Bronze age spear head.

[David R]

I nearly titled the post javelin head, but thought it a bit too limiting. Regarding status, it was sold as an original by a UK dealer on ebay, so I have some comeback... if I can be bothered. It cost what I would expect to pay for a museum copy in a museum shop, so if it is real, I got a hell of a bargain. Perhaps the dealer was not too sure himself.

Regarding the Chinese replicas, I do actually buy them from time to time if cheap enough, and sell them on as replicas at a profit, so I am familiar with them.... Funny story, I bought a bunch of "arrowheads" from China and they were huge. Finally worked out that they were working from pictures and written details,and got confused between Centimetres and Inches.

[Lee]

I think Luristan is a good suggestion as to the origin, though I am not very knowledgeable about the fine details of origin, but it does not scream fake to me.

Places that buy old gold and silver and junkyards will often have portable XRF units that can give a quick readout of all but the lightest surface elements; while this technology can often quickly condemn a fake, the correct composition will not guarantee antiquity.

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by David R

...
Regarding the Chinese replicas, I do actually buy them from time to time if cheap enough, and sell them on as replicas at a profit, so I am familiar with them.... Funny story, I bought a bunch of "arrowheads" from China and they were huge. Finally worked out that they were working from pictures and written details,and got confused between Centimetres and Inches.

Reminds me of a chemical plant construction project for Monsanto in Decatur, Alabama I was a project engineer on, My employer was responsible for the main plant inside the battery limits (IBL), another Co. did all the storage tanks & associated piping and pumping facilities outside the battery limits (OBL). At the point we met, turned out we were a few feet offline. The OBL people used metric, and we used USA 'English' coordinates. After scratching our heads, we connected with a nice zig-zag and called it a 'thermal expansion joint'. Everybody, including the client happy.

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by kronckew

Reminds me of a chemical plant construction project for Monsanto in Decatur, Alabama I was a project engineer on, My employer was responsible for the main plant inside the battery limits (IBL), another Co. did all the storage tanks & associated piping and pumping facilities outside the battery limits (OBL). At the point we met, turned out we were a few feet offline. The OBL people used metric, and we used USA 'English' coordinates. After scratching our heads, we connected with a nice zig-zag and called it a 'thermal expansion joint'. Everybody, including the client happy.

[David R]

Originally Posted by kronckew

Reminds me of a chemical plant construction project for Monsanto in Decatur, Alabama I was a project engineer on, My employer was responsible for the main plant inside the battery limits (IBL), another Co. did all the storage tanks & associated piping and pumping facilities outside the battery limits (OBL). At the point we met, turned out we were a few feet offline. The OBL people used metric, and we used USA 'English' coordinates. After scratching our heads, we connected with a nice zig-zag and called it a 'thermal expansion joint'. Everybody, including the client happy.

Yup, this happens!