Mk3C Fighter Flying Helmet and Suit

Type III, made under contract by Nathan Starr of Middletown, CT; with .69 calibre, 107 cm (42”) browned barrel with side lock marked with Starr’s earlier style of 'US / (ornate sunburst) / N. STARR' ahead of the cock and 'MIDDTN / CONN / 1832 / (rosette)' to the rear with 'US / JM' over a raised 'P' in sunken circular cartouche to top of breech, with various inspection and other small marks, fitted with sling swivels (upper possibly a replacement), steel ramrod with flared tip, full wood stock with steel butt plate, trigger guard, side-plate, barrel rings and fore-end, lock with brass pan; action in good working order. 4.10 kg, 148 cm



Acquired from M J Noble Ltd, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by the Noble 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.

The tanged trio with leaf-shaped heads and raised midrib to both faces. 112 grams total, 13.7-15.3 cm



Ex private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.

Comprising three caltrops, hand-forged with square-section in the form of four welded arrowheads. 34 grams total, 50 mm each



Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Caltrops were a kind of 'landmine' of the ancient world an mentioned in the Classical period. Nevertheless, they turned into real military weapons only in Dark Ages. Their systematic and wide use by the Eastern Romans, who called it tribolos, is noticeable. In 1082, Emperor Alexios Komnenos used caltrops against the Norman cavalry in the Balkans. Anna Komnena tells us in detail of her father’s intentions: ‘He marched against Bohemond with a new idea for victory. He had iron caltrops made and since he expected the battle to take place on the next day, the evening before scattered them over the plain between the two armies at the point where he guessed that the Kelts (the Normans) would make a heavy cavalry attack. The plan was to frustrate the first and irresistible charge when the caltrops pierced the horses’ hooves.’ Unfortunately for the Romans the Normans avoided battle on the ‘minefield’, outflanked the enemy and gained victory.