Moro Budiak with a bit of baling wire

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.

Lee · 23rd August 2010, 09:39 PM

Very nice, Lew. Perhaps the concentric groves on some sockets may reflect this practice. I'll have to keep my eyes out for an example with woven/twisted brass...

Below is an overall picture and a close up of the shaft. At regular intervals, the circumference is reduced and then allowed to slowly expand moving towards the base. This would seem to be helpful from keeping the spear from sliding back on a thrust.

20th August 2010, 03:21 PM	#1
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	#6
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

23rd August 2010, 09:39 PM	#7
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	Very nice, Lew. Perhaps the concentric groves on some sockets may reflect this practice. I'll have to keep my eyes out for an example with woven/twisted brass... Below is an overall picture and a close up of the shaft. At regular intervals, the circumference is reduced and then allowed to slowly expand moving towards the base. This would seem to be helpful from keeping the spear from sliding back on a thrust. Attached Images

20th August 2010, 03:49 PM	#2
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	#3
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	#5
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.