Identification Request; Iron Pike or Flag Topper

[dketch]

Hello All,

My name is Doug and joined the forum in the hopes to find someone who could help me identify an old forged iron piece I have.

I just recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan. While there I was approached by an elderly Afghan man and who wanted to sell me what appeared to be a pike top. Feeling bad for the old, obviously poor man I went ahead and purchased the old forged iron piece although not for the hefty price he wanted to sell it to me for. But I thought it looked interesting, so I bought it. I asked him what exactly it was and the old man assured me, "It old....200-300 years old and sit on top of flag pole."

At first I thought it was a spear, pike, or lance head (because it is about a foot long, has four triangular sides, and comes to a point at the top), but the old man assured me it was a flag staff topper (it has no sharp edges, nor is the top sharpe). I have tried to find any information online about what it is, background, it's value, etc... It appears to be made of cast iron and has two gold colored rings at the base with a multiple "V" shaped pattern.

Would anyone happen to have any info about this (what it is, where it is from, how old it is, etc...) If not, could you perhaps direct me toward someone online who is an expert and might know?

I will try and provided some photos very soon (in attachment). Any info anyone can provide will be grately appreciated.

Thank You,

- Doug

dketcher2002@yahoo.com

[fernando]

Pictures

.

[kronckew]

modern lance point, square cross section, fullers. the blade portion on it is about six inches and the socket about 3 in. when rough forged & before cleaning and polishing/sharpening it looks much like fernando's photos.


military pikes frequently had similar square cross section heads, especially naval boarding pikes. broad bladed sharpened edged leaf shaped spearheads were not needed on a pure thrusting pole-arm. most had languets running down the shaft from the socket as re-enforcement & to protect against sword blows.

flags were initially carried on lances, so i can envisage an old lance being used as a flag staff. age of course would tend to round the edges and point which was no longer used as a weapon.

photos and dimensions would be nice.

(fernando, is your post another example or is it a helpful posting of the original posters photos?)

[fernando]

Hi Wayne

Originally Posted by kronckew

... (fernando, is your post another example or is it a helpful posting of the original posters photos?)

Those are Doug's piece actual photos.

[kronckew]

thanks for the clarification, fernando. doug's photos scream 'weapon' to me.

just for interest & comparison, this is the rough forged snapshot of the modern made lance point i posted:

[katana]

Seems very similar to something I have .....

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=lance

Regards David

[dketch]

Originally Posted by kronckew

thanks for the clarification, fernando. doug's photos scream 'weapon' to me.

just for interest & comparison, this is the rough forged snapshot of the modern made lance point i posted:

Thanks for your input. The photo you posted looks very similar to the piece I have no doubt.