Antique Arms & Armour

In many cultures, presenting boys with their first weapon is a pivotal rite of passage into adulthood; in the Orient, young men are not recognised as full members of society until they have a dagger in their belt.

Given the tremendous importance of weaponry, they were produced all over the world using the best available techniques and the greatest craftsmanship. While utilitarian weapons for hunting and combat were often simple tools for everyday use, ceremonial arms, particularly those worn at court, were wrought of the most sumptuous materials, their practical value often secondary to their representational impact.

Therefore, the 'Arms and Armour' section offers cut and thrust weapons from every continent of the world. Early swords from the Viking age with elaborately crafted Damascus blades stand cheek by jowl with the mighty two-hand swords of the Renaissance and the graceful, skilfully decorated court swords of the baroque. The programme also includes exquisite sabres and daggers from the Ottoman Empire, Persia and India, along with Indonesian krises with their artfully curving blades and finely polished Japanese swords.

All other types of weapons, apart from firearms, can also be found here, such as axes, bows and crossbows, as well as maces and all manner of pole arms.

Moreover, the interesting field of collectible armour is classified as antique weaponry, where suits of armour, helmets and components from all parts of the world come under the hammer. In addition to the famous European armours of the Middle Ages and the early modern period, the Indo-Persian area and Japan were particularly renowned for their first-class armourers.

Should you wish to dispose of individual pieces or an entire collection on the most favourable terms, we are at your service. Our experts offer a free evaluation of any objects that you submit for consideration. By contrast, if you prefer, we are also pleased to inspect large, coherent collections of interesting objects in situ. Please get in touch by giving us a call or sending an email, attaching clear colour photographs of a few significant objects, wherever possible. Simply write to us at armsandarmour(at)hermann-historica.com – we look forward to your consignment.