rorkesdriftvc.com :: View topic - Colonial Armed With 2 Pistols Illustration ?

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:06 pm

John Young

I've not seen you posting lately, but I seem to recall you said you may have an image of a Colonial (in the Zulu War ?) fighting with a revolver in each hand.

It was in answer to my question if any images had been seen of a British officer in that era, fighting in a similar fashion.

Thanks in advance

Coll

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:29 pm

Coll,

That image was obviously based on the Natal Mounted Police officer at Isandlwana.

I can't recall ever seeing an image of a British officer doing the same, even in contemporary works of fiction.

John Y.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:33 pm

John Y.

'Natal Mounted Police officer at Isandlwana' ?

I don't recall ever seeing this image, could you please tell me where I can.

Thankyou

Coll

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:50 am

Coll,

The tale/witness account of a N.M.P. man pistol in each hand at Isandlwana blazing at the encircling Zulu.

The image I have is by Stanley Wood, depicts a fugitive escaping on a horse along the Fugitives' Trial appeared in a work of fiction.

I'll try and scan soon.

John Y.

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 11:39 am

John

I am not close to the regimental archives - so my memory might of failed. Is Coll thinking of Charles Fripp's painting of the last stand of Melvill and Coghill? There was of course Stanley Wood's image of Buller pistol in hand at the Devil's Pass.

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:31 pm

John

Thankyou.

Martin

The two images you mention are in my books, but the one John mentions appears to be one I've never seen.

The concept of an illustration showing an actual British officer fighting with a revolver in each hand, stems from a small diorama I saw ages ago, that I thought had been based on a published drawing.

Coll

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:35 pm

I think the picture John is referring to appears in "With Shield and Assegai. A Tale of the Zulu War" by Captain F.S.Brereton published in 1900.

The caption reads - Dropping the reins upon his horse's neck, he grasped a revolver in each hand

There's also another superb illustration in the same book, showing the same character, using his rifle as a club.

Hopefully John's scans will be of help to you.

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:41 pm

Mark

Thanks for the info.

The second image you mention, using his rifle as a club, though on foot rather than horseback, I think appeared in one of the Osprey books years ago, though can't remember which one, as I only have the 'British Forces in Zululand 1879' from the Elite series.

Coll

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 5:37 pm

Here's a figure I painted of a kit figure of a Natal Mounted Policeman created by New Hope Designs years ago depicting him on foot firing two pistols.....The Lt.

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:01 pm

Lt.

Thanks for adding the photo.

John

Will you be able to scan the image of the Colonial with two revolvers, as I can't obtain the book it is in at present ?

Thankyou

Coll

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:00 am

Coll,

And here it is:

John Y.

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:28 pm

John

Excellent. Many thanks indeed. Very Happy

As soon as I saw it, I realised I knew the artist, Stanley Wood, due to the fact it reminded me of the most fantastic image I've seen of Melvill's 'Saving Of The Colour'. (in Ian Knight's 'Zulu' book)

Now I've got a great image of a 'character' who can accompany him, at least part of the way, in an exciting illustration.

I'll definitely get the book it is in.

Thankyou John. It is very much appreciated. Wink

Coll

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 6:18 pm

'With Shield And Assegai' book now ordered. Very Happy

Hopefully, will get it next week

Coll

P.S. Are there more than the 2 illustrations previously mentioned ?

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:27 pm

'With Shield And Assegai' book has arrived. Very Happy

It has six illustrations in total, with a few more samples at the back of the book from other titles listed.

It is interesting to see this inside the front -

'S. Mark's Boys' School'.

'Awarded To Wm. Riches'

'for Punctuality & Progress'.

'Christmas 1903'.

Coll

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 1:44 pm

Mine has a pasted sheet from St Mary Stoke School Ipswich dated 28 July 1910 and was awarded to N Everett for Marks in Class III. The second owner was Victoria Hanning in 1980.
I do love inscriptions in old books.