spear of destiny?

[James D. Doeding]

I'm looking for info on the spear that was used to pierce christs side. I've heard that it's in a museum somewhere but I have no clue as to where. Any links or photo's would be appreciated.

[D.A. Guertin]

There is one *heavily* modified piece that is purported to be the Spear of Destiny. It's been discredited several times over, but so have all of the Holy Grails that are in museums across Europe (and the one in the Smithsonian)...

[David K. Wilson]

The spear of destiny (also referred to as "the Lance of Longinus", the traditional name of the centurion who officiated at the crucifixion) would have to have been one of a couple types: One, a standard "stabbing" spear (hasta or lancea). This would have been a fairly unremarkable looking thrusting weapon, the head shaped like an elongated leaf. It would have been socketed to the shaft. I'm not sure of the length of the shaft, but it wouldn't have been "pike length", probably more like 6-7 feet in length.
The second possibility would have been the Pilum or military javelin. As the name indicates this is primarily a throwing weapon, and wouldn't make a very good thrusting weapon (at least not in a combat situation). The Pilum was the primary arm of the regular legions.
For a description and discussion of the Pilum , please check this link: http://www.larp.com/legioxx/pilum.html

Since it is believed that the garrison at Jerusalem was staffed by Auxilia (non-citizen recruits), it would be more likely that the spears used would have been of the "regular" thrusting variety (since that is what most authorities seem to believe the Auxiliaries used instead of the pilum), but this isn't necessarily so....

So the answer isn't clear as to which type of spear was used. However, I've seen at least one picture of one of the "spears of destiny" in some museum in Europe somewhere (sadly, I've forgotten where I've seen it), and if my memory of it is correct, it rather resembles a boar spear from the later middle ages....

[David Black Mastro]

There is a book on the Spear of Destiny written by some British fellow--I think he served in the military in WWII. The book is titled, appropriately enough, The Spear of Destiny.

[Richard P]

I think you are referring to Trevor Ravencroft.

The alleged Spear of Destiny is in a museum in Vienna. It is part of the royal German Regalia.

Before it, and the other royal items, were moved to Vienna to avoid its capture by Napolean, it, the regalia was kept in the Chapel of Castle Trifils outside of Speyer, Germany. This was the castle where Henry VI imprisoned Richard I.

Once in Vienna, the Hapsburgs refused to return the German regalia to Germany.

[James D. Doeding]

I appreciate all the info on the lance. Sorry it took so long to thank you gentlemen for your input. I've searched the net and it seems as though it would be hard to prove wether or not it's the real deal. Found alot of photo's that are close to what it would have looked like. Hopefully my sketches will look as real as possible and give a good representation of what it would have looked like.