Mervyn Mitton Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 Brett - you have found some nice pieces for your son's collection. The spoon - used for Maas - may be a more modern copy. However, the shape looks fine. (For those overseas Maas is a local yoghourt) Coming to the weapons - the knobkerry has a waisted top - this is usually from the early part of the 20th. C. The longer stick is an Iqhabanga - or, Kraal stick of office for a chief. Obviously could be used as a weapon, but really more status. The running shape cut out around the body dates it to about 1906 - they started to do this to their spear shafts. The first Assegai or Umkhonto is a hunting spear for large buck. The binding is a cow's tail - peeled off and then slid over the shaft. This may be a replacement - but like medal ribbon, they were meant to be re-placed when worn. Very good blade with correct pincer marks and it has age. The next is an Isiphapha or throwing spear. There are only two 'Battle' spears - the Iklwa and the Isiphapha. Both names are onomatopaedic , or the sounds they make. Iklwa for when it is pulled from the body and Isiphapha for the noise it makes when in the air. This has the Ilala palm woven binding. The shaft has had damage to the base at some time and has had the end cut away - this is why it is a little shorter. This is common damage and does not detract from the value. The last spear shows how tthe end would have looked. Finally, the last spear. This is an exceptional weapon. I would judge the blade to be approx. 18" long (50cm) - which is quite rare - and that doesn't include the neck of the head. The shaft is a lovely local wood - well shaped and with the correct end. The only reservation I have is that the binding is mine fuse wire. However, we have to bear in mind that most Zulu men were working in the mines - and when they returned weapons had to be repaired to start killing each other. So, minewire is acceptable, but not correct. From the photo I think the spear is old and original in condition - apart from the binding . This could easily date to the 19th C. Hope this helps. Best wishes Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Hendey Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Mervyn Thank you for a most helpful reply to my request for assistance. My son will also be delighted and I will forward your reply to him this evening. Our elderly Zulu char saw the artefacts a few days ago. She was unhappy about the assegais, perhaps remembering the Inkatha/ANC troubles in the early 1990's, when she and her family lost their home at Molweni. She was, however, delighted to see the maas spoon. She remembers her father using a similar spoon to ladle maas into the family's putu pot. Regards Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrylee Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Martini_Henry_MkIV1.jpgclick This is the 1879 Martini Henry Rifle - single shot , lever action - used at the Battle. It fired a lead bullet - a 450/577 size. I am afraid that I have to disagree that this model Martini Henry was used either at Isandlwana or during the Zulu War. This illustration is of the Mk.IV, otherwise known as the "Long Lever". These were produced in three versions from 1887, the first two being conversions of the .402 Enfield Martini. Although often found in South Africa the Mk.IVl has no Zulu War connection. The Martini rifles of the Zulu War would have been the Mk.I, Mk.I upgrades and some Mk.IIs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 Hi -terrylee. Thakyou for your reply. You are obviously an expert in this field and I accept what you say. I wanted to show the 1879 model and specifically looked for this - the photo and explanation stated that it was the model I was looking for. I will not change it at this time - it will give readers the general style and shape of a Martini Henry. However, should you have a correct picture you could send me, then I will substitute. Many thanks. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 terrylee has kindly sent me the correct picture for the 1879 Martini Henry. I will change them over. He has also sent me the complete range of Martini Henry variations , with captions. This I will post under our Firearms Forum, lower down on the pages. This won't happen immediately , but I will post here to let you know when it is completed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-16500000-1425550144.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-67552500-1425550258.jpgclick This Staff has often been associated for use in Kraals to show status. This example belongs to British friends and the wife has started to collect Zulu items. She has been very fortunate with this piece, as the staff actually represents very high status - possibly a Member of the King's Council. I will show below an example found in King Cetshwayo's hut and the write-up will explain how it was found in 1879. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-35065500-1425550888.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-24746700-1425551006.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-32074000-1425552562.jpgclick We have recently had the official opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Parliament. The King - Goodwill Zwelethini was there , together with the Provincial Prime Minister - and of course guards , with buttonholes. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-06631200-1425552826.jpgclick This is a close-up of his uniform. All the medals have the same ribbons - they are past kings. The "KZG" is new - we think it stands for KwaZulu Government. This is a wrong statement as the word Natal is part of the title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Both the King and the President are Polygamous - I am not sure how many the King has - here are the three who attended the ceremony. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-36201100-1425553212.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-99838600-1425553416.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-10566000-1425553536.jpgclick That's a whole Leopard ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-69453900-1425553809.jpgclick Just to show there are younger girls in traditional costume & cellphones......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 SUNDAY 2nd. August 2015This post ran into some problems during the changeover. Over the next week I will add some new material - please ignore the dates in the title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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