I do not know where else to go---

fernando · 30th April 2006, 11:22 AM

Hi Tim,
Here goes my fantasy.
I remember seeing Africans ( Mozambican Macondes ) making a variety of walking and hand sticks, with this type of atitude, to sell to the Army guys, to bring home as souvenirs. Servicemen were basically the only "tourists", in these ambiances.
I can't figure the rigth thickness of the stick end, in your piece. Couldn't it have been some 5-6 inches longer?
The hole could then be for a hand lanyard ( this the term ? ).
The soldier being naturally a British, with his colonial stouch hat, the same situation could take place with British colonies Natives handycraft, whether or not this be a stick ?
Kind regards
fernando

Tim Simmons · 30th April 2006, 12:21 PM

Thanks Fernando, I did not really expect anyone to reply, I was just giving it a try. I think you are right, this a soldier in British service, German strips are different I believe. East or West Africa? that's a little more difficult. Here are more pictures of the stick part. It is clear that there are two tide marks where it has functioned as a dip stick in the past, as we all have at some time in our lives

. So I am not sure it is a tourist thing as yet.

Lew · 30th April 2006, 12:44 PM

Tim

I think there possibly one of two things there is a game called jackals and hounds which use similar type pegs or they could be knitting needles?

Lew

Battara · 2nd May 2006, 01:39 AM

What about hair pins?

mmontoro · 2nd May 2006, 02:24 AM

The first one reminds me of a Gurkha.

Lew · 2nd May 2006, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

What about hair pins?

GOOD GUESS BUT NOT VERY LADY LIKE HAIRPINS

LEW

Jim McDougall · 2nd May 2006, 03:07 AM

I think Lew has made an excellent call on this one. This piece really is on the arcane side, but we all love a challenge!!! I am inclined to agree with Lew that this may well be a game piece, especially after the illustration of the gane using similarly fashioned stick pieces.
The figure is of course a native soldier as appears and likely in colonial British service, difficult to say WWI or II as the uniforms were seemingly not very much changed over these periods.
Best regards,
Jim

Tim Simmons · 2nd May 2006, 06:56 PM

Kings African Rifles. I think this picture is circa 1930. The KARs were formed from the East African Rifles. Now I will look to the west.

30th April 2006, 12:21 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Thanks Fernando, I did not really expect anyone to reply, I was just giving it a try. I think you are right, this a soldier in British service, German strips are different I believe. East or West Africa? that's a little more difficult. Here are more pictures of the stick part. It is clear that there are two tide marks where it has functioned as a dip stick in the past, as we all have at some time in our lives . So I am not sure it is a tourist thing as yet. Attached Images

30th April 2006, 12:44 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim I think there possibly one of two things there is a game called jackals and hounds which use similar type pegs or they could be knitting needles? Lew Attached Images

2nd May 2006, 06:56 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Kings African Rifles. I think this picture is circa 1930. The KARs were formed from the East African Rifles. Now I will look to the west. Attached Images

30th April 2006, 11:22 AM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Tim, Here goes my fantasy. I remember seeing Africans ( Mozambican Macondes ) making a variety of walking and hand sticks, with this type of atitude, to sell to the Army guys, to bring home as souvenirs. Servicemen were basically the only "tourists", in these ambiances. I can't figure the rigth thickness of the stick end, in your piece. Couldn't it have been some 5-6 inches longer? The hole could then be for a hand lanyard ( this the term ? ). The soldier being naturally a British, with his colonial stouch hat, the same situation could take place with British colonies Natives handycraft, whether or not this be a stick ? Kind regards fernando

2nd May 2006, 01:39 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	What about hair pins?

2nd May 2006, 02:24 AM	#5
mmontoro Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 91	The first one reminds me of a Gurkha.

2nd May 2006, 03:07 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	I think Lew has made an excellent call on this one. This piece really is on the arcane side, but we all love a challenge!!! I am inclined to agree with Lew that this may well be a game piece, especially after the illustration of the gane using similarly fashioned stick pieces. The figure is of course a native soldier as appears and likely in colonial British service, difficult to say WWI or II as the uniforms were seemingly not very much changed over these periods. Best regards, Jim