FINE CRUSADER’S JAVELIN HEAD

Seventh Crusade period (1248-1254). 3 3/4" length, very finely forged. Large barbed point, the tip with low medial and each barb of slightly convex section with thickened back opposite the cutting edge. Low spiral twist bolster and butted seam conical socket, with two tiny chips only. Crisp profile. Darkened from burial, some original surface intact and minimal scattered oxidation. Exceptional quality and condition for the period. See Nicolle fig. 84 for a comparable example excavated at Ras Castle, Serbia. While javelin heads are well represented among surviving weapons of the Crusades, quite little is published about their use in battle. It is known that they were thrown to inflict a mortal wound and also used to impale an enemy’s shield making it off balance, followed by a bodily sword or axe attack.