Hi Guys,
Thanks for the comments (spears and sword ;) )
I am not sure whether the wavy edges affect the wound channel, however, the contemporary Roman writer Diodorus wrote of celtic spears with a wavy edge which not only cut but "tore and mangled" the flesh. So at least some of the Celts' opponents thoght they caused more damge!
With respect to the center spear from La Tene, the barbed notches likely
would tear the flesh rather than leave a nice thin cut, thus opening the wound channel and making a wound that bled more, and was harder to heal cleanly....nasty business!
Clearly, the visual intimidation factor is there!
I have the dimensions of the smaller one listed in "my collection"; I hope to do the same for the others. (yes, eventually my Jarl will be there as well---still a good handful of things I have not in "my collection").
I can say that these spears are very light, but with a strong midrib. The midrib is thick, but still has
distal taper. The edges are thin, almost butcher knife thin, as appropriate, and are quite sharp. I was doing a bit of polish and clean up on the larger flame-blade and managed to cut the ka-snickens out of myself multiple times, often with knowing I had done it :eek:
Folkert---the smaller one is classified as a "javelin", but it's not clear whether it really was. The complete spears at La Tene, with 2m. shafts, were found to have heads on them that were rather small, and otherwise might have been classed as javelins. When you look at your Gournay II, and map out the measurements of some of these, you might see interesting things, too. Short, wide spears with relatively more edge than point---more suited to cutting thrusts than high-penetration stabs, yet the size would make one think "javelin".
One answer might be that the smaller heads that look like they are suited to a nasty cut or stab were meant for the longer (conical sectioned) shafts---making it easier to wield, strike and maneur with accuracy due to the small head.
NOte the smaller one has waves not just in
profile taper, but has undulations when viewed edge-on. Perhaps again to open a bigger, messier wound?
These will all get mounted up entually, but I am not yet set on what style to mount them.
Stats to follow later when I am home, and this weekend I will have access to Chad A's accurate scale.
Thanks,
N