Luristan Bronze Axehead

Napoleonic era with 30cm (12") round smooth bore barrel of .56" bore with London proof marks, the lock with 'TOWER', 'crown-over-GR' and 'crown-over-broad-arrow' marks fitted with brass-tipped wood ramrod and wood full stock and butt with brass butt cap, trigger guard, side plate and ferrule with steel belt hook; action working to half and full cock. 1.40 kg, 49 cm



Acquired from Andrew Bottomley, UK. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the Bottomley listing. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.204079.

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.

Comprising a full face shield with broad wavy bars and a small mouth opening, a wide hinged visor; the visor and the front section of the helmet secured by large hook-and-eye closures on the right-hand side; the crown with a tall ridge running from front to back, small collar for protecting the neck. 1.14 kg, 25 cm high



Acquired from Andrew Bennett in 2016. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a payment confirmation from Andrew Bennett, dated 1st June 2016. 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. 11768-203986.

This variation of the burgonet helmet is thought to have originated in the Savoy region of southeast France, and was very popular with heavy cavalry (Reiters) serving with a variety of Continental armies of the period. The term Savoyard is a reference to a large number of these helmets that the Swiss captured from the troops of the Duke of Savoy during an unsuccessful assault on the city of Genoa in 1602. The undulated bars and the small mouth of the visor are all indicative of the Savoyard style. The hinges on the side allowed the front of the helmet as a whole to be lifted away from the rear, aiding the wearer to place it over his head.

An iron single-edged angle-backed knife with tapering tang; silver and latten inlay to both faces. 166 grams, 27.5 cm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.