The Armourer June 2022

This month our attention turns to southern Africa and the British invasion of Zululand in 1879. This was a war to cement British Imperial interests in the area, which, in due course, would lead to the Boer War 20 years later. But for now, British demands of the Zulu nation were designed to lead to conflict and so it came to pass. The progress of the Anglo-Zulu war was far from smooth from the British perspective with disasters at iSandlwana and Hlobane, then a plucky defence that has become a cultural icon at Rorke’s Drift, before eventual victory at Ulundi. Despite having a huge technological advantage, the invaders made heavy weather against the bravery and ferocious fighting capability of the Zulus on their own land. Now, as I write, the…

EXHIBITIONS The Queen at war The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at IWM explores over 70 years of crown and conflict through photography, film and objects. Marking the Platinum Jubilee this spring, Imperial War Museums (IWM) will present a programme that explores the role of The Royal Family in conflict, tracing The Queen’s personal experience of war through poignant items, including rarely seen film and photography. As Princess Elizabeth, The Queen’s first public duties were during the World War II, which broke out when she was 13 years old. Upon joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1945, she became the first woman in The Royal Family to enlist as a full-time member of the armed services. Crown and Conflict: Portraits of a Queen in Wartime IWM London, 27 May 2022–8 January 2023…

As I type this, we have been remembering the Falklands Conflict. Although not actually classed as a war, as nobody declared war, just like the Malayan Conflict, to all intents and purposes it was indeed a shooting war. I can remember as a 15-year-old staying up every night to watch the updates on the TV and hearing about local boys not much older than myself who were on the taskforce sailing south. As a boy who grew up reading Commando comics and playing with Action Man, it was captivating. Carry On Yomping! is the second volume of a series of cartoons drawn by three Royal Marines about the Falklands crisis. The cartoons were initially intended for private circulation amongst the task force, to maintain morale by raising a chuckle. This…

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Antique arms at Hermann Historica The next clutch of auctions is coming up at Hermann Historica on 17 May, so let’s start with the Antique Arms and Armour catalogue. Here’s a nice looking, silver-mounted Ottoman khanjar from the latter part of the 18th century. Featuring a double-edged, slightly curved (minimal notched) blade made of grained Wootz-Damascus with a central ridge on both sides. The silver grip and the scabbard decorated with richly embossed flowers and tendrils, with a shell-shaped end. Starting price is €600. A little longer, but still with the Ottoman’s, this one is a silverin-laid yatagan, dated 1802. It has a slightly broadened steel blade towards the tip, decorated on both sides with inscriptions or cartouches almost entirely inlaid in silver. Florally embossed silver grip and blade mount…

The next Ratisbon’s auction runs from 8-15 May so there’s plenty of time to get your bids in online. So, let’s have a look at what’s up for grabs, starting with a rare piece of porcelain. It’s a BDM girl with a flag, in white, glazed porcelain, made by the SS-owned porcelain manufactory Allach. ‘SS Allach’ maker-marked to the bottom and the artist's signature of ‘Richard Förster’. Furthermore the model number 59. This item isn’t included in Ratisbon’s free shipping programme and bids start at £3,338. Remember, you’ll be adding the Buyer’s Premium of 22.5% on at the end. If you’re looking for a German Cross in Gold, there are a few in the auction. This one is made by Deschler & Sohn, München. It’s unmarked, but clearly made by…