Maasai Spear, tourist souvenir or real deal?

[RobT]

Mandich,
I assume that the 106 cm (about 41.75”) head includes the ferrule? Even with that, it’s a big boy. I have a pair of these spears and they both measure (including ferrule) around 85 cm (about 33.5”). Your photos show that the workmanship on the head is excellent, so I would say that your spear is the real deal (whether newly made or not).

Sajen,
I don’t know if the wood center section is a reliable indicator of age as it could have been replaced (maybe more than once) during the spear’s life time and thus be far newer than the metal parts. Conversely, even new wood can take on a good patina in a relatively short time (especially if it is deliberately treated to look old).

Sincerely,
RobT

[Mandich]

Originally Posted by RobT

Mandich,
I assume that the 106 cm (about 41.75”) head includes the ferrule? Even with that, it’s a big boy. I have a pair of these spears and they both measure (including ferrule) around 85 cm (about 33.5”). Your photos show that the workmanship on the head is excellent, so I would say that your spear is the real deal (whether newly made or not).

Sajen,
I don’t know if the wood center section is a reliable indicator of age as it could have been replaced (maybe more than once) during the spear’s life time and thus be far newer than the metal parts. Conversely, even new wood can take on a good patina in a relatively short time (especially if it is deliberately treated to look old).

Sincerely,
RobT

Hello Rob,
Spearhead itself is 106cm long.
Ferrule is 69 cm long

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by RobT

Sajen,
I don’t know if the wood center section is a reliable indicator of age as it could have been replaced (maybe more than once) during the spear’s life time and thus be far newer than the metal parts. Conversely, even new wood can take on a good patina in a relatively short time (especially if it is deliberately treated to look old).

Hello Rob,

Yes, I agree that the wooden part could be replaced during the lifetime of the spear and surely would have been replaced by an old or antique spear.
I've had several of these so-called lion spears and I always bought only ones where the wood shows a dark and glossy patination. I am unsure if there could be a better judgment of the age of such a spear.

Best regards,
Detlef