All metal sper/javelin ?

estcrh · 10th February 2016, 10:35 PM

I have had this in storage for a few years, finally getting some things were I can photograph them. The seller thought this was a javelin but to me it looks like a short spear, it has a rounded end as if for thrusting, and the needle like point would go through mail. The long point is inserted into the shaft similar to some spear heads I have seen. 48.5 in / 123.19 cm long with red and black bands on the end and under the point. Any ideas as to its origin? I was thinking Indian.

Tim Simmons · 11th February 2016, 07:38 AM

Shorter all metal javlin/stabbing spears like this are also found in West Africa and further into the African continent. There are examples in the archive. Saying that I have seen Indian all steel examples. To me yours does look Africa. I have one. The pommel looks Africa to me.

estcrh · 11th February 2016, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Shorter all metal javlin/stabbing spears like this are also found in West Africa and further into the African continent. There are examples in the archive. Saying that I have seen Indian all steel examples. To me yours does look Africa. I have one. The pommel looks Africa to me.

Thanks Tim, do you have an a picture of one?

Iain · 11th February 2016, 10:43 AM

I'd be going with Indian, the method of mounting the blade is not one I would associate with West African spears.

estcrh · 12th February 2016, 11:17 AM

I have looked at African examples but could not find anything similar, the same with Indo-persian examples. There are some Indo-persian weapons that have the same butt type and there are Indian thrusting swords with the same needle type blade, and some Indian spears do use the same method of blade attachment.

10th February 2016, 10:35 PM	#1
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	All metal spear/javelin ? I have had this in storage for a few years, finally getting some things were I can photograph them. The seller thought this was a javelin but to me it looks like a short spear, it has a rounded end as if for thrusting, and the needle like point would go through mail. The long point is inserted into the shaft similar to some spear heads I have seen. 48.5 in / 123.19 cm long with red and black bands on the end and under the point. Any ideas as to its origin? I was thinking Indian. Attached Images Last edited by estcrh; 10th February 2016 at 11:44 PM.

12th February 2016, 11:17 AM	#5
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	I have looked at African examples but could not find anything similar, the same with Indo-persian examples. There are some Indo-persian weapons that have the same butt type and there are Indian thrusting swords with the same needle type blade, and some Indian spears do use the same method of blade attachment. Attached Images

11th February 2016, 07:38 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,736	Shorter all metal javlin/stabbing spears like this are also found in West Africa and further into the African continent. There are examples in the archive. Saying that I have seen Indian all steel examples. To me yours does look Africa. I have one. The pommel looks Africa to me.

11th February 2016, 10:43 AM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	I'd be going with Indian, the method of mounting the blade is not one I would associate with West African spears.