RARE**ORIGINAL**Victorian Era Zulu Chieftain’s Quality Assegai Short Stabbing Spear With Sections Of Intricate Wire Binding & Brass Studs. Sn 22868 Other Blade

**RARE**ORIGINAL**Victorian Era Zulu Chieftain’s Quality Assegai Short Stabbing Spear With Sections Of Intricate Wire Binding & Brass Studs. Sn 22868 - 22868

The Assegai is a short handled stabbing spear invented by the legendary Zulu king Shaka in the early 1800s. The weapon revolutionized tribal warfare in South Africa. Chieftains would also use their Assegai to direct the attack of Zulu warrior Impi battle formations. A period photograph of a Zulu Chieftain armed with an Assegai in fighting stance is illustrated in image 1. This Assegai measures 44 ½” overall length. It has a blackened iron 9” long leaf shaped blade. The blade is 1 ½” wide at its broadest. Its tang is attached to its hand crafted wood shaft by intricate bound wire. There are also a 5 sections of matching binding along the length of the wood shaft. The sections of wire binding are surrounded by round head brass stud nails (a few studs have been lost over its lifetime). The studs are not merely decoration but also assist grip during battle and would reflect light making it highly visible to warriors when being used to direct Impi movement. The shaft has a bulbous finial also decorated with round head brass stud nails on one side. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22868 (ethnic shelves storeroom)

£875.00