Khmer spears

[JeffS]

Hello. I saw these at a local antique store. I'm told they are Cambodian. Thoughts?

[francantolin]

Hello,

Nice but really rusty !...

Maybe African ? ( especially the second...)

[JeffS]

Thanks. Location of the store is Cambodia but I imagine they could have come from anywhere. What are the prospects for removing the heavy rust. Salvagable?

[drac2k]

I recently had a spear like yours that I posted; based on the research in the archives of this forum, I believe that they could be from North Vietnam.

[Ren Ren]

In form, these are real Khmer spears.
But I do not like how the blacksmith designed the place between the spear blade and the shank. Very roughly made sleeve on the spear shaft. My humble opinion is that the spear was made not by Khmer blacksmiths, but by some of the small mountain peoples. For drac2k - maybe it was made somewhere in the mountains on the border of North Vietnam.

[drac2k]

While form #5 closely resembles the spears shown, it is substantially different as it appears to have a socket, whereas the one in question does not; that being said, I'm sure that there are many cross-influences in that general region. Ren, I believe that you are correct that it could be from North Vietnam

[Ren Ren]

A few photos of the highlanders with spears.
The first photo from South Vietnam (Lang Bian mountains in Lâm Đồng province).

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by JeffS

Thanks. Location of the store is Cambodia but I imagine they could have come from anywhere. What are the prospects for removing the heavy rust. Salvagable?

Hi Jeffs,
IMHO definitely salvageable, but to what extent will depend on how far the rust has penetrated the metal. I always use WHITE VINEGAR...(from local supermarket) and soak the offending item in it. Time needed will depend on heaviness of rust but it works quite quickly.
Here is a link showing how well it works...http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24394
Stu