Mexican Iron Rowel Spur

Composed of a curved blade with broad fuller, facetted steel stirrup hilt and grip retaining its original wire-bound leather; accompanied by the sword's steel scabbard. 1.7 kg, 1.01 m



Acquired from Military Swords Ltd, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the purchase invoice and item details.

Featuring a distinctively shaped ring at the end of the grip, double-edged relatively short blade and a tapered tip. 376 grams, 58 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

This kind of sword - called by modern scholars as ringknaufschwert or ring-pommel sword - was firstly diffused amongst the auxiliary troops, probably Sarmatians and Germans, and then, during the 2nd century A.D., was also commonly used amongst the milites legionis and the officers. The shape of their blades is similar to the Pompey typology, but a slightly less acute angle characterises the passage from the blade to the short point. There were longer specimens like spatha, opening the transformation of the legionary gladius in the longer spatha specimens of the successive period, and also shorter specimens. An important dating element for earlier specimens is the sword from the Matrica grave, in Pannonia, dated exactly to 147 A.D. based on the other grave goods. Specimens of the second half of 2nd century A.D. are known from Wehringen and Geneva (180 A.D.). A specimen from Bosnia could be chronologically assigned to the same period, although such kind of swords became much more widespread for infantry and cavalry in later times. However, the importance of such swords has been recently associated with the rank of the provincial officers who used them, including miniature variations of such swords used as pendants as insignia badge of the staff of the Provincial governors. It was connected with the image of the sword and the dagger as a symbol of the Imperial power.

Napoleonic era musket with 93cm (36½") smooth-bore barrel of .75" bore with London proof marks, the lockplate with 'TOWER', 'crown-over-G R' and inspection marks; fitted with full wood stock stamped 'S' and 'IR' to left side and butt with brass butt plate, trigger guard, ferrules, fore-end and sideplate; fitted with sling swivel loops and steel ramrod with cleaning rag eye; action working well in half and full cock, with correct steel socket bayonet. 4.60 kg, 173 cm with bayonet



Acquired from Andrew Bottomley, UK, 2014. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copy of the invoice and listing. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.204080.

The 'Brown Bess' musket, in several versions, was the standard British infantry longarm from about 1736 to 1838; some were later converted to the percussion system. 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.