German WWII MG34 Anti-Aircraft Gun Sight

The blade with a tapering, triangular cross-section and tang with rivet holes; wedge-shaped domed pommel. 131 grams, 31.5 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

This is a weapon rather than a domestic knife, and is depicted as a sidearm for soldiers and knights alike in various iconography. This type of dagger was in use from the 14th to mid 16th century, and this example finds similarities with Hauswehrs used in the Eastern Europe during the 15th-16th century A.D.

Each a scrolled and angled bar tapering to a gently carinated zoomorphic terminal, formed as a serpent or other animal with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to both terminals. 33 grams total, 70 mm each



Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.

In the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier.

Comprising mainly tanged arrowheads including various types of leaf-shaped heads with midribs. 225 grams total, 12-18.5 cm



Acquired 1990s. From the collection of a late Japanese weaponry collector.