Mexican/Spanish colonial spear points

Jim McDougall · 21st July 2014, 03:53 AM

Thanks so much Mark! I got lucky finding these and just thought I might find similar iron work in the blacksmith book which I haven't really had out for a long time. I do recall during research a while back it was considered the definitive book on the iron work of these regions especially New Mexico
The images are dead ringers for these.

machinist · 21st July 2014, 06:47 AM

This is deja vu all over again, my first thread here was about some "weapons" that turned out to be tools.
On one hand I am a little sad they are not spear points (except perhaps once in a while) but also thrilled to see the mystery solved.
Thank you all for your interest and work on this, I think Jim solved it and we can all feel good about an issue resolved.

Lee · 27th July 2014, 02:53 PM

Actually, I like them just as well in being old handforged agricultural implements as if they were lances or spears intended for hominids rather than taurines. I find it fascinating that 'cowboys' in Spain, Portugal and southern France still carry lances with which to direct their herds.

Revelatory threads such as this make the costs and frustrations of operating the forums worthwhile and fulfilling. Thank you all!

More typical in iron, here is a modern cast brass version of the distinctive type even today still used in the Camargue in southern France.

fernando · 27th July 2014, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

... I find it fascinating that 'cowboys' in Spain, Portugal and southern France still carry lances with which to direct their herds. ...More typical in iron, here is a modern cast brass version of the distinctive type even today still used in the Camargue in southern France.

The Portuguese version (pampilho) has a more linear point. I find it difficult to get a close up of the device ... here visible in a very dinamic posture of a 'Campino' riding his horse as if chasing a taurine, in a beautiful photo taken by Maurício Abreu ©.

.

fernando · 27th July 2014, 04:55 PM

This is still a misterious piece as, once posted in the forum, never reached a consensual opinion.
Assuming the visible distance between this thing and the example posted by machinist, i risk to say there is a slight resemblance

.
... The large diffterce going for the blunt edges.
.

Lee · 27th July 2014, 05:43 PM

Well, Fernando, I believe you have an answer. The nice pampilho carried in the photograph you posted probably is a more modern version and your example is older and more rustic.

I suppose this thread could get moved to miscellanea and then retitled "Cowman's Polearms from the Iberian Peninsula and Diaspora" and then neither of us could be accused of being off topic or thread hijackers.

fernando · 27th July 2014, 06:03 PM

Amen

27th July 2014, 02:53 PM	#3
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	Very nice Actually, I like them just as well in being old handforged agricultural implements as if they were lances or spears intended for hominids rather than taurines. I find it fascinating that 'cowboys' in Spain, Portugal and southern France still carry lances with which to direct their herds. Revelatory threads such as this make the costs and frustrations of operating the forums worthwhile and fulfilling. Thank you all! More typical in iron, here is a modern cast brass version of the distinctive type even today still used in the Camargue in southern France. Attached Images

27th July 2014, 04:55 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thread highjacking This is still a misterious piece as, once posted in the forum, never reached a consensual opinion. Assuming the visible distance between this thing and the example posted by machinist, i risk to say there is a slight resemblance . ... The large diffterce going for the blunt edges. . Attached Images

21st July 2014, 03:53 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	Thanks so much Mark! I got lucky finding these and just thought I might find similar iron work in the blacksmith book which I haven't really had out for a long time. I do recall during research a while back it was considered the definitive book on the iron work of these regions especially New Mexico The images are dead ringers for these.

21st July 2014, 06:47 AM	#2
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	This is deja vu all over again, my first thread here was about some "weapons" that turned out to be tools. On one hand I am a little sad they are not spear points (except perhaps once in a while) but also thrilled to see the mystery solved. Thank you all for your interest and work on this, I think Jim solved it and we can all feel good about an issue resolved.

27th July 2014, 05:43 PM	#6
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	Well, Fernando, I believe you have an answer. The nice pampilho carried in the photograph you posted probably is a more modern version and your example is older and more rustic. I suppose this thread could get moved to miscellanea and then retitled "Cowman's Polearms from the Iberian Peninsula and Diaspora" and then neither of us could be accused of being off topic or thread hijackers.

27th July 2014, 06:03 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Amen