unknown possible weapon or ritual item?

Jim McDougall · 4th August 2011, 07:57 PM

Excellent info Colin!! and good suggestion on the symbol of rank possibility. It seems that many of these unusual 'weapons' including the haladie and dual bladed fork type daggers were often in ivory hilts and thuluth covered. It seems that perhaps strategically placed ranking individuals among the ranks might be afforded these noticeable weapons signifying power or rank in command of units.
There were also extremely wide and often somewhat 'trowel' shaped items with socket for mount on pole or long polearm shaft were termed 'alem' and typically profusely decorated with thuluth and devotional motif including the ewer. These I have seen termed 'lance heads' but were actually standards used in forming units in battle order, and were obviously too wide and shaped for any kind of lance type penetration.

Mav, it will indeed be an outstanding item in grouping with these other examples of North African weapons.

4th August 2011, 07:57 PM	#10
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Excellent info Colin!! and good suggestion on the symbol of rank possibility. It seems that many of these unusual 'weapons' including the haladie and dual bladed fork type daggers were often in ivory hilts and thuluth covered. It seems that perhaps strategically placed ranking individuals among the ranks might be afforded these noticeable weapons signifying power or rank in command of units. There were also extremely wide and often somewhat 'trowel' shaped items with socket for mount on pole or long polearm shaft were termed 'alem' and typically profusely decorated with thuluth and devotional motif including the ewer. These I have seen termed 'lance heads' but were actually standards used in forming units in battle order, and were obviously too wide and shaped for any kind of lance type penetration. Mav, it will indeed be an outstanding item in grouping with these other examples of North African weapons.