Combination Spear Head and Percussion Barrel

rickystl · 20th November 2016, 03:38 PM

Hi Marcus.

Artzi mentions it's Indian, last half of the 19th Century. The "general" time frame for percussion fired guns was from about 1835 through 1870. But it could have been used latter. The tiger head and decoration do seem to confirm Indian manufacture.
The thought occured to me that this may have been a private purchase for personal protection type of weapon. If the rear haft were short enough, it could be carried under a cloak, hidden from view. It doesn't appear to have seen battle type use. But I notice the tip of the spear head is thicker than the rest of the blade. Possibly for piercing plate armour?
It's certainally one of the more interesting and attractive weapons I've seen.
Do take some more photos after you receive it.

Rick

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20th November 2016, 03:38 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Hi Marcus. Artzi mentions it's Indian, last half of the 19th Century. The "general" time frame for percussion fired guns was from about 1835 through 1870. But it could have been used latter. The tiger head and decoration do seem to confirm Indian manufacture. The thought occured to me that this may have been a private purchase for personal protection type of weapon. If the rear haft were short enough, it could be carried under a cloak, hidden from view. It doesn't appear to have seen battle type use. But I notice the tip of the spear head is thicker than the rest of the blade. Possibly for piercing plate armour? It's certainally one of the more interesting and attractive weapons I've seen. Do take some more photos after you receive it. Rick