South African Police Assegai

The Double D · 17th December 2006, 05:53 PM

I know the board excludes arsenal made weapons as not being with in the definition of ethnographic for this board. I acquired a weapon today that is arsenal made and surely is an exception and with in the spirit of the board---Modern Ethnographic.

It is a South African Police Service Assegai.

The spear is 44 inches long. (112.5 cm)

The blade is 14 inches by 2 inches (36 cm x 4.5 cm) Shaft is 5 inches long. (13 cm) Although it appears the shaft is a ferrule or socket I don't think it is. The binding is knurled steel and has two cross pins that appear to hold the blade tang in the haft.

The haft is a wood turning with a flared butt. The butt cap is steel and attached with a single screw.

All metal parts are marked with either a U or a Broad arrow U indicating Union of South African Defense.

This spear is about the size of a Zulu iKlwa or amaPhondo iKhebezane but it is substantially heavier. Given the heavier haft and unlike the iKlwa and iKhebezane this spear is very balanced and probably could be thrown. Also as heavy as it is the spear butt end could be used as a night stick.

The fellow I got this spear from said when he started work with the SAPS back in the early 70's their were officers who still carried these on duty.

Does anyone know anything about their history or employment?

17th December 2006, 05:53 PM	#1
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	South African Police Assegai I know the board excludes arsenal made weapons as not being with in the definition of ethnographic for this board. I acquired a weapon today that is arsenal made and surely is an exception and with in the spirit of the board---Modern Ethnographic. It is a South African Police Service Assegai. The spear is 44 inches long. (112.5 cm) The blade is 14 inches by 2 inches (36 cm x 4.5 cm) Shaft is 5 inches long. (13 cm) Although it appears the shaft is a ferrule or socket I don't think it is. The binding is knurled steel and has two cross pins that appear to hold the blade tang in the haft. The haft is a wood turning with a flared butt. The butt cap is steel and attached with a single screw. All metal parts are marked with either a U or a Broad arrow U indicating Union of South African Defense. This spear is about the size of a Zulu iKlwa or amaPhondo iKhebezane but it is substantially heavier. Given the heavier haft and unlike the iKlwa and iKhebezane this spear is very balanced and probably could be thrown. Also as heavy as it is the spear butt end could be used as a night stick. The fellow I got this spear from said when he started work with the SAPS back in the early 70's their were officers who still carried these on duty. Does anyone know anything about their history or employment?