[Gavin Nugent]

David,

I think your notation of a lance rings more true than a spear when considering the thicker base of the shaft for counter balance and the tip more akin to armour piercing as is the way with cavalry lances. Interesting now to consider nations that used the horse more than foot in this instance...in my mind it rules out a lot of SEA countries, thank you.

Colin,

I had only looked at the spears pages closely and saw nothing similar but I have yet to thumb through the whole book as entries are often a surprise in his work, never where you'd expect them to be at face value so I will again have a look through.

Koto,

I agree, I do not think it is Chinese though it does have some interesting aspects that are seen on Chinese spear/pole weapons, that being a tang and a supportive collar under the blade to prevent the tang breaking out of the wood....though it lacks rivets typically seen at this point on those weapons. It is a rather unusual form, where do you think it might be from?

Gav

As an extra thought, the domed butt is more in line with something suitable in the saddle where infantry lances/spears typically had a butt spike.....