Luristan Socketted Axe-Adze

A pair of smooth-bore flintlock pistols of about 5mm bore formed as a knife and fork (two tines) set; with steel blades (the knife with a profile bust maker's mark) with the pistols contained within the brass foliate engraved handles, firing to the rear; each fitted with finely made steel single action flintlock mechanism to sides; contained in the original velvet-lined mahogany case with hinged lid and brass catches; actions in working order. 1.31 kg total, case 30 x 13 cm



Acquired Peter Wilson Auction, 2020, lot 13. Property of a Kent collector. Accompanied by lot ticket.

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.

A bronze short dagger with double-edged blade, central rib to both sides, a slender fullered handle with a high conical pommel. 491 grams, 41 cm



UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.

The sword has a solid cast hilt with a straight horizontal guard. However, its main characteristic is the exaggerated mushroom pommel, which resembles the type dated by Moorey to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C. According to some authors, these swords were produced in Northern Iran and dated between 1400-1200 B.C.

A bronze Montefortino helmet with bulbous domed skull and a plain crest knob with flattened top; plain and flat neck guard with thickened rim; the front with punched Latin inscription 'A N CFN'; the surface largely covered in marine encrustations; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 2.2 kg, 28 cm (4 kg total, 45 cm high including stand)



Private Swiss collection, acquired 2001. 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 searcher certificate no.11576-198953.

This Montefortino specimen belongs to type C or D of Robinson’s classification, also identified under the continental system as Buggenum. The helmets of this category, mainly legionary helmets, were produced in mass by the state to be supplied to the troops fighting in the civil wars of the 1st century B.C. Artistic sources of the same period provide evidence for the use of Montefortino and Buggenum type helmets in sea battles, which has been confirmed by archaeological finds from the Albenga ship. The legionary helmets had inscriptions punched upon them, indicating the name of the wearer and the unit, i.e. cohors, centuria or turma. Here the punched letters 'AN' refer probably to the initials of the owner (Ancus N.?), and 'CFN' to centuria of Fabius C.