MARKINGS ON A LANCE HEAD 1868 PATTERN

Jim McDougall · 8th April 2019, 01:53 AM

There is no reason to think that 1930 is not a year, and while this is indeed a M1868 British head and shoe, these were actually superceded by an 1894 pattern which were different. However with India stores, the usual govt. stamps etc. were often not present with private contractors.

The stave on these was male bamboo approx. 12 ft. 5/8" but with difficulties in standardizing due to shortages in supply they actually made 7 head sizes and 4 shoe sizes.

While the lance was officially abolished in British service in 1927, they remained in use in India for many years later, even as parade items. I had the opportunity to visit Brig. Francis Ingall, the "Last of the Bengal Lancers" (his autobiography) where he told me of his charge of the 6th lancers near the Khyber in 1931.

"The British Lance", J.D. Chown, 'Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting", Vol.7, #3, Jan. 1974.

asomotif · 8th April 2019, 06:28 PM

Hello Jim,

Thank you for the information.

So this one is an Indian manufacture ?

I found other threads and websites mentioning 9 foot as the standard length.
You mention 12 foot. Was this the length used in India ?

Ps. male bamboo ? As in male vs. female ?

What do you think, should I clean it / remove the rust ?

Best regards,
Willem

Jim McDougall · 8th April 2019, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

Hello Jim,

Thank you for the information.

So this one is an Indian manufacture ?

I found other threads and websites mentioning 9 foot as the standard length.
You mention 12 foot. Was this the length used in India ?

What do you think, should I clean it / remove the rust ?

Best regards,
Willem

You bet Willem!
It most likely is of British/Indian manufacture. During the Raj, there were numbers of armorers in various depots where such materials were produced. There was a period of time where 12 and even 15 ft. staffs were used, but these were found unmanageable and the 9 ft. was implemented. The absence of the usual acceptance stamps and markings suggest this as well.

I recall getting a pair of these back 'in the day' and driving 60 miles to the LAX airport to get them (air freight from London). In my excitement I neglected to consider that I was driving a Corvette!! Duh!

I took off the T-tops and thank heavens they were only 9 ft.!!!!
In the 'charge of the green corvette' down the 405 freeway with red and white pennons flying...….the Highway Patrol, aghast, of course dampened my panache' ...but let me continue home.

8th April 2019, 06:28 PM	#2
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	Hello Jim, Thank you for the information. So this one is an Indian manufacture ? I found other threads and websites mentioning 9 foot as the standard length. You mention 12 foot. Was this the length used in India ? Ps. male bamboo ? As in male vs. female ? What do you think, should I clean it / remove the rust ? Best regards, Willem Last edited by asomotif; 8th April 2019 at 06:48 PM.

8th April 2019, 01:53 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	There is no reason to think that 1930 is not a year, and while this is indeed a M1868 British head and shoe, these were actually superceded by an 1894 pattern which were different. However with India stores, the usual govt. stamps etc. were often not present with private contractors. The stave on these was male bamboo approx. 12 ft. 5/8" but with difficulties in standardizing due to shortages in supply they actually made 7 head sizes and 4 shoe sizes. While the lance was officially abolished in British service in 1927, they remained in use in India for many years later, even as parade items. I had the opportunity to visit Brig. Francis Ingall, the "Last of the Bengal Lancers" (his autobiography) where he told me of his charge of the 6th lancers near the Khyber in 1931. "The British Lance", J.D. Chown, 'Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting", Vol.7, #3, Jan. 1974.