Tower Yeomanry Percussion Carbine

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.

Irregular pear-shaped ceramic vessel with domed filler-hole, impressed rings and vertical bars to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 980 grams, 15 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

The leaf-shaped head with full-length midrib to both faces, tapering round-section socket with piercing for attachment to an organic shaft. 70 grams, 22 cm



Ex Surrey collection, formed 1990-2000. Acquired from TimeLine Auctions 2016, lot 162 (part). The Kusmirek Collection, UK.