Latest topics | » Looking for the medal to 1423 Pte. W. Gregg/GreigToday at 1:46 am by sam steele » 1409 Pte David Lloyd, Defender of Rorke's DriftYesterday at 8:48 pm by Julian Whybra » The curious tale of Cetshwayo's "gunpowder depot" and an aggressive snakeThu Apr 25, 2024 9:36 am by Hobbes » Anson A. Mayer/MaherTue Apr 23, 2024 7:10 pm by cmeghen » Late Father's Militaria CollectionSun Apr 21, 2024 2:16 pm by Julian Whybra » A Hungarian soldier in the Zulu War (?)Sun Apr 21, 2024 11:28 am by Eddie » Lieut. B. Pohl, No. 7 Coy 1/3 Natal Native ContingentSat Apr 20, 2024 9:26 am by SRB1965 » Alfred Fairlie Henderson photographs.Fri Apr 19, 2024 7:04 am by John Young » No. 985. PTE. EDWARD READ. 2-24 Regt. (South Wales Borders).Sun Apr 14, 2024 8:12 pm by Julian Whybra » Private Willis 2/24th Regiment his letter from South AfricaSat Apr 13, 2024 2:49 pm by 1879graves » Sickness among Crealock's menFri Apr 12, 2024 4:52 pm by Hobbes » Wheeler John Cantwell DCM, RD survivor of the Royal Horse ArtilleryTue Apr 09, 2024 5:20 pm by Kenny » Brevet Major W.R.B. ChamberlinSun Apr 07, 2024 5:44 pm by Jager1 » Private 1941 Samuel MacClue / McClune 1/24th RegimentSun Apr 07, 2024 3:11 pm by Dash » Sergeant W E Warren RA - VeteranSun Apr 07, 2024 10:50 am by DavidS » "With 6 good riflemen"Sat Apr 06, 2024 5:10 pm by Hobbes » Punch's view of Chelmsford's tactics!Wed Apr 03, 2024 5:17 pm by SRB1965 » Colonialism: A Moral LegacyMon Apr 01, 2024 11:16 am by Julian Whybra » John Robert DunnSat Mar 30, 2024 12:09 pm by 90th » An early memorial to the Prince Imperial?Sat Mar 30, 2024 10:35 am by John Young » The Poem "A Child Hero" referring to Rupert WeatherleyFri Mar 29, 2024 1:07 pm by Bongo » Writing adviceTue Mar 26, 2024 2:26 pm by Julian Whybra » Private John Scott 24th Regiment a fugitive at largeWed Mar 20, 2024 12:53 pm by Dash » Your favourite line from Zulu or Zulu DawnTue Mar 19, 2024 4:52 pm by Julian Whybra » 100,000 posts!Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:20 pm by Julian Whybra » Zulu Dawn/Zulu - New Immortals Film The Way Forward ?Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:34 pm by jgregory » Badge on 2/60th and 3/60th foreign service helmets Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:05 am by John Young » Corporal James Frowen Williams F Company. Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:08 am by Julian Whybra » British rations and moraleMon Mar 11, 2024 11:05 pm by Julian Whybra » Blue Plaque to James Egan, alias Private HaganMon Mar 11, 2024 9:16 pm by ADMIN» A few questions regarding Rorke's Drift and IsandlwanaWed Mar 06, 2024 9:16 pm by Julian Whybra » William J Hoare 24th Regiment??Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:08 pm by Dash » Swinburn Carbine issue in AZWThu Feb 29, 2024 12:53 pm by Rob D » Australians who went to Zululand and fought in the 1879 war.Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:39 am by John Young » Philip Price Thu Feb 29, 2024 7:55 am by Julian Whybra |
April 2024 | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | | | | | | Calendar |
|
Top posting users this month | |
New topics | » The curious tale of Cetshwayo's "gunpowder depot" and an aggressive snakeWed Apr 24, 2024 3:26 pm by Hobbes » Lieut. B. Pohl, No. 7 Coy 1/3 Natal Native ContingentSat Apr 20, 2024 12:38 am by WeekendWarrior » Alfred Fairlie Henderson photographs.Fri Apr 19, 2024 7:04 am by John Young » Late Father's Militaria CollectionThu Apr 18, 2024 3:04 pm by A Crockart » Anson A. Mayer/MaherTue Apr 16, 2024 5:28 pm by cmeghen » A Hungarian soldier in the Zulu War (?)Sun Apr 14, 2024 8:01 pm by Hobbes » Sickness among Crealock's menThu Apr 11, 2024 8:51 pm by Hobbes » Wheeler John Cantwell DCM, RD survivor of the Royal Horse ArtillerySun Apr 07, 2024 9:36 pm by Hobbes » John Robert DunnSat Mar 30, 2024 11:47 am by SueSNB |
Zero tolerance to harassment and bullying. |
Due to recent events on this forum, we have now imposed a zero tolerance to harassment and bullying. All reports will be treated seriously, and will lead to a permanent ban of both membership and IP address.
Any member blatantly corresponding in a deliberate and provoking manner will be removed from the forum as quickly as possible after the event.
If any members are being harassed behind the scenes PM facility by any member/s here at 1879zuluwar.com please do not hesitate to forward the offending text.
We are all here to communicate and enjoy the various discussions and information on the Anglo Zulu War of 1879. Opinions will vary, you will agree and disagree with one another, we will have debates, and so it goes.
There is no excuse for harassment or bullying of anyone by another person on this site.
The above applies to the main frame areas of the forum.
The ring which is the last section on the forum, is available to those members who wish to partake in slagging matches. That section cannot be viewed by guests and only viewed by members that wish to do so. |
Fair Use Notice | Fair use notice.
This website may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
We are making such material and images are available in our efforts to advance the understanding of the “Anglo Zulu War of 1879. For educational & recreational purposes.
We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material, as provided for in UK copyright law. The information is purely for educational and research purposes only. No profit is made from any part of this website.
If you hold the copyright on any material on the site, or material refers to you, and you would like it to be removed, please let us know and we will work with you to reach a resolution. |
| | Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. | |
|
+6Frank Allewell ADMIN 90th JohnB John biohome1 10 posters | Author | Message |
---|
biohome1
Posts : 3 Join date : 2011-03-09 Age : 75 Location : staffordshire uk
| Subject: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:38 pm | |
| I am fortunate enough to own a Shield and spear picked up from the battlefield of Ulundi but have a few questions which someone out there may know..
Which Zulu regiment. I think inGobmakasi ? although the shield looks black its very,very dark brown.
The end of the spear shaft is carved, is this of any significance ?
Because its never been on display its in near perfect condition ( well for something that had a few thousand blokes shooting at it )
The leather is like iron but it retains about 99% of its hair on the front. the back is well worn in the centre area from I presume being carried on someones shoulders?
I have owned it over 25 years and its see`s daylight about once a year ( wife will not have it hung up)
Prior to my ownership it lived out of sight and never displayed.
Would appreciate any information anyone can give. [img][/img] |
| | | John
Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 61 Location : UK
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Sat Mar 12, 2011 11:33 pm | |
| biohome1. See the link below helps. http://1879zuluwar.forumotion.com/t2724-zulu-regiments |
| | | JohnB
Posts : 95 Join date : 2010-01-10 Age : 72 Location : Taunton
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:55 pm | |
| I am sure I have read somewhere that by the time of Ulundi, there were difficulties with supplies of cowhide so that it became more difficult to distinguish between regiments purely by the colour of the shields. Can anyone confirm this? |
| | | 90th
Posts : 10882 Join date : 2009-04-07 Age : 67 Location : Melbourne, Australia
| Subject: zulu shield and spear from Ulundi Battlefield Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:17 am | |
| Hi Biohome1 . Welcome to the Forum we hope you enjoy your time on here . . Is it possible you can post a photo on the forum of your shield ? . There would be many here wishing to see it . Looking forward to seeing it myself ! . cheers 90th. . |
| | | ADMIN
Posts : 4349 Join date : 2008-11-01 Age : 65 Location : KENT
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:33 am | |
| |
| | | biohome1
Posts : 3 Join date : 2011-03-09 Age : 75 Location : staffordshire uk
| Subject: iNgobaamkosi Regt Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:25 pm | |
| Thanks for the information received.
I am told it is iNgobamakosi Zulu Regiment.
I never gave the dimensions for anyone interested the shield is 65cm x 44cm and the spear is 135cm tip to tip.
I never thought of its value but its not insured and maybe should be ? not until I saw what replica Zulu shields fetch did I realize how expensive the original things must now be. |
| | | Frank Allewell
Posts : 8572 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 77 Location : Cape Town South Africa
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:48 am | |
| 65 x 44 is really small for a battle shield ? This sounds more like a ceremonial shield. A full size isihlangu shield is twice that.
Regards |
| | | biohome1
Posts : 3 Join date : 2011-03-09 Age : 75 Location : staffordshire uk
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:42 am | |
| I have no idea of what was the correct size of a battle shield I can only tell what little I know of its history.
I live in North Staffordshire and its my understanding the local regiment at the time took part in the battle of Ulundi ?
I picked the shield and spear up about 25 years ago from a local antique /curio shop where the man who sold it me said it had been bought home by a soldier from the Zulu war and kept in the family but never liked by anyone had spent its life out of sight , someone had died and the new generation current owner could not get rid of it quick enough.
My only reference to what a shield and spear of the time looked like was when good few years ago the local city museum ( i presume because of the local military connection) staged a zulu wars exhibition, they had exhibits they had borrowed like Cetshwayos shield from a regimental museum and various other Zulu shield and British weapons. plus the theme music from the film zulu playing low in the background.
The shield I have in size looked the same but I do not remember where the ones on display came from , it was interesting they had no complete spears just the heads but again mine was identical.
The only thing I can say for sure is it feels right and is most certainly old, the leather is like metal and the hair on the back of the shield is intact at both ends but worn away in the centre ( you can see on picture of my hand through the handle ) from I presume being carried on someones shoulders over a long period of time, would a ceremonial shield have these signs of wear ?
|
| | | Frank Allewell
Posts : 8572 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 77 Location : Cape Town South Africa
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:04 am | |
| Biohome
Hi, didnt mean to doubt the authenticity of the shield, merely its usage. A war shield was up 120cm tall and proportionalty wide. It effectivly covered a warrior from chin to knee. Ceremonial shields were used during everyday activaties plus stick fighting etc. So yes it could easily have the same sheen as a war shield, possibly more as it would be used more often.
Regards |
| | | old historian2
Posts : 1093 Join date : 2009-01-14 Location : East London
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:35 am | |
| umBhumbluzo (plural: abaBhumbuluzo) – Shorter war shield introduced by Cetshwayo in the 1850's during the civil war against Mbuyazi. Only 3.5 feet long compared to the longer traditional war shield, isihlangu, which measures at least 4 foot.
|
| | | Mr Greaves
Posts : 747 Join date : 2009-10-18
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:37 am | |
| I'm not sure there was a standard size. See link below.
http://www.africancraftsmarket.com/Zulu-shields.html |
| | | Frank Allewell
Posts : 8572 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 77 Location : Cape Town South Africa
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:44 am | |
| Mr G Mostly toys for tourists.
regards |
| | | tasker224
Posts : 2101 Join date : 2010-07-30 Age : 57 Location : North London
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:25 pm | |
| I recently read in Zulu Rising that there was a hide shortage in the run up to iSandlwana, particulary in the case of younger warriors in regiments such as the uVe, meaning some warriors had to make do with whatever colour or pattern hide was available. |
| | | Shinyblades
Posts : 2 Join date : 2011-04-03
| Subject: Re: Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. Thu Apr 07, 2011 11:07 pm | |
| Hi. Just reading about the shield owned by biohome1 from ulundi , I also have a shield measuring 130cm. X. 68 cm , or 51" x 26 3/4" all cream in colour and with a few small Ginger patches at the centre area , very heavy weight leather, now like Flint and with some minor hair loss , very similar to the one on page 67 of nothing remains but to fight ( the defence of rorkes drift 1879) , and described as a full size war shield of the uthulwana ibutho taken at ulundi and White with red patches , all I know about mine is that it was brought home from Rhodesia during ww2 by a royal airforce man , Maybe it was from ulundi ,we can always dream , All the best for now Shiny blades |
| | | | Zulu shield and spear from Ulundi battlefield. | |
|
Similar topics | |
|
| Permissions in this forum: | You cannot reply to topics in this forum
| |
| |
| |