African spears. Tourist stuff or genuine weapons?

stekemest · 30th December 2006, 03:53 PM

Thank you.

VANDOO · 3rd January 2007, 05:50 PM

THEY ARE ALL MASAI ITEMS, THE HIDE COVER WITH BEADS GOES ON THE SMALL SPEAR POINT. THE LARGER SPEAR POINT IS THE BLADE OF A MASAI LION SPEAR AND THE SPIKE IS THE OTHER END OF THE SAME SPEAR(THE BUTT SPIKE). THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SHORT PIECE OF WOOD CONECTING THE TWO PARTS. THE SPEARS ARE STILL CARRIED AND USED BY THE MASAI AND ARE ALSO SOLD TO TOURISTS. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IN THE SPEARS IS IF THE MASAI BUYS IT FROM THE SHOP AND CARRIES IT THEN ITS THE REAL THING IF ON THE OTHER HAND A TOURIST BUYS IT FROM THE SAME SHOP IT IS A TOURIST SOUVINEER.

PICTURE OF MASAI WITH OLD FORMS OF LION SPEARS NOTE HOW LONG THE BLADES ARE.

Tim Simmons · 3rd January 2007, 06:38 PM

I would agree generally about whether an African buys the spear or a tourist does, except that I think there is quite a discernable difference from the tourist models and modern real ones. Just look at the surface finish the lack of file marks, the quality of forging. This is seriously sharp.

Flavio · 3rd January 2007, 06:44 PM

Tim, seems to me that this one isn't so modern (maybe 50-60 years old or more). If i remember correctly Spring say somethig on the signs on the square part, like that are signs to identify a spicific tribe. It's a nice spear!

ShayanMirza · 3rd January 2007, 09:20 PM

paolo · 4th January 2007, 11:32 AM

I think my one was a tourist stuff. But I'm interested to your opinion about this other two ( I'll send the pics). One was in an italian official (during 1936 Ethiopian campaign) collection and was catalogued as White Nile area assegai. The other I suppose was used only for ceremonial dances; in its hollow butt must be some iron little balls, that shakin' the spear, make noise.
Regards
Paolo

paolo · 4th January 2007, 11:34 AM

Here are the other pics.
Paolo

3rd January 2007, 05:50 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THEY ARE ALL MASAI ITEMS, THE HIDE COVER WITH BEADS GOES ON THE SMALL SPEAR POINT. THE LARGER SPEAR POINT IS THE BLADE OF A MASAI LION SPEAR AND THE SPIKE IS THE OTHER END OF THE SAME SPEAR(THE BUTT SPIKE). THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SHORT PIECE OF WOOD CONECTING THE TWO PARTS. THE SPEARS ARE STILL CARRIED AND USED BY THE MASAI AND ARE ALSO SOLD TO TOURISTS. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IN THE SPEARS IS IF THE MASAI BUYS IT FROM THE SHOP AND CARRIES IT THEN ITS THE REAL THING IF ON THE OTHER HAND A TOURIST BUYS IT FROM THE SAME SHOP IT IS A TOURIST SOUVINEER. PICTURE OF MASAI WITH OLD FORMS OF LION SPEARS NOTE HOW LONG THE BLADES ARE. Attached Images

3rd January 2007, 06:38 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,922	I would agree generally about whether an African buys the spear or a tourist does, except that I think there is quite a discernable difference from the tourist models and modern real ones. Just look at the surface finish the lack of file marks, the quality of forging. This is seriously sharp. Attached Images

3rd January 2007, 09:20 PM	#5
ShayanMirza Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlottesville Posts: 25	moved post <moved post to new thread> Last edited by ShayanMirza; 4th January 2007 at 02:18 AM.

4th January 2007, 11:32 AM	#6
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	I think my one was a tourist stuff. But I'm interested to your opinion about this other two ( I'll send the pics). One was in an italian official (during 1936 Ethiopian campaign) collection and was catalogued as White Nile area assegai. The other I suppose was used only for ceremonial dances; in its hollow butt must be some iron little balls, that shakin' the spear, make noise. Regards Paolo Attached Images

4th January 2007, 11:34 AM	#7
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	Here are the other pics. Paolo Attached Images

30th December 2006, 03:53 PM	#1
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 183	Thank you.

3rd January 2007, 06:44 PM	#4
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Tim, seems to me that this one isn't so modern (maybe 50-60 years old or more). If i remember correctly Spring say somethig on the signs on the square part, like that are signs to identify a spicific tribe. It's a nice spear!

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