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Metal Detecting Discussions => Beat the Doc... Identify your finds here => Topic started by: kevinmansfield on July 18, 2012, 09:12:31 PM



Title: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: kevinmansfield on July 18, 2012, 09:12:31 PM
Hi folks,

I found this lozenge-shaped (possibly brass) artifact in a little field in Devon called Butts Field. Now I think it was probably named Butts field because there used to be archery practiced in it. I also found a Lizzy shilling and several Georgian grots.

It was suggested that it might be a whistling arrowhead by somebody on another forum, but I didn't get any other feedback so I'm still open to suggestions.

It's pretty tricky to find much info on whistling arrowheads, but here's a good link: http://disneysrobin.blogspot.co.uk/2006/12/whistling-arrows.html (http://disneysrobin.blogspot.co.uk/2006/12/whistling-arrows.html)
The rounded head of the object I have found fits in with the whistling arrow theory.

Now of course somebody will probably tell me it's a light pull which you can by from Argos for £3.99.  ::) But any suggestions are most welcome.

Thanks, Kevin.


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: avalon on July 18, 2012, 09:15:25 PM
I think I could go with that, it sounds plausible.


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: Mike on July 18, 2012, 09:16:39 PM
not a clue what that is but i will say your paying way to much for your light bulbs , try aldi's much cheaper  :D :D :D


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: Chef Geoff on July 18, 2012, 09:22:21 PM
I can't believe I have just followed a link to Walt Disney as a historical reference work ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Intriguing Kevin and your theory is as good as any I could come up with. I would say a trip to your FLO may not be a bad idea. Keep us updated on it ;)


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: kevinmansfield on July 18, 2012, 09:50:48 PM
I can't believe I have just followed a link to Walt Disney as a historical reference work ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Intriguing Kevin and your theory is as good as any I could come up with. I would say a trip to your FLO may not be a bad idea. Keep us updated on it ;)

Walt Disney is where I get all my historical knowledge from Chef, especially Robin Hood, who did exist and was in fact a fox. Oh and King John was a lion that sucked his thumb.  ;)

Yup, I'll have to see the FLO. Really hope it is a whistling arrowhead. Imagine long bow practice and then some swanky fox-like character comes along with his whistling arrows!  ;D



Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: Chef Geoff on July 18, 2012, 09:53:14 PM
LMAO :D :D :D :D :D


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: Meatslicer on July 18, 2012, 10:09:29 PM
Whistling arrow head -possible.
 Fire arrow head also possible.

Does it make a whistling sound if you blow on it from the pointy end?

Also looks like a butt end (sic) of a swagger stick.

Eric


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: dances with badgers on July 19, 2012, 05:20:08 AM
enema.you pack it full of spices and shove were the sun dont shine ( wales )


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: kevinmansfield on July 19, 2012, 07:21:56 AM
Whistling arrow head -possible.
 Fire arrow head also possible.

Does it make a whistling sound if you blow on it from the pointy end?

Also looks like a butt end (sic) of a swagger stick.

Eric


Thanks Meatslicer,

Hmm, yes could be the butt end of a swagger stick but they have holes in them?

Yep, if you blow hard at the rounded end they do whistle.





Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: kevinmansfield on July 19, 2012, 07:28:07 AM
enema.you pack it full of spices and shove were the sun dont shine ( wales )

Only one way of finding out if your theory could be correct Dancing with Badgers and that's to give it a go. The only spices I have to hand is peppers and chilli, I'm not sure what they would have used back in Medieval times, so hopefully this will suffice? Just hope I don't get it stuck or catch some type of long forgotten hideous disease, imagine explaining that one to the doc!  ;D


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: DEADLOCK on July 19, 2012, 07:58:54 AM
Thats one weird arrowhead and definately one for the flo


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: philthedig on July 20, 2012, 07:54:16 PM
enema.you pack it full of spices and shove were the sun dont shine ( wales )

Only one way of finding out if your theory could be correct Dancing with Badgers and that's to give it a go. The only spices I have to hand is peppers and chilli, I'm not sure what they would have used back in Medieval times, so hopefully this will suffice? Just hope I don't get it stuck or catch some type of long forgotten hideous disease, imagine explaining that one to the doc!  ;D

I've got some Red Devil chillies if you feel you need that little bit extra!  ;D


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: Meatslicer on July 21, 2012, 10:23:34 PM
Got it! its a horse hurrier.

Fill it full of ginger and ram it up a horses back end. Makes em frisky as hell!


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: Val Beechey on July 21, 2012, 10:59:57 PM
I haven't spent much time looking into whistling arrow heads but there are and where such things. I read they have been used as signals for attack.
Have a look yourself Kevin. There are several references to them.

Val


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: kevinmansfield on July 22, 2012, 07:02:02 AM
I haven't spent much time looking into whistling arrow heads but there are and where such things. I read they have been used as signals for attack.
Have a look yourself Kevin. There are several references to them.

Val



Hi Val,
I've scoured the internet for information is pretty sketchy and I cannot find a decent pic of an old metal whistling arrowhead. From what I can gather you are correct, whistling arrowhead were used for signalling and also for disbursing charging horses. Most of the references refer to Chinese, Japanese or Mongols, but it would make sense that they were used here as well.
It's the lack of reference material out there that makes this all the more intriguing. Of course it might not be an arrowhead at all. I've sent an email to the local FLO and I think I might see if I can find some medieval warfare/archery experts as well
Thanks for your reply, Kevin.


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: Chef Geoff on July 22, 2012, 07:34:22 AM
I think you would need an awful lot of them to scatter charging horses as a medieval battle wasn't exactly a quiet affair.


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: kevinmansfield on July 22, 2012, 07:57:38 AM
I think you would need an awful lot of them to scatter charging horses as a medieval battle wasn't exactly a quiet affair.

Hi Chef, yeah you would imagine so, although they would probably be higher-pitched than the other sounds. Even if it's not a whistling arrowhead, I'm going to get to the bottom of this and I'll be the 'go-to guy' for whistling arrowhead queries n this forum!  8)


Title: Re: Could this be a whistling arrowhead?
Post by: Val Beechey on July 22, 2012, 08:50:33 AM
Don't you just love this hobby.   ;D

You can buy modern ones. Might be worth looking up a local Archery Club.

Val


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