Moro Budiak with a bit of baling wire

Battara · 20th August 2010, 05:06 AM

What a nice piece - maybe not twistcore, but looks laminated and definitely a good budiak spearhead.

Lee · 20th August 2010, 03:21 PM

Thank you both!

I arrived at the Spring Brimfield market on the Tuesday and in the morning I saw someone walking away along the highway with a sheathed spear at a distance. I had been lucky in getting that long yari the preceding year and I know I cannot even frequently be the first to find these fresh-to-market treasures. It is so nice when it happens though.

But my luck had not soured, as the next morning I found this same spear was now among some other nice ethnographic items for sale in another spot in a newly opened field. Even better, the gentleman selling it had bought it "right" and was passing it along with only a nominal markup.

As you shall see below, it is another budiak, slightly larger, and with the substantial benefit of retaining not only an interestingly carved old pole but even retaining a scabbard for the blade. As with your observation Lew, the purpose of the wire becomes clear on this example. Battara, this one also shows no signs of a twist core and is also a well-made hand-forged piece.

I suspect that it is probably of the same era as the spear above.

Maurice · 20th August 2010, 03:49 PM

Nice pieces Lee!

Thank you for sharing these budiaks!
I had never seen a budiak with this kind of "baling" wire.

Maurice

Battara · 20th August 2010, 05:12 PM

Congrats Lee. Nice pieces. Is the other budiak with a complete shaft?

Lee · 21st August 2010, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Congrats Lee. Nice pieces. Is the other budiak with a complete shaft?

Yes -

- I would never cut off a pole, except in a photo closeup.

I will get a full length picture taken and posted as the pole itself is also interesting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

I had never seen a budiak with this kind of "baling" wire.

Nor have I, except for these two examples. The tangs are surprisingly short. I am guessing this wire reinforcement may have been a 'wartime' modification to make the spear more robust, but I suppose securing the head would also be useful for hunting.

Battara · 21st August 2010, 04:39 AM

Actually I have seen these wire sections done more in woven or twisted brass in the past.

Lew · 22nd August 2010, 12:45 AM

Here you go Lee

This was in my collection a few years back.

20th August 2010, 03:21 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	Thank you both! I arrived at the Spring Brimfield market on the Tuesday and in the morning I saw someone walking away along the highway with a sheathed spear at a distance. I had been lucky in getting that long yari the preceding year and I know I cannot even frequently be the first to find these fresh-to-market treasures. It is so nice when it happens though. But my luck had not soured, as the next morning I found this same spear was now among some other nice ethnographic items for sale in another spot in a newly opened field. Even better, the gentleman selling it had bought it "right" and was passing it along with only a nominal markup. As you shall see below, it is another budiak, slightly larger, and with the substantial benefit of retaining not only an interestingly carved old pole but even retaining a scabbard for the blade. As with your observation Lew, the purpose of the wire becomes clear on this example. Battara, this one also shows no signs of a twist core and is also a well-made hand-forged piece. I suspect that it is probably of the same era as the spear above. Attached Images

22nd August 2010, 12:45 AM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Here you go Lee This was in my collection a few years back. Attached Images

20th August 2010, 05:06 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	What a nice piece - maybe not twistcore, but looks laminated and definitely a good budiak spearhead.

20th August 2010, 03:49 PM	#3
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,453	Nice pieces Lee! Thank you for sharing these budiaks! I had never seen a budiak with this kind of "baling" wire. Maurice

20th August 2010, 05:12 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Congrats Lee. Nice pieces. Is the other budiak with a complete shaft?

21st August 2010, 04:39 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Actually I have seen these wire sections done more in woven or twisted brass in the past.