51 3/4" length with large sharpened edge point on lapped seam conical socket. Broad medial ridge with two large circular openings to the base. The socket base and adjacent haft with ridged copper wrap which provided a hand grip for close combat, essentially allowing the spear to be used as a short sword. In its full length, it could be used to strike a blow at arm's length or a little more. Tribal war in the 19th century was no longer territorial, but for the purpose of capturing slaves for the market. Slavers engaged in both tribal war and clandestine raiding as demand and opportunity dictated.
