Three African spears for ID

Iain · 5th November 2018, 06:36 PM

That's another monster Teodor! How long is that one? Also curious for the details of the attribution to the Mossi. I always found them a very interesting group often referenced but with very little to know information out there on how to distinguish their arms/armour.

TVV · 5th November 2018, 08:46 PM

Iain,

The entire thing with what is left of the shaft is 160 cm. I need to measure the length of head and socket together, but the head is 70 cm without the socket, so it is truly monstrous. I wonder how these lances were balanced, as the heads are so ridiculously heavy.

The attribution is a good question. I believe I saw similarly decorated spears in one of Wofgang's photo albums identified as Dogon or Mossi. Since the Dogon are not really known for their heavy cavalry, I assumed it must be Mossi. That being said, I am not even close to being certain about this attribution.

Teodor

TVV · 6th November 2018, 03:32 AM

I measured the head with the socket, and it is 101.6 cm or exactly 40 inches.

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5th November 2018, 06:36 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	That's another monster Teodor! How long is that one? Also curious for the details of the attribution to the Mossi. I always found them a very interesting group often referenced but with very little to know information out there on how to distinguish their arms/armour.

5th November 2018, 08:46 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	Iain, The entire thing with what is left of the shaft is 160 cm. I need to measure the length of head and socket together, but the head is 70 cm without the socket, so it is truly monstrous. I wonder how these lances were balanced, as the heads are so ridiculously heavy. The attribution is a good question. I believe I saw similarly decorated spears in one of Wofgang's photo albums identified as Dogon or Mossi. Since the Dogon are not really known for their heavy cavalry, I assumed it must be Mossi. That being said, I am not even close to being certain about this attribution. Teodor

6th November 2018, 03:32 AM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	I measured the head with the socket, and it is 101.6 cm or exactly 40 inches.