metal weapons and tools in the pacific

[Clubs & Arrows]

Here are some pics of a pair that I purchased a while back. These were collected by a Mormon Missionary that was in Samoa during 1929 and 1930. The blades are British steel. One is marked with a Boar's head over the words "Endure / Josh Beal & Sons / Best Cast Steel / Sheffield", and the other appears to be Birmingham / England, but I can't make out what's stamped above it.

The longer of the two is just under 39" overall in length, with 19 5/8" of the total being the blade. The second is 37 1/2" overall in length, with 20 1/4" of the total being the blade. The steel blades are 1/8" in thickness. The coconut fiber cord is pretty unraveled, but hanging on.

[Tim Simmons]

Wow this is What do you make of this beautiful piece, I am not sure any more?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=razor

[ausjulius]

wow!!!, nice.. seems those were british made blades,,so i guess there was enougth demand for them to produce them i a quantity,, has anyone got any of the clubs these weapons were based on?

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Wow this is What do you make of this beautiful piece, I am not sure any more?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=razor

yes the curl on that one looks much more like the tongan weapon i saw,, but that choppers handle and such look more to be african it i were to guess..

[Tim Simmons]

My thoughts were also African. It was sold as being from the south seas, I have shown it to other collectors that thought the handle was similar to south seas work. Other African collectors say they have not seen anything like it. I based my African origin on the zig-zag paterns on the steel ferrle only because I have a South Sudan spear with similar work on the socket part of the blade.
In all seriousness these patern forms are very much universal for humans the world over. I find the similarity in form most interesting. I am also very inspired by the photo of the Tongan/Samoan dignitary posing with the weapon. My example is a very pretty item much time has been spent on its construction. I now really do wonder about the possibility of this being a prestige item from the South Seas?

This swan is from Sweden I believe, so I would not rule out the decoration which is indeed common on many carved items from the South Seas?


Also as in this Fijian? bowl which I have been encouraged to believe is early 20th century, it has seen use anyway? and the flash is on.


Yes it has three legs.

[Tim Simmons]

Look here-

http://webprojects.prm.ox.ac.uk/arms...ms/1928.59.21/

I really do think Samoan. My example is very sharp so it could be a bush knife but it is also very beautiful so I doubt that. Are these always a standard size? I also doubt that.

[Clubs & Arrows]

The dark wooden dish is Fijian. I've seen them listed as a Priest's Oil Dish and as a Priest's Inspirational Kava Dish. Does it have three tiny legs underneath?

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Look here-

http://webprojects.prm.ox.ac.uk/arms...ms/1928.59.21/

I really do think Samoan. My example is very sharp so it could be a bush knife but it is also very beautiful so I doubt that. Are these always a standard size? I also doubt that.

ahhrr, but the description was very very fantaciful,, :s,, these things are no billhoook that has ever exsisted, but are a steel rendering of a traditional knife-club,

i wounder if the cunning trader frist imported iron bladed weapons looking like the club or if the natives produced these first and they were then produce dinen mass in europe?

[fearn]

Hi Ausjulius,

In an old publication from the Bishop Museum, there was the story of the Hawaiians cold-forging nails from driftwood and using these for spikes, weaponry, and tools. This was before they were contacted, although I have no idea whose ships were being wrecked and washing up on Hawaii.

Don't know if this is true, but I do know that the Eskimos treated meteoric iron the same way, so it's possible.

What I'd say, then, is if anyone can produce a cold forged bit of iron, it actually might be part of an indigenous tradition.

F

[elv]

I've done a bit of a study on photos that have been publicly available of Nifo'Oti (I've sighted eight early Nifo'Oti) and most of the early examples were manufactured by Joseph Beal & Sons in Sheffield. Some had no markings so they gave no clue to their origin. It is unclear exactly when they were exported to Samoa. Several of the Joseph Beal & Sons blades have different markings - indicating different shipments.

Below is a compilation I've made of the markings. I've included the logo of the websites where they were found. It would be interesting to hear from collectors that have a Nifo'Oti that I don't have a photo of yet.

While there is no doubt these Nifo'Oti (translated Tooth cutter and modelled on pre-european contact wooden Nifo'Oti) were used for warfare - they were primarily used as an agricultural and multi-purpose tool. Being a prized possession of the chiefs and higher class. This is also indicated by the regular display of Nifo'Oti rather than other weapons in early photographs.

Originally Posted by Clubs & Arrows

Here are some pics of a pair that I purchased a while back. These were collected by a Mormon Missionary that was in Samoa during 1929 and 1930. The blades are British steel. One is marked with a Boar's head over the words "Endure / Josh Beal & Sons / Best Cast Steel / Sheffield", and the other appears to be Birmingham / England, but I can't make out what's stamped above it.

The longer of the two is just under 39" overall in length, with 19 5/8" of the total being the blade. The second is 37 1/2" overall in length, with 20 1/4" of the total being the blade. The steel blades are 1/8" in thickness. The coconut fiber cord is pretty unraveled, but hanging on.