Arms, Armour & Militaria Sale
Arms, Armour & Militaria Sale
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Description
Wednesday 2nd December 2015. A variety of highly desirable European and American pieces and property of a European Prince and many private collectors.
FIVE ABORIGINAL WEAPONS, 19TH/20TH CENTURIES
Lot # 76 (Sale Order: 76 of 501)
comprising four wooden boomerangs and a short carved paddle club
(5)
Estimate: 100-150
A MATTY ISLANDS AXE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, 19TH CENTURY AND FIVE AFRICAN DAGGERS
Lot # 78 (Sale Order: 78 of 501)
the first of characteristic form, with its wooden haft; the second with broad leaf-shaped blade, wooden grip, in its scabbard; the third probably Congo, with curved copper blade and copper bound hilt; and three further daggers and an Oriental stiletto
39.5 cm; 15 1/2 in
(7)
Estimate: 150-200
A PACIFIC ISLANDS SPEAR, 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Lot # 79 (Sale Order: 79 of 501)
of wood and rattan fitted with numerous sharks teeth arranged in four linear groups
123.5 cm; 48 5/8 in overall
Estimate: 120-180
AN ABORIGINAL SPEAR THROWER, PROBABLY WESTERN AUSTRALIA, LATE 19TH CENTURY
Lot # 80 (Sale Order: 80 of 501)
of flat paddle-shaped figured wood, fitted at the top with a small carved wooden peg and with gum grip
56 cm; 22 in overall
Estimate: 400-500
FOUR IRON INCENDIARY DEVICES, PROBABLY EASTERN, 18TH/19TH CENTURY
Lot # 81 (Sale Order: 81 of 501)
each of mortar form, the first octagonal with a rudimentary pan at the breech; the second hexagonal, pierced at the breech; the third and fourth smaller
the first: 18.5 cm; 7 1/4 in high
3.5 cm; 1 3/8 in bore
(4)
Estimate: 200-300
FIVE AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN FLASKS, 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Lot # 82 (Sale Order: 82 of 501)
comprising a North African gourd-shaped flask, with hinged russet iron cap and a loop for suspension; a Caucasian leather-covered horn shaped flask, with iron spring cut-off; an Indian brass horn-shaped powder-flask, in 17th century style, with recurved bud-shaped finial, an engraved brass circular flask and an Arab brass flask, with iron cut-off
the first: 29.5 cm; 11 5/8 in overall
(5)
Estimate: 250-300
AN INDIAN MATCHLOCK GUN (TORADOR), EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Lot # 83 (Sale Order: 83 of 501)
with tapering sighted barrel of 'hog's back' form, chiselled with foliage at the breech and muzzle, fitted with integral pan with pivot-cover and standing back-sight, the action enclosed by a large iron plate on each side, each engraved with border ornament and shaped at the back, full stock reinforced with shaped iron plates en suite with the action, inlaid in bone with birds and flowers (losses), faceted slender butt, and iron sling swivels (pricker missing)
105.8 cm; 41 5/8 in barrel
Estimate: 100-150
A 16 BORE ADRIATIC FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Lot # 84 (Sale Order: 84 of 501)
with swamped barrel formed with a long flat, strongly bevelled lock engraved with scrolls and chiselled with foliage on the tail, full stock finely carved with scrollwork over its entire length and inlaid with wire scrolls on the butt, chiselled brass mounts including openwork side-plate decorated with scrolls, trigger-guard with foliate terminal, spurred pommel and simulated ramrod
14.5 cm; 14 in barrel
Estimate: 220-300
A BRUNSWICK STATE TWO-HAND PROCESSIONAL SWORD OF THE GUARD OF JULIUS, DUKE OF BRUNSWICK AND LNEBU
Lot # 85 (Sale Order: 85 of 501)
with straight double-edged blade of flattened-diamond section sharply tapering at the point, stamped with the bladesmith's marks, in a shield an anchor, rectangular ricasso formed with a pair of slender up-turned lugs in the middle, boldly incised with the crowned Ducal monogram, the number and the date within a linear frame on each side, iron hilt comprising a pair of ribbon-like quillons each interrupted by a chiselled and engraved fish-shaped moulding, curled forward and back at the respective down-curved terminals, a pair of small flat engraved serpentine lugs at the base, engraved inner and outer ring-guards, each interrupted with three baluster mouldings and filled with a saltire, the former with thumb-ring, thick pierced crutch-shaped pommel boldly engraved with foliage, and early leather-covered wooden grip
131.2 cm; 51 3/4in blade
Provenance
The Brunswick Ducal Zeughaus, Wolfenbüttel
Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1528-1589) inherited the title following the death of his two older brothers in battle. He was a keen supporter of the Reformation and introduced it into the Duchy of Wolfenbüttel. The swords from his Ducal Guard are all numbered and may be divided into two series, one dated 1573 and the other 1574. The blades are generally inscribed with the date, an arsenal number and the crowned Ducal monogram IH. There are minor variations within each series and it would appear from the numbered swords extant that there were a total of around 600 swords in this group - with numbers in each series being recorded in the 290's. In 1573 a sword was delivered to Wolfenbüttel by the armourer Wolf Gabriel and it has been suggested that this was possibly a prototype for the group. Given the large number of differing bladesmith's marks and the variation in minor details it is likely that the order for both the 1573 and 1574 swords was contracted to a number of swordsmiths. It is probable that they were originally stored in the Wolfenbüttel Zeughaus and transferred to the Brunswick Zeughaus when the family moved from Wolfenbüttel in 1753/54. The inventory of the Hanover Zeughaus in 1854 records six of these swords, three dated 1573 and three dated 1574. A document describing the decoration of Schloss Blankenburg in 1868 with arms and armour from the Brunswick Zeughaus records thirty-six swords which are probably from this group.
Estimate: 7000-9000
A FINE SOUTH GERMAN TWO-HAND SWORD FOR THE UBERLINGEN TOWN GUARD, DATED 1601
Lot # 86 (Sale Order: 86 of 501)
with double-edged flat blade sharply tapering at the point (the point of the tip bent), etched on each face with a panel at the forte, comprising the Imperial eagle charged with the town arms, a Lion rampant, beneath a crested helm surmounted by a rampant demi-lion clutching a sword, all on a stippled ground beneath, one one face, a trophy-of-arms, the inscription 'S.MINO.CIVITATIO.VBRELINGEN [sic]' and the date, and, on the other, a pair of addorsed serpents issuant from a grotesque above the inscription 'S.MINO.CIVITATIO.VBERLINGEN', iron hilt comprising a pair of drooping quillons each with tightly coiled terminal, a pair of lugs behind and a further lug beneath all coiled en suite, inner and outer ring-guard each filled with a fleur-de-lys, the leaves formed as matching coils, fluted plummet-shaped pommel, and early leather-covered wooden grip over bands of cord (small losses)
122.8 cm; 48 3/8 in blade
Überlingen, located on the north-western shore of Lake Constance, is first mentioned around 770. The town's fortifications date to the 12th century and the reign of Emperor Frederick I 'Barbarossa'. Given its location it was an important trade centre with considerable income from the local grain and wine. It became and Imperial Free City in the late 14th century . During the Thirty Years War the city was unsuccessfully besieged twice by Swedish troops in 1632 and 1634.
A sword with coiling quillons terminals and lugs of similar type is preserved in the Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin, see Müller and Kölling 1990, p. 198 no. 118.
Estimate: 6000-8000
A NORTH EUROPEAN TWO-HANDED SWORD, POSSIBLY BRUNSWICK LATE 16TH CENTURY
Lot # 87 (Sale Order: 87 of 501)
with wavy flat blade, rectangular ricasso incorporating a pair of up-turned lugs, retaining traces of engraving including a Maltese cross on each face (worn, slightly bent in profile), iron hilt comprising a pair of strongly arched ribbon-like quillons each interrupted by a chiselled and engraved fish-shaped moulding, curled forward and back at the respective terminals, a pair of small flat lugs at the base, inner and outer ring-guards, each filled with a plain plate (perhaps later), pierced thick crutch-shaped pommel, and later grip
130.2 cm; 51 1/4 in blade
This sword is related to a North German group (distinct from that discussed under lot 85) that included a number formerly preserved in Schloss Blankenburg that almost certainly originated the Brunswick Ducal zeughaus in Wolfenbüttel. Another example is preserved in the Bomann Museum, Celle, and another, formerly in the Hanoverian Royal Collection was sold Sotheby's, October 2005, lot 230. A large number of related swords are preserved from other North European arsenals including that at Emden.
Estimate: 4000-6000
A TWO HAND SWORD, LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY, GERMAN OR ITALIAN
Lot # 88 (Sale Order: 88 of 501)
with double-edged blade, stamped with the inscription 'IL IUSTO VOLE OHA/SIAN PONITO AMIA' within a pair of slender fullers and 'ASITE DOMINE SIE/NIHIL DES IN NUCOLO/??P?' within three further slender fullers on the lower portion on each face, the two groups of fullers divided by the sacred trigram 'IHS' and a sun-in-splendour on the respective faces and all enclosed by a framework of decorative lines and punched ornament, formed with a pair of basal lugs stamped with a Celestial mask on one face and with the bladesmith's marks, an Imperial eagle and a crowned dragon on the other, engraved rectangular ricasso struck 'JESU' and 'MARIA' between a pair of grooves and enriched with further engraved lines and punched ornament (areas of pitting, the inscriptions rubbed and partly obscured in places), iron hilt comprising a pair of straight faceted quillons swelling towards the terminals, large inner-and outer ring-guards faceted en suite, rounded écusson with bead finial, faceted ovoid pommel, and the grip with an early leather binding over wood
132 cm; 52 in blade
Estimate: 3000-5000
A GERMAN TWO-HAND SWORD, POSSIBLY LATE 16TH CENTURY OR EARLY 17TH CENTURY
Lot # 89 (Sale Order: 89 of 501)
with wavy blade of flattened-diamond section, rectangular ricasso formed with a pair of slender up-turned lugs in the middle and covered with leather at the base, iron hilt comprising a pair of ribbon-like quillons incised with pairs of lines and formed with fleur-de-lys terminals, a pair of basal lugs, inner and outer ring-guards incised with matching pairs of lines (the rings repaired), plummet-shaped pommel chiselled with a petal design on top, and moulded leather-covered wooden grip
147.7 cm; 58 1/8 in blade
Estimate: 2000-3000
A COMPOSITE NORTH EUROPEAN SWORD, MID-17TH CENTURY
Lot # 90 (Sale Order: 90 of 501)
with tapering blade stamped 'Solideo' and 'Gloria' within a short fuller on the respective faces and engraved with scrolling foliage and figures, iron hilt comprising straight quillons with fluted button-shaped terminals, up-turned shell-guard pierced with scrolling foliage and addorsed grotesques, pommel en suite with the quillons, and moulded iron grip
78 cm; 30 3/4 in blade
Estimate: 500-600
A GERMAN COMBINED BAYONET AND HUNTING SWORD, 19TH CENTURY
Lot # 91 (Sale Order: 91 of 501)
with polished single-edged blade etched with trophies-of-arms and scrolls of foliage over the lower three-quarters on each face, gilt-brass hilt including a pair of straight quillons decorated with foliage and a lion mask on the outer face, the inner with a loop for a muzzle lug corresponding with a further loop behind the cap pommel and retaining its blued spring, natural staghorn grip, in its leather scabbard with gilt-brass locket and chape
52 cm; 20 1/2 in blade
Estimate: 600-800
A GERMAN HUNTING KNIFE, 17TH/18TH CENTURY
Lot # 92 (Sale Order: 92 of 501)
with heavy single-edged cleaver-shaped blade, struck three-times with the cutler's mark, a hatchet, painted in red with an early inventory number at the forte and on the back-edge '4337.320.', engraved brass hilt decorated with a trellis pattern, brass cap pommel decorated en suite, and natural staghorn grips retained by three Pairs of iron rivets with large brass washers
33 cm; 13 in blade
Estimate: 450-500
A NORTH EUROPEAN SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1750, POSSIBLY SWEDISH
Lot # 93 (Sale Order: 93 of 501)
with tapering blade etched at the forte (shortened), gilt-brass hilt including shell-guard cast and chased with a series of diagonal panels filled with allegorical figures and bouquets, a pair of straight fluted quillons, knuckle-guard and pommel and the grip bound with plaited wire
64 cm; 25 1/4 in blade
Estimate: 100-150
A MEDITERRANEAN KNIFE, LATE 18TH/19TH CENTURY
Lot # 94 (Sale Order: 94 of 501)
with tapering blade pierced with seven holes and engraved with a punched design, iron cross-piece, and bone grip with a large brass ferrule top and bottom, in its brass-mounted fabric scabbard
18.5 cm; 7 1/4 in blade
Estimate: 100-150
AN ENGLISH PLUG BAYONET, LONDON, CIRCA 1680-90
Lot # 95 (Sale Order: 95 of 501)
with tapering blade double-edged towards the tip, engraved with scrolls of foliage, stamped with the mark of the London Cutler's Company and a crowned 'L' on one face and with the initials, 'TP' on the other (areas of pitting), gilt-brass hilt cast and chiselled in the round, comprising a pair of straight quillons with putto terminals, pommel formed en suite, all enriched with lightly punched ornament, turned wooden grip, and complete with engraved gilt-brass chape from its scabbard
31.5 cm; 12 3/8 in blade
The London Cutlers' mark is first mentioned in an order of the Company's Court dated 25th June 1606 when foreigners were instructed to strike it on their work. It is likely that this was to make them conform to the standard practice of the company. See Blair 1974, pp. 443-444. The initials TP have been attributed to Thomas Pennington, Master of the Cutlers Company in 1684. See Evans 2002 p. 23, no. 35.
Estimate: 1000-1500
AN ENGLISH PLUG BAYONET, CIRCA 1680-90
Lot # 96 (Sale Order: 96 of 501)
with tapering blade double-edged towards the tip, stamped with a King's head mark and a blazing star mark, on one face at the forte, cast brass hilt comprising a pair of straight quillons with putto terminals, pommel formed en suite, and turned wooden grip
28.2 cm; 11 1/8 in blade
The blazing star mark was assigned to John Hathaway of the London Cutlers' Company in September 1689. See Evans 2002 p. 23, no. 34.
Estimate: 1000-1500
AN ENGLISH PLUG BAYONET, CIRCA 1690-1700
Lot # 97 (Sale Order: 97 of 501)
with tapering blade double-edged towards the tip, stamped with a King's head mark on one face at the forte and with traces of an inscription '__D_SA' (worn, barely discernible) and, in feint gilt letters, 'WILL/3', cast brass hilt comprising a pair of straight quillons with warrior head terminals, pommel formed en suite, and turned wooden grip
28.2 cm; 11 1/8 in blade
The full inscription was probably 'God Save King William 3'. The present bayonet closely resembles a number made for the Royal Guard of James II and formerly preserved in the Warwick Castle Collections, sold in these rooms 12 December 2007, lots 297 and 298.
Estimate: 800-1000
A CONTINENTAL PLUG BAYONET, 19TH CENTURY
Lot # 98 (Sale Order: 98 of 501)
with tapering blade double-edged towards the point, oval brass cross-piece, cylindrical grip with iron mounts top and bottom, in its brass-mounted leather scabbard
21.4 cm; 8 1/2 in blade
Estimate: 300-400
A RARE FRENCH COMBINED PLUG BAYONET AND TURNSCREW, DATED 1688
Lot # 99 (Sale Order: 99 of 501)
with tapering blade of hollow-triangular section, inscribed in gilt letters 'DU CANEL FOURBISSEUR RUE ST HONORE/ A LA CHASSE ROYAL A PARIS 1688' on one face, signed Guillaume Cinges on the other beneath the owner's initials 'GD' divided by a pair of antlers and enclosed within a pair of fronds (the blade probably shortened from a hunting sword, iron hilt comprising cross-piece with one quillon acting as a turnscrew and the other formed as a knapping head, turned burrwood grip (repaired) and iron cap pommel
33 cm; 13 in blade
Estimate: 600-800
CONTINENTAL PLUG BAYONET, CIRCA 1740, PROBABLY AUSTRIAN
Lot # 100 (Sale Order: 100 of 501)
with curved blade formed with a clipped-back point, etched with scrolls and a putto on each face, brass hilt comprising a pair of moulded recurved quillons, down-turned shell-guard, turned wooden grip and moulded brass pommel
38 cm; 15 in blade
Estimate: 600-800