German WWI Erfurt 'Butcher' Bayonet

Suitable for use with an onager or other catapult-type siege weapon; with smooth surface. 1.4 kg, 10 cm



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

The operation of the onager (Latin for 'wild ass') is first mentioned in 353 A.D. by Ammianus Marcellinus in his Res Gestae and more fully in Vegetius's Epitoma Rei Militaris probably written in the reign of Emperor Theodosius I (378-395 A.D.).

Comprising: a type C leather open face helmet wired for type B communication, oxygen mask with hose and alloy-framed flying goggles with padded leather and rubber band, the frames stamped 'Stadium Made in England Patent Reg Design'; the helmet with webbing chin strap, buckles and stud fasteners, chamois leather lining bearing ink stamp and handwritten 'Adams Progressive' 'No.75-78', plug holder with paper label, tubular oxygen mask inlet marked 'MLD 18' 'MC253D', microphone plug and hose with brass connector stamped 'D/156'; together with an RAF flight map and an RAF 'ditching' whistle of classic snail type with Air Ministry's crown markings and reference numbers '23/230' and '293/14/L1795'; the helmet mounted on a wooden 'mannequin' head. 6.1 kg, 31 cm



Acquired from J C Militaria and Historic Flying Clothing Company. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copies of listings for each item.

This type of helmet and system was introduced in 1941 A.D.

Formed as leaves or a flower bud with volutes emerging from a rectangular frame at the upper end, also with volutes, integral loop above; two mounting lugs to the reverse. 6.03 grams, 27 mm

Fine condition.

Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Ex an important central London gallery, London W1.

In the development of the Seversky Donets basin, together with the Alans and other bearers of the cremation rite, archaeology confirms the presence of tribes who practiced inhumation funeral rite with the eastern orientation of the dead (Netailovsky ground burial). Elements of belt sets, typical for this period, were found in these graves. Elements of the belt set similar to those found in the burials of the Netailovsky burial ground mainly come from the so-called ‘under-barrow burials with ditches’ of the 7th - first half of the 8th centuries, identified with the Khazars proper. Floral decoration of the belt elements, like this one, can be regarded as evidence of intensive contacts between the Khazars and Byzantium.