Spear butt

Add to album

A spear butt, also known as a ferrule, is a metal fitting placed over the end of a wooden shaft to protect it. This bronze example was found at Traprain Law in East Lothian. It dates from between 0 and 400 AD.

The butt would protect and give weight to the end of a spear shaft. It has a rivet or a repair at the bottom. A fragment of wood is preserved within the butt.

The large defended hillfort at Traprain Law was an important site in Iron Age Scotland. A large number of Roman and native objects have been found from there, showing that the native population prospered in its contacts with the Romans.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-040-012-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVM 407
• Date: Between 0 and 400 AD
  
• Material: Bronze; pear-shaped; rivet in bottom; fragment of wooden shaft within
  
• Dimensions: 1.00" L x 1.13" D at bulge x 0.66" D at mouth of socket
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Pear-shaped bronze spear butt with a fragment of wooden shaft within, from Traprain Law
  
• References:
  • Burley, Elizabeth. Metal-work from Traprain Law. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 89 (1955-1956), 118-226, no. 407. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: