latest spear head aquisition

David R · 7th March 2020, 07:56 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, 10:47 PM

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

David R · 8th March 2020, 11:09 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, 02:13 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, 07:56 PM	#1
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,137	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 08:11 PM.

8th March 2020, 10:47 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Hmmmm............wootz............could it be a Persian or Indian traded spearhead then?

8th March 2020, 11:09 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,137	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, 02:13 PM	#4
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 498	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