Pre-colombian weapons anyone?

Jim McDougall · 23rd October 2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apolaki

Hi Jim,

Incidently, i did find a tumi.. I know im like the magnet for tourist items..

Hi Apolaki,
Thats really an attractive piece, and you're not the only one. I tend to pick up touristy souveniers in our travels (to my wifes dismay!!) but they have to be very small

the shocks in our RV are at the limit with the books!!

Maurice's suggestion is well placed, following the threads here will put you in touch with many members well versed in all manner of weapon forms, and accordingly will usually offer assistance with questions when you seek to acquire examples. As always, the most important weapon to any collector is knowledge BEFORE buying!!

All best regards,
Jim

Lew · 23rd October 2008, 05:31 PM

Found this Wooden sword imbeded with flint or obsidian flakes used for cutting. I saw something on the history channel last year on it. It seemed to be a very effective weapon against bare flesh.

Lew

fearn · 23rd October 2008, 07:01 PM

I like them, but I don't collect originals. I'm more interested in learning about them.

The experimental archeology movement has been having a lot of fun making these weapons, so it's possible to purchase functioning atlatls and such. Because the originals are often in mediocre shape, it's interesting to see and work with replicas.

F

Jim McDougall · 23rd October 2008, 08:18 PM

Excellent example posted by Lew! and the text accompanying the macuahuitl in Burton's "Book of the Sword" gives a great overview on these Aztec weapons. It is unfortunate that the last surviving example of these obsidian bladed broadswords was destroyed in the disastrous fire in the Armeria Real in Madrid in 1884 (ironically in the same year that Burton's book was published). Along with it was the accompanying polearms also with obsidian blades known as the 'tepoztopilli'.

As Fearn has noted, there is great interest in the atlatl, which is a long arrow launched with a short pole basically, that also exists from prehistoric times. In our travels through Montana we came through a small town named Havre, where there remains an archaeological site where the prehistoric native inhabitants in hunting bison would drive the herd off a cliff, and harvest the valuable means of their survival.
At the site, there were people demonstrating the use of these atlatl, and it was amazing how effective they were.

Like Fearn, I do not collect originals, nor weapons at all any longer, but am fascinated in learning about them, and seeing the replicas used like this gives great illustration of how many weapon forms developed through the millenia.

Best regards,
Jim

Lew · 23rd October 2008, 09:07 PM

Like Fearn, I do not collect originals, nor weapons at all any longer.

Best regards,
Jim[/QUOTE]

Say it ain't so Jim

Isn't there some rule that you have to own/collect some type of antique weapon to be a member of this forum.

Lew

LOL

!
Actually...I was grandfathered in

! I sort of collected for years but pretty much ended a few years ago, I was pretty much done and found I cared more about learning about weapons, not especially owning them. It was kinda like the day I sold my 'vette', just time. I get all the joy of seeing all the great stuff you guys get, and love learning from them....keep 'em comin'!

All the best,
Jim

Uh..I meant to quote, not edit...bonk! I did say 'grandfathered' didnt I ?

23rd October 2008, 05:31 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Found this Wooden sword imbeded with flint or obsidian flakes used for cutting. I saw something on the history channel last year on it. It seemed to be a very effective weapon against bare flesh. Lew Attached Images

23rd October 2008, 09:07 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Like Fearn, I do not collect originals, nor weapons at all any longer. Best regards, Jim[/QUOTE] Say it ain't so Jim Isn't there some rule that you have to own/collect some type of antique weapon to be a member of this forum. Lew LOL ! Actually...I was grandfathered in ! I sort of collected for years but pretty much ended a few years ago, I was pretty much done and found I cared more about learning about weapons, not especially owning them. It was kinda like the day I sold my 'vette', just time. I get all the joy of seeing all the great stuff you guys get, and love learning from them....keep 'em comin'! All the best, Jim Uh..I meant to quote, not edit...bonk! I did say 'grandfathered' didnt I ? Last edited by Jim McDougall; 24th October 2008 at 12:46 AM.

23rd October 2008, 07:01 PM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I like them, but I don't collect originals. I'm more interested in learning about them. The experimental archeology movement has been having a lot of fun making these weapons, so it's possible to purchase functioning atlatls and such. Because the originals are often in mediocre shape, it's interesting to see and work with replicas. F

23rd October 2008, 08:18 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Excellent example posted by Lew! and the text accompanying the macuahuitl in Burton's "Book of the Sword" gives a great overview on these Aztec weapons. It is unfortunate that the last surviving example of these obsidian bladed broadswords was destroyed in the disastrous fire in the Armeria Real in Madrid in 1884 (ironically in the same year that Burton's book was published). Along with it was the accompanying polearms also with obsidian blades known as the 'tepoztopilli'. As Fearn has noted, there is great interest in the atlatl, which is a long arrow launched with a short pole basically, that also exists from prehistoric times. In our travels through Montana we came through a small town named Havre, where there remains an archaeological site where the prehistoric native inhabitants in hunting bison would drive the herd off a cliff, and harvest the valuable means of their survival. At the site, there were people demonstrating the use of these atlatl, and it was amazing how effective they were. Like Fearn, I do not collect originals, nor weapons at all any longer, but am fascinated in learning about them, and seeing the replicas used like this gives great illustration of how many weapon forms developed through the millenia. Best regards, Jim