Rare German etched State Halberd
- Belonged to the guard of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau
- Dated: 1589
- Measurements: the head 58.2 cm. Overall length 230.3 cm
- Provenance: The Bavarian military occupation of Salzburg in 1809 led to the transfer of a quantity of these halberds to the city Zeughaus in Munich
The head comes with a broad central spike formed with a full-length ridge developing from a rectangular socket, the latter retained by a series of rivets on pounced gilt-brass rosettes extending to two pairs of long straps of near-equal length. It has a flat rear fluke with a reinforced point, an axe-blade with concave leading edge and cut with strongly cusped designs over the rear edges.
There’s also a group of four near-annular piercings at the base of the fluke and axe-blade, both sides etched with panels of swagged strapwork scrolls filled with small scrolling leafy tendrils, involving, at the top, a small cartouche framing the date 1589, three masks, respectively a cherub, a lion and an espangnolette, a pair of crouched centaurs in the middle.
The arms of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau are quartered with those of the archbishopric of Salzburg below an Bishop’s galero suspending twelve tassels. The straps are decorated over their length with running pattern of small leafy cartouches and retained by brass-capped rivets. In its original pine haft fitted with bone shoe and stamped with the circular mark of an early inventory.
Source: © Hermann Historica
Ornate Kukri
- Dated: 19th century
- Place of Origin: Nepal
- Overall length: 15.5in (395mm); blade length: 12.5in (315mm)
The knife has flared wooden grips, fitted with nicely chased steel fittings. The blade has a very thick spine, and the tang runs through the grips, very much like an Indian kard dagger.
A very unusual cho notch at the base of the blade, with chiselled decoration running along the spine on both sides of the blade. The cloth pouch was probably used to carry tinder or maybe a prayer book/charm.
Source: © Copyright 2013 Akaal Arms
Austrian Rapier
- Dated: first half of the 17th century
- Measurements: Overall length 126.2 cm, blade 108.2 cm
The distinctive hilt identifiable as Norman Type 25, finely forged of round-section bars, the termini set with crosses of pattée form. The distinctive bifurcated pommel possibly for use as a musket-rest.
The wooden grip retains its leather covering and woven brass turk’s head knots. The long, narrow double-edged blade forged with a rectangular forte and pronounced central ridge for 2/3rds of its length, becoming lenticular in its final third.
There are other 76 rapiers of quite similar form that are preserved in the Rustkammer at Schloss Ambras, Innsbruck. For this particular reason, AVB Norman believed they belonged to a particular guard company.
Source & Copyright: Auction Flex
Dagger (Katar)
- Dated: end of 17th century
- Culture: Indian
- Medium: steel
- Measurements: L: 35.2 cm
The distinctive Indian dagger, the katar, was used in close combat. In contrast to the ordinary dagger, which is held with the blade at a right angle to the arm, the katar is held by the cross bar, so that the blade points straight ahead.
This enables the bearer to deal even an armored opponent a fatal blow. As is often the case, the katar’s blade is decorated with ornamentation in relief, and the gilded handle is stippled with a floral pattern.
Source: © The David Collection
Infantry Officer’s Sword
- Dated: 1803-20
- Culture: British
Sword belonging to the 52nd Regiment.
Source & Copyright: Royal Armouries
