Snapped Base Points

[quito]

Picked these KRF points up at auction a few years apart. I got the lighter one first They came out of the same collection. It took a couple of years and a few auctions to liquidate this collection of personal finds that were picked up by two brothers. I was confident with the first one, that it had it's base snapped intentionally into this configuration, most likely after being damaged. But when I laid eyes on the second one, I had to wonder if that was the case. And I knew I would be leaving with it. :-) They are so similar, I often wonder if they weren't from the same hands.

 

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[bci101tractors]

VERY INTERESTING AND BEAUTIFUL POINTS.

 

[rock]

The flaking is the same. It very well could of been made by the same person. I like to look at the flaking when I find a artifact and match it up to the others I have found from the same place. I am going to start framing them by the flaking as to each person who made them. I believe that would be very interesting.

 

[Tnmountains]

Quito
I have snapped base points and one seems to be worked at the snap. People tell me mine are worthless but the flaking is superb. I found mine with other decent pieces on a dig in the late 80's. Your material blows mine away.

 

[pickaway]

Heres a so called snap base kirk I found Monday I dont think they were broke on purpose I have seen some broke examples where the base was reworked.

 

[GatorBoy]

Love that insitu. The whole snap base idea makes no practical sense to me. ... unless of course you're in the business of selling projectile points... like the fellow who coincidently came up with the type.

 

[*Molly*]

I just love the workmanship.

 

[newnan man]

A gun maker makes a nice rifle then snaps off the stock......................snap base=broken point. They are still very nice points.

 

[quito]

"snap base=broken point"

I understand that. If I had better pictures you would see there are several facets or different angles at the break/base, and they are the same on both 2 points. The odds of them breaking so similar are not good at all. My point was/is, that these are either not broken points, but were made this way, or they were broken, and repaired in same fashion.

Most snapped base points I have seen have a straight base, at the break, not several new angles put on.

 

[Charl]

"snap base=broken point"

I understand that. If I had better pictures you would see there are several facets or different angles at the break/base, and they are the same on both 2 points. The odds of them breaking so similar are not good at all. My point was/is, that these are either not broken points, but were made this way, or they were broken, and repaired in same fashion.

Most snapped base points I have seen have a straight base, at the break, not several new angles put on.

i agree with you. And the flaking is to die for. Thanks for sharing those!

 

[rock]

Morrow Mountain has different styles. Why can this have 2 styles.

 

[SCdigger]

I've always thought the same thing about "snapped base" points. weak/thin part of point + pressure from being tied to shaft + impact = point snapped off at the base through regular use...just an opinion, I wasn't there...haha

Greg

 

[Get-the-point]

A gun maker makes a nice rifle then snaps off the stock......................snap base=broken point. They are still very nice points.

The one base looks worked the other looks broke can we see new pictures of the whole base area for both. Not worried about full point pictures, but if this thread is going to discuss the base aspects of a possible snapped based point I think we need to see pictures of the bases to see what you are seeing..........Thanks Quito.........

 

[quito]

The one base looks worked the other looks broke can we see new pictures of the whole base area for both. Not worried about full point pictures, but if this thread is going to discuss the base aspects of a possible snapped based point I think we need to see pictures of the bases to see what you are seeing..........Thanks Quito.........

Ok this should help a bunch!

 

[rock]

Im going to bump this for you.

 

[Charl]

Ok this should help a bunch!

yes, this is what I understood you to mean the first time. Each base has several facets, but are they exact matches? The darker one seems to have 2, the lighter 3 facets? The lighter one in particular just seems like a very odd break. Hard to say. If you had 20 of them, something would be up, but would it be deliberate or a function of a defect in the hafting strategy? One would think they would revise the hafting if that were the case. But weakness in the rock, as in veins, might cause odd angled breaks too.

 

[GatorBoy]

There's a clear difference in the patina at the break.

 

[quito]

There's a clear difference in the patina at the break.

No sir Gator, I respectfully disagree, it just looks much darker at the break (lack of sun). The break is patinated, and there is a very nice mineral deposit. I just scoped it again. It's probably easier to see the lack of change in hand like is usually the case. Hopefully this picture will show the break area much lighter the the previous. The area has the typical light hazing, KRF usually shows before it turns white.

 

[quito]

"Each base has several facets, but are they exact matches? The darker one seems to have 2, the lighter 3 facets?"

You have a good eye. The facets aren't exact matches, but I figure they were just trying the make the base a certain shape.

The darker on does appear to have two angles, or facets, but on the right side, that portion breaks toward both faces. There is a median ridge if you will, that runs the length of the break on that side. It is an odd break as you put it, as well.

 

[rock]

@ quito..So if these are made as they look how do you think they were hafted? Do you feel they were done differently from the other style with the stem or do you think maybe they were done like a Celt would of been hafted in a handle for a knife?