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Old 2nd January 2007, 10:18 PM   #1
Bill M
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Default Spear? Indian? Sangu?

From the estate of a former employee of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in the 1920s. It was commonplace to use original artifacts during plays; as this piece was used.

Spear is 75.5 inches long and about 1.5 inches at the ball near the butt. The head is about 26 inches long and is four sided. The shaft above the handle, the handle itself and below the handle is six sided. Then it alternates with round and six-sided to the ball at the butt. It is solid steel.

I suspect it is a version of a Sang or Sangu from central or south India. Possibly Rajput horse/camel spear.

Any information anyone can offer is requested.
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Old 2nd January 2007, 11:59 PM   #2
Runjeet Singh
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What an interesting piece!...I would agree with Bill...Central or South Indian, and yes call it a sang if you like. Isn't the decoration strange though, similar to decoration seen on good Algerian Flyssa Swords.

Here is a very different South Indian Sang from the Armoury of Mysore. Note the similarities in the butt piece.

Somebody onec claimed that my example is from Ceylon, it is obviously not (mysore inscription). However, does anybody have any knowledge of Sangs from Ceylon?

Regards,
Runjeet.

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Old 3rd January 2007, 12:39 AM   #3
Robert
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I know nothing of the weapons of India but this is absolutely beautiful! How do you keep finding these wonderful items? One thing though, this looks more like a javelin than any spear that I've seen. What is the weight?
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Old 3rd January 2007, 01:00 AM   #4
Battara
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Bill, looks like it is Indian, or Indo-Persian-Afghani. Very nice.
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Old 3rd January 2007, 02:12 AM   #5
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Beautiful example. I used to have one and sold it. I am betting this one is heavy, nicely balanced, and that its point and velocity would make short work of most shields and armour.
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Old 3rd January 2007, 09:08 AM   #6
Tim Simmons
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What a glorious thing. I love the decoration. Compere with this one. I think the African look becomes more clear.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=lance
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Old 14th November 2008, 06:49 PM   #7
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Default AFRICA!!!!!

I will bet my last £ that this is also African. The brass and copper inlay along with the engraving is African. West African sahara type of work. I must say that to my mind this is a superb and not common item. Beautiful.
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