Maasai Spear, tourist souvenir or real deal?

[Mandich]

Dear all, i bought this spear from one collector, he claimed that it is real hunting spear from Maasai. Spear head is 106cm long, total spear length is 188 cm.

[Lee]

I believe that it is a proper spear, suitable for use by a young warrior. This is not to say that these have not been bought "new" by tourists; a friend of mine has a very similar example he acquired during his time in east Africa in the Peace Corps in the 1960s.

Previous discussion on variations: http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=27227

[Sajen]

Hello Mandich,

The most important part of the spear to judge its age or use you haven't shown! ;) We need a picture or more from the wooden part IMHO.

Regards,
Detlef

[RobT]

Mandich,
I assume that the 106 cm (about 41.75”) head includes the ferrule? Even with that, it’s a big boy. I have a pair of these spears and they both measure (including ferrule) around 85 cm (about 33.5”). Your photos show that the workmanship on the head is excellent, so I would say that your spear is the real deal (whether newly made or not).

Sajen,
I don’t know if the wood center section is a reliable indicator of age as it could have been replaced (maybe more than once) during the spear’s life time and thus be far newer than the metal parts. Conversely, even new wood can take on a good patina in a relatively short time (especially if it is deliberately treated to look old).

Sincerely,
RobT

[Mandich]

Mandich,
I assume that the 106 cm (about 41.75”) head includes the ferrule? Even with that, it’s a big boy. I have a pair of these spears and they both measure (including ferrule) around 85 cm (about 33.5”). Your photos show that the workmanship on the head is excellent, so I would say that your spear is the real deal (whether newly made or not).

Sajen,
I don’t know if the wood center section is a reliable indicator of age as it could have been replaced (maybe more than once) during the spear’s life time and thus be far newer than the metal parts. Conversely, even new wood can take on a good patina in a relatively short time (especially if it is deliberately treated to look old).

Sincerely,
RobT

Hello Rob,
Spearhead itself is 106cm long.
Ferrule is 69 cm long

[Mandich]

Hello Mandich,

The most important part of the spear to judge its age or use you haven't shown! ;) We need a picture or more from the wooden part IMHO.

Regards,
Detlef

Hello Detlef,
There is patina on the wood, its hard to take proper photos because of reflection. I cleaned it and its a little greasy so there is reflection.

[Sajen]

Sajen,
I don’t know if the wood center section is a reliable indicator of age as it could have been replaced (maybe more than once) during the spear’s life time and thus be far newer than the metal parts. Conversely, even new wood can take on a good patina in a relatively short time (especially if it is deliberately treated to look old).

Hello Rob,

Yes, I agree that the wooden part could be replaced during the lifetime of the spear and surely would have been replaced by an old or antique spear.
I've had several of these so-called lion spears and I always bought only ones where the wood shows a dark and glossy patination. I am unsure if there could be a better judgment of the age of such a spear.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Hello Detlef,
There is patina on the wood, its hard to take proper photos because of reflection. I cleaned it and its a little greasy so there is reflection.

Hello Mandich,

The colour of the wood and that you had to clean the wood and that it shows afterwards a glossy and shiny surface is a good sign of long time use. I think personally that your spear is the real deal.

Regards,
Detlef

[Tim Simmons]

It is the real thing but a late form different from examples from the 19th century and early 20th century, nice to have.

[Sajen]

It is the real thing but a late form different from examples from the 19th century and early 20th century, nice to have.

Hello Tim,

May I ask you where the difference is? Can you show examples?

Regards,
Detlef

[Tim Simmons]

Sorry for the late reply have been away in the Orkney Islands. These later spears are shorter and having a narrow blade with a blunt section Approx half way up the spear. The older types had a broader blade at the base and mostly sharp all the way up. The was a narrow version where the blade would be over a meter long and blunt with a pointed tip.

[Sajen]

Thank you very much Tim! :)