Sahel spear with European pike/lance ? head

colin henshaw · 7th September 2012, 06:08 PM

Thanks to David and David R for their input on this item.

Browsing over the internet- the European lance heads I can see appear to be of a narrow profile with closed sockets. A few naval boarding pikes have wider blades with langets, but not a particularly close match to mine.
Looking at the spear head on my piece...it seems to be of slightly crude and irregular forging, also the langets differ a little in length. Would this be of high enough quality for 19th century European manufacture ?

Bearing in mind Matchlock's comments on the European forum, I am beginning to think this might be an African copy of a European pike/lance head ?? Another point to consider is that the rusting to the butt of the spear is of quite a different pattern compared with that on the head.

Please see attached close-up images.

Anyone have any further ideas on this enigmatic weapon ?

Regards.

Jim McDougall · 12th September 2012, 03:53 AM

Im inclined to agree with David that this may well be a native copy of probably a British pattern lance head, which often were with nail openings and were elongated straps. These seem roughly made and uneven with the straps splayed and ill fitting. The shoe is more like that of Saharan lances if I recall.

7th September 2012, 06:08 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Thanks to David and David R for their input on this item. Browsing over the internet- the European lance heads I can see appear to be of a narrow profile with closed sockets. A few naval boarding pikes have wider blades with langets, but not a particularly close match to mine. Looking at the spear head on my piece...it seems to be of slightly crude and irregular forging, also the langets differ a little in length. Would this be of high enough quality for 19th century European manufacture ? Bearing in mind Matchlock's comments on the European forum, I am beginning to think this might be an African copy of a European pike/lance head ?? Another point to consider is that the rusting to the butt of the spear is of quite a different pattern compared with that on the head. Please see attached close-up images. Anyone have any further ideas on this enigmatic weapon ? Regards. Attached Images

12th September 2012, 03:53 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,193	Im inclined to agree with David that this may well be a native copy of probably a British pattern lance head, which often were with nail openings and were elongated straps. These seem roughly made and uneven with the straps splayed and ill fitting. The shoe is more like that of Saharan lances if I recall.