Identifying some arrowheads

This is where we discuss the bows, arrows, quivers and other hardware used in Asian archery.
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TradArcher
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Identifying some arrowheads

Post by TradArcher » Wed May 09, 2007 1:02 pm

Dear Collegues
Can You please help me with identyfying those arrowheads. Myself, I place them Persia/India but maybe somone seen ornaments like that. Wood and fletching is not original (reconstructed for museum purposes).
All the best from Poland
Janek


http://picasaweb.google.com/Traditional ... ArrowHeads
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G. McCormack
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Post by G. McCormack » Thu Dec 13, 2007 6:37 am

Looks like Persian to me, Qajar period, late 19th century. Acid etched decoration. Lots of 'parade' weapons were made in Persia during this period, many have ended up in western collections. These look to be similar.
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TradArcher
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Post by TradArcher » Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:12 am

Thank you for help, actually ornaments are not acided but yellow metal is hammered in, pics are not so good and it looks like embossed.
Thanks
Janek
jack farrell
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Post by jack farrell » Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:53 pm

These were posted before with no definitive answer. They do not look like any points which I have seen before. The decoration might be Koftgari, where textured blackened iron has silver or gold hammered to its surface. Persians were expert at this technique but it also spread to other groups. I cannot remember seeing this technique on an arrow head. It would inhibit the sharpening of the point if it was intended for use.

The narrowing of the point is one key to its identification, which is unusual. And the mounting tang appears to be squared. Is that so? If that is correct then it seems unlikely to have been mounted in bamboo. The tang does not abut the point but tapers up to it which would also be ruinous to a bamboo shaft.

Once again good luck. Get back to us if an answer arises. -j-
G. McCormack
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Post by G. McCormack » Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:17 pm

If you could possibly post some sharper, closer photos of the decoration we should be able to tell for sure, it certainly could be koftgari.
Still looks late 19th century to me, either Persian or Indian.
Interesting heads :)
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TradArcher
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Post by TradArcher » Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:55 am

Hi, I think the left one is enough sharp and close to recognize ornamentation, colors are disturbed by strange light and gold turned to black in this conditions.
http://picasaweb.google.com/tradarcher/ ... 9368524658

Thanks
Janek
jack farrell
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Post by jack farrell » Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:39 pm

Janek, Good collection of photos. Nice costumes and gear. Would you care to tell us about the events? -j-
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Orda Khan
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Post by Orda Khan » Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:09 pm

Photo 13 with building in background.... :shock:
We have so much red tape regarding places to shoot safely.
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Post by TradArcher » Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:53 pm

Dear Jack
In Poland there is lot of events for traditional archers, begening with simpe medieval tournaments and battles where you have to wear historical stuff, specialised nomadic events with yurts and shamanlike singers from Tuva Siberia, with hand sewed clothes with care of details and general orthodoxy to let say civil trad archery meetings like 3D, clout... like last event with lot of pics on my album - 24hours non-stop shooting competition. Asiatic archery is very popular in Poland as it become popular since 11th century :) when we addopted it from eastern mounted archers. So usually on competition there is 50% of reflex bows. Very popular are korean bows as theyre cheap and easy to get. Sometimes we have lot of fun here http://www.rycerze.org/zdjecia/2007/nid ... 2007/4.jpg :)
Best
Jan
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TradArcher
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Post by TradArcher » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:09 pm

Orda Khan wrote:Photo 13 with building in background.... :shock:
We have so much red tape regarding places to shoot safely.
Orda Khan, in my opinion archery is rather safe sport compared with others (I think in stats close to zero). The only point in my opinion is compound archery as they use release aids and it can cause unexpected fire during start of draw especially in high poundage. Usually novice archers when they are overbowed in the beginning (hi power is best) they start draw with aiming the sky and it thrills me slightlly but fortunately compounds are not extremely popular here :) Im in archery since 13y and never heard about an accident. Sorry once but it was stupidity and shot from 3 metersdistance hurt injured other archers leg from 4cm draw (stupid joke)
J.
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gt1cm2
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Post by gt1cm2 » Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:09 pm

jack farrell wrote:Janek, Good collection of photos. Nice costumes and gear. Would you care to tell us about the events? -j-
ha ha, Jan, your getting some practise answering these questions!! :D
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TradArcher
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Post by TradArcher » Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:41 pm

gt1cm2 wrote:
jack farrell wrote:Janek, Good collection of photos. Nice costumes and gear. Would you care to tell us about the events? -j-
ha ha, Jan, your getting some practise answering these questions!! :D
Oh, Hi Cindy, for most of users Poland is exotic country as New Zeland for us :)
All the best for opposite side of the globe :)
J.
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