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LOT 1501
Viking Age Iron Socketted Bearded Axehead
CIRCA 10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/4 in. (552 grams, 16 cm).
Finely curved, broad blade with square chin to the lower edge, rounded socket with lateral triangular extensions; professionally cleaned, conserved, and restored. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s.
LiteratureCf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.14 (3); Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIV, item 4.
FootnotesThis type of bearded axe seems to correspond to the E2 category of the Viking axe classification, but also has affinity with the Slavic axes of type Y. Usually, these bearded axeheads (skeggöks) had a longer edge, designed to split tree trunks into planks and beams. Some of the bearded axes were known as halfÞynna öx; the neck on such a 'half thin axe' was thinly forged, to make it lighter.
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British Cavalry Trooper's Sword
1885 A.D. PatternSold for (Inc. bp): £416
A British trooper's backsword comprising a slightly curved single-edged blade with a deep fuller to each face, iron hilt with D-shaped pierced guard, leather-covered grip and bulb pommel; stamped on one face of the blade at the ricasso with 'WD' and broad arrow, crown over 'S12', crown over 'E12 YC' and to the other face '/86' over 'Baum & Co. [Sol]ingen'; scabbard with cast frog with securing srewws and stamped '/88 WD' and arrow; integral reinforced chape. 1.76 kg, 103.5 cm
From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection. -
Viking T-Bar Iron Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
With broad edge, slender neck, round flared socket with lateral wings to each face and extension on the rear. 388 grams, 15 cm
Ex North American private collection, 1970s. -
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Luristan Bronze Dirk
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With a parallel-sided blade curving to a point, with a broad mid-rib, and a rectangular-section tang. 275 grams, 37 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
MacGregor dated such blades to the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age. Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons no 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.
