Antique Grommet Style Whaling Harpoon

Rare antique grommet style whaling harpoon features a pivoting barb head pinned to an iron shank. American, early 19th C. Forge-welded split cone. Complex mechanism with a spring and grommet under the toggle head. While more efficient at holding onto a whale, few of this type of harpoon were made due to their complexity and expense of manufacturing. Great original surface and condition Measures 30"