Maine coast vintage bronze harpoon tip

[How Lucky]

Found this along the Maine coast. A vintage bronze harpoon tip for whaling, tuna and other large fish and animals. It has a very thick oxidation coating all over it. Don't know if I should clean it or not. Looks okay as is. Would love to know how this thing made its way to being on that beach. Nice day to be on the beach anyway!

 

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[GaRebel1861]

That’s a really cool find!

 

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[Back-of-the-boat]

I would soak it in fresh water than change that water and re-soak it in fresh water again to remove the salt from it.Then just let it dry to keep the patina.

 

[Silvermonkey]

That's a very cool find! I wouldn't do anything to it. The rich patina gives it so much character.

 

[gunsil]

Missing the ring.

I also have one missing the ring.

I have never seen one with a ring. I have worked on tuna boats and had friends on large swordfish boats when there were still swords available in the northeast. Rather than a ring these usually have a rope spliced through the round hole. I have seen a couple rigged with a steel cable through the hole but never a ring. I think a ring would make it harder to penetrate while the 1/4" spliced rope is thin enough for better penetration. If you google "harpoon lily" and go to images you will see rigged ones.

 

[Hawks88]

That’s a great find. Looks great just the way it is. Congrats

 

[dirtlooter]

awesome find no matter what

 

[ARC]

I have never seen one with a ring. I have worked on tuna boats and had friends on large swordfish boats when there were still swords available in the northeast. Rather than a ring these usually have a rope spliced through the round hole. I have seen a couple rigged with a steel cable through the hole but never a ring. I think a ring would make it harder to penetrate while the 1/4" spliced rope is thin enough for better penetration. If you google "harpoon lily" and go to images you will see rigged ones.

I have actually had a few of these... I knew very little about these...till today... Gunsil you are correct seems that in fact the ring is not missing but was produced both ways...
I know this because I have owned three others over the years... two prior having bronze rings... and the other without... I assumed it was too missing the "ring".

Go figure... learn something new everyday.

 

[EdHartzel]

WOW! Now thats something you don’t see recovered every day! GREAT find! Congratulations!!

 

[Ozark Redneck]

Congratulations thanks for posting enjoyed the info on it I have never found one here in Arkansas.

 

[Bharpring]

nice find! What is the size of the one you found?

 

[Patriot Relics]

Nice find, looking forward to a date range