african spear

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 ?

Tim Simmons · 10th December 2005, 06:38 PM

My spear is 142cm, metal part 33cm, spear point 10.5cm, width of haft 1.7cm. Yours looks unaltered to me. Tim

9th December 2005, 06:24 PM	#1
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	#3
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

10th December 2005, 06:38 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	My spear is 142cm, metal part 33cm, spear point 10.5cm, width of haft 1.7cm. Yours looks unaltered to me. Tim Attached Images

9th December 2005, 06:31 PM	#2
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	#4
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	#5
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	#6
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 ?