Borneo Spear Question
 

Hi,
I wondered whether any of our SEA weapons experts may be able to help me. Fernando has a thread regarding a Spanish Breastplate which appears to have been damaged by a trident-like weapon (my suggestion.....so probably 'way of base')

Trawling the net I discovered this illustration dated 'circa 1850' and entitled 'Bornean Weapons', which shows a three pronged spear. Bearing in mind the Spanish were in Borneo at the time that Fernando's Breast plate has been dated, there is a possibility that such a weapon could have been used against Spanish armour.

I suspect that the three pronged spear was also around in Borneo in the 17th / 18th Century.....was this the case? Would such a spear have the ability to pierce armour ?

The posting of Fernando's Armour
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10276

Any advice would be gratefully received

Kind Regards David

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Hello David,

The pictured piece does look like a fishing spear to me (simlar examples can be found all over the archipelago).

Trisula were known mounted on poles (decorated examples usually for ceremonial functions) and apparently also utilized with a short hilt as stabbing/parrying weapons. However, trisula always seem to have much more of a distance between the prongs than those marks on Fernando's armour.

Regards,
Kai

Thank you Kai :) ,
I am grateful for your reply... you have re-inforced what I have found out in my research.

All the best

Regards David