Tapering with rounded shoulders and flattened mid-ribs, tapered square sectioned tang pierced at the tip. 170 grams, 26.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons no greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length.

Stiletto-type with slender two-edged blade, central fuller, dished bolster, gilt S-curved quillons, bone grip and pommel-cap with knop finial. 138 grams, 42.5 cm



Acquired on the UK art market circa 2005. From an old North Country, UK, collection.

With leaf-shaped blade and narrow neck, flared tubular split socket; mounted in a glazed wooden frame with reveal and title panel. 963 grams, 33 x 24.1 cm



From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.

Piriform in profile with domed mouth, circumferential band of impressed rosettes to the equator. 459 grams, 13 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

With central shaft hole and blade set at a right angle. 1.25 kg, 25.7 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

The adze-axe was a fundamental axe of many Bronze Age ancient cultures. Its form was one that lends itself to dual purposes - for war and work. As a tool, it functioned in woodwork in fabricating a variety of objects and as a weapon, its heavy mass and compact form make it a very deadly striking and chopping weapon, even able to defeat light armour.

Lentoid in section, triangular in plan with rounded tip, short tang, two holes to the shoulder for attachment. 102 grams, 22 cm



UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.

Piriform in profile with vertical socket expanding towards the base, short neck. 459 grams, 80 mm



Ex London gentleman's collection, 1990s.

With broad blade and curved edge, stepped shoulder to the socket with lateral flanges and hammer-face to rear; blade with circular hole behind the edge. 265 grams, 14.8 cm



Ex North American collection, 1970s-1990s.

Including narrow two-edged dagger blade, barbed-and-tanged arrowhead and other types. 422 grams total, 7.5-20.5 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

With bell-shaped profile and holes to the trailing edge, baluster to the neck, square-section tang. 81 grams, 18.1 cm



Private Buckingham, UK, collection, formed before 2000.

With a broad curved blade, narrow neck and hammer extension to the rear; round socket; punched ornament to both cheeks of the blade. 305 grams, 11.9 cm



Ex North American collection, 1970s-1990s.

Large swallowtail arrowhead with square-section tang; pierced at centre for insertion of flammable material. 62 grams, 16.2 cm



Private Buckingham, UK, collection, formed before 2000.