Name/Title
Black Shaft LanceEntry/Object ID
414: Full Code; 414.16.63-PA-IATags
Pole ArmDescription
This is an Antique Spear Head, traditionally known as a Sang in the Indian subcontinent. This specimen exhibits the rugged, functional geometry of 18th or 19th-century tribal and infantry weaponry, specifically designed for the uncompromising "process" of armor penetration.
Core Design & Metallurgy
The Blade: The head features a slender, elongated triangular profile that tapers to a needle-sharp, reinforced point. Unlike broader hunting spears, this "piercing-style" head is designed to find the gaps in chainmail or punch through multiple layers of quilted cotton armor (Chilta Hazar Masha).
The Central Ridge: A prominent, raised mid-rib runs the entire length of the blade. In your professional "Process reliant" framework, this is a critical engineering feature: it provides the structural rigidity necessary to prevent the blade from snapping or bending upon impact with a hard target.
Patina and Condition: The steel exhibits an honest, dark pocked patina with significant oxidation, characteristic of an "as-found" antique. This surface texture is a "DNA test" for the item's age, showing the natural interaction of hand-forged iron with the environment over a century or more.
The Socket: The head terminates in a long, integral cylindrical socket. This deep socket was designed to be fitted onto a bamboo or hardwood shaft and secured with rivets. The length of the socket is calculated to distribute the lateral stress of a strike, ensuring the shaft does not split at the junction.Made/Created
Date made
circa 1850 - circa 1900Time Period
19th CenturyDimensions
Dimension Description
108"Length
17 inAcquisition
Acquisition Method
Purchase
