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_900x900.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
_200x200.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
LOT 1112
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 in. (588 grams, 15.3 cm).
Piriform in shape with raised lugs to the upper body with stamped concentric roundels between. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFamily collection, acquired 1980-2015.
Ex property of a North London gentleman.
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'.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.
FootnotesApart 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
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1861-1865 A.D.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Double-action with .44 calibre six-shot cylinder, hinged frame and loading arm with 15cm (6") barrel; marked 'STARR ARMS CO NEW YORK' to left frame, 'STARR'S PATENT JAN 15 1858' to right, numbered 705 to cylinder and 8795/W to front frame; plain wood grip with illegible stamped inspector mark each side; action slightly weak. 1.12 kg, 29 cm
Acquired from Bottomley Antiques & Armour, 2014. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the Bottomley invoice.
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. -
Mexican Iron Rowel Spur
18th-19th century A.D.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Heelband with geometric motifs, channelling and lozengiform terminals, pierced work neck and large free-running rowel. 252 grams, 22 cm
Acquired from Rusty Old Arms, UK, 2014. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copies of the ROA invoice and listing. -
Roman Iron Spatha Sword
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Comprising a wide double-edged blade of Illerup-Wyhl typology; blood channels and later inlays to both sides. 652 grams, 83 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
Specimens of Roman spathae of 2nd-3rd centuries have been found in large numbers in Danish bogs (Nydam, Straubing, Thorsberg, Illerup). The Straubing-Nydam type shows straight and convergent cutting edges, the width of which is reduced along the blade.
