Possible Mandaya Spear Head?

[Lew]

Just picked this up on ebay. Seems to be Mandaya?

[Battara]

Does look Mandaya in profile and form, although it does not have the details engraved into it.

[Ferguson]

I think you paid too much. ;) Just kidding.

From "The History of Steel in Eastern Asia" by the Macao Museum of Art:

"Mandaya spears are double edged with a central ridge and a distinct V-point. Spearheads are socketed to the shaft instead of a tang. Occasionally there is fine chiseling and paneling (#29). "

This one seems to fit the bill. Can't tell from the pics if it's socketed or tanged, though.

Nice!
Steve

[Battara]

From here I can tell it is socketed.

[Lew]

The spear arrived today and I cleaned it up funny it seems to have a plastic ring separating the head from the socket? There is part of the shaft still stuck in the socket and it appears to made of bahi or palm wood lots of small black dots in the cross section.

[Rick]

Can you see a tang inside the socket ? :confused:

A couple of examples of the metuk to socket transition .

[Lew]

Nope a piece of the shaft is still embedded in the socket.

[Rick]

It may be a tanged head stuck in a heavy ferrule . :shrug:

The profile is similar; the Mandaya spears in my collection have blades that are sword thick (1/4") or less; much thinner in cross section than a Moro spear.

I really haven't seen enough of these to get much of an opinion on standards .
I remember Bill had acquired a beautiful example in the not so distant past .

Paging Bill M. :D

Here we are .
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7941&highlight=mandaya+spear

[Battara]

PLASTIC!?!? :eek:

Damage in the past? :confused:

[Lew]

What drill bit can I use to bore out the broken wood shaft that is stuck inside the ferrule?

[Rick]

How far inside is the shaft ?

If you can I'd suggest a screw be put into the shaft end .
Tie or wrap strong wire around it .
While heating the ferrule it might be possible to pull the shaft tip from the softened adhesive . :shrug:

[kronckew]

that grey 'plastic' ring looks like someone filled in a gap with epoxy-steel.

[Lew]

Rick I tried that and no luck need to drill it out.

[Rick]

That will be a nasty job Lew .
Good luck . :)

Got aircraft bits ?

[Lew]

A 3/8" auger bit may do the job?

[Rick]

Amazon's got a 12" long 5/16 available .
Might be worth it . :shrug:
http://www.amazon.com/HSELD-5-Speed-Straight-Drill-Length/dp/B002DGJPEG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=industrial&qid=1270922789&sr=1-1