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_900x900.jpg "Belgian Rimfire Pistol")
_200x200.jpg "Belgian Rimfire Pistol")
.jpg "Belgian Rimfire Pistol")
LOT 1438
Belgian Rimfire Pistol
LATE 19TH CENTURY A.D.
5 in. (127 grams, 12.5 cm).
An antique Belgian manufactured single-shot rimfire pocket pistol, the action with separately hinged loading gate and single action hammer with spur trigger; Liege proof marks.
ProvenanceAcquired on UK art market; previously in a Nottinghamshire, UK, collection.
Ex property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.
These small calibre, cheap and often quite crudely made pocket pistols (sometimes known as 'Saturday Night Specials') were popular in the later 19th century as weapons for personal defence; large numbers were made in Europe. 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Luristan Bronze Horse Harness Cheekpiece
11th-8th century B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £160
In the form of a righthand side bar, surmounted by two loops for additional straps, ending in a lion's head at the front, the other extremity bending outwards and ending with a conical tip, remains of the iron bar visible on the sides; once belonging to an articulate bit. 130 grams, 13.5 cm wide
Fine condition.
Acquired mid 1980s to early 1990s. Private family collection formed in London, UK.
The association of Psalia in the shape of a bar and with an articulated bit is documented in Assyria, in Media and in central Iran starting from the 10th century B.C., but the zoomorphic elements of this specimen suggest that it was produced in Luristan. The use of articulated bits, which moved inside the horse's mouth, exerting a minimal pressure on the reins, allowed for better control of the mount. -
Iron Executioner's Axehead
Circa 16th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
With substantial D-section socket and flange to the rear at the mouth; trapezoidal blade offset to one side, with punched cross crosslet motifs to one face. 2.8 kg, 33 cm high
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. -
'The Farnham Castle' English Medieval Socketted Macehead
13th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,600
With a long tubular socket and raised circumferential ribs, three tiers of radiating spikes; found with remains of wooden haft in situ. 312 grams, 80 mm
Found near Farnham Castle, Farnham, Surrey, UK. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Maces were in use since the Bronze Age. In the Medieval Western Europe, maces are attested in England as throwing weapons at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. At the end of 12th century A.D., the mace head was made of metal and was, under the influence of Byzantium, one of the weapons of the armoured knight. Originally of round section and armed with strong pyramidal spikes, the mace head evolved into a cylindrical shape, sometimes reinforced with spikes, most often with flanges.
