FINE CRUSADER’S JAVELIN HEAD

Seventh Crusade period (1248-1254). 4 5/8" length, very finely forged. Large barbed point, the tip with medial ridge and each barb of slightly convex section with thickened back opposite the cutting edge. Fine spiral twist bolster and open seam conical socket, partially crushed with remnants of the original wood haft. Crisp profile. Darkened from burial, the original surface substantially 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.