Mystery Spear

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Peter Andeweg

It's a Chinese spearhead. Likely Ming period (1368-1644).
The form is typical for this period, but they were also manufactured later on in the same style. Yours looks old enough for late Ming IMHO.

Regards, Peter

I agree, Peter, with the continuity of style over two dynasties. Re appearance of age, it would depend to a large extent on where it's been all these years. As our experience with Western edged weapons go, dagger that has been preserved for centuries in an aristocrat's armory will look a lot "newer" than a bayonet that has been buried in a field or been rusting away in a barn since the Franco-Prussian War.