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View Full Version : Can aneyone help me identify this spear?


TomHurstAntiques
13th February 2016, 03:48 PM
I would be really grateful if anyone help me identify this spear
Many thanks.

colin henshaw
14th February 2016, 02:31 PM
As the blade is mounted to the shaft with a tang and animal hide binding, it would be from somewhere in Southern Africa, such as Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique etc... The longer shaft with weighted end probably indicates a hunting use, rather than warfare.

kronckew
14th February 2016, 05:59 PM
... and NOT zulu* ;) the thick blade x-section, twisted tang, lack of 'notching' at the blade/tang junction as well as the sudden increase in the end of the wooden shaft are not typical zulu.

* - everything seems to be described as 'possibly zulu' on certain auction sites. caveat emptor.

did your source mention any provenance? how long is it?

TomHurstAntiques
15th February 2016, 09:37 PM
thank you for your help.
It is 121cm long and is very well balanced. Sadly there is no provenance with it.

kronckew
16th February 2016, 08:09 AM
more like a short javelin then.

iskender
16th February 2016, 06:54 PM
gentlemen,i have heard this spear was needed to hunt hippos. iskender