Medieval Socketted Iron Crossbow Bolt Head with Amphora Maker's Mark

With triangular-section narrow blade widening to a bevelled edge, socket with rounded extension to the rear. 723 grams, 19 cm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

Piriform body with band of impressed roundels to the equator, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 564 grams, 11.3 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

Of triangular shape with projecting midribs with vertical grooves alongside, long folded socketted shaft with eighteen horizontal grooves at the base, hole for attachment to a wooden shaft. 436 grams total, 61 cm high including stand



Ex German collection, 1980s. From a Surrey, UK, private collection, 1990s.

This specimen belongs to the type VIII, subtype B of the Khorasani classification. Similar specimens were excavated in the Marlik Royal cemetery by Dr Negahban. The spearheads of this type are characterised by well projecting mid-ribs and long, folded sockets.