Mervyn Mitton

Well -I'm glad I took photos of the above Iklwa - lasted exactly 24 hours on display ! Two spears are going on today. The first is another rare , early Iklwa - this one has a nice collar of woven copper wire. It is 50 inches overall (127cm) and has a blade length of 17 inches (43cm). Nowhere as big as the previous one, but still an impressive weapon. The third one is most unusual and is not Zulu. Probably from a tribe ( Matabele - cousins of the Zulus ?) in the the old Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) it is not a fighting spear - (although it would make an excellent one - think of Alexander the Great, his infantry carried spears - Sarissas - up to 18 feet long ) but rather has a specific use and probably for only one animal. The length overall is 6 feet 6 inches (200cm) and whilst the head is not large in proportion to the length, it is sharp and with a flared effect to the head. Obviously the length was to give an extra safety margin - so the animal must have been dangerous, a number come to mind - bush pigs; lions; leopards; large buck - but more probably elephant or, hippos. A rare item and the shaft has been well prepared.

Brian - nice SC badge - numbering could be for the Special - but, probably an issue number. What does the inscription read on Alan's lapel badge - something about marketing ?

An interesting old picture of US and Irish fighting against the British in the Boer War. Someone might like to add details for these contingents ? (Credits to : 'LADYSMITH' by Chisholm. Publ. by Osprey)

I never intended to make this a long, drawn out thread - but rather to add good items as they came-in. I have just purchased a small collection of early Zulu weapons and think that members will be interested in some of them. The first is exceptionally rare - an Iklwa, or short stabbing spear - it has features that show it was intended to be carried by an important person. Possibly a chief , or Induna, even a member of the Royal House. Firstly, it has a blade 20 inches long (50cm) - but , overall, it is only 42 inches (107cm) - this makes it one of the longest blades I have seen - 18" or, 19" can be found, but even they are rare. The other distinguishing feature is the carving on the end of the shaft. Zulu spears normally have a flared end - stops the hand slipping off when it is covered in blood - but only those for important chiefs have this type of decoration. The point to remember is that the spear was used as a pointing instrument to direct warriors in battle - and, therefore, the blade and end, would help identify the carrier. Age is always difficult to determine, but in this case I think we can safely say Zulu War of 1879 - or, possibly even earlier. The middle of the binding (see close-ups) was originally of cow's tail , this has either been damaged in battle ,or has worn - repairs have been made with fine quality brass and copper wire - probably from the Portuguese. I will start with this one and continue in a day, or so, with another Iklwa and two fine fighting axes.

we recently acquired this full field uniform for a sub-inspector in the British South Africa Police. The cap badge is for the period 1933 - 1945, so may not be exactly the right one for the tunic - which apperas to be UDI period - 1965-80. Came complete with the shorts (Bombay Bloomers ! ) and the canvas puttees (dated 1941) - also a Mk 1907 Bayonet - I suspect even the officers were carrying a rifle and bayonet in the bush. The buttons and epaulette titles are detachable for washing.

Vickers comments ( welcome to GMIC) are corect in facts - however, care must be taken not to confuse our modern ideas of 'Specials' and have them super-imposed on the past. Policing - such as it was - was multi-layered and Specials were really from the 18th and 19th. C's when public disorder and riots were almost a way of life. Watch and Ward and indeed, the rank of Constable were not as Specials, but as part of the householders feudal and civic duties. Often they paid someone to do this for them - i.e. Petty Constables - but they were never Specials. The 1663 Act of Common Council was the formation of the 'Bellmen' a paid nightwatch of 1000 men who patrolled from small sentry boxes - mainly retired military, they were fairly useless. Charles 2nd. - who was restored to the throne in 1660 had seen a similar force used effectively in Holland. The majority of Specials were raised by the different Parishes and if there was no local High Constable to take charge, then this was carried out by the Parish beadle. They had no patrol duties - but, were rather a body of men to deter rioters. They existed only for the period of the emergency and were sworn in by the local magistrate. Vickers , are you ex-Police or, Special - it's nice to see a new 'face' with an interest in policing ? With the subject of Specials returning, I am showing a very good example of a Special Constabulary truncheon for the Isle of Man - the letters 'SC' are prominently at the base and at the top the three legged symbol of Manx. This would date from approx. the 1850's and is , of course, Queen Victoria.

That's evil - maybe you could patent one ?

Close-up of metal

Reverse of blade, on it's stand. The spear is 21 inches overall (53cm) and 5 inches at the broadest part of the blade (12.5 cm)

This is a rare ceremonial spearhead for a chief. We think it originates in Western Kenya - perhaps in that triangle with Burundi and Congo. With the river it was common for the old spears to double as paddles. Interesting that this was thought worthy of being preserved on a mount - I feel that it could go back to the 1860's or, 70's. Very hard to be positive - however the workmanship is of a high order - the part of the shaft left is wood, bound with beaten strips of metal. It is totally unlike any Zulu spear and you have to wonder how it came to be in South Africa - a lot of families settled here after Kenyan Independence and it may have come with them ? I would welcome any comments - Helen, perhaps you have seen something like this in the museum ?

Always difficult Chris. I suppose family history and a link to H.M.S. Spartiate would be a start. Style of workmanship and even carbon dating (does this work for a 200 year old period ?) - I suppose at the end of the day it's down to 'the experts'

Welcome to GMIC Dynevor ( first name ?) Will Endley may be able to help - for myself, I would need to see a picture.

If it's pedigree can be authenticated, then there is no question that it should have been offered to the Maritime Museum in Greenwich. They would have paid for it - but it should not leave the Country. Most of Admiral Nelson's possessions are already there - including the coat he was wearing when he was shot - you can see the bullet holes and stains. Thanks for posting this Nick.

Looking back through some earlier postings, I came across this incredible saga from Patrick. Somehow it only attracted 250 readers and only Rick had responded. Hopefully, my bringing it back will prompt members to read and I think you will be amazed at the history it covers. The sadness is that - like so many other brave soldiers of his period - he was left without help or, recompense in his final years. I noted that he was living in Canada and served with their Forces - so this should interest our Canadian members. The other story is just as interesting. Patrick - thankyou for taking the time and trouble to type and research this story of 'living history'.

This Victorian Tipstaff - 10 inches overall (22cm) - is silverplate, with an ebonised Celtic knot as the base handle. The coat-of-arms has not yet been identified, but it is fairly generic with the St. Andrew's Cross and the stag's head. For some reason a stag's head is very common on British armorials - probably because they never stopped hunting them. Tipstaffs for Scotland are not as common as in England. I try to post tipstaffs and truncheons fairly regularly as they are the original badges of office and go back many centuries. However, you must remember that when researching my book, we found evidence of only some 2000 tipstaffs and about 12000 heraldically decorated truncheons - so, they are not run-of-the-mill items commonly seen.

Darrell - fortunately you have the interest in the research - it's what makes these so interesting - and valuable. Mind you - you've got enough to open a shop - we only have (I think) 26 QSA's in stock...