latest spear head aquisition

Ian · 4th March 2020, 08:35 PM

Hi David,

You are not getting much help with the Philippine origin (or otherwise) of your spear head, and I'm thinking that is because the hollow ground nature of the blade is causing people to scratch their heads a bit. I find it odd for a Philippine spear, but perhaps it is a rare variant. At the same time, I can't think of a clear alternative origin.

Ian.

David R · 4th March 2020, 08:54 PM

This is exactly why I posted it, it does not look like the run of the mill Budiak, though I have seen some of them get close..... It is very much an armour piercing blade, and some Moro did wear armour!

At some point I will give it a scrub and an etch, and see what comes out.

Battara · 5th March 2020, 03:39 AM

Moro armour has more carabao and brass plates. This spearhead profile looks more for chainmaille than Moro armour.

I think it is also too thin for the usual Moro spearhead. And most Philippine spears have round tangs, nothing like this.

Ian is right - I was also scratching my head.

David R · 5th March 2020, 10:20 AM

Looking around I have found Moro spears that are narrow, though not quite as narrow as mine. Regarding the tang, one pic below is of my spear tang, and the other of a known Moro spear.

Battara · 5th March 2020, 11:57 PM

As I said "most" are round tangs, and even the example of a square tang that you show is not like the hollowed spearhead - it is rounded at top of the tang. Now most of then other Philippine spearheads that are square at the base are from Lumad groups (ie. Bagobo).

Also yours in question is not just narrower than Moro spearheads, but also (so far) Moro spearheads are not hollow ground.

David R · 6th March 2020, 02:42 PM

These differences are why I posted it here. I am not pushing for it to be something it is not, I am wanting input as to what it might be.

Will M · 6th March 2020, 03:26 PM

The closest lance head yours resembles is the British 1846 with the long langets removed and a tang added. Ref: The Cavalry Lance, Alan Larsen & Henry Yallop

5th March 2020, 10:20 AM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,123	Looking around I have found Moro spears that are narrow, though not quite as narrow as mine. Regarding the tang, one pic below is of my spear tang, and the other of a known Moro spear. Attached Images

4th March 2020, 08:35 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Hi David, You are not getting much help with the Philippine origin (or otherwise) of your spear head, and I'm thinking that is because the hollow ground nature of the blade is causing people to scratch their heads a bit. I find it odd for a Philippine spear, but perhaps it is a rare variant. At the same time, I can't think of a clear alternative origin. Ian.

4th March 2020, 08:54 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,123	This is exactly why I posted it, it does not look like the run of the mill Budiak, though I have seen some of them get close..... It is very much an armour piercing blade, and some Moro did wear armour! At some point I will give it a scrub and an etch, and see what comes out.

5th March 2020, 03:39 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	Moro armour has more carabao and brass plates. This spearhead profile looks more for chainmaille than Moro armour. I think it is also too thin for the usual Moro spearhead. And most Philippine spears have round tangs, nothing like this. Ian is right - I was also scratching my head.

5th March 2020, 11:57 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	As I said "most" are round tangs, and even the example of a square tang that you show is not like the hollowed spearhead - it is rounded at top of the tang. Now most of then other Philippine spearheads that are square at the base are from Lumad groups (ie. Bagobo). Also yours in question is not just narrower than Moro spearheads, but also (so far) Moro spearheads are not hollow ground.

6th March 2020, 02:42 PM	#6
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,123	These differences are why I posted it here. I am not pushing for it to be something it is not, I am wanting input as to what it might be.

6th March 2020, 03:26 PM	#7
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 395	The closest lance head yours resembles is the British 1846 with the long langets removed and a tang added. Ref: The Cavalry Lance, Alan Larsen & Henry Yallop