Historical references to firecage arrows?

by Carri0nMan

Hello!

I am a blacksmith and have been experimenting with reproducing firecage arrows and have largely been unable to locate any information on historical documentation/examples of firecage arrows. Mostly, for dimensions and weight, but also for design. There are a few instances floating around, although usually as reproductions for sale items on various websites.

Does anyone know of any finds, writings, or the like which indicate proportions of socket:cage:head, of weight, etc.? Or if they were even as common as modern cinema and literature would like to believe?

Thanks in advance!

KennethGloeckler

I can feel your frustration. Sometimes the archaeological record is lacking and sometimes it's unclear whether a reproduction is based on speculation or on something substantial.

The one you came across probably is made by Hector Cole. He forges all kinds of arrowheads.

His version of the firecage arrowhead is based on archaeological findings from the Antonine Wall. Bar Hill Fort, Scotland, to be exact, dated to 140-182 AD.

The arrowheads are in the collection of the Hunterian Museum. Luckily, high-res photos and dimensions are online:

http://www.huntsearch.gla.ac.uk/cgi-bin/foxweb/huntsearch/DetailedResults.fwx?collection=archaeology&SearchTerm=F.1936.176/2&reqMethod=Link

http://www.huntsearch.gla.ac.uk/cgi-bin/foxweb/huntsearch/DetailedResults.fwx?collection=archaeology&SearchTerm=F.1936.176/5&reqMethod=Link

http://www.huntsearch.gla.ac.uk/cgi-bin/foxweb/huntsearch/DetailedResults.fwx?collection=archaeology&SearchTerm=F.1936.176/10&reqMethod=Link

http://www.huntsearch.gla.ac.uk/cgi-bin/foxweb/huntsearch/DetailedResults.fwx?collection=archaeology&SearchTerm=F.1936.176/11&reqMethod=Link