271 |
A SHORTSWORD, THE BLADE BY THOMAS GILL, BIRMINGHAM, DATED 1792 with broad blade formed with a serrated back-edge, etched with the maker's details, 'Warranted never to fail' and the date on the respective sides of the forte, and brass hilt cast with scrollwork in low relief 45.5cm; 17 7/8in blade Inv. no. E229 £150-200 | Nil |
|
350 |
| 272 | THREE 1796 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICER'S SWORDS the first with German blade etched and gilt with the crowned Royal arms and the crowned cypher of George III over the forte, one side retaining much blued finish, and gilt-brass hilt with folding side-guard; the second with etched blade and folding side-guard (quillon missing); and the third with etched blade and fixed side-guard (quillon missing) the first: 82cm; 32 1/2in blade (3) Inv. nos. E173, E174 & E172 £400-600 | Nil |
|
350 |
| 273 | A 1796 PATTERN HEAVY CAVALRY OFFICER'S DRESS SWORD with associated double-edged blade cut with a long fuller on each face, and regulation brass hilt retaining traces of gilding 81.8cm; 32 1/4in blade Inv. no. E175 £250-350 | Nil |
|
220 |
| 274 | A 1796 PATTERN LIGHT CAVALRY OFFICER'S SWORD with etched and gilt blade including the crowned Royal cypher and a mounted Hussar on one side, inscribed 'Osborn warranted' on the back-edge, regulation steel hilt with faceted back-strap, and original leather-covered wooden grip bound with silver wire 82cm; 32 1/4in blade Inv. no. E290 £400-500 | Nil |
|
850 |
| 275 | AN OFFICER'S SWORD, AND A BRASS-HILTED SMALL-SWORD, MID-18TH CENTURY the first with double-edged blade stamped with a series of marks within a short fuller on each side, brass hilt including double shell-guard, short quillon, knuckle-guard and ovoid pommel, and the grip retaining two 'Turk's heads', the second with slender fullered blade (pitted), and brass hilt including double shell-guard with moulded brim the first 72.7cm; 28 5/8in blade (2) Inv. nos. E185 & E292 £350-450 | Nil |
|
300 |
| 276 | AN 1853 PATTERN CAVALRY SWORD BY REEVES & CO. MID-19TH CENTURY with slightly curved fullered blade double-edged towards the point stamped Reeves & Co., on the back-edge, steel triple-bar hilt, and original banded leather grip-scales, in its steel scabbard 91.5cm; 36in blade Inv. no. E300 The grip incorporates Charles Reeves's patent blade tang. See S. Wood 2005, p.117. £200-300 | Nil |
|
320 |
| 277 | A VICTORIAN MAMELUKE-HILTED OFFICER'S SWORD OF THE WARWICK YEOMANRY BY C. SMITH, 12 PICCADILLY, LONDON, CIRCA 1840 with curved blade double-edged towards the point, etched with scrolling foliage the crowned Royal cypher, crossed lances, 'Warwick Yeomanry' and rose flowers and foliage, brass cross-piece cast with foliage, bud-shaped foliate quillon terminals, a pair of ivory grip-scales, in its steel scabbard etched with the maker's details at the mouth and with brass mounts cast with foliage, and complete with its bullion sword knot 76.5cm; 30 1/8in blade Inv. no. E226 Charles Smith is recorded at this address in the circa 1835-67. £700-900 | Nil |
|
2400 |
| 278 | A VERY RARE ITALIAN SHORTSWORD, CINQUEDEA, EARLY 16TH CENTURY, POSSIBLY EMILIA with broad flat tapering blade divided into three sections respectively cut with two, three and four fullers on each face, the central panel with traces of an inscription including 'Non Manus Ard...', the forte etched on each side with two horizontal bands, the upper incorporating a pair of putti supporting a rondel beneath a cardinal's cap, and the lower with classical figures within an architectural framework on one side and a further scene involving a temple, figures, a flaming shrine and possibly a phoenix on the other (worn), steel hilt comprising arched quillons, slender écusson, characteristic shaped grip faced with horn panels over brass fillets, and the grips inlaid with four differing brass rondels filled with tracery on each side (one side with small chips, the other missing half the upper portion) 53.8cm; 21in blade Inv. no. E028 A shortsword of similar form bearing the same mark and with a similar decorative scheme attributed to the Maestro da Cavallini is preserved in the Museo Civico Bologna, inv. no. MC 336. Another, attributed to the same master is preserved in the Musée de l' Armée, Paris, Inv. no. MA PO1042 and a further example, stamped with apparently the same mark, is preserved in the Wallace Collection, inv. no. A745. See L. G. Boccia & E. T. Coelho 1975, nos. 206-208 and 231 and A. V. B. Norman 1986, p.168. £10000-14000 | Nil |
|
8500 |
| 279 | AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE SCOTTISH HIGHLAND TWO HAND SWORD, CLAIDHEAMH MOR, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 16TH CENTURY with broad flat blade cut with a pair of fullers and incised with lines on each face, stamped with two dagger-like marks, a star, and the letters 'L K' a running wolf between, rectangular ricasso struck with a Pi mark on one side (rubbed, slightly bent), steel hilt comprising a pair of robust downward-slanting quillons of flattened-hexagonal section with characteristic quatrefoil terminals, rounded collar flattened on each side, a pair of attenuated langets filed with a series of lines at the base, small wheel pommel drawn-out on each side in the centre, and later wooden grip (cleaned throughout) 97cm; 38 1/4in blade Inv. no. E035 Remarkably few of these very distinctive swords have survived, the majority of which are preserved in institutional collections. No other examples have appeared on the market in recent years. For a discussion of Scottish two hand swords and their chronology see T. Willis 1996, pp. 16-19. Swords blades of this period with the same group of marks are preserved in the Landeszeughaus Graz, inv. nos. BL166 and BL168. £50000-80000 | Nil |
|
200000 |
| 280 | A MACE, SECOND QUARTER OF THE 16TH CENTURY, GERMAN OR ITALIAN formed entirely of steel, the head comprising seven wedge-shaped flanges, fitted at the top with an acorn finial, tubular haft chiselled with scrolling foliage over the upper portion, moulded collar pierced for a thong, the grip decorated with a trellis pattern, and fluted basal cap with small domed finial (areas of pitting) 60.7cm; 23 7/8in Inv. no. P009 A similar mace is preserved in the Poldi Pezzoli Museum, Milan, cat. no. 392. £2000-3000 | Nil |
|
3200 |
| 281 | A MACE IN 16TH CENTURY STYLE, 19TH CENTURY formed entirely of steel, the head formed of seven reinforced pierced flanges, two-stage haft hammered over the upper portion, and no provision for a thong 66.2cm; 26in Inv. no. P008 £700-900 | Nil |
|
900 |
| 282 | A RARE SO-CALLED HEADSMAN'S AXE, 17TH CENTURY with curved axe-blade pierced with two groups of slipped circles arranged as a stylised quatrefoil, fitted on one side with a fluted low domed rivet, the upper and lower edges each pierced with a series of slipped circles and filed mouldings en suite, and tapering tubular socket with roped mouldings, on a wooden haft 27.5cm; 10 3/4in head Inv. no. P084 £1400-1800 | Nil |
|
2200 |
| 283 | A RARE NORTH ITALIAN HAMMER FOR FOOT COMBAT, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 16TH CENTURY with central spike of stiff-diamond section moulded at the base and continuing to a pair of short straps (the lower portion of the straps missing), hammer head of three robust spikes formed with a roped moulding behind, and rear spike of hollow-diamond section with a basal moulding en suite with the central spike: on a short later wooden haft 30.5cm; 12in head Inv. no. P007 A decorated hammer of similar form is preserved in the Museum für Deutsche Geschichte, inv. no. AD 4986. Another, probably from the Farnese Armoury, is preserved in the Museo de Capodimonte, Naples, CA 3856. See H. Müller & H. Kölling 1990, no. 310 and L. G. Boccia & E. T. Coelho 1975, no. 476. £3000-4000 | Nil |
|
7000 |
| 284 | A FINE ENGLISH SILVER-ENCRUSTED HUNTING HANGAR, MID-17TH CENTURY with curved blade double-edged towards the point (shortened) cut with a series of fullers, stamped with a brass-lined cross and orb mark and a further mark on the each side, steel hilt comprising down-curved quillon with flattened globular finial, down-curved shell-guard pierced with a slot on each side, flattened knuckle-guard interrupted by a central moulding en suite with the quillon, characteristic cap pommel joined to the knuckle-guard by a scroll, decorated over its entire surface including the underside of the shell-guard with beadwork panels filled with silver flowerheads, retaining traces of early gilding, and the lower portion of the grip with its original woven binding of silver ribband and twisted wire 43.5cm; 17 1/8in blade An almost identical sword is preserved in the Royal Armouries, Leeds, inv. no. IX.755. £2000-2500 | Nil |
|
3000 |
| 285 | A FINE AND RARE ENGLISH RAPIER WITH SILVER-ENCRUSTED HILT, CIRCA 1620 with three-stage blade cut with three slender fullers over the forte and retaining traces of etched decoration (rubbed, a brazed repair), steel hilt of flattened rounded bars, comprising a pair of vertically recurved quillons swelling towards the terminals and with very small bud finials, knuckle-guard swelling in the centre, a pair of arms and écusson, outer ring-guard joining the latter to the knuckle-guard, an additional up-turned forward arm, inner guard, and large spherical pommel, decorated with chased silver cherubic masks on a ground of scrollwork sewn with pellets and flowers within linear frames (rubbed, small losses, later wooden grip) 87cm; 34 1/4in blade Inv. no. E003 Literature: James G. Mann, Die Waffen sammlung auf Warwick Castle, in Zeitschrift für Historische Waffen-und Kostümkunde, 1937, p. 53. The form of this hilt and its decoration is strikingly similar to a rapier in the Wallace Collection, inv. no. A596. The Wallace rapier originated from William Meyrick and was described in the 1861 catalogue as 'hilt and pommel....stated to have been recently dug up at Saffron Walden;....A suitable blade...has been added...'. The quality of both the decoration and the hilt itself would suggest that both originate from a Royal London workshop, such as that of Nathaniel Matthewe (recorded 1584-1641). Matthewe is mentioned in the Great Wardrobe accounts in the early 17th Century where it appears that he was required to supply swords for specific occasions such as for the enrollment of a Knight of the Bath and the installation of a Garter Knight. On 28th September 1614 he is recorded supplying '....a hunting weapon with a knife....set with cherubs' heads of silver, the whole damascened with gold embossed and chased, the grip of large silver wire gilded.....'. See A. V. B. Norman 1986 p. 138 and L. Southwick 2001, pp. 178-179. £4000-6000 | Nil |
|
9500 |
| 286 | THIS LOT GOES SECOND A FINE AND RARE ENGLISH RAPIER WITH SILVER-ENCRUSTED HILT, CIRCA 1620 with two-stage blade cut with a running wolf mark on one side of the upper portion, stamped with a series of dots and with a double eye-lash mark on each side of the forte, steel hilt of flattened rounded bars, comprising a pair of vertically recurved quillons swelling towards the terminals, outer ring-guard and knuckle-guard with a central moulding en suite with the quillons and joined by a diagonal bar, and plummet-shaped pommel, decorated throughout with chased silver squatting figures surrounded by scrolling leafy tendrils, bouquets and pellets all within ropework frames (rubbed, small losses), and later wooden grip 87.5cm; 34 5/8in blade Inv. no. E001 Literature: James G. Mann, Die Waffen sammlung auf Warwick Castle, in Zeitschrift für Historische Waffen-und Kostümkunde, 1937, p. 53. The character of the ornament is similar to that on a basket-hilted broadsword preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, inv. no. 49.163.6. See L. Southwick 2001, p.272 plate 3. See also the footnote to the previous lot. £4000-6000 | Nil |
|
6000 |
| 287 | A RARE ENGLISH BASKET-HILTED RAPIER, CIRCA 1620-30 with blade of flattened-diamond section, stamped 'In Solingen;' within a short fuller on each face, finely pierced and chiselled steel hilt comprising large basket with scrollwork frames at the front and back, each filled with addorsed pairs of figures divided by a grotesque mask issuant with scrolling tendrils rising to a flowerhead, the guard drawn-up on one side and decorated with further panels filled with scrolling tendrils inhabited by cherubs, écusson decorated with a grotesque mask issuant with scrolling tendrils on each side, inner and outer ring-guards chiselled with conventional foliage interrupted by a pair of cherubic medallions and a central portrait medallion, joined to the basket-guard on each side by a pair of fluted scrolling bars with differing figurative terminals, knuckle-guard chiselled with foliage interrupted by a portrait medallion, and spherical pommel chiselled on each side with a differing scene involving monsterhead tendrils inhabited by a seated figure, (later wooden grip, cleaned throughout, one arm and the quillon terminals missing, small chips and cracks) 106.5cm; 42in blade Inv. no. E030 This sword is distinguished by the exceptional quality of steel chiselling on the hilt as well as the scheme of its decoration. A closely related sword, complete with its accompanying left-hand dagger, is preserved in the Armeria Reale, Turin inv. no. G118. See C. Bertolotto et al 1982, no. 150-151. £3000-4000 | Nil |
|
3000 |
| 288 | A ITALIAN MULTI-RING RAPIER, CIRCA 1630 AND LATER with straight blade of flattened-diamond section, symmetrical steel hilt of wavy bars including up-curved quillon (the other missing), and six concentric rings of increasing size from the base, the lowest filled with a pierced and chased steel plate, and ovoid pommel cut with a chevron pattern 112cm; 44 1/8in blade Inv. no. E101 £1200-1800 | Nil |
|
1000 |
| 289 | A NORTH EUROPEAN PAPPENHEIMER RAPIER, CIRCA 1630 with associated fullered blade (tip missing), rectangular ricasso stamped with the bladesmith's mark, B crowned, symmetrical steel hilt of flattened bars, including a pair of vertically recurved quillons with knop-shaped terminals, fluted écusson, knuckle-guard, upper ring-guard joined to the knuckle-guard by an additional bar and to the lower ring-guard by two short bars (sprung-in plates missing), and faceted knop-shaped pommel, and the grip with later wire binding 108cm; 42 1/2in blade Inv. no. E113 £1500-2000 | Nil |
|
1400 |
| 290 | A NORTH EUROPEAN BACKSWORD, MID-17TH CENTURY, PROBABLY GERMAN with associated curved blade double-edged towards the tip, cut with three slender fullers on each side, stamped with a Pi mark three times and a double cross and orb mark on the reverse, steel hilt of flattened bars comprising down-curved scrolling quillon, outer ring-guard drawn-up to a frontal bar joining the pommel and filled with a pierced sprung-in plate, knuckle-guard with central moulding (brazed repairs), inner ring-guard with thumb-loop and contemporary pommel (later grip) 83cm; 323/4in blade Inv. no. E118 £400-500 | Nil |
|
350 |
| 291 | A NORTH EUROPEAN BROADSWORD, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY, GERMAN OR DUTCH with broad blade cut with the inscription 'Nobis Qui Aonura' and 'Si Daas Asa Dro', finely pierced and chiselled steel hilt including shell-guard with an oval cartouche on each side supported by a river god, decorated on each face with classical scenes including Priam before Achilles, a pair of arms formed as scaly serpents, quillon block and ovoid pommel each chiselled with a central mask flanked by demi-figures and scrolling tendrils (knuckle-guard and quillons missing) 80cm; 31 1/2in blade Inv. no. E005 £600-800 | Nil |
|
600 |
| 292 | A NORTH EUROPEAN RAPIER, CIRCA 1640 with tapering blade retaining traces of an inscription within a half-length fuller on each side, steel hilt including quillons with mushroom-shaped terminals, knuckle-guard with a central moulding en suite, pierced double shell-guard (chipped), and globular pommel (later grip, pitted throughout) 85.5cm; 33 5/8in blade Inv. no. E020 £300-500 | Nil |
|
550 |
| 293 | A NORTH EUROPEAN RAPIER, CIRCA 1630-40 with tapering blade of flattened-diamond section, steel hilt comprising short down-curved quillon with fluted globular moulding, inner-and outer ring-guard each interrupted by a baluster moulding and fitted with a pierced sprung-in kidney-shaped plate (chipped), moulded knuckle-guard joined to the ring-guard with a scrolling bar on each side, and chiselled ovoid pommel (worn throughout, later grip) 80cm; 31 1/2in blade Inv. no. E099 £300-400 | Nil |
|
420 |
| 294 | A COMPOSITE ITALIAN BROADSWORD, CIRCA 1620-30 with very broad blade of flattened-diamond section cut with a pair of short fullers and stamped with a series of marks including a double eyelash on each face, steel hilt comprising down-curved quillons (one incomplete) and ring-guard each decorated with faceted mouldings, up-turned scalloped shell-guard, faceted ovoid pommel, and later wooden grip 60.8cm; 24in blade Inv. no. E301 £350-450 | Nil |
|
500 |
| 295 | A COMPOSITE SPANISH LEFT-HAND DAGGER, PARTLY 17TH CENTURY with slender blade of stiff-diamond section, rectangular forte, steel hilt comprising a pair of straight writhen quillons with button terminals, up-turned frontal guard pierced with a design of scrolling foliage around a triangular central panel, and spirally fluted compressed button-shaped pommel (later grip, worn throughout) 45.5cm; 17 7/8in Inv. no. E103 £600-800 | Nil |
|
750 |
| 296 | A SPANISH CUP-HILT RAPIER, 18TH CENTURY AND LATER with short slender blade stamped 'En Toledo' within a short fuller on one side, steel hilt involving pierced cup-guard decorated with scrolls and a central scallop, a pair of straight writhen quillons, knuckle-guard en suite and faceted brass pommel (areas of pitting, later grip) 69.5cm; 27 1/2in blade Inv. no. E313 £400-600 | Nil |
|
300 |
| 297 | A RARE ENGLISH PLUG BAYONET FOR THE ROYAL GUARD OF JAMES II, DATED 1686 with tapering double-edged blade etched with the inscription 'God Save King James the 2' on one side and with the date above a panel of foliage on the other, stamped with a mark, a Tudor Rose crowned, on each side (one side mis-struck), cast and chiselled brass hilt comprising a pair of straight quillons with warrior head terminals, matching pommel, and turned hardwood grip 47.5cm; 18 3/4in Inv. no. E026 The crowned Tudor Rose has been used on property of the Royal household since the reign of Henry VIII. Another bayonet from this group is preserved in the Royal Armouries, Leeds. See M. Harrison 2005, p. 152 and C. J. Ffoulkes 1915, p.315, no. 67. £800-1000 | Nil |
|
3500 |
| 298 | A RARE ENGLISH PLUG BAYONET FOR THE ROYAL GUARD OF JAMES II, DATED 1686 with tapering double-edged blade etched with the inscription 'God Save King James the 2' on one side and with a crown on the other, stamped with a King's Head mark on each side and with the mark of the London Cutler's company on one side, cast and chiselled brass hilt comprising a pair of straight quillons with warrior head terminals, matching pommel, and turned hardwood grip (cracked) 42cm; 16 1/2in Inv. no. E025 See footnote to the previous lot. The London Cutler's 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 C. Blair 1974, pp. 443-444. £800-1000 | Nil |
|
3200 |
| 299 | ####3rd BAYONET OF GROUP########## AN ENGLISH PLUG BAYONET, CIRCA 1680-90 with tapering blade double-edged towards the tip, stamped with a King's head mark on one side, cast and chiselled brass hilt comprising a pair of straight quillons with warrior head terminals, matching pommel, and turned hardwood grip 44cm; 17 1/4in Inv. no. E023 £700-900 | Nil |
|
1800 |
| 300 | ####4th BAYONET OF GROUP########## AN ENGLISH PLUG BAYONET, CIRCA 1680-90 with tapering blade double-edged towards the tip, stamped with a King's head mark on one side, cast and chiselled brass hilt comprising a pair of straight quillons with warrior head terminals (one slightly bent), matching pommel, and turned hardwood grip 42cm; 16 1/2in Inv. no. E024 £700-900 | Nil |
|
1800 |
