Greek Bronze Arrowhead Group

Mainly composed of tanged examples of barbed and leaf-shaped types. 220 grams total, 7.5-12.5 cm



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

Featuring steel flintlock action and spring-hinged triangular section bayonet with sliding retaining catch; the wood stock fitted with brass butt plate, side plate, trigger guard, ramrod mounts and escutcheon; a wood ramrod with brass ram tip and steel screw extractor fitted to underside of barrel; the barrel numbered 'A098' to right side near lock and the bayonet with number '86' at hinge; traces of original blued finish to lock; the lock and bayonet mechanisms in working order. 2.64 kg, 97 cm overall



Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

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.

Pear-shaped ceramic vessel with domed filler-hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 594 grams, 12 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 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. 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.