Guns & Military Artifacts > Militaria - Arms & Armor Through the Ages

Massive " B " Form Fire Striker | Ancient Iron Fire Starter

View Item in Catalog
 
  Lot #123  (Sale Order: 36 of 311) 
Time Remaining:
updating...
High Bid: USD 7.00
by G****j
by YOU!

Placing your bid. please wait...

You've been outbid. Bid again.

You Entered:
Your bid is between increments. How about one of these instead?

x Cancel
By clicking the Confirm Bid button, you are agreeing to the terms of sale.
Please do not show confirmation for remainder of session.
"Tax, Shipping & Handling and Internet Premium not included. See Auction Information for full details."

Payment Type:

Payment Type: Please Add / Select Card

Need help with bidding? Get Help
Treasure Trove Auctions

Internet Premium : 28%
See Special Terms for additional fees
Location: Austin, TX
Watch this Item
Increment Table
Get More Info
Report this Item
Convert Currency


 
Share:
Description Terms of Sale
Item Description: Translate description
This is a massive ancient “B” form fire striker, forged from solid iron and dating to the Iron Age or early medieval period. Used as a fire-starting implement, the striker was typically struck against flint to generate sparks which could ignite tinder. This particular example features a bold and substantial “B” shape, commonly found across Europe and Central Asia during antiquity. It shows deep patina and pitting consistent with age, and may have been a prized personal item, worn on a belt or carried daily. Fire strikers like this were essential survival tools, used before the invention of matches or modern lighters. Their design varied slightly depending on region and period, but the "B" form was among the most enduring due to its ergonomic grip and spark efficiency. The ownership of such a tool often indicated self-sufficiency or even status, as reliable fire was crucial for heat, light, cooking, and protection. This example is not just a piece of iron—it’s a physical link to the daily life of people who lived centuries, or even millennia, before us. Opposite the blade, five slender bronze spikes extend from the back of the socket, joined near their bases by a horizontal crossbar. Three additional applied bronze bands reinforce the socket's upper portion, giving the piece structural integrity and ornamental flair. The complexity of this form suggests it was not merely utilitarian, its exaggerated blade angle and blunt cutting edge render it unsuitable for conventional chopping. Instead, this axe may have been wielded with a curved shaft for swinging in wide arcs, functioning more as a mace or impact weapon, or even as ceremonial regalia. Examples of spike-butted axes have been unearthed in notable burial sites across the Luristan region, including Bard-i Bal, Kutal-i Gulgul, and Khatunban, often found among high-status grave goods. Their presence in elite tombs, combined with their dramatic and impractical forms, suggests they held symbolic or ritual significance. Whether used in ceremonies, as a status marker, or crafted purely as funerary offerings, this artifact is a stunning testament to the martial traditions and sophisticated bronze-working of ancient Iran. A rare and academically significant addition to any serious antiquities or ancient arms collection. Length - 7.75 inches x width - 3 inches.

Unable to retrieve AutoCheck Summary Report, please try back later.


Summary Vehicle History Report below provided by AutoCheck.

AutoCheck® vehicle history reports deliver information on reported accidents, odometer rollback, lemon vehicles, branded titles and much more.

AutoCheck found record(s) for this   


VIN:

Style/Body:

Engine:


Get the full report to learn more:

Know the exact vehicle you want? One report may be all you need.  Single Report $24.99

Researching more than one vehicle? Run as many reports as you like for 21 days Unlimited Reports for 21 Days $44.99
This item is part of Militaria - Arms & Armor Through the Ages
 Saturday, Jun 28, 2025 | 10:00 AM  Central
 
Print This Page

Massive " B " Form Fire Striker | Ancient Iron Fire Starter
Massive " B " Form Fire Striker | Ancient Iron Fire Starter
Lot number: 123
Seller: Treasure Trove Auctions
Event: Militaria - Arms & Armor Through the Ages
Ends: Saturday, June 28 | 10:00 AM  Central

Message: 500 characters remaining

Cancel 

1.178.0.1875.f3727f4.8.159