It certainly is very old ... but what is it ?

[fernando]

Thsnk you all, Gentlemen,

Originally Posted by David

Why not?

Yes your'e right, why not ? Well, i actually wouldn't know, that is, the decoration issue alone might not be the obstacle to the lance/pike butt plausibility, but the structure "ratio" ( length versus thickness), don't make the right combination for a device which purpose is to hit or even penetrate the ground, without easily bending. In case its version was more that one to serve as a spear back support, it lacks the minimum of sharpeness .

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

How about a depth gauge for a grain bin?

Not being so sure about the haft weapon butt hipothesis, i would prefer it, in this case

Originally Posted by Royston

I have seen these marks before on African spear butts. Cannot remember which ones but Kenyan area.

I don't know enough to bet, but i don't think this thing is African; the iron thickness, the socket and blade shapes... The marks don't have to be a pinpoint; they are "universal" lines, in the due context they can be found all over ... in my igorance .
Can you remember where you saw those Kenyan marks?

Fernando