Medieval Iron Long Bearded Axehead

Hollow-formed spherical pommel with rectangular slot to the underside to accept the tang, and smaller slot above to accommodate the piebed end; segmented outer face with alternating plain and pointillé surfaces. 119 grams, 39 mm



Found Suffolk, UK.

With a broad, lentoid-section flat blade, rounded tip, sloping sides, well marked shoulders with wide but short tang. 713 grams, 43.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

The sword finds similarity with the one from the Royal Cemetery of Ur. This is the most primitive form of dagger, consisting of a simple, pointed blade having slightly convex outline shoulders sloping to a short tang which has no rivets, and was probably hafted to wood with bitumen. Examples of the type come from Kish, Ur, dated to the 'Jemdet Nasr Period,' while the Ur date from the Early Dynastic to Sargonic Periods.

Comprising: a snaffle bit with single bar and an iron stirrup in a form of elongated D, with an oval-shaped loop at the top, wide openwork footrest slightly curved forward, with decoration at the sides. 467 grams total, 18.5-26 cm



From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.

Snaffle bits have not altered very much in their design over the centuries. Medieval snaffle bits have survived in reasonable numbers, although they are still rare. A number of different designs are known for them. Some had a plain straight bar serving as the mouth piece, like our example. The 15th-16th century stirrup shows an interesting decoration at the sides of the footrest.