Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

katana · 14th April 2007, 04:43 PM

Hi Lew,
congrats looks to be a fantastic functional axe. I have to agree with the view that this is not Zulu......many 'Zulu' axes seem to be Shona...whether these were gifts or war trophies seem unclear. I have found no reference to the use of an axe in battle...during the Zulu wars. However, I am wondering whether pre-Shaka (and the use of the 'shortened' spear) ...this type of weapon (an axe such as yours) may have been used instead, as a 'medium/short range' weapon.

14th April 2007, 04:43 PM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Lew, congrats looks to be a fantastic functional axe. I have to agree with the view that this is not Zulu......many 'Zulu' axes seem to be Shona...whether these were gifts or war trophies seem unclear. I have found no reference to the use of an axe in battle...during the Zulu wars. However, I am wondering whether pre-Shaka (and the use of the 'shortened' spear) ...this type of weapon (an axe such as yours) may have been used instead, as a 'medium/short range' weapon.