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LOT 1178
Roman Iron Gladius
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
32 5/8 in. (557 grams, 83 cm).
Or semi-spatha blade with parallel-sided lentoid-section body and a long rectangular-section tang; Mainz type, Wederath-Canterbury-Kopki variant; repaired and surface treated.
ProvenanceEx South London collection, acquired 1970-1990.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See Miks, C., Studien zur Romischen Schwertbewaffnung in der Kaiserzeit, I-II Banden, Rahden, 2007, p.637, no.A369, for similar specimen from Korytnica (Poland), found in 1999.
FootnotesIn contrast to the average length of the Roman Pompeii type gladius, some Roman swords, continuing the typology of the Mainz gladius, tend to be longer and transform themselves into a semi-spatha. Both the weapon from Eich (Miks, 2001, AI43), and especially a gladius from Korytnica with approximate blade length of 548mm (total length 762mm) is very close to the length limit of a semi-spatha. The same can be said of a blade from Godmanchester (Miks, 2001, no.A824) for its dimensions and proportions, where the tip of the blade already gives a significantly shorter impression, showing a certain relationship to 'Lauriacum-Hrornöwka', 'Mainz-Canterbury' variant type spathae.
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LOT 1178
Roman Iron Gladius
Estimate £1,300 - 1,600€1,510 - 1,860 (for guidance only)$1,760 - 2,160 (for guidance only)
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French WWII Trench Periscope
1940s A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £137
Aluminium rotating bodied vertical trench periscope with camouflage finish, marked 'GT=6 / MICRO:GRADES' to one side and M.G. / No.34185' to other, fitted with hinged wood handle; including original leather case with loops for belt/webbing. 1.36 kg, 40 cm
The Kusmirek Collection, UK. -
Luristan Bronze Sword Blade
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Comprising a narrow leaf-shaped blade with midrib and lateral channels, rounded shoulders, short tang with attachment hole. 445 grams, 45.5 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, formed 1980s-1990. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
The metalworking techniques used in making bronze weapons in early Iran were very complex. Surfaces were often finished in repoussé work, and some of the weapons were chased, others engraved. The function of the ridges here was not only decorative, however, but principally to reduce suction and thus allow the blade to be withdrawn speedily. The ruling elites of warrior horsemen were buried in the graves with their weapons and horses which are the main sources of the Luristan and North-Western bronze weapons. -
Medieval 'Thames' Iron Kidney Dagger
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
The blade with a lozenge-shaped cross-section; restored handle with bulbous cross-guard, waisted grip and flared pommel. 195 grams, 37.2 cm
Found on the Thames foreshore at Vintry, Southwark, London, UK.
