Shipwreck Sale: Massive Iron Spear Point More than 5 Inches Long 1 of 2 Listed #A
I've written probably more history than many would like who are just anxious to hear a bit of background and get onto making purchases.
This spear point, based on the rusted remnants, would have had the wood shaft of the spear imbedded into the hollow of the point; others were just the opposite, with a "tail" that was fitted into the wood rather than vice versa.
As is quite evident, this a deadly hunk of iron. And through the years the spears and all modes of arms just were better and better at their job of killing.
In my other full-time life in publishing, I worked with several museums in Chicago on multiple books I wrote and consulting to the museums as well. The Art Institute published a wonderful book about its "arms and armament" collection but those pieces weren't dug and in some cases if they were, they were the rare and typically beautiful artifacts. But based on their exhibit one thing of interest is how they showed that progression of killing tools throughout Europe from a period of 1,500± years,
Of course the items at that museum are a tad more expensive and rare. Major auction houses also have sales not unlike this one--but instead of dug relics they're offering $100,000 to literally million-dollar items. I've actually found Heritage auctions and my museum work very helpful in learning about such things. I've even sold many items through Heritage--but nothing along the weapons and weaponry line.
NOTE: The third photo shows this and other varied large spear points and one heavy chunk of metal I believe was once a crossbow arrow tip. I have not listed all of these 8 in the sale. Please ask for more details or photos if you would like to hear about/see more. Alsothis item is listed as having 3 total with 2 duplicate. All 3 are about 95% the same.