A Xhosa throwing spear, with the typical Xhosa elongated and fluted blade and neat binding. The Xhosa fought nine wars against Dutch and British expansion on the Eastern Cape Frontier, the last, in 1877-78, being a testing-ground for British troops who went on to fight in Zululand the following year. Because the 'Cape Frontier Wars' achieved less public notoriety in the contemporary British press, Xhosa weapons are scarce nowadays. Blade 9 ins, overall length 51 ins, in very good condition, only minor damage to binding.
