Speaking from Windhoek in Namibia, André‚ Olivier told us about Early Guns at the Cape and the Evolution of the Cape gun.
A keen collector and researcher, his talk was masterfully illustrated by close-up photographs of many of the guns about which he spoke. Netherlands had barely freed itself from Spanish control - in the eighty years' war which ended in 1648 - than the VOC (Vereenigde Oos-Indische Compagnie) sent van Riebeeck to start a halfway station at the Cape in 1652.
Guns were imported by the VOC and citizens had to carry long guns with them when travelling (they were fined if unarmed). Pistols were discouraged - weapons stolen by escaped slaves were blamed for most crime. Naturally most guns came from the Netherlands at the time and after their 1755 standardisation of weapons was introduced sales into as far as America in the 1776 War of Independence. After that conflict some guns found their way to Africa where they were used against dangerous animals - hunting for the pot still being the rule.
His lecture covered the developments from matchlock to wheellock to flintlock, finally briefly mentioning percussion weapons. Following the Netherlands, Belgium had a short- lived industry and while the Spanish followed their own developments, Britain prospered once standards and particularly the Birmingham arms industry was recognised. The Brown Bess, a long smooth-bore weapon is probably the best known of these products. It was in use in various parts of the world by armies until about 1830 when the Martini- Henry first became available.
The VOC employed gunsmiths but after the company's bankruptcy, Cape gunsmiths cobbled together weapons from available parts. B M Berkowitz of the Stellenbosch Museum wrote up three types of "Cape guns" in the 1970s and André showed examples of each type. Eventually whole weapons had to be imported - until the British were in charge at the Cape i.e. 1806 onwards.
Possibly the most interesting development at the Cape was that of double-barrel guns which was an attempt to offset slow times from pulling the trigger to the bullet actually leaving the muzzle. In border conflicts against tribes which had acquired more guns in the interim, double barrels were useful. In some cases one barrel became rifled - giving greater accuracy - while the other one fired shot.
Our speaker noted that up until about 1950 it had been possible to order guns from Germany off catalogue - eat your heart out, Amazon!
André's lecture recording is in the Zoom Video Library of the website.
FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS - ZOOMINARS
Johannesburg
Thursday 12th November 2026 at 19h30 and then 20h15
Speaker: Tony Garcia
Subject: Jan Smuts in the War Cabinet in WWI
If you would like invitations to the ZOOMinars send an email to
scribe@samilitaryhistory.org
Eastern Cape Branch (SAMHSEC)
SAMHSEC Zoominars
Monday 9th November 2026 19h30 and then 20h15
Speaker: Alan Mantle
Subject: The Yalta Conference - 1945: The Twilight of Postwar Europe
The Yalta Conference was a pivotal moment in world history. It took place towards the end of the Second World War bringing together the leaders of the three major Allied powers and their military advisors. Its role was to determine the Occupation of Germany and the future political and territorial arrangements for post-war Europe.
Next KwaZulu-Natal Branch Meeting
Saturday 14th November at 1-30 for 2pm
We will have a 1-minute silence with Last Post and reveille and the presentations will be
a DDH introductory illustrated short talk by Col Brian Adams on an interaction with the Gurkhas,
followed by Glenwood Historian and teacher Kevin Jordan who will give us his
excellent multimedia presentation on the epic South African stand at Dellville Wood during WW1
The meeting will take place at St Cyprians Church Hall off Umbilo Rd, with secure parking and liquid refreshments available for cash. Entry is free and open to all, with visitors welcome, but a donation of R20 for the car guard which also gives entry into the monthly raffle is requested from all attendees.
Enquiries to Phil Everitt,
Chair KZN Branch,
SAMHS,
Cell or WhatsApp: 084 437 1636.
December 2026 Military History Journal
Members wishing to submit articles for the forthcoming Journal are reminded that the technical deadline was the end of October. Late submissions will be considered until the end of November.
BRANCH CONTACT DETAILS
Eastern Cape details contact Malcolm Kinghorn 041-373-4469 culturev@lantic.net
Gauteng details contact Joan Marsh 010-237-0676 scribe@samilitaryhistory.org
KwaZulu-Natal details contact Prof Phil Everitt 084-437-1636 everitt@iafrica.com