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Lot 917
USSR, uniface trial 5 Kopecks (2), both 1924, in copper, globe within wreath, edge plain, 16.41g; value and date within wreath, edge plain, 16.40g (KM. TS1-2); LITHUANIA, Republic, Specimen set, 1925, comprising 50, 20, 10, 5, 1 Centu (2) (KM. 71-5); POLAND, Republic, uniface trial Grosz, 1923, in copper (?), crowned eagle (cf. KM. 8a) [9]. Extremely fine, the 5 Kopecks with traces of original colour; all contained in a fitted contemporary case, the inside lid inscribed ÔKing’s Norton Metal Co. Ltd - Becos Traders Ltd - Russian, Lithuanian, Polish Coinage’; very rare and interesting
Lot 919
Paul Kruger, Pond, 1898, with Ô99’ overstamp (Hern Z52; KM. 10.2; F 2). Good extremely fine or better, very rare; one of the few occasions where the cataloguer feels the NGC grader has been conservative, one of the finest known Slabbed in NGC holder, graded AU 58. The 1899 dies never arrived in Pretoria, so it was decided to overstamp 1898-dated Ponds. The first coin received a single Ô9’ overstamp; mint officials thought subsequent coins would be better overstamped with Ô99’ and 130 coins were thus produced
Lot 979
Hard Times tokens (5), viz. Low 19, 48, 51, 55, 96; NEW YORK, New York, Broas Pie Baker (Fuld 630M-1a), John P. Gruber, 1863 (Fuld 630AG-3a), H.M. Lane, 1863 (Fuld 630AP-2a); anonymous store cards (17), other tokens, etc (7) [32]. Generally about very fine or better, the New York pieces with original colour, Low 96 very rare Low 96 only illustrated; superior to the Dice/Hicks specimen
Lot 1022
Burgess, F.W., Chats on Old Coins, London, 1913, 393pp, illustrations in text; Mehl, B.M., The Star Rare Coin Encyclopedia and Premium CatalogÉof the Coins of the World, Fort Worth, 1932, 206pp, illustrations in text; Ottenheimer, I. and M., Alexander & Co’s New Hub Coin BookÉof American and Foreign Coins, Baltimore, 1947, 118pp including 54 plates; Laker, A.J., The Portrait Groats of Henry VIII, London, 1978, 24pp, illustrations in text (Manville 1394); together with other references (18), by Sear, North, Raymond, Brown and Dunn, Forrer, Levine, etc [22]. Publishers’ bindings
Lot 1050
Patarol, L., Series Augustorum, Augustarum, C¾sarum, et Tyrannorum omnium, Tam in Oriente, quam in Occidente, Venice, 1702, 237pp, engraved illustrations in text. Contemporary paste boards; fine and clean, very rare, oval red ink ownership stamp on blank recto of frontispiece, Ôex Museo Francisci de Leonissa’ in contemporary hand on final leaf
Lot 1054
Ratcliff, O., Types, Mints and Mintmasters of the rare Coinage of the Normans and House of Blois, AD 1066 to 1154, Olney, 1897, 24pp, illustrations in text (Manville 584); Carson, R.A.G. (ed), Mints, Dies and Currency, essays dedicated to the memory of the late Albert Baldwin, London, 1971, xv + 336pp, 23 plates, dj (Manville 1232); Elias, E.R.D., The Anglo-Gallic Coins: Les Monnaies Anglo-Franaises, London, 1984, 262pp, illustrations in text (Manville 1520); auction catalogues (30), all named sales, including Osborne, Mossop, Willis I and II, Doubleday Anglo-Saxon and Norman, Bird, Elmore Jones complete, Pridmore complete, DelmŽ-Radcliffe, Bridgewater House, Mack I, etc; together with other references (11), by Oman, Simon, Kenyon, Porritt, etc [44]. Publishers’ bindings, the first scarce
Lot 1063
Seaby’s Coin & Medal Lists (London), 270 [November 1936], M274-80 [February-July 1937], M283-5 [October-December 1937], mostly bound in 1 self-binder; Seaby’s Coin & Medal Lists (London), M283-8 [October 1937-March 1938], M290 [May 1938], M314-16 [July/August 1940-October/November 1940], M318 [December 1940], bound in 1 self-binder; Seaby’s Coin & Medal Lists (London), M315 [August 1940], M332-4 [January-December 1943]; Seaby’s Coin & Medal Bulletin (London), July 1947, August 1947, November 1948, loose in blue binder [Lot]. Mostly clean, pre-War issues rare
Lot 24
A RARE INDIAN BIRUDUNGI (BOOMERANG), 18TH CENTURY, PROBABLY MADURAI AND TWO SOUTH INDIAN KATARS, LATE 17TH/18TH CENTURIES the first: formed entirely of steel, with flat throwing blade engraved with foliage on each face, reinforced tip, and weighted knob of flattened circular form filled with weighted beads; the second with European fullered blade, pierced steel hilt decorated with foliage, and a pair of grip-bars; the third similar, the hilt incorporating a pair of flattened grip bars (the steel parts pitted throughout) the first: 35.5cm; 14in overall (3) For the first see R. Elgood 2004, pp191-2
Lot 30
A RARE SOUTH INDIAN SWORD, 17TH/18TH CENTURY with broad strongly curved blade formed with a short raised lug on the back-edge, brass hilt including a pair of robust shaped panels extending over the lower portion of the blade, petal-shaped guard with half-domed mouldings, square cushion-shaped pommel fitted with a pair of circular rattles (beads missing) and steel grip 52cm; 20 1/2in blade A similar sword is preserved in the Government Museum, Chenai, no. 2057. See R. Elgood 2004, p. 83.
Lot 47
A FINE AND RARE 32 BORE CAUCASIAN SILVER-MOUNTED MIQUELET-LOCK RIFLE, RUSSIAN PROVINCIAL SILVER MARKS, DATED 1854 with tapering barrel of `hog`s back` form, retained by four pierced and chased silver bands, each stamped with assay mark, fineness mark and maker`s mark, rifled with eight grooves, inlaid with slender gilt lines at the breech and muzzle and with traces of an inscription towards the median, raised `peep` sight, the tang overlaid with a piece of nielloed and gilt silver, flat lock of characteristic form stamped with a maker`s mark, figured hardwood, perhaps maple, full stock (the fore-end with a minor repair, inlaid with a pair of small plaques of bone inset with brass and hardwood on either side of the tang, ivory butt-cap retained by a pierced shaped silver bracket, the grip bound with plaited silver wire, and original iron ramrod (sling swivels missing) 108.5cm; 42 3/4in barrel
Lot 64
A RARE DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY SWORD, DATED 1761 with curved blade double-edged towards the point, cut with a long slender fuller, stamped with the Dutch East India Company mark and the date on each side, brass hilt including knuckle-guard and a scrolling frontal bar, short quillon, ovoid pommel, and early wooden grip (covering missing) 63.5cm; 25in blade
Lot 86
A RARE 1805 PATTERN NAVAL OFFICER`S SWORD MADE FOR REAR ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS USSHER BY SAMUEL BRUNN, 56 CHARING CROSS, LONDON with tapering regulation blade of hollow-diamond section, etched and gilt on a blued panel with the crowned Royal arms enclosed by foliage, the figure of Brittania and a putto on one side and foliage, the Royal arms for 1801-16, the figure of Neptune and further designs of foliage on the other (the upper portion with small chips and areas of pitting), gilt-brass stirrup hilt cast with a fouled anchor on the langets, the back-strap and pommel finely chased as a maned lion`s head, banded ivory grip bound with gilt-wire, set with a gilt-brass plaque engraved with the owner`s crest (the reverse plaque missing, stirrup-guard loose), in its original leather scabbard with gilt-brass chape, middle bands and locket (leather worn, seam split), each engraved with border panels filled with foliage, the locket and middle band each with a suspension ring chased with key pattern, the former engraved `Brunn sword Cutler to the Prince Regent and HRH the Duke of Clarence 56 Charing Cross London`, and retaining much original gilding throughout 81.3cm; 32in blade Samuel Brunn is recorded at 56 Charing Cross circa 1803-19. The crest is that of Ussher of Ballysaggartmore, County Waterford, Ireland. Sir Thomas Ussher (1779-1848) entered the navy in January 1791 on board the Squirrel on the home station and on the west coast of Africa; afterwards, in the Invincible, he was present in the action of 1 June 1794; and in 1795-6 was successively in the Prince George, Glory, and Thunderer, flagships of Sir Hugh Cloberry Christian, by whom he was appointed acting lieutenant of the Minotaur. In that capacity he served on shore with a party of seamen at the reduction of St. Lucia in May 1796. He was afterwards acting lieutenant of the Pelican brig, was confirmed in the rank on 17 July 1797, was repeatedly engaged with the French or Spanish privateers, and on 5 April 1798, in attempting to cut out one lying in the Augustine River near Cumberland Harbour (Guantanamo) in Cuba, he was severely wounded in the right thigh. While in the Pelican he is said to have been in upwards of twenty boat engagements with the enemy. In May 1799 he was appointed to the Trent, and in her returned to England in September 1800. The effect of his many wounds obliged him to remain on shore for some months; but in June 1801 he was appointed to command the Nox cutter, stationed at Weymouth in attendance on the king. In September 1803 he commanded the Joseph cutter, and in April 1804 the Colpoys brig attached to the fleet of Brest under Admiral (Sir William) Cornwallis. His vigilance and energy in quest of intelligence repeatedly obtained the admiral`s approval. Later on the Colpoys was employed in the Bay of Biscay and on the north coast of Spain. On 21st March 1806 Ussher was awarded a Lloyds £50 sword for the capture of three Spanish luggers at Avillas. On 18 October 1806 he was promoted to the rank of commander and appointed to the Redwing sloop, in which he was chiefly employed in protecting the trade against the Spanish gunboats and privateers near Gibraltar. On this service he was repeatedly engaged with the gunboats or armed vessels, often against a great numerical superiority, and especially on 7 May 1808, near Cape Trafalgar, where he fell in with seven armed vessels convoying twelve coasters. Of the nineteen, three only escaped, eight of the others being sunk and eight taken; the loss of men to the enemy in killed, drowned, and prisoners, was returned as 240. On Lord Collingwood`s report of this and other gallant services, Ussher was promoted to post rank by commission dated 24 May 1808. On his return home he was entertained at Dublin at a public dinner, and presented with the freedom of the city. In 1809 he commanded the Leyden in the operations in the Scheldt; and in 1811-12 the 26-gun frigate Hyacinth in the Mediterranean, where, on 29 April 1812, he led a boat attack against several privateers moored in the port of Malaga, and, in face of a murderous musketry fire from the shore, which killed or wounded 68 out of 149, brought out two of the largest privateers, and did what damage he could to the others. Although the enterprise was not fully successful, the commander-in-chief and the admiralty signified their entire approval of Ussher`s conduct, and in October he was moved to the Euryalus of thirty-six guns, from which, in February 1814, he was again moved to the Undaunted. In both of these he was employed in the blockade of Toulon and along the south coast of France. In April 1814, being in the Undaunted close to Marseilles, a deputation, consisting of the mayor and chief men of the city, came on board to acquaint him of Napoleon`s abdication and of the formation of a provisional government. Almost immediately afterwards he received instructions to prepare to convey the ex-emperor to Elba, and at Fréjust on 28 April received him on board. On the 30th he anchored at Porto Ferrajo, and on 3 May Napoleon landed. The Undaunted remained at Elba till the ex-emperor`s baggage had been landed from the transports, and then sailed for Genoa. In the end of June Ussher was moved into the Duncan of seventy-four guns, in which he shortly afterwards returned to England. On 4 June 1815 he was nominated a C.B.; on 2 Dec. 1815 was awarded a pension of 200l. a year for wounds; on 24 July 1830 was appointed equerry to Queen Adelaide, and in 1831 was made a K.C.H. and was knighted. From 1831 to 1838 he was successively superintendent to the dockyards at Bermuda and Halifax; he was promoted to be rear-admiral on 9 Nov. 1846, and in July 1847 was appointed commander-in-chief at Queenstown, where he died on 6 Jan. 1848. Taken from the Dictionary of National Biography.
Lot 88
A FINE AND VERY RARE GRENADIER`S CAP, HONOURABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY, CIRCA 1714 the body of crimson cotton velvet formed of four panels, each backed with hessian; the front panel bearing the Arms of the Honourable Artillery Company beneath a monarchical crown and above sprays of Union flowers, all in gold and silver wire embroidery, sequins and coloured threads, the three rear panels embroidered with foliate arabesques in gold wire and a Tudor rose in gold wire and coloured threads, the `little peak`, the turn-up, and the edges of the front and rear panels all edged with gold galloon, the `little peak` embroidered in gold wire with the Royal cypher of Queen Anne, monogrammed as a letter A between two letters R, with that on the dexter side reversed, the turn-up embroidered with a flaming grenade flanked by sprays of Union flowers, all in gold wire and coloured threads, the front panel and the junctions between the three rear panels internally stiffened, lacking its lining and one sequin from the portcullis in the Company`s Arms, with a tuft of gold wire formed as a flaming grenade (now separated) 30.5cm; 12in high; 25.5cm; 10in wide (around base of front panel) On 28th May 1714, a Court of the Honourable Artillery Company decided that, `for the honour and grandiour of the Artillery Company`, 24 of its members should be dressed and accoutred as grenadiers in order that they might, thus dressed, lead the Company on its `general marches` (HAC Court Minute Book C, p. 232; Raikes, 1878, p. 251; Goold Walker, 1926, p. 118). This having been decided, appropriate caps, pouches and other accoutrements were ordered to be obtained for the new grenadiers and it is probable that this cap is one of those commissioned on that date. The Company had had members dressed as grenadiers since at least October 1686 (Raikes, 1878, p. 219) and a Major Seeley was chosen to be captain of grenadiers in June 1702 (HAC Court Minute Book C, p. 107): it may be that the two other caps of this form that are recorded, in the National Army Museum and at Armoury House - the Headquarters of the Honourable Artillery Company - both of which are taller than the example offered here, date from earlier in the reign of Queen Anne (reigned 1702-14). Ownership of the earlier caps and accoutrements of the Company`s grenadiers had been disputed in the years 1710-11 between the Company and the Lieutenancy of the City of London (HAC Court Minute Book C, pp. 193, 195, 201 and 203) and so it appears that the resolution of May 1714 was as a result of this and in order that the Company should have complete control of a stock of equipment for its grenadiers. It is recorded (HAC Court Minute Book C, p. 237) that Major Shorey - who had been captain of grenadiers in 1709 - paid£50 to the Company`s Clerk so that a Mr Lambert could be given that sum towards the cost of the new grenadier caps on 7th July 1714; Mr Lambert was subsequently paid a further£58 `in full for Granadiers Caps` on 11th November 1714 (HAC Cash Book B, p. 27). By the time that the final payment was made for the caps, however, Queen Anne had died - on 1st August 1714 - and been succeeded by George I. While, theoretically, the death of the queen would have made the new caps obsolete - since they bore her Royal cypher - it is implied that the Queen Anne caps continued in use until at least 1722, albeit on rare occasions: Raikes recorded, quoting from a Court Minute of 1st June 1722, an order for the dress of the grenadiers at a review of the Company by King George I in June that year, as follows, `...the Grenadiers to wear the caps belonging to the Company, or the new ones lately made.` (Raikes, 1878, p. 268). `The new ones lately made` is probably a reference to caps made with the Royal cypher of King George, an example of which survives in the collections of the Honourable Artillery Company today, whereas `the caps belonging to the Company` probably refers to those commissioned in 1714, of which the example offered here is probably one. Its remarkably fine condition reflects the fact that it would only very rarely have been worn after 1714.
Lot 122
VOLUNTEER AND MILITIA OFFICERS` PLAID BROOCHES a plaid brooch of the Sutherland Rifle Volunteers in the form of a massive thistle wreath, 3in. diameter, in cast nickel, mounted with a ducal coronet above the Arms of the Dukedom of Sutherland impaled with those of the Earldom of Carlisle, within an oval inscribed DUCHESS HARRIET`S COMPANY (ROGART); together with an exceptionally rare brooch of the Inverness, Banff, Elgin and Nairn Militia battalion c1855-1881, in fine white metal, the incised quoit with engraved decoration and mounted with eight bosses which unscrew to reveal the initials of the regiment and those of the HLI (2) Note: Although the Sutherland Rifle Volunteers were raised in 1859, the Rogart company was not formed until January 1861. It became an independent company in 1864 as the 4th Sutherland Rifle Volunteers, and in 1881 became a Volunteer battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders. Harriet, a close friend of Queen Victoria, was the daughter of the 6th Earl of Carlisle and wife of the second Duke of Sutherland. She died in 1868. The Inverness, Banff, Elgin and Nairn Militia was raised in 1802. Despite being geographically in the Cameron Highlanders area, its title from 1855 to 1881 was the 76th Highland Light Infantry Militia. In the latter year it became the 2nd Battalion Queen`s Own Cameron Highlanders, who had become unique in the British infantry in having only one regular battalion. Curiously, the initials on this plate include an M (presumably for Morayshire) rather than E for Elgin.
Lot 125
RARE AND IMPORTANT NORTH EUROPEAN ARMET, CIRCA 1500, PROBABLY FLEMISH, CONVERTED TO FUNERARY USE IN ENGLAND IN 1677 with medially-ridged hemispherical skull extending downwards at the nape as a medial strip, fitted at its brow with a high reinforce, at its apex with a later spike for the attachment of a funerary crest, at each side with a pivoted demi-visor and a pair of hinged cheek-pieces supporting a pair of later gorget-plates, its front edge bordered by lining-rivets, the brow-reinforce rising at the centre of its upper edge to a cusp, pierced at its front with a pair of lace-holes and formed at its lower edge with a projecting angular inward turn serving as the upper edge of a vision-slit, the cheek-pieces well shaped to the chin and nape, overlapped and fastened by a stud at the point of the former, cut with a deep U-shaped face-opening bordered by lining-rivets, pierced over each ear with five small hearing-holes, and fitted at their lower edges, in place of a mail aventail, with a pair of funerary gorget-plates, the front one centrally divided and joined by a riveted internal strip (detached at one side), the visor with hinged arms (the right hinge later re-attached externally), formed at its upper edge with a projecting angular inward turn serving as the lower edge of a vision-slit, and pierced at the right with five vertical ventilation-slots and a hole for a missing lifting-peg, and retaining substantial traces of funerary painting consisting, on the cheek-pieces, of alternating foliate scrolls of gold within a linear border of the same colour on a black ground, and, elsewhere, with foliate scrolls and flowerheads of red within linear borders of the same colour on a gold ground (heavily patinated overall) Provenance From the tomb of Sir Thomas Hook, St Lawrence`s Church, Wootton St Lawrence, Hampshire. Exhibited On loan to the Royal Armouries, H.M. Tower of London, and Leeds, (AL 37). Literature F. H. Cripps Day, "A List of Churches Containing Armour" in Laking 1920-2, Vol. V, p. 187. Victoria County Histories (Hampshire), Vol. IV, p. 242. The Wootton St Lawrence armet hung until recent years over a bracket in the church, marked with the initials T. H. of Sir Thomas Hooke, died 1677, whose monument it formed. He acquired Tangier Park in 1660 and built a house there in 1662, which his son sold in 1710. Although broadly conforming to the Italian fashions of about 1440-1520 (see Blair 1958, pp. 86-91 & 133, figs 117-8; and Laking 1920-2, Vol. II, pp. 71-98, figs 428-41), the Wootton St Lawrence armet, like all other examples of its kind preserved in English churches, lacks the marks usually found on Italian-made armour of that period. It further differs from its Italian counterpart in having ventilation-slots pierced in the right of its visor and hearing-holes in each of its cheek-piece. As such slots and holes are a common feature of Flemish armets and close helmets of the early 16th century, mostly deriving from English churches (for example, Laking 1920-2, Vol. II, figs 443 & 445-7), it seems probable that the Wootton St Lawrence armet, like much armour used in England in its time, would likewise have come from the Low Countries. The strong shaping of its cheek-pieces to the chin and nape, and the depth of the face-opening cut into their front edges suggest that Wootton St Lawrence armet dates from no earlier than the last decade of the 15th century, whereas the uncovered hinges of the arms of its visor and the turned rather than flanged edges of its vision-slit suggest a date no later than the second decade of the 16th century. Closely relating to the Wootton St Lawrence armet, is one in St Mary`s Church, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, lacking its visor and cheek-pieces (G. F. Laking 1920-2, p. 206, figs 1672a & b). It has precisely the same form of skull, the same form of brow-reinforce and the same form of piercings over the ears as the former. Other armets are recorded in the churches at Beverly, Yorkshire; Buckland, Berkshire; Hawstead, Suffolk; Aldenham, Herts; and Cobham, Kent (G. F. Laking 1920-2, Vol.II, figs 442a, b, d, & e; & Vol. V, figs 1580a-c, 1594a-b & 1801.
Lot 126
A FINE AND RARE VENETIAN PARADE SHIELD MADE FOR THE BODYGUARD OF WOLF DIETRICH VON RAITENAU, PRINCE ARCHBISHOP OF SALZBURG, LATE 16TH CENTURY of convex near circular form, constructed of two-ply wood covered with leather decorated on its front face, within an outer border of foliate chevrons and engrailing and an inner border of running foliage and flower-heads, with a pattern of foliate interlace and flowerheads all tooled and lacquered gold over silver, the ground of the main field additionally covered with translucent red lacquer, and the detail picked out throughout with red and green lacquer, the rear retaining traces of yellow-painted decoration, and fitted with a quilted leather arm-pad, a forward enarme and the remains of a rear enarme, the outer edge fitted with a screw and hook for suspension, (the leather covering showing some cracking and worm on both faces, as well as peripheral losses, the lacquering with areas of wear) 56.5cm; 22 1/4in wide This shield is one of a series made in the time of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, who ruled as Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, 1587-1612. An inventory of 1669, now in the archives of the Städtisches Museum, Salzburg, mentions 398 gilded and painted shields. Some seventy of these shields are still to be found in the Carolina-Augusteum Museum, Salzburg. When Salzburg was occupied by the Bavarian troops in 1809 a number of these shields were transferred to the main Zeughaus at Munich, and sold from there after the First World War. Other examples of this distinctive group of shields are to be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Acc. No. 29.158.586) the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Art Institute, of Chicago, the Wallace Collection, London, the Historisches Museum, Dresden (Inv. No. N1), and Schloss Vaduz, Liechtenstein (cat. no. 871 & 881). Another was in the collection of Lord Astor of Hever (sold Sotheby`s, London, 5 May 1983, Lot 29). The fashion for Turkish-style arms is recorded in Europe as early as the middle years of the 16th Century. King Philip II had a `Turkish` bodyguard for his entry into Milan in 1548. The influence of Turkish taste is evident in both the style and technique of decoration of the Salzburg shields which has its origins in Turkish bookbindings of the period. During the 16th Century Venice had its own leatherworkers guild and many bookbindings as well as helmets, shields and quivers were made in this manner. For a contemporary discussion on the Venetian technique of varnishing and gilding see Leonardo Fioravanti, Compendio de` Secreti Nationali, Venice 1562 and Tommaso Garzoni, La Piazza universale di tutte le professioni del mondo, Nuovamente ristampata, posta in luce da Thomaso Garzoni da Bagnacauallo, con l`aggiunta d`alcune bellissime annotationi a discorso per discorso, Venice 1589. See E.J. Grube, 2007, pp. 231-251. Related shields of this type, but not part of the Salzburg contract are preserved in the armoury of the Palazzo Ducale, Venice (See U. Franzoi 1990, pp. 82-3). Another, set with a late 15th Century besagew in the centre and perhaps related to a group in the Correr Museum, Venice, was sold Sotheby`s, Milan, 14th October 2009, lot 1217, €17,500 (including premium).
Lot 129
A RARE SOUTH GERMAN INFANTRY HALF-ARMOUR, MID-16TH CENTURY, PROBABLY NUREMBERG, INCORPORATED INTO A LATER FULL ARMOUR comprising `almain` collar of three lames front and rear with integral spaudlers of six lames each, all embossed around the borders with a pattern of repeated scallops (some disarticulations), breastplate formed of a main plate with recessed ogee border beneath the neck and strong medial ridge projecting forward over the belly (so-called Tapulbrust), fitted with a pair of moveable gussets at the arm openings and flanged outwards at its base to receive a skirt of two-lames, contemporary three-piece backplate of similar type, a pair of pendent tassets each of seven lames, and decorated throughout with file-roped turns at the principal edges, together with later close helmet with two-piece skull joined along a roped medial comb, and `sparrow`s beak` visor, a pair of full leg-defences in gothic style including long pointed sabatons fitted with spurs, and a pair of etched fingered gauntlets: on a padded dummy with wooden stand A number of infantry armours of this quality are associated with the former city arsenal in Vienna.
Lot 142
A RARE BRASS POWDER MEASURE BY DURS EGG, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY AND ANOTHER, SIMILAR the first with cylindrical brass body inscribed `A charge for a Single Gun weighing about 6 lb/ or a Double Gun weighing 7 lb/ 3 Drams of Powder, 2Oz of Shot so in proportion/ D. Egg London`, fitted with graduated measure retained by a threaded knob at the base; the second unsigned with cylindrical brass body cut with a graduated panel and fitted with a plunger retained by a threaded knob the first: 9.8cm; 3 7/8in (2)
Lot 146
A RARE CHINESE IRON CANNON, PROBABLY 18TH/ EARLY 19TH CENTURY cast with a series of projecting bands, presumably intended for a swivel mount, wasted at the breech and pierced with a pair of holes for ignition (patinated overall) 72cm; 28 3/8in barrel 6.5cm; 2 1/2in bore For related examples preserved at the Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson see H. L. Blackmore 1976, pp. 154-155, nos. 204-206.
Lot 147
A RARE PAIR OF GERMAN BRONZE CANNON BY THE MASTER HP, DATED 1553 each with multi-stage barrel swelling slightly towards the muzzle, small fore-sight, impressed with an alternating arrangement of beads and panels on the muzzle face and engraved with a band behind, decorated throughout with chiselled ornament in high relief, including raised astragal mouldings, a classical warrior in low relief above the maker`s initials `HP` over the chase, a panel of candelabrum, the owner`s crested arms, the inscription and the date `Anno Domini 1553` and a further panel of candelabrum over the first reinforce, all on a finely punched ground, integral pan with iron pivot for a cover (now missing), the base-ring fitted with a moulded tubular back-sight (one missing), and plain flat cascabel, the underside fitted beneath with a large triangular lug in the middle, a pair of small lugs in front and a single lug behind for attaching to a tiller (one with a small hole in the centre ahead of the pan, the other missing a portion of its rear section and now in two pieces) 104.2cm; 41in barrels (2)
Lot 184
AN EXTREMELY RARE MINIATURE CUIRASS FROM A NORTH GERMAN PIKEMAN`S ARMOUR, CIRCA 1620 comprising breastplate formed in one piece, with a low medial ridge, flanged outwards at the base to receive a fauld of two broad lames (restored), backplate formed en suite and fitted with a culet of a single deep lame, the breast and backplate joined by iron-reinforced shoulder straps and a waist belt (replaced), the surface of the cuirass and culet decorated with pairs of incised lines, and its principal edges with plain outward turns 11.4cm; 4 1/2in high Exhibited Arms, Armour & Militaria lent by H.R.H. The Duke of Brunswick at the Tower of London, April 10th-October 31st 1952, cat. No. 36
Lot 189
A RARE .700 CALIBRE GERMAN MATCHLOCK MUSKET, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY with two-stage sighted barrel stamped with two marks over the breech (rusted), fitted with pan with pivot-cover and screw-in flash-guard, rectangular lock retained by two side-nails and incised with a pair of vertical lines, shaped match-holder with engraved tip, figured hardwood full stock, incised with lines over the fore-end (extensively wormed, chipped, losses), and with provision for a ramrod on the left, incised with leafy mouldings about the barrel tang, paddle-shaped butt pierced with an oval aperture, hollowed for the thumb (cracked through and with an old repair) iron trigger-guard and butt-cap and complete with its long iron bayonet hinged beneath the muzzle, with leaf-shaped tip retained by a swivelling cover ahead of the trigger-guard (the steel parts pitted) 118cm; 46 1/2in barrel Exhibited Arms, Armour & Militaria lent by H.R.H. The Duke of Brunswick at the Tower of London, April 10th-October 31st 1952, cat. No.135
Lot 191
A RARE 13 BORE SWEDISH BALTIC LOCK CARBINE, CIRCA 1640-60 with two-stage sighted barrel stamped with a mark over the breech (indistinct, rusted), plain tang, flat lock retained by two side nails on bone washers, stamped with a mark, in a rectangle the letters `OT` (Neue Støckel 4112), fitted with external mainspring acting on the heel of the cock, the latter incorporating top-jaw seated in a groove at the top of the neck, swivelling sprung safety-steel, figured walnut full stock incised with lines over the fore-end (cracked through, barrel bolt washers missing) and cut with a fern pattern behind the rear ramrod-pipe and behind the breech, paddle-shaped butt hollowed for the thumb and carved with fluting at the top, and decorated with impressed designs at the rear, steel mounts comprising trigger-guard and butt-plate, a pair of ramrod-pipes, steel fore-end cap, contemporary sling swivel (the steel parts rusted), and associated ramrod 85.5cm; 33 3/4in barrel Exhibited Arms, Armour & Militaria lent by H.R.H. The Duke of Brunswick at the Tower of London, April 10th-October 31st 1952, cat. No.131. The external main spring and the pivoting steel is an early feature of this distinctive form of lock associated with Sweden, see J. F. Hayward 1962 p. 242-3. Støckel records another gun with this mark in the Wrangel armoury at Skokloster.
Lot 202
A FINE AND RARE RUSSIAN COMBINED FLINTLOCK PISTOL AND HUNTING SWORD, CIRCA 1760-70, PROBABLY TULA with straight slender blade double-edged at the point, etched and gilt with scrolls, foliage a stag and a wild boar on the respective faces at the forte fitted with pistol barrel and lock mechanism on the right, the former chiselled and gilt with foliage and a portrait profile, the latter carrying an oval shell-guard chiselled and gilt with scrolling foliage surrounding a hunter holding a bear at bay, iron grip decorated en suite with the shell with further scenes from the chase and portrait profiles, retaining some blue black finish throughout (oxidised), in its original leather-covered wooden scabbard with small steel chape en suite with the hilt (polished bright) 56.5cm; 22 1/4in blade Literature Dr. J. Fastenau, Die Waffensammlung, 1910, no. 294. Exhibited Arms, Armour & Militaria lent by H.R.H. The Duke of Brunswick at the Tower of London, April 10th-October 31st 1952, cat. No.76
Lot 303
A RARE .750 CALIBRE INDIA PATTERN FLINTLOCK MUSKET FOR THE 40TH REGIMENT OF FOOT, CIRCA 1800 with rebrowned sighted barrel stamped with Ordnance marks at the breech (worn, the breech patched) and later Armagh registration number `AR 5431`, regulation lock engraved `Tower` and with `GR` crowned (pitted), regulation full stock (bruising), regulation brass mounts, and contemporary steel ramrod 97.8cm; 38 ½in barrel The 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot was formed in 1717 out of independent companies stationed in North America and the West Indies. In 1751 it was numbered the 40th Regiment of Foot and in 1782 took a county title as the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot. The 40th was part of the 6th Division at Waterloo. Under Major-General Sir John Lambert it fought in the centre of the allied line, near the farm of La Haye Sainte, prior to it being taken by the French only to recapture it soon after, a decisive turning point in the battle. The commander of the 40th, Major Heyland, was killed; of the 159 members of the regiment present 35 were killed.
Lot 306
A RARE .650 CALIBRE BREECH-LOADING FLINTLOCK RIFLED CARBINE BUILT ON THE CRESPI BREECH-LOADING SYSTEM, BY TRULOCK, CIRCA 1780-90 with sighted barrel rifled with eight grooves and retained by two iron bands, the forward band retained by a continental style spring clip, and the rear incorporating a saddle bar, tip-up breech-chamber locked by a two-part pivot lever engaging lugged projections on either side of the breech, its hinged folding arm locked by a spring catch on the right, signed bevelled border-engraved lock of regulation type (top-jaw and screw missing), figured walnut full stock (bruising), brass mounts comprising trigger-guard and butt-plate, the former pierced with a rectangular aperture ahead of the trigger-guard, probably for a long arrow-head bayonet, steel saddle bar (the steel parts pitted throughout), and no provision for a clearing rod 83cm; 32 3/4in barrel A number of makers of this name are recorded in Ireland, principally Dublin, during the 18th and 19th Century. Giuseppe Crespi, a Milanese gunsmith, invented his breech-loading system in 1770; it was subsequently adopted by the Austrian army the same year. Another example is preserved in the Royal Armouries, Leeds (inv. no. XII.1034. A smooth bore example, from the Wilfred Ward collection, was sold Sotheby`s, Billingshurst, 24th July 1995, lot 200.
Lot 319
A RARE .31 CALIBRE U.S. COLT MODEL 1848 BABY DRAGOON REVOLVER, NO. 5100, CIRCA 1848 of standard production specifications, with 4in barrel, with some early blued finish on the barrel, cylinder and frame, and brass trigger-guard and back-strap with some early silver plating 22.2cm; 8 3/4in This pistol appears to have been refinished in its early working life.
Lot 327
A RARE PAIR OF 32 BORE RUSSIAN FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS BY JOHANN ADOLPH GRECKE, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1780 with reblued two-stage barrels signed in silver over the breeches (the vents enlarged), plain tangs, engraved bevelled locks decorated with bold scrolls of foliage and a demi-mask issuant with foliage beneath the pans, engraved cocks (one restored), refaced moulded steels, figured walnut full stocks moulded over the fore-ends (one repaired) and about the barrel tangs, brass mounts including solid side-plates engraved with foliage en suite with the locks, spurred pommels engraved with an expanded flowerhead on the caps, foliate escutcheons, horn fore-end caps and later ramrods 35cm; 13 3/4in (2) Johann Adolf Grecke was maker to the Russian Imperial Court and the son of the distinguished Swedish master Johann Joachim Grecke. A number of very fine firearms by him are preserved in the State Hermitage, St Petersburg.
Lot 328
A RARE 40 BORE RUSSIAN FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL BY GRECKE IN ST PETERSBURG, DATED 1779 with rebrowned two-stage sighted barrel signed and dated in silver script over the breech, plain tang (expertly repaired), signed rounded lock, figured walnut full stock carved with rococo scrolls and foliage in low relief about the barrel tang and ahead of the trigger-guard, slender butt of near fish-tail form, brass mounts including solid side-plate with diagonal mouldings, spurred pommel, and moulded trigger-guard with acanthus finial, horn fore-end cap (small repairs), and with various impressed and painted inventory numbers 38cm; 15in
Lot 330
**A RARE CASED PAIR OF FRENCH 40 BORE PERCUSSION RIFLED PERCUSSION TARGET PISTOLS WITH ENCLOSED LOCKS BY LE PAGE ARQER DU ROI, NO. 3425 DATED 1833 with octagonal swamped sighted barrels signed in gold between leafy fronds and numbered `1` and `2` respectively, stamped with the barrelsmith`s mark of Nicholas Noël Boutet (Neue Støckel 100) beneath and with the serial number, case-hardened breeches inlaid with platinum lines, pierced platinum plugs, engraved case-hardened breech tangs stamped inside with the serial numbers and the dates, numbered in gold en suite with the barrels, decorated with pairs of fronds and fitted with standing back-sights, side-hammer actions enclosed within the stock and fitted with engraved case-hardened side-hammers, figured walnut half-stocks carved with a shell design over the fore-ends, and panels of chequering over the butts, the latter fitted with ebony caps carved with laurel fruit and foliage (one small chip), engraved case-hardened spurred trigger-guards and trigger-plates, silver barrel bolt escutcheons, and no provision for a ramrod: in their original brass-bound fitted case veneered in rosewood on the outside and lined with plum velvet (the veneer cracked, the lining faded and with areas of wear), complete with its accessories including brass powder-flask, and numbered bullet mould, 37.5cm; 14 3/4in The enclosed lock and the style of engraving is very similar to the work of Louis Perrin Lepage recorded in Vienna and Paris circa 1823-65. Perrin-Lepage exhibited in the Paris exhibition of 1823 and is recorded working from 1830 at 7 rue de l` Echelle. He married Henry Lepage`s daughter and was granted a patent together with his brother-in-law for breech-loading pistols in 1832.
Lot 343
A RARE FLINTLOCK MUSKETOON FOR THE EAST INDIA COMPANY BY GRIFFIN & TOW, DATED 1779 with 22in brass barrel formed in three stages, belled at the muzzle, signed, dated, stamped with the barrelsmith`s mark, `IG`, East India Company, and the number `4` crowned at the breech, iron tang, signed dated lock with the crowned `W` mark, figured walnut full stock, carved with an apron moulding behind the tang (repaired), stamped with East India mark on the right of the butt, brass mounts comprising flush-fitting side-plate, trigger-guard with moulded finial, butt-plate and a single ramrod-pipe, and steel stirrup swivel mount (perhaps associated, later ramrod), on a later stepped wooden base 96.5cm; 38in Provenance Robin Wigington During the latter part of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Windus`s tenure as inspector a few small arms of the East India Company are marked with the crowned `4` mark as opposed to his more conventional crowned `W` mark. See D. Harding 1997, p. 279. Joseph Griffin and John Tow worked together 1771-82. During the slightly later period of 1783-96 they sold weapons for a total of£41,887 12s 6d to the East India Company. See E. Griffin 1993, p. 89.
Lot 347
A FINE AND RARE CASED 120 BORE SILVER-MOUNTED SINGLE-TRIGGER OVER AND UNDER PERCUSSION PISTOL, BY JOSEPH EGG, NO. 1 PICCADILLY, LONDON, MAKER`S MARK EB, CIRCA 1830 with signed blued octagonal barrels, silver fore-sight, engraved blued breeches, engraved pierced platinum plugs, engraved case-hardened breech tang incorporating the back-sight, signed engraved case-hardened external actions decorated with scrolls and border ornament, fitted with engraved hammers and blued mainsprings, figured walnut butt cut with a fine pattern of chequering, engraved case-hardened trigger-plate, silver mounts comprising engraved trigger-guard decorated with scrolls of foliage, spurred pommel en suite with the trigger-guard and fitted with a vacant gold rondel on the base, vacant gold escutcheon, no provision for a ramrod and much original finish throughout: in its original fitted mahogany case, the lid with brass rondel on the outside, the interior with trade label and lined in green velvet, complete with a number of accessories including three-way flask, bullet-mould and nipple-wrench 15.5cm; 6 1/8in Provenance Wilfred Ward, sold Christie`s, King Street, 27th October 1993, lot 49 Literature Wilfred Ward, The Under and Over Pistols of Durs and Joseph Egg, p. 30, in Man at Arms, November/December 1986, pp. 25-35.
Lot 350
A RARE PAIR OF CASED MINIATURE PERCUSSION POCKET PISTOL BY R. DOBSON, CIRCA 1840 with blued turn-off barrels fitted with silver fore-sights, signed on the flats, engraved with a band around the muzzle and the breeches, scroll-engraved gilt-actions with gilt tangs retained by blued screws, fitted with engraved blued hammers, ivory butts, and retaining much finish throughout, in their fitted case veneered in rosewood and lined in purple velvet, the lid with a rectangular German silver plaque on the outside, and complete with their bullet-mould, turnscrew and nipple key 7.5cm; 3in This maker is almost certainly a member of the renowned family of pawnbrokers, jewellers and gunmakers recorded at Chiswell St 1795-1815.
Lot 369
A RARE CASED 40 BORE SILVER-MOUNTED SINGLE-TRIGGER OVER AND UNDER FLINTLOCK PISTOL, BY JOSEPH EGG, LONDON SILVER MARKS FOR 1814 with blued octagonal barrels (light pitting) signed in gold on the top and bottom flats, silver bead fore-sight, engraved breeches, the upper inlaid with a platinum line, platinum-lined vents, engraved breech tang, signed engraved case-hardened external actions fitted with engraved `French` cocks, blued mainsprings, bolt safety-catches, rollers and rainproof pans (one top-jaw an early replacement), figured walnut butt cut with chequering, silver mounts comprising trigger-guard decorated with border ornament, spurred pommel engraved and gilt with the owner`s coat-of-arms within a foliate frame, gold escutcheon engraved with the owner`s crest, traces of original finish, and steel ramrod with chequered tip carried on the left of the barrels: in a later fitted mahogany case lined in green baize, complete with a contemporary three-way flask with later red leather covering 16cm; 6 1/4in Provenance: Christie`s South Kensington, 23rd May 1990, lot 277 Field Marshall Sir Francis Festing William Keith Neal The arms and crest are those of Baring, probably Sir Francis Thornhill Baring. Sir Francis Thornhill Baring, 3rd Baronet was born in 1796. He was a Member of Parliament for Portsmouth from 1826 to 1865, and was Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Lord of the Admiralty.
Lot 124
Giovanni Antonio da Brescia (active circa 1490-1525) after Nicoletto da Modena (active circa 1500-1520) An ornamental Panel with Figures (Bartsch 22) engraving, circa 1516, a very good impression of this very rare print (Hind recorded only six impressions, in public collections), printed in dark brown ink, trimmed slightly unevenly close to or fractionally into the subject, an inconspicuous horizontal crease through the centre of the sheet, other minor creases with tiny touches of wear, occasional pale brown staining, laid onto an album sheet at the edges verso S. 261 x 127 mm. View on Christie's.com
Lot 169
Heinrich Göding the Elder (1531-1606) Martin Luther as 'Junker Jörg' (Hollstein 9) etching, 1598, very rare, a marriage of two impressions, joined horizontally just below his knees, printing with much tone and wiping marks, trimmed to the subject, the lower left corner made up; together with Taurus (Holl. 124), a reversed copy after Jost Amman P., S. 265 x 185 mm. (and smaller) (2) View on Christie's.com
Lot 173
Peter Gottlandt (active 1548-1572) Allegory: The Christ Child defeating the Catholic Church (Hollstein 6) etching with engraving, 1552, a fine, strong impression of this rare print, trimmed to or just inside the platemark in places, some minor staining, in very good condition P., S. 143 x 196 mm. View on Christie's.com
Lot 176
Jean-Pierre Norblin de la Gourdaine (1745-1830) The King of Bohemia (Hillemacher 12) etching, 1777, on thin laid Japan paper, a fine impression of this rare print, the largest by the artist, with margins, two short tears at top sheet edge, a repaired tear at the lower sheet edge, otherwise in good condition P. 419 x 300 mm., S. 428 x 308 mm. View on Christie's.com
Lot 184
Angelika Kauffmann (1741-1807) Girl braiding her Hair (Nagler 22; Gerard 20; Andresen 26) etching, 1765, a fine impression of Andresen's first state (of two), before the aquatint and date of publication, rare, watermark Auvergne Dupuy, probably the full sheet, with very wide margins and sharp plate edges, time staining and occasional foxing in the margins, otherwise in good condition P. 221 x 165 mm., S. 435 x 295 mm. View on Christie's.com
Lot 185
Angelika Kauffmann (1741-1807) Pensive Girl, sitting (Nagler, Gerard 21; Andresen 26) etching, 1766, a fine impression of the first state (of two), before the addition of aquatint and before some of the text was erased, very rare, watermark Dupuy Auvergne (fragment), trimmed on or into the platemark, some minor staining, otherwise in good condition P., S. 214 x 166 mm. View on Christie's.com
Lot 193
Carlo Maratti (1625-1713) The Holy Family with Angels (Bartsch 4) etching, circa 1650, a fine impression of the rare first state (of three), with delicate platetone and wiping marks, with the full square platemark and small margins, in very good condition P. 174 x 130 mm., S. 179 x 136 mm. View on Christie's.com
Lot 218
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606-1669) The Rest on the Flight into Egypt: lightly etched (Bartsch, Hollstein 58; Hind 216) etching, 1645, a good impression of this rare, lightly bitten print, with thread margins on three sides and trimmed to the platemark at left, a rust mark in the bushes above, generally in good condition P. 132 x 116 mm., S. 134 x 117 mm. View on Christie's.com
Lot 232
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606-1669) The Goldweigher's Field (Bartsch, Hollstein 234; Hind 249) etching with drypoint, 1651, a fragment of this very rare and important landscape, trimmed approximately 20 mm. into the sky and fractionally into the subject below and at the sides, various made-up paper losses, tears and repairs, laid down, stained P., S. 77 x 333 mm. View on Christie's.com
Lot 242
Orazio de Sanctis (1568-1584) after Pompeo dell'Aquila The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and Saint John the Baptist (Bartsch 4) etching with engraving, 1568, a fine impression of the very rare first state (of two), before the lower right was blocked out, with narrow margins, a short repaired tear at lower sheet edge, various thin areas, the sheet very thinly backed, the subject generally in good condition P. 250 x 193 mm., S. 254 x 196 mm. View on Christie's.com
Lot 252
Antonio da Trento (c. 1510 - c. 1550) after Parmigianino (1503-1540) The Philosopher (Bartsch 142) chiaroscuro woodcut, circa 1520-50, printed from two blocks in blueish-grey and black, very rare, trimmed outside the borderline, some horizontal creases, otherwise generally in good condition B., S. 104 x 72 mm. View on Christie's.com
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