Another 3 old African spears ...not certain as to origins

colin henshaw · 30th July 2009, 10:34 AM

Hi David

To let you know, I had a visit to the Powell-Cotton Museum in Birchington yesterday, and they have a spear very similar to these (hole in socket, barbed head, bamboo shaft & coil to butt), described as being from Abyssinia...

Regards

katana · 30th July 2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Hi David

To let you know, I had a visit to the Powell-Cotton Museum in Birchington yesterday, and they have a spear very similar to these (hole in socket, barbed head, bamboo shaft & coil to butt), described as being from Abyssinia...

Regards

Outstanding Colin,
thank you very much. Abyssinia makes perfect sense. The seller had also acquired a Massai broad bladed spear (lion) from the same source (an elderly gentleman whom had been to Africa early 1900's) So geographically speaking they are 'bang next door'. Thank you for remembering me. Unless I find a 'made in ....' label on any of these spears.....Abyssenia it is

Best
David

Jim McDougall · 31st July 2009, 05:58 AM

Hey David,
Great spears, but pulleeze tell me the picket fence thing is just a figure of speech!

I can never get the Scottish basket hilt blades that were discovered welded into a picket fence in England, all taken from captured weapons at the Culloden debacle, out of my mind whenever I hear that term. I've never looked at a pocket fence the same.
Looking forward to more on the grouping.

All the best,
Jim

tribalarms · 3rd August 2009, 04:05 PM

I believe Colin is right.

I would like to add I believe it's southern Ethiopia. I have seen very similar hunting spears there, but the north differs. It would also make sense with the other spear that came with it.

The metal binding on the spears is still found today on pilgrims staffs in Ethiopia.

katana · 3rd August 2009, 08:33 PM

Hey Jim

,
a picket fence made of basket hilted blades

...indeed criminal , what a waste. Obviously done as a political 'statement'. As to my 'picket fence', a line of spears along a wall ......unfortunately unlikely to happen....the 'other half' is not as keen as I ....can't understand it myself

Hi Tribalarms,
thank you for further confirming these spears are from Southern Sudan (part of old Abyssinia)

Kind Regards David

30th July 2009, 10:34 AM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Hi David To let you know, I had a visit to the Powell-Cotton Museum in Birchington yesterday, and they have a spear very similar to these (hole in socket, barbed head, bamboo shaft & coil to butt), described as being from Abyssinia... Regards

31st July 2009, 05:58 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Hey David, Great spears, but pulleeze tell me the picket fence thing is just a figure of speech! I can never get the Scottish basket hilt blades that were discovered welded into a picket fence in England, all taken from captured weapons at the Culloden debacle, out of my mind whenever I hear that term. I've never looked at a pocket fence the same. Looking forward to more on the grouping. All the best, Jim

3rd August 2009, 04:05 PM	#4
tribalarms Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26	I believe Colin is right. I would like to add I believe it's southern Ethiopia. I have seen very similar hunting spears there, but the north differs. It would also make sense with the other spear that came with it. The metal binding on the spears is still found today on pilgrims staffs in Ethiopia.

3rd August 2009, 08:33 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hey Jim , a picket fence made of basket hilted blades ...indeed criminal , what a waste. Obviously done as a political 'statement'. As to my 'picket fence', a line of spears along a wall ......unfortunately unlikely to happen....the 'other half' is not as keen as I ....can't understand it myself Hi Tribalarms, thank you for further confirming these spears are from Southern Sudan (part of old Abyssinia) Kind Regards David