Hand Harpoon

[Tim Simmons]

Some pictures to illustrate the typical pointed terminal. The club with the inlay is listed as a dance club in "shields of Melanesia" the two on the black background are from the publication mentioned earlier in this topic. The one on the white background is also from "shields of melannesia" These and similar clubs are most often called parrying or shield clubs but are also used in dance as seen in the link. Perhaps this too is a form of dance staff ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjD9k...eature=related

[VANDOO]

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF A SIMULAR ITEM, SAID TO HAVE BEEN COLLECTED BY FRANZ WERNER IN 1959 IN THE RENNEL ISLANDS, SOLOMONS. IT IS 35INCHES LONG. A INTERESTING FORM BUT LIKELY MORE OF A STATUS OR CEREMONIAL ITEM AS THERE ARE A LOT BETTER CLUBS FOR FIGHTING.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF A SIMULAR ITEM, SAID TO HAVE BEEN COLLECTED BY FRANZ WERNER IN 1959 IN THE RENNEL ISLANDS, SOLOMONS. IT IS 35INCHES LONG. A INTERESTING FORM BUT LIKELY MORE OF A STATUS OR CEREMONIAL ITEM AS THERE ARE A LOT BETTER CLUBS FOR FIGHTING.

Spot on Barry, the 'club' I presented was also gathered mid 20th century from the Rennel Island group by a cadet (naval I am guessing).
Looking at this one, status may well be what they are as in the hand, fighting isn't a key factor and by the form of this one, it would be hard to draw paralells with a harpoon that I considered mine as....Cheers!

Gav