Mervyn Mitton

Who would have thought that when I bought that whisk, so many years ago , it would develop such interesting background info. - thankyou, everyone who has written, and I hope that we - meaning, all of you - can find out more. Mark's list of Turkish ranks is one I will be copying for future ref..

Continuing our theme of historical Zulu pieces, I am posting pictures of two ITHUNGAS or, milk pails. These are hand carved and the insides are cut out by hand - a long job from a solid block of wood. They are highly collected today - being so decorative, and every one is different. You will see the amazumpas, which we mentioned earlier. They could be used for milking cows or, goats and the milker - usually a young girl, would sit with the Ithunga between her legs - in the kraal, there would be a larger version for all the milk to be kept in. They stand about 15 inches high (38cm) and are approx. 100 years old.

Makes for good refs. for newer collectors. Col. McBlain's group is exceptional - I think MID's for both Wars is fairly rare - usually in the 2nd. they were instructors. I wonder if there are any figures for numbers issued ? Also, nice to see Darrell's with the box - so often they get separated.

From what has been said , it appears that the tradition of appointing 'civilians' to senior military and police ranks, is of long standing. Certainly, the last two Governments - the Nationalists and followed by the ANC - have made a habit of appointing people and granting them a rank commensurate with what they may have achieved at that age !! The perfect example is our present Commissioner of Police for the S.A.N.P.S. - he was appointed as Commissioner from a civilian - and with no police experience - and is presently suspended awaiting trial of attempted murder, fraud and a whole host of other charges. They can't appoint a re-placement until the trial is over...

I overlooked your note on the Met. Police Act. 1824 wasn't it ? The cover all for every problem - if no specific offense, examine this Act.... I always liked the one about shaking mats out of the window!!!

Take me back - frightened the 'daylights ' out of me !! How many pages are in the full volume ? It was the bane of our lives - every week they would give us the amendments - it took hours to cut them out and stick them in - worst of all, we had to memorise at least half of the Acts and be able to 'spout' them . Necessary if you were making an arrest - the decision you made in 30 seconds, could be examined for months by lawyers, who then faced you off in court. Every policeman has always had the same memorising problem. I'm hoping that other members will post their uniforms - it can't just be Robin, myself and Mike - hiding behind his large glass !!! Leigh, at least, has to show us his - he's the Host... Thanks. Mervyn

By great co-incidence this photo appeared in the Durban Sunday Tribune, this morning. The Amakhosi are all traditional chiefs and their dress - shown here - exactly shows what we were talking about. The Induna in the middle is actually wearing a Nene made from Wild Cat tails. Note how the leopard skins are slung from the shoulder. This is not a common sight today and we are lucky it has come at the this time.

I wouldn't disagree with that look - however, there is no question that they are English. I think we would find the dolphins to have a medieval, styalised appearance. Thanks for replying - I think most members took one look and thought it was outside of their fields...

I have always taken this bayonet to be the Carcano - Italian and basically the Infantry pattern. The Portuguese also used a similar bayonet , with brass trimming on the scabbard. Having looked again at the Crown, I am now a little undecided as to whether it is Italian or, Portuguese. I will post a few pictures and will be interested in comments - Joe, what do you think ? Stamped in the leather is - ACI 1910 or, 19010. So, it could be a date or, an armoury number.

An interesting badge for a senior officer of the Rhodesian Army - during the UDI period - which of course came to an end in 1980. This cap badge was for a Brigadier and was the rarest of three patterns. PERHAPS OTHER MEMBERS CAN ADD THE OTHER BADGES OF THE ARMY WORN AT THAT TIME

Reverse of the above Beshu

A different style of Beshu - also a calf skin

Reverese of the Genet Nene

A different style of Nene - and probably for a more senior chief. The trim at the top is Civet cat - being spotted it was reserved for chiefs. The long strips are for a Genet. Although this animal - about the size of a small fox, looks like a cat - it is in fact the largest member of the Mongoose family. Very destructive to other smaller animals and birds.

Reverse of the Wild Cat Nene

The outside of a Beshu - this could well have gone with the Nene shown

I'm assuming that there is a continuing interest in this historical Zulu equipment ? I am showing to day, examples of the everyday dress for a Zulu warrior of the 1870's period. They only wore skins - not having invented weaving - one of the reasons that today you often see a variation of the Nigerian gowns being worn. Although for Zulu ceremonies the King and his prime minister, will wear leopard skins. Basically, the problem was to cover the private parts and the rear. For the front many items could be used - grass, skins,tails, - anything that would flex with the body and drape over 'things' when they sat or, squatted. This item of dress is called a NENE. For the rear it was much simpler - a skin - usually a calf, or, sometimes a goat - would be tied around the waist - calf was preferred , being more supple. This is called a BESHU. The skins used often denoted the rank of the wearer - any spotted cat was reserved for Indunas or, chiefs. Leopards are for Royalty and Lion for the King. These major skins are draped or, hung from the shoulders. A Zulu always carries either his spear (now 'frowned' on) or a stick - provisions are made for these as 'traditional weapons'. This first Nene is made-up of twelve wild cat tails. These are not household cats gone wild, but the real wild cats. Very ferocious, they are becoming rare - one of the major problems with so many people wanting to wear skins. The two examples I am showing are for older, senior people - so, they are larger andcover more. The young warriors used to cut back the Nene until it barely covered anything and in battle would shake their 'personal equipment' at the enemy - all part of the posturing to intimidate your enemy. We used to wear high hats and striped trousers to look taller.

Hi - Thomas. 'Teach' - indeed!!! I'll get my cousin - the Dr. , she lives in Capetown, to 'call' on you... Despite the problems of a hemet , and Leigh pointed some out - even he agreed that he liked it. Because of the height it can be seen in a crowd - there is always a collective sigh of relief when it is spotted coming through the masses of useless on-lookers.

This hat is the pattern for the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police (London). QE2 crown. Note the double row of silver braid oak leaves on the peak. The Commissioner is Britain's most senior police officer. He is followed by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary - and third , is the Dep. Comm. Chief Constables rank alonside Met. Asst. Comms.