Old knife from period of the Anglo-Zulu Wars

Ian · 28th February 2024, 02:35 PM

This knife was brought back to England in the late 1880s and has been in the family since that time. I don't know the name of the man or the family. The knife is heavily patinated but appears to have survived well. Given the timing of the individual's return to England, shortly after the period of the Anglo-Zulu Wars, the knife is probably from that general era. Whether it came from the conflict is lost to time.

It is uncommon in my experience to find old African knives with a reasonably well defined date. OAL = 42 cm (~16.5 in.)
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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

28th February 2024, 02:35 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,041	Old knife from period of the Anglo-Zulu Wars This knife was brought back to England in the late 1880s and has been in the family since that time. I don't know the name of the man or the family. The knife is heavily patinated but appears to have survived well. Given the timing of the individual's return to England, shortly after the period of the Anglo-Zulu Wars, the knife is probably from that general era. Whether it came from the conflict is lost to time. It is uncommon in my experience to find old African knives with a reasonably well defined date. OAL = 42 cm (~16.5 in.) . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 1st March 2024 at 06:52 AM.

28th February 2024, 03:10 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,545	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	#4
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	#6
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 77	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