Luristan Bronze Re-Hilted Sword

Piriform, undecorated body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 455 grams, 15 cm



From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια, where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

A butted short-sleeved chainmail shirt made of thick oval rings assembled in the usual system of one-to-four; in an excellent state of preservation, with over 95% of the rings intact, very few broken or corroded, with no later additions. 9.93 kg, 87 x 56 cm



Acquired on the German art market before 2000. Private collection, South Germany. 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 no.13066-249665.

In the German-manufactured ring mail armours, in the 15th century A.D., the rings protecting the breast were very thick, whereas the sleeved mail armours were thinner. Master armourers from Nuremberg were famous for this production across Europe.

Comprising a broad blade with inscription 'Alles für Deutschland' ('everything for Germany') and maker's mark 'Julius Bahrl Jr., Solingen', slightly curved hilt, wooden grip bearing inset logo of eagle and swastika within a ring; sheath with attachment hoop and knob at scabbard chape. 444 grams, 37.5 cm



From the private collection of a Colchester, UK, gentleman.

The Julius Bahrl Jr. steel goods factory from Solingen-Merscheid is among the smaller Solingen makers that are only partially documented today. A verified founding year is not clearly preserved in the sources; however, the company is known to have been active in the early 1930s. This dagger is an Early Model 1933 SA Dagger (Sturmabteilung Dienstdolch).