The Armour Archive

Ok here’s the idea, I want to make a period correct spear for my persona to fight spear and shield.

The shield is no problem I have both a proper ‘war’ shield that is oval shape with indented sides that fits my 1st century time period and location (Briton), I also have a small “Iâ€

Whether it is an SCA "polearm" or "Mass Weapon" would depend on the overall length of the weapon. But the construction requirements of one or the other would apply.

[quote="Æiric Ørvender"]
So over-all the blate should be 18"x7"

Am I no longer making a “spearâ€

Baron Eirik wrote:Whether it is an SCA "polearm" or "Mass Weapon" would depend on the overall length of the weapon. But the construction requirements of one or the other would apply.

I haven't found much information on spear shafts and length...except the following:

Ash was common and often fitted with a bronze butt spike as a counterweight.

In Irish stories there are descriptions of spearshafts having bands from head to foot (bronze maybe?)

2 complete spears have been found at La Tene measuring 2.5m (8'2")
and Hispanic Celts made an iron shafted spear called a soliferrum which a maximum length of 6'6" has been found to date.

I guess it would depend on how you plan to fight it.

If it is just going to be a spear, i.e. thrust only, then LPTT for the end, and make the blade 6"-8" at the base. Use strips of foam or leather to form the spear edge, cut to an apropriate width to appear blade-like.... You can cut foam to fill in the outline, and more foam or light weight leather to smooth the flats. It should look pretty clean and smooth once taped.

(I use the 6" reference, for I think folks back then were generally of smaller stature than we modern types.)


OR....


If you are making more of a hew spear, then follow the same process, only make sure the width for your side strips is 1.25".


I'd love to know how you eventually do it and see the results!!

If you're going to try and use the spear to fight the way they would have used it, then you, imo, clearly need to make it so you can slash as well as stab.

Under SCA rules, this means you need to build to polearm specifications, but don't let our nomenclature get in the way

I would think that you're talking about something that looked rather like a Masai spear that you can still find made today, but probably on a longer shaft. So a broad head profile that would come down to a point at the end, but not triangular.

I probably wouldn't make it over 6 feet in length if I was going to try to use it with one hand.

this might be a neat project to try as a split pole or clacker pole arm.

InsaneIrish wrote:this might be a neat project to try as a split pole or clacker pole arm.

I might have to look into that type of construction...

Æiric -

That's on my project list too!


Dilan

Check out the guy who made the Partisan a page or two back. It might suit your needs .

Dilan wrote:Æiric -

That's on my project list too!


Dilan

Well we'll just have to compare finished products! LOL

When I get this done, I'll have a pair of matched shields, and 4 thrust and throw spears for match weapon challenges.




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Dilan wrote:When I get this done, I'll have a pair of matched shields, and 4 thrust and throw spears for match weapon challenges.




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Very cool!
After this my next project are a set of 3 thrust and throws javelins!

They are a lot of fun.

Locally, Aine and I have done some spear and shield fights. I'm not exactly Achillies from "TROY" with my terrific 9" vertacle leap....



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I was watching Troy the other night(s) while sewing and thought that doing a "survivor of Troy" might be neat...

Met a couple of guys in the last Double-wars who were using thrust and throw spears. Surprisingly effective, especially in the thrusting mode.