A FINE AND VERY RARE 90TH FOOT ZULU WAR BATTLEFIELD PICKUP ZULU IWISA KNOBKERRY STYLE STICK, CARVED WITH THE SOLDIERS NAME, UNIT AND ‘ZUNGUINNECK 24 JANY’, ‘KAMBULA 29 MARCH’, ‘ULUNDI 4 JULY 1879’

Overall length 35.8 inches, the club end 1.9 inches. It is finely carved in the same style as stick 1, with the words ‘ZUNGUINNECK 24 JANY’, ‘KAMBULA 29 MARCH’, ‘ULUNDI 4 JULY 1879’, ‘D. CONNELL. XC.L.I. round the whole shaft of the stick.

Below the inscriptions are Scottish thistles design which wraps around the shaft for about 5.5 inches. The carvings themselves extend 12.5 inches.

This example has been lengthened at a later date to be used as a walking stick, though clearly this was done contemporarily. The original Zulu weapon extends to a length of 21 inches where a brass band has been attached and a similar length of stick measuring 12.2 inches has been inserted. This shorter length is of a slightly different grain. The brass band has been painted with a rough brown paint so the join is less noticeable (this chipping off) and a brass cap has been added to the end of the stick to protect it during use. This stick has been varnished to protect it.

As with stick 1, this more likely an iwisa knobkerry style stick, as opposed a purely fighting knobkerry, though the length and head are within parameters for a knobkerry. These sticks were carried much like swagger sticks and could be used as a weapon as needs be. The head is unusual as it is more of a hammer shape that the more commonly round head.

No ‘D. O’Connell has been found on the medal roll for the 90th, so it is not immediately clear who this soldier was. Possibly it was someone attached to the 90th or serving under alias. Checking the 90th muster rolls may reveal this soldier.

CARVED STICKS TO THE 90TH FOOT

Very similar other Zulu bring back weapons have been seen with the same style of carving to Officers and men of the 90th and it seems likely these were done by someone with carving skills in the regiment, either in Zululand itself or on the voyage home. A near identically carved example to another soldier was sold several years ago.

NOTE: This stick appears lighter than it is in reality as the photographs were taken under a spotlight.

A fine and rarely seen and attributable Zulu war pick up weapons.