Another plug bayonet ... Portuguese?

Jim McDougall · 5th October 2008, 09:02 PM

Most intriguing Fernando! and I wasn't aware of whale bone being used in these, but do recall Evans notes on the Azores examples.
It seems a while back we had a thread on harpoons from the literary classic "Moby Dick" and I was surprised to discover how much whaling history, and harpoon technology, went back to the Basques.

Since I know little on recognizing varieties of ivory and bone, is whale bone typically so noticeably white? The combination of wood and ivory really is appealing, and it seems likely it might have been reversed on occasion?
It really is a pity on the marks being so degenerated as they would really help.

All the best,
Jim

5th October 2008, 09:02 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,282	Most intriguing Fernando! and I wasn't aware of whale bone being used in these, but do recall Evans notes on the Azores examples. It seems a while back we had a thread on harpoons from the literary classic "Moby Dick" and I was surprised to discover how much whaling history, and harpoon technology, went back to the Basques. Since I know little on recognizing varieties of ivory and bone, is whale bone typically so noticeably white? The combination of wood and ivory really is appealing, and it seems likely it might have been reversed on occasion? It really is a pity on the marks being so degenerated as they would really help. All the best, Jim