african spear

fernando · 9th December 2005, 04:31 PM

Thank you all.
Any chance this piece is from the 19th century?
Lew, do you mean the braided collar is only ornamental?
I thaught it was there for securing the shaft to the blade.
Doesn't assegai mean a throwing spear ? Are there differences in tipology?

Freddy · 9th December 2005, 06:24 PM

You're quite right. The braided collar is for securing the blade to the shaft. A South African spear blade has a tang which goes into the shaft. The collar prevents the wood from splitting. Besides being practical, I think it also enhances the beauty of the weapon.

Your spear seems to be a good old specimen. On newer spears (and also on axes) the collar is often made of braided electrical wire. Not that these are no good, but they are younger.

Your spear is a throwing spear, as was already mentioned. That's probably why it has such a light blade. I had a look around on the internet and the word 'assegai' was mostly used for a stabbing spear. These had larger heads and were heavier.

Tim Simmons · 9th December 2005, 06:24 PM

Hi fernado, these southern African/Zulu type spears the binding can be steel or brass wire, vegetal fibre or a dried leather/gut shrink fit method of helping to hold the blade. The true early stabbing assegai of the Zulu wars had a large blade and quite a stout haft. There are latter 19/20th cent stabbing spears with a smaller blade. There is a good chance your spear is 19th cent. This may sound silly but if it has a thin haft and feels like you could throw it then it probably is a throwing spear

Here are pictures of one I have. These are said to have be carried as a small bundle and thrown before engaging with a stabbing spear. I find it fascinating that warriors armed with these and other simple weapons gave the British army, one of the most modern in 19th cent, a jolly good hiding more than once

. Tim

Freddy · 9th December 2005, 06:31 PM

Here is the braided collar of a Swazi axe.

Tim Simmons · 9th December 2005, 06:43 PM

Love!! the axe Freddy, makes me want to show mine again

Tim

Freddy · 9th December 2005, 06:51 PM

Very nice ! Are the bindings also metal ?

Tim Simmons · 9th December 2005, 08:34 PM

Yes metal binding, quite fine wire with iron pegs embeded in the haft in a decorative manner.

fernando · 10th December 2005, 02:12 PM

Thank you, the precious pictures and teachings explain a lot.
My doubt on the terminology was that, Assegai (Azagaia = Az-zágaiã), is a term originated in a throwing spear. I will consider that its atribution changed in the circumstances.
Tim, how long ant thick is the haft of your pictured spear ? is it regularly straight and round finished ? I still have reserves about mine. Is it possible to remount the blade on a new haft, without losing the consistence of the braided collar ?

9th December 2005, 06:24 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Hi fernado, these southern African/Zulu type spears the binding can be steel or brass wire, vegetal fibre or a dried leather/gut shrink fit method of helping to hold the blade. The true early stabbing assegai of the Zulu wars had a large blade and quite a stout haft. There are latter 19/20th cent stabbing spears with a smaller blade. There is a good chance your spear is 19th cent. This may sound silly but if it has a thin haft and feels like you could throw it then it probably is a throwing spear Here are pictures of one I have. These are said to have be carried as a small bundle and thrown before engaging with a stabbing spear. I find it fascinating that warriors armed with these and other simple weapons gave the British army, one of the most modern in 19th cent, a jolly good hiding more than once . Tim Attached Images

9th December 2005, 06:43 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Love!! the axe Freddy, makes me want to show mine again Tim Attached Images

9th December 2005, 04:31 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you all. Any chance this piece is from the 19th century? Lew, do you mean the braided collar is only ornamental? I thaught it was there for securing the shaft to the blade. Doesn't assegai mean a throwing spear ? Are there differences in tipology?

9th December 2005, 06:24 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	You're quite right. The braided collar is for securing the blade to the shaft. A South African spear blade has a tang which goes into the shaft. The collar prevents the wood from splitting. Besides being practical, I think it also enhances the beauty of the weapon. Your spear seems to be a good old specimen. On newer spears (and also on axes) the collar is often made of braided electrical wire. Not that these are no good, but they are younger. Your spear is a throwing spear, as was already mentioned. That's probably why it has such a light blade. I had a look around on the internet and the word 'assegai' was mostly used for a stabbing spear. These had larger heads and were heavier.

9th December 2005, 06:31 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here is the braided collar of a Swazi axe.

9th December 2005, 06:51 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Very nice ! Are the bindings also metal ?

9th December 2005, 08:34 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Yes metal binding, quite fine wire with iron pegs embeded in the haft in a decorative manner.

10th December 2005, 02:12 PM	#8
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you, the precious pictures and teachings explain a lot. My doubt on the terminology was that, Assegai (Azagaia = Az-zágaiã), is a term originated in a throwing spear. I will consider that its atribution changed in the circumstances. Tim, how long ant thick is the haft of your pictured spear ? is it regularly straight and round finished ? I still have reserves about mine. Is it possible to remount the blade on a new haft, without losing the consistence of the braided collar ?