🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Conquistador / Spanish Spear Point?

[ExploringAZ]

I found this roughly 5-6 years ago on my family's property in Southern Arizona. My initial thought upon finding it was an old knife with the handle missing. However after doing some poking around I believe it to be Conquistador / Spanish. I've searched heavily online looking for an identification guide of sorts but am having a tough time finding examples that are close to this one. Ideally, I'd like to know if I am making the proper assumption and the possible the age range. 15th-18th century? I've found some similar rat tail styles but nothing exact as of yet. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[BennyV]

I found this roughly 5-6 years ago on my family's property in Southern Arizona. My initial thought upon finding it was an old knife with the handle missing. However after doing some poking around I believe it to be Conquistador / Spanish. I've searched heavily online looking for an identification guide of sorts but am having a tough time finding examples that are close to this one. Ideally, I'd like to know the age range. 15th-17th century? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Looks pretty well made. I’m be following this one. I hope it checks out for you.

 

[crashbandicoot]

Welcome to Tnet!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Doesn't look like the Spanish spear points I have seen, looks more like a knife.

Take it to a museum in Tucson.

 

[ARC]

Ethiopian or African IMO,

 

[ExploringAZ]

Looks pretty well made. I’m be following this one. I hope it checks out for you.

Thanks! I'd just like to place it even if my assumption is incorrect.

Welcome to Tnet!

Thank you!

Doesn't look like the Spanish spear points I have seen, looks more like a knife.

Take it to a museum in Tucson.

Yeah I agree it does not look like the typical lance points with the conical socketing shafts. However I've seen a few similar rat tail styles labeled as Spanish in origin (though their assumptions could be incorrect also).

Any museums that you would suggest? I've never taken any items in. What is that typically like?

 

[ExploringAZ]

Ethiopian or African IMO,

Any idea on age for said affiliations?

 

[ARC]

Any idea on age for said affiliations?

No affiliations... it looks like / reminds me of some of grandpas stuff he had hanging on his walls.

He would have gotten those types 50's - 60's whilst in service.

 

[Red_desert]

I know of a few gold prospectors, metal detecting for gold nuggets in Arizona, dig up sometimes metal Indian points. They learned how to turn barrel bands into points for their arrows.

 

[Red_desert]

Looking at the side view pic, probably is what you have there, a metal arrow or spear point. They used a cold chisel to cut (hot?) must have learned from the white blacksmith.

 

[ExploringAZ]

I know of a few gold prospectors, metal detecting for gold nuggets in Arizona, dig up sometimes metal Indian points. They learned how to turn barrel bands into points for their arrows.

Yes I've seen these and am an avid collector of NA items. Though I have not found any metal points online that appear similar made out of barrel hoops. The bottom (rat tail aspect) looks very much like an old file. Assume it was before it was repurposed. Just wish I knew which culture and time frame hence my post!

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Thanks! I'd just like to place it even if my assumption is incorrect.

Thank you!

Yeah I agree it does not look like the typical lance points with the conical socketing shafts. However I've seen a few similar rat tail styles labeled as Spanish in origin (though their assumptions could be incorrect also).

Any museums that you would suggest? I've never taken any items in. What is that typically like?

Here is a link to some in Southern Az.

https://southernarizonaguide.com/galleries/museums/

 

[dougachim]

Spanish/early Mexican stuff from southern new Mexico and Chihuahua.

 

[dougachim]

Spanish/early Mexican stuff from southern new Mexico and Chihuahua.

The metal points in this frame are Spanish trade points use by the Apache

 

[GoldieLocks]

Except I am a fine art painter and it's a metal pallet knife maybe from the turn of the 19th century(1880-1940).

 

[ARC]

hmmm ... :/

 

[BennyV]

Spanish/early Mexican stuff from southern new Mexico and Chihuahua.

Wow did you find all that?

 

[Red_desert]

Your point does resemple the ones made for trade with Apache, made by Spanish. Except where it would mount to spear or arrow, is longer as if meant for a knife handle. I do have a set of palette knives made for painting. A couple are shaped exactly like your spear point. Maybe we should flip a coin. Old painter's knife is now a possibility.

 

[villagenut]

Member Plumbata had a good deal of knowledge in this type artifact....maybe send a PM if still active

 

[dougachim]

Except I am a fine art painter and it's a metal pallet knife maybe from the turn of the 19th century(1880-1940).

my pallet knives are flexible, that is pretty thick