Loading, please wait...
LOT 1169
United States M38 Tank Crew Helmet
CIRCA 1940'S A.D.
10 5/8 in. (613 grams, 27 cm high).
Rawling's pattern M38 composition tank crew helmet with neck protection plate and ear-flaps, fitted with leather lining with leather and fabric securing straps; finished dark green; with later inked 'CESARE' owner name and '1-5-79' date to liner. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired from Czerny's Auction, lot 81515.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Accompanied by copy of a previous invoice and lot description.
Possibly of Italian manufacture of the type used by US forces in WWII.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
German WWII MG34 Anti-Aircraft Gun Sight
1939-1945 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Steel gunsight with three rings and cross-wires and pillar mount to fit the MG34 general purpose machine gun. 80 grams, 14 cm
Acquired from RJ Militaria, UK. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the listing and an image. -
Medieval Quillon Dagger with Bronze Pommel
England or Germany, 16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,430
Featuring a hexagonal brass pommel engraved with a fleur-de-lis to one side and a dragon to the other; pierced tang, two short quillons inclining towards the blade, terminating in lion head-shaped finials; straight single-edged blade, with side ridges to both faces of the blade, tapering to a fine point. 177 grams, 34 cm
Tang is heavily corroded, trace of employment on the battlefield.
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Quillon daggers were predominantly employed as a military weapon. During the 16th century, this dagger continued to be popular, although the hilt no longer resembled that of the contemporary sword, as sword hilts had developed into more intricate forms. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Of squat piriform shape with shallow vertical dashes decorating the upper body, stamped triangles above and below. 579 grams, 10.4 cm
Family collection, acquired 1980-2015. Ex property of a North London gentleman. 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.
