Viking Age Bronze Dagger Hilt with Scabbard

Mainly comprising socketted spearheads and tanged arrowheads of various types, including conical, triangular-section, bodkin and lanceolate types. 408 grams total, 3.3-20 cm



UK private collection, 1990s. Acquired from a provincial auction.

Comprising six bronze short tapering blades, all with rounded shoulders and flattened mid-ribs, four with tapering tangs, one with tang pierced at tip; one of the narrowest blades is without a tang. 485 grams total, 20-24 cm

Fine condition.

Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons not greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length. These weapons belong to the dagger category.

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.