Tudor Period Iron Axehead with Octagonal Socket

Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body decorated with petals radiating from the filler-hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 430 grams, 10.6 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. 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. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

The wide blade with an incised cross motif, pierced through at the end of each arm, long tang with a collar. 37 grams, 12.1 cm



Acquired on the French art market. From the private collection of a Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman.

The central void was included to allow cloth soaked in tallow to be bound around the arrowhead; this was ignited before shooting.

Collection of military belt fittings including buckles and frames, strap hooks, scabbard chapes and other items, all mounted and labelled in a felt-lined glazed wooden display case; many of these objects are published in the Detector Finds book series. 3.8 kg total, 52.5 x 37 x 6 cm including case



From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.