Indian or African? all metal lance.

Tim Simmons · 25th November 2006, 08:24 AM

Yet again something new from Africa. This lance weighs in at just under 2.5kg. It is quite possible a sling of some sort was used with the two rings.

Lew that is a fine lance indeed. How heavy is it? I bet mine is bigger and more weighty than yours

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Lew · 25th November 2006, 10:04 AM

Tim

My spear is hollow with some type of bead rolling around inside the shaft section weight maybe 2lbs a thrower for sure.

katana · 25th November 2006, 02:33 PM

Hi Tim,
some images of Indian lance butts and a spear with similar decoration near spearhead.....although spearhead shape not an exact match.

Tim Simmons · 25th November 2006, 03:08 PM

There are some good pictures in, A Tirri's book. The shapes do have some similarity. I base my opinion more on the decoration. It is possible that it could be, as I said from the wild tribes of the North East Frontier where the subtle or what some might say more primitive decoration would be apt. But even there I think the blade looks a little more African to me. The decoration on the shaft reminds me of some of the markings seen on Congo spear shafts in particular.

katana · 25th November 2006, 03:22 PM

I agree.....the spearhead does look African.......but there seems to be an Indo-persian influence with primative decoration. If African....could it not be from the North ? would explain the 'influences'....... and seeing as the Toureg are famed for their all metal lance/spears .......

Tim Simmons · 25th November 2006, 04:27 PM

Without doubt there are plenty of weapons in Africa influenced by Indo/Persian and Arab forms. Take the Mahdist period weaponry, this may even be from that epoch.

Tim Simmons · 25th November 2006, 07:31 PM

The brass lump near the blade must be to stop the target accepting too much of the lance when you think of the force it could deliver.

25th November 2006, 08:24 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Yet again something new from Africa. This lance weighs in at just under 2.5kg. It is quite possible a sling of some sort was used with the two rings. Lew that is a fine lance indeed. How heavy is it? I bet mine is bigger and more weighty than yours . Last edited by Tim Simmons; 25th November 2006 at 08:50 AM.

25th November 2006, 02:33 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tim, some images of Indian lance butts and a spear with similar decoration near spearhead.....although spearhead shape not an exact match. Attached Images

25th November 2006, 10:04 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim My spear is hollow with some type of bead rolling around inside the shaft section weight maybe 2lbs a thrower for sure.

25th November 2006, 03:08 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	There are some good pictures in, A Tirri's book. The shapes do have some similarity. I base my opinion more on the decoration. It is possible that it could be, as I said from the wild tribes of the North East Frontier where the subtle or what some might say more primitive decoration would be apt. But even there I think the blade looks a little more African to me. The decoration on the shaft reminds me of some of the markings seen on Congo spear shafts in particular.

25th November 2006, 03:22 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I agree.....the spearhead does look African.......but there seems to be an Indo-persian influence with primative decoration. If African....could it not be from the North ? would explain the 'influences'....... and seeing as the Toureg are famed for their all metal lance/spears .......

25th November 2006, 04:27 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Without doubt there are plenty of weapons in Africa influenced by Indo/Persian and Arab forms. Take the Mahdist period weaponry, this may even be from that epoch.

25th November 2006, 07:31 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	The brass lump near the blade must be to stop the target accepting too much of the lance when you think of the force it could deliver.