Spear from...?

kronckew · 22nd March 2009, 10:04 AM

while oiling my collection, came to this one, i do not think i've posted it here before. picked it up on ebay a number of years ago shortly after i found ebay. it if i recall was of course billed as a 'zulu' spear head. i learned much later it was not likely to be zulu as it's socketed, etc.

any idea where it does come from?

15" LOA, 12" blade, 1 5/8" max width, central ridge distal tapered from the 1/2" sq. base area to the point. 3" tapered socket is roughly 3/4"dia. at the opening. some pitting but generally has a nice dark patena. evidence of forging laminations in one area.

shaft and leather joint cover was added by me when i didn't know better

Tim Simmons · 22nd March 2009, 07:24 PM

Could it be a Naga spear?

kronckew · 23rd March 2009, 04:35 PM

one of my other spearhead/tailpieces we determined to be naga from an old illustration:

this appears a lot cruder by comparison which led me to doubt 'naga' on the one in post no. 1.

colin henshaw · 23rd March 2009, 05:21 PM

It has an African look to me. Socketed spear heads as opposed to tanged, were normally north of the Zambesi. Would need to see under the leather covering to comment further.

Regards

kronckew · 23rd March 2009, 11:31 PM

covering removed. socket has a split seam that runs up one side to the start of the square section. the end of the socket has a steel ring 3/4" dia by 7/16" wide around it which is not split. the socket spilt runs up to one of the flats of the sq. section where it stops in a fold that has been flattened when the sq. part was forged. there is no hole for a fastner and no markings...

colin henshaw · 24th March 2009, 09:24 AM

Thanks for posting another image. With that collar at the base, I don't think it can be African, so regret I don't really know where the spear is from.

Maybe another forum member will have an idea.

Regards

LPCA · 24th March 2009, 12:02 PM

the second one could be Ngbandi...
Louis-Pierre

22nd March 2009, 10:04 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	Spear from...? while oiling my collection, came to this one, i do not think i've posted it here before. picked it up on ebay a number of years ago shortly after i found ebay. it if i recall was of course billed as a 'zulu' spear head. i learned much later it was not likely to be zulu as it's socketed, etc. any idea where it does come from? 15" LOA, 12" blade, 1 5/8" max width, central ridge distal tapered from the 1/2" sq. base area to the point. 3" tapered socket is roughly 3/4"dia. at the opening. some pitting but generally has a nice dark patena. evidence of forging laminations in one area. shaft and leather joint cover was added by me when i didn't know better

22nd March 2009, 07:24 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Could it be a Naga spear?

23rd March 2009, 04:35 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	one of my other spearhead/tailpieces we determined to be naga from an old illustration: this appears a lot cruder by comparison which led me to doubt 'naga' on the one in post no. 1.

23rd March 2009, 05:21 PM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	It has an African look to me. Socketed spear heads as opposed to tanged, were normally north of the Zambesi. Would need to see under the leather covering to comment further. Regards

23rd March 2009, 11:31 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	covering removed. socket has a split seam that runs up one side to the start of the square section. the end of the socket has a steel ring 3/4" dia by 7/16" wide around it which is not split. the socket spilt runs up to one of the flats of the sq. section where it stops in a fold that has been flattened when the sq. part was forged. there is no hole for a fastner and no markings...

24th March 2009, 09:24 AM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Thanks for posting another image. With that collar at the base, I don't think it can be African, so regret I don't really know where the spear is from. Maybe another forum member will have an idea. Regards

24th March 2009, 12:02 PM	#7
LPCA Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toulouse - FRANCE Posts: 83	the second one could be Ngbandi... Louis-Pierre