Zulu weapons

[Wagriff]

Don't forget the English Empire included a Lot of Africa. Many a soldier brought home souvenirs only to be long forgotten in basements and attics today...

[HARRY THE MOLE]

A few pictures of the final spear I picked up last Saturday. I have been in touch with a gentleman in South Africa who runs an antique shop. He has over 20 years experience in dealing with Zulu weapons. He has told me that the spear I originlly posted with the shield isn't Zulu. But the other two and the one shown below are period Zulu spears, and they are all iklwa stabbing spears.

He advised me that the iklwa comes in various lengths to suit the particular owner. The blade is not always mounted flush with the wooden shaft. Some blades had a longer metal haft than others. The blades of throwing spears are much smaller.

Cheers,
Steve.

[big ned]

That's good news Steve, nice to get the tied down! I'm pretty happy with my overall assesment too, even though it was somewhat vague in places...... Any word on the knobkerrie?

Sizobonana, Ned.

[HARRY THE MOLE]

The knobkerrie is also a genuine piece. How old it is is a different matter though! But as he told me, some years ago he used to know an old Zulu who kept his eye open for any tree roots that could be turned into a knobkerrie. He reckons a week or so in the south African sun was enough to make anything look old. The Zulu use to make a few bob selling 'genuine' knobkerries as well.

[Jerry B]

Adding a new addition picked up yesterday. Certainly an old example, nicely covered in animal skin over the hafting area with part of its shaft still in place.

[HARRY THE MOLE]

A nice example, but the size of the blade would suggest this is a throwing spear rather than the short stabbing 'iKlwa' spear. You would normally expect to find two 'nicks' on the metal shaft just where the back of the blade tapers down. This is where the metal was held while the blade was being beaten into shape. The blade of an iKlwa was quite fearsome - measuring up to 14 inches or more, and quite wide too.

[Jerry B]

A nice example, but the size of the blade would suggest this is a throwing spear rather than the short stabbing 'iKlwa' spear. You would normally expect to find two 'nicks' on the metal shaft just where the back of the blade tapers down. This is where the metal was held while the blade was being beaten into shape. The blade of an iKlwa was quite fearsome - measuring up to 14 inches or more, and quite wide too.

I am happy to bow on your superior knowledge on these and I was not claiming it was an Iklwa, or Zulu for that matter, more that this seemed a convenient thread to add a Colonial period African spearhead to. I hope that was OK with you.

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Thanks for the complements, but I am far from having superior knowledge! Its just a few bits of information I picked up along the way. It certainly has the shape of Zulu metal work.

[Shiloh Noone]

I am happy to bow on your superior knowledge on these and I was not claiming it was an Iklwa, or Zulu for that matter, more that this seemed a convenient thread to add a Colonial period African spearhead to. I hope that was OK with you.

Correctly said , stabbing spears are normally longer blades whilst the length depends on the individual . The wood inside would normally be pulpy if exceeding a hundred years ? To be honest as a collector of Anglo Zulu War memorabilia I have seen collections owned by Lords, auctioned at Christie's etc that I know are old but not Anglo Zulu War , I am just a local from Natal but having been brought up with the authentic and replica you develop a gut feel , you can smell even feel .... there is no perfect qualification just the dismissal of obvious replica which may I add can also sometimes be quite collectible and very attractive as a conversation piece? I'd be happy to donate the little I know to any of your members who have Zulu War interest shilohnoone@gmail.com

- - ------- - -

I am happy to bow on your superior knowledge on these and I was not claiming it was an Iklwa, or Zulu for that matter, more that this seemed a convenient thread to add a Colonial period African spearhead to. I hope that was OK with you.

Correctly said , stabbing spears are normally longer blades whilst the length depends on the individual . The wood inside would normally be pulpy if exceeding a hundred years ? To be honest as a collector of Anglo Zulu War memorabilia I have seen collections owned by Lords, auctioned at Christie's etc that I know are old but not Anglo Zulu War , I am just a local from Natal but having been brought up with the authentic and replica you develop a gut feel , you can smell even feel .... there is no perfect qualification just the dismissal of obvious replica which may I add can also sometimes be quite collectible and very attractive as a conversation piece? I'd be happy to donate the little I know to any of your members who have Zulu War interest shilohnoone@gmail.com

[Shiloh Noone]

Just to articulate - the wooden spear length depends on the individual , not blade ?