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LOT 1086
Viking Age Iron Socketted Spearhead
10-11TH CENTURY A.D.
16 in. (313 grams, 40.7 cm).
Type M with rhomboid blade with straight edges, ending in squared angles at the base and narrowing as it merges into the round cross-section socket.
ProvenanceEx private collection of Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1980s.
Acquired from the above, 2004.
Cf. D'Amato, R., 'The Betrayal: military iconography and archaeology in the Byzantine paintings of XI-XV centuries AD representing the arrest of Our Lord' in Acts of the International conference ‘Weapons bring peace? Warfare in Medieval and Early Modern Europe’, Wroclaw, 2-4 December 2010, Wroclaw, 2012, pp.69-95, fig.18; Hjardar, K. and Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, pp.175-180.
FootnotesThis type of spears account for half of the found Viking spears, together with types I,K,G,F. Differently from the previous types of Viking spearheads, side wings do not feature commonly in these typologies. A Viking spear of M type, dated at end of 11th century A.D., was found on the Drastar battlefield, showing a cross intermediary between the blade and the shaft.
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Viking Age Finno-Ugrian Socketted Axehead
10th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Hand-forged with triangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin and spur to the rear, socket with flanges to the rear. 548 grams, 17 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
During the mid 13th century, the axes were favourite weapons among Baltic people. For instance the Curonian army included lightly armed soldiers who fought with spears, shields, fighting knives and axes. A heavily armed soldier could also carry a sword, a helmet, a shield and a wide-bladed axe. -
Roman Stone and Lead Sling Shot Group
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Comprising two lentoid-section, one a lead glans, and another in stone. 121 grams total, 47-58 mm
Ex Simmons Gallery, London E11, UK, in the 1990s. From a North London collection.
Both the missiles seem to be of ovoid type, type Ia of the Völling classification. The pair finds parallels with examples unearthed at Ham Hill, Somerset, UK. The sling (funda) with its lead missiles (plumbea pondera or glandae) and stone (lapides) was used by special funditores, illustrated on Trajan’s Column where they are simply dressed in broad tunics with no armour, but carry a shield. A fold in their cloak, or sagulum, acted as an ammunition bag. The effectiveness of the slingers was unquestionable and much appreciated, especially against elephants. Celsus, writing towards the end of the 2nd century A.D., described how a slingshot wound was more dangerous and harder to treat than one inflicted by an arrow. -
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Smith and Wesson Old Model No 2 Revolver
1861-1874 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Also known as 'Model No 2 Army' with hinged frame, six shot .32 calibre rimfire cylinder with 'PATENTED APRIL 3 1855 JULY 5 1859 & DEC 18 1860' and 15cm (6") octagonal barrel marked 'SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS' to top with fixed extractor pin and spur trigger; serial number 47946 to butt strap with plain wood grip scales; action working. 690 grams, 27 cm
Acquired from Bolk Antique Arms, Netherlands, 2016. Ex Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by an original Bolk invoice.
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent.
