Knobkerrie

Bill M · 2nd May 2007, 11:52 PM

Just got this today. 27" long.

Thanks, Lew, for the help in getting it!

I don't know a lot about these. Comments?

katana · 3rd May 2007, 12:12 AM

Hi Bill,
can't help with the origins...but the wire work looks Southern African area, I have seen similar work (but not the 'bi-coloured effect on yours ...they usually are copper or sometimes, coloured telephone wire ) on the tanged type of spear (head binding), so Zulu is quite possible. It may be the pictures...but has the knobkerrie been varnished ?

Regards David

Bill M · 3rd May 2007, 01:45 AM

What looks like varnish is actually some lemon oil I used to clean it up a bit. I need to dry it off better. I would doubt this is telephone wire.

I have a spear that also has wire work on it, but it is not the 'bi-colored' wire like this one.

The seller claims it does come from South Africa and that his great grandfather, who served in the Royal Navy acquired it in 1903 and that the knobkerrie had something to do with the Zulu at Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift.

1903 would have been about 24 years after that famous battle. If this piece is that old -- which I guess is possible -- it is in very good condition.

The Double D · 3rd May 2007, 05:46 AM

The bicolored wire is often seen on knobkerrie's and spears in Zululand. All that I have seen carries one characteristic that yours doesn't. All I have seen is beaten, frayed and loose. I believe until some shows me different that the bicolored is older. How old, I don't know.

The old sailor who brought back could be absolutely right when he says it had something to do with the Zulus at Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift...There were Zulus at Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana in 1903.

Tim Simmons · 3rd May 2007, 08:22 AM

Very nice clean example. I am still waiting for a good wired one like this, at the right price. Could be from many people from SA, even Ngoni which makes a huge area.

Lew · 3rd May 2007, 05:10 PM

Bill that is a super nice knobkerrie probably early 20th or late 19th century. Here is a link to some similar pieces which Tim had posted on another thread.

http://www.michaelstevenson.com/afri...nobkerries.htm

Lew

2nd May 2007, 11:52 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Knobkerrie Just got this today. 27" long. Thanks, Lew, for the help in getting it! I don't know a lot about these. Comments? Attached Images

3rd May 2007, 12:12 AM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Bill, can't help with the origins...but the wire work looks Southern African area, I have seen similar work (but not the 'bi-coloured effect on yours ...they usually are copper or sometimes, coloured telephone wire ) on the tanged type of spear (head binding), so Zulu is quite possible. It may be the pictures...but has the knobkerrie been varnished ? Regards David

3rd May 2007, 01:45 AM	#3
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	What looks like varnish is actually some lemon oil I used to clean it up a bit. I need to dry it off better. I would doubt this is telephone wire. I have a spear that also has wire work on it, but it is not the 'bi-colored' wire like this one. The seller claims it does come from South Africa and that his great grandfather, who served in the Royal Navy acquired it in 1903 and that the knobkerrie had something to do with the Zulu at Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift. 1903 would have been about 24 years after that famous battle. If this piece is that old -- which I guess is possible -- it is in very good condition.

3rd May 2007, 05:46 AM	#4
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	The bicolored wire is often seen on knobkerrie's and spears in Zululand. All that I have seen carries one characteristic that yours doesn't. All I have seen is beaten, frayed and loose. I believe until some shows me different that the bicolored is older. How old, I don't know. The old sailor who brought back could be absolutely right when he says it had something to do with the Zulus at Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift...There were Zulus at Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana in 1903.

3rd May 2007, 08:22 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Very nice clean example. I am still waiting for a good wired one like this, at the right price. Could be from many people from SA, even Ngoni which makes a huge area.

3rd May 2007, 05:10 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Bill that is a super nice knobkerrie probably early 20th or late 19th century. Here is a link to some similar pieces which Tim had posted on another thread. http://www.michaelstevenson.com/afri...nobkerries.htm Lew