[M. Johnston]

I am wondering if anyone knows of pictures of extant heads for spears used in the 16th century for hunting chamois and for climbing during a hunt. Looking for European examples, if there still are any, especially from Austria or southern Germany.

Here are some illustrations of what I am looking for:
http://www.famsf.org/imagebase_zoom.asp?rec=5134202116790032
the above is the best pic I have. I think it looks like a single edged socketed knife blade; easily detachable from the pole so the pole can be used for climbing (as shown in the next pictures). In the above picture the spear point seems to be sheathed with the biknives with his hunting knife (only one of these guys with the tips on their spears is positioned so you can see that there is an empty sheath with the biknives).

other pics from Theuerdank:
http://mailmaker.tripod.com/theuerdank/015.jpg
http://mailmaker.tripod.com/theuerdank/031.jpg

so, anyone know of any pics of these online anywhere? I've been searching and come up with nothing more than what I have... as a specialized tool that is detachable from it's handle it would not surprise me much if they'd at some point be reforged into a more conventional knife, or become mislabeled by modern collectors thus making my search more difficult... so the basic description of what I am looking for images of is a knife blade with a socket rather than a tang. Anyone able to help me out?

thanks, matthew

[Michael Pikula]

Hi Mattew, I took a look at the first image that you attached and there is actually a knife in the sheath with the biknife. It is a little hard to see but if you zoom in you can see a little bit of the knifes handles profile around the edge of the garment that he is wearing. Other then that I don't really have too much to add... Are there any other sources that you have found for knives with socket like handles?

[Sean Flynt]

I'd never noticed before, but you're exactly right about this. The man at far left has his spear point stored like a by-knife. The man second from right has his spear point in place on the haft, and you can see the empty space where it fits the knife scabbard. Fascinating. Try the knife and polearm sections in all the online Hermann Historica catalogues (47-56). You might find something there.

[Darren Tully]

I couldnt help but notice that that spear looks like the one Elling Polden owns
he posted a picture on another thread i hope he doesnt mid me reposting it
Maybe you could contact him by pm and ask wear he got the spear head
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/download.php?id=21747