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Lot 113
A RARE PAIR OF DECORATED OTTOMAN HOLSTERS FOR A PAIR OF KUBUR PISTOLS, TURKEY, 18TH CENTURY of stitched leather, the inner surface previously fitted with straps and buckles for attachment (now missing), the outer surface finely decorated in minute red, blue, green and pink beads with a central panel filled with a bouquet of flowers, and the borders filled with patterns of scrolling flowers within linear frames (small losses) 39 cm; 15 3/8 in (2)
Lot 134
A RARE FIJIAN 'IRONWOOD' CLUB (BULI BULI), 19TH CENTURY with characteristic domed head carved with a series of raised near circular nodules (small chips), long cylindrical integral haft with a spiralling pattern of dots over the lower half , and the grip carved with slender panels of wrigglework (small closed cracks, rubbed) 105.5 cm; 41 1/2 in overall A related example is illustrated Meyer 1995, p. 470, no. 541.
Lot 136
A RARE SOUTH GERMAN MILITARY BROADSWORD 'KATZBALGER', SECOND QUARTER OF THE 16TH CENTURY in excavated condition, with broad flat double-edged blade formed with a near full length slender fuller on each face and stamped with a mark, iron hilt comprising strongly recurved quillons, one forming the front-guard and the other a diagonal inner-guard, each decorated with filed criss-cross fluting, the quillon-block decorated with further fluting, tapering pommel of fishtail form with a central vertical fluted front and back, decorated with incised borders and fluting on top, and retaining a portion of an early grip 80.5 cm; 31 ¾ in blade For further katzbalger of related form, preserved in the Deutsches Historisches Museum, see Müller and Kölling 1990, pp. 188, 189, nos. 95 and 97.
Lot 199
A RARE BUCKLER, MID-16TH CENTURY, PROBABLY ITALIAN formed of a rectangular panel of wood with rounded corners and a medial gutter hollowed at the rear to accommodate the user's fist, covered over front and rear with parchment, the front reinforced with a rectangular frame of iron rods attached by nails, and the rear with a similar but X-shaped frame fitted at its centre with a barrel-shaped grip of staghorn overlying a rectangular reinforcing-plate and decorated with longitudinal flutes and diagonal hatching, the lower end of the front fitted with a long upward-directed hook of iron and the lower right corner of the rear fitted with a small oval paper label inscribed peripherally Kgl Kunst…… Königsberg i/Pr, and at its centre Dorgerlob'sche Stiftung (the wood and parchment showing extensive losses and worming, and the iron frames corroded) The hook at the front suggests that the buckler was intended for use by a night watchman or night guardsman. It would have allowed him to hang his lantern on it in order to free his hand to use his sword. Two further shields of this type are preserved in the Armeria del Museo Civico, Bologna. See Boccia 1991, nos. 183 and 184.
Lot 233
**A RARE BAVARIAN SABRE HALBERD, SECOND QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY with very long slightly curved central 'sabre' blade formed with a hatchet point and a long fuller on each face, curved axe-blade, tapering socket, with bevelled edges, on its wooden haft fitted with two pairs of straps 107.5 cm; 42 ¼ in head Provenance Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc., New York, 25th November 1953 JWHA Inv. No. 3041 A large number of halberds of this form, formerly in the Bavarian arsenal, are now preserved in the Bavarian Army Museum, Ingoldstadt. Another, from the same collection, was sold in these rooms 7 May 2015, lot 116, and others 10 December 2008, lot 185 and 4 December 2013, lot 162. See H. Seitz 1968, p. 216, ill. 221.
Lot 281
**A PAIR OF SABATONS, PROBABLY NORTH ITALIAN, 'ALLA TEDESCA', EARLY 16TH CENTURY, AND 19TH CENTURY each of broad-toed form and composed of twelve lames overlapping inwards to the fourth (the last of the left repaired with two riveted internal patches, and the remainder restored), the last in each case decorated at its front end with thirteen divergent flutes enclosed in each case by a pair of incised lines and behind them with a similar transverse flute, and the rear of the lame bordered by a single incised line (the last lame in each case pitted) (2) Provenance Dr Bashford Dean, Riverdale, New York, sold Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc., New York, New York, 26 October 1950, lot 97 JWHA Inv. No. 2877 Literature Stephen V. Grancsay, Catalogue of Armor: The John Woodman Higgins Armory, Worcester, 1961, p. 39 The left toe-cap appears to be a rare Italian example made 'alla Tesdesca' or in the German fashion of the early 16th century (Boccia and Coelho 1967, pp. 194-222)
Lot 312
A RARE FRENCH EXHIBITION MULTI-BLADE FOLDING KNIFE BY LAMOTHE, BIARITZ, LATE 19TH CENTURY with German silver body faced with faux tortoiseshell plaques on each side, fitted with approximately one hundred various folding implements including a blade, file, boot hook, pick, bodkin, scissors, screwdriver, saw with blued blade, and a corkscrew, the main blade signed by the maker, with four small apertures containing further implements, in its original chamois case 10 cm; 4 in closed
Lot 331
A RARE CONTEMPORARY DRAWING OF A POLISH WAR HAMMER (NADZIAK), DATED 1620 ink and wash on paper, inscribed lower right 'Martello, e disegno della Mazza di guerra detta 'Crane' con la quale da Michele Piekarski d'età di 40 anni Nobile di Russia fù ferito una volta con la punta nella schiena e l'altra con il manico (essendo nel pº. colpo usato il ferro) il Re di Polonia chiamato Sigismondo Litvari. Equesto seguò alli 15. di Novembre giorno di domenica 1620 ne le nove hore del mezzo horologio in Varsavia mentre Sa. Mta' si trovava in Chiesa, e legeva le Conclusioni dei Padri Domenicani. Dell'istesso Anno il Junio tagliò a pezzi .?. Polacchi con la morte del loro Terrenale.', frma ed and glaze 39.8 x 43.5 cm; 15 ¾ x 17 1/8 in framed and glazed The translation reads : a sledge hammer, a war hammer design called a 'Crane' with which Russian nobleman Michele [Michal] Piekarski, aged 40, wounded the King of Poland called Sigismund of Lithuania in the back with one blow of the hammer point and another of the hammer shaft (having used the metal for the first blow). This happened on Sunday the 15th of November 1620 at 9 ½ hours in Warsaw while his Majesty was in church studying the learnings of the Dominican Fathers. In June of that year [The King/the Hammer] cut to pieces .?. Polish people with the death of their earthly life. The drawing is perhaps the work of a political sympathiser in opposition to the Swedish annexation of Poland under Sigismund III Vasa as part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It would follow that the drawing could be an extract from one of the pamphlets that are known to have been circulated on the Warsaw Market Square soon after the attempted assassination in the Cathedral, reporting different viewpoints on the subject.
Lot 344
A RARE 18 BORE FLINTLOCK BREECH-LOADING REPEATING GUN ON THE LORENZONI PRINCIPLE BY BARBER, NEWARK, CIRCA 1750 with two-stage sighted barrel swelling towards the muzzle, threaded octagonal breech engraved with sprays of foliage and signed on the flat, stamped with the barrelsmith's mark, PB crowned, London view and proof marks beneath, engraved bevelled lock signed on a scroll within a framework of rococo ornament, engraved automatic cock operated by a horizontal bar acting on the circular brass breech block rotated by the side-lever, engraved action with circular gas escape above and below, the former grooved for sighting, engraved hinged priming magazine cover with spring-catch closure, ball magazine on the left with engraved hinged cover decorated en suite and closed by a spring-catch, figured walnut half-stock (light bruising), engraved iron mounts comprising trigger-guard and butt-plate each decorated en rocaille (engraving refreshed throughout) 72.7 cm; 28 5/8 in barrel Probably by Peter Barber, son of Lewis (1) Barber. Peter Barber was free of the Gunmaker's Company by patrimony in 1728. He probably worked with his father until the latter's death in 1741 and is later recorded in Newark, Nottingham. His mark appears to be unrecorded. See Blackmore 1986, p. 47.
Lot 345
**A RARE 25 BORE ENGLISH FLINTLOCK BREECH-LOADING REPEATING MAGAZINE GUN ON THE LORENZONI PRINCIPLE, CIRCA 1690 with three-stage barrel formed with a pronounced octagonal moulding incorporating a silver fore-sight at the muzzle, etched with foliage (previously damascened) behind, faceted breech retaining traces of damascened ornament including leafy foliage, grooved for sighting and fitted with rotating brass breech block operated by a moulded lever on the left, the tang damascened with a green man mask, rounded lock engraved in the French taste with a scroll inscribed 'God save the King' carried by a cherub, fitted with engraved cock decorated with a serpent and foliage (top-jaw and screw replaced), powder magazine with engraved cover, the opposite side of the lock with a trap door for the ball magazine figured walnut half-stock (a working replacement) carved with a moulding about the tang, moulded iron trigger-guard damascened en suite with the breech, and iron butt-cap (patch box cover replaced) 67.5 cm; 26 ½ in barrel Provenance The Gill family, Hale, Liverpool until circa 1965. The present system is named after the Florentine gunsmith Michelle Lorenzoni though there is no evidence to suggest that he was the inventor of it. This system seems to have enjoyed some popularity in England, as evidenced by the frequently quoted text of Samuel Pepys who wrote on 3rd July 1662 'A gun to discharge seven times, the best of all devices I ever saw, and very serviceable, and not a bauble; for it is much approved of, and many made thereof'. However, given the design it is likely that a number of the powder magazines exploded thus accounting for the rarity of such arms today. For an account of Lorenzoni see J. F. Hayward 1963, pp. 141-143.
Lot 346
A RARE 40 BORE SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK BREECH-LOADING REPEATING PISTOL ON THE LORENZONI PRINCIPLE BY WILSON, PROBABLY WILLIAM (1), LONDON, CIRCA 1770 with turn-off cannon barrel engraved with a pair of bands around the breech, engraved faceted breech decorated with border ornament and rococo designs, engraved bevelled lock signed on a trophy-of-arms within a framework of rococo scrolls, engraved automatic cock operated by a horizontal bar acting on the circular brass breech block rotated by the side-lever, engraved action with circular gas escape above and below, the former grooved for sighting, engraved hinged priming magazine cover with spring-catch closure, ball magazine on the left with engraved hinged cover inscribed 'London' on a rococo scroll and closed by a spring-catch, figured walnut butt inlaid with silver wire scrolls (light bruising), engraved spurred silver pommel fitted with trophy-of-arms cap chased in low relief, and engraved iron trigger-guard decorated with a shell on the bow 14 cm; 5 ½ in barrel For a discussion of the Wilson family of gunmakers and a related gun by William (1) see DeWitt Bailey 2002, p. 11-24, fig. 16 and 17.
Lot 351
A RARE CASED .36 CALIBRE COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY REVOLVER, NO. 19258 FOR 1864 AND A .36 CALIBRE COLT MODEL 1862 POLICE REVOLVER, NO. 22335 FOR 1863 the first with blued barrel with single line New York address, engraved cylinder, frame retaining traces of case-hardening colour, brass trigger-guard and back-strap, and polished walnut grips (areas of wear); the second with single line New York address on the barrel, and some early finish: in American style fitted mahogany case (lid cracked, areas of wear), the interior lined in blue velvet, complete with accessories comprising two iron bullet moulds, each marked 'Colt's patent' and one stamped '36P', two brass flasks of differing size, and two nipple wrenches, and a tin for Eley percussion caps for Colt's patent revolvers the first: 19 cm; 7 ½ in barrel the second: 14 cm; 5 ½ in barrel
Lot 386
A RARE OTTOMAN DAGGER, TURKEY, SECOND HALF OF THE 17TH CENTURY with curved double-edged blade, cross-hatched over the forte (previously decorated in gold), pierced with four rectangular and a circular aperture, the central three filled with nine coral beads (the others missing), and faceted hardwood grip of characteristic form 15.5 cm; 6 1/8 in blade Another dagger with rolling coral beads in the forte is preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and another is in the Furusiyya Art Foundation. See Mohamed 2007, p. 167 no. 155.
Lot 388
A FINE AND RARE GERMAN HAND-AND-A-HALF SWORD, CIRCA 1490-1530 with broad double-edged blade of flattened-hexagonal section over the lower half, rounded over the upper and formed with a sharp point (the tip with areas of pitting and very slightly reshaped), struck with a mark on each side of the forte, a stylised spur, and retaining traces of latten inlay, iron hilt comprising a pair of triangular écusson, a pair of straight quillons of faceted-rectangular section swelling towards the tips, large inner and outer ring-guards each filled with a sprung-in plate, tall faceted pear-shaped pommel, and original wooden grip bound with leather over cord (small losses, the metal parts lightly cleaned) 100.2 cm; 39 ½ in blade
Lot 405
A RARE GERMAN HUNTING SWORD WITH SILVER HILT AND AGATE GRIP, LAST QUARTER OF THE 18TH CENTURY with short blade double-edged toward the point, etched with a stag and a wild boar on the respective faces within a short fuller, the forte decorated with strapwork and trophies-of-arms, silver hilt comprising ferrule with a pair of fluted bud-shaped vestigial quillons cap pommel chased with flowerheads, and faceted figured agate grip 38.8 cm; 15 1/4 in blade
Lot 406
A RARE GERMAN HUNTING SWORD WITH TORTOISESHELL VENEERED GRIP, LAST QUARTER OF THE 18TH CENTURY with tapering blade of flattened-hexagonal section, etched and gilt with elaborate trophies-of-arms and scrollwork over the forte on each face, iron hilt chiselled with faceted mouldings (quillon and shell-guard missing), and faceted grip partly veneered in tortoiseshell (extensive losses) 77.5 cm; 30 1/2 in blade A series of hunting swords with tortoiseshell grips are preserved in the Stibbert Museum, Florence. A similar example to the present sword was sold in these rooms 7 December 2006, lot 183.
Lot 407
A RARE GERMAN HUNTING SWORD WITH GILT-MOUNTED HILT AND AGATE GRIP, LAST QUARTER OF THE 18TH CENTURY with single-edged blade formed with a long fuller on each face, gilt-brass hilt (quillon missing), comprising knuckle-guard interrupted by a classical figure amidst foliage in the centre, joined to the pommel by a leafy plate decorated with a grotesque, and faceted agate grip (now in four pieces, chipped) 64.5 cm; 25 1/2 in blade
Lot 411
A RARE SAXON ETCHED IRON SCABBARD FOR A DAGGER, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 16TH CENTURY formed in one piece, of tapering circular section with moulded baluster terminal and raised mouldings, the outer face open in the centre and with two pierced shaped mouldings, the inner face with a loop for suspension (two removed), etched over the outer face with the arms of Saxony, the Imperial eagle, and an exotic bird all on a ground of tightly scrolling tendrils, and the inner face with scrolling foliage, all within beadwork frames (lightly cleaned with chemicals) 30.5 cm; 12 in A scabbard etched in the same style, without the Saxon arms, is preserved in the Deutsches Historishes Museum, Berlin. See Müller and Kölling 1990, no.192.
Lot 412
A RARE GERMAN CHISELLED IRON SCABBARD FOR A DAGGER, DATED 1648 formed in one piece, of tapering circular section, the inner face fitted with a saltire for suspension,and decorated with scrolls of foliage and grotesques, and the outer with horizontal panels divided by a beadwork frame, including a figure in contemporary dress at the top, and grotesque masks beneath, all on a ground of scrolls (small holes) 29.5 cm; 11 5/8 in
Lot 417
A RARE GERMAN LATTEN AND IRON WAR HAMMER, LATE 15TH/EARLY 16TH CENTURY with latten head cast in the round, formed as a finely modelled right-hand fist clenching a latten-covered iron nail (the tip missing, the surface with small dents), tapering socket with roped moulding top and bottom, on an early faceted wooden haft painted with a spiralling pattern in green and white 65 cm; 25 5/8 in overall A closely related example is preserved in the Schweizerisches Landesmuseum, Zurich. Other examples are illustrated in Albrecht Dürer's woodcuts of the period such as his Christ before Herod dated 1509, and two versions of the Passion of Christ dated 1504 and 1510 respectively. See Müller p. 178, and illus. 198, 49, 167, and 183. For a discussion of this distinctive group see Gessler 1940, pp. 25-27 and Forrer 1909-11, pp. 79-83.
Lot 419
A RARE GERMAN LINSTOCK, 17TH CENTURY formed as a double-headed eagle, with central spike of diamond-section, the base with a pair of heads each fitted with a screw for fixing match, a pair of feathered wings and five-clawed talons, engraved with patterns of feathers throughout, and moulded socket, and retaining some early tinned finish throughout 50.8 cm; 20 in head A similar linstock, formerly in the Beardmore collection, is preserved in the Kretzschmar von Kienbusch Collection, The Philadelphia Musuem of Art, no. 610. Another from the Nuremberg Castle collection, was sold 1890, lot 1941, and another was sold in these rooms 7 December 2006, lot 231.
Lot 473
A RARE GERMAN BREASTPLATE OF SHOT-PROOF WEIGHT, CIRCA 1590 formed of a heavy, medially-ridged main plate projecting forward over the belly, possessing a broad shallow neck-opening, fitted at its arm-openings with moveable gussets, each bearing at its upper end a buckle (replaced) to receive a shoulder-strap, fitted at each side of the chest with a round-headed rivet possibly serving originally to attach an internal shoulder-strap, struck beneath each of the rivets with the proof-marks of a bullet, and flanged outwards at its lower edge to receive a fauld of one lame (associated) fitted to either side of its lower edge with a pierced stud for the attachment of an extension-plate and tassets, the main edges of the breastplate and its fauld formed with finely roped inward turns, that at the neck-opening accompanied at a distance by a pair of incised lines and that at the thrice indented lower edge of the fauld-plate followed more closely by a recessed border and narrow groove, the neck and arm- openings each punched with groups of large dots, and the surface of all parts bearing traces of a former black-from-the-hammer finish (now cleaned bright) 39.7 cm; 15¾ in
Lot 479
A RARE GERMAN MINIATURE ARTILLERY BATTERY OF EIGHT CANNON, LATE 18TH CENTURY comprising two groups of four cannon numbered 1-4 and 5-8 respectively over the first reinforces, each with tapering multi-stage barrel formed with a stepped moulding at the muzzle, raised astragal mouldings, numbered first reinforces, vents with raised circular surrounds, the second reinforce chased with a matted ground sown with small circles, a pair of finely chiselled dolphin lifting handles, a pair trunnions chased with scrolls, moulded cascables drawn-out to a conical button (one damaged): each on its iron-clad wooden field carriage painted in red and black, fitted with a pair of iron- shod spoked cambered wheels (a small number of iron mounts and eleven cap-squares missing), the cheeks fitted with hooks and chains, and in untouched condition throughout 32.5 cm; 12 3/4 in and 28.5 cm; 11 1/4 in barrels 28 to 32 bores (8)
Lot 48
A RARE IRON CANNON, 17TH/19TH CENTURY, CHINESE OR INDIAN formed of hammer welded longitudinal bars bound by seven reinforced bands alternating with six slender bands, stepped moulded muzzle, and fitted with a ring at each end for transport; together with an associated breech block, with rebated muzzle, hexagonal body, and reinforced breech fitted with a hexagonal pan the barrel: 148cm; 58 1/4in long 4cm; 1 1/2in bore (2) The appearance of this cannon is strikingly similar to European examples of the late 15th/early 16th Century that was widely imitated over the subsequent centuries in India, China and other parts of the far East. For another example preserved in the Royal Armouries see H. L. Blackmore 1976, pp. 175-176 (inv. no. XIX.110).
Lot 496
A RARE 16 BORE SOUTH GERMAN FLINTLOCK SPORTING GUN WITH 'CLOVER-LEAF' BORE, THE BARREL BY JOSEPH MOR, MUNDERKINGEN, THE LOCK BY C. HAMPEL, CIRCA 1730 with three-stage barrel fitted with large silver fore-sight on a T-shaped silver bed, the bore with three alternating rounded and three flat-bottomed straight grooves, muzzle section shaped to correspond with the bore, the breech inscribed '5', struck with the silver-lined barrelsmith's marks, a series of celestial motifs in a shaped recess and the inscription 'Joseph Mon Munderking.' (partly obscured) in a rectangular panel, and further decorative marks, signed bevelled lock, figured walnut half-stock carved en rocaille about the tang, mounts and over the butt, the latter with carved raised cheek-pieces involving a leaping stag, wooden trigger-guard reinforced with brass, brass mounts comprising two-piece side-plate of shaped outline, butt-plate with pronounced heel (dented), and three ramrod-pipes, horn fore-end cap, and horn-tipped wooden ramrod 94 cm; 37 in barrel For a discussion of this type of bore and another by this maker see Lindsay 1967, p. 129. Joseph Mor is recorded in Munderkingen, circa 1730.
Lot 497
A RARE 16 BORE SOUTH GERMAN FLINTLOCK SPORTING GUN WITH 'CLOVER-LEAF' BORE, THE BARREL BY JOSEPH MOR, MUNDERKINGEN, CIRCA 1730 with three-stage barrel fitted with large silver fore-sight on a T-shaped bed, the bore with three alternating rounded and three flat-bottomed straight grooves, muzzle section shaped to correspond with the bore, the breech inscribed '9', struck with the barrelsmith's marks, shaped recess (stripped) and the inscription 'Joseph Mon Munderking.' in a rectangular panel, and further decorative marks, gold-lined vent, rounded lock, figured walnut half-stock carved with scrolls about the tang, mounts and over the butt, the latter with carved raised cheek-pieces involving a rococo scrollwork frame with stag horn terminal, wooden trigger-guards reinforced with brass, brass mounts comprising two-piece side-plate of shaped outline, butt-plate with pronounced heel (dented), and three ramrod-pipes (fore-end cap and one sling mount missing, later ramrod) 92.3 cm; 36 3/8 in barrel See footnote to previous lot.
Lot 521
AN EXTREMELY RARE EARLY MEDICINAL DISPENSARY FOR USE IN THE FIELD, DISGUISED AS A PISTOL HOLSTERED AT THE SADDLE, GERMAN OR DUTCH, CIRCA 1650-60 the entire body formed in the shape of a holster for a horseman's pistol , constructed of sections of tinned sheet iron bordered by decorative raised narrow brass strips and divided into a total of twenty-two variously sized and shaped compartments, the lower tubular portion forming a single compartment originally fitted with a threaded cap at its extremity (missing), the upper portion of plano-convex section, capped horizontally by an upper tier divided into seven small compartments closed by a single hinged flat lid, the lid secured by three hasps fitted about the rim (one missing) and additionally fitted with a projecting iron-mounted wooden handle formed as the pommel of a pistol stock of the period, the central upper portion of the body divided into two parts joined by hinges on one side (one damaged) and a closed by a small lock, the latter with white metal escutcheon decorated with scrollwork in low relief, the convex outer part constructed with nine compartments closed off internally by a lid fitted with a pull and a lion's mask boss each of brass, together with a subsidiary outer compartment in turn closed by a hinged lid struck with a fleur-de-lys mark on the outside (Neue Støckel 5428), the flat inner portion of the upper body formed with four larger compartments housing four original pewter boxes individually shaped to fit and each with threaded lid, two lightly inscribed "Calmus W", the remaining two inscribed "Kirgsen Geist", the flat rear panel struck with a larger differing fleur-de-lys mark on the outside, and the body encased in its original canvas-lined leather cover, with slots at the sides for suspension (the cover with wear and light deterioration commensurate with age, slight shrinkage). 61.6cm; 24 ¼ in. (2) The tubular section suggests a container for rolled bandages, the nine compartments carried within the hinged outer half of the upper body include two with provision for medical implements, presumably bladed. The subsidiary outer compartment was most likely intended for surgical thread and has provision on the inner face of its lid for accompanying needles. The four named box-like containers would have held medicinal compounds, possibly in either powdered or liquid form. This concealed medicinal dispensary was intended for use during a military campaign, and almost certainly for the exclusive benefit of its owner; it is quite possibly the only example extant, a unique record of 17th century military field medicine. Rare drinking flasks similarly disguised are recorded also: an example was formerly in the Visser collection, with further reference to another in the Stibbert Collection, Florence. SeeThe Visser Collection Fine, Rare and Important Arms, Part II, Sotheby's, 3rd June 1991, lot 55, sold £4620.
Lot 531
A RARE SOUTH GERMAN HEAVY BRONZE WALLGUN (DOPPELHAKEN), CIRCA 1520-40, PROBABLY NUREMBERG 3.1cm calibre. Cast in five stages separated by raised beaded mouldings, their inner edges punched and engraved with gothic brattished ornament and the leading edges decorated with engraved raised scalloped bands, tapering towards a flared rounded muzzle with shaped standing sight, the forward section rounded also and with large recoil-stop at its rear, the two rearward stages faceted and successively off-set in section, with rectangular breech with bevelled leading corners, standing back-sight cast with further beaded mouldings, and a pair of posts positioned centrally and originally intended for fitting a cover over the countersunk vent: on an early wooden beam-shaped stock secured by three transverse bolts, the stock possibly the original (the section of the barrel immediately fronting the breech has been defaced by filing, presumably the removal of the arms or an inscription relating to a previous owner, and evidently within the early working life of this gun. A portion of the stock has chipped off immediately behind the breech, the rear of the stock shows heavy age-related wear and some inactive worm damage). 148.4cm; 58 3/8 in barrel 211.8cm; 83 3/8 in overall length The superior quality of the casting and finishing is indicative of a Nuremberg foundry, perhaps that of Endres Pegnitzer (the Elder, d. 1554), or his son of the same name (d. prior to 1549). Compare for example, a bronze falkonett cast in 1522 by Pegnitzer the Elder for Graf Balthasar von Schwarzburg-Leutenburg, in the Staatliche Museen Heidecksburg Rudolstadt: see Müller 1968, no. 58, pp. 69 and 74. Also see Henkel 2011, for the same gun attributed to Pegnitzer the Younger (Inv. no. oss. 857), pp. 28-9. For a brief account of the three generations of the Pegnitzer family of gun-founders see Kennard 1986, p.124. Hakenbüchsen of this large size are correctly known as doppelhäken and were intended to be fired from a stand or tripod carriage and served by two men as a piece of light artillery. The term bronze widely used in modern reference to ordnance is referred to as brass (Messing) within historical accounts and contemporary manuscripts.
Lot 532
A RARE GERMAN HAND-IGNITED BREECH-LOADING WALLGUN OPERATING ON A VERTICALLY-FALLING RATCHET BREECH-BLOCK (WINDENVERSCHLUSS), THIRD QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY 2.3cm calibre. With iron barrel formed in two stages with moulded girdle, bulbous moulded muzzle, a pair of trunnions, the rear section octagonal, struck with a mark (rubbed) and changing to a rectangular base with bevelled corners, with traces of punched and engraved ornamental bands at the base, the median and the muzzle, bead fore-sight, standing back-sight, and a projecting lug to engage an elevating cradle, formed in one piece with a rectangular breech, the latter with tubular chamber cut on the same axis as the bore, with coarsely chamfered loading aperture at the rear, decorated with punched and engraved scale ornament and linear bands of stars, and struck with a shield-shaped mark on the rear face of the breech chamber (rubbed), the chamber vertically bisected by an additional rectangular aperture for a falling ratchet breech-block, the priming vent recessed into its upper face and the block moving on a crank mechanism housed within a separate casing beneath, the latter retaining its original crank handle with turned wooden grip, the priming vent with hinged boxed iron cover closed by a spring-catch fitted on the right-hand side of the breech. 113cm; 44 ½ in. A closely comparable example on its tripod carriage and complete with elevating mechanism is preserved in the Historical Museum, Bern, removed from the city zeughaus: see Wegeli 1948, cat. no. 2123, pp. 89-90, figs. 123, 124, 125. A comparable detached barrel without its crank handle is in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg: see Essenwein 1969, pl. A. CLI. A further barrel with ratchet breech mechanism is in the Royal Armoury, Livrustkammaren, Stockholm (LRK 24398-9). This is closely comparable with the present example and also intended for a tripod carriage, but is additionally fitted with a wooden paddle-shaped butt and a flintlock each conventional to circa 1670: see Drejholt, vol. II 2007, cat. no. KXV 754, pp. 120-1.
Lot 533
A RARE GERMAN HEAVY IRON WALLGUN (DOPPELHAKEN), DATED 1537 2.6cm calibre. The barrel octagonal with flared rounded muzzle section decorated with incised double linear diagonal bands, standing sight, and separated by a moulded girdle cut over the upper planes, the rear portion swelling towards the breech, boldly struck three times with a shield-shaped mark filled with a crossed device, a saltire or crossed arrows, punched with the dated "1537", fitted with standing iron back-sight, the vent positioned on the right-hand wall of the breech, with separate iron priming-pan attached to the stock by heavy bolts, no provision for a pivoted cover, the base of the breech fitted with an octagonal ring, and the ring and the recoil-stop each attached to the stock by transverse bolts: the stock 19th century, of blackened wood and well formed after the 16th century beam-shaped fashion. 139.8cm; 55in barrel 201.3cm; 79 ¼in. overall length A wheel-lock caliver in the Landeszeughaus, Graz (inv. nr. RG2) is mounted with a barrel dated 1527 (perhaps 1537) and struck with an identical mark, believed to be Nuremberg. See Brooker 2007, pp. 74-5, the mark and the date illustrated. Another example from this series, struck with similar marks and dated 1537, was included in the sale of the Langenburg castle armoury, in these rooms 3rd December 2014, lot 256, sold £3800 (hammer, exclusive of premium)
Lot 534
A RARE WALLGUN BARREL (DOPPELHAKEN), VERY SIMILAR TO THE PRECEDING EXAMPLE, DATED 1537 2.4cm calibre. The heavy iron barrel octagonal with flared rounded muzzle section decorated with incised double linear diagonal bands, standing iron sight, and separated by a moulded girdle cut over the upper planes, the rear portion swelling towards the breech, boldly struck three times with a shield-shaped mark filled with a crossed device, a saltire or crossed arrows, and punched with the date "1537", the breech with the vent re-positioned to the upper plane and retaining its period pivot cover, slotted for fitting a back-sight (missing), the right-hand side of the breech with evidence of the early filling of the original vent together with the removal of its projecting pan, with recoil-stop to the immediate rear of the muzzle section, a separate octagonal ring fitted over the base of the breech and drawn-down to a lug projecting from the underside, and the lug and the recoil-stop each pierced for bolts for attaching a wooden stock. 129.5cm; 51in. A wheel-lock caliver in the Landeszeughaus, Graz (inv. nr. RG2) is mounted with a barrel dated 1527 (perhaps 1537) and struck with an identical mark, believed to be Nuremberg. See Brooker 2007, pp. 74-5, the mark and the date illustrated. Another example from this series, struck with a similar arrangement of marks and dated 1537 also, was included in the sale of the Langenburg castle armoury, in these rooms 3rd December 2014, lot 256, sold £ 3800 (hammer, exclusive of premium).
Lot 536
A RARE 13-BORE SAXON HEAVY FLINTLOCK SPORTING RIFLE BY JOHAN HEINRICH FRANCK OF FRANKENHAUSEN, CIRCA 1730 of massive proportions throughout, with swamped octagonal sighted barrel engraved with a band of leaf ornament over the breech, the muzzle face engraved with a wreath and the bore cut with eight grooves, bevelled lock signed "Jh Heinrich Franck" about the base of the pan, engraved with a two-part hunting-scene involving a mounted sportsman shooting a stag with a pistol, and the cock and the steel each chiselled with scrollwork designs on a contrasting pounced fish-roe ground, figured walnut full stock carved with acanthus leaf mouldings in low relief, the butt with carved cheek-piece inlaid with a star formed of contrasting segments of black and white horn (two pieces missing), the toe of the butt inset with a gilt-brass plaque cast in relief with acanthus scrolls, en suite with both the patch-box cover and the upper tang of the butt-plate, the latter two pieces each additionally cast with a trophy-of-arms, the butt-plate also involving the figure of a Turk supported by a mask, the trigger-guard decorated en suite, with gilt-brass side-plate formed as a large scrolling dragon cast in relief, three faceted moulded ramrod-pipes also of gilt-brass, the rear pipe decorated with a demon mask, decorated escutcheon cast with a bust and a grotesque mask, moulded faceted gilt-brass fore-end cap, and brass-tipped wooden ramrod, probably the original (the barrel and the lock each lightly cleaned with acid, the top jaw possibly associated). 104.2cm; 41 in barrel
Lot 538
A RARE 52-BORE GERMAN WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING RIFLE WITH SELF-SPANNING LOCK DATED 1653, THE BARREL AND THE STOCK DATED 1666 AND 1671 RESPECTIVELY with lightly swamped octagonal sighted barrel cut with hexagonal bore rifled with six narrow groves, the breech struck with maker's mark, in a shield, HS, a bird beneath, and with the date "1666", earlier large lock engraved with an arrangement of fruit at the rear, with an exotic bird perched within flowering branches above the date "1653", and struck with the letter "M" flanked by the date and by the lightly engraved letters "EB", fitted with flat wheel-cover overlaid with a plate pierced and engraved with addorsed tritons suspended between concentric wreaths, engraved moulded pan-cover with release formed as a trick rosette, the arm of the dog constructed with a flush-fitted engraved arm pivoting to engage a corresponding slot in the self-spanning spindle, and the upper section of the dog decorated with triton figures and a marine monster, the lock interior retaining some original blued finish and fitted with engraved mainspring and elaborately decorated facing plates, one also forming the pan-cover spring and pierced and engraved with a game-dog, the other forming the spindle bridle and engraved with a further scrolling triton armed with a bow, with walnut full stock, fluted fore-end, the rear portion of the stock with lightly carved border mouldings picked-out with pewter nails, incised designs of foliage and flowers, the cheek-piece cut with a running stag and the upper surface of the butt with the owner's stamped cornet and cypher "GA" , with pierced bone water-drain, horn butt-plate, and iron trigger-guard and ramrod-pipe (the fore-end extensively chipped on both sides, the butt chipped above the patch-box, its cover and the ramrod each missing) 82.5cm; 32 ½ in. barrel The lock compares closely with another self-spanning example neither marked nor dated, combined with a matchlock mechanism, on a rifle included in the preceding sale from the castle armoury, in these rooms 3rd December 2014, lot 286; the two locks are certainly from the same workshop. The earlier barrel and lock are undoubtedly the originals on which this rifle was built, presumably in 1671.
Lot 540
A RARE 37-BORE BAVARIAN SNAPHAUNCE SPORTING RIFLE BY STEINWEG IN MÜNCHEN AND BEARING THE DUCAL ARMS OF WITTELSBACH, CIRCA 1685-90 with swamped octagonal barrel rifled with eight grooves, engraved with small arrangements of flowers in a band over the breech, the tang en suite, and the muzzle engraved with a band of leaf ornament (re-blued, the sights missing), lightly rounded lock with fluted edges and engraved linear borders enclosing a scrollwork grotesque mask finely engraved at the rear, the maker's signature engraved in elaborate style within small flower and scrollwork motifs, and fitted with sliding pan-cover, with figured walnut full stock carved with a series of pronounced raised mouldings, gilt-brass mounts, comprising engraved butt-plate decorated with a stag within an oval frame suspended beneath a flower, finely engraved flat side-plate, the forward section formed as a scroll-shaped solid plaque decorated with a lion and the rear section pierced with interlaced scrolls, plain side-plate with raised moulded finials, two baluster-shaped ramrod-pipes, horn-tipped ramrod, and silver escutcheon formed as a finely engraved cartouche enclosing the arms of the House of Wittelsbach beneath the crown (Fürstenhut) of a Prince or Duke of the Holy Roman Empire. 85.7cm; 33 ¾ in barrel Johann von der Steinweg worked in Vienna from 1661 and in Munich from 1685. Few examples of 17th century German snaphaunce firearms exist in private ownership.
Lot 548
A RARE BAVARIAN GARNITURE OF FLINTLOCK FIREARMS BY JOHANN GEORG LAUTERER OF HARBURG, COMPRISING A HOLSTER PISTOL AND A PAIR OF 24-BORE FOWLING-PIECES, CIRCA 1730-35, the pistol with barrel of Spanish form with chiselled beaded bands at the breech and at the medial girdle, two gilt-brass maker's stamps of Lauterer of Rothenburg, one the crowned tiered inscription "Lavt/erer/a.ro/denb", the other an up-turned crescent with a star between its points, brass sight, bevelled plain brass lock signed along the lower edge, the cock engraved with scrolls, fitted with faceted top jaw and the steel faceted en suite, figured walnut full stock carved with decorative mouldings in low relief (repaired below the lock), full brass mounts en suite with the lock, with spurred pommel with demon mask cap cast in relief and fitted within an octagonal moulded framework, lock-shaped bevelled solid side-plate, bevelled trigger-guard with the finial formed as a moulded band, two faceted ramrod-pipes, horn fore-end cap, and original horn-tipped ramrod; the fowling-pieces each with expertly re-blued barrels matching that of the pistol and also with maker's stamps of Lauterer of Rothenburg, signed locks en suite with the pistol (one cock missing, the remaining one and both steels all acid-cleaned), figured walnut half-stocks carved en suite with the pistol stock (one butt cracked on the left-hand side along the grain), full brass mounts also matching those of the pistol, each including three ramrod-pipes, horn fore-end caps, and one fitted with horn-tipped wooden ramrod (one steel now a poor fit with the pan, one stock with a warped gap along the lower edge of the lock). The pistol 50.4cm; 19 ½ in The fowling-pieces with 101.3cm; 39 7/8 in barrels (3) Johann Georg Lauterer is recorded working in the Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber from circa 1693; neither the maker's stamps nor his subsequent move to Harburg are recorded by Støckel.
Lot 552
A RARE 100-BORE GERMAN SMALL FLINTLOCK GUN FOR A BOY, CIRCA 1740 built on a fine late 16th century barrel removed from a French long wheel-lock pistol, the barrel of rounded and very slender tapering form with raised segmental mouldings at the breech, at the median and at the muzzle, the two sections each decorated with two finely chiselled framed panels filled with designs after Etienne Delaune, in low relief on a punched fish-roe ground (originally gilt), the rearmost panel involving a classical warrior dancing beneath a baldacchino and amid trophies, cornucopia and scrolls, the successive panel cut with a demon mask trailing a cornucopia from its mouth, the forward panels decorated with an espagnolette mask and a young male figure respectively, and the four panels linked over the remaining undecorated length of the barrel by a very narrow raised cabled line, with plain small lock with bevelled edges, early 18th century moulded figured walnut stock (the forward half of the fore-end missing, chipped on one side of the barrel tang), and plain gilt-brass mounts cast in low relief, comprising butt-plate, very slender scrolling bevelled side-plate, moulded trigger-guard and one ramrod-pipe (the other ramrod-pipes and the ramrod all missing). 61cm; 24 in barrel 90.8cm; 35 ¾ in overall
Lot 594
A RARE PAIR OF LOW COUNTRIES LONG FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS-PISTOLS BY OGER LE BLAN, MAASTRICHT, EARLY 18TH CENTURY with iron barrels each belled towards the muzzle and engraved with a beaded band over the muzzle face, signed "Le. Blan" in inverted small capitals on the sighting flat and the breech struck three times with Maastricht mark (Neue Støckel 1563), engraved locks with strongly bevelled edges, decorated with an exotic bird perched on a scroll and signed "Oger. Leblan" beneath (one sear an early replacement, one top jaw missing, the other replaced), carved moulded figured walnut full stocks, full iron mounts, including spurred large pommels fitted with domed caps, chiselled voluted side-plates, faceted ramrod-pipes (one missing), chiselled escutcheons, and iron-capped wooden ramrods (one ramrod associated). 51.5 cm; 20 ¼ in. (2)
Lot 61
A RARE OTTOMAN NECK-DEFENCE, TURKEY, 16TH CENTURY comprising main-plate flanged upwards at the neck and embossed with a V-shaped panel beneath (small chips and laminations), struck with the mark of the Imperial Ottoman arsenal at Istanbul, retaining a pair of shield-shaped shoulder defences attached by rivetted mail links (losses), and the principle border pierced for attachment and a lining 60 cm; 23 5/8 in across
Lot 73
A RARE NORTH AFRICAN SHORTSWORD, ALGERIA, LAST QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY with curved blade broadening to a double-edged cleaver-like point, formed with three long fullers along the lower portion and stamped with a series of decorative marks on each face, brass hilt formed of a pair of sharply down-curved quillons and an additional arm each formed with a bud-like finial, chiselled with petals and linear designs, up-turned knuckle-guard formed en suite, horn grip of characteristic form (light insect damage) faced with engraved sheet silver (small losses), set with a paste on one side and with a leaf-shaped washer over the rivets on each face 56.2 cm; 22 1/8 in blade A nimcha of similar form and decoration, originally owned by Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hopsonn (1642-1717) is preserved in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (WPN1057). He is said to have obtained it on boarding a corsair, probably out of Algiers, in the Mediterranean. Another example, now preserved in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, was taken from an Algerian pirate in 1648 by Admiral Cornelis Tromp (1629-91). See May and Annis 1970, p. 169. A very similar sword is illustrated in Hales 2013, p. 235 no. 584.
Lot 75
A RARE MAMLUK SWORD WITH 14TH/15TH CENTURY HILT AND 18TH CENTURY BLADE with broad double-edged French export blade formed with a pair of long slender fullers and decorated with a panel of scrollwork involving the Holy Dove at the forte on each face, iron hilt comprising block-shaped cross-piece pierced on each side with a single hole, integral grip, and disc-shaped pommel formed with a central ridge 89.5 cm; 35 1/4 in blade A sword with a similar hilt, dated to the 14th Century, is preserved in the Askeri Museum, Istanbul. See Nicolle 2002, p. 121, ill. 66a. Another example of this date is illustrated Hales 2013 p. 242, no. 597.
Lot 156
Militaria, World War Two, Operation Market Garden and Operation Varsity Glider Pilot's Log Books, Staff Sergeant S. Waring; Log Book 1, July 1942-May 1944, training on Miles Magister, Hadrian, Tiger Moth, Hotspur, Horsa, Hamilcar; Log Book 2, June 1944-August 1945, including training and two operations, first operation, September 17th 1944, in a Hamilcar Glider as first pilot, Operation Market, returning on 29th September as a passenger on a Dakota; second operation, March 7th 1945, in a Hamilcar Glider as first pilot, Operation Varsity, returning on 30th March as a passenger on a Dakota, , with dated original aerial photographs of the landing site; with Arnhem Commemoration Dinner Menu (Wed October 18, 1944) given in honour of The Glider Pilot Regiment and bearing many ink signatures inside; with Arnhem Commemoration Supper & Smoking Concert Menu (Thurs Nov 2, 1944), also given in honour of The Glider Pilot Regiment and bearing many ink signatures to front and back; important and extremely rare archive Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation [remembered in the Hollywood Film A bridge too far (1964)] fought in the Netherlands and Germany . The objective was to force an entry into Germany over the Lower Rhine by circumventing the northern end of the Siegfried Line by seizing the bridges across the Maas (Meuse River) and two arms of the Rhine (the Waal and the Lower Rhine). Several bridges between Eindhoven and Nijmegen were captured at the beginning of the operation but for various reasons the operation stalled and remaining troops were evacuated or captured. The failure of the operation ended Allied expectations of finishing the war by Christmas 1944. Operation Varsity was a successful joint American, British and Canadian airborne operation involving more than 16,000 paratroopers and several thousand aircraft, it was the largest airborne operation in history to be conducted on a single day and in one location
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