Very pleased to have added these three spears to my collection. Beautifuly balanced ( I have to keep resisting the urge to throw them....everytime I pick one up
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Lovely patina on the shafts, some age cracking. Beautifly forged heads .....and those barbs
. It seems that the spearheads on two of them are purely to create an 'entry wound' just large enough to allow the barbs to penetrated. These are hunting/war spears (all the references I can find make no distinction between hunting/war spear), Obviously from the point of view of an animal, once speared it would be very difficult / painful to remove, the thickened shaft with barbs, would also keep the wound 'open' allowing faster blood loss. In the case of warfare, the same applies.....nasty.
I can find no reference to any poison or venom used on this type of spear.
Although these spears are likely Zande, I cannot believe there are no other possible sources (tribes) for this style of spear. Has anyone any suggestions ?
These spears were alledgedly brought back at the time of the Boer War (not certain whether 1st or 2nd). I am awaiting further details.These were in the family for a very long time ...the seller is getting details from an aged relative But age wise I have no problem with late 19thC.
All comments and info appreciated, thankyou
Regards David