Historical Arms and Armours
See also : Blade and armour Firearms II Roman empire Ancient England Colt 1836-62 Winchester Birth of USA Revolution and Empire Egypt Garment
Chronology : 1460-1479 1630-1639 1770-1779 1800-1809 1810-1819 1840-1849
Chronology : 1460-1479 1630-1639 1770-1779 1800-1809 1810-1819 1840-1849
Content of this Page
This page and its subsidiary pages describe Historical Arms that were recently sold at auction by registered auction houses.
ArtHitParade is not selling, offering or purchasing any commercial product whatever it is. This content is offered for a purpose of cultural and historical information.
ArtHitParade is not selling, offering or purchasing any commercial product whatever it is. This content is offered for a purpose of cultural and historical information.
Pax Romana in Britannia
2010 SOLD 2.3 M£ including premium
Buried for nearly 2,000 years in the ground of Cumbria, an outstanding parade headset was discovered a few months ago by a metal detector. It is in very good condition.
Cumbria, later Cumberland, is the north-west of England (Britannia), on the border of Scotland (Caledonia). From 875AUC, this territory was protected in the north by the Hadrian wall.
The era of Pax Romana is unique in world history: between the reigns of Augustus and Trajan, the Roman domination was total, without invasion and with limited civil wars. This political success that spans over a century is based on a strong network of garrisons located throughout the borders of the Empire.
Our helmet is necessarily subsequent to the conquests of Vespasian, begun in 824AUC. Christie's dates it to the late first century or to the second century of our calendar.
It is an equipment for parade or sport, not a military helmet. It is composed of two parts. The bronze Phrygian shaped cap is topped by a griffin crest where streamers could be tied. The face mask bearing the likeness of a young man is in tin plated bronze.
This lot is estimated £ 200K, for sale by Christie's in London on October 7. It is shown in the press release shared by Artdaily. As usual in this group, subtract 753 years to convert the Roman calendar dates in the usual system.
POST SALE COMMENT
This beautiful witness to the ancient history of England was worth better than its estimate, and had aroused local passions before the auction. It was sold £ 2.3 million including premium.
The image is shared on Wikimedia with attribution : Portable Antiquities Scheme from London, England [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
Cumbria, later Cumberland, is the north-west of England (Britannia), on the border of Scotland (Caledonia). From 875AUC, this territory was protected in the north by the Hadrian wall.
The era of Pax Romana is unique in world history: between the reigns of Augustus and Trajan, the Roman domination was total, without invasion and with limited civil wars. This political success that spans over a century is based on a strong network of garrisons located throughout the borders of the Empire.
Our helmet is necessarily subsequent to the conquests of Vespasian, begun in 824AUC. Christie's dates it to the late first century or to the second century of our calendar.
It is an equipment for parade or sport, not a military helmet. It is composed of two parts. The bronze Phrygian shaped cap is topped by a griffin crest where streamers could be tied. The face mask bearing the likeness of a young man is in tin plated bronze.
This lot is estimated £ 200K, for sale by Christie's in London on October 7. It is shown in the press release shared by Artdaily. As usual in this group, subtract 753 years to convert the Roman calendar dates in the usual system.
POST SALE COMMENT
This beautiful witness to the ancient history of England was worth better than its estimate, and had aroused local passions before the auction. It was sold £ 2.3 million including premium.
The image is shared on Wikimedia with attribution : Portable Antiquities Scheme from London, England [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
Mamluk - A Damascened Shirt of Mail
2015 SOLD for $ 2.3M including premium
The shirt of mail is used to protect the body of the warrior against the blades of the enemy. Worn as any other shirt, this armor remains lightweight thanks to its structure as a pattern of metal rings in iron or steel. Luxury models are decorated with riveted plates that can be inlaid.
On December 5 in Rock Island IL, Rock Island Auction Company sells a Mamluk shirt of mail and plate, lot 1262estimated in excess of $ 200K.
The weaving of this garment is the simplest and most effective model where each ring is linked with its four surrounding rings. The coat opens from the front side. At the front and back of the garment, the plates are inlaid with a gilding of koftgari type.
Inscriptions are difficult to read, but the reference to the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay seems indisputable. It was probably created for the sultan himself or one of his riders. A similar armor assigned to the same reign is preserved at the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. Qaitbay ruled Egypt from 871 to 901 AH, during the last quarter of the 15th century of our calendar.
This piece is in a very satisfactory condition for its age. A few rings and a few plate rivets are missing or twisted. About 60% of the koftgari is present with a particularly good conservation on the front of the shirt.
On December 5 in Rock Island IL, Rock Island Auction Company sells a Mamluk shirt of mail and plate, lot 1262estimated in excess of $ 200K.
The weaving of this garment is the simplest and most effective model where each ring is linked with its four surrounding rings. The coat opens from the front side. At the front and back of the garment, the plates are inlaid with a gilding of koftgari type.
Inscriptions are difficult to read, but the reference to the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay seems indisputable. It was probably created for the sultan himself or one of his riders. A similar armor assigned to the same reign is preserved at the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. Qaitbay ruled Egypt from 871 to 901 AH, during the last quarter of the 15th century of our calendar.
This piece is in a very satisfactory condition for its age. A few rings and a few plate rivets are missing or twisted. About 60% of the koftgari is present with a particularly good conservation on the front of the shirt.
15th century Egyptian armor sells for $2.3 MILLION at Rock Island Auction Company! https://t.co/kwbnILDoSg pic.twitter.com/NWDEVlDcdo
— Rock Island Auction (@RIAuction) December 9, 2015Nasrid - An Ear Dagger
2010 SOLD 3.7 M£ including premium
When we fought with knives, the dagger was particularly dangerous, with its short blade that allowed a movement of great precision.
It had also to protect the hand, and the ear dagger was appreciated by hunters and soldiers. In this model, the guard consists of two flat disks (the "ears") confronting on both sides of the handle.
A refined specimen is for sale on October 6 in London by Sotheby's. Coming from Nasrid Spain, this piece has been made in the 9th century AH, more than 500 years ago. The final defeat of the Nasrids by Ferdinand and Isabella was in 1492 of our calendar.
With a total length of 30 cm, it is finely damascened with scenes of hunting and with cartouches including Kufic-style inscriptions. This lot is estimated £ 600K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The bidders confirmed the beauty and rarity of this piece, well beyond the price estimated by the auction house. This dagger was sold £ 3.7 million including premium.
It had also to protect the hand, and the ear dagger was appreciated by hunters and soldiers. In this model, the guard consists of two flat disks (the "ears") confronting on both sides of the handle.
A refined specimen is for sale on October 6 in London by Sotheby's. Coming from Nasrid Spain, this piece has been made in the 9th century AH, more than 500 years ago. The final defeat of the Nasrids by Ferdinand and Isabella was in 1492 of our calendar.
With a total length of 30 cm, it is finely damascened with scenes of hunting and with cartouches including Kufic-style inscriptions. This lot is estimated £ 600K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The bidders confirmed the beauty and rarity of this piece, well beyond the price estimated by the auction house. This dagger was sold £ 3.7 million including premium.
1620-1630 The Shah Jahan dagger
2019 SOLD for $ 3.4M including premium by Christie's
Link to catalogue.
1775-1776 pair of Lafayette-Washington saddle pistols
2002 SOLD 2 M$ including premium by Christie's
later Qianlong - Imperial Hunting Parties in Rehe
2016 SOLD for £ 2M including premium
The Chinese invented gunpowder but their regular use of firearms was surprisingly slow. When Kangxi appreciates the superiority that the cannon can bring to his armies, he relies on the European technologies obligingly brought to his court by the Jesuits.
Kangxi creates a nature reserve for the exclusive use of imperial hunting in the vast territory of Rehe. As anything from Kangxi, this choice is wise. Rehe is located between Manchuria from where the Qing were coming and Mongolia whose alliance was politically valuable for the consolidation of the new dynasty.
Qianlong is like his grandfather an avid hunter who often stays in Rehe where he welcomes foreign diplomats in his yurt in a less formal surrounding than in Beijing. His Mongol friends are using arrow and spear. The emperor knows easily to display his own superiority as the bullet from his musket reaches more distant animals. Qianlong is a skilled shooter.
On November 9 in London, Sotheby's sells a rare matchlock musket with the imperial mark of Qianlong, lot 100 estimated £ 1M, which is probably the only example in private hands.
This deluxe firearm was manufactured by the imperial workshops. An undeciphered inscription may be the name of the gunsmith. This piece was identified in period as the best in its class by a control mark certifying it as Supreme Grade Number 1.
It is not dated but could have been made in the last years of the reign. Same as for clocks, the imperial craftsmen were reproducing the European techniques. The Chinese musket has similarities with a British firearm presented in Rehe by Lord Macaulay to Qianlong for celebrating his 80th anniversary in 1793 of our calendar.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
Kangxi creates a nature reserve for the exclusive use of imperial hunting in the vast territory of Rehe. As anything from Kangxi, this choice is wise. Rehe is located between Manchuria from where the Qing were coming and Mongolia whose alliance was politically valuable for the consolidation of the new dynasty.
Qianlong is like his grandfather an avid hunter who often stays in Rehe where he welcomes foreign diplomats in his yurt in a less formal surrounding than in Beijing. His Mongol friends are using arrow and spear. The emperor knows easily to display his own superiority as the bullet from his musket reaches more distant animals. Qianlong is a skilled shooter.
On November 9 in London, Sotheby's sells a rare matchlock musket with the imperial mark of Qianlong, lot 100 estimated £ 1M, which is probably the only example in private hands.
This deluxe firearm was manufactured by the imperial workshops. An undeciphered inscription may be the name of the gunsmith. This piece was identified in period as the best in its class by a control mark certifying it as Supreme Grade Number 1.
It is not dated but could have been made in the last years of the reign. Same as for clocks, the imperial craftsmen were reproducing the European techniques. The Chinese musket has similarities with a British firearm presented in Rehe by Lord Macaulay to Qianlong for celebrating his 80th anniversary in 1793 of our calendar.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
1800 Boutet Sword used by Napoléon Bonaparte at Marengo
2007 SOLD for € 4.8M including premium by Osenat
1814 A Pair of Pistols for the Aiglon
2015 SOLD for £ 960K including premium
The Emperor Napoléon is very proud to have an heir, born on March 20, 1811, loaded with titles from birth. He commissions in 1813 a pair of pistols to the arquebusier Jean Le Page, specialist of luxury guns and skilled inventor.
Le Page realized in January 1814 this pair of short and light pistols, 21 cm including the stock, which may be held by a young boy. Arms and case are inlaid with precious materials, with all the symbols of the Empire along with the Iron Crown which is more specifically an attribute to the King of Rome.
The Emperor desired to express his confidence in the military future of his Aiglon. In a cartouche outside the box, the Centaur Chiron teaches the young Achilles to shoot.
The Empire runs just after into a disaster, with an unforeseen consequence on the art market. Frustrated to have lost the access to Paris for ten years, the English antiquarians rush and start acquiring Napoleonic souvenirs. The pair of pistols of the King of Rome was purchased in 1816 by William Bullock, naturalist and explorer who was a very active creator of museums in London.
This pair is estimated £ 800K, for sale in its original case by Sotheby's in London on July 8, lot 35. I invite you to play the video shared by Sotheby's:
Le Page realized in January 1814 this pair of short and light pistols, 21 cm including the stock, which may be held by a young boy. Arms and case are inlaid with precious materials, with all the symbols of the Empire along with the Iron Crown which is more specifically an attribute to the King of Rome.
The Emperor desired to express his confidence in the military future of his Aiglon. In a cartouche outside the box, the Centaur Chiron teaches the young Achilles to shoot.
The Empire runs just after into a disaster, with an unforeseen consequence on the art market. Frustrated to have lost the access to Paris for ten years, the English antiquarians rush and start acquiring Napoleonic souvenirs. The pair of pistols of the King of Rome was purchased in 1816 by William Bullock, naturalist and explorer who was a very active creator of museums in London.
This pair is estimated £ 800K, for sale in its original case by Sotheby's in London on July 8, lot 35. I invite you to play the video shared by Sotheby's:
1825 The Tribute by Lafayette to Bolivar
2016 SOLD for $ 1.8M including premium
The marquis de La Fayette discovered liberty alongside Washington during the American War of Independence. He was just 20 years old.
Despite a major activity during the French Revolution, he was unable to turn his passion into a viable political program. Hostile to the nobles but not to the monarchy, he changed the spelling of his name to Lafayette.
The Americans have not forgotten this foreigner who had been a hero of their independence. He finally realizes at 67 his dream to visit again the United States. He is honored like a head of state and his tour is triumphant, from July 1824 to September 1825.
Lafayette admired Simon Bolivar. In October 1825, he enthusiastically accepts a request from the Washington family to send to El Libertador some souvenirs from the former President. A gorgeous pair of flintlock pistols by Boutet in a case dated 1825 is a personal gift by Lafayette to Bolivar, probably through the same shipment.
This pair of silver mounted pistols is estimated $ 1.5M for sale byChristie's in New York on April 13, lot 36.
Another pair of pistols made by the same manufacturer was owned by Bolivar during his stay in Paris between 1804 and 1806. It was sold for $ 1.7 million including premium by Christie's on 17 November 2004.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Christie's :
Despite a major activity during the French Revolution, he was unable to turn his passion into a viable political program. Hostile to the nobles but not to the monarchy, he changed the spelling of his name to Lafayette.
The Americans have not forgotten this foreigner who had been a hero of their independence. He finally realizes at 67 his dream to visit again the United States. He is honored like a head of state and his tour is triumphant, from July 1824 to September 1825.
Lafayette admired Simon Bolivar. In October 1825, he enthusiastically accepts a request from the Washington family to send to El Libertador some souvenirs from the former President. A gorgeous pair of flintlock pistols by Boutet in a case dated 1825 is a personal gift by Lafayette to Bolivar, probably through the same shipment.
This pair of silver mounted pistols is estimated $ 1.5M for sale byChristie's in New York on April 13, lot 36.
Another pair of pistols made by the same manufacturer was owned by Bolivar during his stay in Paris between 1804 and 1806. It was sold for $ 1.7 million including premium by Christie's on 17 November 2004.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Christie's :
1847 Colt Walker for Trade
2018 SOLD for $ 1.84M including premium
Samuel Colt's meeting with President Polk in December 1846 is decisive for the restart of his business. The government orders to the inventor 1,000 Single Action Revolvers for the use of the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, two per man with no attrition.
Colt no longer has a production line and the revolvers are manufactured in 1847 by Eli Blake in Whitneyville CT. Once the government order is honored, the same team builds 100 additional pieces numbered from 1001 to 1100, to use attrition components manufactured by Blake and also to anticipate the transfer of the machinery and tools from Whitneyville to the new Colt plant in Hartford CT.
The first non-governmental units are presented to contributors. The pair 1001-1002 is offered in June 1847 to Jack Hays, the Texas Ranger officer who had understood the operational advantage of using Colt's patented inventions. The pair 1009-1010 is attributed to Samuel Walker, the young captain who had been delegated by Hays to discuss with Colt their ideas for technical improvements. Walker died in action in October 1847 and the model, military and civilian, was nicknamed Colt Walker in his honor.
Civilian revolvers are available through the trade. The serial number 1022 is purchased by a Danish sea captain to a retailer in New York City. It is the only one of the first commercial series to still be housed in its original case and it is accompanied by a guarantee of authenticity handwritten by Samuel Colt himself. It retains 50 to 60% of its bright blue finish.
This piece often described in the specialized literature is estimated $ 800K for sale by Rock Island Auction Company in Rock Island IL on April 13, lot 60.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Colt no longer has a production line and the revolvers are manufactured in 1847 by Eli Blake in Whitneyville CT. Once the government order is honored, the same team builds 100 additional pieces numbered from 1001 to 1100, to use attrition components manufactured by Blake and also to anticipate the transfer of the machinery and tools from Whitneyville to the new Colt plant in Hartford CT.
The first non-governmental units are presented to contributors. The pair 1001-1002 is offered in June 1847 to Jack Hays, the Texas Ranger officer who had understood the operational advantage of using Colt's patented inventions. The pair 1009-1010 is attributed to Samuel Walker, the young captain who had been delegated by Hays to discuss with Colt their ideas for technical improvements. Walker died in action in October 1847 and the model, military and civilian, was nicknamed Colt Walker in his honor.
Civilian revolvers are available through the trade. The serial number 1022 is purchased by a Danish sea captain to a retailer in New York City. It is the only one of the first commercial series to still be housed in its original case and it is accompanied by a guarantee of authenticity handwritten by Samuel Colt himself. It retains 50 to 60% of its bright blue finish.
This piece often described in the specialized literature is estimated $ 800K for sale by Rock Island Auction Company in Rock Island IL on April 13, lot 60.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
We are proud to announce that the catalog for our April Premiere Firearms Auction is now online, ready for viewing and bidding. This promises to be a most exciting sale. https://t.co/Fcy6hjousK pic.twitter.com/wpQNyyvrOT
— Rock Island Auction (@RIAuction) March 3, 2018
1853 The Golden Beasts of Colonel Colt
2012 SOLD 1.15 M$ including premium
The restart of Samuel Colt's activities from 1847 in Hartford CT is one of the most successful industrial histories of the nineteenth century.
Until then, his extraordinary invention was not enough to ensure the economic viability of his company. Back to business, he became one of those visionary Americans who captured existing markets (including the military), created new ones, and implemented new production techniques that could absorb the growth ... making him one of the wealthiest men of his country.
Colt went to the Great Exhibition of London in 1851 to present his ideas, well ahead of their time, on mass production. Similar concepts will make the success of American cars more than half a century later !
He then endeavoured to establish factories in Europe, and had opened to him the royal and imperial courts. To counter the social issues, he was even granted by the state of Connecticut a convenience position of lieutenant colonel.
His pocket revolver model 1849 was a key to the success of Colt. A gold inlaid copy with many animal figures, made circa 1853, is estimated $ 800K, for sale by Sotheby's in New York on January 21. Here is the link to the catalog.
The history of this recently discovered piece is not known, but its serial number is the very next from another gold inlaid copy which was presented to Tsar Nicholas I.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, $ 1.15 million including premium, is remarkable for a firearm that was announced as not in perfect condition and whose history was unknown. The gold inlaid Colts are rare, and the historical interest of this piece was convincing.
Until then, his extraordinary invention was not enough to ensure the economic viability of his company. Back to business, he became one of those visionary Americans who captured existing markets (including the military), created new ones, and implemented new production techniques that could absorb the growth ... making him one of the wealthiest men of his country.
Colt went to the Great Exhibition of London in 1851 to present his ideas, well ahead of their time, on mass production. Similar concepts will make the success of American cars more than half a century later !
He then endeavoured to establish factories in Europe, and had opened to him the royal and imperial courts. To counter the social issues, he was even granted by the state of Connecticut a convenience position of lieutenant colonel.
His pocket revolver model 1849 was a key to the success of Colt. A gold inlaid copy with many animal figures, made circa 1853, is estimated $ 800K, for sale by Sotheby's in New York on January 21. Here is the link to the catalog.
The history of this recently discovered piece is not known, but its serial number is the very next from another gold inlaid copy which was presented to Tsar Nicholas I.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, $ 1.15 million including premium, is remarkable for a firearm that was announced as not in perfect condition and whose history was unknown. The gold inlaid Colts are rare, and the historical interest of this piece was convincing.
1857 The Pristine Dragoon
2019 SOLD for $ 1.67M including premium
Gun collectors enjoy vintage pieces in their original configuration, in pristine condition, with superb engraving and impeccable provenance. The Colt revolver serial number 16477 is a wonder in all these criteria. It is estimated beyond $ 1.2M for sale on May 3 by RIA Company at Rock Island IL, lot 8. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Designed in 1848, the Colt Dragoon was an improvement to the Colt Walker. 16477 is a third model Dragoon made circa 1857. It was engraved by Gustave Young with lush floral scrolls and a few animal heads, in the signature profuse style of this artist between 1852 and 1869. Other revolvers in the same series of numbers have been used by Colt as presentation arms.
16477 was inscribed in the name of Colonel P.M. Milliken, a likely intentional misspelling for Millikin. A colonel during the Spanish-American War of 1898, Paul Minor Millikin had inherited this item from his father John Minor Millikin, a colonel of the Union Army killed in action in 1862 while preventing the Confederates from taking a supply train.
A native of rural Ohio, John Minor had been known as an accomplished rider and swordsman. In the year of his death, his position as an officer had been twice challenged. The purchase by him of such a top luxury firearm seems unlikely. A posthumous presentation for his ultimate act of heroism is however not documented.
Designed in 1848, the Colt Dragoon was an improvement to the Colt Walker. 16477 is a third model Dragoon made circa 1857. It was engraved by Gustave Young with lush floral scrolls and a few animal heads, in the signature profuse style of this artist between 1852 and 1869. Other revolvers in the same series of numbers have been used by Colt as presentation arms.
16477 was inscribed in the name of Colonel P.M. Milliken, a likely intentional misspelling for Millikin. A colonel during the Spanish-American War of 1898, Paul Minor Millikin had inherited this item from his father John Minor Millikin, a colonel of the Union Army killed in action in 1862 while preventing the Confederates from taking a supply train.
A native of rural Ohio, John Minor had been known as an accomplished rider and swordsman. In the year of his death, his position as an officer had been twice challenged. The purchase by him of such a top luxury firearm seems unlikely. A posthumous presentation for his ultimate act of heroism is however not documented.
1886 The End of the Apache Wars
2016 SOLD for $ 1.27M including premium
Apache wars are a long series of horrific violence in Mexico and southern United States. The murders of Native American Indians and of their families provoke a retaliation against the settlers. The small band led by Geronimo is terrible but it is isolated by the acceptance of a growing number of Apaches to live in the Indian reservations.
The government can not wait. General Miles issues the order to capture or kill. Exhausted, Geronimo agrees to negotiate. On 4 September 1886 he is offering his surrender to Captain Lawton.
Lawton is an impeccable officer with a deserved reputation for gallantry. On April 30 in Rock Island, RIAC sells as lot 1025 a rifle and a watch offered to the hero for honoring his feat. The lot is estimated $ 500K.
The rifle is the serial number 1 of the Model 1886 by Winchester. It was presented to Lawton and so inscribed by Lieutenant Albee who was a collaborator of Winchester Repeating Arms since his retirement from the army. It is in excellent condition.
The gold plated pocket watch by Howard was offered to Lawton by the New Mexican cattlemen relieved by the end of slaughters and cattle raids. Further north the Sioux continue the American Indian uprising until 1890.
I invite you to watch the video shared by the auction house:
The government can not wait. General Miles issues the order to capture or kill. Exhausted, Geronimo agrees to negotiate. On 4 September 1886 he is offering his surrender to Captain Lawton.
Lawton is an impeccable officer with a deserved reputation for gallantry. On April 30 in Rock Island, RIAC sells as lot 1025 a rifle and a watch offered to the hero for honoring his feat. The lot is estimated $ 500K.
The rifle is the serial number 1 of the Model 1886 by Winchester. It was presented to Lawton and so inscribed by Lieutenant Albee who was a collaborator of Winchester Repeating Arms since his retirement from the army. It is in excellent condition.
The gold plated pocket watch by Howard was offered to Lawton by the New Mexican cattlemen relieved by the end of slaughters and cattle raids. Further north the Sioux continue the American Indian uprising until 1890.
I invite you to watch the video shared by the auction house:
