Moro Spearhead, but from what Battle?

drac2k · 17th May 2024, 07:55 PM

I recently acquired this Moro Spearhead, with a partially torn tag attributing it to a specific battle; can anyone guess which one he is referencing?

Sajen · 17th May 2024, 08:09 PM

Hello David,

Sadly I can't help with the battle but I find the binding and the way of the attachment to the shaft most interesting and nice! Very nice Moro spear head!

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 17th May 2024, 08:30 PM

Hi drac.

I think the tag refers to one of the two battles between Americans and Muslims at Bud Dajo. Spelling mistakes or variations are common on these old tags.

Ian.

kai · 17th May 2024, 08:45 PM

If one wants to speculate, the Lake Danao area seems to be a phonetically better match.

Regards,
Kai

Rick · Yesterday, 12:01 AM

The fastenings of the spear head have a 'last ditch' look to them.
I'd guess that the shaft was cut to facilitate either easier transport from the Philippines or for hand-to-hand combat.
I have seen Budiak with an iron loop at the butt end and I believe this was to facilitate retrieval of the spear by an attached cord.

drac2k · Yesterday, 02:46 AM

Thanks to all for your excellent comments.Yes, I believe that the spear was cut down for easier transport home.
20 years ago I found a very similar spear, with comparable wire bindings which I will post this weekend. My theory is that these were siege spears for either attacking a fortified location or defending it;one would not want to lose a lance head thrusting it into something.Maybe the thick wire wrapping would ward off a blow from a sword that might sever the blade from the shaft.
I have two other Moro spears,with similar heads, and heavy 8' bamboo shafts ,not suitable for throwing : more like a pike.They do not have the wire binding.

Lee · Yesterday, 12:40 PM

Always nice seeing another of these budiak spears! Here is an old thread with a few more examples where the head is wired to the shaft, though less robustly than the current example.

17th May 2024, 07:55 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,187	Moro Spearhead, but from what Battle? I recently acquired this Moro Spearhead, with a partially torn tag attributing it to a specific battle; can anyone guess which one he is referencing? Attached Images

Yesterday, 12:01 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,268	Just Speculating The fastenings of the spear head have a 'last ditch' look to them. I'd guess that the shaft was cut to facilitate either easier transport from the Philippines or for hand-to-hand combat. I have seen Budiak with an iron loop at the butt end and I believe this was to facilitate retrieval of the spear by an attached cord.

17th May 2024, 08:09 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,572	Hello David, Sadly I can't help with the battle but I find the binding and the way of the attachment to the shaft most interesting and nice! Very nice Moro spear head! Regards, Detlef

17th May 2024, 08:30 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,044	Hi drac. I think the tag refers to one of the two battles between Americans and Muslims at Bud Dajo. Spelling mistakes or variations are common on these old tags. Ian.

17th May 2024, 08:45 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,223	If one wants to speculate, the Lake Danao area seems to be a phonetically better match. Regards, Kai

Yesterday, 02:46 AM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,187	Thanks to all for your excellent comments.Yes, I believe that the spear was cut down for easier transport home. 20 years ago I found a very similar spear, with comparable wire bindings which I will post this weekend. My theory is that these were siege spears for either attacking a fortified location or defending it;one would not want to lose a lance head thrusting it into something.Maybe the thick wire wrapping would ward off a blow from a sword that might sever the blade from the shaft. I have two other Moro spears,with similar heads, and heavy 8' bamboo shafts ,not suitable for throwing : more like a pike.They do not have the wire binding.

Yesterday, 12:40 PM	#7
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 898	Always nice seeing another of these budiak spears! Here is an old thread with a few more examples where the head is wired to the shaft, though less robustly than the current example.