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LOT 1573
Medieval Socketted Iron Flail
CIRCA 15TH CENTURY A.D.
23 in. (1.13 kg, 58.5 cm).
Hand-forged tubular socket of conical form and with collar to mouth, substantial loop, chain of oval links and connecting ring; a facetted conical head with lateral spikes. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx North American private collection, 1970s.
LiteratureSee Sturtevant, P.B., The military flail, in Medieval Warfare, January/February 2017, vol.6, no.6, pp.50-53, for discussion.
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