Mystery arrow or javelin

[Timo Nieminen]

This is a mystery to me. Middle Eastern, the seller suggested. Ottoman? Persian? Something else?

It was suggested that it might be a siege arrow. No flights or nock, and the end of the shaft flares out in way that doesn't suggest it had flights or nocks on a cut-off section. 82g, which is very, very heavy for a Turkish/Persian/Indian arrow.

It looks more like a small javelin to me, a very small and light javelin.

Might it be (North?) African?

[colin henshaw]

Interesting piece - but I can't make it out well. Can you post some more close-up images of the head in a sharper focus ? Thanks.

[Timo Nieminen]

Alas, my camera can be stubborn when it comes to focussing clearly. Here is another attempt, perhaps a little clearer.

The head is tanged. Where it is inserted into the shaft, the end of the shaft is reinforced with a spiral iron wrap. I haven't seen this kind of spiral wrap outside African spears (unless this thing is non-African).

[katana]

I would suggest that this is a butt spike rather than a spear head. Such a 'slender' needle like point would need barbs to make it effective. If I am right, this is quite an ornate butt spike... worthy of a more prestigious spear perhaps

All the best
David

[colin henshaw]

With the spiral iron wrap over a tang, this is most likely a spear from Southern Africa. Does the square section iron point have barbs to one edge ?
(It seems like it from the image).

I have seen spears from S.E. Africa with a square section point, though a bit different to this one. Iron wrapping to head and butt was used on spears from Mashona tribes.

The flared end to the shaft is typical to some spears from this area.

Regards.

[Timo Nieminen]

Coiln,

It has barbs to two edges, the one visible and the opposite. They're not very prominent or sharp - more decorative than functional.

I should find out more about African arrows - it's a good size for a heavy un-nocked un-flighted arrow.

David,

I think it's too small, light, and pointy for a spear butt. Do you know of any similarly petite examples?

I've never seen a traditional tanged spear butt. It would be interesting to see some if you know of any.

Thanks for the ideas!