African spears. Tourist stuff or genuine weapons?

Tim Simmons · 3rd January 2007, 06:38 PM

I would agree generally about whether an African buys the spear or a tourist does, except that I think there is quite a discernable difference from the tourist models and modern real ones. Just look at the surface finish the lack of file marks, the quality of forging. This is seriously sharp.

Flavio · 3rd January 2007, 06:44 PM

Tim, seems to me that this one isn't so modern (maybe 50-60 years old or more). If i remember correctly Spring say somethig on the signs on the square part, like that are signs to identify a spicific tribe. It's a nice spear!

ShayanMirza · 3rd January 2007, 09:20 PM

paolo · 4th January 2007, 11:32 AM

I think my one was a tourist stuff. But I'm interested to your opinion about this other two ( I'll send the pics). One was in an italian official (during 1936 Ethiopian campaign) collection and was catalogued as White Nile area assegai. The other I suppose was used only for ceremonial dances; in its hollow butt must be some iron little balls, that shakin' the spear, make noise.
Regards
Paolo

paolo · 4th January 2007, 11:34 AM

Here are the other pics.
Paolo

Tim Simmons · 4th January 2007, 05:03 PM

These look like real ones to me. I like the White Nile/Ingassana one. The dance spear is very interesting although dare I say a little crude rather than simple. The other one, I can only think it must be the northern extreme of it range of use. Perhaps that is why it does not match the quality of the true Massai type. Especially if you think it was collected in the early 1930s.

paolo · 4th January 2007, 05:23 PM

Tim,
Let me explain better. Only the last two spears were collected in the early 1930s; I bought the Massai type in the early 1970s, (when I was more inexperienced than now) in an ethnic store of my city, and so I presume it probably is a tourist stuff.
Regards and thank you for the inputs
Paolo

3rd January 2007, 06:38 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I would agree generally about whether an African buys the spear or a tourist does, except that I think there is quite a discernable difference from the tourist models and modern real ones. Just look at the surface finish the lack of file marks, the quality of forging. This is seriously sharp. Attached Images

3rd January 2007, 09:20 PM	#3
ShayanMirza Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlottesville Posts: 25	moved post <moved post to new thread> Last edited by ShayanMirza; 4th January 2007 at 02:18 AM.

4th January 2007, 11:32 AM	#4
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	I think my one was a tourist stuff. But I'm interested to your opinion about this other two ( I'll send the pics). One was in an italian official (during 1936 Ethiopian campaign) collection and was catalogued as White Nile area assegai. The other I suppose was used only for ceremonial dances; in its hollow butt must be some iron little balls, that shakin' the spear, make noise. Regards Paolo Attached Images

4th January 2007, 11:34 AM	#5
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	Here are the other pics. Paolo Attached Images

3rd January 2007, 06:44 PM	#2
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Tim, seems to me that this one isn't so modern (maybe 50-60 years old or more). If i remember correctly Spring say somethig on the signs on the square part, like that are signs to identify a spicific tribe. It's a nice spear!

4th January 2007, 05:03 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	These look like real ones to me. I like the White Nile/Ingassana one. The dance spear is very interesting although dare I say a little crude rather than simple. The other one, I can only think it must be the northern extreme of it range of use. Perhaps that is why it does not match the quality of the true Massai type. Especially if you think it was collected in the early 1930s.

4th January 2007, 05:23 PM	#7
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	Tim, Let me explain better. Only the last two spears were collected in the early 1930s; I bought the Massai type in the early 1970s, (when I was more inexperienced than now) in an ethnic store of my city, and so I presume it probably is a tourist stuff. Regards and thank you for the inputs Paolo