Louis XIII was King of France and Navarre from 1610 to 1643. Known as 'Louis the Just', he waged the Thirty Years War against the House of Hapsburg.
In a sale at Italian auction house Czerny's, a helmet which is thought to have belonged to one of Louis XIII's guards is up for sale, with a guide price of €25,000-30,000.
The 'skull' of the helmet is in two-halves, embossed, and with a rosette at the top. The attractive visor has an engraved upper border, small brim and rivets, and a wide slot for the eyes, a small triangular mouth and the centre richly pierced with lilies.
 Louis XIII Guard Helmet |
Below the main part are three flat-front and back neck-guards with rows of rivets, the lower ones having a 'roped' border. The carefully decorated, rare piece has the remains of the original blueing.
In the same auction are two wheel-lock pistols thought to have belonged to the Saxony Prince Christian I and II in the late 16th century.
These are smoothbores with 16 mm calibre. They are in good condition and valuable due to this and their general rarity and they are expected to bring €35,000-40,000.
The auction takes place tomorrow, March 21 in Sarzana, Italy.
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