Spectacular German BRACCIAJULA or Lantern Shield with a Gauntlet & Strong Retractable Sword Blade. Includes the Eye Window for Peaking Through. Entirely made of iron. The shield consists of a round plate, with a long cusp fixed at the centre featuring toothed edges placed on a relieved base made of twelve hollow sectors pierced with geometrical motifs, the upper one provided with a round opening which can be opened outwards; festooned, wide border fixed to the shield's plate and decorated with rows of brass rivets, the internal ones with rosettes. The right side featuring a gauntlet featuring a short cuff and scaled back (fingers partially missing), and a turn-off lever to handle the shield; with a strong double-edged extractable blade provided with locking mechanism on the back surface, at the bottom; remains of leather strap to reverse. A very rare and quite Spectacular combination weapon. Among the very few known specimens, we quote the shield exhibited in "Musée de l'Armée in Paris", and the one in "Musée Royal de l'Armée et d'Histoire Militare" in Brussels, another in "Wien, Kunsthistorisches Museum" and another in the collection of Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. Bibliography: Penguilly l'Haridon-Robert, 1891, vol. III, 152-Reverswau 1982, page 92, plate 7. 'Armes insolites', J.-P. Reverseau, page 96-97, Kombinationswaffen, H.-W. Lewerken, page 254. ~~~ Identical Example in Much Worse Condition Sold in Czerny's Auction on March 31st, 2023 for Just Over 13,000 Euro, Including the Buyer's Premium & VAT. ~~~ Shield Diameter : 22", Blade Length : 16" Spike Length : 11". Note this is Victorian as the original would be worth $400k...
