Mahdi Spear Head?

FenrisWolf · 17th March 2007, 06:07 AM

African/Sudanese spearhead, I picked up four spearheads together, two with barbs and two with slender thrusting blades. I've seen at least one source that attributed these nasty buggers with all the barbs to the Mahdi's forces, that they were one of the 'terror weapons' favored by them:

Personally I can't see this as being terribly practical, scary looking as all get-out, but having your spear stuck in an opponent in the middle of a battle can leave you disarmed and suffering a slight case of death....

kronckew · 17th March 2007, 06:35 AM

they could have had a few of them as javelins, and intended them to stick in whatever they hit so they could not be removed and thrown back, the lower reversed barbs would keep it from being pushed all the way thru for removal, while the main barbs would be a bit nasty going either way. as stated, can't see them being a practical main weapon with them barbs.....

they must be fun to dust & keep oiled.........

FenrisWolf · 17th March 2007, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

they could have had a few of them as javelins, and intended them to stick in whatever they hit so they could not be removed and thrown back, the lower reversed barbs would keep it from being pushed all the way thru for removal, while the main barbs would be a bit nasty going either way. as stated, can't see them being a practical main weapon with them barbs.....

they must be fun to dust & keep oiled.........

Which is why most of the time they're covered in a nice protective lyer of cobwebs....

I have three of them, two of similar size (like this one) and one that's very much in keeping with the idea of a javelin tip, about 7" long overall with a needle-like tip and the two-directional barbs down the shaft. I'll post pics of the others later, as well as the barb-free versions....

Lew · 17th March 2007, 06:58 AM

FenrisWolf

What makes you think that this is a Sudanese spear?

Lew

FenrisWolf · 17th March 2007, 07:53 AM

That is how they were sold to me, four spear heads collected in North Africa and the Sudan, from the estate of a Texas oilman who worked over there back in the 1960s. The shape of the leaf blade is certainly reminscent of the disk pommel arm daggers from the same region.

kronckew · 17th March 2007, 09:42 AM

winston churchill of course took part in the battle of omdurman, his account is very good. see This Linky

there are references to throwing spears and wounded soldiers returning from the battle with "fish hook spears" still stuck in their bodies.

17th March 2007, 06:07 AM	#1
FenrisWolf Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 181	Mahdi Spear Head? African/Sudanese spearhead, I picked up four spearheads together, two with barbs and two with slender thrusting blades. I've seen at least one source that attributed these nasty buggers with all the barbs to the Mahdi's forces, that they were one of the 'terror weapons' favored by them: Personally I can't see this as being terribly practical, scary looking as all get-out, but having your spear stuck in an opponent in the middle of a battle can leave you disarmed and suffering a slight case of death....

17th March 2007, 06:35 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	they could have had a few of them as javelins, and intended them to stick in whatever they hit so they could not be removed and thrown back, the lower reversed barbs would keep it from being pushed all the way thru for removal, while the main barbs would be a bit nasty going either way. as stated, can't see them being a practical main weapon with them barbs..... they must be fun to dust & keep oiled.........

17th March 2007, 06:58 AM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	FenrisWolf What makes you think that this is a Sudanese spear? Lew

17th March 2007, 07:53 AM	#5
FenrisWolf Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 181	That is how they were sold to me, four spear heads collected in North Africa and the Sudan, from the estate of a Texas oilman who worked over there back in the 1960s. The shape of the leaf blade is certainly reminscent of the disk pommel arm daggers from the same region.

17th March 2007, 09:42 AM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	winston churchill of course took part in the battle of omdurman, his account is very good. see This Linky there are references to throwing spears and wounded soldiers returning from the battle with "fish hook spears" still stuck in their bodies.