What IS This Thing, A Colonial African Fly Swater?

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Wyatt Burp

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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!

DSCN1147.jpg
 
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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. :mad:

On the other hand, it could be an artifact from Lady Helga's House of Correction. :-)
 
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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.
 
I think it looks more like a Colt SAA

Wyatt Burp said:
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!

DSCN1147.jpg
Click to expand...
 
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!
 
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 :)
 
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
 

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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 :D
We'll leave it at that. ;)
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
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 :D
We'll leave it at that. ;)
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
Texas Star said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.

DSCN0661.jpg
 
Wyatt Burp said:
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.
Click to expand...


This is why I never joke around and just try and be informative and helpful in threads. I suggest everyone else do the same.
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
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 :D
We'll leave it at that. ;)
Click to expand...

That's quite alright; i already know what you wanted to say :D
 
I don't know what that thing is but it sure looks like it could have some kinky uses.:D
 
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