Rack of Boar Spears Manton & Co Calcutta

[Cathey]

HI Guys

We acquired this set in its original rack 20 years ago. They were originally brought to Australia by a collector over forty years before we managed to secure them. In all the years we have been collecting we have never seen another set in an original rack. Has anyone else ever seen a set like these? We are assuming that they have come out of a British officer’s mess in India. We would be most interested in your thoughts and comments, detailed descriptions below and they were a pain to photograph.

Set of Six Boar Spears in Rack
Date: 1869-74?
Nationality: British made by Manton & Co Calcutta
Dimensions: Six spears First from the left as follows:
1. Bodraj head 4” (10 cm) long, Overall 6 ft 7” (201 cm)
2. Diamond Head 2 ¾ “ (6.5 cm). Overall 6ft 9” (206 cm)
3. Bodraj head 4” (10 cm) long, Overall 8ft 9” (266 cm)
4. Bodraj head 4” (10 cm) long, Overall 8 ft 10” (269 cm)
5. Diamond Head 2 ¾ “ (6.5 cm). Overall 6ft 9” (206 cm)
6. Bodraj head 4” (10 cm) long, Overall 6 ft 7” (201 cm)

Marks, etc.: Heads marked Manton & Co Calcutta, Bottoms marked A.M.

Description: POLE ARM – SPEARS Set of six Manton Boar Spears consisting of 4 Bodraj heads the sockets ending in a flat leaf-like reinforcing spine or rib and 2 Diamond heads. The six spears all have heavy lead weighted bottoms 4 of which have the initials A.M. carved into them and are mounted in dark wood wall bracket. The spears range in size between 6 ft 7” and 8ft 10” and the shafts are of dark bamboo.

There is a spear in the Tower of London Armouries stamped with the famous gun makers Manton & Co of Calcutta.

References:
BLACKMORE, Howard L.THE ARMS & ARMOUR SERIES HUNTING WEAPONS Pp 99, 241, 243, 252, 295,312, pl 119.
GARDNER, Colonel Robert E, Small Arms Makers Pp 288


Cheers Cathey and Rex