Hitching Oxen to Wagons

Subject: Hitching Oxen to Wagons Sat Aug 17, 2013 2:12 pm

I am building an ox wagon of the general type used by the Brits in the Anglo-Zulu War and I'm having trouble finding the method used for hitching. All of the models that I've seen show a pole type hitch but I think that is incorrect. It is stuck in my mind that the Boers used a chain fastened to the back underside of the wagon then brought forward, fasten to front underside then hitched to each yoke. I'm sure that I read that somewhere but can't find the reference. That type of hitch, if I recall correctly, made it possible to turn the 12 - 16 ox teams much more tightly. I've looked at lot of images of oxen in-spanned but none show the attachment clearly. Can anyone shed light on the method or refer me to a good reference?

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Snowyowl,
Be very careful about transport wagons used in the AZW. There were two general types, one very common was that used by the transport contractors (usualy Boers, as at Isandlwana ) and the other the British army wagon. They are quite different in appearance. Which one are you modelling ?

regards

barry

Subject: Re: Hitching Oxen to Wagons Sat Aug 17, 2013 2:43 pm

I wasn't aware that there were two types. The one that i am doing would be the type used by the Boer contractors. I'd like to see both types as I might do a model of the British Army one next.

Subject: Hitching Oxen To Wagons Sat Aug 17, 2013 3:07 pm

Hi Snowyowl
Try using the search box as I think someone has previously posted some pictures of the wagons used . I'm sure there are pics of the wagons etc in one of the osprey publications .
Cheers 90th .

Posts : 420 Join date : 2011-05-14

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
John Dunn's Laager - KwaJimu Collection.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Crossing a Drift - KwaJimu Collection.

These are the examples of the local wagons and ox-harness.

I try a dig out a GS Wagon for you.

'Jimu

» Horse-Oxen- Wagons- Isandlwana
» Wagons at Isandlwana
» The Battle of Isandlwana