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Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Mingans Marauders on May 06, 2013, 04:12:04 AM

Title: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: Mingans Marauders on May 06, 2013, 04:12:04 AM
On each of the troop spures theres two arms with what looks like a stick, what is it? At first I thought it was a scarbbard or some sort of shield strap, but either seem correct. The other idea was a camel riding crop?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: Johan on May 06, 2013, 05:54:02 AM
it's a scabbard
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: Plynkes on May 06, 2013, 09:34:46 AM
Do you mean this?

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/ansar4_zps18f92feb.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Plynkes/media/back%20to%20africa/ansar4_zps18f92feb.jpg.html)

Not a scabbard. Sudanese scabbards are much more substantial than this, and you wouldn't mistake one for a stick. It looks like a stick because it is a stick. A traditional Sudanese weapon, you throw it. Unlike the Australian Aboriginal version they don't tend to come back by themselves, so your dog fetches it for you.



(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/bejathrowingstick_zpsde32cab6.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Plynkes/media/back%20to%20africa/bejathrowingstick_zpsde32cab6.jpg.html)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/IMG_0749_1_zps7af297ae.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Plynkes/media/IMG_0749_1_zps7af297ae.jpg.html)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/back%20to%20africa/BejaStick_0_zps4640e195.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Plynkes/media/back%20to%20africa/BejaStick_0_zps4640e195.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: grant on May 06, 2013, 02:06:58 PM
Worst. Boomerang. Ever.
(http://www.myalbum.ca/Photo-RDR3GHNX-D.jpg)
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: Chuck1372 on May 07, 2013, 02:53:46 AM
Weren't the sticks thrown at cavalry as they charged in the hopes of throwing the rider?
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: Mingans Marauders on May 07, 2013, 03:46:28 AM
Thanks! I was looking though the Armchair General book today a friend loaned me and I happened to see it saying something about a club, but thats even better info!
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: Dr Mathias on May 07, 2013, 04:30:16 AM
I love this site.
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: Hussar072 on May 07, 2013, 11:11:11 PM
You learn something new everyday around here :D
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: sukhe_bator on May 08, 2013, 09:05:13 AM
The Sudanese like their counterparts in desert regions of Gujarat in the Indian subcontinent, as well as their Aboriginal counterparts in Australia, all used the throwing stick to great effect mostly for hunting small game but were also capable of bringing down camels and horses. Known as the 'trombash' or 'bang'
http://www.victorianmilitarysociety.org.uk/index.php/reserach/2012-09-09-11-20-22/archive/63-sudanese-weapons-of-the-late-19th-century
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: 6sided on May 09, 2013, 10:10:42 AM
Well, I never knew that.  Have read tons of books about the Sudan as well.
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: sukhe_bator on May 09, 2013, 10:38:04 AM
Must have hurt an Englishman's pride to fight an enemy with Lee-Metfords and machine guns and potentially buy the farm from a native throwing a stick at him!
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 16, 2013, 08:09:59 PM
Great info Plynkes :D....I knew it was a stick of some sort....even thought it might be a riding crop of some sorts....and I also thought it was out of scale...however, looking at Plynkes wonderful pics it looks about right!!!!!
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: Hildred Castaigne on May 16, 2013, 08:22:10 PM
Worst. Boomerang. Ever.
Yeah, but it would be ideal for rattling on railings.  ::)
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: Timmo on May 16, 2013, 08:34:54 PM
MM

If you don't have the Perry Sudan book I'd say it's worth getting. The section on the Mahdist appearance is the single best source I've read. The photographs of the actual battlefields are also worth seeing.

[Hello shuke_bator!]
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: carlos marighela on May 17, 2013, 09:51:22 AM
Must have hurt an Englishman's pride to fight an enemy with Lee-Metfords and machine guns and potentially buy the farm from a native throwing a stick at him!

Dunno about you but if I was sitting pretty behind a Maxim gun with some chaps running me 600 yards away armed with a large dog toy I'd be feeling fairly pleased with myself. Putting late Victorian writing with it's depiction of clean limbed, cricketers living by a code of fair play to one side I suspect most contemporary soldiers would have felt the same.

600 metres, dark clump of scrub, 1 o'clock, large groups of blokes milling around wielding sticks. Watch and shoot.  :)
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: Plynkes on May 17, 2013, 09:58:55 AM
Quite. Given the choice of facing an angry Dervish with a stick or an Afrikander hiding behind a rock half a kilometer away brandishing a Mauser, I know which I'd pick.  :)
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: sukhe_bator on May 17, 2013, 10:09:15 AM
Not if it was dark and the locals knew every rock and scrub bush for miles in every direction... my money would be on the locals!
Title: Re: Plastic Ansar question
Post by: carlos marighela on May 17, 2013, 10:19:17 AM
Not if it was dark and the locals knew every rock and scrub bush for miles in every direction... my money would be on the locals!

Tell yer what. Find one of your local hunting 'n' fishing types, ask him to securely affix a 17" sharpened blade to his 12 gauge and then invite him to go mano a mano with you, armed with a wooden draft excluder. Switch the lights out or do it in your backyard if you think that gives you better odds. Let us know how you get on.  ;)