The great Selous bought it while serving with the 25th Royal Fusiliers (Frontiersmen).
Stumbled upon some footage of the 25th Royal Fusiliers (Frontiersmen) during the East African Campaign of World War I. View it here.
The Fusiliers were recruited out of the Legion of Frontiersmen, a British and Commonwealth paramilitary organization founded at the turn of the 20th Century by the adventurer and eccentric romantic Roger Pocock.
Frederick Courteney Selous, perhaps the greatest of African hunters, served with the “old and the bold” as they were known — a motley but hardy collection that included big-game hunters, a British millionaire, cowboys, an circus clown, an opera singer and other colorful chaps from across the Empire. It all sounds like great swashbuckling fun, but it was actually a miserable campaign, riddled with disease and hardship and some sharp fighting, including a battle that took the life of Selous.
It’s great to see this kind of vintage film, a glimpse of wild times among the Frontier Partisans.
Paul McNamee says
Fascinating stuff. Thanks.
Lane Batot says
I was dragged, kicking-and-screaming, into the computer era only a few years back, a necessity of my workplace. But like any primitive savage, I learned to adapt modern technology forced on me by circumstances, to my own needs and desires. So I advanced and upgraded my weaponry recently by ordering a SPEAR off’n the internet! A genuine Assegai! What has this to do with the subject here? I’m getting around to that(roondaboot lad, roondabooot!). To further celebrate my acquisition, I also ordered cheap copies of two great African classics, “Zulu”(1964), and “Zulu Dawn”(1979–the centennial anniversary of the battle at Isandlwana–which occurred on January 22nd, which is coincidentally my birthday– whatever that means….). My old VCR copies of these movies were shot(and fungused), so I figured it was time to upgrade, not only the type of spear I carry, but DVD copies of those movies as well! Although, of course, that’s about SOUTH Africa, not East. But I am suprised you haven’t done(yet) a post on that subject(and films!)–an excellent future addition to this blog, perhaps? You HAVE seen those movies, surely…..
JimC says
Both longtime favorites — and absolutely they are blog fodder for the future. Maybe the near future. I want an assegai!
Lane Batot says
….Oh man! The assegai I got off Amazon is GREAT! And not too expensive, but being financially challenged, I did have to save up. I actually got TWO, both the short-shaft, and later went ahead and got the long shaft version(what I consider more practical for my purposes). The short shaft was much cheaper, but it is the same blade–it would not be hard to make a longer shaft yourself if you prefer, and save a good $20 bucks. The short shaft(3′) was already stained and finished–the long shaft(6′) has to be stained/finished yourself, for some reason. The blade is razor sharp, and freakin’ 18″ long! And extremely solid and sturdy– I am one formidable savage now! Comes with a very functional sheath–it sticks a bit, but I’ve figured out a handy way to kick it off in a second with the heel of my shoe without seriously lacerating myself. I did duct-tape the shaft and blade along with the accompanying screws for extra safety–I’m not concerned with visual accuracy! Although I doubt the Zulus used screws either! And both mine came quickly and dependably in the mail. I carry a spear most of the time when rambling the woods, but one of these suckers would also be incredibly effective for self-defense in the home in any close-range scuffle–just keep it handy by the front door! Jehovah’s Witnesses and other preachers, politicians, tax collectors and salesmen all beware! I HIGHLY recommend it to any other spear-chucker out there!…And in reading the other day, I discovered that there is a real verb, “assegaied” to describe getting stuck by one of these fellers!
Lane Batot says
…And you had the opportunity to say, “Don’t call me Shirley”, but missed it…..
oscar case says
Brings back memories of the old Frank Buck B&W’s of the 30’s, except he was hunting big game instead of Germans.
Greg says
Jim,
“Old and the Bold” – I like that 🙂
As you know I am a long time Selous fan.
Let me know when you get your assegi!
GW