What are the best sources of research for these shields.

Posted on behalf of forum 1200bandit. I.m sure someone can help.

"Hello all.Only just found this forum and it looks great.I went on a visit to many of the zulu war sites a few years ago and really became interested in the events characters and politics of the era. On coming home i really coveted a full sized zulu shield on the wall of a local hotel but the manager said it was a family relic and wouldn`t part with it unfortunately.well today i finally achieved one of my dreams and have picked up not one but three shields all just oozing age. The largest has an old pen inscription saying that it was taken at the battle of ULANDI (spelling error) 4th july by Capt Terry ,now general. I shall try and take some pictures.the largest is black brown 110 X 57 CM with warping and shrinkage.it has undivided slits in the hide. the middle shield is95 x 57 lighter brown and has 5,5,5==5,4,4 slits with white hide.the smallest is 40 x 25cm and mostly white with 9--8 slits with brown hide strips.it has its original pole 56cm wrapped in dried gut or hide.I think this must be a dancing shield.the largest is just magic.what are the best sources of research for these shields.All the best 1200bandit

Hi Admin .
I'd like a shield but not to sure where it would sit , as the other half certainly doesnt share my passion for the war . I dont know of any publications regarding the shields but I'm sure there may be something available .
Hopefully someone on here may know of something , my best guess would be Osprey Publishing , they cover
most military subjects . I've noticed 2 or 3 up for sale on ebay uk recently ,if not uk them ebay .com.
cheers 90th.

Hi 1200bandit
A friend contacted me saying ' Anatomy Of The Zulu Army ' by Ian Knight has a fair bit on Shields and contains the Regimental
List . Also in my guess yesterday , Osprey's , '' Warrior '' , Series - Zulu has some info on the Shields also . Hope this has been
some help to you .
cheers 90th.

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

The french dude who does the computer games knows a lot about shield - can't remember his name.

Posts : 8 Join date : 2011-11-15

Dear 90th and ciscokid.Many thanks for all the references.I have consulted a number of them and the shields all conform in size,materials,srtucture and manufacture to original patterns .The largest with inscription and the small "dancing" shield also show a hardening and colour that only extreme age can impart.However it really all comes down to comparing with known originals so i shall probably contact the army museum,pitt rivers museum and regimental museums such as the the engineers ,who I know have got one and the swb museum etc
I tried to post some pictures on the forum but haven`t worked out how to do it yet.Again many thanks.Andrew McEwen

Posts : 747 Join date : 2009-10-18

Bandit. Any chance of some photo's.

Posts : 8 Join date : 2011-11-15

Mr Greaves wrote:: Bandit. Any chance of some photo's.

Dear Mr greaves I have taken a lot of pictures but can`t work out how to put them onto the forum.If you can explain in simple terms I`d love to oblige.All the best Andrew

Send them to Admin. Drop him a PM.

Posts : 8 Join date : 2011-11-15

Dear All I have just tried to send three sets of shild pictures to the admin.I hope they got through,but i wouldn`t bet on it.Will keep trying though.bandit1200

Photos posted in the 1879-anglo-zulu-war-historical-memorabilia Section.

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