Friends,
I'm new to this forum, just finding it tonight whilst attempting to learn about what i believe to be a zulu iwisa I was given from my aunt. She says it was purchased from a scottish estate sale at a castle several years ago. my aunt is not available at this time, so i cant ask the details, but i will, eventually. i've been conducting some research myself, but there's not much online past a basic identification.
my initial thought is that it's a zulu war bring back and has sat in the same place until sold. if i can reasonably date it, i'd like to put it up with my martini henrys. the wood is very hard, but i cant identify it. it also looks to have shrunk a small bit, allowing the copper band to slide up and there are a few cracks in the striking head. the head also has a small flat, as if someone wanted to keep it from rolling along the wall. the shaft has some curvature, most likely from hanging on a wall for a bit.
i've been told that some can identify the make and period by the copper braids and the shape. if anyone can help, i'd be grateful. the club means a lot to me, coming as a gift from my aunt and there's few that even know what it is, much less knowledgeable of the object.
best regards, johnny