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Originally Posted by kronckew

Cool. It looks like a sub-Saharan, east African spear, possibly Central African Republic/So.Sudan/West Ethiopia. The large broad blade spears could be used not only to stab, producing ghastly damage but hew like two-handed axes.

I remember reading a story about a Sheban Queen's bodyguard who carried one, and in defending her from pirates, lopped off limbs and even heads with his. Doesn't look overly touristy to me. Smiths in the area still make spears for use by the locals as well as selling them to the tourists (probably at a far higher price).

Is that an iron counterweight at the butt end?

I seem to recall a similar one on a now concluded auction in North Manchester not long ago that went for a decent price, but shipping it to me would have been outrageous, and it's over the limit I'm willing to drive, so I passed.

thanks for that ... very useful info.