Skip to main content
Bonhams
Search

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

A Cased Pair Of Scottish 50-Bore Percussion Duelling Or Target Pistols By Alex.r Martin, Glasgow, Mid-19th Century
The medals and associate ephemera and uniforms of Arthur Watts, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons
A Pair Of Highland All-Metal Percussion Belt Pistols Signed Paton & Walsh Perth, Mid 19th century
A Silver-Mounted Left-Hand Dagger, probably German, Italian or English Late 16th Century Or Later
FOUR REPRODUCTION CARVED POWDER HORNS/FLASKS.late 20th century.
THREE CARVED COCONUT ITEMS.18th/19th century.
A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE AND REPRODUCTION POWDER FLASKS AND RELATED SPORTING ITEMS.
THREE VICTORIAN ARMS AND ARMOUR DECORATIVE ITEMS.
Previous Lot
Next Lot
An Unusual German State Glaive (Kuse) Of An Officer Of The Bodyguard Of Sigismund Francis, Archduke Of Austria And Converted To Executioner's Use In The City Of Algiers image 1
An Unusual German State Glaive (Kuse) Of An Officer Of The Bodyguard Of Sigismund Francis, Archduke Of Austria And Converted To Executioner's Use In The City Of Algiers image 2
Lot 89

An Unusual German State Glaive (Kuse) Of An Officer Of The Bodyguard Of Sigismund Francis, Archduke Of Austria And Converted To Executioner's Use In The City Of Algiers
Dated 1663

Antique Arms and Armour
26 November 2014, 10:30 GMT
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £3,750 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Arms and Armour specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

An Unusual German State Glaive (Kuse) Of An Officer Of The Bodyguard Of Sigismund Francis, Archduke Of Austria And Converted To Executioner's Use In The City Of Algiers
Dated 1663

With broad single-edged knife-shaped blade (some areas of pitting) retaining traces of original etching including the date above 'S...' on one side, integral grip tang, and 'eared' hardwood grips (minor chips) secured by three transverse steel pins, in its wood-lined brown leather scabbard (damaged) with red painted French inscription along one side
58 cm. blade

Footnotes

Provenance:
Dr. Ben Hamon Collection, Paris

The inscription reads in translation: 'Executioner's sword found by Captain Müller in the kasbah during the taking of Algiers... bears the date 1663, was used in particular for the beheading of Christians'

Probably originally taken as loot by the Ottomans at the time of the Austro-Turkish war and siege of Vienna in 1683. This glaive was presumably subsequently used as an executioner's sword in Algiers until captured by Captain Müller under the command of General Count de Ghaisnes de Bourmont at the time of the defeat of Hussein Dey, ruler of the Ottoman Regency of Algiers

Sigismund Franz (1630-1665), Archduke of Austria, was ruler of further Austria including Tyrol from 1662 to 1665. He was appointed Bishop of Augsberg in 1646, bishop of Gurk in 1653 and bishop of Trent in 1659

For a fully etched example see Math. Lempetz, Köln, Waffensammlung Konsol A.D.
Hans C. Leiden, 20 June 1934, lot 428

Additional information

Bid now on these items

A Cased Pair Of Scottish 50-Bore Percussion Duelling Or Target Pistols By Alex.r Martin, Glasgow, Mid-19th Century
The medals and associate ephemera and uniforms of Arthur Watts, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons
A Pair Of Highland All-Metal Percussion Belt Pistols Signed Paton & Walsh Perth, Mid 19th century
A Silver-Mounted Left-Hand Dagger, probably German, Italian or English Late 16th Century Or Later
FOUR REPRODUCTION CARVED POWDER HORNS/FLASKS.late 20th century.
THREE CARVED COCONUT ITEMS.18th/19th century.
A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE AND REPRODUCTION POWDER FLASKS AND RELATED SPORTING ITEMS.
THREE VICTORIAN ARMS AND ARMOUR DECORATIVE ITEMS.