Sudanese (?) Spear for Identification

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by stephen wood

Somalia? Never seen one like it before. It looks quite old but yes, it does seem to be sheet metal welded onto the socket. Strange shape - like a spade. Are there any pictures anywhere of one like this?

Are there any photos of spears similar that suggest this is Sudanese?

David, I know what you mean on the British production of souveniers and saw the same detail someplace while studying kaskaras, and cant recall where it was exactly. I think the burgeoning cottage industry that developed this production of items for native sale was to serve the developing economy of this British colony, and evolved over time into the Kasalla works for kaskaras.Anyone here interested in further reading on this should read Ed Hunley's outstanding dissertation on our site here.

The British firm of Martingale (I believe is the name) produced blades for the Kenyan seme' swords, and they were a tool making company. In the Sudan many kaskara blades were made from metal stock in railroad yards ( I think Ed mentions Atbara). Briggs has some information noting sheet steel being used and metal stock stamps showing up on some blades.

All the best,
Jim