Large Western Asiatic Bronze Socketted Axehead

Over and under turnover rifle with 82cm (32¼") barrel with brass insert inscribed 'D Kornman' to top, double set trigger, fitted with one (of two) ramrod in brass ferrules at side and characteristically curved wood stock with brass butt and side plates, trigger guard and patch container with hinged lid; left of stock with inset silver(?) of a fish or whale which might suggest that this was carried on a whaling ship; action working. 4.10 kg, 124 cm



Acquired from Andrew Spencer Bottomley, UK, 2016. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copies of the purchase invoice and listing.

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.

The rounded two-piece skull joined along the crest with a high medial comb, internally fitted with a quilted canvas lining sewn to a leather lining-band, the brow with a fixed rounded peak, outward-flanged rear edge with a matching one-piece neck guard, hinged cheek-pieces flanged outwards at the lower edge to serve as a continuation of the neck-guard. 1.7 kg, 29 cm



with Thomas Del Mar Ltd, 7th December 2017, lot 542. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the Thomas Del Mar invoice. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11762-203983.

The burgonet (Italian borgognotta) had developed at the beginning of the 16th century from the sallet and soon became a very popular helmet worn in many parts of Europe (especially in Germany and Northern Italy) by infantry and later cavalry units. A clear advantage of this helmet was the unifying a good protective function against cut and thrust weapons with a unhindered field of sight, good ventilation and user comfort due to the small weight and the fact it could be worn independently without an armour.

Aluminium rotating bodied vertical trench periscope with camouflage finish, marked 'GT=6 / MICRO:GRADES' to one side and M.G. / No.34185' to other, fitted with hinged wood handle; including original leather case with loops for belt/webbing. 1.36 kg, 40 cm



The Kusmirek Collection, UK.