Harpoon? Firefighting tool?

[randazzo1]

Obviously couldn't pass this up for $5.00 (lol - really needed to drag this home...). But what do you guys think it is? It's massive. The head is heavy iron. It's on a six foot pole. Thanks.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[randazzo1]

Ignore that last random photo

 

[bigcaddy64]

What does the other end of the spear look like? How long is the metal shaft overall? If it's a whaling spear, it should have a hollow socket where the handle inserts and it should be fairly long (18"+) overall

The pivoting fin below the point appears to be in line with spear tech of the time but the 2 screws make me think it's much later Usually the pivot point was offset so when it pierced flesh, the force of the whale pulling away would lock the spear in place, similar to broadhead arrows used by hunters today. Yours appears to just pivot evenly from side to side.


I'm by no means an expert on this stuff but I've been hunting for spears with my girlfriends mom in cape cod for years. We've talked to many "authorities" on the subject and I've leaned a great deal. I don't think I've ever seen a whaling spear/lance with hardware. All were forged and any pivots were set with pins.

It might be a spear for tuna or sailfish.

 

[bigcaddy64]

Is the spear plated? That's another clue to its age. Whaling spears were tools and didn't get much finishing treatment. Buying a plated spear would be like a farmer buying a harrow with chrome plated discs. What's the point? It wouldn't turn the soil any faster and would just cost more.

Btw, I'm still jealous you found a spear. In all the years we've looked, we have found one really nice blade point spear and some whale oil jars

 

[randazzo1]

Thanks bigcaddy. The iron part is just shy of 20" long. It attaches to the handle like an old garden spade - the "head" ends in a sleeve that goes over the pole. The pole is a plain brown wooden pole that's about six feet long and maybe 2" in diameter. Maybe it's a model/reproduction?

 

[randazzo1]

The little "fins" are on some sort of springs. They are independent - you can pull one down by itself. Springs are basically shot, but you can get the idea. I was thinking maybe it's for busting through burning walls for firefighting.

 

[diggummup]

This one is kind of close... https://www.antiquesreporter.com.au/index.cfm/lot/1081551-articulated-whale-harpoon-80-cm/

 

[randazzo1]

Yeah diggumup that's def similar. Same design. The one i found looks much more modern of course. Best i could find on the net, we were still whaling in the U.S. in 1920's and 30's - i could see mine being that age. But reproduction harpoons are apparently very popular decorations. That would make more sense to me. I'm going to send pics to whaling museum.

 

[drewbaccas]

Possibly a hand crafted firefighters pike pole. We often made tools to fit the need.