Mervyn Mitton

There are photos in existance - I will post them when I next see one. Very little is known pre 1879 and they ceased after that date. The Zulus did not have a written history - they have 'praise'singers', who still go before the Zulu King and the President. I have added a picture of Zulu metal workers in the other Arm Band post.

This bravery award ranks below the arm band shown. Made from a thorn bush - they are now very rare - after all, the last one was awarded 131 years ago ! (from: Zulu Treasures)

Brian - I tried to find the Ethnographic Museum - however, they've moved. Maybe Helen can help with her contacts? Failing that, contact the British Council in Ottawa - let them earn their money. Mervyn

Yes - these are fairly rare - value about ?150/200. This one is in nice condition. Mauser 'sawback' - short version - in use mainly in WW1. Intended originally to cut down brush in front of firing positions or, gun emplacements. In the Colonial version, mainly carried by NCO's. The famous story regarding them, is that British troops let it be known they would kill any enemy soldier in possesion of a sawback. The reason being - of course - the dreadful wounds it would leave. Truth , or not, the fact is that many of the examples we see have had the saw part filed off ! Many armies used sawback bayonets. Joe, you need to do close-ups - on the forte, under the guard will be all of the issue details - incl. on the spine the year of issue.

(From: Zulu Treasures. 'Zulu Blacksmiths at Work' . G.F.Angas )

Any idea who he was and what unit ? Mervyn

I think it has to be - but, what keeps the 'buckle' area central?

Hi - I was just going to switch off, and do something useful, like a nap ! We're one hour ahead of UK. To answer your question - the correct modern spelling is Isandlawana - always used to have an 'h' Isandhlawana, and the Zulus pronounce 'hl' as shhh - so, the old way was iSanshlawana - small i means 'from' or, m means 'place of'. Umhalanga - where I live - means Place of the Reeds, but plans are to modernise this and make it mHlanga. Just costs a fortune in new letterheads! The arm bands were really just a warriors adornments - although the exact positioning could also indicate his Regt. or, Impi also, just under these could be a band with hanging goats hair - again, these were often colour coded. They didn't have medals as such - their highest award was the arm band I posted some time ago. There was also a special necklace - I think it was Iziqu, which was awarded for great bravery. These are made from thorn trees and are rare.

I had forgotten about this frame of 'cut-outs' for H.M.S. Victory. They also came from Mauritius and the work is of a high quality. Go quite well with the full model. There is also a cut-out of the USS Constitution -I will post this another time.

Hi ! Yes, you're quite right, uniformed police (in plain clothes) were used to drive the Squad's cars. They had to be Class 1 drivers - which was for area cars and special vehicles. I was only a class 3 - Panda cars, the patrol Hillman and the van. A friend of mine Mike Sutherland - long before your day - was one of them - quite an experience to have him drive - fast, safe but, no messing around. Trips used to take half the time ! He finished his days at King's Cross looking after the Station vehicles.

I would not normally 'intrude' on this forum, as I am not of your order - however , this sword may be of some interest ? I am told it is for The Order of Constantine, but you will know more about this ?

Another in the series of early Zulu weapons and ornaments. This is an arm band - worn around the muscle on the upper arm. There would be one on each arm and - if he could afford it - larger ones on each ankle. They are made of brass and are heavy - about 1lb. (450gms). The date for this would be approx. the middle half of the 19th. C. - say 1879 period and the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. The Zulus are skilled metal workers and had their own Guild system (or, caste) to work on spears etc.. King Shaka became King in 1816 and introduced silver and goldsmiths from Zimbabwe to work on the precious metals which were plentiful in Natal (I'm still looking !!). However, his chief 'witch' - a small woman - told him it would be bad luck, so they were all killed. Cast and wrought iron continued and their spears are sought after from around the World - in my view some of the best designed. H.Rider Haggard wrote many books using the Zulus as his guide and the old film - was it Alan Quartermain (?) showed Shaka in the guise of 'Umbopa' and his chief witch - called Gargol. ******NEW PICTURE BELOW******

Not a commonly seen item - although worn in Full Dress by Generals and Field Marshalls in the British and Allied Forces. The best place to see one being worn is H.R.H. The Prince Phillip - when wearing his uniform as a Field Marshall. (Now a discontinued rank) This splendid example belonged to a major general in the Rhodesian army -( now Zimbabwe). In the 18th. century general's wore a folded type sash - made from either silk or, a type of netting - this is the modern decendent. The belt is beautifully made and of very high quality in both materials and workmanship - I will show the inside and it is clear that it is all hand made.

Good buy , Jonathan - also good that you have the dress and the field scabbards. Is that an auction sticky label on the pigskin - why do they have to do this - it damages the leather.

I don't suppose that there are many people in the World - at least , those of a certain age - who haven't heard of the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad ? What a lot won't know, is the reason for their establishment. In the early 1930's a number of gangs set-up in London, robbing shop, banks and similar targets. They always stole powerful, fast cars for their get-aways - a smart move since the police vehicles of the day hadn't a hope of catching them - and, one has to remember, wireless cars barely existed and used morse code ! There were a lot of committees - a lot of head scratching - and eventually they decided to set-up a serious crime squad, to be based at New Scotland Yard. Because the current vehicles were out classed, they 'splurged' and bought a number of Bentley cars - powerful and faster than almost anything then on the road. The 'nick name' The Flying Squad took firm root with the British public and has never been forgotten. And, Yes ? They did have the desired effect and stopped the crime wave. Their famous badge - the swooping eagle , is shown on the plaque. The elite unit still exists and has , virtually the same job - serious crime - however, they don't get Bentley's any more.

There is a wonderful museum in London which shows ethnographic items from around the World. I will find their address and put on a thread. Mervyn.

Dan - I know this an old topic , but I have only just seen it ! I don't have to confirm it is an AK47 - I think everyone would have instant recognition. We see quite a few of them - picked up in Angola and Rhodesia - I may be completely wrong , but I think it is the Romanian version. There were quite a number of different patterns , but, most have the wire-cutter on the blade and scabbard. There was an oval hole at the bottom of the blade - this fitted over a lug on the scabbard to give it a scissor action which was very effective on barbed wire. The Romanian pattern did not have this - but there were others, so perhaps someone else will have input ? Mervyn