latest spear head aquisition

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

David R · 7th March 2020, 06:56 PM

Well it's not one of them! I am still looking for what it might be.... The problem is that the sharp end sends one message, and the tang end a different one.

The closest I have found is an Indonesian spear, with the head made out of Wootz.

Battara · 8th March 2020, 09:47 PM

Hmmmm............wootz............could it be a Persian or Indian traded spearhead then?

David R · 8th March 2020, 10:09 PM

I just don't know! That will have to wait on me doing a quick scrub and etch.

It's a frustrating piece. The blade shape has been a "go too" for a rigid stabbing spear since the bronze age, so is really more about function than ethnicity. I see example from bronze age Luristan, Migration period Norway, and even 19th century Europe, and damn near everywhere and when in between. I thought the tang would be more indicative of origin, as that is more about local traditions in smithing than function.

It's well made, quite heavy and functional, and so I am confident that it is not some dealers sport. I will have to see what an etch brings out.

milandro · 18th January 2023, 01:13 PM

David R, I just posted a spear that shows some similitudes with yours, at the very least the shape of the tang

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...168#post278168

7th March 2020, 06:56 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,118	Well it's not one of them! I am still looking for what it might be.... The problem is that the sharp end sends one message, and the tang end a different one. The closest I have found is an Indonesian spear, with the head made out of Wootz. Attached Images Last edited by David R; 7th March 2020 at 07:11 PM.

5th March 2020, 11:57 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	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	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,118	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	#3
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 394	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

8th March 2020, 09:47 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Hmmmm............wootz............could it be a Persian or Indian traded spearhead then?

8th March 2020, 10:09 PM	#6
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,118	I just don't know! That will have to wait on me doing a quick scrub and etch. It's a frustrating piece. The blade shape has been a "go too" for a rigid stabbing spear since the bronze age, so is really more about function than ethnicity. I see example from bronze age Luristan, Migration period Norway, and even 19th century Europe, and damn near everywhere and when in between. I thought the tang would be more indicative of origin, as that is more about local traditions in smithing than function. It's well made, quite heavy and functional, and so I am confident that it is not some dealers sport. I will have to see what an etch brings out.

18th January 2023, 01:13 PM	#7
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 487	David R, I just posted a spear that shows some similitudes with yours, at the very least the shape of the tang http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...168#post278168