Turkish Iron Dagger with Brass Hilt and Scabbard

Globular in profile with linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 678 grams, 11.5 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια, where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

With a broad, flaring triangular-section blade extending to a curved edge with carination to its rear, pointed extension to the reverse of the socket; the blade decorated with openwork floral and vegetal patterns; mounted on a wooden shaft. 1.75 kg, 140.5 cm



Acquired from Lyon & Turnbull, UK, in 2013. From a large West London collection formed from the 1990s.

This is a war weapon issued to infantry, intended for use against cavalry. The distinctive openwork blade suggests it was a standard-issue weapon, not for an occasional use.

Each a square-section hollow shank tapering to a narrow tip. 160 grams, 46.1-58.7 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.