Old knife from period of the Anglo-Zulu Wars

Sajen · 28th February 2024, 03:10 PM

Hi Ian,

It's not Zulu but from the Congo, I would need to search for it but the blade shape and the bullen nails are the give-away!

Regards,
Detlef

Marc M. · 28th February 2024, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Ian,

It's not Zulu but from the Congo, I would need to search for it but the blade shape and the bullen nails are the give-away!

Regards,
Detlef

Detlef is correct, Mongo, Saka and ngandu in Central Kongo.

regards
Marc

Ian · 28th February 2024, 10:21 PM

Thanks guys. I appreciate the correction. The Congo is an odd place for an Englishman to be in the late 19th C. Like so many "family stories," they are often erroneous. The age, however, seems reliable.

Sajen · 28th February 2024, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

The age, however, seems reliable.

I would agree Ian! Can need some care IMO.

Regards,
Detlef

G. Mansfield · 29th February 2024, 12:21 AM

Probably ended up in Sudan at some point in its journey. Englishmen were more than common there. Also, it could have been picked up or traded by Christian missionaries in the Congo like many weapons or objects during that time period. I believe many Europeans dispatched from Kartoum in Sudan in the coming and going from the Northern Congo Region for ease of travel routes and access to resources.

-Geoffrey

Ian · 29th February 2024, 04:13 AM

Thanks Geoffrey and Detlef for your comments. Yes, a much traveled item. I agree, Detlef, this one has been neglected for a long time and needs some TLC.

Kmaddock · 29th February 2024, 08:42 AM

Lovely knife
English explorers were in Congo in the 1880's for instance when Stanley was doing his expeditions.
So the story could be true but 140 years of more than likely Oral history is going to get things wrong.
As to cleaning I would not do anything to it looks great as is.
Keep well
Ken

28th February 2024, 03:10 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,550	Hi Ian, It's not Zulu but from the Congo, I would need to search for it but the blade shape and the bullen nails are the give-away! Regards, Detlef

28th February 2024, 10:21 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,041	Thanks guys. I appreciate the correction. The Congo is an odd place for an Englishman to be in the late 19th C. Like so many "family stories," they are often erroneous. The age, however, seems reliable.

29th February 2024, 12:21 AM	#5
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 78	Probably ended up in Sudan at some point in its journey. Englishmen were more than common there. Also, it could have been picked up or traded by Christian missionaries in the Congo like many weapons or objects during that time period. I believe many Europeans dispatched from Kartoum in Sudan in the coming and going from the Northern Congo Region for ease of travel routes and access to resources. -Geoffrey

29th February 2024, 04:13 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,041	Thanks Geoffrey and Detlef for your comments. Yes, a much traveled item. I agree, Detlef, this one has been neglected for a long time and needs some TLC.

29th February 2024, 08:42 AM	#7
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 533	Lovely knife English explorers were in Congo in the 1880's for instance when Stanley was doing his expeditions. So the story could be true but 140 years of more than likely Oral history is going to get things wrong. As to cleaning I would not do anything to it looks great as is. Keep well Ken