Long awaited Solomon club
 

I have wanted an example of this form of club for a long time. Now I have it and jolly fine too. I was lucky to be get paid for some work and it just happened to be there at the right time. Not cheap but got at a good price, sometimes you have to pay. I have seen smaller examples go beyond my reach so I was really pleased with this piece 87cm long and just over 9cm wide at the distal end. Nice heavy old club with lovely carved grip. Fits in nicely with the rest of the Solomon Islands gang. :eek:

Congratulations! How old are these?

Thank you.
It is quite possible that long ones are at least late 19th century. The new one could be too. Good clubs would be cared for passed on. Even the small one with the shell inlay could be that old. However it is best to assume they are from the early 20th century. In the collecting world one is not to polish clubs, a big no no, but in there real life they would have been nourished with oils and kept like any soldier keeps their gun.

CONGRADULATIONS A VERY NICE SELECTION OF SOLOMON ISLAND CLUBS. :D
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE MOST TYPES. THE WORKMANSHIP IS ESPECIALLY GOOD ON THE NEWEST CLUB. THE HANDLE REMINDS ME A BIT OF THE FORM USED IN THE ISLANDS WHERE THE MASSIM TRIBES LIVE.

What oils would they have used?

Coconut oil and probably other plant extracts.

Would their bows normally be oiled with the same? I'm thinking that, if so, it might be wise to do the same if I'm going to try shooting one.

What I have seen of Solomon Island bows is that they are quite big like English long bows. I cannot believe that somebody with the ability to draw a long bow would neglect the condition of the wood. I would be most interested in your results.

Just having a search about bow care and found this. Oil your bow with linseed oil.
http://www.northwoodtraditionalarche...intenance.html

Linseed oil is the standard modern bow oil, but not available traditionally in New Guinea and the Solomons. It is an option, from a performance point of view, but I'm interested in trying the traditional solution.

English practice used to be to use a mix of wax, rosin, and tallow (Sir John Smythe, Certain Discourses Military, 1590, wherein he argued for retention of the longbow as a major military weapon). Pig fat could be another option.