TOPIC:

Hi,
I’ve recently purchased what appears to be an English made, mid Victorian sporting percussion carbine (Damascus barrel, saddle rings etc).
On butt of this piece, above the patch box is stamped “K ROSS” and below the patch box is stamped “CAPE TOWN”.
Now here’s the rub, inside the patch box (hidden when closed) is stamped “BOER” and “THEMBU” this I found confusing.
So I’m hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on the reason for these stamps being on the gun.
Many thanks in advance!

Hello Tallett
Welcome to the Forum
It is possible that your sporting carbine may have been used during the Cape Frontier Wars. There were a series of conflicts from 1779 to 1879 . Also known as the Xhosa Wars.The Thembu were a Xhosa speaking tribe.
If you Google the above there are numerous accounts and images with combatants carrying weapons of that era. In my humble opinion your carbine may have been used during this conflict. The name K Ross may have been the owner who resided in Capetown. If at some point you could share a few images of the carbine and manufacture details if any.There are some extremely knowledgeable members on the forum regarding weaponry.


Best regards
Dave

Sounds interesting - Could you post pictures? They need to be sized to <0.5MB each.

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the prompt reply, interesting stuff!

Hi,
I hope you find these piccies useful!
Regs

Hi,
Sorry, nearly forgot this one!
Regs