Birka spearheads type K according to Petersen

Spearheads type K

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 18)

This group includes 13 spearheads of different looks. The shape and construction of many remember Type I, but are missing the appropriate bronze rivets through the socket. They have a pretty narrow socket and generally a narrow neck. The edges form a strongly curved line on the bottom of the blade for most. In others, the cutting edge is instead nestled, as in type E2, which is apparent from the following summary grouping

a. Long spearheads with fairly wide blades, probably originally with cutting corners and rounded kerf (Bj. 708, 834, 842, 944, 986, 1074)

Size: Length probably varies between 400 and 500 mm. Width > 30 mm.

b. Smaller spearheads with rounded cutting corners, probably without cutting edges.

Size: Bj 386 Length: 301 mm, Width: 23 mm

c. Spearheads with rhombic blade, in one case similar to Petersen's type M (Bj 496, 832: 2, 756, 1125A). The socket of Bj 832: 2 has the facets characteristic of type M, while the blade belongs more to this group. The classic type M tip from the Viking Age graves in Vsm and Up has a much broader blade with cutting edges far to the front, making the blade rhombic.

Size: Length varies between 255 and (420) mm. Width varies between 21 and 27 mm.

d. Spearhead with short narrow blade and short socket with extremely wide opening (Bj 735).

The socket has the widest opening diameter of all tips found in Birka, 33x30 mm, with a socket length of only 77 mm. The short narrow blade has a powerful back. The neck is medium in thickness and round. The transition between socket and blade was probably chamfered segment-shaped.

Size: Bj. 735: Length (244) mm, width (18) mm, socket: length: 77 mm, diameter: 30-33 mm.

Bj. 708

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: Ka

Length: 508 mm

Width: 34 mm

Socket length: 149 mm

Socket diameter: 20 x 20 mm

Bj. 834

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: K a

Length: 430 mm

Width: 34 mm

Socket length: 115 mm

Socket diameter: 22 x 22 mm

Bj. 842:2

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: Ka

Length: 492 mm

Width: 24 mm

Socket length: 170 mm

Socket diameter: 24 x 21 mm

Bj. 944

According to the museum website:

Lenght: 490 mm (seems more accurate if you take a look to the scale)

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: Ka

Length: 385 mm

Width: 33 mm

Socket length: 125 mm

Socket diameter: 23 x 21 mm

Bj. 986

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: Ka

Length: 385 mm

Width: 33 mm

Socket length: 125 mm

Socket diameter: 23 x 21 mm

Bj. 1074

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: K a

Length: 428 mm

Width: 27 mm

Socket length: 105 mm

Socket diameter: 26 x 25 mm

Bj. 116

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: K b

Bj. 386

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: K b

Length: 301 mm

Width: 23 mm

Socket diameter: 21 x 21 mm

Bj. 496

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: K c

Length: 420 mm

Width: 25 mm

Socket length: 105 mm

Socket diameter: 24 x 24 mm

Bj. 832:2

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: K c

Length: 267 mm

Width: 27 mm

Socket length: 108 mm

Socket diameter: 18 x 20 mm

Bj. 1125A

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: K c

Length: 255 mm

Width: 21 mm

Socket length: 108 mm

Socket diameter: 21 x 21 mm

Bj. 735

According to: Lena Thålin-Bergman, "Übersicht der Speerspitzen von Birka" (In: Greta Arwidsson (ed.) Birka II: 2. Systematische Analysen der Gráberfunde. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1986, 19)

Type: K d
Length: 244 mm
Width: 18 mm
Socket length: 77 mm
Socket diameter: 32 x 33 mm