2nd Boer War POW Carved Horn Dip Pen – Engraved BOEREN KAMP CEYLON 1902

Here on offer is a fine and unique example of a 2nd Boer War POW carved horn dip pen, engraved in the centre section, with the details:

BOEREN KAMP
CEYLON 1902

BOEREN KAMP is in Afrikaans and translates to BOER CAMP, in English.

The smooth pen shaft has been carved from a beautiful section of pale coloured horn and the tip has been finished with the image of a bird.

The tip of the pen has a steel section, which is complete and in excellent condition. It is stamped with the details:

S (Crown) O
CODE No. 49-14

It is fitted with a steel pen nib that looks to possibly be the original nib.

Boer War POW Camps in Ceylon.

Over 5,000 Boers were interned in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during the Boer War. The Ceylon camps were the second set of overseas POW camps that were created after those in St. Helena had filled up.

Boer prisoners consisting of burghers captured while under arms from the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), first arrived in Ceylon on 1900 August 9th and subsequently others followed until 5,089 prisoners had landed with the last on 1901 June 1st. Diyatalawa was the main camp. Mount Lavinia was the convalescent camp opened on 1900 December 17th. Dissidents and irreconcilables who would not sign the orth of allegence to the British Crown were housed at Ragama Camp which got its first inmates on 1901 January 8th. Camps for prisoners on parole was also opened at Urugasmanhandiya on 1901 September 11th and also in Hambantota on 1901 September 19th.

I can’t be sure which camp this pen was made in but it is likely to have been the main Diyatalawa Camp, that came to be known as “Boer Town”.


This is wonderful and unique piece of prisoner of war made memorabilia, from the 2nd Boer War that is in excellent undamaged condition.

It measures 8.75” (22.3cm) long, tip to tip and weighs 10g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Thank you for taking the time to look.

Code: 51666