Western Asiatic Bronze Socketted Axehead

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.

Ovoid in profile with a rounded base, a band of annulets and vertical lines on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 691 grams, 14.6 cm



From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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.

Of Petersen's Type S (Wheeler Type III) with five graduated lobes; hollow, the lower face a swept arc; pierced through the tallest lobe to accept the tang of the sword's blade. 61 grams, 54 mm



Found UK. From an Colchester, UK, collection.