unusual pilum type

[marcos]

I want to share with you an unusual pilum type, or at least it is unusual to me. The tip is quite normal, in pyramidal shape, and so is the tang, although very tin. This one lost some material due the corrosion and electrolysis cleaning, but I guess its diameter wan not bigger than 4-5 mm. Its total length is around 50 cm.
The most unusual feature is the shaft base, in fact, as you can see, it is neither socket nor flat but –if I can say so – of “male” shape”. I want to mean it is whole, made to be hammered in a special hole of the wooden shank. As the Oberaden pila, it has collet and wedges.
I never seen before a so kind of pilum, although on the Bishop’s book there is the drawning of a pilum from Rottweil, looking not far from this one.
Giving that, one can guess it is from the 1st century.

These are all the pieces


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here the shaft base, collet and wedges


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and on a modern replica of the wooden shank


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[D B Campbell]

The most unusual feature is the shaft base, in fact, as you can see, it is neither socket nor flat but –if I can say so – of “male” shape”. I want to mean it is whole, made to be hammered in a special hole of the wooden shank.

In that respect, it at least resembles the "spike tanged" Alesia examples, although their tangs do not widen before slotting into the wooden haft. Your tang appears to widen, which is odd. At least the Alesia examples also have ferrules, although (iirc) they are cylindrical rather than square. But it confirms the general method of hafting. (There are some pretty odd pila out there.)

Where did your pilum originate?

[jkaler48]

If you can give more measurements there are many on RAT who would like to make reproductions and test them to see how well they work in use!
Do you think the iron is SUPPOSED to come out from the wooden shaft when pulled out of a shield for example?

[marcos]

Here another pic of the shaft, where you can see it has parrallel edges. The section is somewhat square, not rounded. Of course, I can give all informations requested, just tell me what do you need.
I guess the link wooden shaft-tang was not so strong, because there are not rivets, and that is why they used 2 wedges. Although those,If you strongly pull I'm sure the 2 parts can be divided.
This pilum come from Thracia, up to my knowledge, and it was in a hoard of pila and some spears, found a lot of years ago. I believe there were around 7-8 pila, 2 spears and others artifacts.


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[marcos]

is possible to see some images of the "spike tanged" Alesia examples, DB Campbell? Would be great if you can show those here or give a link.

[D B Campbell]

is possible to see some images of the "spike tanged" Alesia examples, DB Campbell?

Here is Peter Connolly's drawing from JRMES 8 (1997). (The scale is in centimetres.)
[attachment=0:2ikj5501]<!-- ia0 Alesia_pila.jpg<!-- ia0 [/attachment:2ikj5501]
I'm afraid that they are not at all like yours! :oops: