Strange request- Zulu Shield

[Boristhedog]

The Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh may also be able to advise you on the best way forward.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

The shield is used on the left arm,held on by two or more straps the forearm is put through. Barge your opponent with shield,keep at arm's length then stabbed with spear underhanded. Therefore,arm straps tend to be substantial.
Centre of shield has strengthening stick held upright by tight strapping, giving strength and rigidity to be take the knock of trying to sweep opponent away from you, keeping him there to be able to stab him.
Hope this helps, don't know where you would someone to advise you in UK. Would presume museum, either military or civilian,as their work entails preservation of old such pieces. Best of luck, Jess.

 

[Suffolk stalker]

The shield is used on the left arm,held on by two or more straps the forearm is put through. Barge your opponent with shield,keep at arm's length then stabbed with spear underhanded. Therefore,arm straps tend to be substantial.
Centre of shield has strengthening stick held upright by tight strapping, giving strength and rigidity to be take the knock of trying to sweep opponent away from you, keeping him there to be able to stab him.
Hope this helps, don't know where you would someone to advise you in UK. Would presume museum, either military or civilian,as their work entails preservation of old such pieces. Best of luck, Jess.

Thanks Jess,
I’m still looking for someone to replace some of the strapping on the rear side of the shield.
As an aside I spent a fair number of fishing and Hunting Safaris in Zim, both on the Zambezi and Tuli and Gache Gache .
Great memories, shame it’s such a basket case now.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

Unfortunately so bud, I grew up in Matabeleland. They were Zulu till they broke away from Tshaka and settled the land between the Limpopo and the Zambezi. Now called Ndebele,both people and language.
Mugabe carried out pogrom there after independence, shame as they were good people.
Glad you enjoyed your time there, wonderful part of the world. Hopefully you can find someone here to restore your shield,part of times gone by.

 

[RichardAllen]

Two places I could recommend contacting are the regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh in Brecon which has a Zulu War Room commemorating the 24th Foot (I was researching there between lockdowns, very helpful people). Also I recall the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham Kent has a lot of zulu stuff commemorating Lt Chard.

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[Suffolk stalker]

Two places I could recommend contacting are the regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh in Brecon which has a Zulu War Room commemorating the 24th Foot (I was researching there between lockdowns, very helpful people). Also I recall the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham Kent has a lot of zulu stuff commemorating Lt Chard.

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Thanks Richard,
I’ll contact both and see if there is any interest/help.
Unfortunately previous experience tells me that most Museums are not too keen on “private work”

 

[sh1kar]

@The Sporting Bookshop

Could it be our book binding museum man might have some museum contacts relevant to this?

S