AUCTIONS IMPERIAL NOVEMBER 2022 ARMS & ARMOR
Lot 273:
Description
A very seldom encountered set. The deeply-domed steel helmet surmounted by a turned spike finial, with separately-applied brow plate and adjustable nasal, the long, split ring camail terminating in three points. The coat likewise wrought of split rings of the same diameter, with high collar and complex flap closure doubled over the right breast and retained by hooks, with three-quarter sleeves and vent to front and rear for use in the saddle. Armor of this type was made in England, reputedly by Wilkinson Sword, Pall Mall, London, who is known to have supplied 600 helmets to the Khedive (Ruler) of Egypt for his bodyguard, known as the Zirkhagi, or Iron Men. A percentage of William Hicks’ 1000-man cavalry force at the ill-fated Battle of Shaykan, fought against the Sudanese Mahdi (November 1883) were either Iron Men, or bashi bouzouks wearing their armor. It is likely that many of these armors fell into Sudanese hands at that time; many were captured back after the British-Egyptian victory at Omdurman (1898.) There is a quite similar coat in the Royal Armouries, Object Number XXVIA.3 D. Very minor wear. Height of helmet 53cm. Condition II
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