Maasai Spear and Seme

djalu · 10th February 2008, 08:34 AM

Hello, Can anyone venture a guess as to the age (and region) of this Maasai spear and sword? Spear 213cm/84in Seme 82cm/32in. Much appreciated.
All the best, Bruce

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2008, 05:20 PM

To me these very nice items look 1920s-1930s they could be latter 40s-50s. The scabbard and belt on the seme and the bulk of the spear sockets and wood handle to my mind seem to suggest a mid 20th century date. It is a little difficult to be sure from such small pictures. Both items are of a more traditional form compered to what is commonly found in the latter date but I imagine the change in styles did not happen over night. I always feel a slight thrill in handling one of the big East African spears. Beautiful long spear

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2008, 05:49 PM

Having another look at the spear I do not think the sockets and the handle are any more bulky than older models but I still feel it is probably contemporary to the seme. What date is on the coin at the end of the scabbard? it will not be any earlier than that but can of course be latter.

djalu · 10th February 2008, 08:48 PM

Thanks Tim, I am still trying to figure out how to attach larger photos. Hope this works better. Interesting what you mentioned about the scabbard. Although the scabbard appears to have some age, it does look newer than the sword. I can't find any markings on the disk. It appears to be a copper disk and not a coin, unless it has been hammered thin. I have attached a photo of another spear to compare that I aquired in Tanzania late 70's. Thanks again, Bruce

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2008, 08:59 PM

Thanks Bruce,
The latter spear collected 1970s explains some of my thoughts earlier. The seme might well be older than the scabbard hard to tell. It is still a good seme.
I have a couple of spears that I like to think are at least Edwardian I will take some pictures and I think you may see that there is a degree of difference. It will take a day or two. You can use the search facility here.

10th February 2008, 08:34 AM	#1
djalu Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3	Maasai Spear and Seme Hello, Can anyone venture a guess as to the age (and region) of this Maasai spear and sword? Spear 213cm/84in Seme 82cm/32in. Much appreciated. All the best, Bruce Attached Images

10th February 2008, 05:20 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	To me these very nice items look 1920s-1930s they could be latter 40s-50s. The scabbard and belt on the seme and the bulk of the spear sockets and wood handle to my mind seem to suggest a mid 20th century date. It is a little difficult to be sure from such small pictures. Both items are of a more traditional form compered to what is commonly found in the latter date but I imagine the change in styles did not happen over night. I always feel a slight thrill in handling one of the big East African spears. Beautiful long spear Last edited by Tim Simmons; 10th February 2008 at 07:31 PM.

10th February 2008, 05:49 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Having another look at the spear I do not think the sockets and the handle are any more bulky than older models but I still feel it is probably contemporary to the seme. What date is on the coin at the end of the scabbard? it will not be any earlier than that but can of course be latter. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 10th February 2008 at 08:34 PM. Reason: smoothing out a lump

10th February 2008, 08:48 PM	#4
djalu Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3	Maasai Spear and Seme Thanks Tim, I am still trying to figure out how to attach larger photos. Hope this works better. Interesting what you mentioned about the scabbard. Although the scabbard appears to have some age, it does look newer than the sword. I can't find any markings on the disk. It appears to be a copper disk and not a coin, unless it has been hammered thin. I have attached a photo of another spear to compare that I aquired in Tanzania late 70's. Thanks again, Bruce Attached Images

10th February 2008, 08:59 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Thanks Bruce, The latter spear collected 1970s explains some of my thoughts earlier. The seme might well be older than the scabbard hard to tell. It is still a good seme. I have a couple of spears that I like to think are at least Edwardian I will take some pictures and I think you may see that there is a degree of difference. It will take a day or two. You can use the search facility here.