Modelling a muscular male torso with naturalistic anatomical detailing. 1.49 kg, 53 cm high

Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.

See Peterson, D., Fotografare la storia, I Legionari Romani, nelle fotoricostruzioni di Daniel Peterson (Photographing history, The Roman Legionaries, in Daniel Peterson's photoreconstructions), Parma, 1992, pp.7-9, for similar.

Composed of a tapering wooden blunt-tipped shaft, waisted grip with raised ribs and 'button' terminal. 309 grams, 43 cm

The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

Swedish made bolt action model M96 with matching serial No.890, full wood stock with steel butt plate, trigger guard, sling swivels and fore-end, hinged backsight with slide; fitted with correct bayonet dated 1916 with steel scabbard and leather frog. 4.05 kg, 148 cm

Acquired from Arundel Militaria Ltd, UK, 2016.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

Accompanied by copies of invoice and listing and original Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate No.96730.

Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent.

Comprising three caltrops, hand-forged with square-section in the form of four welded arrowheads. 34 grams total, 50 mm each

Acquired on the German art market around 2000.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Cf. Tsurtsumia, M., 'Tribolos, a Byzantine Landmine' in Byzantion, 2012, pp.413-422, fig.1, for identical specimen.

Caltrops were a kind of 'landmine' of the ancient world an mentioned in the Classical period. Nevertheless, they turned into real military weapons only in Dark Ages. Their systematic and wide use by the Eastern Romans, who called it tribolos, is noticeable. In 1082, Emperor Alexios Komnenos used caltrops against the Norman cavalry in the Balkans. Anna Komnena tells us in detail of her father’s intentions: ‘He marched against Bohemond with a new idea for victory. He had iron caltrops made and since he expected the battle to take place on the next day, the evening before scattered them over the plain between the two armies at the point where he guessed that the Kelts (the Normans) would make a heavy cavalry attack. The plan was to frustrate the first and irresistible charge when the caltrops pierced the horses’ hooves.’ Unfortunately for the Romans the Normans avoided battle on the ‘minefield’, outflanked the enemy and gained victory.

Displaying shallow striations running vertically around the body; cylindrical socket. 828 grams, 64 mm wide

Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.

Cf. Milovanic, D., Metalwork in Serbia (in Serbian), Belgrade, 1986, fig.342, for similar specimen.

This kind of later maces, typical of 15th century, had irregularly shaped heads, with spheres having holes for the insertion of the shaft. Incised, parallel strips formed a cross ornament running horizontally and vertically. Grooved lines were carved in the fields between.

Finno-Ugrian with triangular-section blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with spur to the underside, socket with extended lower sleeve. 779 grams, 17.5 cm

Acquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.

Cf. Nicolle, D., 'Raiders of the Ice War' in Military Illustrated, March, 1996, no.94, pp.26-29, fig.p.28, for similar axes; Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.I, no.23.

During their struggles against Germans and Teutonic Knights, deceased pagans were often cremated along with damaged or ceremonially sacrificed weaponry. If swords were generally reserved for the military elite, the side axe was one of the most commonly used weapons.

Mainly comprising socketted arrowheads of triangular type, including at least one barbed and one tanged example. 213 grams total, 32-56 mm

Ex private collection, 1980s.
Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.

Comprising curved and flat plates, some incorporating shaped regions, raised borders and seized ring loops. 450 grams total, 7.2-19.5 cm

Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.

Comprising a leaf-shaped blade with lozenge cross-section, raised midrib, closed tubular socket; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 1.76 kg total, 43.5 cm including stand

Acquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.

Cf. similar specimen in the British Museum, London, from Norway, inventory no.1875,0716.3.

The spear belongs to the type A of the first main group of Viking spears, the so-called Frankish spearheads, which occur between 750 and 950 A.D., but mainly in the 8th and 9th centuries. The Mediterranean influence is still evident on the foliate shape of the blade.

Composed of a tanged and barbed blade with raised midrib to both faces, extending the full-length of the weapon. 470 grams, 57 cm

Private UK collection, 1980s.
Ex London gallery.

Cf. MacGregor, A., Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of the Lord McAlpine of West Green, Ashmolean Museum, 1987, no.17.25 and 17.27, for the typology.

In the last ninety years many such tanged blades have been considered coming from centres of production of North-West Iran, like Amlash and Marlik. Without context an accurate dating is impossible, but the shape recalls the rapiers of Bronze Age or Early Iron Age.

Four tanged arrowheads of barbed and leaf-shaped types, including examples with pronounced midribs. 90 grams total, 8.7-14.5 cm

Ex G. White collection, 1990s.

Featuring a fullered blade with wood-scale hilt and press-release stud; stamped with a maker's mark and issue date. 557 grams, 50.2 cm

Acquired from The Lanes Armoury, Brighton, UK.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

Accompanied by a Lanes Armoury certificate of authenticity.