Rare Arrow-Tipped Zulu spear South Africa

Superb and rather rare form of Zulu war spear, dating to the 19th century. Arrow form blade with long rear-facing barbs. The long steel shaft thick and solid, bound to the wooden shaft with intricately woven fibre or reed stem, The shaft long and with a flaring butt in typical Zulu style for stopoing the hand slipping off the spear when thrusting. This form of spear was used as a mark of rank in the Zulu army and would only have been used by higher ranking warriors or nobles. A great collectors item, fabulous condition, Zulu wars period circa 1870’s.   african, shona