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CIRCA 1879 BATTLE OF ISANDLWANA ZULU SPEARS, AX &

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 2,000.00 USD
CIRCA 1879 BATTLE OF ISANDLWANA ZULU SPEARS, AX &

SHIELD. A wonderful group of Zulu weapons actually retrieved on the battle field of Isandlwana that took place on Jan. 22, 1879 during the Zulu Wars. It remains one of the worst defeats in British military history where 1500 British & native troops were wiped out by 20,000 Zulus. The gentleman who retrieved the weapons sold them at auction shortly after WWI. That purchaser sold the items again at auction in 1976, at King & Chasemore Auctions in Sussex, England, to our current consignor. It would be difficult to find Zulu weapons such as these w/ better provenance & recorded ownership. The group includes a Zulu hide shield (umbumbolozo) measuring 24 3/8" x 14 1/2". It is of classic Zulu form w/ dark & light hair covered hide w/ a rough leather back that includes 2 grip straps. A typed green tag on the reverse put in place by the post WWI purchaser attests to the provenance of the shield. Also included in the lot is a fine Zulu war axe (imbazo). The haft is 31 3/4" long. The blade is 6 3/4" high & 2 3/4" wide w/ a 5" attachment tang. A simple but effective & deadly weapon favored by many Zulu warriors. The lot further includes 2 great examples of Zulu spears (assegai). The first measures 49" overall w/ a 37 1/2" original wooden shaft & an 11 1/2" exposed blade & tang. The butt of the shaft has a 4 section carved decoration. The top of the shaft is reinforced w/ braided & decorated wire. The iron shaft & blade is well formed w/ a raised medial ridge. The second spear measures 46 1/4" overall w/ a 34" wooden shaft & a 12 1/4" blade & tang. The butt of the shaft is shaped but undecorated. The top of the shaft is reinforced w/ sewn leather. The iron tang & blade are reasonably well formed & the blade has a slight medial ridge. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a lg. 20th century souvenir poster w/ photographs & artwork from the Zulu Wars including many notable individuals both British & Zulu. A “Men at Arms” book on the Zulu War, still photographs from the movie “Zulu”, a copy of the auction description from the 1976 auction where the weapons sold & various paperwork relating to the weapons & the Zulu War. CONDITION: shield is in very solid condition w/ minimal hair loss to the face of the shield. The haft of the ax has several sm. cracks from drying of the wood. Blade is solid w/ a dark patina. Both spears show expected wear but no damage. The hafts show significant age & the iron has an expected dark patina. (02-15661/BF). $1,200-2,000.