Zulu spear/knobkerrie 'combo'....Fantasy piece ??

katana · 15th March 2009, 09:54 PM

This just finished on eBay......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=280320772028

Fact or fantasy ? anyone any ideas, thank you

Regards David

Lew · 15th March 2009, 10:58 PM

Saw this one but the fuzzy pics sent up red flags. Doesn't look Zulu to me.

Lew

colin henshaw · 16th March 2009, 12:11 PM

My guess is its probably a real piece. Here's something I have thats a bit similar, with a squared iron shank and faceted knob finial. Could be from a bit further north, maybe Matabele or Venda ?

Regards

katana · 16th March 2009, 12:37 PM

Thats a very nice spear Colin,
but the finial on yours is shaped, and looks to be ideal for extra grip. The knobkerrie 'end' of the eBay version would not aid grip. It could, possibly provide some weight to balance the spear. The 'knob' looks 'turned' (ie lathe), but , as Lew has said the pictures are fuzzy (perhaps deliberately

). The shape of the spearhead is not typical Zulu, seems much more trianglated. The spearhead and metal shaft is stated as 13.5 " long, 3.5" of wirework with an OAL of 44". To use as a knobkerrie you would have to hold it on or above the wirework.....leaving approx a third of the entire spear pretruding below the gripping hand...which is likely to injure the 'wielder' in the heat of battle

I have not seen any reference to Zulu's using such a weapon.
Although I like the idea of the spear/knobkerrie combo....I question its functionality in battle .....I believe this is likely either...

a ceremonial / dance piece or some sort of 'Victoriana' fantasy piece

I have just noticed that even though the pictures are poor...the 'knob' of the knobkerrie is 'shiny' and has a different look / colour to the shaft.....a later addition ??

Kind Regards David

15th March 2009, 09:54 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Zulu spear/knobkerrie 'combo'....Fantasy piece ?? This just finished on eBay...... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=280320772028 Fact or fantasy ? anyone any ideas, thank you Regards David Attached Images

16th March 2009, 12:11 PM	#3
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	My guess is its probably a real piece. Here's something I have thats a bit similar, with a squared iron shank and faceted knob finial. Could be from a bit further north, maybe Matabele or Venda ? Regards Attached Images

16th March 2009, 12:37 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thats a very nice spear Colin, but the finial on yours is shaped, and looks to be ideal for extra grip. The knobkerrie 'end' of the eBay version would not aid grip. It could, possibly provide some weight to balance the spear. The 'knob' looks 'turned' (ie lathe), but , as Lew has said the pictures are fuzzy (perhaps deliberately ). The shape of the spearhead is not typical Zulu, seems much more trianglated. The spearhead and metal shaft is stated as 13.5 " long, 3.5" of wirework with an OAL of 44". To use as a knobkerrie you would have to hold it on or above the wirework.....leaving approx a third of the entire spear pretruding below the gripping hand...which is likely to injure the 'wielder' in the heat of battle I have not seen any reference to Zulu's using such a weapon. Although I like the idea of the spear/knobkerrie combo....I question its functionality in battle .....I believe this is likely either... a ceremonial / dance piece or some sort of 'Victoriana' fantasy piece I have just noticed that even though the pictures are poor...the 'knob' of the knobkerrie is 'shiny' and has a different look / colour to the shaft.....a later addition ?? Kind Regards David Attached Images Last edited by katana; 16th March 2009 at 01:17 PM.

15th March 2009, 10:58 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Saw this one but the fuzzy pics sent up red flags. Doesn't look Zulu to me. Lew