Medieval Prisoner's Iron Shackle and Fetter

Steel gunsight with three rings and cross-wires and pillar mount to fit the MG34 general purpose machine gun. 80 grams, 14 cm



Acquired from RJ Militaria, UK. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the listing and an image.

Displaying a corrugated rim above and below; two advancing soldiers, each striding forwards over the headless body of a dead enemy, carrying a severed head in each hand; the soldiers shown bearded and each wearing a pointed and segmented helmet with a recess to accommodate the ears, a cuirass and thigh-length tunic, with a bow over one shoulder and a sword slung from a waist belt; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 72 grams, 10.8 cm wide (277 grams total, 11 cm high including stand)



Ex S. Moussieff collection, London, UK. Acquired from C.J. Martin (Coins) Ltd. 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.203209.

Battle-scenes - and especially images where the Assyrians overrun their enemies and achieve outright victory - appear to make up a large part of 'official' art of the period. Subjecting a defeated foe to torture and death is the theme of much of the wall-decoration of the palace of Nineveh. A battle-scene depicting the siege of a walled city shows similarly equipped infantrymen; it is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.55.121.4a, b.

Over and under turnover rifle with 82cm (32¼") barrel with brass insert inscribed 'D Kornman' to top, double set trigger, fitted with one (of two) ramrod in brass ferrules at side and characteristically curved wood stock with brass butt and side plates, trigger guard and patch container with hinged lid; left of stock with inset silver(?) of a fish or whale which might suggest that this was carried on a whaling ship; action working. 4.10 kg, 124 cm



Acquired from Andrew Spencer Bottomley, UK, 2016. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copies of the purchase invoice and listing.

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.