331 |
AN ENGLISH STONEBOW BY BARKER, WARRINGTON, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 18TH CENTURY with steel bow fitted with a later string with wooden spacers, folding fore-sight (incomplete), figured walnut tiller of gun-stock form with built-in gaffle, signed on the back-sight and engraved with a flower, and steel butt-plate engraved No 110 69.5cm; 27 1/2in tiller Inv. no. C002 £700-900 | Nil |
|
|
| 332 | AN ENGLISH CROSSBOW, SECOND HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY with robust recurved steel bow, later string, figured walnut tiller with turned knop-shaped terminal (extensively chipped), encased with large steel plaques over the sides, brass nut, a pair of lugs for a cranequin, and lever trigger with spirally moulded pierced finial 84.7cm; 33 1/4in tiller Inv. no. C006 £800-1000 | Nil |
|
700 |
| 333 | AN ENGLISH STONEBOW BY T. BARKER, WARRINGTON, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 18TH CENTURY with steel bow fitted with an early string with bone spacers, folding fore-sight (incomplete), figured walnut tiller with turned steel knop-shaped finial, built-in gaffle, signed on the back-sight and engraved with a flower above and beneath, and plain steel side-plates 71.5cm; 28 1/8in tiller Inv. no. C007 £800-1000 | Nil |
|
1100 |
| 334 | AN ENGLISH CROSSBOW SIGNED J. SLURMAN, BURY, SECOND HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY with robust recurved steel bow, later string, figured walnut tiller of gunstock form, encased with large steel plaques over the sides, steel nut, signed on a rectangular plaque behind and inlaid with an engraved scrolling plaque, engraved steel butt-plate, and lever trigger with moulded acorn finial 86.5cm; 34in tiller Inv. no. C003 £600-800 | Nil |
|
1000 |
| 335 | A LARGE FLEMISH TARGET CROSSBOW, FIRST HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY with heavy steel bow retained by large moulded irons and fitted with an early string, struck with a mark (Neue Støckel 8494), fitted with modern string of twisted cords, figured walnut tiller (cracked) with large protruding bevelled rest, steel-lined bolt channel, bone nut, inlaid with a vacant heart-shaped escutcheon behind, large brass side-plates, steel stirrup, steel bar trigger, and moulded steel trigger-guard (bent) 96cm; 37 3/4in tiller Inv. no. C009 £800-1000 | Nil |
|
1300 |
| 336 | A LARGE CROSSBOW SIGNED T. PEETERS, MARIANNE, 18TH CENTURY, PROBABLY FLEMISH with robust steel bow of tapering section (later string), figured walnut tiller of gun-stock form with carved bolt channel, fitted with adjustable brass bolt guide at the front and on each side of the nut, the former with a steel spike-rest beneath, the sides of the tiller encased in large steel plaques and signed on the left, brass nut, a pair of lugs for a cranequin, steel bar trigger, brass butt-plate, brass trigger plate, and steel pivot mount, and with a ratchet bar from a windlass 116.5cm; 41 7/8in tiller (2) Inv. no. C010 £1200-1800 | Nil |
|
1100 |
| 337 | A 16 BORE FLINTLOCK SPORTING GUN BY DURS EGG, CIRCA 1785 with earlier two-stage Spanish barrel fitted with silver 'spider' fore-sight, signed by the barrelsmith 'Esquibel en Madrid Anno 1719' and stamped with his marks (Neue Støckel 302 and 303) on a matted ground over the breech (losses), gold vent, engraved grooved breech tang, signed stepped lock engraved with foliage and fitted with roller, highly figured walnut half-stock carved with an apron with a rococo flower about the barrel tang, the grip cut with characteristic pineapple chequering, steel mounts engraved with rococo ornament, including trigger-guard and butt-plate, and horn fore-end cap (later ramrod, worn) 99.7cm; 39 1/4in barrel Inv. no. F088 £1500-2000 | Nil |
|
1500 |
| 338 | A 16 BORE FLINTLOCK FOWLING-PIECE, CIRCA 1720 previously with a take-down forward-section of the barrel (now missing), tapering breech, grooved tang, engraved rounded lock (cock missing), figured walnut half-stock with detachable butt, and engraved moulded brass mounts including trigger-guard with foliate terminal, and butt-plate en suite 64.8cm; 25 1/2in overall Inv. no. F020 £400-600 | Nil |
|
650 |
| 339 | A 13 BORE SPANISH MIQUELET-LOCK SPORTING GUN BY BETOLAZA EN EIBAR, DATED 1813 with two-stage barrel retained by two pierced steel barrel bands, fitted with silver 'spider' fore-sight, chiselled with foliage enriched with silver and gold at the median (losses), stamped with the gold-lined barrelsmith's marks, inlaid with scrolling foliage and the date in silver over the breech (losses), the tang chiselled with foliage, chiselled lock stamped with a maker's mark (indistinct), figured walnut three-quarter stock carved about the barrel tang and beneath the fore-end (chips, small cracks and repairs), and engraved moulded steel mounts including solid side-plate, vestigial butt-plate, and broad trigger-guard 91.3cm; 36in barrel Inv. no. F093 £900-1200 | Nil |
|
800 |
| 340 | A .700 CALIBRE PRUSSIAN FLINTLOCK MILITARY RIFLE, LATE 18TH CENTURY with tapering rifled barrel fitted with brass fore-sight and retaining traces of a mark at the breech, strongly bevelled stepped regulation lock marked 'Potsdam', moulded figured walnut full stock with short butt, and regulation brass mounts including four faceted ramrod-pipes, and steel ramrod 93cm; 36 1/2in barrel Inv. no. F094 £1400-1800 | Nil |
|
2800 |
| 341 | A .650 CALIBRE VOLUNTEER FLINTLOCK MUSKET BY DURS EGG, TOWER PRIVATE PROOF MARKS, LATE 18TH CENTURY based on the India pattern musket, with tapering sighted barrel incised with the number '3' over the breech, signed rounded lock of regulation type, figured walnut full stock impressed with a series of initials in the ramrod channel, regulation brass mounts including trigger-guard, butt-plate numbered en suite with the breech, and three ramrod-pipes (the swing swivels missing), original steel ramrod and socket bayonet each with matching number 94cm; 37in barrel Inv. no. F048 £1200-1500 | Nil |
|
2200 |
| 342 | A .650 CALIBRE VOLUNTEER FLINTLOCK MUSKET BY DURS EGG, TOWER PRIVATE PROOF MARKS, LATE 18TH CENTURY based on the India pattern musket, with tapering sighted barrel incised with the number '7' over the breech, signed rounded lock of regulation type, figured walnut full stock impressed with a series of initials in the ramrod channel, regulation brass mounts including trigger-guard, butt-plate numbered en suite with the breech, and three ramrod-pipes (the swing swivels missing), original steel ramrod and socket bayonet each with matching number 94cm; 37in barrel Inv. no. F044 £1200-1500 | Nil |
|
2200 |
| 343 | A .650 CALIBRE VOLUNTEER FLINTLOCK MUSKET BY DURS EGG, TOWER PRIVATE PROOF MARKS, LATE 18TH CENTURY based on the India pattern musket, with tapering sighted barrel incised with the number '10' over the breech, signed rounded lock of regulation type, figured walnut full stock impressed with a series of initials in the ramrod channel (fore-end chipped), regulation brass mounts including trigger-guard, butt-plate numbered en suite with the breech, and three ramrod-pipes (the swing swivels missing), associated steel ramrod stamped '9' and original socket bayonet stamped '10' 94cm; 37in barrel Inv. no. F047 £1200-1500 | Nil |
|
1900 |
| 344 | A .750 CALIBRE INDIA PATTERN FLINTLOCK MUSKET, DATED 1786 of regulation specifications, the breech stamped with proof and Ordnance marks, rounded lock engraved with 'GR' crowned, 'Tower' and stamped with Ordnance mark, the stock stamped with Ordnance marks and the date (worn, indistinct), steel ramrod, and associated socket bayonet 99cm; 39in barrel Inv. no. F051 £1500-2000 | Nil |
|
2800 |
| 345 | A .750 CALIBRE INDIA PATTERN FLINTLOCK MUSKET, DATED 1786 of regulation specifications, the breech stamped with proof and Ordnance marks, rounded lock engraved with 'GR' crowned, 'Tower' and stamped with Ordnance mark, the stock stamped with Ordnance marks and the date, steel ramrod, and associated socket bayonet 99cm; 39in barrel Inv. no. F055 £1500-2000 | Nil |
|
3500 |
| 346 | A .750 CALIBRE INDIA PATTERN FLINTLOCK MUSKET, DATED 1786 of regulation specifications, the breech stamped with proof and Ordnance marks, rounded lock engraved with 'GR' crowned, 'Tower' and stamped with Ordnance mark, the stock stamped with Ordnance marks and the date (worn, indistinct), steel ramrod, and associated socket bayonet by Wooley 99cm; 39in barrel Inv. no. F056 £1500-2000 | Nil |
|
3000 |
| 347 | A .750 CALIBRE INDIA PATTERN FLINTLOCK MUSKET, DATED 1786 with minor differences to the regulation pattern, the breech stamped with proof and Ordnance marks, rounded lock engraved with 'GR' crowned, 'Tower' and stamped with Ordnance mark, the stock stamped with Ordnance marks and the date, brass mounts including side-plate of earlier type, four ramrod-pipes, steel ramrod, and associated socket bayonet by Gill 99cm; 39in barrel Inv. no. F057 £1500-2000 | Nil |
|
3200 |
| 348 | A .750 CALIBRE INDIA PATTERN FLINTLOCK MUSKET BY H. NOCK, DATED 1786 of regulation specifications, the breech stamped with proof and Ordnance marks, signed rounded lock, the stock stamped with Ordnance marks and the date, steel ramrod, and associated socket bayonet by Hadley 99cm; 39in barrel Inv. no. F058 £1500-2000 | Nil |
|
2400 |
| 349 | A RARE NORTH ITALIAN HALF ARMOUR, LATE 16TH / LATE 17TH CENTURY, FOR USE BY THE SWISS PAPAL GUARD comprising associated morion formed in one piece with a rounded crown rising to a high roped medial comb decorated to either side of its crest and base with incised lines, and a 'swept' integral brim turned down at each side and rising to an acute point at the front and the rear (the left of the brim cracked, each point damaged), the base of the crown pierced at the nape with a pair of holes for the attachment of a missing plume-holder and encircled by eleven (originally eighteen) round-headed lining-rivets with brass rosette-washers, collar formed of a single plate front and rear (the former with a small riveted patch at the left shoulder), each flanged upwards at the neck-opening to receive one or more additional lames (now missing), their roped lower edges originally ribbed but subsequently flattened, breastplate and backplate each with an outward-flanged lower edge, the former of 'peascod' form fitted to either sides of its main plate and at the inner edges of the movable gussets of its arm-openings with working-life extensions, the latter struck at the centre of its neck-opening with the mark of a crowned escutcheon charged with three pheons(?), and large symmetrical pauldrons each formed of six lames overlapping outwards from the third and connected by a turner to a tubular upper cannon cut away diagonally at the inside of its lower edge, the main edges of the armour decorated with roped inward turns, accompanied on the cuirass and the morion by recessed borders, the subsidiary edges the pauldrons decorated with incised lines, all surfaces except those of the morion decorated with deeply incised acanthus scrolls, for the most part arranged symmetrically and involving at the top of the breastplate a grotesque mask embossed in relief, the decoration originally gilt on a blackened ground (now extensively pitted, patinated and worn), on a fabric-covered stand Provenance: The Hon. Rose Talbot, sold Christies, London, 14 April 1976, lot 75, pl. 5. The armour can be recognised from its distinctive decoration as one of a series made for the use of the Swiss Papal Guard. Other armours of the series are to be found in the Museo Civico L. Marzoli, Brescia, Inv. Nos 860, 927-8, 941 & 947 (Rossi & Carpegna 1969, Cat. Nos 22-5 & 44, pp. 22-3 & 30), the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, Acc. No. Hen.M.1.2.a-c-1933 (Eaves 2002, pp. 123-5, ill), the J. W.Higgins Armoury Museum, Worcester, Mass. Inv. No. 1137 (Grancsay 1961, p. 82, ill), and the Art Institute, Chicago (Karcheski 1995, p. 68, ill). Their decoration has in all cases been applied in the late 17th century to elements of late 16th and early 17th century North Italian make. The mark struck on the backplate is probably that of its owner. It is also to be found on the examples in the Fitzwilliam and the Higgins Museum's . The associated morion is one of a series obtained by the London dealer W. H. Fenton in Ireland at some time before 1933. Others of the series are now to be seen in the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, Inv. No. IV. 449 (Dufty & Reid 1968, pl. CII, c), the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, Acc. Nos Hen.M.32, 33 & 34-1933 (Eaves 2002, pp. 153-5, ill), and the Glasgow Museum and Art Gallery. £14000-18000 | Nil |
|
|
| 350 | A COMPOSITE GERMAN ARMOUR FOR FIELD AND TOURNAMENT USE, 16TH / 17TH CENTURY DOUBLE DAGGER FOR VAT comprising close helmet with heavy rounded one-piece skull rising to a roped comb, fitted at the nape with a plume-holder (replaced), and flanged outwards at its lower edge to receive a later gorget-plate (both the flange and gorget-plate patched), visor with prominent step beneath its vision-slit (lacking central division), upper bevor of blunt prow-shaped form (its left and right terminals respectively patched and chipped) pierced at either side with twenty-three circular ventilation-holes in rosette-formation and just to the right of its mid-line with a single threaded hole for the attachment of a reinforce, its upper edge and the area immediately above the threaded hole struck in each case with a group of eleven dots, and bevor flanged outwards at its lower edge to receive two associated gorget-plates, the visor, upper bevor and bevor attached to the skull by common pivots (replaced), and variously fitted with spring-catches, a visor-prop and lifting-peg (all replaced), collar of three lames front and rear (the upper two associated in each case), medially-ridged breastplate projecting forward over the belly, fitted with moveable gussets at the arm-openings and flanged outwards to receive a fauld of three lames (the second and third replaced), the lowest of which projects forward over the crotch and bears, to either side of it, a pendent rectangular tasset (the right detached) formed in each case of four reworked old lames, backplate formed of a main plate, a pair of side-plates and a waist-plate, the lower edge of which is flanged outwards to receive a culet of one lame (replaced), large pauldrons (not a pair), the right formed of seven lames overlapping outwards from the third and articulating directly with its vambrace, the left formed of nine upward-overlapping lames strapping over its vambrace, the vambraces (not a pair) each formed of a tubular upper cannon surmounted by a turner, that of the right comprised of one lame, that of the left, of three lames, a winged bracelet couter of three lames, the wing of the left struck with a group of six dots beneath a threaded hole for the attachment of a reinforce, and tubular two-piece lower cannon (the lower end of the left trimmed), gauntlets (not a pair), each formed of a flared and pointed cuff with hinged inner plate, the right struck with the Nuremberg quality-control mark, five metacarpal-plates, a knuckle-plate decorated with a roped transverse rib, shaped finger-lame, scaled finger-defences and hinged thumb-defence with matching scales (some scales associated or replaced), modern legharness formed of one-piece cuisses, a winged poleyns of four lames, tubular two-piece greaves with articulated ankles and integral broad-toed sabaton of eight lames, the main edges of the armour decorated with plain turns, in most cases file-roped, the upper edge of the breastplate decorated with a shallow V-shaped border and the subsidiary edges of the helmet, with pairs of incised lines (the armour lightly patinated overall), mounted on a wooden mannequin with ornamented base This armour ranges in date from mid-16th to early 17th century. The helmet could be German or Low Countries and the cuts on the comb would suggest that it was used in the tourney. £15000-20000 | Nil |
|
15000 |
| 351 | A COMPOSITE NORTH ITALIAN THREE-QUARTER FIELD ARMOUR, 16TH / 17TH CENTURY comprising close helmet with rounded one-piece skull rising to a high roped comb (patched at its apex) and fitted at the nape with a slashed and gilt plume-holder, forward-sloping visor with stepped and centrally-divided vision-slit fitted at is right side with a small lifting-peg (replaced), upper bevor of blunt prow-shaped form pierced at its right side with nine small circular ventilation-holes in rosette-formation, linked by radiating incised lines, and secured by a pierced stud and swivel-hook (replaced), bevor (replaced) fitted at its right side with a fixed slender visor-prop, the visor, upper bevor and bevor attached to the skull by common pivots (replaced), and two gorget-plates front and rear (replaced), collar of three lames front and rear (the first and third at front respectively associated and trimmed, and the first and second at the rear replaced), breastplate of early peascod form with deep neck-opening, shallow arm-openings fitted with moveable gussets, and deep waist-plate flanged outwards to receive a fauld of two lames, the lowest of which bears, to either side of a shallow central cut-out, a long pendent tasset each formed of twelve lames (nine of the left, and five of the right replaced) terminating in winged poleyns of four lames, backplate with broad shallow neck-opening (pierced at its centre with later slot and hole) and waist lame (replaced) flanged outwards at its lower edge to receive a culet of two lames (replaced), large symmetrical pauldrons each of seven lames (the top three replaced) connected by a turner to an articulated vambrace formed of a tubular upper cannon, a winged bracelet couter of three lames and tubular two-piece lower cannon, and later gauntlets each formed of a flared and pointed cuff with hinged inner plate, four metacarpal-plates, a shaped knuckle-plate, scaled finger-defences, hinged thumb-defence with matching scales and artificial leather lining-glove, the main edges of the armour decorated with inward turns, partly file-roped and in some accompanied by recessed borders, and the subsidiary edges in many cases decorated with double or single incised lines (the armour lightly pitted and patinated overall) Stand not included. £8000-12000 | Nil |
|
12000 |
| 352 | A COMPOSITE EUROPEAN CUIRASSIER'S ARMOUR, EARLY 17TH CENTURY comprising German close helmet of 'Todenkopf' fashion with rounded two-piece skull joined along the crest of a high medial comb and fitted at the nape with a plume-holder now occupied by modern black and white ostrich feathers, peak and bevor attached by common pivots, the peak fitted within its brow with a U-shaped face-defence pierced with inverted L-shaped openings for the eyes and a small rectangular opening for the mouth, the face-defence and bevor each secured at the right side by a swivel-hook, and a single gorget-plate front and rear, collar of three lames front and rear, the lower front one marked W over an indistinct four-digit number, heavy one-piece breastplate of late 'peascod' fashion, fitted at each side of the chest with a stud for the attachment of a shoulder-strap and at each side of its flanged lower edge with a hinged bolt and wing-nut (both replaced, the left bolt missing) for the attachment of long tassets each of eleven lames (the first associated), the lowest six detachable and terminating in a winged poleyn of four lames, heavy one-piece backplate en suite with the breastplate and fitted with scaled shoulder-straps, buckles for the attachment of pauldrons and a waist-belt (all except left shoulder-scales replaced), its flanged lower edge (showing small loss at right end) fitted at either side with a pierced stud to receive a culet of two lames secured by a pair of swivel-hooks, and large symmetrical pauldons each of seven lames overlapping outwards from the third and largest which is decorated at the front with nine rivets in rosette formation, and connected by a turner to a late 16th century Italian vambrace consisting of a tubular upper and lower cannon and bracelet couter of three lames, the central one fitted with a separate wing of small size, the main edges of the armour turned inwards, those of the pauldrons and vambrace decorated with roped inward turns, accompanied in the case of the vambraces by roped ribs, and those of the remainder left plain and variously accompanied on the helmet and cuirass by recessed or incised borders, the breastpate and backplate each decorated with radiating trios of incised lines, the surface of the armour painted black overall (the collar, pauldrons and couters replaced), on a wooden stand painted black £14000-18000 | Nil |
|
14000 |
| 353 | A COMPOSITE DUTCH PIKEMAN'S ARMOUR, CIRCA 1630 comprising pot with hemispherical crown (slightly dented at either side) formed in two pieces joined medially along a low comb and fitted at the nape with plume-holder retaining significant traces of gilding, integral brim turned down at each side and obtusely pointed front and rear, one-piece breastplate of vestigial 'peascod' form fitted at each side of the chest with a small stud (replaced) for the attachment of a shoulder-strap, struck at the neck with the crowned IR government ownership mark of the time of James II , and flanged outwards at its lower edge to form an integral fauld bearing at either side a pair of pierced studs (replaced) to receive the hinges of a pair of pendant tassets, the hinges fitted at their upper ends with swivel-hooks and tapering at their lower ends to trefoil terminals, the one-piece tassets of trapezoidal form each embossed to simulate six lames, and one-piece backplate flanged outwards at its lower edge and fitted with scaled shoulder-straps and waist-belt (the terminal scale of each of the former and the whole of the latter replaced), its neck-opening struck with the same mark as that of the breastplate, the main edges of the armour decorated with plain inward turns accompanied by incised lines, except on the tassets where they are accompanied by recessed borders, the backplate additionally decorated with a medial incised line, the tassets with vertical columns rivets and pairs of incised lines (much rubbed) at the upper borders of their simulated lames, the surfaces of the armour retaining much of their black finish (extensively pitted, russeted and refreshed), stand not included The armour can be compared with one in the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, Inv. No. II. 165 (Blackmore 1990, fig. 77). Armours of this kind are featured in the works of the contemporary military writers J. Bingham, 1616, and Henry Hexam, 1642 (ibid. figs 75 & 95). For the latter see lot 147. £6000-8000 | Nil |
|
6000 |
| 354 | A COMPOSITE SOUTH GERMAN THREE-QUARTER FIELD ARMOUR, SECOND HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY comprising burgonet with one-piece skull rising to a high roped medial comb and projecting forward to a short integral peak pierced at its rear with a triangular hole to accommodate a missing sliding nasal-bar now represented only by its later retaining-staple and locking-bar attached by rivets at the brow, its nape fitted with a plume-holder and short neck-guard of two lames, each of its sides fitted with a later applied comb roped en suite with the medial one, and a later hinged cheek-piece pierced with circular ventilation-holes and fitted at its lower edge with a separate neck-lame, 'almain' collar formed of four lames front and rear and three more at each side extending over the top of the shoulder, heavy breastplate with medially-ridged main plate projecting forward over the belly, dipping gently at the centre of the waist, fitted at each arm-opening with a movable gusset, at the right of the chest with a pair of modern staples for the attachment of a lance-rest and at its flanged lower edge (repaired with small riveted internal patch) with a fauld of three lames (associated and pierced with three later holes), the lowest of which bears two pendent tassets nearly forming a pair, each of six lames extending to just above the knees, backplate formed in one piece boxed at its centre and each side, and fitted at its lower edge with a fauld of one lame, and spaudlers each of eight lames extending to just above the elbow, the main edges of the armour decorated with file-roped inward turns accompanied in the case of the collar and cuirass by recessed borders, the subsidiary edges of the spaudlers bordered by single incised lines (lightly patinated overall; the rivets in some cases replaced by brass-capped upholstery-nails; the collar showing some minor chips and cracks). This armour is for a man of notably large proportions, its fine collar in particular is of exceptional girth. The slight step in the neck-flange of the burgonet is a feature seen in higher quality Augsburg helmets of the late 16th century. £12000-18000 | Nil |
|
12000 |
| 355 | A COMPOSITE GERMAN 'BLACK AND WHITE' THREE-QUARTER INFANTRY ARMOUR (KNECHTISCHE HARNASCH), NUREMBERG, CIRCA 1570-80 comprising burgonet with one-piece skull rising to a high roped medial comb, fitted at the nape with an obtusely-pointed neck-guard and a later tubular plume-holder, at the brow with an obtusely-pointed pivoted peak (replaced), and at each side with a hinged cheek-piece pierced at its centre with five small circular ventilation-holes and flanged outwards at its lower edge to serve as a continuation of the neck-guard, 'almain' collar of three lames front and rear (the top two in each case replaced) with integral spaudlers each of six lames (the first two of the right and the first of the left partly disarticulated, the third of the left with a chipped lower front corner), and medially-ridged breastplate projecting forward over the belly, fitted with moveable gussets at the arm-openings and flanged outwards at it lower edge to receive a fauld of three lames, the third pierced at its centre with a hole (probably later) for the attachments of a codpiece and cut with a shallow arch separating a pair of pendent tassets each of six lames, extending to just above the knees, the burgonet, breastplate and collar each struck with the quality-control-mark of the city of Nuremberg, the main edges of the armour decorated with file-roped inward turns, and its surfaces, with bright recessed bands and borders against a blackened ground (partly refreshed with black paint), stand not included £5000-7000 [TOM TO CHECK. LACKING BACKPLATE. PEAK RESTORED] £5000-7000 | 5% |
|
10000 |
| 356 | A COMPOSITE HARQUEBUSIER'S ARMOUR, CIRCA 1630-40, LONDON OR GREENWICH, comprising pot with hemispherical skull formed in two pieces joined medially along a low comb, its brow fitted with a broad obtusely-pointed pivoted peak supporting on its underside a triple-barred face-guard riveted through later washers, and its nape, with a matching one-piece neck-guard embossed to simulate four lames (articulation-points and left border showing some damage), one-piece breastplate of late peascod form flanged outwards at its lower edge and fitted at either side of the chest with a pierced stud and swivel- hook for the attachment of a shoulder-strap, the swivel-hook riveted over a fretted rosette washer, and matching one-piece backplate with flanged neck-opening and lower edge, the latter fitted at either side with a pair of later pierced studs, the remainder fitted with incomplete scaled shoulder-straps (only the first scale of each original), a pair of rivets for the attachment of inner shoulder-straps, and a waist-belt (replaced, its buckle detached), and long gauntlet for the left hand formed of a medially-ridged two-piece tubular cuff shaped to the point of the elbow and fitted at its lower end with both an inner and an outer wrist-plate, the former projecting as a semi-circular lobe over the base of the thumb, and the latter bearing three metacarpal-plates, the last having a shaped projection at its inner end for the attachment of a missing thumb-defence and a shaped knuckle-plate, the main edges of the armour decorated with plain inward turns, accompanied on the peak and neck-guard of the pot by recessed borders and elsewhere by single incised lines repeated at all subsidiary edges, its surfaces originally blackened (now extensively rusted), stand not included. This armour is of notable high quality. The absence of London marks makes it likely that it was made in the royal armour workshops at Greenwich. Following an official investigation of criticisms brought against it in 1630, the workshop lost its privilege of working only for the King and those who bore his personal warrant. Its output thereafter is thought to have included pikemens' and harquebusiers' armours of a quality appropriate for wear by officers and select units. Our cuirass resembles one from Littlecote House, Wiltshire, now in the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, Inv. No. III. 1957-8, which is thought to have belonged to Col. Alexander Popham, as well as others on loan to that museum from Scrivelsby Court, Lincolnshire, seat of the Dymoke family, hereditary royal champions. Comparison can also be made with the cuirass of the fine Greenwich harquebusier's armour in the Royal Armouries at the Tower of London, Inv. No. II. 92, made for the King Charles II about 1635 (T. Richardson 2004, pp. 11-12). The basal thumb-defence of the gauntlet forming part of the present lot shows the influence of earlier Greenwich examples. The heavy cuirass of the armour is for a man of notable size. £3500-4500 | Nil |
|
5000 |
| 357 | A RARE TOURNAMENT BROW REINFORCE, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 16TH CENTURY, GERMAN OR ITALIAN formed in one piece rising to a roped medial comb, embossed on each side with a concave moulding for fitting over the pivots and pierced at the front with a pair of holes for securing to the visor, the lower portion shaped for the vision slit, and painted with a red inventory number inside Provenance The Rolls Armoury, The Hendre, Monmouthshire. A comparable brow defence is preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, acc. no. 14.25.545. It is likely such reinforces were for use in the tourney or foot tournament. £1000-1500 | Nil |
|
2000 |
| 358 | A RARE SOUTH GERMAN CLOSE HELMET FOR FIELD USE, CIRCA 1510-15 with broad rounded one-piece skull strongly shaped to the nape and formed with a broad low hollowed medial comb (the crown patched,face-opening restored), 'bellows' visor formed with three transverse ridges each enclosed by a pair of incised lines, the top ridge forming a step beneath a centrally-divided vision-slit, the other two surmounted in each case by two pairs of horizontal ventilation-slots, bevor (with small riveted patched at right of neck) and neck-guard of three lames, the visor and bevor attached to the skull by later common pivots and secured at the right side in each case by a later spring-catch, the main edges of the bevor and neck-guard decorated with plain ribs (minor losses, cleaned throughout) The helmet is of notable size. Its proportions can be compared with those of an example formerly in the collections of William Burgess, Sir Guy Francis Laking and Dr Richard Williams, now belonging to the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds (G. F. Laking 1920-2, Vol. 4, p. 89, fig. 1165). Its plain skull and broad low comb identify it as an early example of its kind. £18000-22000 | Nil |
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| 359 | AN ITALIAN MORION IN THE 'SPANISH' FASHION, CIRCA 1580 formed in one piece with an almond-shaped crown rising to a short 'stalk' and a flat integral brim projecting to an obtuse point front and rear (the latter pierced with a later wiring-hole, the left side cracked and repaired with a riveted internal patch), its edge decorated with a file-roped inward turn accompanied by a recessed border, and the base of the crown encircled by twelve round-headed lining-rivets with brass rosette-washers (one missing, one small hole); and A PAIR OF FINGERED GAUNTLETS IN 16TH CENTURY STYLE, MODERN, (each with losses) (2) £400-600 | Nil |
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600 |
| 360 | A GERMAN COMB-MORION, NUREMBERG, CIRCA 1580 with a hemispherical crown rising to a high roped medial comb (slightly bruised at apex), and an integral brim turned down at each side, rising to an acute point at the front and rear, decorated around its edge with a file-roped inward turn (minor cracks) accompanied by a recessed border, the front right struck with the quality-control mark of the city of Nuremberg (the rear and sides each pierced with later wiring-holes), the base of the crown encircled by twelve round-headed lining-rivets with rosette-washers, one of pewter and the remainder of iron, with later etching overall on a blackened and stippled ground with scrolling foliage inhabited by winged grotesque masks and involving, at each side of the crown, oval cartouches enclosing differing representations of a queen surrounded by a trophy of arms, and, at each side of the comb, sub-rectangular cartouches enclosing representations of a naked man riding a fish (some wear and patination overall) £600-800 | Nil |
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1200 |
