Spear butt

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A spear butt, also known as a ferrule, is a metal ring, tube or cap placed over the end of a shaft to give it extra strength. This iron example was found at the site of the royal hillfort of Dunadd in Argyll.

The socketed spear butt tapers to a point.

The period between 400 and 900 AD was a turbulent one in Scottish history, with tribal groups of Picts, Scots, Angles, Britons and Scandinavians contesting for power. Greater skills in ironworking produced bigger and better weapons.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-588-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HPO 320
• Date: 400 - 900 AD
  Between 400 and 900
  
• Material: Socketed; pointed; slender; complete
  Ferrule
  
• Dimensions: 2.88" L
  
• What: Ferrule
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Argyll, Kilmartin, Dunadd
  
• Event:
• Description: Socketed pointed ferrule of iron, from Dunadd, 400 - 900 AD
  
• References:
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