Spearhead

stekemest · 29th November 2008, 11:19 PM

I once bought this spearhead among other items from an auction house (not ebay, a real one

). It was not dated (just medieval, as far as I can remember), but I think its shape would probably put it in the early middle ages. Maybe someone of you can give me a hint?

Thanks in advance,
Peter

Jim McDougall · 30th November 2008, 08:05 PM

Hi Peter,
Spearheads are pretty tough as obviously thier simplicity offers so many options, but this one is clearly well defined as 'excavated'.....which is outstanding! It looks like two holes toward the bottom of the socket for affixing to shaft, correct?
Whatever it is, great example!! and the search is on

All the best,
Jim

Henk · 30th November 2008, 08:14 PM

Peter,

Just my two cents. Could it be a roman spearhead? I've seen such a spearhead in a museum once. I won't say it is identical. But it has the features.
But as Jim said, spearheads are pretty tough.

katana · 1st December 2008, 01:35 AM

Hi Stekemest,
it is similar to late Roman...
http://www.paleodirect.com/r001.htm

...but, as has been stated this shape is fairly widespread in differing cultures and periods. Is there no provenance at all ? Looks to be a good item

Regards David

stekemest · 1st December 2008, 10:44 AM

Thank you all for your kind responses.
I would have to look at the auction's description again, but I think the provenance was just "German". It was sold at the German auction house "Hermann Historica" among other items some years ago.
The socket has one artificial hole and some others due to corrosion. The roman spear head you showed does indeed look very similiar, but I think there are some Alemannic spears that also look like this. Could have been a common shape during the roman and migration eras?

Thanks again
Peter

29th November 2008, 11:19 PM	#1
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Spearhead I once bought this spearhead among other items from an auction house (not ebay, a real one ). It was not dated (just medieval, as far as I can remember), but I think its shape would probably put it in the early middle ages. Maybe someone of you can give me a hint? Thanks in advance, Peter Attached Images

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30th November 2008, 08:05 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,177	Hi Peter, Spearheads are pretty tough as obviously thier simplicity offers so many options, but this one is clearly well defined as 'excavated'.....which is outstanding! It looks like two holes toward the bottom of the socket for affixing to shaft, correct? Whatever it is, great example!! and the search is on All the best, Jim

30th November 2008, 08:14 PM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Peter, Just my two cents. Could it be a roman spearhead? I've seen such a spearhead in a museum once. I won't say it is identical. But it has the features. But as Jim said, spearheads are pretty tough.

1st December 2008, 01:35 AM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Stekemest, it is similar to late Roman... http://www.paleodirect.com/r001.htm ...but, as has been stated this shape is fairly widespread in differing cultures and periods. Is there no provenance at all ? Looks to be a good item Regards David

1st December 2008, 10:44 AM	#5
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Thank you all for your kind responses. I would have to look at the auction's description again, but I think the provenance was just "German". It was sold at the German auction house "Hermann Historica" among other items some years ago. The socket has one artificial hole and some others due to corrosion. The roman spear head you showed does indeed look very similiar, but I think there are some Alemannic spears that also look like this. Could have been a common shape during the roman and migration eras? Thanks again Peter