Ancient lance

fernando · 19th September 2008, 05:21 PM

Having posted this piece over two years ago in the Forum, its identification wasn't conclusive.
Then i showed it to someone with knowledge in antique weapons, although not necessarily on this type of pieces; he has dated it 16th century and called it a hunting lance. I didn't ask his opinnion on its provenance, as i had previously assumed it is Portuguese; at least it was acquired by the seller in a street fair, in the interior north of the country.
I empiricaly found the date quite plausible, due to the blade rusticity and the incomplete haft, all damaged by worms and with an intense patina, which i stupidly washed out with the overuse of worm killer liquid

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The most amazing part is the way the blade is made; it is reinforced with an extra longitudinal plate, heat welded to the basis, but only in half of it. Each face is reinforced in the contrary half side.
Anyone here familiar with this type of items ?
Could this actually be an ancient Portuguese home made Ascuma (hunting lance)?
Coments will be so much wellcome.
Fernando

Blade length 34 cms. including socket. Width 7 cms. The haft stump is 4 cms. in diameter and still measures 67 cms. in length.

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19th September 2008, 05:21 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Ancient lance Having posted this piece over two years ago in the Forum, its identification wasn't conclusive. Then i showed it to someone with knowledge in antique weapons, although not necessarily on this type of pieces; he has dated it 16th century and called it a hunting lance. I didn't ask his opinnion on its provenance, as i had previously assumed it is Portuguese; at least it was acquired by the seller in a street fair, in the interior north of the country. I empiricaly found the date quite plausible, due to the blade rusticity and the incomplete haft, all damaged by worms and with an intense patina, which i stupidly washed out with the overuse of worm killer liquid . The most amazing part is the way the blade is made; it is reinforced with an extra longitudinal plate, heat welded to the basis, but only in half of it. Each face is reinforced in the contrary half side. Anyone here familiar with this type of items ? Could this actually be an ancient Portuguese home made Ascuma (hunting lance)? Coments will be so much wellcome. Fernando Blade length 34 cms. including socket. Width 7 cms. The haft stump is 4 cms. in diameter and still measures 67 cms. in length. . Attached Images