Root ball knobkerrie from a Zulu collection...or is it ?

[katana]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hi David.

Not more 'local' is it?
Difficult to judge the length but it kind of looks like it could be a rustic root ball walking stick of the 'Shillelagh' variety.

Did you mention the 'slight' discrepancy in weight to the seller?

Best
Gene

P.S. As to the wood. Id have guessed hawthorn or blackthorn

Hi Gene ,
yes I've contacted seller (only received the club today) so do not have a reply as yet.

OAL is 30" (76cms), the almost conical head is unusual ....many of the Shillelaghs I have seen tend to have a slightly ofset 'knob' or a 'hammer' type head, also they tend to have the remains of the thorns on the shaft.
Seller, was told that the wood was a form of oak (I checked and found there are oak species in SA) and that a SA friend (of the seller) had apparently ID'ed as Zulu.

I have seen images of 'rough hewn' /hand carved knobkerries ID'ed as Zulu or surrounding tribes ...I will try and find them. But, if I remember correctly none had this 'conical' type head.

Best
David

PS you've been a very busy boy just recently , love some of your new 'Acquistions'