Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group

Sword bayonet for use with the 8 mm M1886 Lebel rifle; fitted with 'German silver' grip scales; original scabbard. 532 grams, 65 cm



Property of a Luton, UK gentleman, by inheritance.

Known affectionately as “Rosalie” to French troops, the M1886 was the French mainstay during WWI and many were still in service at the Fall of France in 1940. The Lebel also saw extensive use worldwide by native troops in the French colonies. The M1886 introduced the distinctive cruciform blade, which remained a feature of most French bayonets until 1956. This example was made in 1890 at the Manufacture D'Armes St. Etienne (MAS). The scabbard was made by Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Châtellerault (MAC). This is an early example that escaped later modifications, retaining its long blade, quillon, and raised round press stud. The silver-alloy grip is removable.

Composed of socketted axeheads, hammer heads, adze-axes and wedges of various types; including examples stamped with maker's marks. 7.8 kg total, 9.5-26.5 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Of tapering cylindrical form with flange to socket, the upper body displaying vertical columns of chevrons between plain bands. 449 grams, 23 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

This gorz mace head belongs to the category of truncheon-shaped mace-heads, a type developed on the Iranian plateau during the Bronze Age, used by Elamite and Luristan warriors since the 3rd millennium B.C. This category of objects was also interpreted as a part of a shaft or cudgel, but most scholars agree on the interpretation of use as a mace.