Indian Mace

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Iliad

Greetings,
A recent purchase of an Indian spiked mace. I searched the site's library but could not find anything similar, so thought that I would post these pictures for the archives. I think maybe early 1800's?
A blow from this to an unarmoured body would be very nasty indeed.
Regards to all,
Brian

Brian, I am a little bit suspicious of this mace, it has the look of some recently made reproductions from India. Did it come from a reputable dealer? Some clear close up shots may help. Here is a link were you can see some other examples. https://www.pinterest.com/worldantiq...persian-maces/

[kronckew]

i'd worry about it getting stuck in whatever you hit with it, pulling you off the horse, if you were cavalry or delaying you long enough to get zapped by someone else if infantry; and how the heck would you carry it without it spiking you or your horse every time you moved.

a 'parade' weapon for religious festivals maybe?

[Jim McDougall]

Brian,
I am with the others in thinking this a bit too 'theatrical' for an actual combative weapon. These dramatically lengthy spikes and in this kind of profusion would render this weapon more a hindrance than realistically useful item. As has been mentioned, these spikes becoming lodged in their target would effectively remove it from further use.

I agree on the 'parade' or 'dramatic prop' probability, and it seems I have seen 'staged' photos of 'fierce' warriors with these kinds of items from the latter 19th early 20th c.

[mrcjgscott]

Hello Brian,

I have to concur with Jim and the others. That smooth grip would ensure you lost your primary weapon on the first swing.

The intimidation factor of such a piece however would be invaluable, so purely as a ceremonial/parade piece makes sense to me.

Kind regards,

Chris

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by mrcjgscott

Hello Brian,

I have to concur with Jim and the others. That smooth grip would ensure you lost your primary weapon on the first swing. The intimidation factor of such a piece however would be invaluable, so purely as a ceremonial/parade piece makes sense to me.

Kind regards,

Chris

What looks smooth now may have been covered at one time. Sometimes I think the label "ceremonial/parade" gets used to quickly as a way to explain weapons that we currently do not have sufficient research on.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by estcrh

What looks smooth now may have been covered at one time. Sometimes I think the label "ceremonial/parade" gets used to quickly as a way to explain weapons that we currently do not have sufficient research on.

I agree, always Muharam festival, it's easy. Fakir and sufi used different kind of weapons and they had nothing to do with muharam...

[mrcjgscott]

Originally Posted by estcrh

What looks smooth now may have been covered at one time.

Perfectly true.

It was the combination of a smooth grip coupled with the profusion and length of the spikes as previously mentioned, which make me agree the weapon was impractical.

I am happy to be educated on such things though...

[kronckew]

it indeed may have had a leather grip between the bulbous bits and even a velvet covered shaft.

i don't think having a more secure grip would make it any more practical, in fact i'd bet having it slip out of your hand after getting stuck in the target would be an advantage rather than pulling you along with it because you didn't lose your grip soon enough.

even if you used it and didn't lose it (or your own life) it would be rather difficult to clean.

most islamic & indopersian maces were basically ovoids or cylinders without flanges or spikes to get caught in clothing or armour (or flesh). the most extreme maybe the head shaped ones, or the flat sided hex/octa-gonal types.

even european spiked and flanged maces the pointy bits were normally anything but acute so they would be unlikely to get stuck. the more extreme decorative ones being just that, decorative.

[weapons 27]

Originally Posted by estcrh

Brian, I am a little bit suspicious of this mace, it has the look of some recently made reproductions from India. Did it come from a reputable dealer? Some clear close up shots may help. Here is a link were you can see some other examples. https://www.pinterest.com/worldantiq...persian-maces/

I have the same impression on seeing this mace .I think indeed it was recently manufactured and artificially aged by some Hindu seller on eBay !!

[sirupate]

What a marvelous thread

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by weapons 27

I have the same impression on seeing this mace. I think indeed it was recently manufactured and artificially aged by some Hindu seller on eBay !!

Compared to the maces that have been posted, the patina/look of the metal is just not right but it could just have been badly stored. Are the spikes threaded into the head, is there any koftgari decoration, did it come from India? I have been wrong before which is why more detailed images would be of help in determining its authenticity.

Here is one that I own, the metal has a heavy dark patine but it is smooth and you can see koftgari decoration through it. The spikes are threaded, it looks like one spike has been replaced, the shaft is slightly bent and the head is also slightly loose, battle damage or some past owner taking a swing with it?

[estcrh]

Here is an example of a reproduction/fake Indian spiked mace, for comparison I have shown the head of the mace being discussed next to the head of a know fake one.



Old Indo Persian Steel Mace

Up for sale all Steel Horseman Warrior Spiked Mace .
Mace with multiple pointed spikes , hollow round shaft and round shape bottom tip.
Mace is rusted / Patina and wear and tear is there.
Dimension verall length 89 cm or 35 inches approx
weight = 1244 grams.