In their discussion of the origins and history of the lance in British service (see 'Sword, Lance & Bayonet', 1938) Charles ffoulkes and Captain E C Hopkinson make reference to this type of lance-head in connection with the debate about the most efficient manner in whch the lance-head could be secured to the shaft: 'At first, using the Cromwellian pike as a model, the head was held by 'langets' or 'lanquets', that is cheeks of steel, of varying lengths riveted to the staff, which were considered to be some protection against sword-cuts. In 1868 these were discarded and the head was socketed and fixed to the staff with shellac, an innovation which was strongly criticized by many Cavalry officers, who instanced cases of lance-heads being cut off by Indian swordsmen. Several suggestions were made to obviate this, Colonel G. Money, of the Central India Horse, producing a model of a lance-head with one langet to which the pennon was attached, and certain experimental lances were issued with socket-heads 22 in. long held in place with shellac and pins.' (p104). On the bais of this description WEA 4310 might possibly be the actual 'model' to which ffoulkes and Hopkinson refer.
An old IWM typed caption is associated with this item which reads: 'Lancehead with one lanquet, rings and pennon studs...' Well-made bright steel lance-head with triangular section hollow ground tapering spear point and only one langet. The langet has two rings (to accept the shaft) and three studs for associated pennon)
