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01-31-2012, 07:55 PM
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What IS This Thing, A Colonial African Fly Swater?
I found this in an antique shop over fifteen years ago and bought just because I liked it. It reminds me of something a Dutch African colonist (Afrikkaners, I think) might use to swat flies away. Like the "Out Of Africa" period. But I really don't have a clue. I always assumed that was horse hair. It might be American for all I don't know. Any thoughts? That gun is there for size comparison. If it is African a Webley would be more apropriate.
EDIT: I just searched "African Fly Swatter" and there's some close examples. Should have thought of that befoe!
Last edited by Wyatt Burp; 01-31-2012 at 08:01 PM.
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01-31-2012, 08:02 PM
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It very well may be an African fly whisk. These were made from the tails of various animals and were usually fairly plain but often had colorfully beaded handles. They were carried by tribal elders as a sign of something...being old, maybe. My father had quite a collection of these--my sister put them in storage after he died and insect larvae pretty well destroyed them.
On the other hand, it could be an artifact from Lady Helga's House of Correction. :-)
Last edited by mjr; 01-31-2012 at 08:34 PM.
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01-31-2012, 08:12 PM
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Absent Comrade
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I kinda though you might have found it in old san francisco?
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01-31-2012, 08:23 PM
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I'm gonna keep my mouth shut on this one.
Blessings
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01-31-2012, 08:37 PM
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Ditto..........
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James L. "Jim" Rhiner
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01-31-2012, 08:54 PM
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That is what it is, made of animal tail hairs and used to swat off tsetse fly's
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Len
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01-31-2012, 08:57 PM
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I'd say Texas or Mexican made.
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01-31-2012, 09:10 PM
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Quirt for a Broke Back cowboy.
Bob
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01-31-2012, 09:36 PM
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I say it is indeed a quirt, they were popular in and around the 1870's and 1881's. I have a beautiful one laying somewhere out in a plowed field, it fell of the saddle while working a new mare. The field was wheat stubble when I was riding out there. I looked and looked and then it got plowed. Dang.
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There's always a way
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01-31-2012, 09:41 PM
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I think it looks more like a Colt SAA
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyatt Burp
I found this in an antique shop over fifteen years ago and bought just because I liked it. It reminds me of something a Dutch African colonist (Afrikkaners, I think) might use to swat flies away. Like the "Out Of Africa" period. But I really don't have a clue. I always assumed that was horse hair. It might be American for all I don't know. Any thoughts? That gun is there for size comparison. If it is African a Webley would be more apropriate.
EDIT: I just searched "African Fly Swatter" and there's some close examples. Should have thought of that befoe!
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Buy American
Vote Responsibly
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01-31-2012, 09:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bushmaster1313
I think it looks more like a Colt SAA
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and a purty one at that.
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Dum vivo cano
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01-31-2012, 09:45 PM
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It's an ACLU approved sap.
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Thirty characters. Exactly...
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01-31-2012, 09:55 PM
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I've seen a few of those that were in fact disguised jacks! i sort of thought the first one i saw was for really BIG flys!
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01-31-2012, 10:06 PM
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Swordstriper
Howdy,
I bet I could lay out a mean pinstripe with that!
Cool tool Matt.
Thanks
Mike
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01-31-2012, 10:34 PM
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I know exactly what that is
Or at least what I would use it for if I had it. I'd use it for tickling the nose of friends and family while they are sleeping or passed out drunk.
You wanna sell it Wyatt? I could use it in my line of work
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01-31-2012, 10:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sipowicz
It's an ACLU approved sap.
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The ACLU should know Saps; seeings as how they are one.
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01-31-2012, 11:03 PM
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Kind of looks like a Detroit fly swatter.
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
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01-31-2012, 11:39 PM
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Barbara Streisand selling her hair again?
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02-01-2012, 12:46 AM
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Here is one I picked up in Swaziland in the mid 70s. This one is about 3 feet long and made for the tourist trade, but it sure works well. It is one of my grandkids favorites to play with when they come over, Swatting each other seems like great fun.
I'd say the OP one is the "real" thing but I don't think it is from Africa, I have never seen them work leather well like that over there.
Steve W
Last edited by Stevens; 02-01-2012 at 12:56 AM.
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02-01-2012, 06:07 AM
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Doggone it, John. There's that Fitz again! My very favorite belly gun.
Bob
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02-01-2012, 09:25 AM
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Man, I could say something really politically incorrect but I just got swatted a few days ago and don't need another ding from the big guy so soon
We'll leave it at that.
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02-01-2012, 10:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER
Man, I could say something really politically incorrect but I just got swatted a few days ago and don't need another ding from the big guy so soon
We'll leave it at that.
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I feel your pain, Caj. I got dinged again a couple days ago for getting too, uh, opinionated about certain social issues. That's why I'm keeping quiet. It's real hard, though. But it's almost entrapment! Someone says something and it's hard not to respond. What did Pacino say in Godfather 3,"I try to leave and they pull me back in!!"
At least I know I was on the right track about that item in question.
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02-01-2012, 11:05 AM
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Keep in mind that Colts were popular in British colonies, too.
I've seen ads for the SAA in old South African publications, and that is the handgun model carried by the three heroes in, "King Solomon's Mines", first published in 1883 by Sir Henry Rider Haggard.
The author was a veteran of the Second Zulu War of 1879, and probably saw SAA's in use in South Africa. They didn't all use Webleys.
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02-01-2012, 12:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star
Keep in mind that Colts were popular in British colonies, too.
I've seen ads for the SAA in old South African publications, and that is the handgun model carried by the three heroes in, "King Solomon's Mines", first published in 1883 by Sir Henry Rider Haggard.
The author was a veteran of the Second Zulu War of 1879, and probably saw SAA's in use in South Africa. They didn't all use Webleys.
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This is true. And in one case a Remington 44-40 was used. That was american Colonel Frederick Burnham. The scout, hunter, and Arizona gunfighter who scouted in Africa for Rhodes. Here's a Rem. repro on my copy of "Scouting On Two continents", inscribed by Burnham in his later years.
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02-01-2012, 12:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyatt Burp
I feel your pain, Caj. I got dinged again a couple days ago for getting too, uh, opinionated about certain social issues. That's why I'm keeping quiet. It's real hard, though. But it's almost entrapment! Someone says something and it's hard not to respond. What did Pacino say in Godfather 3,"I try to leave and they pull me back in!!"
At least I know I was on the right track about that item in question.
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This is why I never joke around and just try and be informative and helpful in threads. I suggest everyone else do the same.
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02-01-2012, 01:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER
Man, I could say something really politically incorrect but I just got swatted a few days ago and don't need another ding from the big guy so soon
We'll leave it at that.
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That's quite alright; i already know what you wanted to say
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02-01-2012, 01:11 PM
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Is that a boresnake for a really big caliber gun?
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02-01-2012, 01:17 PM
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I don't know what that thing is but it sure looks like it could have some kinky uses.
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02-01-2012, 01:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mjr
insect larvae pretty well destroyed them.
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You know what they say. Hair today, Gone tomorrow.
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02-01-2012, 02:41 PM
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Fly swatter
I'm going with Leonard--he's been there (many times), and done that (probably too many to count).
Jim
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02-01-2012, 02:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyatt Burp
What IS This Thing
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That is a Colt Single Action with the scalp of a troll it bagged.
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Lee Jarrett
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02-01-2012, 07:06 PM
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Where is "Sip" when we need him?
medxam
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02-01-2012, 10:14 PM
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Sip pleaded the 5th a few post ago.
OH MAN---this is really too tempting.
BY &
Blessings
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