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LOT 1139
Medieval Iron Grappling Hook
15TH-16TH CENTURY A.D.
8 5/8 in. (598 grams, 22 cm).
Retaining a free-running suspension loop. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. Tarassuk, L. & Blair, C., Complete Encyclopaedia of Arms & Weapons, London, 1982, p.199 s.v. grappling iron.
FootnotesThe device (manus ferreae) was invented by the Romans in approximately 260 B.C.The grappling hook was originally used in naval warfare to catch ship rigging so that it could be boarded (the famous harpax of Agrippa at the battle of Actium in 31 B.C.), then widely employed in the siege wars.
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AUCTIONS:
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Luristan Bronze Dirk
Circa 1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Cast in one piece, with narrow blade having almost parallel edges, flanged hilt with narrow grip widening slightly towards the ricasso, decorated from five parallel grooves, and running smoothly into the blade. 188 grams, 33 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
The dirk belongs to the type III in the Medvedskaya classification, but with a smallest hand guard at the base. The dating of type III to the 12th century B.C., suggested by Medvedskaya and confirmed by Khorasani, was based on the series of dirks with an inscription of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar I and of the name of Marduk Nadin Ahhe on similar types of daggers. -
Post Roman Squama Armour
5th-9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Each scale B-shaped, slightly convex sides, two equally spaced circular holes along the straight edge. 55 grams total, 19-38 mm
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
This object is not typical of 'squama' which usually has scales that are rectangular with one rounded end, and numerous attachment holes at the square end in pairs. However, it can be a type widespread in the post Roman age, with various specimens found in Britain (PAS SWYOR-CA6BBB, BM-95F434 and NCL-34BE90. -
Medieval Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop Group
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Comprising eight caltrops, hand-forged with square-section spikes. 250 grams total, 79-84 mm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
Caltrops were scattered on battlefields in an effort to stop or slow advancing enemy cavalry or foot soldiers; regardless of how a caltrop lands, one spike is always facing upwards.
