the whole spear. Just a suggestion, a fixed cord at the loop and a sliding knot on the haft. The cord over your shoulder so that if you loose your grip you have not lost your weapon. All assuming they are heavy spears not really for throwing.

Just a suggestion.

David · 13th February 2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

All assuming they are heavy spears not really for throwing.

I was wondering this myself. We all seem to automatically think of a spear as a projectile, but i do believe that their are many martial forms where the spear never leaves the hand.
I also agree that a spear like this (silver fittings and twisted core) is even less likely to ever leave the hand of it's owner.

David · 13th February 2008, 10:43 PM

...and BTW Bill, just lovely it is...

A. G. Maisey · 13th February 2008, 10:52 PM

How about to increase force of thrust?

If you attach a cord to the butt end of a spear, wind a few turns around the shaft, then wind the other end of the cord around your hand, and position the hand further up the shaft at point of balance, you have effectively increased leverage allowing a heavier thrust, or alternatively, the handling of a heavier than normal weight weapon. The turns around the shaft provide spin, giving stabilisation.In a projectile weapon the cord acts as a spear thrower, in a weapon not intended to be thrown it allows a heavier thrust and a loose hand thrust to the end of the shaft, giving longer reach.

katana · 13th February 2008, 11:15 PM

Very ...very nice spear......I would never throw it...so why attach a cord to retrieve it

Regards

Nonoy Tan · 9th March 2008, 01:20 PM

Tim, the spear in the photo was in a museum display. I was absent-minded and forgot to take a full photo of the spear

Here is all I have, including another moro spear with a similar butt end.

13th February 2008, 05:32 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Long Moro Twistcore spear This is the longest Moro spear I ever saw. Overall: Eight feet, Seven inches --- 261.6cm in length Spear head is 17 inches --- 43.2cm Ferrule is 9 1/2 inches --- 24.1cm There is a strange iron loop at the butt end. Any ideas? Attached Images

13th February 2008, 09:12 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I'd figure that to be more a throwing spear judging from it's length . Very pretty example Bill . In a marine combat environment the ability to retrieve the weapon is a definite plus . I suspect some spears would even sink . Last edited by Rick; 13th February 2008 at 09:26 PM.

13th February 2008, 09:53 PM	#6
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Here is another moro spear butt with a "loop." Attached Images

9th March 2008, 01:20 PM	#12
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Tim, the spear in the photo was in a museum display. I was absent-minded and forgot to take a full photo of the spear Here is all I have, including another moro spear with a similar butt end. Attached Images

13th February 2008, 06:27 PM	#2
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	"There is a strange iron loop at the butt end. Any ideas?" I guess the spear could be carried spearhead to the ground & a banner on it but seems unlikely they would need an iron loop for that. I would guess it it ment for a cord so if thrown at sea it could be recovered. Interesting & nice find.

13th February 2008, 06:51 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A VERY NICE SPEAR I HAVE NOT SEEN A LOOP BEFORE BUT IT DOES APPEAR THAT THE STEEL LOOP ON THE BUTT OF THE SPEAR SHAFT WAS INTENDED FOR ATTACHING A SUBSTANTIAL SIZE LINE SO IT COULD BE RETRIVED. TWO POSSIBILITYS COME TO MIND RETREVING IT WHEN THROWN INTO THE WATER AS MENTIONED OR RETREVING IT IF THROWN FROM A FORTIFICATION AT AN ENEMY. THE EXTRA LONG SPEAR WOULD BE GOOD FOR DEFENDING AN APPROACH ALONG A LOW WALL AND IF THE ENEMY WAS STAYING JUST OUT OF REACH OF A THRUST IT COULD BE THROWN AND THEN QUICKLY RETRIEVED PERHAPS PULLING THE ENEMY INTO RANGE OF OTHERS SPEARS IN THE PROCESS. JUST LOGICAL GUESSES. PERHAPS THERE ARE SOME RECORDS SOMEWHERE OF ITS USE AS THERE WERE PLENTY OF BATTLES THRUOUT MORO HISTORY TO READ ABOUT.

13th February 2008, 09:41 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	One of the nicest twist core budiak spears I have seen! With all that silver I doubt it was for combat but more for court or datu show. Must admit the butt does throw me for a loop!

13th February 2008, 10:03 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Nonoy, any chance of a look at the whole spear. Just a suggestion, a fixed cord at the loop and a sliding knot on the haft. The cord over your shoulder so that if you loose your grip you have not lost your weapon. All assuming they are heavy spears not really for throwing. Just a suggestion.

13th February 2008, 10:43 PM	#9
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,127	...and BTW Bill, just lovely it is...

13th February 2008, 10:52 PM	#10
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,897	How about to increase force of thrust? If you attach a cord to the butt end of a spear, wind a few turns around the shaft, then wind the other end of the cord around your hand, and position the hand further up the shaft at point of balance, you have effectively increased leverage allowing a heavier thrust, or alternatively, the handling of a heavier than normal weight weapon. The turns around the shaft provide spin, giving stabilisation.In a projectile weapon the cord acts as a spear thrower, in a weapon not intended to be thrown it allows a heavier thrust and a loose hand thrust to the end of the shaft, giving longer reach.

13th February 2008, 11:15 PM	#11
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Very ...very nice spear......I would never throw it...so why attach a cord to retrieve it Regards