Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

An iron axehead with a T-shaped blade, curved edge, lateral flanges to the socket, and a spiked head to the rear. 566 grams, 17 cm



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1960s. From the private collection of Mr J.P.H., a Woolwich, UK, collector, his collection formed since the 1960s.

Leaf-shaped blade with rounded edge and a flattened socket. 355 grams, 11.8 cm



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1960s. From the private collection of Mr J.P.H., a Woolwich, UK, collector, his collection formed since the 1960s.

A mixed group of arrowheads of socketted type, some with triangular cross-sections. 38 grams total, 32-40 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Comprising a thin leaf-shaped two-edged blade in an X-shaped wooden hilt with carved fluting and median rib; leather sheath with moulded detailing and stamped roundels. 72 grams, 21.5 cm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

British M1827 Pattern sword, with narrow fullered blade engraved with tendrils and 'star-and-crescent ' motif; swept openwork 'Gothic' steel guard with 'star-and-crescent' motif; shagreen grip; leather scabbard with plain chape and steel frog, stitching split; leather suspension strap and mounting loops; possibly from the Mahdist War (1881-99). 1.42 kg total, 98.5 cm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Including barbed-and-tanged, leaf-shaped and other types. 266 grams total, 8.5-16.5 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1980s-2010.

Comprising two triangular-section rectangular flints. 11.2 grams total, 17-28 mm



Found Brandon, Suffolk, UK. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old information packet handwritten by Peter Clayton.

Comprising: piriform leather pouch with saddle-stitched seam; brass tubular neck with spring-loaded mechanism to deliver a pre-measured amount to the mouth, stamped at top 'OZ / 1 ¼ /1'; neck stamped '1b 2½'. 78 grams, 21.4 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Nottinghamshire, UK, gentleman.

With traditional X-shaped carved wooden hilt, narrow two-edged blade with hooked end for slicing; old collector's label 'Hamstringing Sudanese curved knife for slashing at horses' hocks. Probably from battle of Omdurman Sept. 2nd 1898'. 140 grams, 25.6 cm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Slender triangular blade with a shallow midrib, a short tang with piercing to accept a rivet. 190 grams, 34 cm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Ovoid body with rounded base and domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 425 grams, 10.9 cm



Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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.

Comprising a leaf-shaped blade with a midrib, a long tapering socket with a flared mouth. 154 grams, 25.5 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.