Interesting Saharan/Bornu spear.

Tim Simmons · 18th November 2006, 04:15 PM

Can across this today. 166 cm long. I did not know what to make of the curious grayish surface of the metal. It is not paint. I did think that the metal parts may have been tined as in tining the bit of the old fashioned copper soldering iron. I have studied more closely with my jewelers loop and all I can say is it looks very much like what is left of silver leaf, there is some traces on the wood handle at the edges of the metal sockets. Sadly my camera and I are not competent enough to show this in any detail. The brass addition I have seen other weapons from this area. I will post examples latter as I have to go out shortly.

18th November 2006, 04:15 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Interesting Saharan/Bornu spear. Can across this today. 166 cm long. I did not know what to make of the curious grayish surface of the metal. It is not paint. I did think that the metal parts may have been tined as in tining the bit of the old fashioned copper soldering iron. I have studied more closely with my jewelers loop and all I can say is it looks very much like what is left of silver leaf, there is some traces on the wood handle at the edges of the metal sockets. Sadly my camera and I are not competent enough to show this in any detail. The brass addition I have seen other weapons from this area. I will post examples latter as I have to go out shortly.