This whaling lance is on its original chamfered 8-sided pole and is marked PETERS (Charles Peters, New Bedford) on one side of the blade and CAST STEEL on the reverse..Overall length - 127 inches; metal lance length - 60 1/4 inches. This is a most special example of an authentic whaling lance in very fine, probably unused condition.

Rigging of a killing lance was traditionally very different from that on a whaling harpoon. It is very rare that we find an authentic whaling lance on its original pole, with original rigging. In this instance, virtually all of the original line remains, including the serving on the socket. The whaleman’s hitch and the loop which came out from the butt are likewise intact. 

Charles Peters worked in New Bedford with his brother Ambrose from 1903 to 1918 when Ambrose died. He continued to run the shop until the last days of whaling in the mid 1920’s The Peters shop was moved and preserved at Mystic Seaport where it is now a functioning display.

SORRY, SOLD