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Click here to subscribeA BASKET-HILTED BROADSWORD, 20TH CENTURY with fullered blade etched with foliage and the crowned Royal cypher, plated hilt of flattened bars carrying an alternating arrangement of square and rectangular panels each pierced with arrangements of hearts and circles, scrolling quillon, a pair of loops, fluted bun-shaped pommel, leather-covered grip, doe-skin liner and tassel, in its plated scabbard 81 cm; 31 7/8 in blade
A DANISH OFFICER`S SWORD, CIRCA 1808-39 with curved blade of regulation type, formed with a long fuller on each face, etched and gilt with trophies, the crowned Royal cypher of Frederick VI on one side, the crowned Danish Arms enclosed by the Order of the Elephant on the other and with traces of blued finish, brass stirrup hilt comprising a pair of langets, the outer cast with a lion mask in low relief, knuckle-bow decorated with a trophy-of-arms at the top, and the back-strap rising to form a maned lionshead pommel, and spirally carved horn grip (small chips) in its brass scabbard 80 cm; 31 1/2 in blade
A SAXON MODEL 1881 ARTILLERY OFFICER`S SABRE, CIRCA 1881-1902 with pipe-backed blade etched in imitation of watered steel, etched and gilt with scrollwork, the maker`s name `Eisenhauer Stahl`, and the crowned cypher of Albert, King of Saxony on the respective faces of the forte, regulation iron hilt, in its black painted scabbard 83.5 cm; 32 7/8 in blade
A JAPANESE SWORD (KATANA) with curved single-edged blade, straight hamon (areas of staining and light pitting), long tang signed `Bizen Osafune Iehisa` (, perhaps later, slightly shortened), pierced with three mekugi-ana, two filled with soft metal, fitted with later regulation grip, in regulation scabbard 62.7 cm; 24 3/4 in blade
A CHINESE DECORATED SWORD (DAO), QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY with curved single-edged blade, brass hilt comprising circular guard with moulded brim, ferrule and pommel, all cast with scrollwork inhabited by dragons, wooden grip bound with cord, in its fishskin-covered wooden scabbard, with brass mounts en suite with the hilt, comprising characteristic shaped chape, locket, a pair of bands, and the latter two joined by a brass panel 61 cm; 24 in blade
A CHINESE DECORATED SWORD (DAO), QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY with curved single-edged blade, formed with a pair of long slender fullers along the back-edge on each face, brass hilt comprising circular guard (loose) with moulded brim, ferrule and pommel cast with scrolls dragons and traditional ornament, fishskin-covered grip bound with brass ribband, in its fishskin-covered wooden scabbard with brass mounts en suite with the hilt, comprising characteristic shaped chape, locket a pair of bands, and the latter two joined by a decorated brass panel 47.5 cm; 18 3/4 in blade
A CHINESE SWORD (DAO), QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY with broad single-edged blade cut with a long slender fuller along the back edge on each face, iron disc-guard, cord-bound grip and flattened ovoid iron pommel, in its black-painted fishskin-covered iron-mounted wooden scabbard 70.5 cm; 27 3/4 in blade
THREE ORIENTAL SWORDS, 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY comprising a Burmese Dha, with curved fullered blade widening towards the tip, silver hilt comprising ferrule and pommel each incorporating a band of beadwork, and ivory grip, in its silver-mounted bamboo scabbard; the second Bhutanese, with broad hatchet-like blade, brass hilt chased with traditional figures and flowers, and conical pommel, and the third Bhutanese, with single-edged blade, dha-style hilt, in its openwork scabbard the first:55.8 cm; 22 in blade (3)
AN INDO-CHINESE SWORD, 19TH CENTURY with curved fullered blade engraved with scrolls on each face at the tip and forte, copper hilt comprising quillon and knuckle-bow chased with traditional scrolls enriched with silver, silver pommel formed as a monsterhead, and ivory grip carved with foliage and fruit, in its hardwood scabbard inlaid with patterns of foliage inhabited by butterflies, and with silver locket, chape and middle band all chased with traditional foliage 65 cm; 25 5/8 in blade
THREE CHINSE EATING SETS AND AN ORIENTAL KNIFE, LATE 19TH/20TH CENTURY the first including ivory chopsticks, in its lacquered scabbard decorated with flowers; the second with iron chopsticks, in its iron scabbard applied with brass and copper; the third with tortosieshell mounted knife and scabbard and ivory chopsticks, and the fourth with tapering blade inset with brass scrolls, spirally carved wooden grip, and brass ferrule and cap pommel, in its leather scabbard with engraved brass locket the first: 31.5 cm; 12 1/2 in overall (4)
A SOUTH EAST ASIAN SHORTSWORD (KRIS), MADURA, LATE 19TH CENTURY with pattern-welded wavy blade chiselled and gilt with a serpent along the length of each face (small losses), gilt ganja, brass selut set with coloured paste (losses) and carved ivory grip (small holes), in its scabbard with carved white hard stone wrangka 35.5 cm; 14 in blade
A SOUTH EAST ASIAN SHORTSWORD (KRIS), BALI, 20TH CENTURY with pattern-welded straight double-edged blade, figurative grip overlaid with sheet brass and set with coloured pastes, in its scabbard with brass openwork pendok and carved bone wrangka decorated with traditional scrollwork inhabited by mythical figures 38.5 cm; 15 1/8 in blade
TWO SOUTH EAST ASIAN SHORTSWORDS (KRIS), MADURA, LATE 19TH CENTURY the first with pattern-welded wavy blade (areas of pitting), including a gilt crouching beast at the forte, paste-set gilt selut (loose, losses), characteristic carved ivory grip involving stylised figures and flowers, in its scabbard with embossed white metal pendok; the second with large selut, and figurative ivory grip (age cracks, small hole), in its scabbard with embossed copper pendok the first: 34.5 cm; 13 1/2 in blade (2)
TWO SOUTH EAST ASIAN SHORTSWORDS (KRIS), MADURA, LATE 19TH CENTURY the first with pattern-welded wavy blade incorporating a chevron design, bronze selut (losses), characteristic carved ivory grip (small chips), in its white metal-mounted scabbard with large wrangka; the second similar, the grip involving mythical beasts including the Kuda Sembrani, in its scabbard with highly figured wrangka the first: 36.5 cm; 14 3/8 in blade (2)
TWO SOUTH EAST ASIAN SHORTSWORDS (KRIS), LATE 19TH CENTURY the first Madura, with pattern-welded straight blade, silver selut set with pastes, characteristic carved ivory grip involving a naive eagle displayed, in scabbard with embossed silver pendok; the second probably Madura, with selut set with coloured pastes, and carved ivory grip involving flowers and a monsterhead pommel, in its scabbard with silver pendok and pronounced wrangka the first: 35.5 cm; 14 in blade (2)
EIGHT VARIOUS SOUTH EAST ASIAN DAGGERS, 19TH CENTURY comprising a Malaysian kris, with pattern-welded double-edged blade widening at the base, and integral figurative grip, in its wooden scabbard partly encased with white metal; a Malaysian bade bade, with curved pattern welded blade, and characteristic carved grip and scabbard; two Celebes korambi, one with ivory grip, in its ivory-mounted scabbard, the other with integral steel grip; a horn-hilted golok, and three further daggers the first 23.8 cm; 9 3/8 in blade (8)
A SOUTH EAST ASIAN SILVER-MOUNTED DAGGER, 19TH CENTURY, PROBABLY SARAWAK with curved single-edged blade decorated with very short gold scrolls at the forte on each face, faceted silver ferrule and cap pommel, and faceted hardwood grip, in its silver-mounted satinwood scabbard with very large horn clip for suspension (small losses) 26.7 cm; 10 1/2 in blade
A SOUTH EAST ASIAN SHORTSWORD (KRIS), SULAWESI, LATE 19TH/20TH CENTURY with pattern-welded blade fitted with a pair of silver loops at the base, the grip bound with silver wire, ribband and a pierced silver collar, and characteristic carved ivory pommel, in its silver-mounted wooden scabbard 38.5 cm; 15 1/8 in blade
TWO DYAK SWORDS (PARANG LAYTOK) AND A MALAYSIAN SWORD, 19TH CENTURY the first two with characteristic angular blades, the first with carved bone grip bound with plaited wire at the base, the second with rattan bound carved wooden grip, and the third with pattern-welded blade, carved horn grip, in its rattan-bound scabbard the first: 53.5 cm; 21 1/8 in blade (3)
TWO DYAK HEAD HUNTER`S SWORDS (MANDAU), 19TH CENTURY with characteristic blades broadening to a double-edged point, carved hilts bound with plaited brass wire, each in its scabbard, the first carved in imitation of reptile skin on the reverse, bound with rattan and complete with its javelin and the second carved and bound with rattan the first: 54.5 cm; 21 1/2 in blade (2)
A MALAYSIAN DAGGER (BADE BADE), AN EAST INDIAN AXE AND TWO MINIATURE DAGGERS (KRIS), LATE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES the first with slender blade, carved horn foliate hilt, in its silver-mounted hardwood scabbard with carved horn top mount; the second with pierced figurative head inlaid with silver lines, tapering ferrule, and short wooden haft, the third and fourth with wavy blades, figurative hilts and wooden scabbards the first: 19.5 cm; 7 3/4 in blade (4)
TWO NORTH EAST INDIAN SWORDS (DAO), 19TH CENTURY the first probably Kamti Shan, with broad cleaver-like blade widening towards the tip, the hilt with copper ferrule, wooden grip bound with rattan over the upper portion, and elliptical bone pommel cap, in its rattan-bound scabbard, open at the front with a large cane hoop; the second with broad blade, brass hilt with carved wooden grip, in its wooden scabbard bound with rattan, complete with its accompanying javelin the first: 49 cm; 19 1/4 in blade (2)
A DYAK HEAD HUNTER`S SWORD (MANDAU), AND A MORO SWORD, 19TH CENTURY the first with characteristic blade inlaid with brass pellets on one face, carved bone hilt bound with rattan, in its wooden scabbard and complete with its javelin; the second with single-edged blade, carved angular horn hilt, in its carved wooden scabbard the first: 55.5 cm; 21 7/8 in blade (2)
AN INDIAN (COORG) SILVER-MOUNTED DAGGER (PICHANGATTI), 19TH CENTURY with hatchet blade formed with a clipped back point and punched with a series of crescents along the back-edge, ivory pistol-grip swelling towards the terminal, inlaid with brass panels on the tang, the pommel with an engraved silver cap, and a pair of ivory grip-scales retained by four pairs of rivets, the uppermost fitted with a large foliate silver washer on each side, in its brass mounted hardwood scabbard with large silver locket and chape, the former with a pierced eye for a suspension chain and the latter with fluted bud-shaped terminal 19.5 cm; 7 3/4 in blade
TWO MALAYSIAN SWORDS (KAMPILAN), LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY each with characteristic blade, carved wooden hilt and in its two-piece wooden scabbard (rattan binding missing); the first set with an American coin dated 1908 on the pommel, and each applied with a label on the scabbard including `....taken in battle....Mindanao` the first: 78cm; 30 3/4 in blade (2)
AN INDIAN SWORD (TALWAR), LATE 18TH/19TH CENTURY with earlier curved single-edged blade of watered steel, incised with a calligraphic cartouche retaining traces of inlay on one face (small areas of pitting), iron hilt of characteristic form, comprising a pair of short bulbous quillons, integral grip and large disc pommel, decorated over the greater part of its surface with silver foliage and gold flowers, in a green fabric-covered wooden scabbard with iron chape (the chape detached) 81 cm; 31 7/8 in blade Provenance Robin Wigington, Poets Arbour, Stratford-upon-Avon
AN INDIAN SWORD (TALWAR) FOR A BOY AND TWO FURTHER INDIAN SWORDS (TALWAR), 19TH CENTURY the first with curved blade double-edged towards the point, iron hilt comprising a pair of langets with shaped terminals, quillons with bulbous finial, recurved knuckle-guard and disc-shaped pommel, in its leather-covered wooden scabbard with iron chape (chemically cleaned); the second with curved blade tapering sharply at the point, and iron hilt with traces of silver decoration; and the third with wavy blade formed with a snake`s head point, and iron hilt including recurved knuckle-guard the first:56.7 cm; 22 3/8 in blade (3)
AN INDIAN SWORD (KHANDA) 17TH/18TH CENTURY AND THREE FURTHER INDIAN SWORDS (TALWAR), 19TH CENTURY the first with tapering blade double-edged towards the point, iron hilt including a pair of shaped langets enclosing the forte, cross-piece formed as a pair of addorsed bird`s heads, disc-shaped pommel, and integral grip, in a later scabbard; the second with curved blade retaining traces of a magic square on one face at the forte, and iron hilt including knuckle-guard with recurved terminal in its scabbard; the third similar, in its scabbard; and the fourth with a punched arsenal inscription on the blade and brass hilt retaining traces of silver plating the first: 91.3 cm; 36 in blade (4)
FOUR INDIAN SILVER-MOUNTED SPEARS, LATE 18TH/19TH CENTURY the first two with pattern welded leaf-shaped heads, long silver collars finely chased with foliage, and wooden hafts lightly carved at the base; the third similar, complete with a matching scabbard; the fourth similar, on a long wooden haft encased with silver with pronounced mouldings over the upper portion (small holes) the first: 29.5 cm; 11 5/8 in head (4)
TWO ARAB SILVER-MOUNTED DAGGERS (JAMBIYA), 19TH CENTURY each with curved double-edged blade formed with a medial ridge, characteristic hilt decorated with beadwork, in its wooden scabbard applied with sheet silver en suite with the hilt, and each retaining its patterned fabric belt 17.7 cm; 7 in and 18.5 cm; 7 1/4 in blades (2)
A CAUCASIAN SILVER-MOUNTED SWORD (SHASQA), CIRCA 1894-1917 with curved fullered blade of regulation type, etched on one face with foliage, the crowned Imperial cypher of Tsar Nicholas II, a short cyrillic inscription and the owner`s initials `AO` in gold, the other face with scrolls of foliage, the inscription `Mon Dieu Mon Roi Ma Dâme` towards the tip, a shore-side scene involving a standing figure ahead of an assembly of cavalrymen and a further short inscription towards the forte, silver hilt of characteristic form, chased with scrolls of foliage and flowers enriched with niello and contained within beadwork frames, in its leather-covered wooden scabbard with four silver mounts decorated en suite with the hilt 77.5 cm; 30 ½ in blade The owner`s name appears to be Fuzunov.
A CAUCASIAN SILVER-MOUNTED SWORD (SHASQA), DATED 1287 AH (CIRCA 1870/1) with broad fullered blade double-edged towards the point, etched with portrait rondels at the forte (worn), nielloed silver hilt of characteristic form, decorated with scrolls of foliage within beadwork frames, eared pommel, in its leather-covered wooden scabbard with four silver mounts, the outer faces decorated en suite with the hilt, the inner faces with further designs including a tughra, the date, a serpent and a fowl 80 cm; 31 1/2 in blade
A CAUCASIAN SILVER-MOUNTED SWORD (SHASQA), LATE 19TH CENTURY with curved single-edged blade cut with three slender fullers on each face, silver hilt of characteristic form retained by three rivets with pairs of silver domed heads (one pair missing), decorated over its surface with scrolls, in its leather-covered wooden scabbard with silver locket and middle band (chape missing, areas of wear) 72 cm; 28 3/8 in blade
A CAUCASIAN SHORTSWORD (KINDJAL), LAST QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY with broad double-edged blade formed with a long off-set fuller on each face and sharply tapering towards the point, horn grip of characteristic form, the lower portion encased by nielloed silver decorated with traditional scrolls within beadwork borders, retained by two rivets with low domed heads, in its leather-covered wooden scabbard with large silver locket and chape, each en suite with the hilt and the former incorporating a loop for suspension 44.3 cm; 17 3/8 in blade
A CAUCASIAN SHORTSWORD (KINDJAL), LATE 19TH CENTURY with double-edged blade curved at the point, formed with a pair of etched central fullers on each face, the front stamped with a mark, inlaid with brass foliage and stylised inscriptions, hilt fitted with a pair of shaped horn grip-scales retained by three pairs of iron rivets, in its leather-covered wooden scabbard (worn) 43 cm; 17 in blade
FIVE AFRICAN DAGGERS, 19TH/20TH CENTURY the first Azande, with leaf-shaped blade pierced with four circular holes, recessed slotted forte, and waisted hardwood grip; the second and third with sharply tapering blade engraved with a herringbone pattern on each face, the fortes formed as a stylised ram`s head, and tusk grips; the fourth with curved blade formed with a sharp inner edge, horn hilt, in its scabbard; and the fifth probably Sudanese, with crocodile grip and scabbard the first: 44.5 cm; 17 1/2 in blade (5)
THREE AFRICAN SHORTSWORDS, 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY the first with broad flat blade engraved with stylised birds, animals, and crescents and inset with brass and copper on each face, engraved forte, and brass-mounted skin-covered grip; the second probably Moroccan, with recurved single-edged blade, and slender horn grip of near yataghan form; and the third Sudanese, with long flat blade, and anthropoid hilt involving hardwood and brass, in its leather scabbard with an arm band the first:30.5 cm; 12 in blade (3)
AN AFRICAN SWORD, 19TH CENTURY, PROBABLY FOR A WEST AFRICAN CHIEFTAIN with broad double-edged blade decorated with scrolls, the forte applied with two iron panels decorated with dense scrollwork, iron cross-piece including a pair of recurved quillons with knop-shaped finials, ivory grip carved with chevron over the lower portion and fluting over the upper portion, enriched with silver plaques, ribs and plaited wire (small losses), and silver pommel with a chain for suspension, in its tooled leather scabbard 86 cm; 33 7/8 in blade
A MOROCCAN SHORTSWORD (FLYSSA) AND A SOUTH EAST ASIAN POLEARM, 19TH CENTURY the first with slender single-edged blade inlaid with brass, and iron grip inlaid with engraved brass, in its carved hardwood scabbard; the second with broad fullered blade double-edged for the last portion, and the base enclosed by a silver ferrule (haft missing) the first: 59 cm; 23 1/4 in blade (2)
SIX AFRICAN SHORTSWORDS AND DAGGERS, LATE 19TH/20TH CENTURY the first Masai (Ol Alem), with medially-ridged broad blade, carved hardwood grip, in its carved scabbard; the second Congo, with engraved broad blade inset with three copper rondels, carved hardwood grip with plaited copper wire; the third Congo, with engraved broad blade and the grip wrapped with copper ribband, and kidney-shaped iron pommel; the fourth probably Congo with long blade and acutely curved point; and the fifth and six of hatchet form the first: 57 cm; 22 1/2 in blade
A RARE GERMAN TOWN SWORD WITH AGATE AND ENAMEL HILT, AND ITS SCABBARD, CIRCA 1650-60 with slender tapering hollow-ground blade finely etched and gilt on a blued panel over its lower portion on both sides, the etched designs centring on the principal commanding figures from the Thirty Years` War and differing over the respective sides, decorated with birds perched on vine branches above the motto "Soli.Deo.Glo.Ria", one side with the bust portrait of King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden and that of Bernhard, Duke of Saxe(-Weimar), Jülich and Cleves each within an oval frame bearing their respective abbreviated Latinised titles, the motto "Fiede St: D Cui Fiede" between, the reverse side decorated with two mounted figures, one (Kurfürst) Maximilian (I) Count Palatine, the other not captioned, with variegated agate hilt, the lower portion constructed in two halves joined at the sides, bound with four narrow bands of gilt-brass enamelled with an alternating blue and white cabled pattern, and including mushroom-shaped pommel (quillons removed), in its original leather-covered wooden scabbard with provision for a by-knife, the outer face tooled with five crowns towards the top, and fitted with gilt-brass chape decorated on both sides with a pierced raised design of polychrome cold-enamelled scrolling flowers and leaves 84.8 cm; 33 3/8 in blade
A GERMAN ROCOCO HUNTING-SWORD AND SCABBARD WITH EARLIER CARVED IVORY GRIP, CIRCA 1770-80 the blade etched with scrolls and Latin mottos on both sides (pitted), with brass hilt cast in relief with rococo ornament, including short quillons with re-curved tips, fluted shell-guard and domed cap pommel, fitted with earlier ivory grip finely carved in high relief with a complex spiral pattern of boar, stags, hares and a lion all entwined in combat with hounds, in its original leather scabbard with decorated locket and provision for a by-knife (missing, the chape associated) 54.6 cm; 21½ in blade The grip, now partly obscured by the 18th century mounts, is finely carved in the manner and quality of the renowned Maucher workshops of Schwäbish-Gmund and dates from circa 1680.
A SOUTH GERMAN SILVER-GILT HUNTING-SWORD AND SCABBARD WITH CARVED IVORY GRIP, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY with slender curved blade double-edged towards the point, cut with a series of very narrow fullers and etched with a scrolling pattern of large flowerheads and foliage on both sides at the forte, silver-gilt hilt with loop-guard (knuckle-guard missing), the grip carved in high relief with a complex spiral pattern of three boars, a stag and hares all entwined in combat with hounds, in its original leather-covered wooden scabbard with silver-gilt chape with raised filigree settings for semi-precious stones (the stones and the scabbard locket all missing) 65.8 cm; 25 7/8 in blade The grip is most probably from the workshops of the ivory carvers of Schwäbish-Gmund.
A RARE HUNGARIAN LIGHT CAVALRY ESTOC AND SCABBARD, CIRCA 1650-60 with long very slender hollow-triangular blade etched and gilt on each face with three celestial motifs, together with the Bishop`s profile head mark and initials "PM" of the bladesmith Peter Munch of Solingen, iron hilt of slender bars, the crosspiece formed with upper and lower langets and drawn up to form a knuckle-guard, flat beak-shaped cap pommel canted downwards at its forward end, original grip bound with leather over cords, and the blade tang secured by a lateral rivet with iron rosette-shaped heads, in its original leather-covered wooden scabbard decorated with small mouldings below the mouth, with iron chape formed of two parts bound by a fluted band, and two further iron bands with loops and a ring for suspension (the second ring missing) 120 cm; 47¼ in blade For a comparable example with its scabbard, the blade also bearing the mark of Peter Munch, Solingen, see Szendrei 1896, p. 374, nr. 2772, pl. XXII. The bladesmith`s mark, together with the accompanying celestial marks, are recorded by Weyersberg: for commentary on recorded blades made by Peter Munch see Weyersberg 1926, pp. 32-4, fig. 83. Also see Nadolski 1974, fig. 104.
A RARE EAST EUROPEAN HORSEMAN`S BROADSWORD AND SCABBARD, POLISH OR HUNGARIAN, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY with broad flat double-edged blade with near parallel edges coming to a blunt point, iron hilt of flattened bars cut with simple filed mouldings, formed with rear quillon with fishtail tip, knuckle-guard widening in the middle and joined to the beak of the pommel, upper and lower langets, thumb-ring, flat beak-shaped cap pommel, and original grip bound with leather over cords, in a contemporary leather-covered wooden scabbard, probably the original, with iron linear engraved mounts of characteristic type, comprising chape formed in two parts bound by a band, and a further pair of bands each with ring for suspension 77 cm; 30¼ in blade Swords such as these were typically used by cavalry of the Imperial forces engaged in the Turkish campaigns.
A GERMAN CROSS-HILTED HUNTING-SWORD WITH EXTREMELY RARE ETCHED CALENDAR BLADE, THE BLADE CIRCA 1620-30, THE HILT AND THE SCABBARD EACH 16TH CENTURY with long broad flat blade double-edged and coming to a very short point, etched in fine detail over almost the entire length of each face with a Gregorian calendar in linear tabulated form, one side bearing the months "IANIARIVS" to "IVNIVS", the other "IVLIVS" to "DECEMBER", giving the days of the week abbreviated to their first letters, each day of the month numbered and with its saints` day or day of religious observance identified, the named months additionally identified by their respective German seasonal names together with the monthly total number of days, the monthly tables punctuated by cartouches filled with the twelve Zodiacal signs together with a cabalistic Greek miniscule letter, the final cartouche inscribed "Mon Esperence En Dieu" ("My Hope in God"), and decorated with rollwerk panels on both sides at the base, fitted with earlier rounded iron crosspiece with button terminals, stopper-shaped pommel, and wooden grip retaining a pair of "Turks` heads" and a portion of the original binding all of patterned brass wire: in an earlier leather-covered wooden scabbard, decorated with tooled moulded bands about the top, with provision for extra-pieces and fitted with pierced U-shaped iron chape (the blade coarsely filed along the edges and over the surface of the base on one side, the scabbard suspension hook and the extra-pieces each missing) 87 cm; 34¼ in blade This blade would appear to be hitherto unrecorded. A sword mounted with a calendar blade tabulated and inscribed in a near identical manner, almost certainly by the same hand, is in the von Kienbusch Collection, in the Philadelphia Museum of Art: see von Kienbusch 1963, cat. no. 439, pl.CII. The von Kienbusch blade is etched additionally with portrait medallions, including that of Maximilian, Count Palatine of the Rhine, the title with which he was invested in 1623. Another closely comparable blade signed by the Solingen bladesmith Clemens Tache was formerly in the armoury of the Grand-Dukes of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach in the Wartburg: see Diener-Schönberg 1912 (W.-G.-I. Nr. 4456), cat. no. 401, p.110, pl.60. The Gregorian or Christian calendar was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. For a general account of extant German and English hunting weapons with calendar blades see Blackmore 1971, pp.17-18. Also see Seiler 1940-42, pp. 11-19, for a detailed survey of the calendar blades of Ambrosius Gemlich of Munich (active circa 1527-42), whose work was most likely the source of inspiration for the present 17th century blade. The scabbard is of the type found on German and Swiss Landesknecht swords in the early 16th century and as such is very rare in its own right. A closely comparable example with sword and extra-pieces, circa 1520, is in the collection of the late Sir James Mann: see Dufty, 1974, pl. 16a.
A GERMAN HUNTING-SWORD AND SCABBARD, CIRCA 1650 with tapering double-edged blade formed with a very low medial ridge over its length on both sides and both sides with a small mark inlaid in latten, iron hilt with down-turned quillon with chiselled monster`s head terminal, fluted shell-guard, the knuckle-guard interrupted by a further chiselled monster`s head, the upper portion of the guard issuant from its mouth and with chiselled terminal, also a monster`s head, the grip of natural staghorn with iron basal collar and a flat iron plate over the top, and in a contemporary iron-mounted leather scabbard, possibly the original, with provision for a by-knife 62.3 cm; 24½ in blade
A GERMAN SWORD OF JUSTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS SCABBARD, LATE 17TH-EARLY 18TH CENTURY with broad flat double-edged blade coming to a vestigial point, with the cabalistic numbers "1544" cut within the short fuller on each face at the forte, and incised with a wheel of justice on one face and a gibbet on the reverse, with iron crosspiece formed with a pair of swelling quillons, plummet-shaped pommel rising to a button, and the grip retaining its original leather binding over cords, complete with its original leather-covered wooden scabbard, the outer face with tooled ornament towards the top, with iron chape and a punched decorated iron hook for suspension 82.5 cm; 32½ in blade
A GERMAN SWORD OF JUSTICE, TOGETHER WITH SCABBARD, 17TH CENTURY with broad flat rebated blade with a device inlaid in latten within the short fuller on both sides at the forte, a wheel of justice and a gibbet respectively, iron crosspiece swelling towards the ends, plummet-shaped pommel with prominent button, and leather-covered grip lightly decorated with tooled ornament (the leather covering probably an old replacement), in a contemporary leather-covered wooden scabbard, perhaps the original, with provision for a pair of by-knives and fitted with iron chape (the scabbard in deteriorated condition) 85.7 cm; 33¾ in blade
A RARE GERMAN TOWN SWORD WITH FINELY CARVED IVORY MEMENTO MORI HILT, DATED 1656 with slender tapering double-edged blade etched on both sides below the hilt, each face decorated with a pair of birds perched in flowering branches, framing at either end the figure of a classical warrior, one a representation of Hannibal, together with brief inscriptions including the date "Domene anno 1656", ivory hilt formed in two parts and carved in relief, the pommel and the quillon terminals each in the form of a carefully detailed skull carved in the round, the quillons carved with a spiral design of snarling serpents entwined with toads and issuant from the mouth of a grotesque mask front and rear, the grip carved with a similar interlaced spiral also involving detached human bones, the base of the hilt fitted with a small moulded silver collar enriched with polychrome enamels, and the pommel capped by a blackened flower-head washer, in a contemporary leather-covered wooden scabbard fitted with iron chape. 85.7 cm; 33¾ in blade 1656 was the year in which an epidemic of plague killed 145,000 in Rome and 300,000 in the Kingdom of Naples. In the same year the German engraver Paul Fürst published his well-known engraving of the grotesquely masked and costumed plague doctor Doktor Schnabel von Rom (after an earlier work by J. Columbina)
A RARE SENIOR OFFICER`S DE-LUXE QUALITY DRESS SABRE WITH HILT AND SCABBARD MOUNTS OF PARCEL-GILT SILVER, BADEN OR WÜRTTEMBERG, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY with curved single-edged flat blade etched over its length in imitation of a damascus pattern, etched with laurel branches and gilt trophies-of-war on both sides, enclosing the figures of Mars and Venus etched and gilt on respective sides, and etched and gilt with a striped pattern along the back-edge, silver stirrup-hilt cast in relief, formed of a knuckle-guard with two oval bars branched diagonally across the outer face, with the quillon terminal formed as a dog`s head cast in the round, a pair of langets, the outer langet decorated with a silver-gilt lion mask in high relief, back-piece also of silver-gilt and rising to an eagle`s head pommel, and ebony grip carved with a scale pattern, in its original leather-covered wooden scabbard with parcel-gilt silver mounts cast in relief with subjects en suite with the blade, the locket involving the figure of Victory, and the middle-band applied with a fluted plaque carrying the cipher WR crowned, silver maker`s stamp of Sick of Stuttgart; complete with its portepee incorporating the black, white and red Federal colours 74.5 cm; 29¼ in blade The cypher on the middle-band of the scabbard is possibly that of the 2. Badisches Grenadier Regiment, Kaiser Wilhelm I. The regiment was established in 1852 and became a part of the Baden contingent of the Prussian army in 1871, under the designation Infanterie Regiment Nr. 110
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