Spears

[Stormcrow]

In "The Two Towers", the spears of the Rohirrim had an elongated hole on the blade on eaither side of the central rib. The spears look very similar to the lance Sicarius Draconum from the movie "Dragonslayer".

http://www.petermacnicol.com/dragphotos.html

Is there a historical basis for these holes in the spears? If so, is there a function associated, or are they decorations?

[Stormcrow]

The "Two Towers" spears can be seen in several pictures here: http://www.lordoftherings.net/index_204_le_gallery.html

[sjaqua]

"Is there a historical basis for these holes in the spears? If so, is there a function associated, or are they decorations?"

Yes and yes again............

Many an ancient artifact survives to the modern age because of artistic value alone. Your plain working weapon was often destroyed or lost before it could become a historic relic. So what is found today in many museums are the presentation version of many period weapons. The examples of working weapons are only rarely preserved. And those that are found at historic sites are often not displayed because of poor or delicate condition.

So modern museums have an very high percentage of presentation or parade ground pieces. But this is not to say these weapons would not have been used. In the Wallace collection are the spears and pike of the Electoral Guard of Saxony, which feature decorative cut outs. And while they are highly decorated pieces, they are also very functional