Knobkerrie

Bill M · 2nd May 2007, 10:52 PM

Just got this today. 27" long.

Thanks, Lew, for the help in getting it!

I don't know a lot about these. Comments?

katana · 2nd May 2007, 11:12 PM

Hi Bill,
can't help with the origins...but the wire work looks Southern African area, I have seen similar work (but not the 'bi-coloured effect on yours ...they usually are copper or sometimes, coloured telephone wire ) on the tanged type of spear (head binding), so Zulu is quite possible. It may be the pictures...but has the knobkerrie been varnished ?

Regards David

Bill M · 3rd May 2007, 12:45 AM

What looks like varnish is actually some lemon oil I used to clean it up a bit. I need to dry it off better. I would doubt this is telephone wire.

I have a spear that also has wire work on it, but it is not the 'bi-colored' wire like this one.

The seller claims it does come from South Africa and that his great grandfather, who served in the Royal Navy acquired it in 1903 and that the knobkerrie had something to do with the Zulu at Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift.

1903 would have been about 24 years after that famous battle. If this piece is that old -- which I guess is possible -- it is in very good condition.

The Double D · 3rd May 2007, 04:46 AM

The bicolored wire is often seen on knobkerrie's and spears in Zululand. All that I have seen carries one characteristic that yours doesn't. All I have seen is beaten, frayed and loose. I believe until some shows me different that the bicolored is older. How old, I don't know.

The old sailor who brought back could be absolutely right when he says it had something to do with the Zulus at Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift...There were Zulus at Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana in 1903.

Tim Simmons · 3rd May 2007, 07:22 AM

Very nice clean example. I am still waiting for a good wired one like this, at the right price. Could be from many people from SA, even Ngoni which makes a huge area.

Lew · 3rd May 2007, 04:10 PM

Bill that is a super nice knobkerrie probably early 20th or late 19th century. Here is a link to some similar pieces which Tim had posted on another thread.

http://www.michaelstevenson.com/afri...nobkerries.htm

Lew

Bill M · 3rd May 2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Bill that is a super nice knobkerrie probably early 20th or late 19th century. Here is a link to some similar pieces which Tim had posted on another thread.

http://www.michaelstevenson.com/afri...nobkerries.htm

Lew

Thank you several times Lew for your kind assistance!

The link shows some pieces that really look like mine. Seems to look most like this one:
http://www.michaelstevenson.com/afri...html/11-27.htm

North Nguni

The Double D · 3rd May 2007, 05:08 PM

Saying Nguni is probably the best way to describe everything in the region.

http://countrystudies.us/south-africa/46.htm

Kind of like saying it's Scot when you don't know if its Mcleod or Nicholson.

Tim Simmons · 3rd May 2007, 05:31 PM

You could fit a Lot of Scotlands in SA with Nguni up to the lakes.

Bill M · 16th August 2007, 03:02 PM

Here are some pictures of the original collector

the first was taken in 1905

The second in 1925 -- far right

the last in 1963. -- right

Tim Simmons · 16th August 2007, 04:37 PM

Very touching Bill and I am not joking this time

. Just because a piece is clean and complete with very little ware does not mean it is not old.

2nd May 2007, 10:52 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Knobkerrie Just got this today. 27" long. Thanks, Lew, for the help in getting it! I don't know a lot about these. Comments? Attached Images

16th August 2007, 03:02 PM	#10
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Here are some pictures of the original collector the first was taken in 1905 The second in 1925 -- far right the last in 1963. -- right Attached Images

2nd May 2007, 11:12 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Bill, can't help with the origins...but the wire work looks Southern African area, I have seen similar work (but not the 'bi-coloured effect on yours ...they usually are copper or sometimes, coloured telephone wire ) on the tanged type of spear (head binding), so Zulu is quite possible. It may be the pictures...but has the knobkerrie been varnished ? Regards David

3rd May 2007, 12:45 AM	#3
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	What looks like varnish is actually some lemon oil I used to clean it up a bit. I need to dry it off better. I would doubt this is telephone wire. I have a spear that also has wire work on it, but it is not the 'bi-colored' wire like this one. The seller claims it does come from South Africa and that his great grandfather, who served in the Royal Navy acquired it in 1903 and that the knobkerrie had something to do with the Zulu at Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift. 1903 would have been about 24 years after that famous battle. If this piece is that old -- which I guess is possible -- it is in very good condition.

3rd May 2007, 04:46 AM	#4
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	The bicolored wire is often seen on knobkerrie's and spears in Zululand. All that I have seen carries one characteristic that yours doesn't. All I have seen is beaten, frayed and loose. I believe until some shows me different that the bicolored is older. How old, I don't know. The old sailor who brought back could be absolutely right when he says it had something to do with the Zulus at Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift...There were Zulus at Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana in 1903.

3rd May 2007, 07:22 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Very nice clean example. I am still waiting for a good wired one like this, at the right price. Could be from many people from SA, even Ngoni which makes a huge area.

3rd May 2007, 04:10 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Bill that is a super nice knobkerrie probably early 20th or late 19th century. Here is a link to some similar pieces which Tim had posted on another thread. http://www.michaelstevenson.com/afri...nobkerries.htm Lew

3rd May 2007, 05:08 PM	#8
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	Saying Nguni is probably the best way to describe everything in the region. http://countrystudies.us/south-africa/46.htm Kind of like saying it's Scot when you don't know if its Mcleod or Nicholson.

3rd May 2007, 05:31 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	You could fit a Lot of Scotlands in SA with Nguni up to the lakes.

16th August 2007, 04:37 PM	#11
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Very touching Bill and I am not joking this time . Just because a piece is clean and complete with very little ware does not mean it is not old.