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Nation : German
Local Price : 39,000.00 USD

FINE AND RARE GERMAN HAND AND A HALF SWORD C.1620. This magnificent sword was surely made to order for a wealthy and probably titled owner. It is a hand and a half broadsword made for use in one hand or two, depending on the situation. It is related to a group of swords dating to the early 17th century, mainly decorated with animal head pommels and quillon terminals. The use of human heads is less well known, but several examples exist. A notable example, evidently related to and possible by the same artisan is in the collection of the Historsche Museum, Dresden, #VI/341. Features distinctive to both examples are the form of the ears and the wedge shaped rolled collar. The base of the 32 3/4" double edged blade is decorated with a scrolling tendril from which three flowers bloom, growing from a fruit. The reference is obviously to the cycle of birth and renewal a popular theme offering hope in troubled times.

Nation : British
Local Price : £24995

Click and use the code 23537 to search for this item on the dealer website Singularly Fine and Rare Museum Quality Original Viking Jarl&#acute;s Sword Around 1100 years Old

Nation : -
Local Price : $34995.00

Magnificent Jeweled Medici Dagger, ca. 1840. This one-of-a-kind ceremonial dagger is perhaps the most unique and exceptional piece we have ever offered. Constructed entirely of fine silver with a pierced filigree hilt of exceptional quality and detail. The obverse is studded with 4 large emeralds (approx. 17.6 total carats), 133 smaller diamonds, ranging in size from approx. 1.5mm to 3.5mm (120 original rose-cut and 13 later full-cut), and mounted with a 7.5mm pearl on the pommel. The central feature is a gold Medici Family crest, surmounted by a band of diamonds with gold border and crowned with a diamond-studded fleur de lis. The reverse is gilded and mounted with 5 cabochon-cut turquoise, 3.5mm to 5mm in diameter. One stone appears to be absent, but close examination of the setting shows it to be different than those holding the turquoise, indicating it was possibly a different gem. The solid silver 6 3/8″ blade features acanthus decoration at the forte and an inscribed name (Enrico?). Overall length 11 3/8″, weight 176.5 grams. Included is a certified gem assessment by an accredited gemological lab, though nobody has been able to offer an actual appraisal given the rarity and importance of this unique piece. Everywhere I have taken this piece I have watched jaws drop with amazement when people see it. It is an amazing piece which photos cannot begin to do justice to. The Medici’s were one of Europe’s wealthiest and most influential families from the 14th to the 18th Century. They were instrumental in igniting the Renaissance throughout Europe. Four popes were from the family. While the family had declined politically by the first half of the 18th century, this dagger is proof that their wealth and prestige continued far into the next century.

Nation : British
Local Price : £19,995.00

Cased Pair of Percussion Duelling Pistols by Joseph Manton. SN 8740. A Cased Pair of Percussion Duelling Pistols by Joseph Manton 14 &194;&190;&157; &194;&160;overall, 10" heavy octagonal 40 bore browned twisted, scratch rifled barrels. Rectangular platinum cartouche on top flat stamped ´JOSEPH MANTON PATENT´ & a crown. Platinum touch hole & line at breach, no proof marks.&194;&160;Blade foresight, half circle notch rear sight. Flat scroll engraved lockplates signed ’Joseph Manton London’, sliding safeties, scroll engraved flat hammers with removable noses. Figured walnut half stocks chequered at the wrist. Silver vacant oval escutcheon, engraved steel furniture, trigger guard engraved with martial trophy with ´5055´ in centre & tip of leaf edging with pineapple finial, domed steel butt cap and horn fore end with horn tipped ramrods. In their original green baize lined & fitted mahogany case with round brass vacant escutcheon surrounded by ring handle to lid. Correct 1810-12 trade label.&194;&160; Bone keyhole escutcheon in the shape of an inverted tear drop.&194;&160;With original accessories including red leather three way flask, bullet mould, cleaning rod with worm, two cap tins and a nipple key. Pistols and case in very good condition retaining most original finish. Bores very good. Made in 1810 and converted by the maker circa 1825. Joseph Manton was at Davies St, London 1818-18, see ´The Mantons Gunmakers´ by &194;&160;Neil and Black, plates 110 for similar cocks, and 133 for trade label.&194;&160; &194;&160; Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : British
Local Price : £19,995.00

Very Fine and rare Cased Set of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by Twigg with a Pair of Companion Pocket Pistols. SN 8583. **** This item is part of our ´Bin Ends´ sale: items that have been with us for a while through no fault of their own, usually the last few pieces from large collections, which we are now able to offer at significantly reduced prices from the price they were first listed at to make way for new stock. These prices are as low as they can be and include delivery in the UK. &194;&160;**** A Very Fine and rare Cased Set of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by Twigg with a Pair of Companion Pocket Pistols. Duellers 15 1/2&157; overall, 10&157; slightly swamped, twist octagonal sighted 25 bore barrels each signed along the top flat ´Twigg London´ and engraved with a line of beadwork behind the back-sight, border engraved tangs each decorated with foliage, border engraved flat bevelled locks each with second form of signature and stepped tail. Figured full stocks each carved in relief with a shell behind the barrel tang, chequered rounded flat-sided butts with a dot in the centre of each diamond and carved with characteristic step behind the lock and side-flat on each side, steel trigger guards each with acorn finial and decorated with a flowerhead on the border engraved bow, turned ramrod-pipes, horn-tipped ramrods, one with iron worm. Pocket pistols 6 1/2&157; overall with 1 1/2&157; turn-off rifled 120 bore cannon barrels, actions engraved with a trophy on each side and inscribed ’London’ on a scroll, blued sliding trigger guard safety catches which lock down the frizzens each decorated with foliage on the bow, figured flat-sided butts inlaid with silver wire scrollwork. In their original lined and fitted mahogany case with some accessories including a leather covered three-way powder-flask stained in imitation of tortoiseshell, matching bullet moulds in 25 and 120 bore, turn screw and loading rod. The exterior of the lid with brass carrying handle of Chippendale form Circa 1775-80 Duellers in very good, re-finished condition, crisp actions. Pocket pistols in good condition with minor losses to silver wire. Accessories all original to set. Original case with split to front edge of lid, hooks old replacements. Provenance: W. Keith Neal Collection, C26 Christie’s London, Fine Antique Firearms from the W. Keith Neal Collection, 8 November 1995, lot 317 John Fox Twigg was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire in 1732. He is recorded at various addresses in London between 1755 and the year of his death in 1790. Durs Egg worked for him on his arrival in London in 1772 and John Manton served as his foreman. He is considered to be one of founding fathers of the English gun making trade Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : British
Local Price : £18995

Click and use the code 22605 to search for this item on the dealer website 18th Century Silver and Enamel Makara ´Lucknow´ Palace Damascus Sword

Nation : Spanish
Local Price : £17500

Fine North European Two Handed Sword Dating To Circa 1520. A fine, rare and well proportioned North European two handed sword (hand and a half sword). The hilt, which retains much of its original blackening to the iron parts, is an impressively chiselled example of the early 16th century armourer’s craft. The flat, downwardly curved quillons, widening towards square-ended terminals, with central rope-twist decoration in raised relief on both sides, plus the deeply grooved pommel with fluted ridges, mark this sword out as a member of a distinct and unique group of North European two-handed swords. So far as we know, only six of this type are presently identified. The broad blade is single edged with a thick spine beneath which two fullers each side extend from the hilt for 40% of its length, after which the blade is double edged and of lenticular section. Three crescent-shaped notches are applied at the end of the spine. An armourers mark of facing crescents terminating in ovals, with a further oval imbetween, flanked by trefoils of diamond shaped dots is present on one side a short distance from the hilt. The marks are most likely of a Passau smith. The hub of the cross is formed as a thick bar of rectangular section. The distinctive quillons are rounded nearest the block and expand in vertically flattened form towards their terminals and are decorated with raised diagonally grooved rope-like lines along the middles which are flanked by further incised lines. Two horizontal ring guard bars of thick round section are applied to the sides, each formed with two raised knops with similar “roped” finish. Beneath the cross, a downward facing round section bar of open crescent shape is applied. Two further crescents, also decorated with knops, are forged onto the terminals of this bar and rise at 45 degrees to attach to, and strengthen, the side rings. The pommel is of upturned pear shape and formed with eight equally spaced deep grooves which radiate from the pommel top to its base. The surfaces of the ridges imbetween are cut with narrow lines alternating in vertical, and diagonally vertical form, similar in depth and spacing as the lines which form the rope designs on the guard. The guard and the pommel retain much of the original blackened finish. The waisted stepped grip is of wood covered with leather over a cord wrap. The blade length is 41.5 inches (105.5 cm) and overall is 52 inches (132 cm) long. These large swords were not just for two-handed use. They were designed to be used equally well with one hand by a trained user. In the 16th century such swords were quite common on European battlefields, carried by armies fighting wars almost permanently during a time of shifting religious and political change. As fashions moved towards the beginning of the 17th century they went out of use and today are rare compared to the survival rates of two-handed swords of the “bearing sword” variety – large, well made, imposing and decorous, but designed mainly to be carried point up in civic procession rather than for use in combat. One fine example, almost identical to ours, is illustrated in “Records of the Medieval Sword”, Ewart Oakeshott, St Edmundsbury Press, 1991, page 241, which sold through Peter Dale Ltd of London before 1982. The same example is illustrated in “The Price Guide to Antique Edged Weapons”, Leslie Southwick, Antique Collectors Club, 1982, page 29, fig 49). Oakeshott comments that another sword in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (Inventory Number M.602-1927) and illustrated in “European Swords”, Anthony North, page 6 fig 3, has an identical hilt apart from the guard having one branch. A third example is illustrated in “Edged Weapons in Sweden”, Staffan Kinman, Stockholm, 2014, page 29, fig 26b, and is similar to the British Museum example. Oakeshott comments on another in Zurich (Schweizerisches Landesmuseum Inventory Number LM 16933). A fifth sword with similar characteristics is also illustrated in Southwick (as above) fig 48, its location unknown.

Nation : British
Local Price : £16,500.00

Very Fine & Rare Pair of Flintlock Carriage Pistols by Westley Richards. SN 8448. A Very Fine & Rare Pair of Flintlock Carriage Pistols by Westley Richards 5 &194;&190;&157; side by side 16 bore barrels with bead foresights. Tangs with acanthus engraving, bevelled flat stepped lockplates with bolted safeties, engraved ’Westley Richards’. Flat bevelled swan necked cocks, semi-waterproof pans with roller on frizzen springs. Walnut half stocks, iron trigger guards engraved with trophies of arms, with pineapple finials. Ramrod pipes en suite. Original brass tipped ramrods. Circa 1812/15. Pistols in very good condition, barrels re-browned, much original finish remaining. Flintlocks by Westley Richards are very rare. Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : British
Local Price : £15,995.00

Very Fine, Possibly Unique, Cased Howdah Pistol by Samuel and Charles Smith. SN 8710. A Very Fine, Possibly Unique, Cased Howdah Pistol by Samuel and Charles Smith. 13&157; overall, 7&157; blued tapering flat sided barrels made in a single block of octagonal section with London Proofs and engraved on each side with scrolling foliage, signed ´Saml and C Smith London´ on sighted top flat engraved with foliage between the nipples, nipple bolsters each with small platinum plug, blued border engraved tang decorated with foliate scrollwork and with a starburst behind the back-sight. Blued lower tang engraved en suite, signed case-hardened border engraved back-action locks each with blued safety catch, foliate scroll engraved case-hardened hammers each with blued detachable nose for Imperial caps. Chequered finely figured rounded butt with rounded pommel, blued border engraved trigger guard decorated with scrolling foliage, silver escutcheon engraved with owner’s crest, blued under-rib and stirrup ramrod. In its original lined and fitted oak case with accessories including Sykes patent cylindrical brass mounted powder flask in fine condition, steel bullet mould, nipple-wrenches each with flattened figured handle, and bags of lead balls, the lid with Samuel & Charles Smith trade label stating ´Gun Makers to His Majesty & His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester´ and ´Sons of the Late William Smith´, used circa 1827-1845, the exterior with brass escutcheon and flush-fitting brass carrying handle, London proof marks. &194;&160;Circa 1840 The unusual form of the butt is believed to be intended for shooting down from an elephant howdah. Pistol in very fine condition with full complement of accessories Provenance: Christie’s South Kensington, Fine Antique Arms, Armour and Collectors Firearms, 17 December 2013, lot 82 The Peter Dineley Collection The crest is that of the Earls of Liverpool (extinct 1851), almost certainly for Charles Cecil Cope Jenkinson, 3rd Earl of Liverpool (1784-1851) Samuel Smith, the son of William Smith, carried on his father’s business at 64 Princes Street from 1824, and for a short period the firm was called Smith & Co. Samuel took his brother Charles into partnership, and the name was changed to Samuel and Charles Smith Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : British
Local Price : £14950

Click and use the code 20422 to search for this item on the dealer website Three Fabulous 19th Century Combat Swords of the Scottish Cuninghame Family, Including a Combat Cum Dress Sword of William Cuninghame, Her Majesty Queen Victoria&#acute;s Personal Bodyguard.

Nation : British
Local Price : £14,450.00

Very Fine Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by Durs Egg. SN 8449. **** This item is part of our ´Bin Ends´ sale: items that have been with us for a while through no fault of their own, usually the last few pieces from large collections, which we are now able to offer at significantly reduced prices from the price they were first listed at to make way for new stock. These prices are as low as they can be and include delivery in the UK. &194;&160;**** A Very Fine Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by Durs Egg, 14 &194;&190;&157; overall, 9" slightly swamped octagonal 54 bore barrels signed D. Egg London in script, engraved with a band of beadwork at the breeches, the rear and fore sights to both pistols removed to allow reactive sighting. Stepped locks signed D. Egg in script, slender swan necked cocks ,spoon shaped pans, the frizzen springs with good traces of original colour, full stocked carved behind the lock tails with a tear drop and with slab sided butts, the plain trigger guards with acorn-shaped terminals retaining traces of original blued finish, horn fore-end caps and horn capped wooden ramrods one with worm. A very fine early pair of duelling pistols in the manner of John Twigg who Durs Egg had worked in 1772. Circa 1775 In near mint conditionEx Wilfrid Ward collection sold Christie´s October 1993.The Catalogue notes these are the earliest known Durs Egg Duelling pistols. Durs Egg son of Leonz Egg, gunmaker, Switzerland. Born 1748, baptised Urs Christian. After a short stay in Paris, came to London and worked for John Twigg, 1772. Granted denization in 1791. Gunmaker & Sword Cutler. Became gunmaker to George IV & Duke of York. Renowned for his fine workmanship. See Weapons of Honour page 965 by Wilfrid Ward Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : British
Local Price : £13,495.00

Good Cased Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by John Bennett. SN 8712. A Good Cased Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by John Bennett. 14 1/2&157; overall, 9 1/2&157; octagonal barrels engraved ’London’, with London Proofs and barrelsmith´s mark. Engraved false breech, plain stepped bolted locks with chamfered edges signed ´Bennett´. Swan necked cocks, bridled broad pans. Walnut swelled butts, engraved iron furniture, trigger guards with large pineapple finials, horn tipped ramrods, one with worm. In its original mahogany case with Chippendale lifting handle, some accessories including bullet mould, three way flask, and turn screw. With the ´Makers by appointment to the Prince of Wales´ label in the lid.&194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160;&194;&160; Circa 1790 In good condition Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : Italian
Local Price : 19,000.00 USD

RARE SPANISH OR ITALIAN WHEEL POMMEL RAPIER C.1530. No single form or date can be given to the point at which the rapier evolved. However, accepting the common definition, this example comes very close to that point, retaining the principal attributes of the Gothic broadsword, straight cross guard and wheel pommel. Its simple counter guard is identical to one on an example in the Sir James Mann collection dated to the 1520s. Other examples with variations of the guard are dated earlier, however, they all evidently have cutting/thrusting blades. The heavy diamond section blade of this example marked VALENCIA (sic.) distinguishes it as among the very earliest swords made primarily for thrusting with in respect to then evolving sword technique. 35 3/4" length blade. Allowing for the commerce in weapons, the universal popularity of imported weapons and the blade inscription, it is reasonable to conclude that it was produced for the Spanish market and as such might be linked to the conquistadors. Of the few related examples, it appears that several are in excavated condition and nearly all in public collections.

Nation : British
Local Price : £12,995.00

Fine Cased Pair of William Mills Percussion Target Pistols. SN 8672. A Fine Cased Pair of William Mills Target Pistols. 15 1/2 &157; overall. 10&157; octagonal sighted poly-groove 40 bore rifled barrels each signed&194;&160; along the top flat ´W Mills Improved Gunmaker 120 High Holborn London´. Adjustable foresight, rear sight on scroll engraved tang. &194;&160;Flat bolted scroll engraved locks, signed ´W Mills Improved´ with foliate scroll engraved dolphin hammers. Figured walnut &194;&160;half-stocks with chequered rounded butts, squared trigger-guards, decorated with scroll engraving bearing the serial number ´1750´ trigger-plates each with pineapple finial, German silver fore-end caps numbered 1 & 2 .Silver escutcheons with a Ducal crest of a merman over a lion. Barrel-bolt escutcheons and original brass-tipped ramrods both with worms . In original &194;&160;mahogany case with accessories including brass three way powder flask, bullet mould, box wood cap box with W.Mills label. The interior of the lid with embossed W.Mills &194;&160;trade label, the exterior with circular brass escutcheon with Ducal crest centred on a folding brass carrying handle. Circa 1835. Very high quality pistols by one of the best gun makers you haven´t heard of. In very good condition with old rebrown to barrels, very good rifled bores.&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160; See Peter Finer Catalogue 2007 No 33 for an example of his best work. W.MILLS Apprentice to William Parker, 1797. Gunmaker, 59 Judd Street., Brunswick Square. 1821; 120 High Holborn 1822-43. Factory at 1 King Street. Gun maker to George IV in 1830, and then Willian IV and then Queen Victoria. Made guns with superimposed charges on Jacob Mould’s Pat.; revolvers of E.H. Colliers patent circa 1830-5. Died 1837. Business continued by son, William Frederick, under father’s name, and as W. Mills & Son. Gunmaker to Ordnance 1836-9; East India Co. 1836-43. Bankrupt 1843.&194;&160; &194;&160; Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : British
Local Price : £12,995.00

Very Fine & Rare Percussion Over & Under Pistol by Tatham. SN 8734. A Very Fine & Rare Percussion Over & Under Pistol by Tatham. 8 1/2&157; overall, with slightly tapering slab-sided false damascened 3 &194;&190;&157; bevel edged 80 bore barrel group, the top flat signed ’TATHAM, LONDON’, dove tailed silver fore sight, standing notch rear sight & dual gold lines at breech. border & scroll engraving surrounding a martial trophy to top tang, engraved drum & nipple, external flat colour-hardened lockplates signed ’TATHAM’, border and scroll engraving, external hammer springs stirrup linked to the border & scroll engraved slab-sided dolphin headed hammers, sliding safeties behind the hammers. Swept finely chequered walnut butt, the slightly swollen pommel inlayed with an engraved silver butt-cap and mounted with a central ramrod, border and scroll engraved lower tang and trigger guard, twin blued triggers. In its original mahogany travelling case,&194;&160; ’HENRY TATHAM, No 37 CHARING CROSS, LONDON’ trade label, with some accessories including a fine three-way unsigned flask of small size,&194;&160; scissors ball mould, bone cap box and a nickel silver dismountable loading and cleaning rod with three interchangeable tips, the outer lid of case with brass escutcheon and flush fitting concealed handle. Very high quality pistol in very good condition with much original finish, one mainspring cracked. Made as a flintlock by Henry Tatham circa 1815-20 and converted to percussion by his son, also Henry, circa 1835-40 at which time he put his own label in the lid of the case. Henry Tatham [1]&194;&160;born 1770 at Firth St. Sword Cutler & Beltmaker-in-Ordinary to George III, 1798; Gunmaker to Prince of Wales, 1799. Gunmaker & Sword Cutler, 37 Charing Cross, 1800-33 (in partnership with Joseph Egg as Tatham & Egg at same address, 1801-14). Also at 60 Frith Street., Soho, 1805-8. Supplied Ordnance with Malaysian ’Cresses’ [Kris] 1801, presentation rifles for Indian Chiefs, 1816. died 1835.. Succeeded by Henry 2.&194;&160; Henry Tatham [2 ]Son of Henry (1) born 1804. Gunmaker & Sword Cutler, 24 Pall Mall, 1825-34; 37 Charing Cross, 1834-60; 3 Opera Arcade, 1857. died 1860.&194;&160;&194;&160; Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : American
Local Price : £12950

Click and use the code 23150 to search for this item on the dealer website Most Rare Romanov Era, Russian Shashka, ´Sword & Nagaika of Gallantry´

Nation : British
Local Price : £12750

Click and use the code 23374 to search for this item on the dealer website Simply Fabulous ´Battle of Austerlitz´ & Napoleonic Wars Period, Early 19th Century Austrian Field Marshal Grade Officer´s Sword

Nation : Japanese
Local Price : £11995

Click and use the code 23519 to search for this item on the dealer website Museum Grade Koto Era Samurai Wakazashi Sword B y Master Tadamitsu Circa 1440-1460 Mini Goto Koshirae, With Deep Red Lacquer Saya & Black Silk Binding

Nation : British
Local Price : £11950

Click and use the code 23375 to search for this item on the dealer website Most Incredible and Finest Quality King George IIIrd Napoleonic Wars Scottish Presentation Sword, Presented In The Months Following the Battle of Trafalgar

Nation : British
Local Price : £11950

Click and use the code 22119 to search for this item on the dealer website Fantastic Silver Mounted Napoleonic 18th Century Sword-Shamshir Used Into the Early 19th Century

Nation : Spanish
Local Price : £11500

German / Tyrolean Hand And A Half Sword Circa 1520 With Islamic / Ottoman Inscription. A German or Tyrolean “hand and a half” size fighting sword, of attractive proportions, dating to the first part of the 16th century. A worn Islamic inscription on both sides of the blade indicates that the sword was once captured by the Ottomans as a trophy, most likely in one of the many battles engaged between European and Ottoman forces, as the Empire expanded into the Balkans, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean rim in the late 15th and 16th centuries. Until the early part of the 20th century many similar trophies were stored at the Istanbul Armoury (now the Military Museum, Asker Muzesi, at Harbiye), and relocated to other locations around the city in turbulent times for Turkey at the end of the Ottoman era, often to insecure and inappropriate storage. Some swords like this dispersed to European collections where they were cleaned and displayed. The story of the sword therefore not only represents the European armourer’s craft in the early 16th century, but also in different ways, the rise of the Ottoman Empire, which it was originally used to oppose, and its decline. The broad double-edged blade gradually tapers towards its point. A central fuller extends from the hilt either side for 10 inches (26 cm) which is flanked by two shorter fullers 7 inches (18 cm) in length. Just after the fullers terminate the inscription is applied slightly to one side on each face and the blade is of flattened lenticular section thereafter for the rest of its length. The middle of the cross is forged as a thick, oval guard bar. The quillons are of rounded section and curve downwards to terminate in large waisted swollen knops. A sloping thumb ring is present on one side and a more imposing guard ring is fixed to the other, strengthened by secondary guard bars which join the sides of the ring with the cross bar. The outer edge of the ring is decorated with knops of similar style to the quillon terminals. The solid pommel is dome shaped on top, decorated with fern-like incised designs, cone shaped below and mounted with an integral button. The waisted stepped grip is of wood covered with leather over a cord wrap. These large swords were not just for two-handed use. They were designed to be used equally well with one hand by a trained user. In the 16th century “hand and a half” swords were probably not a rare site on European battlefields. As fashions changed towards the beginning of the 17th century they went out of use and today are quite rare compared to the survival rates of two-handed swords which are of the “bearing sword” variety – large, well made, imposing and decorous, but designed mainly to be carried point up in civic procession rather than for use in combat. Blade length 41.25 inches (105 cm). Length overall 49.5 inches (126 cm).

Nation : British
Local Price : £11475

Click and use the code 23238 to search for this item on the dealer website Fine Norman Sword Used into the Reign of King Richard the Lionheart

Nation : British
Local Price : £11275

Click and use the code 22938 to search for this item on the dealer website Edward Ist, Medieval ´Type XII´ Double-Edged Knightly Sword13th century

Nation : British
Local Price : £11275

Click and use the code 23521 to search for this item on the dealer website Most Rare And Superb 3rd 2nd Century b.c. Falcata Sword From the Invasion of Rome in the Punic Wars of The Great General Hannibal

Nation : British
Local Price : £11250

Click and use the code 23516 to search for this item on the dealer website Imperial Roman Gladius Legionary´s Long Sword Early to Mid 1st Century Used until The 3rd century AD

Nation : -
Local Price : 15,800.00 USD

TWO HAND SWORD OF LANDSKNECHT TYPE. South German or Austrian, C.1580. Landsknechts, as the name implies were foot soldiers, and mercenaries skilled in hand-to-hand combat earning great recognition for their skill in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. In the second half of the 16th century, the Reformation polarized Europe with old territorial and political disputes resurfacing. Wars broke out throughout France and the Netherlands and the Landsknechts were employed to reinforce less-skilled local armies. The two-hand sword was used by soldiers of exceptional stature to cleave openings in infantry ranks which broke the formation initiating the melee in which individuals fought hand to hand, the specialty of the Landsknechts. This example ranks with the largest at 76 1/2" total length. The 56 5/8" flamberge (wavy) blade incorporates two-blade catcher side lugs. Many South German and Swiss town arsenals included two hand swords in their stock. Notable examples are Graz and Zurich where those swords remain today. This example is further distinguished by its unparalleled age character. The blade and hilt have a soft brown surface patina testifying its age. The grip retains much of its original leather covering. The blade has some white paint spatter from being hung in a manor house or lodge where the ceilings were repainted from time to time to cover soot from candle lighting, an integral part of its history.

Nation : Spanish
Local Price : £10850

South German Or Swiss Hand And A Half Sword Circa 1560. A scarce and attractive “hand and a half” sword dating to the mid 16th century. A well made example, finely balanced in hand, well constructed and in good condition. The distinctive hilt is similar to contemporary hilts of more common single handed swords known as “Saxon”, but most certainly made and used over a much wider region. Similar contemporary hand and a half examples of the same proportions are on display in the Doge’s Palace in Venice. Photographs of these swords in the Palace are enclosed at the end of the sequence of images of our sword posted below. These large swords were not just for two-handed use. They were designed to be used equally well with one hand by a trained user. In the 16th century these swords were probably not a rare site on European battlefields, carried by mercenaries and professional soldiers in armies fighting almost permanently during a time of shifting religious, political and social change. As fashions changed towards the beginning of the 17th century they went out of use and today are quite rare compared to the survival rates of two-handed swords which are of the “bearing sword” variety – large, well made, imposing and decorous, but designed mainly to be carried point up in civic procession rather than for use in combat. The hilt consists of a robust square section quillon block from which the broad arms of the cross guard are forged in flattened diamond section broadening towards the ends and terminating in shallow diamond profiles mounted with knops in the centre. A ring guard is forged from the block, and a smaller secondary ring guard sits beneath this attached to the base of two vertically aligned convex crescents of iron, which extend from the underside of the block either side of the ricasso. This structure is further strengthened on the reverse side by two crossed loops of rounded form which protrude from the block and attach to the base of the guard crescents below. A thumb ring is attached to the block above these loops. The pommel is of solid cone form with a slightly flared and narrow neck beneath. The waisted stepped grip is of wood covered with leather over a cord wrap. The broad blade is double edged with a ricasso extending some 5.5 inches (14 cm) from the hilt. A single broad central fuller extends down the centre of the blade 9.5 inches (24 cm) flanked by two shorter fullers of similar width which extend for the length of the ricasso. Beyond the central fuller the blade is of flattened lenticular section to its tip. Just beyond the end of the central fuller a stamped armourers mark is present both sides consisting of a face in a half moon facing to the left. This type of mark was often used by Solingen and Toledo trained smiths. This mark particularly resembles the Toledo mark of Espadero del Rey. The blade is most likely of Northern Italian origin manufactured by a Toledo trained smith, working in an area under Spanish control, possibly Milan, from where Spanish blades could easily access the wider European sword making markets. It is also possible that the mark is of a Spanish trained smith that went on to work in one of the non-Spanish blade-making centres such as Solingen and that the sword was made in its entirety there. This sword form was not common in the Spanish armoury. Some European sword makers are known to have trained in Toledo, for example Heinrich Col who was a German from Solingen who worked in Toledo then in Germany (Cf. Seitz I, p. 344, and II, p. 268) indicating that movement of smiths between blade and sword making centres occurred. For more information on this mark see “European Makers of Edged Weapons, Their Marks – A Handbook for Museums and Collectors”, Staffan Kinman, Norrkopings Tryckeri, 2015. Blade length 39 inches (99 cm). Length overall 47.5 inches (120.5 cm).

Nation : British
Local Price : £10295

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