SUDANESE WAR SPEAR, MAHDIST WAR OF 1885

Forged iron, 9 3/8” length with medial ridged barbed point and vicious crescent form base. The bolster with offset sets of barbs. Tool finished butted seam conical socket. The point with hammer finish. It is thought that the exceedingly vicious form of these spears is an expression of the hatred that the Mahdi’s followers harbored. The visual effect cannot be overlooked as psychology has always been a weapon on the battlefield.