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LOT 0265
Medieval Iron Kidney Dagger
LATE 15TH CENTURY A.D.
18 1/8 in. (307 grams, 46 cm).
Featuring a wedge-shaped blade and a lobed handle; the hilt fitted with an iron plate bending down to form points on each side of the blade, pommel with a discoid brass plate decorated with an incised flower motif.
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Cf. Tarassuk, L. & Blair, C., Complete Encyclopaedia of Arms & Weapons, London, 1982, p.156, item 5, for a late 15th century version of the type.
FootnotesThe term 'ballock dagger' was used in medieval times to describe a dagger with a grip bearing a considerable resemblance to a phallic symbol. It was also called 'kidney dagger' during the Victorian times. The constant characteristic is the presence of two roundish and symmetrical bulbs at the guard, with the grip itself emerging upward between them and flaring slightly towards the top, sometimes being surmounted by a cap.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0265
Medieval Iron Kidney Dagger
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000€1,740 - 2,320 (for guidance only)$2,030 - 2,700 (for guidance only)
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Medieval Iron Spear and Arrowhead Group
Circa 10th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Mainly comprising socketted spearheads and tanged arrowheads of various types, including conical, triangular-section, bodkin and lanceolate types. 408 grams total, 3.3-20 cm
UK private collection, 1990s. Acquired from a provincial auction. -
Amarlu Type Bronze Sword with Blood Channels
Late 2nd millenium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Formed with a long triangular blade, thick midrib with parallel fullers, rectangular guard, long tang with folded end. 668 grams, 73 cm
Acquired on the London art market, prior to 1980s. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
This sword finds a good parallel with a bronze sword with bell-shaped pommel, today in the National Museum of Tehran. Originally these swords had separately made hilt which was then cast on the blade. These swords were more typical of the North-West Persian territory, especially in the Amlash and Gilan areas. -
German Jager Set Trigger Percussion Rifle
1730-1830 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Converted from a flintlock of about 3/4" bore with lock modified having 77cm (30¾") rifled barrel swamped to muzzle with set and hair triggers, with full wood stock and shaped butt with patch compartment and sliding top and fitted with brass butt plate, trigger guard, ferrules and engraved side plates and a bone fore-end; the wood ramrod with bone tip; fitted with hinged sling loops; action working well to half cock, full cock and set. 3.70 kg, 116 cm
Acquired from M J Noble, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copy of an invoice and information.
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.