Iron lance: comments and advice please

Paul · 9th June 2012, 08:28 PM

Thank you gentlemen for your very informative replies.

I think David may have solved the riddle of the brazed joint -if it is brazed. I could not easily see how anyone capable of making the lance would need to braze a joint. I thought maybe it was a "cut and shut" of two broken lances but actually it feels like it all originated as a whole, diameters match and the join is at the exact balance point of the lance. Reducing length for shipping is the best answer I can see.

It is very heartening to think that the value may not be unduely spoilt by the join. Thanks.

I am wondering about trying to replace the leather hand grip as this would cover the join. Any thoughts on what sort of leather to use? I expect it will not be anything I have to hand, so it may wait until something out of the ordinary turns up but it would be good to know what sort of hide it should be. Would it be held on with an iron binding?

Regarding cleaning, I might post a spear that I cleaned one side of a bit less than I really liked. Then I went and cleaned the other side a bit more than perhaps I really should have -not much rust left and quite a bit of shine. I ended up not sure whether to clean the first side to match it or not. It would be interesting to know what people thought.

Many thanks,

Paul

David R · 10th June 2012, 09:18 AM

Given where it originated, your best bet for leather is goat or camel leather. I have had good results from Tandy and from Kieth Lyons, google is your friend here. Alternatively haunt your charity and craft shops untill a tourist souvenier type camel saddle turns up, but beware....they can be stuffed with some very odd stuff!

Kipinga50 · 10th June 2012, 08:32 PM

The definition of Allarh Gerigéri is spear of the noble: the Imouhar

Tim Simmons · 10th June 2012, 08:58 PM

If you think of brazing the joint around the steel scabbard of a Napoleonic sabre on a bed of coke, then if that is a joint and not inlay, it would be easy. The very early history of gas welding is a bit of a mystery. Gas welding was done before pressurised oxy-acthetaline. I have tried to find unquestionable facts but have not found any so far on the net, which is not highly specialised. If the Victorians could provide gas street lighting then they could gas welding. Like Massai herdsmen with mobile phones you can be sure welding technology spread from its beginings. Like aluminium on weapons it is older than one thinks.

9th June 2012, 08:28 PM	#1
Paul Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 5	Thank you gentlemen for your very informative replies. I think David may have solved the riddle of the brazed joint -if it is brazed. I could not easily see how anyone capable of making the lance would need to braze a joint. I thought maybe it was a "cut and shut" of two broken lances but actually it feels like it all originated as a whole, diameters match and the join is at the exact balance point of the lance. Reducing length for shipping is the best answer I can see. It is very heartening to think that the value may not be unduely spoilt by the join. Thanks. I am wondering about trying to replace the leather hand grip as this would cover the join. Any thoughts on what sort of leather to use? I expect it will not be anything I have to hand, so it may wait until something out of the ordinary turns up but it would be good to know what sort of hide it should be. Would it be held on with an iron binding? Regarding cleaning, I might post a spear that I cleaned one side of a bit less than I really liked. Then I went and cleaned the other side a bit more than perhaps I really should have -not much rust left and quite a bit of shine. I ended up not sure whether to clean the first side to match it or not. It would be interesting to know what people thought. Many thanks, Paul

10th June 2012, 09:18 AM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,116	Given where it originated, your best bet for leather is goat or camel leather. I have had good results from Tandy and from Kieth Lyons, google is your friend here. Alternatively haunt your charity and craft shops untill a tourist souvenier type camel saddle turns up, but beware....they can be stuffed with some very odd stuff!

10th June 2012, 08:32 PM	#3
Kipinga50 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sao Vicente Posts: 28	The definition of Allarh Gerigéri is spear of the noble: the Imouhar

10th June 2012, 08:58 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	If you think of brazing the joint around the steel scabbard of a Napoleonic sabre on a bed of coke, then if that is a joint and not inlay, it would be easy. The very early history of gas welding is a bit of a mystery. Gas welding was done before pressurised oxy-acthetaline. I have tried to find unquestionable facts but have not found any so far on the net, which is not highly specialised. If the Victorians could provide gas street lighting then they could gas welding. Like Massai herdsmen with mobile phones you can be sure welding technology spread from its beginings. Like aluminium on weapons it is older than one thinks.