Short Stabbing Spear - Tourist ??

katana · 25th January 2010, 02:06 PM

Bought this cheaply .....believing it to be a tourist piece and judging by the patina mid 20th C onwards. Now I'm not so certain.

The spearhead is forged and has shoulders common to Zulu heads. It is very sharp ...but relatively thin (flat diamond cross section)The brass ferrule could be a short piece of pipe or even a bullet cartridge (has been worked with a file so no markings to confirm.) The 'dot' pattern on either end of the shaft is created by burning and has some carved grooves at the handle end. There are 'handling' marks/wear in places you would expect ...if used.

I wondered whether this could be 'better' than a tourist offering....although functional, it is not 'robust' enough to rely on in 'battle conditions'.....perhaps ceremonial ??

All comments good or bad, gratefully received, thank you

Regards David

colin henshaw · 26th January 2010, 09:28 AM

Hi David

Its difficult to say for sure from a photo, but the spear looks like a modern functional piece, made for use in Southern Africa somewhere...

Regards
Colin

Lew · 26th January 2010, 01:47 PM

Seems touristy to me or maybe a dance spear? Still cheap is good.

BerberDagger · 26th January 2010, 04:10 PM

I agree , for me is tourist item or for modern tribal use

katana · 30th January 2010, 06:06 PM

Thank you for your input Gentlemen ....and sorry for the late reply

Kind Regards David

25th January 2010, 02:06 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Short Stabbing Spear - Tourist ?? Bought this cheaply .....believing it to be a tourist piece and judging by the patina mid 20th C onwards. Now I'm not so certain. The spearhead is forged and has shoulders common to Zulu heads. It is very sharp ...but relatively thin (flat diamond cross section)The brass ferrule could be a short piece of pipe or even a bullet cartridge (has been worked with a file so no markings to confirm.) The 'dot' pattern on either end of the shaft is created by burning and has some carved grooves at the handle end. There are 'handling' marks/wear in places you would expect ...if used. I wondered whether this could be 'better' than a tourist offering....although functional, it is not 'robust' enough to rely on in 'battle conditions'.....perhaps ceremonial ?? All comments good or bad, gratefully received, thank you Regards David Attached Images

26th January 2010, 09:28 AM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Hi David Its difficult to say for sure from a photo, but the spear looks like a modern functional piece, made for use in Southern Africa somewhere... Regards Colin

26th January 2010, 01:47 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Seems touristy to me or maybe a dance spear? Still cheap is good.

26th January 2010, 04:10 PM	#4
BerberDagger Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 247	I agree , for me is tourist item or for modern tribal use

30th January 2010, 06:06 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thank you for your input Gentlemen ....and sorry for the late reply Kind Regards David