15th C. Rondel Dagger of the Era of Agincourt, Jean d'Arc & the Inquisition A super small dagger from the time of The Battle Of Agincourt, through to The Siege of Orleans, and to the beginning of The Spanish Inquisition. With Mail Piercing blade of triangular section with two cutting edges. The hilt is of root wood with disc pommel, gilt bands and a golden coin under at the blade base. The history that this dagger has seen is only to be amazed at, possibly the greatest and significent times of Medeivil history. The Battle of Agincourt, one of the most incredible conflicts in Anglo French warfare, the time of the Maid of Orleans, Saint Joan, certainly one of the most famous events in all history, and into the Spanish Inquisition, one of the so called darkest times for the interrogation of heretics.

16th Century Style Funery Helm In the Manner of Sir Richard Lee's Helmet Sir Richard Lee (c.1513-1575) was a professional soldier and military engineer. He was a friend of King Henry VIII and following the dissolution of St Albans Abbey he purchased the grounds of the abbey (the abbey itself was given to the people of St Albans), Sopwell Priory and the rectorship of St Stephen's church. He tore down the priory and built a Tudor house on the site which he named Lee Hall. The ruins of this house still survive today, on Cottonmill Lane. He is buried in St. Peter's Church, St. Albans. Sir Richard's Helmet is in St Albans Museum. If one compares this antique out of period helmet here, to Sir Richard's helmet, one can see the obvious similarities. The Cuirassier Close Helm of the Tudor era, although subject to variances was basically formed around a generic design. A close helmet entirely covers the head, face, and neck, having on the front perforations for the admission of air, and slits through which the wearer may see objects around him, this part of the visor lifts up by means of a pivot over each ear. The last small photo in the gallery is of Sir Richard's helmet [for information and interest only] We have had the entire surface professionally cleaned and preserved by a conservator at great expense.

17th Century Style Cast Bronze Desk Cannon A fine and substantial Executive or Gentleman's Desk ornament. A large wheeled Field Cannon popular from the Renaissance era to the 19th century. Heavy bronze casting probably late 19th to early 20th century.Approx. 12 inches by 7 inches 6 inches.

1861-1896 Royal Engineers Haynes Medal For Field Fortifications in Bronze Bust right facing of Captain Haynes, to edge of field the Legend Captain A.F.Haynes, R.E. 1861-96. Rev:Wooded background to field with two engineers looking at tressle bridge over a ravine legend to the edge of field:Engraved italic capitals naming; 342290 Sapper W. Hatton 355 party Bronze Haynes Medal was awarded the best sapper in each party of recruits going through the field works course at the School of Military Engineers. In original case, mint condition [Medal 57mm]. Captain Haynes was a 19th Century British Hero, an officer of the Royal Engineers who was killed on campaign in Mashonaland in 1896. This medal was dedicated in honour to his memory.

1888 Pattern Lee Metford Boer War Bayonet MkI, Type 2 Type 2With scarce non regulation scabbard.2 Rivet hilt. With scabbard. Good condition for age all usual British acceptance marks

18th Cent.George IIIrd [Naval] Blunderbuss & Bayonet, by John Harcourt This is an officer's grade gun made by John Harcourt, possibly as part of his Royal Government contract for Blunderbuss naval boarding guns with spring bayonets in around 1795. He was a fine and well regarded maker, based in Suffolk [between 1780 and 1830], who was known for his fine cased duelling pistols, with all accessories, when he was awarded a contract to supply flintlock boarding blunderbuss guns by Royal order for the King's navy. His guns would have been of varying grades of quality and this is a superior quality with fine engraving throughout. At some point it was 'drum and nipple' converted to the later percussion system, in around the 1830's, in order to enable it's continued use well into the 1850's. All steel mounts, bayonet, and hook breech barrel, with a finely engraved pineapple finial to the trigger guard. Fine walnut stock with chequered wrist. The pineapple motif became most popular in England as a representation of the pineapples brought back by Captain Cook after his expeditions to the south sea islands.This gun has been in long term storage for decades and required full hand cleaning and polishing etc in our workshops, but 35 hours later it has much returned to it's former glory. Naturally it has seen use and has natural wear etc. but it looks so beautiful now it is a joy to behold. Spring on the bayonet is weak at present.

18th Century Indo Persian Tulwar All steel hilt and blade

18th Century Moghal Sword, of the Battle of Plassey 1757 Apparently, through family legend, captured at the Battle of Plassey by a British Officer, and bought back as a war souvenir. The Battle of Plassey was an East India Company victory over the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies, establishing Company rule in India and British rule over much of South Asia for the next 190 years. The battle took place on 23 June 1757 at Palashi, West Bengal, on the riverbanks of the Bhagirathi River, about 150 km north of Calcutta, near Murshidabad, then the capital of the Nawab of Bengal. The opponents were Siraj Ud Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, and the British East India Company. The battle was waged during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763) and in a mirror of their European rivalry the French East India Company sent a small contingent to fight against the British East India Company. Overall russet finish with feint traces of gold decoration on the slightly loose hilt. Small picture in the gallery shows Robert Clive after the victory at Plassey. [Picture for historical information and context only, not included].

18th Century, Very Rare Reservoir -Butt Air Gun circa 1785, Likely German. As far back as 250BC, Pharaoh Ktesbias II of Egypt, first described the use of compressed air to propel a projectile. Modern air gun history began in the 15th century. These weapons were known as wind chambers and were designed using an air reservoir connected to a cannon barrel. These devices were capable of propelling a four pound lead ball over a distance of 500 yards, and able to penetrate 3 inch oak board. These weapons rivaled the power of gun powder based firearms of that time and came into use in the Napoleonic wars in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Due to the fact that high powered air guns were both silent and deadly, they were feared by many, Nobility tired to keep these air guns out of the hands of commoners Air guns even saw much combat in battle, an Austrian Army used a air rifle designed by Grandoni in 1779 that shot 20 rounds of .44 cal. bullets at speeds as high as 1,000 feet per second. They fought well against Napoleon's Army and even though the Austrian Army was out numbered and lost the battle, the Austrian's armed with air guns demoralized Napoleon's Army and they suffered had a great number of casualties. Air guns were so feared by Napoleon's Army that any enemy soldier captured with a air rifle was executed as an assassin. One important reason Napoleon was so upset about air guns was because there was no cloud of smoke upon firing which would allow the sniper to be pin-pointed and killed. One of the most famous air guns in history is the .36 caliber air gun that Lewis and Clark took along with them on their expedition of 1804-06. They took it along for hunting, just in case the black powder got wet and also used it to impress the Indians, the Indians call this air rifle, "The smokeless thunder stick.". In overall very fine condition. The round, smoothbore, appox .44 calibre, sighted, steel barrel with smooth untouched surfaces, fine bore with front site.. Exposed cocking "hammer" with an external mechanism and sculpted mainspring: matching, smooth, blued surfaces and in functional order. Complete with its original air release lever. Leather wrapped, conical, hollow, steel butt stock/air reservoir. Matching mechanism with all of its original components, a strong mainspring and air release valve. Very fine stock A very nice and complete example of a rare late 18th century German or Austrian Reservoir-Butt Air Rifle. Overall length, 55".

18th- to early 19th century, Indo Persian, Islamic Sword “Khyber Knife” or Salawar Yatagan. This is a traditional sword of the Afridis and many other tribes living in and near the Khyber Pass, Turkistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Straight and heavy single-edged possibly Damascus steel t section blade tapering gradually from the hilt to the point with wide rib at the back, the hilt is formed of two pieces of ivory riveted to the tang. A superb example of these formidable swords and in generally pretty good condition for age, at present rather grubby in sleeper condition. 30.5 inches overall 25 inch blade.

19th century German Cavalry Sabre by Schnitler and Kirshbaum Modelled on the British 1788 pattern, a good example of these early Prussian Cavalry Sabres. Marked S&K at the Forte. Langets missing, with steel combat scabbard. Napoleonic War Era

19th Century Swiss Pioneer and Artillery Sword Saw back short blade, with chequered 5 rivet grip and brass hilt, fully maker marked and stamped. Excellent near mint condition [no scabbard]. A rather scarce and collectable item.

A '3 Band' Enfield 1853 Pattern Musket Made and used in Empire in the British Raj. Possibly used by a Seapoy in the Indian Mutiny era. Smoothbore. Good walnut stock with two section forend. Brass furniture, steel lock and barrel. Possibly made with some Enfield parts. Superior Empire made long gun, but not quite to the Tower London made quality. Damascus twist barrel. Lock and hammer stamped with undecipherable markings.

A 'Historismus' Morian Helmet 16th Century Elizabethan Style A typical 'Morian' helmet of the Spanish Armada Era style. Iron, curved, boat shape with wide brim and high crescent comb. A very good 19th century museum replica. Good antique patina.Traditionally hand made in heavy grade iron/steel

A 12th to 15th Century Medieval Bearded Side Axe An iron long bearded axe with an off set blade. A good axe suitable for combat and craft. Since the days of the Roman Legionaries, soldiers were both warriors and builders. The Romans trained their soldiers not only for combat, but for engineering and fort building, for the times of combat may be few, but the times of construction were many. Forts, roads, defenses, siege engines and drain construction were all part of a Legionary's skills, and although the armies of ancient Rome died centuries before, the lessons for future warriors lived on. A medieval foot soldier would be simply armed, with a weapon that may have had many functions, and the axe was the most effective of them all. This side axe would have been incredibly effective in the hands of a trained exponant of the battle axe, but, it would have been just as effective for aiding the construction of forts, battlements, boats or engines of war. Affixed to a later haft. 13cm blade 13cm wide.

A 13th Century Battle Axe with Viking Style Crescentric Broad Blade A large Medieval two handed broad axe adapted from the earlier Viking Briedox [ broad axe], as used by the Anglo-Danish Huscarls at the Battle of Hastings, whose blades were up to 12 inches across, or even bigger. This is a superb example, on a later hardwood haft. This fine axe is from the time of King Henry III and The Battle of Lewes, which was one of two main battles of the conflict known as the Second Barons' War. It took place at Lewes in Sussex, on May 14, 1264. It marked the high point of the career of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester and made him for a while the "uncrowned King of England", until his defeat and death, at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, at the hands of Edward Longshanks, King Henry's son, who became King Edward I. As a point of local interest the famous battle took place only around 10 miles from The Lanes Armoury, and our farm [ Sifelle, which was once part of King Harold's personal estate in Sussex] is just three miles north east of the battle site. Three pictures in the gallery show a broad axe being used in the Bayeaux Tapestry [depicting King Harold's and King William's Battle of Hastings], a foot soldier leaning on his broad axe, and a map of the Battle of Lewes [these are for information and interest only and not included]. A very similar axe to this one appears in the London Museum catalogue of 1940. Full length 59 1/2 inches, blade 11 3/4 inches across [front to back]

A 13th Century Iron Head Battle Mace Pineapple shaped head with large mounting hole. The type as were also used as a Flail Mace, with the centre mount being filled with lead and a chain mounted hook, when it was not mounted on a haft, as this mace is. Flattened pyramidical protuberances, possibly English. Made for a mounted Knight to use as an Armour and Helmet Crusher in mortal combat. It would have been used up to the 15th to 16th century. On a Flail it had the name of a Scorpion in England or France, or sometimes a Battle-Whip. It was also wryly known as a 'Holy Water Sprinkler'. King John The Ist of Bohemia used exactly such a weapon, as he was blind, and the act of 'Flailing the Mace' meant lack of site was no huge disadvantage in close combat. Although blind he was a valiant and the bravest of the Warrior Kings, who perished at the Battle of Crecy against the English in 1346. On the day he was slain he instructed his Knights [both friends and companions] to lead him to the very centre of battle, so he may strike at least one blow against his enemies. His Knights tied their horses to his, so the King would not be separated from them in the press, and they rode together into the thick of battle, where King John managed to strike not one but at least four noble blows. The following day of the battle, the horses and the fallen knights were found all about the body of their most noble King, all still tied to his steed. Fitted on a late wooden haft, approx. 2.5 inch head.

A 15th Century German Dagger With single edge and armour piercing reinforced tip. A rare piece from the period of the Battle of Agincourt. In battlefield recovery condition.

A 1796 British Infantry Flank Officer's Sabre With copper gilt hilt triple wire bound wooden grip and all steel combat scabbard. Used in the era of the Peninsular War and Waterloo.The scabbard has overall surface pitting and the blade has had field service repair to blade mid section

A 1796 Heavy Cavalry Trooper's Combat Sword with LC Knuckle bow Now this is a rare piece, due to it's anomalous feature. A traditional Peninsular War and Waterloo era Heavy Cavalry sword, used in the Heavy Brigade, with it's good, straight, single edged blade, maker marked Gill, bearing fine ordnance inspectors stamps and markings, but, with a replaced knuckle bow of the standard Light Cavalry P Hilt form. Over the past 40 years or so we have only seen just a very few of these adapted swords but we have never run to ground their true origin. It has certainly been used in it's working life just as it is, and the guard is fully contemporary to the blade and blackstrap. We can only make conjecture as to it's history, was it an option for an officer of the Heavy Brigade to use a trooper's sword?, but only after the hilt was adapted?, for as an officer he could not be seen to use the rather brutish steel disc guard of the HC trooper, but, however, in the Light Cavalry, the P Hilt guard was identical for both officers and other ranks, and what's more it was far more comfortable to wear, especially in the uniform of the day. Or, possibly, a trooper may have damaged his hilt in combat and the standard cavalry P type was far easier for the regimental armourer to replace it with. Who knows?, but maybe a reader does know the answer to this question, and if so we would love to hear from them. Overall russeting to the hilt, excellent condition blade with sharpened edge and spear point. No scabbard. Used by a man of the British Heavy cavalry. The Heavy Cavalry were seperated into two brigades at Waterloo. The 1st Brigade, known as the Household Brigade, commanded by Major-General Edward Somerset (Lord Somerset), consisted of guards regiments: the 1st and 2nd Life Guards, the Royal Horse Guards (the Blues), and the 1st 'King's' Dragoon Guards The 2nd Brigade, also known as the Union Brigade, commanded by Major-General Sir William Ponsonby, was so called as it consisted of an English (1st, 'The Royals'), a Scottish (2nd, 'Scots Greys'), and an Irish (6th, 'Inniskilling') regiment of heavy dragoons. More than 20 years of warfare had eroded the numbers of suitable cavalry mounts available on the European continent; this resulted in the British heavy cavalry entering the 1815 campaign with the finest horses of any contemporary cavalry arm. They also received excellent mounted swordsmanship training. The two brigades had a combined field strength of about 2,000 (2,651 official strength), and they charged with the 47-year-old Uxbridge leading them and little reserve Scots Greys Regt. The Scots Greys, as part of the Union Brigade [so called as it was made up of a regiment of Heavy Cavalry from each part of Britain] were some of the finest heavy Cavalry in Europe and certainly one of the most feared. A quote of Napoleon of the charge at the Battle of Waterloo goes; "Ces terribles chevaux gris! Comme il travaillent!" (Those terrible grey horses, how they strive!) At approximately 1:30 pm, the second phase of the Battle of Waterloo opened. Napoleon launched D'Erlon's corps against the allied centre left. After being stopped by Picton's Peninsular War veterans, D'Erlon's troops came under attack from the side by the heavy cavalry commanded by Earl of Uxbridge including Major General Sir William Ponsonby's Scots Greys. The shocked ranks of the French columns surrendered in their thousands. During the charge Sergeant Ewart, of the Greys, captured the eagle of the French 45th Ligne. The Greys charged too far and, having spiked some of the French cannon, came under counter-attack from enemy cavalry. Ponsonby, who had chosen to ride one of his less expensive mounts, was ridden down and killed by enemy lancers. The Scots Greys' casualties included: 102 killed; 97 wounded; and the loss of 228 of the 416 horses that started the charge. This engagement also gave the Scots Greys their cap badge, the eagle itself. The eagle is displayed in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards museum in Edinburgh Castle. The British Heavy Cavalry, during the Peninsular War and at Waterloo it fought with incredible distinction and exemplary bravery, and saw some of the most incredible and courageous combat. Fighting the elite French Curassiers and Carabiniers of Napoleons Imperial Guard was no mean feat, for at the time the French Cavalry was some of the most formidable in the world, and at their very peak. Never again was the French Cavalry to be as respected and feared as it was during the great Napoleonic era. Some of the battles this may also have been used at were; [during 1808-14] The Peninsular Campaign, including, Salamanca , Toulouse, Albuera Talavera, Pyrenees then from 1814: La Rothiere, Rosnay, Champaubert, Vauchamps, Athies, La Fere-Champenoise and Paris 1815: and Quatre-Bras. The last photo in the gallery is of Lady Butler's painting, the Charge of the Scots Greys at Waterloo. One of the heavy cavalry regiments who used this form of sword.

A 17C. Civil War Ballock Dagger Circa 1600 From the time of the English Civil War, this fine European dagger is a typical weapon that was favoured by Knights and Lords for over 400 years. The tombs of the Crusaders are often resplendent with full engraved brasses, which depict the interred, dressed in full Knightly Armour adorned with a Ballock Dagger worn at his side. The Ballock Dagger, with it's distinctive kidney form, evolved into the famous Highland Dirk during the late 17th to early 18th century. Some middle hilt restoration.

A 17th to 18th Century Katar Armour Piercing 'Punch' Dagger Ribbed spine blade for strengthened penetratative powers. Replacement formed scabbard. An interesting weapon, in reasonable condition for age, extremely distinctive in it's uniquely Indian shape. Popular with Seikh but especially the Mahratta warriors. The Katar [Devanagari] is a type of short punching weapon that is native to the Indian subcontinent and popular elsewhere for swift and quick attacks. It is notable for its horizontal hand grip, which results in the blade of the sword sitting above the user's knuckles.The katar is unique because to stab an opponent one has to simply punch instead of thrust, unlike when using a regular knife or dagger. It is more like an extension of the fist than a dagger, and it seems more natural to attack and defend with a katar. Sometimes, a katar is also used as a main-gauche in dual blade fencing.The history of the states and dynasties comprising the Maratha Empire constitutes a major portion of the history of late medieval India. It is noteworthy that the rise of the Marathas represented the revival of the political power of the Hindus in north India after many centuries of Muslim rule, it prevented the spread of the Mughal Empire and associated Islamic culture to south India and was the primary cause of the decline of the Mughal Empire. One support has an old repair.

A 19th Century British Masonic Sword, Wide Grade Blade Finely etched beautifully bright blade, with traditional all brass cruciform hilt and scabbard mounts red leather covered scabbard. Overall in very nice order and some little scabbard leather wear. Maker marked Spencer and Co. Gt Queen St London. A very nice quality example.

A 19th Century 'Crimean War' Military Officer's Trunk, Probably Russian A wooden and steel strap banded military trunk from the Crimean war. Painted in faded pale Russian blue-grey. Said, from family history, to have been used by an officer of the 17th Lancers who acquired it from various kit captured from a Russian baggage train. The British officer then used it for his gun case and military kit during this campaign, and later by his sons.The last picture shows the bottom rear strap loops for mounting the trunk on the rear of a horse drawn baggage coach. 13 inches deep x 21.5 inches wide x 11.5 inches high.

A 19th Century French Armour Back-Plate Part of a Heavy Cavalry Cuirass, a great display piece of an original, antique, French Cavalry armour

A 19th Century French Cavalry Armour Back-Plate A great display piece of original French Heavy Cavalry Armour. Superb for a display of Stand-of-Arms

A 19th Century French Chassepot Sword Bayonet With Leather Belt Frog. Made around the era of the Franco Prussian war these highly distinctive French Army issue Yataghan bladed sword bayonets came to England via the good services of a English Midlands china exporter, who was shipping English pottery and porcelain to France, in the late 19th century. He required his empty keeless barges to be stabilised with ballast, and bought French bayonets from French scrap merchants.

A 19th Century French Gladius Short Sword Short powerful double edged blade, brass hilt with leather and brass mounted scabbard. Used from the first quarter of the 19th century till the Crimean War, then many were sold to the US for the Civil War.

A 19th Century Indonesian Kris Dagger With traditional meteoric steel blade with serpentine form. Very long elongated boat shaped hilt. Very nice example of a Keris in good sound condition. Nickle covered scabbard. 20 inches long overall 11 inch blade.

A 19th Century Islamic Koummya Kindjal Very nice chisseled decorated scabbard and matching brass mounted dagger. The blade is German bearing a very impressive armourer's mark.

A 19th Century Medievil Style Knightly Sword 13th-14th Century style, but made in the Victorian era, most probably as a faithful representation and display piece for a country estate. In the early 19th century Sir Walter Scott's novels created a great resurgence in the interest in romantic Knightly tales of derring do and chivalry, and this was strongly followed in architecture at the time. To reflect the interest, numerous great castles and gothic mansions were built, and many were furnished with Knightly Armour and Weaponry such as this.

A 19th Century North African Koummya Dagger A beautifully decorated piece with all metal scabbard, wooden hilt with metal mounts.The mounts are nickle. The overall length is 420mm. The blade length is 202mm.

A 19th Century Percussion Long Musket Walnut stock, steel barrel, percussion action. Made Circa 1830 and used in the British Empire, most probably in Indian Raj. A good sound musket, recently repaired a little at the wrist. Great patina, good tight action. A very simple but charming item. It would make a super, decorative and original wall piece.

A 19th Century Syrian Jambiya Carved horn hilt inlaid with red and white discs. Very well preserved leather scabbard, double edged steel blade with central rib.

A 7th Light Dragoon Pistol of the the Peninsular Campaign and Waterloo Marked to the trigger guard 7th LD [Light Dragoons], [Troop number] I , [Pistol number] 22. An historical regimental pistol used by one of the great and famous light dragoon regiments in Wellingtons army during the Peninsular War, Quatre Bras and the Battle of Waterloo. A newland pattern dragoon pistol, with traditional brass furniture regimentally marked for the 7th. The 7th's history from Corunna to Waterloo In October 1808 the 7th Hussars embarked for Corunna to reinforce Sir John Moore's Army. Moore had started the retreat before the 7th Hussars had reached the Army. Two minor conflicts brought the cavalry some renown during the retreat, the first at Sahagun in which two regiment of French Cavalry were overwhelmed, the second at Benavente when the over-enthusiastic leading elements of the French advance were pushed back into the river they had just crossed. The remainder of the retreat over the mountains in the January snow and ice were disastrous, 150 effective soldiers were left of the 749 Queen's Own who had landed two months before. The Coup-de-Grace was delivered to the regiment when one of the troopships was wrecked on the way home, drowning sixty more of the regiment. The remainder reconstituted and served in Ireland for three years before being recalled to London for ceremonial duty owing to the Life Guards being overseas, and proceeding from there to the Peninsula as part of the Hussar Brigade arriving in September. The 7th crossed the Pyrenees and wintered near Bayonne, not fighting until Orthes in February 1814 when they mauled the retreating French infantry and were the only Cavalry regiment mentioned by Wellington in his dispatches. In June the regiment arrived home for service along the south Coast and an interlude keeping order during the Corn Law Riots in London. A year later the 7th were hurriedly mobilised after Napoleon had escaped from Elba. Their Brigade Commander was the late Commanding Officer, Maj General Sir Hussey Vivian and their regimental Colonel, Henry Paget, Lord Uxbridge was commander of the whole British Cavalry. On the eve of the Battle of Waterloo the 7th were Honored by Uxbridge by being given the charge on the advancing enemy in Genappe, who were Polish Lancers. After a spirited and fearless succession of charges only nineteen of the 120 men of the 7th Hussar squadron were left in the saddle. For the Battle of Waterloo itself, the 7th were on the extreme right of the allied line, 300 yards north of the Chateau of Hougoumont. Until 5pm they were not used, but then they were charged more than twelve times. "And having charged every species of troops, infantry, artillery and cavalry we halted about half a mile in the rear of the French position and there found, tho' of the 7th and 15th there remained only 35 men, Colonel Kerrison and four Officers". In 24 hours the 7th Hussars had lost two Officers killed, and eleven wounded, sixty two other ranks killed and 109 wounded, not to mention Uxbridge losing his leg. For three years the regiment was part of the Army of Occupation around Paris. In October 1818 the Duke of Wellington held a final grand parade before the regiment sailed to England in January and back up to Scotland by July after a forty year absence. Good walnut stock with captive ramrod, converted percussion action to enable the pistol to be serviceable for another 30 years.. The ramrod swivel has a missing half ring and detaches.

A Battle Worn Royal Naval Officer's Dirk Circa 1790 to 1810 With copper gilt lion pommel hilt and chequered ivory grip.Traditional crescent form blade. Ivory damaged at the pommel region and the crossguard lacking. Used by a Royal Navy officer in the wars with France at the time of the Battle of the Nile and Trafalgar. This dirk was damaged in combat and then saved as a souvenir of service. However, in the most part it is complete and a jolly nice and evocotive piece of the greatest era in Royal Naval history. There are several very similar examples in the National Maritime Museum

A Beautiful 17th-18th Century, Moghul, Islamic Tulwar Sword With a very good steel blade with a fine armourer's seal mark. All steel hilt with single bar guard. Emperor Aurangzeb [or Muhiuddin Mohammed] was the last significant Mughal emperor. His reign lasted from 1658 to 1707. During this phase, the empire had reached its largest geographical expansion. Nevertheless it was during this time period that the first sign of decline of the great Moghul Empire was noticed. The reasons were many. The bureaucracy became corrupted and the army implemented outdated tactics and obsolete weaponry. The Moghul Empire was descended from Turko-Mongol, Rajput and Persian origins. It reigned a significant part of the subcontinent of Asia from the initial part of the 16th century to the middle of the 19th century. When it was at the peak of its power, around the 18th century, it controlled a major part of the Asian subcontinent and portions of the current Afghanistan. To understand it's wealth and influence, in 1600 the Emperor Akbar had revenues from his empire of £17.5 million pounds, and 200 years later, in 1800, the exchequer of the entire British Empire had revenues of just £16 million pounds. Photo in the gallery and thumbnail of Emperor Auranzeb with his Tulwar [information only, not included]

A Beautiful 18th Century Cased Pair Of English Flintlock Duelling Pistols By a good English maker, Essex of London. Set in a most charming oak case that has been at some time relined in dark brown. With good, tight actions that we have fully serviced and cleaned. As used by Officers and Gentlemen in the King George IIIrd era of the Napoleonic Wars. English guns of this period are probably the most sought after in the world by collectors, and pairs of pistols, fully cased, are especially highly prized and very fine indeed. Finest walnut full-stocks and steel hooked barrels. Excellent engraved steel furniture , fully engraved throughout with pineapple finials to the trigger guards. Original horn tipped ramrods. Case includes additional bun topped ramrod with detachable brass jag cleaner, rare Georgian ring top powder measure tube in brass, adjustable with variable charge measures and a pierced, blued steel turned wood handled turnscrew. Dueling practices and rituals were codified in the Code Duello of 1777 which set forth rules describing all aspects of an "affair of honour," from the time of day during which challenges could be received to the number of shots or wounds required for satisfaction of honour. For gentlemen the law "offered no redress for insults" he might be subject to from rivals and enemies. Shooting a fellow officer in a duel "gave a sharp edge to one's reputation, earned congratulations in the regimental mess, and brought admiring glances from the ladies.... higher military authorities...regarded dueling as a proof test of courage..." Although theoretically banned by British Army regulations, refusing a challenge was likely to result in an officer having to leave his regiment, for the same rules that banned dueling forbade an officer from submitting to "opprobrious expressions" or "any conduct from another that should degrade him, or, in the smallest way impeach his courage." To decline a challenge was often equated to defeat by forfeiture, and was sometimes even regarded as dishonorable. Prominent and famous individuals ran an especial risk of being challenged for duels. Among the most famous duels are the American Burr-Hamilton duel, in which notable Federalist Alexander Hamilton was fatally wounded, and the duel between Duke of Wellington and the 10th Earl of Winchilsea, wherein each participant intentionally missed the other. 200 years ago, in the middle of the Napoleonic wars, Britain launched a military and naval expedition to Walcheren in Holland. It failed. George Canning, the foreign secretary, sought covertly to blame his rival, Lord Castlereagh, and to have him removed from the War Office. When Castlereagh discovered what was going on, he wrote to Canning: “You continued to sit in the same Cabinet with me, and to leave me not only in the persuasion that I possessed your confidence and support as a colleague, but you allowed me to… proceed in the Execution of a new Enterprise of the most arduous and important nature, with your apparent concurrence… You were fully aware that if my situation in the government had been disclosed to me, I could not have submitted to remain one moment in office, without the entire abandonment of my private honour and public duty. You knew I was deceived, and you continued to deceive me.” Castlereagh demanded “satisfaction”, by which he meant a duel. The two men met on Putney Heath. Both missed with their first shots, but Castlereagh insisted on a second round and wounded Canning in the thigh, without doing him serious injury. There was a public scandal: duelling was against the law. Both men resigned, but both later returned to high office: Castlereagh’s career, which had been expiring, revived, while Canning ultimately, though briefly, became prime minister.Two officers in Napoleon’s army spent 19 years attempting to eliminate each other up in a series of duels that were always bloody but never lethal. Their dispute began in 1794 when Captain Dupont was ordered to stop Captain Fournier attending a party. Fournier took umbrage, challenged Dupont and thy fought the first of 17 duels. As the years passed, they drew up a contract. If they came within 100 miles of each other, they would fight, military duty alone excusing a duel. Such was their companionship in honor that on occasion they dined together before fighting. In the end, by 1813, General Dupont tired of fighting General Fournier. he also wished to marry. So he arranged an unusual duel in which they stalked one another in a forest, armed with two pistols. Dupont stuck his coat on a stick and tricked hi opponent into firing twice. Dupont spared Fournier’s life but told him that if they dueled again, he reserved the right to fire two bullets first from a few yards range. They never fought again. These very pistols were photo illustrated in the world famous Miller's Antiques Guide in 1998.

A Beautiful 18th to 19th Century, Indo Persian Gold Koftgari Inlaid Ankus Steel blade hook and spike head with superb gold inlay known as Koftgari work with the matching hilt pommel, and a fine sectional haft [likely, either ivory or bone] inlaid with a red and black geometric ball and line pattern. The Ankus or elephant goad was the part of the elephant driver's equipment that was used to guide and instruct the elephant to follow his instructions. Although not strictly speaking a weapon, it is always traditionally revered as of the same status, and is always displayed alongside the normal armour and swords of the time in the great military museum collections. From about the mid 1st millennium BC elephants were used in warfare in India, gradually ousting war chariots from the battlefield. The last recorded use of elephants was in the late 18th century, although they continued to be used as draught animals. In the time of the Great Mughals in India (1526-1858) people either rode an elephant or sat in a ‘Howdah’. The most valuable elephants were protected by armour. Some were fully clad in armour, others had only their heads and parts of their trunk protected, others had no protection at all. Elephant armour was made of; plates and mail (As in the royal Armouries example), Scales sewn on a piece of cloth, brigandine (steel plates sewn in between layers of cloth), or just quilted cloth or leather. The armour also had a peculiarity – protective ‘ears’, two projections on the elephant’s head to protect the driver.

A Beautiful American 'Kentucky' Rifle Late 18th century to early 19th century with a fine traditional pierced brass patch box, percussion convert action, brass crescent butt and fancy trigger guard. Heavy steel rifled barrel. The 'Kentucky Rifle' is probably the most famous, and certainly the most beautiful Rifle ever made in America's long history of fine arms making. It was used to incredible effect by the backwoods and mountain men in the American Revolutionary War, and by Congressman and Tennessee hero Davy Crockett and his riflemen in the Creek Indian War in 1813 and at The Alamo, in the battle with the Mexican forces of the despot Santa Anna in 1836. Fine striped wood effect on the stock.

A Beautiful Ancient Han Dynasty Chinese Jian [Sword] Around 2000 and 2400 years old this stunning sword was made by the Dian Peoples in South West China Yunnan Province. The Bronze hilt has amazing form and the blade is most certainly not the original fitted [although well corroded] Hilts were frequently remounted as like the Samurai Culture in Japanese blades and fittings were frequently changed and altered many times. Han Dynasty bronzes are practically indistinguishable from earlier Warring States bronzes so it could indeed be older than estimated.

A Beautiful Antique 19th Century 'Dolphin' Music Stool. Carved gilt wood decorated Dolphin support, on a black lacquer trefoil base, with a black lacquered rotating 'oyster shell' formed carved wooden seat. Designed after the Regency Music Stools made for H.R.H.The Prince Regent's Palace, The Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

A Beautiful Antique Helmet of the Elite, 3rd Prince Of Wales Dragoons. A fine, original, 1871 Pattern Helmet from Queen Victoria's elite heavy cavalry. All brass wreathed skull with black and red horsehair plume and regimental badge of the 3rd Dragoon Guards. With liner and chinscales. Used in the Boer War in South Africa and in WW1. A regiment with an impressively long record of loyalty, bravery and tenacity that one expects to see, from one of the regiments of the finest cavalry division, in the finest army in the world. Regimental Honours. 1701 - 1705 Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet during the war of Spanish Succession. 1756 - 1763, Warburg during the Seven years war 1793 - 1802, Beaumont and Willems during the French revolutionary wars. 1808 - 1802 Talavera, Albuhera, Vittoria, peninsula during the Peninsula War 1867 - 1868 The Abyssinian war 1899 - 1902, The South African war 1914 - 1914, Ypres 1914, and 1915, Loos, Arrass 1917, Scarpe 1917, St Quentin, Avre, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Mons, in France and Flanders

A Beautiful Antique Keris, A World Famous & Legendary Weapon. A long straight bladed type known as the Executioner's Kris. Used by the Indonesian high born warrior. Wonderful Indonesian hardwood hilt and scabbard of Javanese Pelet. With a singularly stunning blade showing incredible grain. With traditional Meteorite iron blade with hammered nickle for the contrasting pattern.

A Beautiful Antique Renaissance Style 'Heroic' Armour Gorget Made in iron, in the Italianate 16th century style, somewhat reminiscent of the truly magnificent heroic amours made by master armourer Filippo Negroli (ca. 1510–1579) and his contemporaries. In the manner of armour that one can only now see in the greatest historical collections, such as the British Royal Collection, and in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Of course, if this was by one of the finest renaissance armour masters, such as Negroli, it would quite simply be priceless, however, in many ways it is most fortunate it is not an original, as, in this case, it is easily affordable to most antique armour collectors, or, admirers and collectors of fine and beautiful things. It was likely made during the renaissance revival period, of the time of Sir Walter Scott, when that reknown Scots born British author was recreating the great historical periods. Such as in his heroic novels such as Ivanhoe, The Lady of the Lake and Rob Roy. The renaissance revival gripped the imagination of Europe, and many of the most famous armours were recreated, for the fortunate few, and cast from the originals held in the great museum collections. Fantastical neo classical and neo gothic mansions and great estates were created, by the new industrial magnates with the incredible wealth that they often commanded. The classical revival was superbly expressed in the extravagant décor, based on those earlier styles, that was commissioned to decorate their finest estates and grand palatial homes. This gorget is in very good condition, cast, and with fine patina. The last picture in the gallery is an original period portrait of a plain and simpler gorget being worn, without full armour [for information only not included]. When full armour was not suitable or required the gorget was often worn on it's own as a badge of rank. Width 9 inches approx.

A Beautiful Brass Hilted Early 18th Century Small Sword Circa 1730 with cast brass double shell guard. Cast decoration throughout of mulitiple Stands-of-Arms. D shaped sigle bar knuckle bow and cast pommel. Double edged blade. A fine rapier small sword used in the American Revolutionary War and the Indian-French Wars in America in the 1750's and 60's by Officers of both sides.

A Beautiful Early 19th Century American Folk Art Pen Work Walking Stick Later mounted in England with a staghorn handle with a silver hallmarked collar made in Sheffield silver in 1904. The scene is beautifully done and highly intricate. It depicts a brick built house, within a garden of pine trees and a great tree. The scene also has mounted huntsmen, coming past the house, with whips and chasing a fox or a wolf with hounds. There is also a walking, pipe smoking figure, and a man holding an iron pronged capture device, and a dog walking from a kennel. All the men are wearing Shakos.

A Beautiful Early 19th Century Naval Officer's Dirk Good single edged 13 inch blade in bright polish. Copper gilt hilt showing very fine cast detailing with a traditional Naval lion's head pommel and a pair of langets, each superbly relief cast with crowned fouled anchors. Original wire bound grip.

A Beautiful Early Tribal War-Club, Likely Fijian [Polynesian Islands] Circa 1800. Similar to the slightly shorter native 'Ula' [Throwing Club]. Typical root ball type. Heavy native wood, with fine reddish brown patina, a tapering haft with a slightly swollen base. Superb fluted, grooved head, with very slight subtle spiraling. 22 inches long. Superb condition, a exceptional example of a very fine tribal club with a wonderfully carved ball head.

A Beautiful Hussars Officer's Sabre from The Crimean War Era Made by in 1850 by Lambert Brown and Co of London and Dublin, this is a stunning mamaluke sword, in excellent condition for It's age, and used by an Hussars or Lancer Officer in the Crimean War era. A simply stunning and beautifully etched blade with rolls of scrolling acanthus leaves and fine Stands-of-Arms, depicting Lances Cannon Drums Swords and Trumpets. Ivory hilt with fine facetted iron rivets. Steel cross quillons and steel combat scabbard. The other ranks in the Crimean War used the 1853 or '21 o/r pattern sword, the officers, the Marmaluke or a '21 Officer Pattern

A Beautiful Noble's Antique Sinhalese [Ceylonese] Piha Kaetta Knife Dagger A most engaging ornate pihas and likely made exclusively by the Pattal Hattara (The Four Workshops). They were employed directly by the Kings of Kandy. Kandy, the independent kingdom, was first established by King Wickramabahu (1357–1374 CE). The last Kandyan king was in the early 1800's, and the workshops are no longer in existence today.The simplest are of plain steel, but very graceful form, with wooden or horn handles, and carried in the belt by every villager, to lop off inconvenient branches as he passes through the jungle, to open coconuts, or cut jungle ropes. From these knives there are all transitions to the most elaborate and costly of silver or gold inlaid and overlaid knives worn by the greatest chiefs as a part of the costume, and never intended for use. The workmanship of many of these is most exquisite but this fine work is done rather by the higher craftsmen, the silversmiths and ivory carvers, than by the mere blacksmith. Many of the best knives were doubtless made in the Four Workshops, such as is this example, the blades being supplied to the silversmith by the blacksmiths. "The best of the higher craftsmen (gold and silversmiths, painters, and ivory carvers, etc.) working immediately for the king formed a close, largely hereditary, corporation of craftsmen called the Pattal-hatara (Four Workshops). They were named as follows; The Ran Kadu [Golden Arms], the Abarana [Regalia], the Sinhasana [Lion Throne], and the Otunu [Crown] these men worked only for the King, unless by his express permission (though, of course, their sons or pupils might do otherwise); they were liable to be continually engaged in Kandy, while the Kottal-badda men were divided into relays, serving by turns in Kandy for periods of two months. The Kottal-badda men in each district were under a foreman (mul-acariya) belonging to the Pattal-hatara. Four other foremen, one from each pattala, were in constant attendance at the palace.This beautiful noble's dagger is stunningly decorated with veka deka liya vela [double curve vine motif] and the flower motif sina mal, and a bold vine in damascene silver. The blade is traditonal iron and the hilt beautifully carved horn

A Beautiful Pair of Boutet Style French 1st Empire Officer's Pistols From the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic era. These are typical pistols used by an officer in Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's service, during the wars in Europe, in the Grande Armee against Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria and Spain. Such as the Battles of Austerlitz, Wagram, and Moscow, the Battles of Wertingen, Marango, Salamanca Badajoz etc. etc.Typical Boutet style oval, flat butt caps beautifully engraved with an Revolutionary symbols of a Shield over a crossed Fasces, Arrow, Quiver and Club. All steel mounts and the finest octagonal to round Damascus barrels. Lacking rammers, one barrel end with some forend corrosion. A stunning pair of pistols from the greatest era in France's history. 6.5 inch barrels, both 12 inches long overall

A Beautiful Pair of Original Antique Native American Cowboy Gauntlets A Beautiful Pair, Circa 1850, from the early 'Wild West Frontier' period. These stunning and rare fringed gauntlets are beautifully embroidered with flowers, florid patterns and a western monogramme, and were likely from the Cree, or the Lakota Sioux tribes of North and South Dakota. The most famous members of the Lakota Sioux were Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. In yellow hide [likely buckskin] with long fringing. Excellent condition, small split in base of finger.The style of Gauntlets worn by 'Kit Carson' and his contemporaries. Superb, charming and highly collectable pieces from the old, American, Wild West Frontier. Gauntlets are protective gloves that have a flared cuff. For centuries, these cuffs protected European and Asian bow hunters and military archers from being snapped on the wrist by their bowstrings. Medieval soldiers and knights began wearing chain-mail gauntlets during the 1300s, and armored gauntlets appeared in Europe during the 1400s. Four hundred years later and halfway around the world, leather gauntlets appeared in the American West as military uniform accessories. They were soon appropriated by Indian artists, embellished with diverse ornaments, and incorporated into the civilian wardrobe. Here they became intrinsically linked with Western people, history, and landscape, and a symbol of the frontier. The original European form was reworked with a wild American veneer. Former mountain men -- Jim Bridger and Kit Carson among them -- occasionally worked guiding emigrant trains and military units through little-known country. They also helped track renegades of diverse stripes. These scouts were colorful characters, highly skilled, and not required to maintain a military dress code. Their attire was subsequently functional, comfortable, and drawn from a variety of media and cultural sources. By the 1870s, long and abundant fringe was in style and pinked edges provided decorative flair to leather clothing that was by nature quite showy.A similar pair [though later] of Lakota Sioux gauntlets can be seen in the Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection of American Indian Art in the Fenimore Art Museum NY.

A Boat Shaped Hilt Infantry Sword, 19th Century Very similar in style to the British 1796 pattern heavy cavalry officer's sword but with a lesser grade hilt than one would expect and a non regulation blade. On consideration this is likely European or possibly Scandinavian but we simply can't define it as to it's specific country of origin. None the lass an interesting sword and it would make a charming display sword. No scabbard.

A Borneo Dyak Headhunter's Sword, Mandau This Mandau (sometimes also called “Parang Ihlang”) is the traditional sword of the Dyak tribes of Borneo. It was primarily associated with the Head Hunting tradition of the Dyaks. Carved wooden hilt, rattan bound scabbard.Traditional blade with convex obverse and concave reverse.The blade was apparently designed in such a way as the head could be decapitated more easily by a swinging arc while running. Likely after the 19th century, and into the 20th century period.

A Boxed Victorian Nautical Sextant, T L Ainsley Nautical Instrument Maker By Ainsley of Cardiff and Barry Dock. Used by a Royal Navy officer in the days of the Iron Clad Battleships. Set in storage case.

A British 1796 Light Dragoon Sabre From the Peninsular War and Waterloo Era A fabulous combat sword that has certainly seen much combat. From the greatest and most significant period of European warfare, against the mighty French General & Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. With a signed blade by Gill. The blade is, in small areas at the end, fairly deeply pitted [ with some applied compound to aid long term preservation] but it is priced accordingly. Probably the best value original historical sword available today.

A British 1803 Pattern Light Infantry Officer's Sabre. Kings German Legion of the Peninsular War and Battle of Waterloo fame. With a beautiful copper gilt, pierced King George's GR cypher slotted hilt, with lions head pommel and original triple wire bound fishskin ribbed grip. Blackened combat sharpened blade [likely sharpened by the regimental armourer]. An unusual variant with a blackened steel combat scabbard [as opposed to the usual leather and coppergilt scabbard]. After much examination and debate we logically assume that this may well have been used by an officer of the Kings German Legion Light Infantry [Rifles] as it's distinctive scabbard is very close to the design of Prussian steel combat scabbard used at that time, with a typical Prussian form scabbard chape. This is a nice and interesting example that has obviously seen considerable service in combat during the entire Peninsular War and Waterloo era, but fortunately it shows just about average combat wear. The blade has very old overall surface pitting. It has returned to us from our workshops after over 21 hours specialist hand cleaning, which has fortunately restored 75% of it's original mercurial gilt that was initially thought lost due accumulated surface grime and age discolouration . A historically interesting sword, and well reknown as the most beautiful combat sword ever used by the British army. The King's German Legion (KGL) was a British Army unit of expatriate German personnel, from 1803 till 1816. The Legion achieved the distinction of being the only German force to fight without interruption against the French during the Napoleonic Wars. The Legion was formed within months of the dissolution of the Electorate of Hanover in 1803, and constituted as a mixed corps by the end of 1803. Although The Legion never fought autonomously and remained a part of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars (1804–1815), it played a vital role in several campaigns, most notably the Walcheren Campaign, the Peninsular War, and the Hundred Days (1815). Although the Legion never fought autonomously, its units participated in campaigns in Hanover, Pomerania, Copenhagen and Walcheren, the Peninsular under General Sir John Moore; and the retreat to Corunna; the Peninsular Campaign under the Duke of Wellington, including the battles of Bussaco, Barrosa, Fuentes de Onoro, Albuera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca, Garcia Hernandez, Burgos, Venta del Pozo , Vittoria, San Sebastian, Nivelle, Sicily and the eastern parts of Spain, Northern Germany and Göhrde. In the Peninsular Campaign, the Germans enhanced the veteran core of the British army. At Sabugal, in April 1811, several hundred German hussars augmented the Light Division, and the Hussars found the proper ford of the Coa River. At the Battle of Garcia Hernandez, the Dragoons performed the unusual feat of smashing two French square formations in a matter of minutes. At the Battle of Waterloo, the 2nd Light Battalion — with members of the 1st Light Battalion and the 5th Line Battalion — famously defended the farmhouse and road at "La Haye Sainte." As a Hanoverian militia battalion was on its way to reinforce the defenders of Haye Sainte, the French cavalry attached to Jean-Baptiste Drouet, Comte d'Erlon's Corps rode them down; only a few of the intended relievers survived. After a six hour defense, without ammunition, or reinforcements, the Germans were forced to abandon the farm, leaving the buildings in shambles and their dead behind. It is distinctly possible this sword may have been carried by the likes of Major Baring of the 2nd Light Btn KGL,. [or one of his brother officers] who fell at the most noble and valiant defence of La Haie Sainte at the Battle of Waterloo. The Legion was disbanded in 1816. Several of the units were incorporated into the army of the Kingdom of Hanover, and became later a part of the imperial German army after unification in 1871.

A British 1860's 32 Rimfire Cartridge Revolver, Smith & Wesson Pattern Address marked Robert Jones, 5 Great Howard St., Liverpool. A most attractive pistol, overall grey aged patina

A British Army, Pattern 1853 3 Band Enfield 'Snider' Conversion Rifle This is an honest example of these most interesting rifles that were used first in the Crimean war then converted to the more modern cartridge system. The British .577 Snider-Enfield is a type of breech loading rifle. It was one of the most widely used of the Snider varieties, (the action invented by the American Jacob Snider). It was adopted by Britain as a conversion system for its ubiquitous Enfield 1853 rifled musket muzzle loading arms. In trials, the Snider Pattern 1853 conversions proved both more accurate than original Pattern 1853s and much faster firing as well. This gun has got extensive pitting on the steel but it is still a good representation of these historical weapons of the British Army and priced according to it's condition at around one third it's normal cost. The wood and brass furniture is good, the action mostly functional.

A British Crimean War Medal. Un-named with Sebastopol Bar. Slight bruising to edge.Name removed.The Crimea Medal was a campaign medal approved in 1854, for issue to officers and men of British units (land and naval) which fought in the Crimean War of 1854-56 against Russia. The medal is notable for its extremely ornate clasps, being in the form of an oak leaf with an acorn at each extremity, a style never again used on a British medal. The suspension is an ornate floriated swivelling suspender, again unique to the Crimea Medal.

A British, Adams Patent, 1854 'Improved Frame' Crimean War Revolving Pistol A pistol much favoured by British officer's in the Light Brigade and Regular and Light Infantry during the Crimean War against Russia. All steel frame and action with chequered wood grip. Fine scroll engraving and stamped on reverse side 'Adams Patent' in a traditional oval 1851. Obverse engraved Adams Patent and serial number 9644. Areas of pitting overall, bright polished. Adams was the manager for the London arms manufacturers George & John Deane. On August 22, 1851, he was granted a British patent for a new revolver design. The Dean and Adams was a five-shot percussion (cap-and-ball) revolver with a spurless hammer, and the first revolver with a solid frame. The revolver used a double-action only system in which the external hammer could not be cocked by thumbing it back, like most other pistols of the era, but instead cocked itself when the trigger was pulled. This made it possible to fire the gun much more rapidly than contemporary single-action revolvers, such as the Colt, which had to be cocked prior to each shot. An "Improved Frame" model was offered in 1854, presenting both a sleeker look and more comfortable grip. In that same year the British Board of Ordnance reviewed the Adams together with other percussion revolvers with a view to adopting one as an official service sidearm. Concerns about the gas escape between the cylinder and barrel during discharge resulted in no decision being made. Nevertheless, British officers purchased the Adams privately and the gun proved its worth in battle during the Crimean War. Approx 36 cal, continental proof.

A British, Victorian, Regimental Drummer's or Bugler's Sword Brass cruciform hilt short double edged blade. Made for the days when the British military band marched alongside the men, in formation into battle. Whereupon, if the bandsman or bugler came under attack in close quarter action he had adequate means of defence. No scabbard.

A Bronze Age Spear Circa 800 bc A good leaf shaped bronze spear, with prominent central rib, wrapped with copper wire around a square section haft. Most certainly and old replaced oak haft. The spear blade looks as if at some time in it's life it has had a central repair. A strong and weighty piece of most fascinating interest. Bronze head 15.5 inches. Overall length 88.5 inches.

A Brown Bess Musket India Pattern Circa 1805 A very nice example of what is probably the most desireable British weapon of the Napoleonic Wars, as was used against the 'Little Corporal', better known as the most feared General and Emporor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte. This type of bess was known as the third or 'India' Pattern, and in many cases the most collectable of them all. It has a very clean Tower of London Armoury 'lined' lock stamped 'Tower' and with the Royal Crown and GR [for King George IIIrd] with the early swan-necked cock. A fine patina to the stock of fine walnut, and although, naturally, it has signs of use, which is absolutely as it should be. Britain's Brown Bess flintlock musket is simply one of the most important military arms ever devised. Beginning its life almost 300 years ago, it created one of the greatest empires the word has ever seen and, among other achievements, helped to win the entire continent of India. Made in four distinct patterns [with several derivitives] the British musket, known affectionately as the 'Brown Bess', started life as a 46 inch barrel musket called the Long Land or Ist pattern. Then in around 1768 the gun evolved and the barrel was shortened to 42 inches [as 46 was deemed unwieldy] and renamed the Short Land or 2nd pattern. Although the Long Land was made continually for another 20 years. With the onset of the Napoleonic Wars in the 1790s, the British Board of Ordnance found itself woefully short of the 250,000 muskets it would need to equip its forces. At that time the British East India Company maintained it own troops and had contracted with makers to produce a simplified version of the Brown Bess musket with a 39-inch barrel and less ornate furniture and stock work. It was generally felt that the standard of these East India Company "India pattern" muskets was not quite up to the standard of the earlier standard Besses, but necessity required action so the authorities convinced Company officials to turn over their stores to the Crown. By 1797 the urgencies of war ultimately created the demise of the Short Pattern, and all manufacture was turned to building the now famous 'India' pattern. For the most part, the gun underwent few changes from its introduction until Waterloo, with the exception of the cock, which was altered from the traditional gooseneck style to a sturdier, reinforced version in around 1809. This is the long arm that gained fame, forever more and throughout the world, as the musket of the 'British Square' the near imprenetrable defensive phalanx that was developed and honed to it's ultimate efficiency, in the Napoleonic Wars.Arms such as this would have seen many of the battles of the Peninsular War, such as Badajoz, Corrunna, Talavera Salamanca and Toulouse, plus the Quatre Bras and the Battle of Waterloo during the Hundred Days. As well as British usage, some were also carried by King George's allies, among them the Russians and Prussians.They saw immense service within the whole Empire from the South Seas and the North American War of 1812, right through to the British Empire in India

A Cased Colt 1851 Navy Revolver. Case Named to John Lucas [VC] 40th Rgt. Lucas, who was born in County Carlow, Ireland, was approximately 34 years old, and a colour-sergeant in the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot in the British Army during the Taranaki Maori War, New Zealand, when he was awarded the VC for gallantry for his bravery under fire in 1861. This lovely cased Colt 1851 revolver was made in New York USA, with the specific 'London' iron backstrap especially for the London export market, in 1862. As this gun was made a year after Lucas earned his distinguished medal for valour it is obvious he could not have ever owned it during his New Zealand service. However, it would be nice to believe that maybe he was given the case as a token of his heroic deed by a grateful officer or even regimental colleagues and friends. The case contains a super Colt Navy with at least 5 matching numbers and very clear English proof marks. It is in excellent condition with a good tight action and very small areas of original blue. It has it's English made powder flask, percussion caps, oil bottle, cleaning rod and Colt marked bullet and ball mould. The case is lined in green with it's Colt instruction label to the lid, which is lined in blue velvet. At some time the lining may have been replaced. The VC story; On the 18th of March, 1861, Colour-Serjeant Lucas acted as Serjeant of a party of the 40th Regiment, employed as skirmishers to the right of No. 7, Redoubt, and close to the Huirangi Bush, facing the left of the positions occupied by the natives. At about 4 o'clock P.M., a very heavy and well-directed fire was suddenly opened upon them from the Bush, and the high ground on the left. Three men being wounded simultaneously, two of them mortally, assistance was called for in order to have them carried to the rear: a file was immediately sent, but had scarcely arrived, when one of them fell, and Lieutenant Rees was wounded at the same time. Colour-Serjeant Lucas, under a very heavy fire from the rebels, who were not more than thirty yards distant, immediately ran up to the assistance of this Officer, and sent one man with him to the rear. He then took charge of the arms belonging to the killed and wounded men, and maintained his position until the arrival of supports under Lieutenants Gibson and Whelan. John Lucas VC (1827 - 29 February 1892) was born in Glasgomy, Bagenalstown, County Carlow and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

A Celtic, Iron, Votive Axe Circa 50 b.c. to 50 a.d. Around 2000 years old. A good and rare ancient Celtic museum piece. Used as a small Axe, set within a wooden haft, and carried as a token of good luck, then, it would be cast into a sacred lake or river as a offering to the Gods. In a well preserved condition. 65mm x 76mm.

A Charming 19th Century Scottish Basket Hilted 'Claymore' Boys Sword Made for use by a boy, this is a miniature sword but certainly made for use, with full a length blade. Into the 19th century regiments still had boy soldiers, but this being a miniature officer's sword it may well have been for the son of a clan chief.One small bar to the multibar guard is missing.

A Charming Silver Topped WalkIng Cane Hallmarked silver top and ebonised shaft. Small bruising to the silver top.Overall length 32.75 inches. Silver top 2.75 inches.

A Chinese Ching Dynasty Dao [Sword] A big battle sword, probably brought back to this country as a souvenir of the Chinese Boxer Rebellion. Large curved blade with single groove. Large disc guard, wood grip and flattened iron bun pommel.

A EIC Percussion Lancer Pistol Mid 19th Century. Made and used in the old Raj period by the East India Company Lancer regiments. The mounts and stock are jolly nice, but the nipple and rammer swivel is missing. Crown stamp still just visible at the rear of the lock plate. The action cocking slips off the sear.

A Fabulous 18th Century Indo Persian Battle Axe Tabar A large fine quality horseman's axe with long wooden haft fine wide crescent blade with a pronounced bearded cutting edge, 'hammer' helmet breaker and pommel cap . Superbly chiseled with an elaborate geometric pattern of beautiful style. Steel pole type socket mount. This is a very superior axe of great quality and immensely powerful presence.

A Fabulous, Original Antique, Ching Dynasty Chinese 'Tiger Tooth' Huya Dao A huge original antique chinese sword polearms, likely of the Manchu Reign, and simply spectacular in it's presence, the blade has a great deal of very difficult to read inscribed Chinese script. We have had a partial translation which we believe describes that this sword was last used at the historical battle of the Marco Polo bridge at the beginning of the Sino Japanese War in 1937. It is six feet three inches tall with a blade to haft ratio of 1:1.1 and the blade tang goes right to the bottom of the haft. Every year we have the privelidge to buy several, standard, original, antique Chinese swords, such as the Dao or Jian, but sadly the frequency is continually diminishing, however it must be nearly 40 years since we have had examples of the huge Huyadao, and we are amazed to get two such superb examples. Truly original, antique, Chinese weapons are very scarce indeed, as historically, few swords were ever brought back from China. Porcelain and silk were far more popular and preferable souvenirs and exports for Europeans, and in China, in the mid 20th century, nearly all the surviving antique edged weapons were melted down and destroyed in the era of Mao, under Mao's instructions, in order to create new steel. This is a true 'sleeper', one of two matching examples we were thrilled to acquire, in absolutely untouched condition since they were brought back from China just after the Boxer Rebellion in Peking. We show in ther gallery a Chinese Mandarin seated with his guard around him and four of them are holding these very swords. Another picture are of the Ming Emperor Jiajing's Imperial Guard, all horse mounted and all carrying the same Tiger Tooth dao known as the the Huyadao. We have simply cleaned the light storage grime off the surface. 75 inches long

A Fairly Plain Victorian Powder Flask 19th Century, copper 'bag' body, brass measure pourer. Good condition for age. In our Military Antiques and Regimentals items list

A Fine 17th Century Italian Stilletto With all steel hilt and triangular triple edged slender blade. Hounds head quillon baluster grip. A truly elegant piece of great style.

A Fine and Beautiful Volunteer Company 'Brown Bess' Infantry Musket,1808 Fine and beautiful Walnut stock of the highest grade, good brass mounts. The stock has a small old contemporary repair on one side of the forestock, but this is very well done, and very difficult to see. Lock maker marked by T. Potts of The Minories London. Fine and beautiful Walnut stock of the highest grade, good brass mounts. The stock has a small old contemporary repair on one side of the forestock, but this is very well done, and very difficult to see. Thomas Potts [formerly of the partnership Brander and Potts] was apprenticed to Martin Brander in 1792, he was Free of the Gunmakers Co. in 1801, Master Gunsmith and Contractor to the Ordnance and The East India Co. He was also maker and supplier to the Queen of Spain and The Shah of Persia. His widow Mary Anne continued making guns after his demise. The stock has a Military Regt. Mark WYC2. This may relate to the West RidingYorkshire Militia. This is a most handsome piece worthy of any collector of fine gunmaker's military arms. Barrel stamped with Ordnance crown by the Breech Tang. With a replacement rammer Thomas Potts [formerly of the partnership Brander and Potts] was apprenticed to Martin Brander in 1792, he was Free of the Gunmakers Co. in 1801, Master Gunsmith and Contractor to the Ordnance and The East India Co. He was also maker and supplier to the Queen of Spain and The Shah of Persia. His widow Mary Anne continued making guns after his demise. The stock has a Military Regt. Mark WYC2. This may relate to the West RidingYorkshire Militia. This is a most handsome piece worthy of any collector of fine gunmaker's military arms. Barrel stamped with Ordnance crown by the Breech Tang. With a replacement rammer

A Fine and Rare Long Barrel Miniature Percussion Muff Pistol A rare third size pocket pistol with carved ivory butt [with hairline crack], and boxlock percussion action, but with a very rare, exceptionaly long, damascus twist barrel.

A Fine British Army Martini Henry Rifle MkII Short Lever Dated 1889 and a truly superb example. All it requires is some polish and this will truly be an exceptional example. Fully tight action. Made by the Birmingham Small Arms & Manufacturing Co. Excellent British ordnance markings and inspection stamps. Used in the Battle of Omdurman Era. At the Battle of Omdurman (2 September 1898), an army commanded by the British General Sir Herbert Kitchener defeated the army of Abdullah al-Taashi, the successor to the self-proclaimed Mahdi Muhammad Ahmad. It was a demonstration of the superiority of a highly disciplined European-led army equipped with modern rifles and artillery over tribesmen with older weapons and marked the success of British efforts to re-conquer the Sudan. However, it was not until the Battle of Umm Diwaykarat, a year later, that the final Mahdist forces were defeated. Omdurman is today a suburb of Khartoum in central Sudan. The village of Omdurman was chosen in 1884 as the base of operations by the Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad. After his death in 1885, following the successful siege of Khartoum, his successor (Khalifa) Abdullah retained it as his capital.The battle began in the early morning, at around 6 a.m.. After the clashes of the previous day, the 8,000 men under Osman Azrak advanced straight at the waiting British, quickly followed by about 8,000 of those waiting to the north-west. It was a mixed force of riflemen and spearmen. The British artillery opened fire at around 2750 m and the Ansar forces were badly reduced before they even came into range of the Maxim guns and volley fire. The frontal attack ended quickly with around 4,000 Ansar casualties, none coming closer than 50 m to the British trenches. A flanking move from the Ansar right was also checked and there were untidy clashes on the opposite flank which scattered the Ansar forces there. The picture in the gallery shows the British bttle lines. The red uniforms had in fact been superseded by khaki since 1848 in India. Kitchener was anxious to occupy Omdurman before the remaining Ansar forces could withdraw there. He directed the army to advance on Omdurman. The army was ordered into columns and began the advance. The British light cavalry regiment, the 21st Lancers, was sent ahead to clear the plain to Omdurman. They had a tough time of it. The 400-strong regiment attacked what they thought to be a few hundred dervishes, but in fact were 2,500 infantry hidden behind these dervishes in a depression. After a fierce clash, the Lancers drove them back at some cost (three Victoria Crosses were awarded, for the loss of five officers, 65 men, and 120 horses, roughly one-fourth of their total manpower). On a larger scale, the British advance allowed the Khalifa to re-organize his forces. He still had over 30,000 men in the field and directed his main reserve to attack from the west while ordering the forces to the north-west to attack simultaneously over the Kerreri Hills. Kitchener's force wheeled left in echelon to advance up Surgham ridge and then southwards. To protect the rear, a brigade of 3,000, mainly Sudanese, commanded by Hector MacDonald, was reinforced with Maxims and artillery and followed the main force at around 1350 m. Curiously, the supplies and wounded around Egeiga were left almost unprotected. MacDonald was alerted to the presence of around 15,000 enemy troops moving towards him from the west, out from behind Surgham. He wheeled his force and lined them up to face the enemy charge. The Ansar infantry attacked in two prongs and MacDonald was forced to repeatedly re-order his battalions. The brigade maintained a punishing fire. Kitchener, now aware of the problem, "began to throw his brigades about as if they were companies".MacDonald's brigade was soon reinforced and the Ansar forces were forced back and finally broke or died where they stood. The Ansar forces to the north had regrouped too late and entered the clash only after the force in the central valley had been routed. They pressed Macdonald's Sudanese brigades hard, but the Lincolnshire Regiment was quickly brought up and with sustained section volleys repulsed the advance. A final desperate cavalry charge of around 500 men was utterly destroyed. The march on Omdurman was resumed at about 11:30. Winston Churchill was present at the battle and he rode with the 21st Lancers. He published an account in 1899 as "The River War: An Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan", which is the basis for this article. Present as a war correspondent for the Times was Col. Frank Rhodes, brother of Cecil, who was shot and severely wounded in the right arm. For his services during that battle he was restored to the army active list. Churchill wrote an account of seeing victims of the Martini Henry .450 577 rounds and the terrible effects that their wounds inflicted. The gun photos show the stock walnt very dull indeed, we are having it polished.

A Fine Indo Persian Tulwar With Silver Hilt and lslamic Armourers Seal Mark Beautifully engraved silver overlay hilt of great quality.18th century, fine blade of likely damascus steel, but over the years polishing has obscured any blade graining.

A Fine Jade Archers Ring A Chinese Jade Archers ring of typical large size and pale green hue. Very good condition. Worn on the thumb. from Ming to Qing Dynasty

A Fine Old Large Ship Model of a British Naval 100 Gunner Ship of the Line A Beautiful George IIIrd model of an unrigged 100 Gunner 'Ship of the Line' such as HMS Victory. In a large glazed case. Most likely mid Victorian. Collection from store only, delivery not available. 36 inches x 17 inches x 23inches [case size]

A Fine Zulu War Martini Henry Rifle MkII Short Lever The most famous British Infantry breech loading rifle of the 19th century. An original, singularly beautiful example, and the very form of rifle as was used at the Defense of Rorke's Drift, and was featured in the classic film, ZULU, starring Sir Micheal Caine & Sir Stanley Baker. A very nice short lever example, dated 1877, with the early large cocking indicator. Excellent action and a super walnut stock, overall in excellent plus condition for age. The Martini-Henry was a breech-loading lever-actuated rifle adopted by the British, combining an action worked on by Friedrich von Martini, with the rifled barrel designed by Scotsman Alexander Henry. It was the first British service rifle that was a true breech-loading rifle using metallic cartridges. During the Martini-Henry period in service, the British army were involved in a large number of colonial wars, most notably the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. The MH Mk II rifle was the type used by the company of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot present at Rorke's Drift during the eponymous battle. The rifle went on to be used with great distinction throughout the British Empire right into late 1880's.

A Fine, Kentucky Pattern Rifle By Charles Osborne of London A beautiful light rifle made for the burgeoning American market in the 1840's. A Kentucky pattern rifle with the usual fancy patch box, elongated trigger guard and a browned damascus twist barrel, platinum safety breech plug . This is a very charming and beautiful long gun with very nice quality features, and absolutely typical of a traditional Kentucky or Pensylvania Rifle, but around twenty percent lighter than usual, likely for ease of aiming while shooting on horseback. British gunmakers had been supplying the American market, just as the British blade makers had, since the very earliest days of the Pilgrim settlers. It is likely that over 80% of all the arms used in the Revolutionary war were British, and a vast percentage of the infantry guns used in the American Civil War were made at Enfield in England. Makers such as Ketland even had members of their family emigrate to the Americas in order to maintain supply to this highly lucrative market, as, although there were many fine American makers, demand for good quality arms was always usually higher than the local producers could supply.

A Finest English Silver Mounted, Silver Inlaid Bronze Barrel Pistol of 1787 An absolute gem. A gentleman's flintlock holster pistol of such beautiful quality. Finest Juglans Regia walnut stock, with finest silver wire scroll inlays at the breech. Hallmarked 1787 silver butt cap [with bruising], trigger guard, ramrod pipes, escutcheon and lock side nail mount. A silver mounted bronze barreled English pistol of simply delightful charm. We acquired this pistol in a woeful and dirty state, but all pretty much complete and original [barring rammer], but it had been damaged in use and left 'as is' for likely the past 200 years. We have had the fine stock superbly repaired and all the silver mounts cleaned, but we decided on the 'museum standard' repair in so much as no attempt was made to create an 'as new' finish. We felt it important that it still shows it's age and historic useage and it's natural aging has been left as it was. All that now remains is for the lock's action to repair and the butt cap to be reset, although now it is such a beautiful state once more, it may not be deemed necessary to repair the lock etc. We price it, in it's present state, without that cost yet included. This work can be undertaken or it left as is, the choice is for the new owner. In good and original order a gun of this qualilty would be normally around £5,000, or up to £20,000 for a pair. We feel this price satisfactorily reflects it's present condition. Barrel 8 inches long, overall 13,5 inches long

A Finest, English, King George IIIrd Duelling Pistol By Bond of Cornhill, London. Set trigger action with percussion conversion, safety catch. Octagonal barrel with hook breech for rapid removal for cleaning. Finest Juglens Regia walnut stock with hand micro chequering and oval escutcheon barrel slides. Original rammer with worm screw end. All steel deluxe engraved mounts. Pineapple finial trigger guard. Atkinson traces the development of the British dueling pistol with specific examples of the art, describing them in detail. Also discussed is the moulding of bullets, making of cases for pairs of pistols, the manufacture of stocks locks and gunbarrels, powder and flints. As Atkinson points out, on "the best dueling pistols there was lavished the talent[s] of the wood carver, metal worker and engraver and sometimes the art of the silversmith and goldsmith as well. Dueling pistols were generally long and slender, and of comparatively light weight. They might be engraved with floral designs, with silver mountings, decorated with pineapples, clamshells and acorns, and given elegant chequering. Barrels for dueling pistols were often made from stub iron, iron recycled from old horseshoe nails collected from country farmers or collected from the streets. Percussion systems were first experimented with by the start of the nineteenth century. The British Army tested a cap-lock in 1820. Dueling pistols began to adopt the system soon after. Flintlock pistols were often converted to cap ignition by their owners. Dueling practices and rituals were codified in the Code Duello of 1777 which set forth rules describing all aspects of an "affair of honour," from the time of day during which challenges could be received to the number of shots or wounds required for satisfaction of honour. For gentlemen the law "offered no redress for insults" he might be subject to from rivals and enemies. Shooting a fellow officer in a duel "gave a sharp edge to one's reputation, earned congratulations in the regimental mess, and brought admiring glances from the ladies.... higher military authorities...regarded dueling as a proof test of courage..." Although theoretically banned by British Army regulations, refusing a challenge was likely to result in an officer having to leave his regiment, for the same rules that banned dueling forbade an officer from submitting to "opprobrious expressions" or "any conduct from another that should degrade him, or, in the smallest way impeach his courage." To decline a challenge was often equated to defeat by forfeiture, and was sometimes even regarded as dishonorable. Prominent and famous individuals ran an especial risk of being challenged for duels. Among the most famous duels are the American Burr-Hamilton duel, in which notable Federalist Alexander Hamilton was fatally wounded, and the duel between Duke of Wellington and the 10th Earl of Winchilsea, wherein each participant intentionally missed the other.

A George IIIrd Man-Trap Gun An interesting piece of early gun curiosa. A man-trap in the form of a flintlock gun, bed into a mount of wood, and set with an iron swivel. Historically man-traps were mechanical devices for catching poachers and trespassers. The devices have taken many forms, the most usual being like a large bear trap, the steel springs being armed with teeth which met in the victim's leg. In 1827, their use was made illegal in England, except in houses between sunset and sunrise, as a defence against burglars and ne'er do wells. Quite recently firearm Mantraps have become very sought after indeed, and their values have increased considerably. The lock is now seized.

A Georgian Naval Day and Night Telescope by Dolland Of London By one of London's most important and premier optical instrument makers. A King George IIIrd to George IVth era Naval Telescope with mahogany centre and a single, long, draw in brass. The brass cover slide is missing as is the end cover. Engraved Dolland, London, Night and Day. Used from the era of the Royal Navy's 100 Gunner Men O' War Sailing Ships and into the early Iron Clad Sail and Steam Battle Ships. A beautifully crafted instrument that still works perfectly with a fine and sharp image.

A Good Victorian Detective's Small Truncheon A small truncheon ideal for concealment but ideal for use in the right circumstances The Early Detectives. The logic behind creating a force of detectives was to allow police officers to mingle with the public and gather intelligence. In this way, they could collect information to prevent crime and apprehend criminals. Undercover officers worked in the streets in the 1830s. n 1840, divisions were told to select men who would work on individual cases rather than patrol a beat. These men wore their own clothes so they were not easily identifiable; they were the first plain-clothes detectives. It soon became obvious that these detectives were producing results in preventing and solving crime. A more co-ordinated force was needed. The detective branch of the Metropolitan Police in London was founded in 1842 and the Detective Branch was first stationed in a house at the back of a small square. The name of that square has become synonymous with detection and solving crime - it was Scotland Yard.

A Good 18th-19th Century Cossack Kindjal With Silver Niello Mounts Signed Persian blade by Hassan Ali, with single off set fuller per side, horn grip scales. Interestingly it's scabbard has at some 100 years or so ago been recovered in North African leather and crocodile skin. Also known as a Qame, made in Persia for the Caucasian Cossacks. The native land of the Cossacks is defined by a line of Russian/Ruthenian town-fortresses located on the border with the steppe and stretching from the middle Volga to Ryazan and Tula, then breaking abruptly to the south and extending to the Dnieper via Pereyaslavl. This area was settled by a population of free people practicing various trades and crafts. These people, constantly facing the Tatar warriors on the steppe frontier, received the Turkic name Cossacks (Kazaks), which was then extended to other free people in northern Russia. The oldest reference in the annals mentions Cossacks of the Russian city of Ryazan serving the city in the battle against the Tatars in 1444. In the 16th century, the Cossacks (primarily those of Ryazan) were grouped in military and trading communities on the open steppe and started to migrate into the area of the Don (source Vasily Klyuchevsky, The course of the Russian History, vol.2). Cossacks served as border guards and protectors of towns, forts, settlements and trading posts, performed policing functions on the frontiers and also came to represent an integral part of the Russian army. In the 16th century, to protect the borderland area from Tatar invasions, Cossacks carried out sentry and patrol duties, observing Crimean Tatars and nomads of the Nogai Horde in the steppe region. The most popular weapons used by Cossack cavalrymen were usually sabres, or shashka, and long spears, but all Cossacks traditionally carried a Kindjal Russian Cossacks played a key role in the expansion of the Russian Empire into Siberia (particularly by Yermak Timofeyevich), the Caucasus and Central Asia in the period from the 16th to 19th centuries. Cossacks also served as guides to most Russian expeditions formed by civil and military geographers and surveyors, traders and explorers. In 1648 the Russian Cossack Semyon Dezhnyov discovered a passage between North America and Asia. Cossack units played a role in many wars in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries (such as the Russo-Turkish Wars, the Russo-Persian Wars, and the annexation of Central Asia). During Napoleon's Invasion of Russia, Cossacks were the Russian soldiers most feared by the French troops. Napoleon himself stated "Cossacks are the best light troops among all that exist. If I had them in my army, I would go through all the world with them." Cossacks also took part in the partisan war deep inside French-occupied Russian territory, attacking communications and supply lines. These attacks, carried out by Cossacks along with Russian light cavalry and other units, were one of the first developments of guerrilla warfare tactics and, to some extent, special operations as we know them today. Western Europeans had had few contacts with Cossacks before the Allies occupied Paris in 1814. As the most exotic of the Russian troops seen in France, Cossacks drew a great deal of attention and notoriety for their alleged excesses during Napoleon's 1812 campaign.

A Good 19th Century Presentation 'Horses Head' Dagger, Likely American Made by Woodcocks, Universally Approved, Celebrated Cutlers. Double edged blade with excellent makers mark and 75% original bright finish. Silver throat mounted leather, tooled, scabbard. Hilt in carved ivory and silver ferrule, blued steel, pyramidical ended quillons.The horses head pommel has been repaired across the neck. Presentation inscription reads Presented to Edward Roberts. The horses head dagger or bowie hilt motif is much collected by American antique knife collectors and is to be seen predominantly on only the best knives and daggers from the mid 19th century. 10.5 nches long overall 6 inch blade. This knife is in need of some restorative attention, but with a little care it would turn out to be a superb collectors piece, that would grace any of the finest antique knife and dagger collections.Part of an extensive dagger collection, that was accumulated over many years, that we have just acquired, and is being expertly cleaned by our conservator to remove decades of dust and grime. Although with a straight blade it is part of the 19th century Bowie knife family

A Good Afghan Jazail Rifle Early 19th Century With East India Company flintlock with later percussion conversion. Silver inlaid long barrel. Good untouched stock with traditional cappucines [barrel bands]

A Good British Royal Naval 1756 Pattern Long Sea Service Pistol Lined Tower lock, belt hook, walnut stock and brass furniture. Non standard pattern trigger guard, also in brass. This is a still well functioning pistol, but it has without doubt seen considerable combat service. The naval battles and conflicts it may have seen are simply to be in awe of. Such as The Battles of ; Cape St Vincent, Camperdown, The Nile (Aboukir Bay) , Copenhagen, Algeciras, Cape Finisterre, Trafalgar, San Domingo, Dardanelles, First battle of Sackett's Harbor, Second battle of Sackett's Harbor, Lake Erie, & Plattsburg (Lake Champlain). It is certainly not to say this pistol saw anything like all of those battles, but likely some of them and certainly many more smaller ones that are not now commonly known of. There are various signs of small, contemporary, field repairs etc. likely by the ship's armourer, to the walnut stock. This pistol most certainly saw a great deal of service, as the Royal Navy's various fleets simply encircled the globe, it was, in it's day, the greatest and largest navy the world had ever seen. On the lock interior the sear leaf spring is now aided with a coil spring adaption.

A Good Bronze Age Dagger Around 3000 Years Old In one piece daggers of this form the hilts were flanged so that they could take inlaid scales of wood, bone, or metal. Made within the Persian Empire this dagger would have been a prized possession of a Warrior from the time of the legendary 'Seige of Troy'. A beautiful antiquity with good patina and charming form. Circa 800 B.C. 14 I/2 inches long

A Good Civilian Coaching Pistol by Harding of London Fine brass mounts, walnut stock, steel barrel [reduced]. The stock ahows signs of wear and use as to be expected. This pistol conforms in many ways to the Post Office pistols made by Harding in Borough, London who was the maker for His Majesty's Post Office. His post coach pistols were usually made with brass barrels and plain brass mounts and a sliding safety steel lock. This gun has engraved brass mounts, and a reduced, steel barrel, but the very same sliding safety flintlock as the Royal post pistols. This may deem this pistol to have been for a civilian road coach as opposed to a Royal coach. Some 40 years ago we owned, for several years the 19th century horse drawn Royal Wells to London road coach, made by Holland and Holland, a magnificent and simply beautiful road coach, and it was a great priveledge for us to own it. We use to run the coach, for the benefit of Brighton's Penny Gobby School for Children's charity, between the two Brighton piers, for several years during those wonderful 1960's and early 70's summers. That coach was in fact fitted out with a blunderbuss and two of these very pistols, by Harding of London, with steel barrels. In regards to the Royal Mail Coaches they began in 1784. To ensure the maximum speed was maintain the horses would be swiftly changed every 10 miles and in 1764 it took just 16 hours for the Coach to travel from Bristol to London: a speed considered remarkable at the time. By the end of 1785 Mail Coaches were in use all over England. Mail Coach Guards carried a blunderbuss and a brace of pistols to protect them from attack. The first recorded hold-up of a Mail Coach took place in 1786; it was unsuccessful as the Guard shot the highwayman dead. Two pictures in the gallery are of our family's 19th century Holland & Holland road coach [photo taken around 40 plus years ago] embarking for one of our charity rides along Brighton seafront, and another picture of our oil painting of a Georgian road coach travelling past the Brighton Pavilion. Both of these coaches carried Harding pistols such as this one. Both pictures are for interest and education only. Small safety slide lacking.

A Good Crimean War Artillery Officer's Sword Very similar in design to the British Army 1821 Cavalry pattern sword [that British officer's used in Charge of the Light Brigade] this is the Artillery officer's version 3 bar hilted sword but with a slightly straighter blade. No scabbard. Russetted blade and hilt, good original fishskin grip with twisted wire binding. With some judicious polishing this sword may reveal considerable beauty

A Good Edo Era Japanese Antique Sodegarami The Edo era ran from 1599 till 1867. A Super Japanese, Edo Era, Pole Arm, Also known as a Shishigashira, it is a Yoriki Pole arm of great interest which name translates to 'The Lions Head' [or Mane]. When one sees the fearsome profile of this amazing piece it is very obvious why it has such a descriptive name. When up against a foe the head is thrust into the victim's Kimono, rotated quickly and it's barbarous prongs ensnare and tangle the cloth. The victim is then pushed to the ground with relative ease, and the haft's spikes prevent the victim grabbing it in order to resist. It can also be known as another name a Torigami [Grasping Hand]. See an almost identical example illustrated on page 188 of 'The Samurai Sourcebook' by Stephen Turnbull. In Medieval Europe there was a similar pole arm called a 'Morning Star', of almost identical proportions, with vicious and most similar spikes, but, more usually the spikes were straight. The European version was used more for inflicting dreadful injury than for disabling. In essence the Japanese used theirs more intelligently, in order to disable a victim, and make him powerless, before a hand to hand conflict even starts, the Europeans used theirs far more brutally, and simply for grievous intent in battle. Around 5 foot long.

A Good English 18th Century, Double Barrel, Tap Action Over-Coat Pistol By Richardson. Large bore and good action and pan swivel. Slab sided walnut grips, all steel mounts and turn off barrels. Gadget weapons that have unusual actions such as this rotational tap-action meant the gun could be fired each barrel singly or both barrels simultaneously. They were much more expensive than standard guns, but with two barrels they fufilled the function of pair of pistols but on it's own.

A Good Indonesian Silver Mounted Kris. With traditional Meteorite iron blade. Carved Garouda hilt and embossed silver covered scabbard.Blade 18th to 19th century. A beautiful example of these much prized and collected short swords. Good condition Silver coloured metal, not hallmarked English silver.

A Good King George IIIrd Officer's Flintlock Pistol Large bore. Walnut stock all steel fittings. Octagonal barrel. Signed Dutton. Fine engraving overall incuding a pineapple finial to the trigger guard. Used by an officer in the Napoleonic Wars and Waterloo.

A Good Medieval Knight's Battle Mace of Bronze Circa 13th to 14th Century, made of Bronze Copper Alloy. Four stout pyramidal knobs on a cubic body. Probably of eastern European origin. A weapon made at the time at great cost, and only for the most affluent. A battle mace for the crushing and smashing of armour. Old, replaced, wood haft. Not a large mace head but quite effective. Excellent patina highly evocative signs of use. The mace head is approx. the size of a pool or billiard ball. A similar Mace is preserved in the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest

A Good Nickle Plated Civil War Era Pinfire Revolver A fine European Imported Pinfire Revolver with luxury engraving and fancy grips [with a roccoco relief acanthus leaf design] 9mm. calibre, beautifull anthus leaf pattern scroll engraving. These deluxe hand made pistols were very popular indeed during the Civil War [but very expensive] as they took the all new pinfire cartridge, which revolutionised the way revolvers operated, as compared to the old fashioned percussion action. In fact, while the percussion cap & ball guns were still in production [such as made by Remington, Colt and Starr] and being used in the American Civil War, the much more efficient and faster pinfire guns [that were only made from 1861] were the fourth most popular gun chosen, by those that could afford them, during the war. General Stonewall Jackson was presented with two deluxe pinfire pistols with ivory grips, and many other famous personalities of the war similarly used them. The American makers could not possibly fulfill all the arms contracts that were needed to supply the war machine, especially by the non industrialised Confederate Southern States. So, London made guns were purchased, by contract, by the London Arms Company in great quantities, as the procurement for the war in America was very profitable indeed. They were despatched out in the holds of hundreds of British merchant ships. First of all, the gun and sword laden vessels would attempt to break the blockades, surrounding the Confederate ports, as the South were paying four times or more the going rate for arms, but, if the blockade proved to be too efficient, the ships would then proceed on to the Union ports, [such as in New York] where the price paid was still excellent, but only around double the going rate. This pistol is the pocket or overcoat size, and is the very type that was so popular, as a fast and efficient personal protector, by many of the senior rank officers of both the US and the CSA armies.Small area of the right hand grip is lacking.5.5 inch barrel, 10.25 inches overall long

A Good Sudanese Kaskara of the Mahdi Era An antique sword from the era of The Mahdi [Mohammed Ahmed 1845-1885] and the cold blooded insurrection against the British Colonialism and seige and massacre of General Gordon at Khartoum. A good Cruciform Hilted sword based on the Knights Crusaders Swords that were captured on their way to the Holy Land in the 13th century, and much admired and copied by the native tribesmen. Cruciform Hilt, leather scabbard, leather wrapped grip, long double edged blade.The last photo in the gallery shows a contemporory engraving of the 'Death of Gordon' in Khartoum [not included]

A Good Victorian Police Constable's Truncheon Traditional form with ribbed grip long black shaft and decorated with Queen Victoria's cypher and Crown. The 18th century had been a rough and disorderly age, with mob violence, violent crimes, highwaymen, smugglers and the new temptations to disorder brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Clearly something had to be done. In 1829 the Metropolitan Police Force, organised by Sir Robert Peel, was established to keep the order in London. The force, under a Commissioner of the Police with headquarters at Scotland Yard, was essentially a civilian one: its members were armed only with wooden truncheons and at first wore top-hats and blue frock-coats. The "Peelers" or "Bobbies" were greeted largely with derision by Londoners, but they did become accepted fairly quickly. Thier primary purpose was to prevent crime, and some London criminals left their haunting grounds of London for the larger provincial towns, which in turn established their own forces on the Metropolitan model. The pattern followed through to the small villages and countryside. To secure co-operation between the spreading network and establish further forces, Parliament passed an act in 1856 to co-ordinate the work of the various forces and gave the Home Secretary the power to inspect them. In the counties, under the Police Act of 1890, the police became the combined responsibility of the local authorities - the County Councils - and the Justice of the Peace, while in London, the Metropolitan Police at Scotland Yard remained under the Commissioner appointed by the Home Office. At the turn of the century, the British police force established a reputation for humane and kindly efficiency. Their mere existence undoubtedly did a lot to prevent crime, and they built up what was on the whole a highly effective system of investigation and arrest.

A Good Vintage 'Leg O'Mutton' Leather Guncase Superior grade handmade leather gun case, circa 1890 to 1920. Monogrammed 'M.P' Overall length 30 inches x 7 inches at widest. Barrel length capacity 28.5 inches. I strap AF [easily replaceable].

A Good, English Use, Spherical Iron Head Battle Mace 600 to 800 years old A fine and original weapon from the 13th to 15th century with a multi spiked head of rounded pyramidical projections. On a replaced old haft. One of the oldest forms of battle weaponry that can trace it's origins back to the stone age, long before the use of daggers and swords.This is a super Medievil example, that most likely inflicted a terrible yet most effective result in hand to hand combat. Used from the time of the early Crusades.

A Good, Original US Army Springfield Infantry Musket Used in the Civil War A very good American Infantryman's Rifle issued to Union Troops in the American Civil War. Good walnut stock, brass furniture, good action, clearly marked lock with Springfield and American Eagle, Dated 1835, a M16 percussion conversion. One photo in the gallery is of the Battle of Williamsburg that shows very well how the Springfield was used to such great effect [information only not included]

A Highly Rare and Super Scottish Regimental Battle Sword.Made By Prosser. In it's original coppergilt and leather scabbard. A 1796 Infantry Officer's Sword of the 'Royal Scots' the 1st Regiment of Foot. With it's distinctive very wide double edged broadsword blade. The Royal Scots regimental badge to the shell guard with the Egypt Battle Honour of the Sphinx, and the Scottish Staff Badge engraved on the blue and gilt blade. The Staff Badge is the Star of the Order of the Thistle, inscribed with the motto of the Order - "Nemo me impune lacessit'' The Royal Scots, the oldest Infantry Regiment of the Line in the British Army, was formed in 1633. The Regiment has one of the most noble of histories and incredibly, during the time of this swords use, they saw service the Battle of Egmont op Zee in the 1799 Helder campaign, the capture of Egypt (in 1801), the Egyptian campaign at the Battle of Aboukir and the Battle of Alexandria.They then moved to the West Indies (1803-05) They fought at the capture of Saint Lucia, as well as of Demerara and Essequibo in 1803, and the capture of Guadeloupe in 1810. In the American War of 1812 Royal Scots were in Quebec at the outbreak of the war. It fought in the battles of Sackett's Harbor and Buffalo & Black Rock, as well as the capture of Fort Niagara (1813), the battles of Longwoods, Chippawa, and Lundy's Lane, along with the Siege of Fort Erie and the battles of Niagara and Cook's Mills (1814). In February 1812, the regiment was retitled as the 1st Regiment of Foot (Royal Scots), the first official appearance of the popular name. From 1808 to 1809, the 1st were fighting at the Battle of Corunna in 1809, before being withdrawn by sea and sent to the Walcheren Campaign with the 1st Division. It returned to Portugal in 1810 with the 5th Division, fighting at the Battle of Buçaco (1810), the Battle of Fuentes de Onoro (1811), the battles of Badajoz, Salamanca and Burgos (1812), the Battle of Vitoria, capture of San Sebastian, Battle of Nivelle, and the Battle of Nive (1813), before advancing into France in 1814. It was sent to Belgium during the Hundred Days, and fought in Picton's Division (the 5th) at the Battle of Waterloo (1815). This sword has seen incredible action, as detailed above, and it does show it's signs of combat use, with one badge no longer retained on the guard. However, bearing this in mind, it is still in very good order considering, with it's silver wire grip perfectly in place, some blue and gilt to the blade remaining and it scabbard fully intact but with slight leather shrinkage. A fabulous sword, rich and overflowing in some of the greatest battle history of the Scots Warriors fighting for the British Empire.

A Historismus English Civil War 'Lobster-Pot' Officer's Helmet A finest quality lobster pot cavalry helmet of the English Civil War style. This is an antique, probably 19th century, expertly aged, historismus helmet that was originally acquired by a civil war armour collector, under the impression that it was an original, early 17th century example, which, sadly, we identified as incorrect. However it is a remarkable piece of workmanship that has skillfully created a beautiful piece, that would easily convince many that it was completely original, but despite that, it easily stands on it's own merit as a super piece of early style cavalry officer's armour. Excellent condition, and if original this could easily be, a most superior, £4,000 to £5,000 officers example. Lacking nasal bar, articulated lobster tail. Photo in the gallery of Cromwell at Dunbar, showing cavalry officers adorned with numerous helmets of this grade. [for information only not included]

A Historismus Medievil Style War Hammer A four pronged Medieval style War Hammer and Armour Piercer with a nailed wooden steel braced haft. Probably 19th century. The War Hammer sometimes referred to as the 'Lucerne Hammer' was a fearsome piece of Medieval Knightly weaponry designed to smash heavy steel helmets and puncture heavy breast Armour. It was remarkably effective.

A Hopkins and Allen Ranger No.2 Revolver of the Wild West Era Nickle plated finish with polished horn grips, spur trigger, hair trigger action .One of the Wild West era pocket revolvers so popular in the frontier towns out west, and used by all the infamous gamblers and nefarious characters associated with that unique time in American history. Ranger No2 model Patent March 26th 1871. Obsolete calibre no licence required. Small area of grip bears old restoration.

A Horn Hilt Jambiya With solid horn hilt double edged blade and leather scabbard.19th century.

A Jager Military Rifle, As used by the Early, British, 60th Rifles Regt. During the Napoleonic Wars, The Peninsular War The War of 1812 in America and at Waterloo. The near identical predecessor to the Baker military rifle, a super and fine example, but with the traditional German style patch box in wood [as opposed to the Baker's brass version]. A very fine walnut stock, brass furniture, including scroll trigger guard, large ramrod pipes, heavy steel ramrod. 28.75 inch rifled octagonal barrel, 44 inches long overall, and covered in military regimental markings. It is matching serial numbered 157 D [company] on the butt plate, rammer and barrel. The barrel tang has another number [possibly applied when converted to percussion action], and a King George IIIrd crown stamp is on the stock. It also bears a CJH which may be Corps[ Jager ] Hompesch. Incredibly, inside the patch box is it's original hand written label circa 1800 that gives what we believe the name of the rifleman [Kluge] it's calibre, the gun's number [157] promise right of supply?? and notes on it's accuracy at 100 ,150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600 & 700 meters. Before the standard Baker rifle [which was a near direct copy of the Jager rile] replaced the Jager rifles, this was the type of gun acquired from Prussia by the British ordnance and issued to the earliest British rifle regiments formed in the late 18th century. They were then used in America and Ireland, and then in Spain, Portugal & France in the Napoleonic Wars. These rifles are referred to in British Military Firearms 1650 to 1850 by Howard Blackmore. The story of the earliest British rifle regiment goes as follows; at the end of 1797 - the year in which the Duke of York became colonel in-chief -of the 60th, it was decided to increase British forces in America, and an Act of Parliament was passed authorizing the Crown "to augment His Majesty's 60th Regiment of Infantry by the addition of a Fifth Battalion," to serve in America only, and to consist of foreigners. This battalion, the first green-coated rifle battalion in the Army, was organized under the command of Lieut-Colonel Baron de Rottenburg, of Hompesch's Corps. It was formed of 17 officers and 300 men from Hompesch's Chasseurs, and was dressed in bottle-green cut-away coats with scarlet facings, white waistcoats, blue pantaloons, with black leather helmets and black belts. They were armed, at first, with inferior 'contract' rifles imported from Germany, but after those were rejected this better type was chosen. This fifth or "Jager" battalion served in Ireland in 1798 during the Rebellion, and then proceeded to the West Indies, where, in June, 1799, it received 33 officers and 600 men from Lowenstein's Chasseurs, another regiment of foreigners, at the capture of Surinam in 1791 and afterwards in South and North America. In 1804 an Act was passed authorizing 10,000 foreign troops to serve in England, and the 5th Battalion was brought home in consequence in 1806. It went to Portugal in June, 1808, and from the opening skirmish at Obidos, on 15th August, two days before the battle of Roleia or Rolica down to the end of the war, took part in Wellington's campaigns in Portugal, Spain and the South of France. After the peace, this battalion was disbanded. This rifle is a superb piece and all the metal is in great condition. In the last picture in the gallery there is a picture of a 60th Rifleman next to a 95th in the Peninsular War. Note the 60th Rifleman's patchbox on his Jager Rifle.

A Khedive Star Medal Five pointed star with a central raised circle bearing an image of the Sphinx with the Pyramids behind, the word ‘EGYPT’ above followed by a year (for the first three issues and undated for the fourth) with the same written in Arabic below. The reverse has the monogram of the Khedive under a crown within a raised circle. The Khedive of Egypt presented a bronze star to all Officers and men of the Navy and Army who were engaged in the suppression of the rebellion of Egypt in 1882. The suspender [lacking] was straight with a crescent and five pointed star in the centre which is attached to the star with a small metal loop passing through a small ring between the two top points of the star. Ist issue dated 1882. Good Very Fine condition. No ribbon,mount.Unnamed as issued.

A King George IIIrd Fowling Piece A most charming long gun, circa 1790, with a walnut stock, steel furniture with pineapple trigger guard finial, gold lInd damascus twist barrel, that at one time had a gold makers seal inlaid at the breech, now lacking. A long gun that would make an eminently attractive display piece. The action has been percussion converted and no longer functions.

A King George IIIrd Officer's Chinoiserie Papier Mache Snuff Box Decorated in gold with three mandarin figures, with painted faces, standing next to a pagoda in a garden. Rectangular box in black lacquer. In exceptional near mint condition. Paper was first made by Ts' ai Lun, an official at the Chinese court of the Emperor Ho Ti, who developed an ingenious way of breaking down plants and rags into single fibres. The fibres were pounded to a pulp and collected on a fabric-covered frame, where they matted and dried as paper. The knowledge of paper-making spread to Japan, the Middle East and India, finally reaching Europe via Spain in the 10th century AD. Papier mache devoloped from paper in China into the making of Royal artefacts, including furniture, boxes screens and even armour for the royal palaces. It's popularity in Europe gained great interest and it was similarly made into many useful and interesting objects. The Chinosserie style was very popular indeed from the 17th century and reached it's peak in the era of King George IIIrd.

A Knights Rowel Spur of the 16th Century With Buckle From the era of the War of The Holy League. An alliance between King Henry VIII, Pope Julius II, Venice and Ferdinand of Spain against the feared force of France and Germany under the brilliant command of the 21 year old Gaston de Foix. The Papal alliance suffered very badly against the young General but they eventually defeated and killed him at the Ronco River during the siege of Ravenna. After his death the French forces were crushed at Novara by the Swiss, the German Landsknechts fled their French army comrades and the English marched into France from Calais, and it was only due to the indecisiveness of the alliance forces that France was eventually saved immediately before the war was over.

A Large And Hugely Impressive Antique Chief's Spearhead Extraordinary large size leaf shaped spear head in forged iron with central rib, likely a lance head for the tribal chief or king to carry as his badge of rank. 17.5 inches long o/a, 4.75 inches wide, weighs just over 1.5 pounds.

A Large Antique Chinese Dao of the Ching Dynasty A big and sturdy Chinese Dao. Ching Dynasty. Used into the Boxer Rebellion era, and most likely brought back to England by a soldier that either served in the Opium War, or defended the legations at the siege in Peking. This weight of sword was frequently used not only in battle but for executions. Leather covered wooden scabbard with iron mounts. A pair of Anglo initials carved into the scabbard, probably the soldiers who returned it from China after the rebellion. All black finish. A super example of these most collectable swords.Truly original, antique, Chinese weapons such as this one are very scarce indeed, as historically, few swords were ever brought back from China. Porcelain and silk were far more popular and preferable souvenirs and exports for Europeans, and in China, in the mid 20th century, nearly all the surviving antique edged weapons were melted down and destroyed in the era of Mao, under Mao's instructions, in order to create new steel. 38 inches overall, blade 29 inches

A Large Chinese Ching Dynasty Dao Sword Circa 1820 A Large Antique Chinese Dao of the Ching Dynasty A big and sturdy Chinese Dao. With most unusual large all pommel. Ching Dynasty. Used into the Boxer Rebellion era, and most likely brought back to England by a soldier that either served in the Opium War, or defended the legations at the siege in Peking. This weight of sword was frequently used not only in battle but for executions. Leather covered wooden scabbard with iron mounts. A pair of Anglo initials carved into the scabbard, probably the soldiers who returned it from China after the rebellion. All black finish. A super example of these most collectable swords. Truly original, antique, Chinese weapons such as this one are very scarce indeed, as historically, few swords were ever brought back from China. Porcelain and silk were far more popular and preferable souvenirs and exports for Europeans, and in China, in the mid 20th century, nearly all the surviving antique edged weapons were melted down and destroyed in the era of Mao, under Mao's instructions, in order to create new steel. Rope rebound grip. 40 inches long overall, blade 29.75 inches. The extra large pommel may denote this sword was suitable for public executions

A Large George IIIrd 19th Century Military Campaign Cupboard Large brass carrying handles, brass edge mounts, two door, mahogany cupboard.Campaign furniture is very scarce and much sought after. Used by British Officer's when on campaign to create a highly civilised gentleman's living accomodation even when in the remotest parts of the Empire.Excellent condition. Approx 4'.6'' high x 4' wide x 1' 2'' deep 'Old Georgian Green' painted interior with adjustable, slide shelving. Buyer arranges collection only

A Late Victorian Model Desk Cannon Cast Bronze Cannon Barrel set on an oak Ship's Deck Carriage. A beautiful and most attractive gentleman's desk ornament. 9 inch barrel 11,5 inches overall. Brass wheels [1 missing]. A simple and small item to replace with the most basic of engineering skills required.

A Lead Figure of an English Civil War Arquebusier Musketeer Nicely hand painted and a most charming figure from the Civil War. Made in the last 30 years or so, 3.5 inches high.

A Lee Metford 1888 Pattern Bayonet With scarce non regulation scabbard

A Long Arab Kabyl Musket With a good Snaphaunce lock of 17th century form, fine detailed engraving around the stock, distinctive deep flattened butt, and the stock is inlaid with Ivory and an Ivory butt plate. 8 barrel cappucines. In Europe these most distinctive and elaborate Snaphaunce guns gained great favour in the Elizabethan era and their influence was greatly felt in Arabia, originally along the eastern trade routes, that were travelled and used by early Europeans in order to buy the finest eastern silks, gemstones & spices. They were continually used in the Middle East and the Maghrib long after they had become unfashionable in Europe.

A Long Back Action Percussion Pistol Circa 1835 All steel mounts with good patina and walnut stock. Good tight action. Steel rammer. A sound antique pistol from the late Georgian era used on horseback or as a long belt pistol. Birmingham proof barrel. 14inch long overall 8 inch barrel

A Long Ballock Dagger With a long, single edged blade with good ornamental brass geometric inlay. Typical carved wood hilt with brass cap pommel held by a single tang rivet. The ballock dagger is a type of dagger with most distinctively shaped haft, with two oval swellings at the guard resembling the male member. The guard is often in one piece with the wooden grip, and reinforced on top, as is this example, with a shaped metal pommel. The dagger was popular in Flanders, England and Scotland between the 13th and 18th centuries, and in particular the Tudor period. A large number of such weapons were found aboard the wreck of the Mary Rose.The last photo in the gallery shows a brass rubbing from a Crusader's Tomb, on his left side one can see his Knightly sword, and on his right, shown very clearly, is his Ballock Dagger.

A Long Indian 'Firangi' Horseman's Sword Circa 1680 to 1720 a beautiful long sword called the Firangi [or Foreigner] as the blades were usually European made. A wide flat guard with wide knuckle bow and an elongated pommel spike for holding it two handed for extra cutting power.112cm long overall.

A Long, Horse Holster Flintlock Pistol Of the Ottoman Empire Fancy cast and chisseled brass mounts, including a long eared butt with very fine and elegant casting designs. Long 12 inch steel barrel. Fully engraved lock with fine intricate floral scrolls. Good quality walnut stock, of an excellent close grain, very nicely scroll engraved. Circa 1790. Pistols of this form were not only popular in the whole Ottoman Empire, but also throughout the whole Mediterranean region and southern Europe during the entire Napoleonic wars period and for some considerable time after. Very tight lock indeed.

A Martini-Henry Carbine Mark I (Cav Carbine Mark I) In fully cleaned repolished and restored order. We had to spend some time to completely strip down the gun to inspect and evaluate it's condition, but by doing so, we discovered surviving markings and proofs. The refurbishment has been extensive [only the inner trigger guard, site, and fore end were not refinished] and it has removed all external surface markings, but, unexpectedly, it had not removed the underbarrel markings. Fortunately the underbarrel markings and inspection stamps were complete and in mint order on the barrel and stock. Also it's manufacture date was present. I butt plate screw and cleaning rod lacking. With the date and markings we could identify it's mark and type, which is important as the Martin Henry Carbine was made in several forms and right up to the 1890's. The Cavalry Carbine MkI was the first in the carbine range which included later models for Garrison Artillery, and Artillery. The King's Dragoon Guards carried these carbines in the Zulu War, as did the 17th Lancers. The 17th were wearing uniforms of dark blue tunics faced white, dark blue breeches with thin double white stripes, Lance pennons red over white, but often rolled up on the lance and not flying. They had white sun helmets -later stained and black half boots, they carried their Martini-Henry Mk I [Cavalry CarbinesMkI] in a bucket on the saddle of their horses. The 17th fought at Ulundi and an account thus follows; The Death or Glory Boys by Bud Bradshaw. The Battle of Ulundi took place at the Zulu capital of Ulundi on 4th July 1879. Ulundi became the last battle to be fought during the Zulu war and the British victory finally broke the military power of the Zulu Nation. The battle began at 6 a.m. when Buller led out an advance guard of mounted troops and South African irregulars. The British force comprised of five companies of the 80th regiment in square in four ranks, with two Gatling Guns in the centres, two 9-pounders on the left flank and two 7-pounders on the right. The 90th Light Infantry with four companies of the 94th regiment made up the left face with two more 7-pounders. On the right face were the 1st Battalion of the 13th Light Infantry, four companies of the 58th Regiment, two 7-pounders and two 9-pounders. The rear face was composed of two companies of the 94th Regiment and two companies of the 2nd Battalion of the 21st Regiment. In the middle of the square were headquarters staff, No. 5 company of the Royal Engineers which was led by Lt John Chard who had commanded the troops at Rorkes Drift, the 2nd Native Natal Contingent, fifty wagons and carts with reserve ammunition and hospital wagons. Bullers horsemen protected the front and both flanks of the square. A rearguard of two squadrons of the 17th Lancers and a troop of Natal Native Horse followed. In total the British force stood at just over 5300 against the Zulu warrior regiments in total over 15000. The Zulu warriors charged again and again at the square but with the strong British firepower of rifle and gatling gun, they could not get close. As the Zulu warriors strength weakened, Lord Chelmsford ordered the cavalry to mount, and the 17th Lancers and the 1st Kings Dragoon Guards along with colonial cavalry were ordered to charge the now fleeing Zulus. The Zulus fled towards the high ground with the cavalry in pursuit. The Lancers were checked at the Mbilane stream by the fire of a concealed party of Zulus, causing a number casualties before the 17th Lancers overcame the Zulu resistance. The pursuit continued until not one living Zulu remained on the Mahlabatini plain, with members of the Natal Native Horse, Natal Native Contingent and Woods Irregulars slaughtering the Zulu wounded, done in revenge for the massacre at Isandlwana. The near last picture in the gallery is of The London Illustrated News front page, showing Lt. Fisher of the 10th Hussars using his Martini Mk1 Cavalry Carbine to defend to his brother officer, Capt Manners Wood, at the Battle of Futtehabad in the Afghan War of 1879. The last picture in the gallery is of the 17th Lancers charging at Ulundi with their identical carbines in their saddle holsters [for historical information only]

A Massively Impressive King George IIIrd Era Blunderbuss A British EIC Lion crest lock [dated 1815] and barrel and a most attractive 'Jezail' type, highly decorated deeply curved stock, in the North West Indo-Persian manner, that is inlaid with mother o'pearl. This is a hugely impressive blunderbuss, and the barrel muzzle is incredibly expansive. Blunderbusses from this era were essentially used for close quarter action and intimidation. Being faced with a gun of this magnitude, at close range, would deter even the most aggressive of foes. Thus so, hopefully, one would create the situation where it's use was not even required at all, other than it's awesome threatening presence. The stock had been poorly maintained for over 100 years or more so we had it expertly repolished and restored by our conservator. Yet again he has excelled himself and the work achieved is exemplary, by returning the stock to superb order once more. Lacking small top jaw and screw. 38.5 inches long overall, barrell 22.5 inches long, muzzle 3.25 inches across

A Medieval Knight's Battle Mace 12th to 13th Century, An unusual, heavy iron [415 grams] knobbed mace, comprised of four large knobs and 8 smaller knobs. Probably English. Similar examples have been excavated in Kent. And an almost identical one, in bronze, was found in the cesspit of Dryslwyn Castle in Wales, and it is believed to date from the 1287 siege of that castle. This is a most impressive and weighty piece capable of crushing the strongest helmet or armour. Rehafted on old wood. Small longitudal crack, probably initiated by battle damage, to one side.

A Most Amusing and Scarce Pepperbox Derringer Revolver Or "Fist" Pistol A stunning little English 6 barrel revolver of small proportions that simply ticks all the boxes of the unusual and rare Victorian gun collector's desires. In 19th century France these pistols were called "Apache" or "Fist" pistols ["coup de poing", translating to "fist blow"] and were much favoured by the Parisian street gangs. It is unusual to see one of the rare English examples as most were made in France or Belgium. Its long, fluted cylinder is a modified pepperbox design made from a single piece of metal, and the front end of the cylinder axis pin is supported by a bracket screwed to the front end of the lower frame. The breech consists of a thick, flat, circular plate with a semi-circular opening cut out on the right-hand side so that the weapon could be loaded from the breech end. This opening is filled by a bottom-hinged gate shaped to match the circular breech block, which is held closed by a small, horizontal, L-shaped spring lever screwed below it on the frame.Within the butt is the screw removable cartridge ejector and barrel cleaner. Folding trigger. 2.75 inch long cylinder barrel, 4.25 inches long overall. The cylinder bears full English proof stamps. The whole pistol fits comfortably within a single hand.

A Most Attractive 200 Year Old 'Brown Bess' Infantry Musket Good overall condition with excellent proof marks, stamp of the 'Tower of London' Armoury and government ordnance inspection mark.Very good, rounded wrist, walnut stock and all brass furniture. Known as the third pattern or 'India' Pattern. Tower of London Armoury 'lined' lock, stamped Tower and Crown GR with swan necked cock. Britain's "Brown Bess" flintlock musket is simply one of the most important military arms ever devised. Beginning its life more than 200 years ago, it created one of the greatest empires the word has ever seen and, among other achievements, helped to win the entire continent of India. Made in four distinct patterns it stated life as a 46 inch barrel musket called the Long Land or Ist pattern. Then in around 1768 the gun evolved and the barrel was shortened to 42 inches [as 46 was deemed unwieldy] and renamed the Short Land or 2nd pattern. Although the Long Land was made continually for another 20 years. With the onset of the Napoleonic Wars in the 1790s, the British Board of Ordnance found itself woefully short of the 250,000 muskets it would need to equip its forces. At that time the British East India Company maintained it own troops and had contracted with makers to produce a simplified version of the Brown Bess musket with a 39-inch barrel and less ornate furniture and stock work. It was generally felt that the standard of these "India pattern" muskets was not up to the standard of the earlier Besses, but necessity required action so the authorities convinced Company officials to turn over their stores to the Crown. By 1797 the urgencies of war ultimately created the demise of the Short Pattern, and all manufacture was turned to building the more simple 'India' pattern. For the most part, the gun underwent few changes from its introduction until Waterloo, with the exception of the cock, which was altered from the traditional gooseneck style to a sturdier, reinforced version in around 1809. As well as British usage, some were also carried by King George's allies, among them the Russians and Prussians.Sling swivel lacking. Last picture in the gallery is Lady Butler's painting of the 28th Foot at Quatre Bras [information only not included]

A Most Attractive Antique Percussion Long Gun Circa 1840. The action's mainspring is no longer operational. Back action lock, carved stock with a cheekpiece form butt and a scollop shell shaped brass patchbox inset. The whole gun is rather charming and would much benefit from a little light wax polishing, as the stock is rather dry. This would make a superb wallpiece

A Most Attractive Back Action Lock Percussion Pistol A personal protector overcoat pistol. Nice walnut stock with chequered crosshatching, fully engraved steel mounts with pineapple finial to the trigger guard. Captive ramrod with swivel. Octagonal barrel with hook breech. Originally as there were no proofmarks present we believed it may have been continental, but after we passed it over to our gun polisher and finisher he found two English proofs on the underside of the barrel, so this is indeed and English pistol of the 1840's. The action is fully working but the main spring is very light.

A Most Charming King George IIIrd Officers' Horn Drinking Cup In carved horn used from the 1790's until the Crimean War. A super Napoleonic wars collectable.

A Most Charming King George IIIrd Officers' Horn Small Drinking Cup In carved horn used from the 1790's until the Crimean War. A super Napoleonic wars collectable.

A Most Impressive English Long Musket Circa 1830 Extra long barrel, percussion action, good walnut stock with chequered grip, 68 inches long [approx] overall. A good stout musket of fine proportions.

A Most Impressive Matchlock Military Musket From India 17th to 18th Century Long fine barrel. Good walnut stock. Overall in very good condition for age. 87 inches overall. Two pictures in the gallery are showing these matchlock type guns in use. One illustrated in the Baburnama [early 16th century, it is the name given to the memoirs of Zahir ud-Din Mohammad Babur (1483-1530), founder of the Mughal Empire] and another from a hunting scene in the Rajput Kingdom of Kishangarh (18th century) Another picture shows Emperor Akbar the Great using his matchlocks and artillery at a siege towards the end of 1568 Akbar concentrated his forces around the fort of Ranthambhor, held by a vassal of the Maharana of Chittor, Rao Surjan Hada of Bundi. This fort had been attacked earlier in 1560, but that Mughal army had been defeated by the Rajputs. The fort of Gagraun, to the south of Bundi, had however been captured that year. Now after the capture of Chittor Akbar could turn once again to Ranthambhor. [additional pictures for information only]

A Most Interesting 17th Century Backsword A sword that evolved in the 1640's from the Civil War Mortuary hilted sword, with pierced guard and scrolling knuckle defenses. Long single edged blade. One side of the guard has been adapted and removed, possibly for better use when worn closer to the body. Due to this removal it's value has been reduced somewhat, however, this happens to make this sword a super addition to any collector that appreciates rare 17th century English swords, but is reluctant to pay the more normal price.

A Most Interesting And Scarce 19th Century Swiss Officer's Sword Dated 1916. Beautiful peirced and engraved all nickle guard and oval cartouche with Swiss cross. Wire bound sharkskin grip. Fine double fuller blade. Very good condition overall and a sword we very rwarely see here. No scabbard

A Most Interesting Antique Chinese -Tibetan Sword An 18th to 19th century short sword of typical Chinese Tibetan form with short stabbing blade and hand grip wrapped with silver wire. Metal rimmed scabbard with wooden centre and a strip of white metal embossed with waves and set with coloured stones.Blade length 40cm

A Most Interesting Japanese WW2 Medal Made for the Imperial Japanese military awarded to the combatants who were part of the 'incident' known to us in the west as the Invasion of Manchukwo [China] in 1937, which in turn led to the infamous 'Rape of Nanking'. This was the Imperial Japanese war with China that continued from 1936 and into the second world war 1939-1945. According to Japan it was not a war but an 'incident', as was used by Japan, as neither country had declared war on each other. Japan wanted to avoid intervention by other countries such as the United Kingdom and particularly the United States, which had been the biggest steel exporter to Japan. American President Franklin D. Roosevelt would have had to impose an embargo due to the Neutrality Acts had the fighting been named a war. In very good condition with original box of issue. Box lid worn.

A Most Interesting Persian, 'Russian' Cossack Brigade Martini Henry Carbine One of the very scarce Belgian made Martini Henry marked Mascate [made for the Middle East Market, Franco-Belgian spelling for Muscat] and with the Imperial Russian Romanov eagle crest on the gun frame, that were acquired for the newly formed [in 1879 and 1880] Russian - Iranian Cossack Brigade of cavalry. Nasir al-Din Shah made a visit to Europe, and subsequent to this a Russian and Austrian mission came to Iran to re-organize the Iranian cavalry. The Russians formed what was known as the Cossack Brigade and Russian officers remained to command this new part of the Iranian Army. The brigade was part funded by Russia in the supply of Russian weapons, which created great influence for Russia in Iran, and the Austrian mission sold to the Iranian Minister of War, Na-ib al-Saltana, Werndle rifles, which were sold by him at great profit to the northern Iranian tribesmen. Many Martinis and Lee Metfords were acquired by 'Martini Khan' [who was said to be Shah] through Bushire from Muscat, and this is almost certainly one of those arms. It is the rare Romanov crest on the frame that shows that it was an arm that very likely went to the Cossack Brigade as opposed those that went to the non Russian commanded irregular units. This gun also has an Islamic inscription [mash'allah] frequently seen on the scarce 'Mascate' Martinis. See reference to the 'Muscate' Martinis in Firearms of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum by Robert Elgood. Decorated with leather and studwork. A fascinating gun with an incredibly interesting and circuitous Russian and Islamic history. Action works fine, some time long past the breech has been internally blocked to render inactive. Floridly engraved, now worn, similarly to the Romanov crest.

A Most Meritable 1861 'Round Barrel' Colt Navy Revolver of 36 calibre An outstanding Colt six-shooter, and one of the greatest Colt "big guns" of American history. In praiseworthy condition, with all matching numbers, full naval scene cylinder, excellent action, good clear barrel address, and original varnished grips. A crackerjack piece from the most famous era of US legend and folklore. Some believe Colt designated the revolver the "Navy" in reference to the naval scene engraved around the cylinder, which commemorates the 1843 Battle of Campeche between Texican and Mexican vessels. However, it was collectors and historians who later dubbed it the Navy Model of 1851. Colt himself never used dates to define new weapons; factory records simply described it as the Navy or Belt Pistol. In 1861, when Colt introduced a round-barreled version, the original Navy then became the Old Model Navy. The New Navy round barrel version was only made in limited quantities [38,000], being outnumbered by around six to 1 by the amount of Old Model Navies [215,000] produced by Colt. While most Union cavalry regiments used the new .44-caliber Army, some were armed with the Navy revolver. It also became a favorite of guerrilla bands on either side of the Civil War. Many carried spare loaded cylinders and extra Colts in their belts, giving them massive firepower when raiding or attacking. The Navy revolver also proved popular with Civil War spies, wagon masters, guides and scouts, such as Union scout James Buffer Hickok, who by war's end had earned the moniker "Wild Bill" for his action against Rebels. Wild Bill Hickok James Butler Hickok (May 27, 1837 – August 2, 1876), better known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a legendary figure in the American Old West. carried two colt Navies and was deadly accurate with both. Confederate guerrilla leader William "Bloody Bill" Anderson carried at least three Colt Navies. Saloon owner/gunman "Rowdy Joe" Lowe once kicked one from a sheriff's hand, discharging the gun and wounding an innocent bystander Hickok's skill with his pair of ivory-handled Navies is legion, but others, too, were credited with sometimes amazing feats of arms. Back in the 1850s both the British and American governments had tested the Navy's power and accuracy. Its seven-groove rifling (with a right- or left-hand twist) made it accurate up to 200 yards (perhaps more, depending upon the marksman). It was certainly deadly within 100 yards. Hickok proved this on July 21, 1865, in Springfield, Mo., when he shot Davis K. Tutt through the heart at 75 yards. Tutt was standing sideways, dueling fashion, which made Hickok's shot even more remarkable. Through the middle and late 1860s, despite rivalry from the likes of Remington and, later, Smith & Wesson the Navy remained popular on the frontier after the war, prior to the introduction of metallic cartridges, and it was the chosen weapon among Texas cowboys and also favored by gunfighters in the cow towns.

A Most Pleasing 18th Century Flintlock Pistol by H F Jacobi of Dresden Steel furniture and barrel. The barrel is inlaid in gold with Jacobi's name and the city of Dresden. Walnut stock. Birds head butt cap.

A Most Rare Antique 17th to 18th Century Sinhalese Kastane Sword Interesting kastane with the carved wood makara pommel a recurved knuckleguard and two quillon also with the Makara head and counter quillon with Makara [5 in all]. The hilt is delictely inlaid with brass inlays as is the blade. A typical 17th to 18th century sword from ancient Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) which was in ancient times known as the Kingdom of Lions (Sinhaladwipa) often termed Sinhala. The term Sinha is lion in Hindu. These lionheads in grotesque form are of course representing this heritage. The makara represents the Hindu water beast (fish/crocodile) ridden by Varuna. Pommel with small jaw section lacking.The kastane is the national sword of Sri Lanka. It typically has a short curved single-edged blade, double-edged at the point. The hilt comprises a knuckle-guard and down-turned quillons, each terminating in a dragon's head. The swords were intended to serve as badges of rank; the quality of ornamentation depending on the status of the wearer. The establishment of European trading contacts with South Asia by the late 16th and early 17th century led to these swords becoming fashionable dress accessories among European gentlemen. A kastane can be seen in an equestrian portrait of Colonel Alexander Popham at Littlecote House in the care of the Royal Armouries Collection (I.315).

A Much Sought, French, Napoleonic Gendarmerie Officer's Pistol, Model An 9 These overcoat size pistols were much in demand by all officer's in Napoleon's army and Cavalry, and they are especially still much sought after today. Made at the Maubeuge Munufacture Rle in 1814, during the French Royal restoration era, before the period known as the '100 days'. This was when Napoleon [who had been exiled to Elba during 1814] returned to France for his last reign of 100 days of power, to once more attempt to defeat the allies, at Waterloo in 1815. All steel fittings and typical birds head butt cap. Percussion conversion action. A very nice example indeed, with very good tight action. Lacking rammer. Barrel 5 inches, overall 9.5 inches long.

A Napoleonic Figural Desk or Mantle Bell Originally made for the summoning of servants, this is a cast brass bell with a full figure of Napoleon for the handle. The Imperial Eagle with Crown, in relief, on the bell, with Fleur de Lys, Wreaths and Lion, also stamped NAPOLEON WATERLOO. It has most charming yet effective ring to the bell.

A Napoleonic French Imperial Guard Sword Now this French, historical sword is a very interesting indeed. It has the typical hilt for an officer of the pre and First Empire French Cuirassier or Garde de Bataille Light Cavalry but, with, what we believe, to be the blade of an Imperial Guard Officier de Sappeurs sword. The hilt has also had a few small adaptions to the shell guard area. Having dealt and collected French swords of this era for some 40 years, we have, on occasion, come across swords with such similar and variant adaptions before. After some discussion and deliberation we believe this sword may well have been made for an Officier de la Imperial Guard Sappeurs, who, either previously served as an officer of the heavy cavalry, or, obtained a sword from one who did [possibly his father for example]. Officers had far greater latititude into the sword that was used for their service, than, say any other ranks soldier would have been allowed. For them [officers] regulations could be both fluid and flexible. There is absolutely no doubt this sword has seen service in the Revolutionary period and the Napoleonic Wars, and, it may well have been, in two seperate sections of Napoleon's army, first in the elite cavalry, then in the elite sappeurs. Naturally, it would for purely intrinsic sake, have been more valuable as an unaltered and standard sword of either service, however, it is none the less, a most interesting and fascinating sabre from the greatest era of French military might and European history. And some may feel it's history must have been even greater because of it. Imagine the conflicts it could and very likely have been present at, such as, in a magnificent charge of Curassiers against the best that the Prussian or Russian Cavalry had to offer, at Wagram, Austerlitz or Moscow, or, building defences or sieges at Salamanca, Badajoz or Orthez. The crash of armour, the slash of sabre against sabre, the thunder of cannon and the dense fog of burnt powder, culminating in the greatest, and likely the most important land battle in the 19th century, Waterloo. During combat they broke in gates, chopped gaps in palisades, built small bridges or destroyed them, broke garden walls or loopholed them to provide protected firing positions for the infantry. Before Waterloo Napoleon had ordered the sapper companies of I Army Corps (d'Erlon's) to be ready to construct barricades around the conquered buildings of La Haye Sainte and prevent the enemy from reoccupying them. During the battle of Ligny the French infantry attacked the strongly defended chateau. Their skirmishers opened fire while sappers attempted to smash down one of the three gates. The Prussians shot the sappers within moments and opened fire on ths skirmishers. A considerable amount of gilt remains on the hilt, and it is complete with it's copper gilt mounted leather scabbard. The blade has traces of engraving, the typical sawback edge for the combat sappeurs, and, it has been combat edge sharpened. 29.5 inch blade. For information and interest purposes a standard French Garde de Bataille Light Cavalry sword would now be in the region of £5000

A Napoleonic Wars Infantry Musket. A French Charleville pattern musket made at the arsenal at Liege. 3 steel barrel bands, all steel mounts good walnut stock. Small wood loss to forend. Made and used by the allies of Napoleon of occupied Austria-Netherlands [now Belgium]. Although the forces of Belgium changed sides and fought for the British Allies at Waterloo, some were still secret Bonapartists and their forces were not to be relied upon. Although ostensibly, willing to fight on the allies side strategically they would frequently be straddled by British and Dutch forces on each flank, as, regretfully the Belgians at that time, were notorious for failing and retreating in the face of any French onslaught. Unfortunately this was well known on both sides, so they frequently had attacks concentrated on them, knowing their likelihood of withdrawal. This fact however could be used to both sides advantage as Wellington could put the Belgians in such a position as to invite this predictable attack, knowing full well Napoleon might oblige. Consequently the men, and their guns, used by the Belgian forces saw considerable action.

A Napoleonic Wars Officer's Pistol All steel mounts, walnut stock. Used during the Napoleonic Wars right through from the beginning. Used in the great campaigns of Napoleon by the Elite Grande Armee from Austria through the Russian Campaign, into the Peninsular War and finally the The Battle of Waterloo. Some of the battles this may have been used at were; 1808-14 The Peninsular Campaign, including, Salamanca , Toulouse, Albuera Talavera, Pyrenees then 1812: Borodino and Moscow, Ostrowno, and Winkowo 1813: Reichenbach and Dresden, Leipzig and Hanau 1814: La Rothiere, Rosnay, Champaubert, Vauchamps, Athies, La Fere-Champenoise and Paris 1815: Quatre-Bras and Waterloo

A Native American Stone Axe Carved from stone with crystalline inclusions in a uniform rib pattern. It has overall Native beadwork, decorated in a geometric pattern in the 'plains' form. Wooden haft, with small beadwork hanging panel, on cured deerhide. Most likely 20th century, the haft has had a mid section repair.

A Native North American Pair of Child's Boots. Reservation Period Probably Cree Tribe. Beautifully made and thoroughly charming. Not antique, 20th century, but very interesting and Native American art is never normally to be seen in Europe. Superb detail and workmanship

A Norman Knightly Crusader's Style Sword Circa 1100. Brazil Nut Pommel Type A beautiful antique Knightly style sword in excellent condition, and having a very nicely balanced blade. Known historically as the Peterson type X sword. With a good Brazil nut pommel, leather bound slightly tapering grip and straight quillons.With a very nicely tempered single fullered double edged blade that still has a remarkably keen edge. Likely a Georgian, 18th century copy of an early, 12th century Knightly Norman and Crusader's sword. Possibly made for a Knightly display of arms for a stately home. For all intents and purposes this is a very good, faithfully copied functioning sword, made in the same way and form of an original Crusader knight's sword from the era of the Norman conquest [in 1066] up to the third Crusade of King Richard [Coeur De Lion] The Lionheart of England [in 1190]

A North European Early 17th Century Burgonet Helmet Rounded two piece skull joined medially at the apex with high roped comb with some losses, projecting forward to an acutely pointed peak. Fairly corroded overall, but this is a good, honest early helmet, now quite scarce, and from around the late Queen Elizabeth Ist era.

A Pair of Attractive 18th Century Long Holster Ottoman Pistols Used from the 18th and into the 19th century, these long and impressive pistols are extravagant in all manners. The steel trigger guards and sideplates are overlaid in highly decorative scrolling silver with much skill, and over engraved in fine detail. The long eared butt caps are probably in Tutaneg, and the early banana shaped locks are engraved with script. The Cannon end barrels are held by embossed for-end capuchins and have numerous armourers marks struck at the breech. Used from the era of the Revolution in France and the Napoleonic Wars. Appearing singly more often, pairs of this form of pistol are now becoming quite scarce indeed.The "golden age" of the Ottoman Empire was during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th Century. In different fields, this can be seen both in the architecture of Koca Mimar Sinan Aga, and in the domination of the Mediterranean by the Ottoman navy, led by Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha. The Ottoman Empire reached its territorial peak in the 17th century. From a diverse system of Millets, to a multi-ethnic state (Ottomanism), it developed its own distinctive culture, influential both in the European and Islamic worlds.With Istanbul (or Constantinople) as its capital, the Ottoman Empire was in some respects an Islamic successor to earlier Mediterranean empires — the Roman and Byzantine empires. The Empire was the only Islamic power to seriously challenge the rising power of Western Europe between the 15th and 19th centuries. The bottom small retaining cap on one butt cap is missing, one ramrod + pipe missing. The steel has been untouched for some 170 odd years and apart from light cleaning of the silver they are in 'sleeper' condition.

A Pair Of Boxlock Pocket Percussion Pistols Circa 1835 In very good order, with what appears to be very nice original finish. All steel furniture with engraved side plates, barrel tangs and trigger guards, slab sided walnut butts, oval name cartouches to sides, one engraved D.EGG. Durs Egg was one of England finest ever gunsmiths, but at this period his working life was coming to an end, and after his death, his relatives [John and George Frederick[son] ] carried on working in his name. Good turn-ff breech loading barrels with excellent proof markings. Both actions are very crisp indeed, but one pistol is reticent to engage past first cock.

A Pair of Bronze 'Model' Trafalgar Style Royal Naval Deck Cannon A pair small of desk Naval Cannon, with bronze barrels and oak carriages approx 6 inches long. Typcal cannon style as seen [pwhen full sized] on Nelson's Flagship HMS Victory. 19th century.

A Pair of German Medals The Kaisers medal of and the Franco Prussian War medal.Very good condition. Made from the cannon captured from France.Part of a very fine and significant collection of German medals and awards we were most fortunate to acquire from a grandnephew of a U-Boat commander.

A Pair of Very Charming, Late Georgian Period, Box Lock Pistols In very good order indeed, with steel barrels and frames and bag shaped walnut grips and boxlock action. A pair of sound and effective personal protection pistol that were highly popular during the late Georgian to early Victorian era. London, like many cities around the world at that time, could be a most treacherous place at night, and every gentleman, or indeed lady, would carry a pocket pistol for close quarter personal protection or deterrence. The early London Police force recruits 'Bobbies' or 'Peelers' [name after Sir Robert Peel their founder] were initially poorly selected. Of the first 2,800 new policemen, only 600 kept their jobs, and the first policeman, given the number 1, was sacked after only four hours service! Eventually, however, the impact upon crime, particularly organised crime led to an acceptance, and approval, of the Bobbies. Meanwhile, as they were so initially unpopular, and as the public of London had little or no confidence in them, armed personal protection was considered essential. Normally carried in singles the option to have a pair was expensive, but on occasion extremely prudent, for if attacked, once a pistol was discharged in defense there would likely be no opportunity to reload, and only a second pistol may stand between you and a painful or even mortal wound. Hand made circa 1830 but by an unknown maker. They bear several proofs, including a French, St Etienne proof.

A Pattern 1853/6 2 Band Enfield Short Rifle in Calibre .577. Made by commercial British maker Worral of Chester. All brass furniture, steel bands. Stock with silver escutcheon at the wrist. A sound honest gun with good action, and some elements of overall surface pitting and russetting to the steel. Royal Crown stamp to lock and dated 1859. Made in 1859 this gun was made in an era when the British were engaged in just a few serious smaller wars, namely the Opium War in China, and the Maori War in New Zealand, so between the great British wars in the Crimea [1854-56] and the Zulu War in South Africa [1879] for 20 years or so the British Ordnance had guns in relatively adequate supply, and of little need for continual rearmament.But when the Civil War broke out in America the Northern Union and Southern Confederate armourers hurriedly journeyed across to England to buy up all our available weapons. Of course, England was officially neutral which meant that its Armoury at Enfield did could not supply these buyers from the Union or Confederate Armies. Instead, Union and Confederate buyers turned to Commercial manufacturers centered in Birmingham, London, and numerous cities such as Liverpool and Chester from large and small makers such as Barnett, Bond, London Armoury, Parker Field, Potts & Hunt and Worral and also from groups of sub-contractors who pooled their resources together like the BSA.[Birmingham Small Arms] Trade. In 1863 Confederate purchasing agent, Major Caleb Huse reported to Josiah Gorgas, Commander of the Confederate Ordnance and Mining Bureau, that he had purchased 21,040 "Obsolete British Muskets" along with "2,020" Model 1837 British Brunswick rifles. How did he get these from the British Government if they were officially neutral? Of course Britain could and did declare a large portion of British arms in store obsolete and thus they were likely disposed of to private buyers such as Barnett in London, who approached the British Government to buy up surplus weapons it no longer needed or regarded as worthy of use. It is reasonable supposition that the ones at the bottom of their list in terms of serviceability were made available…such as their worn three band and two band rifles and other obsolete British rifles and muskets . Since these private buyers were getting the grade two surplus Crimean war guns, they probably had to refurbish most of them so they'd pass inspection by the Confederate-employed viewers. Some Brunswick rifles that ended up in the US, as part of a Confederate purchase, would usually be restocked and even re-locked with P39 lockplates. Many Civil War collectors believe most Enfields imported during the Civil War were indeed purchased from privately-owned commercial manufacturers. These surviving guns have no British Government proofs, broad arrow marks, and usually, no "V.R" underneath the Crown on the lockplate. Lockplates will be marked with the name of the Private Maker or Tower. The barrels are usually marked with London or Birmingham proofs instead of the small lines of inspector numbers, broad arrows, and cyphers that you find on standard British military guns. Commercial manufactured Enfield pattern guns were by far the most popular purchases for the Civil War, certainly by the South. This gun is the very type that were bought for the Civil War, with no broad arrow or V.R marks, and many identical commercial examples are to be found in the great private and public arms collections in both the North and South of the US. This gun has a 32 inch barrel and is 48 inches long overall. We have had it completely cleaned but there are two small stock areas that need attention, a scuff at the wrist and a splinter at the butt, we can repair these invisibly.

A Perfectly Charming and Delightful 18th Century Hunting Sword. Ivory hilt set with three silver headed rivets. Silver scroll end quillons. Long wide blade with mystical symbols, and the profile head of the Grand Sultan. A fine German Nobleman's hunting sword, used for personal protection, or for the coup de grace while hunting Boar or Wolf. This is only the second of this rare type of hunting sword we have had, with the beautiful and unique mystical symbols [the last one, near identical, was last year]. We strongly believe it was near certainly made at the same swordmakers workshop and possibly even for the same Nobleman.

A Persian Percussion Horse Pistol [Tapance] from the Qajar Period From the mid 19th century, a Persian pistol with likely a high carbon steel octagonal barrel with traces of 8 groove rifling. Fully engraved, probably Persian lock, with matching florid scroll engraving to the barrel breech tang and fore end. Chequered stock with steel butt cap and lanyard ring. Half stocked with rammer lacking. Plain steel trigger guard. Persian pistols are very scarcely seen, even within Iran, and more often than not with imported locks, usually British, this example though has more likely a Persian lock [based on a British import]

A Queen Anne Hunting Sword as Favoured by Naval Officers In the days of the early Royal Navy, officers carried short swords in the pattern of hunting swords, with both straight or curved blades, fancy brass mounted single knucklebow hilts with principally stag horn or reeded ebony grips. The brass was usually repousse with a floral and figural design. The sword has a front and back view of a reclining nude lady within the design at the forte. Single fullered straight blade with Armorer's struck mark.There are numerous portraits in the National Portrait Gallery and The National Maritime Musuem that show British Admirals [such as Benbow and Clowdesly Shovel] holding such swords.

A Rare Brace of 18th Century American Revolutionary Infantry Spontoon Made and used during the American Revolutionary War and into The Napoleonic War Eras. It is very rare to get two matching Infantry Spontoons [half pikes], and they evidently came originally from the same infantry regiment, and they were made in Germany, in around 1770. Good traditional steel blades with elongated 'S' quillons [cross bars] & 3 base rings. A Spontoon is type of European lance that came into being after the long pike, becoming widely used by the middle of the 17th century. Spontoons are first found to have been used by the Italians. Also called the European half pike, this very much resembled a pike that had a much shorter staff, usually no more than 7 feet long. The spontoon was as much a signaling weapon used by the company sergeants to direct battle lines as a combat weapon. During the Napoleonic wars the spontoon was used by sergeants to defend the colors of a battalion or regiment from cavalry. During the Revolutionary War, General Washington [and may others] strongly believed an officer should carry a Spontoon as method of identification, so as not to have his attention distracted from his men by the relatively involved procedure of loading and firing a shoulder arm. The order was thus issued to the Continental regiments. 7ft 4inches long [2240mm]. 13 inch long steel head plus two 16 inch straps that extend down either side of the haft. The straps are bracing bars to prevent the head being cut off by a sword blade and they further support the head. The bottom of each haft has a steel butt cone. For additional reference material see 'Swords and Blades of The American Revolution' by George C.Neumann [publ. by Promontory Press 1973]. Pages 220 & 221 for near identical examples that are illustrated from the great American Revolutionary War Weapons collections.

A Rare Central Indian 18th C.Battle Axe, Used in Chinese Boxer Rebellion Brought Back From the Boxer Rebellion and used in the Ching Dynasty, but likely imported from central India in the middle of the 18th century. A very rare Central Indian battle axe, that somehow has ended it's working life used by a Boxer, in the rebellion. Part of a small colonial collection of antique arms that have just arrived. A super fighting axe that can be used in conjunction with the Chinese Dao fighting sword.The Boxer Rebellion, more properly called the Boxer Uprising, or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement was a violent anti-foreign, anti-Christian movement called the "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" in China, but known as the "Boxers" in English. The main 'Boxer' era occured between 1898 and 1901. This fascinating era was fairly well described in the Hollywood movie classic ' 55 Days in Peking' Starring Charlton Heston and David Niven. The film gives a little background of Ching Dynasty's humiliating military defeats suffered during the Opium Wars, Sino-French War and Sino-Japanese war or the effect of the Taiping Rebellion in weakening the Ching [Qing] Dynasty.Pictures in the gallery of a watercolour of the Boxers [1900] and the combat in the siege. A photo in the gallery shows a contemporary group of Boxers in Peking during the seige of the legations. For information only not included

A Rare Imperial Russian and Bavarian, Uhlan and Hussars Regimental Sword Named to the elite Kaiser Nicholas II Von Russland Regiment. A rare sword, and from a very desireable Uhlan Hussar regiment of Czar Nicholas II of Russia, in the King of Bavaria's Cavalry. The blade is fully etched with the Czars name and the hilt bears the Royal crest of the Kingdom of Bavaria. The blade does have some plating loss so it's condition is only average, but this is a very rare sword, with superb collectable interest of both the Imperial Russian, and, the Imperial German period just before the Great War and the Russian Revolution. A sword, made around 1900, that crosses numerous historical territories within the greatest period of upheavel in both those Empire's history. Naturally it also has considerble interest to British collectors as both Czar Nicholas and Kaiser Willhelm were cousin's of King George Vth, and the Czar was Britain's ally against Germany. Lacking scabbard.The background of the etching is blackened and now flaking, it makes the section very difficult to photograph. Some restoration or polishing may bring good results in returning the inscription to it's original state. In better order we would estimate it's value to us would be closer to £3000.

A Rare Maori War, New Zealand Medal 1864 66 Awarded to a Regts.Shoe Smith In very nice condition indeed. The Maori Wars were amost interesting conflict and one of the less well known of the wars in the days of Empire. Naturally the conflicts are very well known indeed in New Zealand and Australia. This is a very scarce medal issued in relatively small numbers, and beautifully named to the Regimental Shoesmith, John Walton. F Battery, Depot, Royal Artillery. No ribbon. With his descendant's WW2 Defense Medal in named box with ribbon.

A Rare Mid 19th Century British Army Infantry 'Redcoat' Coatee Crimean War In coarse red cloth with trim. White lacings with black trim. Some repair sections to front. Lined. Replacement old Imperial buttons.

A Rare Namibian Ovambo [War Axe] 19th century.Good condition nice carving with iron axe blade.

A Rare Original Royal Naval Officer's Sword of Trafalgar Vintage A combat sword of traditional 1805 pattern with copper gilt hilt triple wire binding over fishkin grip doves head pommel and fouled anchor langets. Traces of engraving to blade. There are several identical swords of this kind in the National Maritime Museum and in the Royal Collection. We count ourselves very fortunate to have owned this sword [with another] once before, some 17 years ago. It is said to have originally come from a small collection of swords from Admiral Jerram who commanded the second battle fleet at Jutland. Admiral Jerram apparently gave them as a gift to a friend and colleague in the 1920's. By family repute this sword was carried by a young officer at the Battle of Trafalgar on HMS Royal Sovereign. However, we cannot verify this definitively. No scabbard. Pictures in the gallery are of original oil paintings depicting the Battle of Trafalgar. For information only not included.

A Rare Original, French, 1833 All Steel Naval Cutlass An authentic regulation Model 1833 French Naval boarding cutlass or "sabre de bord." Blackened iron guard in full cup configuration. It is this form of sheet guard cutlass that influenced the design of the near identical US Navy cutlass of 1860 that was used in the US Civil War. During the major conflicts of the 19th Century, and in the French colonies from Africa to China fighting against pirates or local warlords, this new 1833 pattern saw decades of action all around the world. This cutlass has overall pitting and the guard has seperated at the side due do a combat blow.

A Rare P.58 Enfield Naval Cutlass Bayonet The rare Victorian Naval Cutlass Bayonet type with the official 'removed bowl' hilt.Good condition for age, some surface pitting. Chequered leather grip.

A Rare Pair of Antique Ottoman Empire Iron Stirrups A pair of antique 17th to 18th century Turkish Ottoman Empire russet iron stirrups of characteristic form, with broad arch treads. All steel construction in the early style that goes back to the mediaeval period. One picture in the gallery shows Fatih Sultan Mehmet II [using his identical stirrups] entering Constantinople, after his conquest, in 1453

A Rare Prussian-British Experimental Sword of 1850. The Royal Engineers Driver's Sword Model 1850. This sword was a Prussian experimental cavalry sword that was once issued for testing to a limited number of Prussian Hussar regiments in 1850. It was in fact not actually approved by the Prussians, but it's form was continued and developed until it's successor sword eventually evolved to become the Prussian Model 1852 Cavalry Hussar Sabre. Those experimental swords were withdrawn by Prussia and they were placed in storage in Liege for disposal. There was an article published in the "Deutsches Waffen Journal" about a sword that is a pair to this sword. On that sword, on the guard, was the regimental marking of the 4th squadron, Prussian Garde-Husaren regiment and on the spine of blade a crowned FW 50 and german D mark. This confirms it was the Prussian Hussar experimental issue of 1850. On the ricasso was an S&K marking with Crowned L 8 and two British Ordnance broad arrows to show that sword was also re issued to the British army. So, these very rarely seen swords are recorded as the Royal Engineers 1850 Driver's pattern swords, but they were originally the Prussian experimental Hussar swords, that after disapproval were then removed to Liege and later sold to the British Ordnance through the Liege armourers. Our example is very worn indeed, in fact none of it's original markings are still visible at all unfortunately. However, it is a most rare and fascinating piece, that until our extensive research [lasting many days], we believed to be a simple, and un-interesting Prussian sabre of unknown parentage.To collectors of British and Prussian swords this would make a most fascinating addition, especially, that if particularly searched for, it may take many years to find another. All over russetted, no scabbard, damaged grip.

A Rare Regimentally Marked and Dated Kurassier Trooper's Sword Marked K.No. 9 / 863 / 1815. We believe it is from one of the German Kurassier regiments that fought in the Napoleonic wars, and the date on the hilt may have been represent the date the trooper's final year of service. The sword has the look of a hybrid between the steel hilted British 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword, and the French brass hilted Curaissier. The various German Guard Kurrassier swords were somewhat similar but, with side bars, and it may have once had bars that have been removed for regular service. This is a very scarce sword indeed, and highly distinctive, as only the heavy cavalry Kurassiers [of all nations] carried these big, straight swords during this era. No scabbard. Overall blackened finish.

A Rare, Early, United States of Brazil Sword From the Old Republic Era. Fully etched blade. Nickle plated hilt with Brazil Crest, date 5th November 1889,ribbed fishskin grip. Nickle plated scabbard. Fully etched deluxe blade. Based on the Victorian British Infantry sword. A very scarce and highly collectable antique sword. Overall good condition

A Scarce 'Head-Hunting' Dao Sword of The Nagas of Assam An antique Dao Sword of The Nagas of Assam in Nagaland. The furthermost state of North East India. Little is known of the Nagas as most of their history is undocumented, until the British East India Co. took control of the country in 1826. The internecine tribal warfare involved head-hunting, which is the decapitation of captives for their religious ceremonies, but the British and the Christian missionaries did all that was possible to eradicate the head-hunting religious traditions, and converted a portion of the population to Baptist. The sword has a traditional straight rounded hilt [probably bamboo] with a central section tightly bound with most intricate geometric patterned cord that is over lacquered. The blade is flattened with two hand cut grooves and a stamped dot and semi circular decorative pattern design, the blade ends fairly wide. The scabbard is wood and open sided with a most attractive and skillfully executed floral pattern carved in relief at the bottom section. These swords were multi- functional, perfectly adaptable from decapitation to bamboo cutting.

A Scarce All Steel Boxlock Pistol Overlaid in Silver Circa 1790, the pistol is almost completely overlaid in sheet Silver.Foldaway trigger.A beautiful small pistol of much rarity and quite charming.

A Scarce Antique Lombok High Born Warriors Kris [or Keris] From the Lombok island of Indonesia. The Dutch first visited Lombok in 1674 and settled the eastern part of the island, leaving the western half to be ruled by a Hindu dynasty from Bali. The Sasaks chafed under Balinese rule, and a revolt in 1891 ended in 1894 with the annexation of the entire island to the Netherlands East Indies. This is a beautiful and scarce Kris with a hair bound grip [typically indicative of Lombok Keris], typical hardwood scabbard and a fantastic Pamor, meteoric iron, and nickle inlaid blade. The design is a rare herringbone pattern executed with, quite simply, breathtaking skill. 24 inches long overall

A Scarce British Pattern 1879 Artillery Sawback Sword Bayonet It was also initially a conversion bayonet, made from the Pattern 1859 Cutlass Bayonet. Originally they were made for use with the newly adopted Martini Henry Artillery Carbine. They feature a 9.25 inch, 41 tooth integrated saw on the top of the blade. The primary use for this saw in the Artillery realm was for falling small trees to be used in constructing abaitis. New production Pattern 1879s have the button for the latch on the right side of the pommel, and the catch leaf spring on the left. Converted Pattern 1879s have these parts on the opposite sides. A very clean and smart example.

A Scarce King George IIIrd Light Infantry Musket of 'Tippu Sultan' Era A Bess type musket with a Baker bayonet type barrel bar. Good walnut stock, good mounts barrel and furniture. Feint traces of an EIC mark to the lock. A very interesting musket in very good order. Good aged patina to whole gun. This long gun was made at the time when Light Infantry regiments of the British Army [and it's cousin, the Army of the EIC] were in their infancy. The 95th Regt and the 60th became what was known as light infantry 'rifle regiments' and experimentation with various arms was undertaken in order to come up with the best arm for the unique task required of them. The 'Baker Rifle' was the most famous result of these experiments, [ a gun that copied the Prussian Jager Rifle] and this gun is another of those very early Light Infantry variant long guns. In 1798, Tippu Sultan ruler of Mysore formed a vague alliance with the French, which gave the British governor-general Lord Wellesley a pretext to invade Mysore in alliance with the nizam of Hyderabad. Tippu was killed May, 1799 defending his capital at Shrirangapattana. This event against the 'Tiger of Mysore' was the subject of one of the later 'Sharpe of the 95th' books by Bernard Cornwall. His kingdom was divided among the victors. The East India Co. [for those who are unfamiliar with it] was one of the largest organisations ever to have existed, and it even had it's own Army and Navy, large and powerful enough to rival those any of any country in the world. It was run by British Officers and Gentleman, in India, to enable peaceful free trade throughout the British Empire. Founded by Royal Charter in 1600 it continued until 1858. It's successes were numerous and included the Victory of Sir Robert Clive [Clive of India] at the Battle of Plassey and the eradication of the infamous and fearful 'Thuggees' of the Cult of Kali [Pierce Brosnan starred in a film of this particular event]. It created the greatest trading cities in the world Hong Kong and Singapore, it's Shipyards were the model for Peter the Great's city of St Petersberg, and it created the fortune of Elihu Yale, of Boston Mass., who was Governor of Madras for the EIC, and whose contribution, which eventually amounted to 560 pounds sterling, gained him Yale University to be named in his honour. To get an impression of it's size, the Company was, in it heyday, larger and more significant than say Microsoft, British Petroleum, General Motors, Coca Cola, Ford Motor and probably the next 20 largest companies in the world combined. The barrel has a Jaipur Armoury mark to barrel so it was in store there at some time. A very interesting musket indeed in very good order.

A Scarce Large Antique Lombok High Born Warriors Kris [or Keris] From the Lombok island of Indonesia. The Dutch first visited Lombok in 1674 and settled the eastern part of the island, leaving the western half to be ruled by a Hindu dynasty from Bali. The Sasaks chafed under Balinese rule, and a revolt in 1891 ended in 1894 with the annexation of the entire island to the Netherlands East Indies.This is a beautiful and scarce Kris with a hair bound grip [typically indicative of Lombok Keris], typical hardwood scabbard and a fantastic Pamor, meteoric iron, and nickle inlaid blade. This blade is an amazing form of Mahomets Ladder [Bendo Sedago] pattern more normally seen on rare Islamic Shamshir swords. 25 inches long overall

A Scarce US Militia Or Secret Society Sword. This is a very unusual sword the like of which we have not come across before. It's of the vintage of circa 1860 to 1870, in the classic Civil War New York Militia style, with a traditional helmet pommel and ribbed bone hilt. The part that confounds us is the diamond motif that contains six letter F. There are no records known to us of any State Militia or Secret Society, from the 1870's, that had a name that comprised of six F's, or even three repeated F's.

A Simply Super Medieval Knights 'Spiked' Battle Mace A most impressive but fearsome early weapon from the 1200's to 1300's, around 700 to 800 years old, and probably of German origin. An incredibly elaborate iron spiked head that would be extremely effective at the function it was designed for. In fact, in a small area, some of the spike tips have been broken off where it has made crushing contact, probably against a helmet. This is also the form of Mace that was mounted on a short chain with a haft and then used as a Flail Mace for extra reach on horseback. Unlike a sword or haft mounted Mace, it doesn't transfer vibrations from the impact to the wielder. This is a great advantage to a horseman, who can use his horse's speed to add momentum to and underarmed swing of the ball, but runs less of a risk of being unbalanced from his saddle. It is difficult to block with a shield or parry with a weapon because it can curve over and round impediments and still strike the target. It also provides defense whilst in motion. However the rigid haft does have the advantage as the flail needs space to swing and can easily endanger the wielder's comrades. Controlling the flail is much more difficult than rigid weapons. Mounted on a replaced old haft. One photo in the gallery is from a 13th century Manuscript that shows Knights in combat, and one at the rear is using a stylized and similar Mace [photo for information only and not included with Mace]. The head is around the size of a tennis ball.

A Simply Wonderful 18th Century, Silver, American War of Independence Sword A Beautiful Silver Hilted Small Rapier, from the era of the American War of Independence. This is quite simply a stunning work of art that demonstrates how the unique skills of the artisan silversmith, and the bespoke swordsmith, combined to create a object of absolute joy. General George Washington, who later became the first President of the United States of America, had an almost identical silver sword. One can see him wearing his sword, in the earliest known portrait of Washington, aged 40, in his position of colonel of the then British colonial Virginia Regiment. Painted by Charles Wilson Peale in 1772. The hilt, like Washington's, is cast silver, decorated with wonderful detail including two intricate, chased and embossed, stands of arms with classical and ancient armour with helmets, shields, polearms, battle standards, battle axes and war trumpets, with two allegorical figures of a God and Goddess seated back to back. The other shell guard has a similar stand of arms but this has a single classical figure blowing a trumpet. It also has two small Putti embellished on the pommel. Silver hilted swords, were mostly not 'hallmarked'. English silver swords, were and are, specifically exempt from the English hallmark act, so frequently they don't bear hallmarks, as this one doesn't. Although George Washington was the first uniformly accepted President of of the United States of America, there were 16 men who held the post of President before him. However, the so called 'Forgotton Presidents' were either Presidents of Congress or Presidents of the United States Under the Articles of Confederation. This sword is without doubt a sword of quality and status, from the time of the Revolutionary War, and absolutely the very kind carried by men of Washington's position. It is an interesting thought, that, however unlikely, it is certainly theoretically possible, that Washington himself may have indeed known the very man who wore this sword.

A Singularly Attractive, Fine Quality Nickle Plated & Ivory London Revolver By William Moore of Old Bond St. London. Beautifully hand engraved, finest hand carved ivory grips and much original blueing remaining to the steel parts. One of the best we have seen in many years. Super tight action, of 7mm calibre. Barrel stamped Moore, London, and with Cast Steel on the inside barrel edge. These deluxe hand made pistols were very popular indeed [but very expensive] as they took the all new pinfire cartridge, that revolutionised the way revolvers operated, as compared to the old fashioned percussion action. In fact, while the percussion cap & ball guns were still in production [such as made by Remington, Colt and Starr] and being used in the American Civil War, the much more efficient and faster pinfire guns [that were only made from 1861] were the fourth most popular gun chosen, by those that could afford them, during the war. General Stonewall Jackson was presented with two deluxe pinfire pistols with ivory grips, and many other famous personalities of the war similarly used them. The American makers could not possibly fulfill all the arms contracts that were needed to supply the war machine, especially by the non industrialised Confederate Southern States. So, London made guns were purchased, by contract, by the London Arms Company in great quantities, as the procurement for the war in America was very profitable indeed. They were despatched out in the holds of hundreds of British merchant ships. First of all, the gun and sword laden vessels would attempt to break the blockades, surrounding the Confederate ports, as the South were paying four times or more the going rate for arms, but, if the blockade proved to be too efficient, the ships would then proceed on to the Union ports, [such as in New York] where the price paid was still excellent, but only around double the going rate. This pistol is the pocket or overcoat size, and is the very type that was so popular, as a fast and efficient personal protector, by many of the senior rank officers of both the US and the CSA armies.

A Singularly Beautiful 1796 Presentation Grade Flank Co. Officer's Sword This sabre is quite simply wonderful in it's elegance, beauty, quality and style. The hilt is copper gilt with the senior rank ivory grip, and union flag stand of arms embossed langets. Every part of the copper gilt has been sublimely engraved and embellished by the finest hand, with sunbursts, scrolls, acanthus leaves and herringbone lines. Maker inscribed on the scabbard throat mount by Clarke of London. A deep sweeping curved blade, fully engraved with scrolls stands of arms, British crest and cypher. Copper gilt and leather mounted scabbard with the leather having been beautifully restored during it's lifetime. It's overall condition is very good indeed with signs of use, naturally, but it has been very nicely cared for indeed. Used in the Peninsular War, the War of 1812, and The Battle of Waterloo this sabre was the sword of a senior officer in one of the flank companies of the British Army.

A Small Royal Navy Midshipman's Dirk Circa 1800. Ivory and copper gilt hilt with turned ivory grip. All coppergilt scabbard. Thin double edged diamond section blade. Made and used by Royal Navy Midshipmen in the wars with France during the Battle of Trafalgar period in 1805. Small dents to scabbard and blade tip. 8.5 inches long overall blade 5.25 inches. A similar Dirk is in the National Maritime Museum Collection, circa 1805, once owned by Lt. Noble RN. [1783 till 1843] item no. WPN1144. Although the dirk was the weapon of a midshipman many naval officers wore a dirk as a most useful weapon for close quarter action.

A Spanish Armada Period, One Piece 'Pear Stalk' Cabasset Helmet From the time of the unsucessfull Spanish 'Armada' attempted invasion, during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth Ist. A Fine Spanish / Italian One Piece High Peak Cabasset mid to late 16th century. With a very fine armourer's mark of a crown over 3 fleur de lys. Wonderfully hand forged with hammer marks and with patches of delamination.Helmet is nicely consructed with good edgework and quality throughout, and it is a fine period piece in excellent condition for age.There is a picture in the gallery of the same form of helmet [heavily rusted] recovered from Jamestown, the early American colony fort. One other picture is a period engraving of an Elizabethan soldier with his pear stalk cabasset, another picture of The Battle of Gravelines, August 8, 1588, the defeat of the Spanish Armada by Sir Francis Drake.For information only.

A Stunning 19th Century Swept Hilt Long Saxon Rapier, With Gilt Bronze Hilt A beautiful sword in the manner of a Royal Rapier, after master sword maker Juan Martinez of Toledo, maker to the King of Spain. A similar style sword was made for the Elector of Saxony in 1606 and sold by the Saxon Royal Collection in 1970, and is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The hilt is of chisseled gilded bronze with a long elegant and beautifully crafted blade [95cm long] gilded bronze mounted scabbard over leather. The leather is now quite worn and areas of old repair. The design and form is typically in the stunning 17th century baroque style, in both extravagance and beauty. We believe it was made to be used by such as the world's greatest actors of the 18th or 19th Century, such as David Garrick. His portrayal of the great Shakespearian Kings, such as King Richard IIIrd, were dressed with magnificent extravagance with costumes, sets and weaponry that were recreated with skill, beauty and style with no expense spared. It may also have been made as a presentation piece or gift for a famous [albeit unknown today] individual. Around 90% of all the original gilt remains. Overall length 116cm long.

A Stunning Finest British Antique Rifle Reduced by an Amazing £1400 ! ! Magnificent antique percussion Rifle, by master Scottish gunsmith Ancell of Perth [ Maker to HRH Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's Consort] Approximately the same size and form as the famous British Baker Rifle. This is ideally for the benefit of our regular clients who view our site every day, and offered considerably under cost price, but as a thank you for their continued and regular custom. But please decide quickly our very infrequent back catalogue sale weapons can go very quickly indeed!. We have a regular stock of many thousands of items but we place on sale only a very few every year to make room for newly added or expected stock items. A finest handmade bespoke antique rifle with superb, top grade walnut which is superbly carved with wonderful scrollwork worthy of Thomas Chippendale himself. The handmade gun of a Prince or Duke similar in status to His Royal Highness Prince Albert, with amazing quality engraving, as would be expected with a gun of this class, but the difference, from all the other guns of it's type, is the rifled barrel, which has to be seen to be believed. A gun of this quality could likely only ever be made today by the finest London gunsmiths such as Purdey, or Holland and Holland, and at a likely cost in excess of £70,000 [Purdeys handmade basic shotguns start today at around £50,000. each] Carbine length barrel 25.5 inches, 21 mm bore, 40.5 inches long overall

A Stunning Large Boxlock Flintlock Pistol By Barber of London A 'Queen Anne' Cannon barrel pistol with finest silver scroll inlay to the butt in the elaborate scrolling chinoiserie style. Forward sliding safety trigger guard.This is one of the large silver inlaid turn-off cannon barrel pistols that were highly popular in the Revolutionary War era, and many similar pistols are in the great American museums and collections that were used, in the American Revolution, by Officers of both sides of the conflict. 13 inches long overall. Good working action.

A Stunning Long Barreled Ottoman Flintlock Pistol Fine Tutaneg silver alloy mounts decorated with full embossed relief portrait busts, and a fine serpent sideplate. Gold inlaid steel barrel. A truly amazing chisselled steel lock of the finest quality. Silver coloured metal, not hallmarked silver.

A Stunning Royal Naval 1805 Commander, Captain's & Admiral's Sword An original King George IIIrd [Heavy Grade] British Naval Sword and the very type of sword carried by Nelson and his Captain's at The Battle of Trafalgar. Although officially known as the 1805 Pattern, Royal Navy Senior Officer's Sword, they were actually used from the end of the 18th century [from around the 1790's]. Lion's head pommel, ivory grip [ivory being the symbol of Royal Navy high rank] with original twisted wire grip and cast relief fouled anchor langet. All copper gilt mounts, with copper gilt and leather scabbard. Much original gilt is remaining to the hilt, the ivory has a superb patina. The blade has the full Royal Navy devices of fouled anchor plus Crown with Lion and Unicorn plus a top mast with sails and a stand of arms. Sword to sword edge contact nicks and some old corrosion Original copper gilt mounted leather scabbard. There are a few similar surviving examples of this very sword, in the Royal Collection, in the collection at the Tower of London, and in the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich. In the National Maritime Museum there is a most similar example, that was the sword of Admiral Earl St Vincent. Although a beautiful sword, suitable for the very finest of formal dress occasions, Admirals [usually aboard Flag Ships] and Captains were well used to combat circumstances, such as the Admirals Earl St Vincent, Nelson, & Collingwood, and these swords were carried, and frequently used, in full combat. Last pictures in gallery show a group portrait of Admiral Nelson carrying his sword, and a portrait of Naval Hero, Admiral Earl St. Vincent, painted in 1805 by Domenico Pellegrini clearly holding his very same sword.[pictures not included with sword] In 1797, Admiral Earl St Vincent won a crushing and much needed victory over the Spanish off Cape St Vincent [hence his title]. In 1799, he commanded the Channel fleet in a close blockade of the French fleet at Brest. His period as first Lord of the Admiralty made him many enemies as he fearlessly denounced corruption in high places and in low. In 1806, he took the Channel fleet to sea for the last time, carrying this very type of sword. However, it was now a fleet whose authority on the sea could not be challenged, largely due to years of untiring effort by its commander. There is a very similar sword indeed, in the National Maritime Museum, that was presented by Captain Duncan of the Mercury to his First Lt. For gallantry and leadership in action in 1809.

A Stunning, 18th century Indian Tiger Headed 'Tipu Sultan' Style Shamshir Sword. Used in the era of the battle of the Siege of Seringapatam (4 May 1799). It was the final confrontation of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War between the army of the British East India Company, under the command of Governor General Richard Wellesley, [later enobled as the Duke of Wellington], and the Kingdom of Mysore. The British achieved a decisive victory after breaching the walls of the fortress at Seringapatam (as Srirangapatna was then known) and storming the citadel. Tippu Sultan, Mysore's ruler, was killed in the action. The British restored the Wodeyar dynasty to the throne after the victory, but retained indirect control of the kingdom. A fabulous sword such as this would have been used in combat and then it was likely captured as war booty. However in that era it was perfectly permitted for a English officer to carry such a trophy sword in combat when in service. In fact many of Wellingtons generals carried all manner of Indo Persian and Islamic swords captured on campaign during this time, including Wellington himself. The National Portrait Gallery has several portraits of Generals in full uniform adorned with captured trophy swords such as this. This fabulous sword has an all copper gilt hilt and mount. Decorated with very likely a Tiger's head pommel, and fully designed with great cat mask suspension mounts and all over highly elaborate patterning. The brief story of Tipu Sultan (c.1753–99) the Sultan of Mysore from (1782–99) is as follows; He inherited the kingdom recently created by his father, Hyder Ali and was a formidable enemy to both the British and neighbouring Indian states. Failure to secure active French support left him without allies in resisting the British. He was finally besieged in his own capital, Seringapatam, when unfounded rumours that he had secured an alliance with Revolutionary France gave the British the necessary pretext for a final assault. He was killed in the attack. On a number of Tipu's swords, such as those at Powis Castle, near Welshpool; British Museum, London; and Museo Stibbert Museum, Florence, tigers form the hilt, with tiger pommel, tiger quillons and langet. A tiger motif on the blade, as at Ipswich Museum, and the Wallace Collection, London, occurs less frequently. "Each tiger is of a different design. The tiger and tiger's head denotes the certainty of it having belonged to royalty as none but Princes are allowed to introduce it," wrote Lord Mornington, the Governor General, in 1800. Known to Europeans as the scimitar, the shamshir is the quintessential long-sword of the horsemen of Persia, Moghul India and Arabia.The name means ‘tiger’s claw’, and alludes to its distinctive curve. This curve is a direct functional development, intended to widen the blade’s cutting portion and permit deeper wounds when used in a downwards ‘drawing’ cut. Shamshirs are highly adapted to the horse-mounted form of hand-to-hand combat practiced in western and southern Asia between the 16th and 18th centuries, whereby attacks could be made either in passing or by slashing down on infantry from above. On this sword the blade is inlaid in silver with a hunt of tigers or lions and other beasts, with figures firing matchlock guns. Islam did not directly forbid representational, figurative art, but there is no religious tradition governing it as there is with calligraphy and the more geometric decorative arts. Islamic figurative art is generally secular (separated from religion). Representational examples of Islamic art often illustrate battles or animal hunts, and were used to decorate the private apartments of the nobility. Although unfortunately there is no known remaining direct connection with this sword and Tipu Sultan, or Seringapatam, at all, it is so similar to the Tiger of Mysore's solid gold sword as it is to be logically concluded to possibly have been used by a noble/prince in his service, or, at the very least an admirer-supporter. The last photo in the gallery shows the death of the Sultan at Seringpatam. Please note, the body of the tiger on the Sultans pure gold sword is decorated not with traditional stripes, but tear shaped precious rubies and emeralds, and these tear shapes are called bubris [meaning stylized tiger stripes]. The bubris are similarly engraved within the tiger's body, on the pommel all over this sword, in it's various scabbard and blade hunting scenes etc. There is a defensive sword cut on one of the quillon, the scabbard fits 1/4 inch to the bottom of the hilt and the tip of the blade has seen some old corrosion.

A Super Antique Gold Prospector-Miner's 'Shovel Pick and Nugget' Brooch An original gold prospectors brooch. In Australia and in America's Wild West and Alaska [the '49ers] the gold prospectors would, on occasion, have made by jewellers fancy brooches to represent their gold strikes, and this is one of those. Beautifully designed and executed it has a gold prospector-miner's pick axe, crossed with a shovel and set with a gold nugget at the centre. There is a similar example in a national museum in Australia and in a few in the great museum collections in the US. Stamped 9ct, safety chain with spring mount. 52mm long. Two photos of similar brooches in the gallery. One from the National Museum of Australia, another from Cowan's sale in Ohio.

A Super Back-Action Percussion Overcoat or Travelling Pistol King George IV Circa 1830 made by Harvey of Plymouth. Fine full fancy scroll engraving all steel mounts and octagonal hook breech barrel. Finest juglans regia walnut stock with fine chequered grip. Back action percussion lock. The whole pistol has a lovely patina and is really a most handsome fine quality piece. A very small piece of walnut is broken off at the forend, we will repair this near invisibly, the hammer's nipple cover part off. 11inch long overall, barrel 6 inches

A Super British Rifles Regt.General's Sabre Of The Napoleonic Wars Copper gilt hilt with lions head pommel, 1796 type knuckle bow and langets, Ivory hilt which denotes for use by a General Officer. The blade is deluxe engraved with a Rifles Light Infantry Regt. foot officer wearing a Rifles Light Infantry Tarlton helmet brandishing this sword. King George IIIrd cypher and fancy scroll work, all highlighted with gilt.The Light Infantry Rifles Regiments were predominantly the 95th and the 60th and this is a very fine and historical example of a senior officer's sword of the Peninsular and Waterloo.

A Super English Civil War Era Cavalryman's Cuirass From Warwick Castle A fine composite cuirass direct from the Armoury of Britain's [and perhaps Europe's] greatest Medieval Castle. With the Castle's armoury inventory metal tag still affixed. With fine Armourers marks of The London Armourers Company[* see below] of the 'A' mark [for the Commonwealth], and also the helmet mark to the back plate. During the Civil War the Castle was besieged by the Royalists, they failed in their endeavours and they were captured and incarcerated within the castle dungeons. It certainly possible this armour was used in this conflict or later. William the Conqueror ordered the start of the building of Warwick in the 11th century, and by the 14th century the great Towers were completed. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have the opportunity to acquire some wonderful arms and weaponry from a small disposal from the Castle Armoury, in order to benefit the restoration of the Castle. In the year 1264, the castle was seized by the forces of Simon de Montfort, who consequently imprisoned the then current Earl, William Mauduit, and his Countess at Kenilworth (who were supporters of the king and loyals to the barons) until a ransom was paid. After the death of William Mauduit, the title and castle were passed to William de Beauchamp. Following the death of William de Beauchamp, Warwick Castle subsequently passed through seven generations of the Beauchamp family, who over the next 180 years were responsible for the majority of the additions made to Warwick Castle. After the death of the last direct-line Beauchamp, Anne, the title of Earl of Warwick, as well as the castle, passed to Richard Neville ("the Kingmaker"), who married the sister of the last Earl (Warwick was unusual in that the earldom could be inherited through the female line). Warwick Castle then passed from Neville to his son-in-law (and brother of Edward IV of England), George Plantagenet, and shortly before the Duke's death, to his son, Edward. Several Kings owned Warwick including King Henry VIIth, and Henry VIIIth, James Ist, and also Queen Elizabeth.* In 1322, in the reign of King Edward II, the Guild of St George of the Armourers was instituted, by ordinance of the City of London, which laid down regulations for the control of the trade. King Henry VI presented the Armourers with their first Royal Charter in May 1453.One pictire in the gallery shows Warwick Castle today [for information only, not included]

A Super Medievil Bearded Battle Axe With good armourer's mark struck on blade face. Slightly bent blade. Triangular socket. Rehafted. Heavy stout blade of very good form. A most similar Battle Axe in the Staadtsmuseum in Munich is shown in the gallery.

A Super Neolithic Polished Stone Axe. A British polished [probably greenstone] axe, most similar to examples from the Mendip in Somerset. A super early Bronze age piece and in great condition. Around 5500 years old. Incredibly an amount of the stone axes used in Britain at this time were imported from Italy.

A Super Remington .44 Revolver, With 'Wild West' Era' Rimfire Conversion A Civil War Issue revolver that saw much use during the war and after into the Wild West era. One of the most widely used handguns of the Civil War, the Remington New Model Army was the primary revolver issued to Union cavalry after the fire at the Colt's factory in 1863, and these revolvers remained in service with the regular cavalry regiments on the frontier until they were replaced with the Model 1873 Colt Cavalry Revolvers in 1875. Matt nickle plated finish, sound action, Civil War issue with inspector's marks, with serial number and separate conversion serial number. Three years after the end of the Civil War, Remington started to offer conversions for metal cartridges to be used instead of the cap & ball style paper cases. Remington paid a small fee to the renowned Smith & Wesson company who owned the 1855 Rollin White patent #12,648 on the method and principles for re-boring out cylinders and thus Remington was the first company to offer big .44 caliber metal cartridges a couple of years before the main competitors of Colt and S & W . The Remington 1858 New Model Army in .44 caliber was quite a powerful gun in its day and the bullet or ball could be fired out at over 1,000 feet per second (f.p.s) which was quite fast in the 1860's as most bullet velocities were around 750 f.p.s A very good example indeed, and would be an excellent addition to any fine collection. The Remington was a popular but expensive side arm used in the American Civil War. It was a "cap and ball" .44 caliber, single-action new model army revolver, that was considered by many to be more durable than the Colt-made revolvers of the same time period. They were manufactured from 1863 to 1875 . Many of these revolvers were copied in the Confederacy which often had brass frames due the shortage of steel during the war. A prized possession of the Remington Arms Company is an original New Model Army with ivory grips once carried by William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The historic revolver is on display with Cody's simple handwritten note, "It never failed me". Cody carried the revolver in original percussion form well into the cartridge era. We are one of Britain's leading specialists in especially sourcing rare and original American 'Wild West' revolvers, that used antique metallic cartridges that are deemed obsolete by UK Home Office firearm regulations, and therefore legitimate and lawful to own by collectors in the UK without license or restriction.

A Super US Civil War Dated [1864] Springfield Rifle An American Infantry Rifle, lock dated for the Civil War in 1864, with the model 1866, Allin, breech loading trap door, for use in the American Indian Wars of the early 1870's. This was he war that cost Colonel George Armstrong Custer his life at the Little Big Horn. Buffalo Bill used a 66 trap door conversion Springfield which he nicknamed Lucretia Borgia'. Good Springfield markings and US Eagle. Good working action.

A Super Victorian Policeman's Lantern With Original Bull's-eye Lens. The earliest and rarest candle type [as opposed to the later oil burner type] with clip open door, bulls eye 'torch beam' lens and ribbed cowl vent. Two traditional foldaway handles. An original Victorian Police Constable's bulls eye lantern, possibly by Hiatt & Co. but not maker marked. Hiatt were well known Police equipment suppliers and makers of police lanterns, handcuffs, leg-irons, manacles and shackles for over 200 years. The very type as can be seen in all the old films of the White chapel Murders, and Sherlock Holmes' adventures in the gloomy London Fog. An ingenious design that can also be used as a hand warmer, on a bitter Victorian winter's night. Complete in sound condition overall. In the gallery can be seen an original drawing of a 'Bobby' discovering a Jack the Ripper victim using the very type of lantern. [For information only not included] Overall 6 inches high.

A Super, Antique Bronze ' Horse Racing' Collectable Ideal for the gentleman or lady with a passion for Horse Racing or simply Horses. In fine bronze, a super desk, mantle or sidetable ornament. With a finely detailed relief design of a Horse Race, showing two race horses side by side with jockeys. With rear finger loop for holding.

A Super, British, "Tower Of London" Infantry Brown Bess Musket. Excellent action, finest walnut stock, made in the most famous armoury in the world. A fine front line military musket used from the Peninsular Wars The War of 1812 in America and the Battle of Waterloo. This is a super example with fabulous patina. Small contemporary forend stock work around 2ft from end.

A Superb 'Moghul Style' Dagger.Carved Jade Goats Head Hilt Damascus Blade Indo-Persian Dagger with a beautiful Jade hilt in the form of a carved relief Goat's Head surmounting a giold Koftgari work hilt mount.Damascus steel blade. Fancy silk scabbard with pure gold Koftgati decorated scabbard throat and chape mounts.14 inches long overall

A Superb 'Wild West' Smith and Wesson Revolver One of the greatest names in the world of American pistols. Smith and Wessons have been owned by all the greatest and infamous characters in Wild West history, such as Jesse James, Cole Younger, Bob Ford and Wyatt Earp. The Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 1/2. [Second issue] with birds head butt and top strap cylinder stop. The 'second type' intermediate manufacture model between the Old Model No. 1 and the No 2 Model Army. With a considerable amount of original blue remaining. Good tight action and fine and clear Smith and Wesson address to barrel top strap with patent dates. Overall length 7.5 inches. Barrel 3.5 inches 32 Rimfire calibre. Small marks to barrel top strap.

A Superb 17th Century Cavalry Semi Basket Hilted Sword With a stunning bronze hilt with a mythical beast head pommel, elaborate intertwined and twisted bars [with thumb-ring] and a pomegranate and strawberry shaped guard. In the Renaissance fruit had an important iconography. It can be symbolic of a theological concept such as fall, incarnation, passion, redemption etc…. Pomegranates frequently meant immortality and resurrection as since ancient times it has been associated with the return of spring. Strawberries symbolize Paradise [which is exactly what you shall find at the market near St. Lorenzo if you are fortunate enough to be in Florence when the delicately flavoured fragoline di bosco (wild strawberries) are in season]. This is a fine and beautiful early sword, and used by an officer of Cuirassier or Cavalry from the era of the Thirty Years War, The English Civil War, and continually in to the 9 years War [the War of the Great Alliance]. This war also encompassed King William's War, the French-Indian War of North America,which was also much fought in Europe against the French Armies of Louis XIV by Britain's King William and his continental Allies.

A Superb 19th Century Meiji Period Carved Whale Bone Handled Walking Stick A wonderful Japanese walking stich with a handle of a carved figure of Fukurokuju, one of the Japanese seven deities, the tall headed god of happiness, wealth and long life one of the Shichi-fuku-jin (“Seven Gods of Luck”), particularly associated with longevity. He is supposed to have once lived on earth as a Chinese Taoist sage. He is often depicted as an old man with a white beard, wearing a scholar’s headdress and sometimes accompanied by a stag. He carries a large stick to which is attached a scroll containing the world’s wisdom. The seven are drawn from various sources but have been grouped together from at least the 16th century. They are Bishamon, Daikoku, Ebisu, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, Hotei, and the only female in the group, Benten. The carving is beautifully executed and the figure has an most charming jolly smile. The collar is silver coloured metal and the shaft is finest mallacca wood terminated with a turned horn tip. Excellent condition overall

A Superb AN 13 French Cavalry Pistol Of The Napoleonic Wars Dated 1813 The cavalry issue pistol for carabiniers, cuirassiers, chasseurs, dragoons and lancers, serving in Napoleon Bonapate's army during the Napoleonic Wars. It bears superb stock markings and all fully marked steel and brass parts. Lock engraved Manufacture Mauburg Imperial. This is the pattern called the AN 13 [year 13] which represents the 13th year of French Ist Republic of 1792. The French Republican Calendar or French Revolutionary Calendar was a calendar proposed during the French Revolution, and used by the French government for about 12 years from late 1793 to 1805 and at this point it was then abolished by Napoleon. The pistol is in excellent condition with a superb tight action. However the hammer is lacking it's top jaw and screw, and requires just the most basic repair and replacement piece and ram rod.

A Superb And Simply Beautiful King George IIIrd Snuff Mull of Lt Col Gordon . As a Major in 1st Foot 13 August 1807 he served in the Peninsula War fighting Napoleon from October 1808 to January 1809; and again from August 1810 to February 1811; he also served with honour at the Battle of Walcheren in 1809; and he then commanded the 1Btn.1st Foot in Canada as Lt Colonel; He commanded the Ist at The Battle of Buffalo (also known as the Battle of Black Rock) which took place during the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States on December 30, 1813 in the State of New York, near the Niagara River. The British forces drove off the hastily-organized defenders and engaged in considerable plundering and destruction. The operation was conceived as an act of retaliation for the burning by American troops of the Canadian village of Newark. Major General Riall [Lt Col Gordon's commanding officer] crossed the Niagara around midnight on December 29 and landed with most of his men some 2 miles downstream of Black Rock in the early hours of December 30. He delegated Lieutenant Colonel John Gordon and the Royal Scots to land at Black Rock itself in order to attack the Americans from a different direction. Major General Amos Hall was first alerted to the British presence when Riall's advance guard, the light infantry company of the 89th Regiment, drove off the American piquet at Conjunckaty Creek (now known as Scajaquada Creek) and captured the bridge and the battery there. Hall sent the militia under Warren and Churchill to reconnoiter. When they ran off at the first enemy fire, Hall dispatched a second force under Adams and Chapin but exactly the same thing happened. Hall now took personal command of the remainder of his force. He ordered a detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Blakeslee to attack the British left and advanced toward Black Rock with the rest of his men. As dawn broke, Hall directed "a very heavy fire of cannon and musketry" at Colonel Gordon's 1st Royal Scots as they tried to land at Black Rock. Gordon was supported by the fire of a five-gun battery but several of his boats grounded and his regiment took substantial casualties before they could force their way ashore. Riall now advanced with his main body against Hall's center, sending a detachment from his left wing to hit the American right flank. Although the Americans fought with considerable obstinacy, according to Riall, after half an hour of fighting the American right wing broke into a rout. In order to avoid being outflanked, Hall ordered a general retreat. The British pursued all the way to Buffalo, two miles away. Once in Buffalo, the British and Indians sacked it, burning down all but four of its buildings. The British troops also destroyed the navy yard and three armed schooners (the Chippewa, Ariel, Little Belt) and one sloop (the Trippe). Riall's force then moved on to Black Rock, where once again, all but one building was razed to the ground, before going back over the Niagara to Canada. Lt Col.Gordon then he commanded 7 companies of the reserve at the battle of Lundy's Lane 1814, The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle of the Anglo-American War of 1812, which took place on 25 July 1814, in present-day Niagara Falls, Ontario. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, and one of the deadliest battles ever fought on Canadian soil. The Lt Col was killed in action in the same year of 1814. Horn lid with a silver thistle motif hinge and an engraving of John Gordon around the silver rim of the horn body. In the 18th century and early 19th century these such mulls were highly popular with Scottish gentleman and they are highly collectable today. This is one of the nicest examples we have seen and simply wonderful to have history and the inscribed name of a Napoleonic and American War hero, Lt.Col. John Gordon of the 1st Foot, who was killed in action at the Siege of Fort Erie in 1814. 12 British officers and 138 men died during that siege, and there is monument to their name, that was erected in the 1930's Lt Col Gordon is listed alongside the 11 other officers on the monument. Picture in the gallery of The Battle Of Lundy's Lane. The mull measures 3 inches x 3 inches. We first owned this super piece around 20 years ago, and at that time it was sold to a collector of ours, together with some papers of Colonel Gordon. Col. Gordon's effects had been returned to his surviving family, after his death, including this mull and his papers. Very sadly those original papers that we had found were lost some time during the past 20 years.

A Superb Antique Barong. An Indonesian Warriors Short Sword. Leaf shaped watered blade, showing superb tempered grain and structure. The hilt has a “cockatoo beak” (kakatua) handle. Silver band with mother of pearl decoration. Rattan bound scabbard with mother of pearl bottom mount.During it's life some of the rattan has been lost and the bottom mount reaffixed.

A Superb Antique Katar Decorated with Gold Koftgari 18th Century. An Indian Sikh Push-Dagger Decorated with Gold onlaid Koftgari work. Finest blade with a central fuller with three ribs, the innermost in the form of the kundalini flame of Sushumna, with a simply stunning crows-beak armour piercing tip. Used in many wars it was able to pierce straight through armour. This technique was very good for Medieval warfare. The blade has a small museum collection number stamped at the forte of the blade 19. For a near identical Katar dagger, see the world renown collection of magnificent Mogul arms of Dr Leo S. Figiel, item 2142, [The collection was sold in San Francisco in 1998].

A Superb Antique Keris [Kris] With a Singularly Beautiful Blade The traditional Indonesian weapon allegedly endowed with religious and mystical powers. Wonderful Indonesian hardwood hilt and scabbard, with a stunning blade showing incredible grain. With traditional Meteorite laminated iron blade with hammered nickle for the contrasting pattern

A Superb Battle of Trafalgar RN Captain's Sword, But With Combat Scars This is a fabulous battle weight sword with the traditional senior rank indicator for British Royal Naval officer's, of the carved solid ivory grip [with it's original triple wire binding], and around 90% of all it's original, pure gold, mirror bright gilt remaining. However, it has certainly seen some influential sword-to-sword combat damage in it's service life. Most of it's conflict impacts has been incurred in the hilt region, where there are three, distinct, sword defensive strikes on the langets, and the quillon has been broken. The knuckle bow guard is slightly misshapen, and this is absolutely a classic sign of close quarter combat sword-punching, likely against a very bony French sailor's jaw!.The blade is overall blue and fully engraved with scrolls and swags, royal devices, GR etc. and the 1801 Royal Crest. For condition, this sword rates about six out of ten overall, but, as a highly evocative symbol of magnificent British maritime conflict, in the time of Nelson's navy, it scores ten out of ten all the way. This sword was terribly grubby and we have undertaken an intensive, yet most sensitive, conservation cleaning to the hilt and blade that has managed to keep all it's original condition completely intact.

A Superb British Pattern 1856 "2-Band" Enfield Sword Bayonet Yataghan blade maker marked with Solingen knight's helmet mark. Excellent pressed leather grips with British ordnance stamps.This bayonet was issued with the 2 band model of the Enfield, and the later Snider-Enfield conversion. These rifles were used with this sword bayonet by Sergeants in line infantry regiments, and issued as a sword to all ranks of British Rifle regiments. Many Enfields were exported to the U.S. during the Civil War and this sword bayonet was used by both North and South. Steel mounted leather scabbard last half inch lacking to scabbard mount.

A Superb Bronze Age Sword, around 3000 years old Copper alloy circa 1200 B.C. A beautiful Bronze Age battle sword [as opposed to the heavy and unwieldy form of sword made for burial offerings]. The very same shape, form and length of stabbing sword that was carried and used in combat, during the 1st millennium B.C., by the fearsome warriors of ancient history, such as the noble Hector and the valiant Achilles. Some 22 3/4 inches long. With a conical hat shaped pommel, a double edged blade with two outer fullers and four thinner fullers leading to a central, ribbed, ridgeline. Superb patina with fine natural age encrustations. Most likely made in the area of the upper valleys of the Zagros mountains, that was conquered by the Persian Medes and integrated into the Persian Empire in the second millennium B.C.The area on the western border of Persia (Iran), is the source of many bronzes that have been dated from 1500 to 500 BC and include chariot or harness fittings, rein rings, elaborate horse bits, and various decorative rings, as well as weapons, personal ornaments, different types of cult objects. The area, was in many respects, the centre of bronze manufacturing and casting for the whole region, and their wonderful works were traded throughout the whole eastern region, right down to the Mediterranean, into Greece and Macedon. Due to an influence from the West, around the 14th century B.C, smiths from Luristan began to manufacture blades with hilts that were cast together in one mould. In these examples, the hilts were flanged so that they could take inlaid scales of wood, bone, or metal. Bone inlays were often cut in a way so that the hilt had a winged or “ear-shaped” pommel. Later, these inlaid hilts were exactly copied in bronze with the hilt made separately and, then, cast onto the blade.

A Superb English Civil War 'Mortuary Hilted' Sword for Cavalry Officer Straight slender and elegant blade, single-edged towards the tip, then double edged on the back return for 6 inches, cut with several slender fullers along the back-edge on each side, with small armourers marks of four equally spaced darts. A symmetrical steel basket hilt chiseled with foliage and a portrait busts of two bewigged figures most likely King Charles 1st., on the underside of the guard, drawn-up to form the knuckle-guard, fitted with vertical bar and two side bars with bifurcated scrolling bases front and back, each joined to the knuckle-guard by a pair of moulded bars, a pair of short domed langets, vestigial quillon, and chiseled pommel (later plain grip), In the Civil War, the opening of the battle usually involved groups of cavalry, with the officers carrying these very form of swords. The main objective was to make the opposing cavalry run away. When that happened, the victorious cavalry turned on the enemy infantry. Well-disciplined pike men, brave enough to hold their ground, could do tremendous damage to a cavalry charging straight at them. There are several examples of cavalry men having three or four horses killed under them in one battle. At the start of the war the king's nephew, Prince Rupert, was put in charge of the cavalry. Although Rupert was only twenty-three he already had a lot of experience fighting in the Dutch army. Prince Rupert introduced a new cavalry tactic that he had learnt fighting in Sweden. This involved charging full speed at the enemy. The horses were kept close together and just before impact the men fired their pistols, then arming themselves with their swords for the all too fearsome hand to hand combat During the early stages of the Civil War the parliamentary army was at a great disadvantage. Most of the soldiers had never used a sword or musket before. When faced with Prince Rupert's cavalry charging at full speed, they often turned and ran. One of the Roundhead officers who saw Prince Rupert's cavalry in action was a man called Oliver Cromwell. Although Cromwell had no military training, his experience as a large landowner gave him a good knowledge of horses. Cromwell became convinced that if he could produce a well-disciplined army he could defeat Prince Rupert and his Cavaliers. He knew that pike men, armed with sixteen-foot-long pikes, who stood their ground during a cavalry attack, could do a tremendous amount of damage. Oliver Cromwell also noticed that Prince Rupert's cavalry were not very well disciplined. After they charged the enemy they went in pursuit of individual targets. At the first major battle of the civil war at Edge hill, most of Prince Rupert's cavalrymen did not return to the battlefield until over an hour after the initial charge. By this time the horses were so tired they were unable to mount another attack against the Roundheads. Cromwell trained his cavalry to keep together after a charge. In this way his men could repeatedly charge the Cavaliers. Cromwell's new cavalry took part in its first major battle at Marston Moor in Yorkshire in July 1644. The king's soldiers were heavily defeated in the battle. Cromwell's soldiers became known as the Ironsides' because of the way they cut through the Cavaliers on the battlefield. The Mortuary hilted swords actually gained their unusual name some considerable time after the Civil War. For, as they bore representational portraits of King Charles Ist, it was believed in Victorian times that they were to symbolize the death of the King, however, as these swords were actually made from 1640, long before he was executed, it was an obviously erroneous naming, that curiously remains to this day. This example is a beautiful, fine and singularly handsome piece and would certainly be a fine addition to any collection of rare English swords. There are a few examples near identical to this sword in the Royal Collection and the Tower of London Collection. 82cm blade As the sword is black steel we have emphasized the design of the basket hilt using a red velvet insert within the guard, this is for display purposes only.

A Superb Indo Persian 17th Century Firangi Sword The name ‘Firangi’ (Foreigner) was given to these swords in the 17th Century, as they were mounted with European (Foreign) blades, which were highly valued. Some blades were locally made in the European style. The blades were mounted on the ‘Khanda’ style hilt and with the long spike extending from the pommel which enabled them to be used as two handed swords. 29 inch blade to hilt, 35 inches overall

A Superb Medieval 13th Century 'Crusades' Iron 'Flanged' Battle Mace A rare example of mace, and it is known that just a few remaining examples of it's type are in existence. An offensive Battle Mace that would be an amazingly effective piece against Armour or shield. In almost spherical form with multi layered protruding flanges in hollow-cast iron. Affixed to a replacement haft. They were also carried as a symbol of power and rank, as it is so now, the Parliamentary Mace and the Queen's great Mace of State being just two examples. In the Crusades era this was, on occasion, also an ecclesiastic symbol [used by Bishops or even Popes], but more usually by Knights in noble combat. The last photo in the gallery is from a 13th century Manuscript that shows Kinghts in combat and one at the rear is using a stylised mace. The mace head is approximately the size of a tennis ball.

A Superb Original Head Hunters Sword, an Antique Dayaks Mandau, A rare Mandau of the Dayak people, of Kalimantan, Indonesia. With beautifully traditionally carved antler hilt, complete with red and black hair. Traditional blade with convex obverse and concave reverse. Wooden sheath with upper and lower surfaces carved in relief with matching motif, bound with wonderfully woven bi-colored reed wraps, including the original woven reed hanging cords and bi-knife sleeve (bi-knife not present). The last photo in the gallery is a period photo of an indigenous Head Hunter, holding his 'prize', achieved with his Mandau.[Photo not included]

A Superb Pennsylvania 'Kentucky' Flintlock, Lock Signed by Ketland & Co. . These finest 18th century century early American longarms, were the epitome of beauty and function. In 1789 Thomas and John Ketland emigrated to America and settled in Philadelphia. They eventually married the daughter's of George Meade a well regarded American patriot and good friend of George Washington. This fine gun has a superb, long, heavy barrel, traditional crescent butt, a flintlock action, and a beautiful stock, wonderfully set of with a finely engraved brass patchbox. A full length stock with striped wooden ramrod. All fine brass funiture with lock marked Ketland. It was the early American Long Guns that were shown to great effect in the film 'The Patriot' the award winning film of the American Revolution. The back country riflemen of the Carolinas and the Mountains of Virginia confounded the British due to their weapons accuracy and long range effectiveness, these were true beginnings of guerrilla warfare which influenced the British decision to create the Rifles Regiments of skirmishers. Early in the conflict gunsmithing was placed under virtual control of the Continental Congress, which fixed the prices for guns and decreed that gunsmiths deliver all guns to the patriot army or be branded as enemies and deprived of the tools of their trade. Pennsylvania makers helped materially to supply the nine companies of riflemen that were raised in this State and placed initially under the command of Colonel William Thompson of Carlisle. The defeat suffered by the riflemen under Benedict Arnold in the ill-fated attack on Quebec was avenged somewhat by the later victories at Saratoga and at King’s Mountain, where the “Tomahawks” comprised a large part of the American forces. Major Patrick Ferguson, commander of loyalist American troops fighting for the British army, who was killed by a rifle bullet at King’s Mountain, had his unit experiment with a breech-loading rifle of his own invention at the battle of the Brandywine. He had urged its adoption by the British army, but the musket continued to be used commonly by all European armies until well into the nineteenth century. The bloody repulse of the British at New Orleans early in January 1815 by the men of Tennessee and Kentucky under Andrew Jackson’s command is another epic in the saga of this historic firearm. Westward across the plains, over the mountains, and beyond the sunsets it was carried by hunter, trader, prospector and settler. Indians respected the “fire stick” and learned to use it against the white intruders in many forays that chronicle the struggle for the West. To the south and west our national domain was in part carved out by the use of the Pennsylvania-type gun in the war with Mexico. 42 inch barrel. 57 inches overall. Small crack in the toe of the stock [as usual]. Some of the above information was from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and for information and education purposes only. The Pennsylvania long arm is a most significant part of American history and it's evolution, and it is essential that this history, it's use and it's stories, be passed on to future generations. Showing these arms, in conjunction with their history, is a vital way to ensure that these important past events remain alive. By making it as interesting as possible, hopefully, the young of today will learn and enjoy it, and thus want to continue learn, as much as we did in our youth.

A Superb Turkish Ottoman Flintlock Pistol A beautiful long barreled horse pistol with fine brass mounts, and a stunning butt cap intricately inlaid with fine silver in superb detail of scrolls and figurative designs. Used from the 18th century, in the Caucasus, and throughout the Ottoman Empire, this fine pistol would have been a highly prized piece, carried on horseback, either in a saddle holster or pushed through the sash belt. The silver inlay reflects the styles and is distinctly inspired by the great English gunsmiths who pioneered such fine silver work in the 18th century, such as Richard Wilson of London. The stock is made from the finest hand carved Turkish walnut [even today Turkey is still the source of the finest walnut for bespoke gunstocks]. This is a very impressive Turkish pistol, and of imposing size. The "golden age" of the Ottoman Empire was during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th Century. In different fields, this can be seen both in the architecture of Koca Mimar Sinan Aga, and in the domination of the Mediterranean by the Ottoman navy, led by Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha. The Ottoman Empire reached its territorial peak in the 17th century. From a diverse system of Millets, to a multi-ethnic state (Ottomanism), it developed its own distinctive culture, influential both in the European and Islamic worlds.With Istanbul (or Constantinople) as its capital, the Ottoman Empire was in some respects an Islamic successor to earlier Mediterranean empires — the Roman and Byzantine empires. The Empire was the only Islamic power to seriously challenge the rising power of Western Europe between the 15th and 19th centuries.

A Superb US Civil War Cavalry Sabre Dated 1864 Identical to Custer's Sabre. Made by the same maker, in the same year, and even inspected by the very same man. This sword is probably one of the nicest examples of an original 1860 US Cavalry Sword we have seen in some time. Made by C.Roby of Chelmsford Mass. The hilt has a leather grip, all steel scabbard and excellent maker marks to the blade forte. Civil War Union Government inspectors initials stamped at blade forte 'A.G.M'. This is the very same form of sword as was used by Col.George Armstrong Custer, made by the same maker, in the very same year, and inspected by the same Government inspector AGM. Custer's sword was late of the Charles A.Custer's family collection, and it's maker, date and inspectors initial stamp are well documented. Custer is shown wearing his sabre in a photo in the gallery [for information only not included with sword]. This sabre was obviously made, and part of, the same small batch of swords that Col. Custer's sword came from. It is logical to assume they may well were all made for Custers regts of the lst Brigade, lst Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac (March 25 - August 6, 1864) and Army of the Shenandoah (August 6 -September 26, 1864); temporarily commanding 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia serving with the Army of the Shenandoah (September 26-30, 1864).Grip wire lacking to grip, good scabbard. We have only ever had one sword before [in 35 years] from this small batch made at the very same time by Custer's maker. Interestingly the scabbard throat area has some small deliberate notches carved into the steel, traditionaly they are recognised as symbols of combat victories.

A Superb, Cased, Gold Plated 7mm Pinfire Revolver of the US Civil War era Circa 1860's. A most beautiful fully engraved and gold plated single action revolver in a case. The fourth most popular gun of the American Civil War. Fine walnut case with oil bottle and original Lefrauchaux 7mm pinfire cartridge case. Lidded box and partitions for extras. Some surface wear to the plating. Spur cocking action. Only the best revolvers were ever gold plated, and they were more usually hand made and commissioned for presentation. Cased personal protector pistols, such as this high quality example, were very popular for presentation, and some have survived the war, and are presently in great gun collections, in America and Europe. They were frequently given to generals and senior officers [most usually by fellow comrade officers] in both the armies of the North and South. Case lacks shield escutcheon.

A Tibetan Dagger. Copper Mounts Set with Coloured Stones A very decorative and beautiful Tibetan Dagger with all embossed copper mounts, steel blade, mounts set with coloured stones.

A Truly Exceptional and Beautiful Jade and Gold Hilted Sword, 19th Century. Indo Persian. A fully carved, hilt with lotus flower at the pommel with stunning gold inlaid Koftgari mounts and a singularly beautiful wide T section blade with an inlaid Islamic gold cartouche and a golden tiger. The scabbard is mounted with matching gold Koftgari fittings and green parchment covering [small losses to parchment]. Similar examples of this quality workmanship were to be seen in the distinguished collection of Dr Leo S. Figiel, a renown collector of remarkable Mogul arms and art. Blade 543mm long by 45mm wide at the hilt, sword [blade and hilt] 692mm, overall sword in the scabbard total length 755mm

A Turkish Long Holster Pistol 18th Century Walnut stock, steel engraved trigger guard with symbolic pineapple finial, banana shaped lock fine fine engraving , tutaneg long eared butt cap. Long engraved and chisseled steel barrel with armourers seal stamp held with two steel cappucines.

A Very Fine 1796 Light Dragoon Sabre By Gill, & Monogrammed I. C. A British Battle of Waterloo & Peninsular War Period Dragoon Combat Sabre. Bearing the owners initials I.C.. A mighty swash buckling sabre from the era of the great Napoleonic Wars, The Peninsular War and Waterloo. With good traditional form blade, steel P hilt with ribbed grip. General signs of combat use and age wear, excellent blade with makers name, Gill and Warranted. Combat sword cuts to the edge. No scabbard. A traditional sabre of the British Cavalry Light Dragoons. An amazingly effective sword of good stout quality. British Light dragoons were first raised in the 18th century. Initially they formed part of a cavalry regiment (scouting, reconnaissance etc), but due to their successes in this role, (and also in charging and harassing the enemy), they soon acquired a reputation for courage and skill. Whole regiments dedicated to this role were soon raised; the 15th Light Dragoons 1759 were the first, followed by the 18th Light Dragoons and the 19th Light Dragoons. The 13th Light Dragoons were initially heavy dragoons known as Richard Munden’s Regiment of Dragoons 1715. By 1751 the regiment title was simplified to the 13th Regiment of Dragoons and by 1783 had been converted to the light role. In 1796 a new form of sabre was designed by a brave and serving officer, Le Marchant. Le Marchant commanded the cavalry squadron during the Flanders campaign against the French (1793-94). Taking notice of comments made to him by an Austrian Officer describing British Troopers swordplay as "reminiscent of a farmer chopping wood", he designed a new light cavalry sword to improve the British cavalryman's success. It was adopted by the Army in 1797 and was used for 20 years. Le Marchant was highly praised by many for his superb design and he further developed special training and exercise regimes. King George IIIrd was especially impressed and learnt them all by heart and encouraged their use throughout the cavalry corps. For a reward Le Marchant was promoted to Lt Colonel and given command of the 7th Light Dragoons. He soon realized that the course for educating the officers in his own regiment would spread no further in the Army without suitably trained instructors. His vision was to educate officers at a central military college and train them in the art of warfare. Despite many objections and prejudices by existing powerful members of the establishment, he gained the support of the Duke of York in establishing the Royal Military College, later to become the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and the Army Staff College. In 1804 Le Marchant received the personal thanks of King George who said "The country is greatly indebted to you." In 1811, when nearing completion of this task, he was removed from his post as Lieutenant Governor of the College by Lord Wellington to command the heavy cavalry in the Peninsula. Appointed as Major General, he arrived in Lisbon fifteen days after leaving Portsmouth. On 22nd July 1812, Lord Wellington and the Allied Army of 48,500 men and 60 cannon were situated at Salamanca, Spain, against the French Commander Marshal Marmont. Wellington had ordered his baggage trains westwards to provide a covering force in the event of a full scale retreat, however Marmont mistakenly took the movement to be the retreat of the Army itself and ordered eight divisions of Infantry and a cavalry division westwards in an attempt to outflank the retreat. Wellington on seeing the enemy's army now spread out over four miles and therefore losing it's positional advantage, ordered the full attack. Le Marchant, at the head of one thousand British cavalry rode at a gallop towards the surprised French infantrymen, who had no time to form squares, and reduced their numbers greatly. The Heavy Brigade had received thorough training under Le Marchant and on reforming their lines charged repeatedly, until five battalions of the French left wing had been destroyed. After twenty minutes, in the final charge, Le Marchant fell from his horse having received a fatal musket shot and General Packenham who watched the attack later remarked " the fellow died sabre in hand...giving the most princely example". Two days later, he was buried, in his military cloak, near an olive grove where he had fallen. Aged forty-six John Le Marchant was buried on the field of battle, however, a monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral, London. The survival today of this sword is a testament to the now little known British hero, who, in many ways transformed the way that cavalry sword combat, and many military tactics were conducted for many decades after his valorous death. His fearsome sabre was, it is said, so feared by the French that protests were submitted to the British government stating that it was simply too gruesome for use in civilized warfare. Photo in the gallery of a Peninsular period 7th Light Dragoon [later known as Hussars] wearing his 'Le Marchant' designed Sabre identical to this example. We are at present doing research on the initials to try to find it's possible owner during the Napoleonic Wars.

A Very Fine Connaught Rangers Senior Officer's Sword for 'Battle' and Full Dress. A beautiful Victorian sword of decorated hero Colonel Horatio George Broke, of the 88th, The Connaught Rangers [the scabbard throat bears his full name] Clonel Broke joined the Army as a young ensign in May 1806, and through his own skill and accomplishments was eventually promoted to Major General and Colonel of the 88th Foot Regiment, in December 1858. Traditional open pierced, gothic pattern, brass hilt, with cypher of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and a dried sharkskin bound grip, but with the all brass scabbard that was reserved for officers of 'field rank', such as Majors or Colonels, serving in the field. Fully etched blade but with only traces of the full etching remaining. No doubt the Colonel's batman polished the blade everyday, and his constant endeavours wore through the etching somewhat. The Colonel, as a young Ensign, accompanied the Oxfordshire Regt. [The 52nd] as a young Ensign on the expedition to Copenhagen in 1807, and in the following year served in the Peninsular War against Napoleon at, Vimiera, the advance into Spain, and the retreat under Sir John Moore. In 1809 he served in the Walcheren expedition. In 1811 he joined the Light Division on the retreat to Massena from the lines of Lisbon and served in Spain until the end of the Peninsular War. In 1812 he served as Aide de Camp at the seige of of Burgos and was shot through the lungs while serving with him at the Battle of Orthos. He served in the Army of Occupation in France from 1815 till 1818 as Aide de Camp to Sir Henry Clinton. He was awarded the War medal with four clasps for Vimera Salamance Nive and Orthes. The Connaught Rangers, The 88th Foot ("the Devil's Own") was an Irish Regiment of the British Army. It gained numerous battle honours for the 'colours' in the Peninsular War and in the Crimean War.

A Very Fine Crimean War Royal Naval Officer's Battle & Dress Sword With a fine etched pipe back blade, brass hilt with a superb relief 'deluxe quality' lion and mane pommel, and the original wire bound fishskin grip. A magnicent sword of slightly heavier quality than standard for serious combat use. An almost identical sword was made for Admiral Sir James Saumarez. Fully etched blade with Crown and Anchor, made by Widdowson and Veale of Strand London. Blade marked Warranted. Nearly all the original fire gilt remaining. Edge to edge combat nicks on the blade. There are a few identical swords in the National Maritime Museum Collection, previously owned by noted Admirals and Commodores of the early to mid 19th century. No scabbard.

A Very Fine English King George IIIrd Boxlock Spring Loaded Bayonet Pistol Circa 1830, one of the very earliest percussion pistols that were based on the flintlock boxlock action, but utilizes the sprung frizzen steel design into a semi safety action to encase the percussion nipple and, ingeniously, designed to hold in place all sizes of cap, including top hat types. On first view it gives the appearance of being a flint percussion conversion, but it is not, and is therefore much the scarcer for that. Made by the gun maker Storkey of Southwold, of whom there is no known record in existence, that we can find. A most competently and well made pistol, with a good tight action and very well functioning. All nice quality fittings and engraving.No safety slide. The pictures at present show this 'sleeper' pistol completely uncleaned.

A Very Fine Vendetta Dagger from Corse, France, of the 19th Century Made by Besset-Muret it is an antique Corsican Vendetta knife, stamped by the maker, 76 Veritable Bernard. It is in excellent overall condition, but it has quite obviously been used, and thus sharpened many times. It closes with good hard snap, and has no blade wobble. The blade being sharpened so many times for use has now gained an endearing uneven blade edge shape. It is the much used examples, such as this, that are the most desireable to the collectors of the true Vendetta knife. The blade has traces of two inscriptions on either side but we cannot read it well enough to describe it here. They date back into 19thC and tend to have colourful inscriptions like: 'May your wounds be mortal' or 'You go straight to the heart of the enemy' Although politically a part of France, Corsica has had close ties with Italy. As in Sicily and other parts of Italy, Corsica was long noted for the practice of the vendetta, a blood feud between families or clans. Blood feuds are no longer common, but they have not been stopped in the less accessible parts of the island. It has been estimated that in the course of the 17th and 18th centuries the vendetta cost the lives of 30,000 Corsicans. In Corsica, when a man is wronged by another, public sentiment requires that he redress his own grievance, and that his family and friends shall share the consequences. " Before the law made us citizens, great nature made us men." " When one has an enemy, one must choose between the three S's-schiopetto, stiletto, strada : the rifle, the dagger, or flight." " There are two presents to be made to an enemy, palla calda o ferro freddo : hot shot or cold steel." The Corsican code of honor does not require that vengeance be taken in fair fight. Rather should there be a sudden thrust of the knife, or a pistol fired point-blank into the enemy's breast, or a rifle-shot from some ambush picked in advance. The assassin is not conscious of any cowardice in such act. If the trouble between him and his foe had been strictly a personal matter, to be settled forever by one man's fall, then he might have welcomed a duel with all the punctilios. But his blood is not his alone-it belongs to his clan. Whenever a Corsican is slain his family takes up the feud. A vendetta ensues-a war of extermination by clan against clan. 14 .75 Inches long overall [open] closed, 8 inches. Blade 6.75 inches long

A Very Fine Victorian Royal Naval Officer's Sword With nearly all the original fire gilt still remaining to the hilt. An elegant lightweight sword, with a fully etched pipe-back blade, from the era of the Crimean War. No scabbard.

A Very Fine, Victorian, Unwin and Rodgers Patent Pistol-Knife, Circa 1837 A highly desireable percussion action gadget gun, that emcompasses the field of rare knives, rare guns, and, patented, combination & gadget weaponry collecting [also known as firearm curiosa]. Philip Unwin and his partner James Rodgers were Unwin and Rodgers, and they were a famous Victorian Sheffield knife cutlers, and for a brief period they made these very fine and most interesting combination knife-guns in percussion action [the later type were in rimfire]. This is a particularly fine example, with the early pattern blade mark, and all complete with the concealed accessories. Solid nickle barrel with Birmingham proof marks, carved horn side plates, folding trigger and two folding blades. Unwin & Rodgers was known for interesting markings on their guns. This marking "NON-XLL" when read aloud, becomes "non-excelled" meaning "without peer".Very good condition overall, very small piece of horn plate missing.

A Very Good 450 577 Martini Henry Rifle Dated 1872 Mk1 / 2 One of the earliest Martini Henry rifles we have seen in a quite a while the stock is absolutely beautiful, in walnut, with a very high grade polish. The bore appears to be absolutely super [just a little dirty], and all metal parts are fully ordnance marked. As we have a client list stretching back 40 years we are allways seeking fine examples of all the most famous historical, British, Commonwealth and American arms, and the Martini Henry is certainly one of the most famous of all, likely thanks to the classic film 'Zulu' starring Micheal Caine. As such it is one of our most popular collectables, and being specialist historical dealers we pride ourselves on actively seeking the most attractive examples possible we can find anywhere. We refer to our method as 'cherry picking', and using this system to source the most interesting, most beautiful, or simply the most historical we can find, we often refuse 80% of items we are offered. This is the very type of gun as used in the Zulu War in 1879, and a true piece and representation of British Army history. Made at Enfield, VR Crown, MK I /II, 1872, stamped lock plate. During the Martini-Henry period in service, the British army were involved in a large number of colonial wars, most notably the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. The MH Mk II rifle was the type used by the company of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot present at Rorke's Drift during the eponymous battle. The rifle went on to be used with great distinction throughout the British Empire right into late 1880's then transferred to service in the Raj were it was used almost up to the Great War era. This rifle has an old contemporary service hairline mark on one side of the rear stock section

A Very Good British 1822 Pat. Infantry Officer's Sabre The mercurial gilt hilt has around 95% of all it's original pure gold mirror bright gilt remaining, and the blade is very nice indeed, bearing all the royal cyphers and devices of Queen Victoria. The blade bears the maker mark of Firmin of Conduit St. London. The guard has the uniform side fold down rim and this has been slightly bent out of true. No scabbard

A Very Good British Light Dragoon 'Blue and Gilt' 1796 Officer's Sabre With much original 'Blue and Gilt' remaining to the blade, around an even 50%. With all the expected and traditional engravings, royal cyphers, 'warranted' and devices. All steel hilt and scabbard with silver wire bound grip.

A Very Good British, Victorian, Regimental Bandsman's Sword A super example of a British, Victorian, Regimental Musician's Sword. Brass cruciform hilt, double edged blade. Brass mounted leather scabbard. Made for the days when the British military band marched alongside the men, in formation, into battle. Whereupon, if the bandsman or bugler came under attack in close quarter action he had an adequate means of defence. Monogrammed blade

A Very Good French Cuirassier, Dragoon and Hussars Flintlock Pistol of 1806 Bearing good circular inspector's seal mark EF [Empire Francais] and date 1806, similar date to barrel and and Manufacture Imperial Tulle mark on the lock. The French Elite Cuirassier regiments were surely the most impressive heavy cavalry regiments ever created, being of incredible size quality and stature. Used in the great campaigns of Napoleon by the Elite Grande Armee Cavalry. All the Cuirassier were front line regiments, none ever utilized as Militia. A true Napoleonic gem, made in 1806, and a battle souvenir of Napoleon's 'Grande Armee', elite Cuirassiers or Cavalry that would have seen service throughout the whole Napoleonic Wars and the greatest Napoleonic Battles, from Austerlitz, Wagram and Moscow to the Peninsular War and Waterloo. All of Napoleon's Heavy Cavalry Regiments fought at Waterloo, there were no reserve regiments. The Cuirassiers Heavy Cavalry Regiments used the largest men in France, recruited to serve in the greatest and noblest cavalry France has ever had. They fought with incredible distinction at their last great conflict at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and much of the weaponry used by Napoleons cavalry came home to England after the battle, as trophies of war. One can imagine, the noble, fallen, French Cuirassier, who had carried this pistol into his last vainglorious combat, would still likely have had this pistol in hand as he fell under his fallen loyal steed. His fine piece, may have been lying freely, or maybe even still gripped within his hand, on the field of conflict, waiting for a victorious British soldier or cavalryman to claim his well deserved trophy of battle. Every warrior that has ever entered service for his country sought trophies. The Mycenae from the fallen Trojan, the Roman from the fallen Gaul, the GI from the fallen Japanese, and the tradition stretches back as far as combat itself, and will continue to do so as long as man serves his country as soldier and warrior in battle. In the 1st century AD the Roman Poet Juvenal [Decimus Junius Juvenalis] wrote; "Man thirsts more for glory than virtue. The armour of an enemy, his broken helmet, the flag ripped from a conquered trireme, are treasures valued beyond all human riches. It is to obtain these tokens of glory that Generals, be they Roman, Greek or barbarian, brave a thousand perils and endure a thousand exertions". Some of the battles this pistol would have been used at were; 1806: Jena and the Capture of Lubeck. 1807: Hoff and Eylau. 1809: Eckmuhl, Ratisbonne, Essling, Wagram, Hollabrunn, and Znaim. 1812: Borodino and Moscow, Ostrowno, and Winkowo 1813: Reichenbach and Dresden, Leipzig and Hanau 1814: La Rothiere, Rosnay, Champaubert, Vauchamps, Athies, La Fere-Champenoise and Paris 1815: Quatre-Bras and Waterloo.

A Very Good London Made Back Action Sporting Musket Circa 1840 Damascus barrel with hook breech and barrel retaining slides. Finest walnut stock in very good order. Back action lock finely engraved. All steel mounts with old russet traces. A most attractive and well made hand made gun of the second quarter of the 19th century. Would make a fine compliment to any collection of antiques and fine art.

A Very Impressive 1796 Light Dragoon Sabre By Gill A British Battle of Waterloo & Peninsular War Period Dragoon Combat Sabre. A mighty swash buckling sabre from the era of the great Napoleonic Wars, The Peninsular War and Waterloo. With good traditional form blade, steel P hilt with ribbed grip. General signs of combat use and age wear, good blade. No scabbard. Hilt has overal russetting and the blade is lightly tarnished. A named blade bu Gill but his makers panel is very worn and difficult to see. Combat sword cuts to the edge. A traditional sabre of the British Cavalry Light Dragoons. An amazingly effective sword of good stout quality. British Light dragoons were first raised in the 18th century. Initially they formed part of a cavalry regiment (scouting, reconnaissance etc), but due to their successes in this role, (and also in charging and harassing the enemy), they soon acquired a reputation for courage and skill. Whole regiments dedicated to this role were soon raised; the 15th Light Dragoons 1759 were the first, followed by the 18th Light Dragoons and the 19th Light Dragoons. The 13th Light Dragoons were initially heavy dragoons known as Richard Munden’s Regiment of Dragoons 1715. By 1751 the regiment title was simplified to the 13th Regiment of Dragoons and by 1783 had been converted to the light role. In 1796 a new form of sabre was designed by a brave and serving officer, Le Marchant. Le Marchant commanded the cavalry squadron during the Flanders campaign against the French (1793-94). Taking notice of comments made to him by an Austrian Officer describing British Troopers swordplay as "reminiscent of a farmer chopping wood", he designed a new light cavalry sword to improve the British cavalryman's success. It was adopted by the Army in 1797 and was used for 20 years. Le Marchant was highly praised by many for his superb design and he further developed special training and exercise regimes. King George IIIrd was especially impressed and learnt them all by heart and encouraged their use throughout the cavalry corps. For a reward Le Marchant was promoted to Lt Colonel and given command of the 7th Light Dragoons. He soon realized that the course for educating the officers in his own regiment would spread no further in the Army without suitably trained instructors. His vision was to educate officers at a central military college and train them in the art of warfare. Despite many objections and prejudices by existing powerful members of the establishment, he gained the support of the Duke of York in establishing the Royal Military College, later to become the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and the Army Staff College. In 1804 Le Marchant received the personal thanks of King George who said "The country is greatly indebted to you." In 1811, when nearing completion of this task, he was removed from his post as Lieutenant Governor of the College by Lord Wellington to command the heavy cavalry in the Peninsula. Appointed as Major General, he arrived in Lisbon fifteen days after leaving Portsmouth. On 22nd July 1812, Lord Wellington and the Allied Army of 48,500 men and 60 cannon were situated at Salamanca, Spain, against the French Commander Marshal Marmont. Wellington had ordered his baggage trains westwards to provide a covering force in the event of a full scale retreat, however Marmont mistakenly took the movement to be the retreat of the Army itself and ordered eight divisions of Infantry and a cavalry division westwards in an attempt to outflank the retreat. Wellington on seeing the enemy's army now spread out over four miles and therefore losing it's positional advantage, ordered the full attack. Le Marchant, at the head of one thousand British cavalry rode at a gallop towards the surprised French infantrymen, who had no time to form squares, and reduced their numbers greatly. The Heavy Brigade had received thorough training under Le Marchant and on reforming their lines charged repeatedly, until five battalions of the French left wing had been destroyed. After twenty minutes, in the final charge, Le Marchant fell from his horse having received a fatal musket shot and General Packenham who watched the attack later remarked " the fellow died sabre in hand...giving the most princely example". Two days later, he was buried, in his military cloak, near an olive grove where he had fallen. Aged forty-six John Le Marchant was buried on the field of battle, however, a monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral, London. The survival today of this sword is a testament to the now little known British hero, who, in many ways transformed the way that cavalry sword combat, and many military tactics were conducted for many decades after his valorous death. His fearsome sabre was, it is said, so feared by the French that protests were submitted to the British government stating that it was simply too gruesome for use in civilized warfare. Photo in the gallery of a Peninsular period 7th Light Dragoon [later known as Hussars] wearing his 'Le Marchant' designed Sabre identical to this example.

A Very Interesting Infantry Shako of the 5th Regt 1867 An Infantry Shako with original gilt metal Helmet plate of the 5th regt. It has a Latin motto 'Decus et Praesidium' ['An Honour and a Guard'] and the date 1867. Victorian era Shako are very rare and this is a very nice, clean and most pleasing example. Although an original antique piece we have not seen this kind of Shako plate before, but we are resonably certain that it is most probably American. The 175th Infantry [of the USA], was originally designated the 5th [by Act of Assembly in Maryland in 1794] after it's service in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War [Confederate], and WW1. The 5th Regiment was organised in May 1867 [after the Civil War] as sucessor to the Old Maryland Guard, which was formed in 1859 but was dissolved when most of it's men went South, in 1861, to the Confederate Army. Their motto was [and still is] 'Decus et Praesidium'. The helmet is complete with it's chinscales.

A Very Interesting Long Service Good Conduct, Egypt [Tel El Kabir] Group 3 silver medals. Egypt Campaign medal Tel El Kabir Bar, marked [some letters indistinct] ****** Mullins 1st Battalion, 1/ R I Fusiliers, [Ist Batallion Royal Irish Fusiliers], Victorian LSGC medal, marked P.M.SERJT. T Mullins 1st BN 15th FOOT, 1914 1918 War Medal marked, 1 A.M, T Mullins RAF. As these medals cover three regiments and one initial is indistinct we cannot say they all were issued to the same man, but certainly at the very least to the same family, possibly two brothers? The LSGC medal has edge bruising. One picture in the gallery is of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at the battle of Tel El Kabir.I n 1882 the 1st Battalion were Part of General Grahams Brigade which sailed to Egypt. The Egyptian population were aggrieved over the British and French ownership of the Suez Canal and when rioting in Alexandria resulted in 130 European deaths, the British government despatched warships and a large force under Sir Gamet Wolseley. The army was not given any time to acclimatise and a 24 hour march was followed by the battle at Tel-el-Kebir. From Egypt the 1st Battalion went to India on garrison duties, though by 1898 they found themselves back in Egypt fighting the Mahdists at the battle of Omdurman. Fresh from this battle the 1st Battalion moved to South Africa to take part in the Boer War. In 1882 the 2nd Battalion went to India on garrison duties. In 1884 they were ordered to the Sudan to fight the Mahdi and his Arab forces. The 2nd Battalion fought at the battles of El Teb and Tamai in which the Arabs were defeated. The 2nd Battalion was then based in Cork and Colchester until the outbreak of the Boer War.The 15th Foot was raised in 1685 under Sir William Clifton, and was known as Clifton's Regiment of Foot. In 1702, the regiment formed part of Marlborough's Army,distinguishing itself at the battles of Blenheim, Ramilles, Malplaquet and Oudenarde.The regiment was numbered the 15th Regiment of Foot in 1751 and was heavily engaged during the French and Indian War. The 15th Foot "took the fort" at Louisburg in 1758 and was part of General Wolfe's Army fighting on the Plains of Abraham, above the city of Quebec, on September 13, 1759.The 15th Regiment of Foot saw action during the defense of Quebec and took part in the expedition against Montreal in 1760. After Montreal, the 15th was sent to the West Indies, taking part in the capture of Martinique and the Spanish citadel of Havana in 1762. 15th Regiment of Foowas the Yorkshire East Riding Regiment. After 1881 became East Yorkshire Regiment

A Very Interesting, Scarce, US Civil War Cavalry Sabre An 1833 pattern US Dragoon Sabre. Tiffany and Company of New York are mostly famous as one of the most celebrated and luxurious jewelry stores in America, but they also used to be suppliers of fine presentation officers swords during the Civil War. They gained contracts to supply cavalry sabres for the war, and in order to fulfill it, which was greater than their production capabilities, they out-sourced part of the contract to PD Luneschloss of Solingen. Tiffany's made two patterns, the 1833 and the 1840, both with steel hilts instead of the usual standard brass. The Tiffany made swords, that have survived the war and been recorded so far, were either marked TC or Tiffany & Co, the imported ones, from PD Luneschloss, were either marked PDL with TC as well, or just PDL. This scarce example of the 1833 US Pattern sword has the plain PDL mark [in their script font, as opposed to their alternative Roman font in an oval], and, the standard brass 3 bar hilt. PDL were very good sword makers, and their swords that were imported for the Civil War were usually of a very high grade in order that their customers [such as the aforesaid Tiffany & Co.] did not have their contracts placed in jeopardy. A contemporary picture in the gallery of a Union Cavalry charge from Harpers Weekly. For information only not included. 34.5 inch blade measured across the curve. Overall length 40 inches.

A Very Nice 'American' Victorian Bowie Knife Made at the American west suppliers in Sheffield. With large double edged blade, signed by the Sheffield maker Rookes & Crookes with typical Shell Pattern Nickle Cutlery handle, much sought after by the mid 19th century American Frontiersmen etc. Ball end quillon.9.5 inch blade. Approx.15 inches overall.

A Very Nice 18th Century Gentleman's Sporting Gun by Bond of London Finest walnut stock, converted from flintlock to percussion action at the Bond workshop. Octagonal barrel. Half stock for end, fine steel mounts with acorn finial trigger guard. A most charming hand made long gun by one of London's pre eminent makers of the 18th century in the King George IIIrd period. 18th century painting of gentlemen in a hunting scene, using the same sporting gun, for illustration only

A Very Nice Early Pepperbox Revolver Of Fine Quality In very good condition for age, with fine overall engraving and very good action. With a good amount of original finish and areas of natural wear. Made by J Calvert of Leeds. The pepperbox revolver was effectively the first kind of revolver designed in the early 19th century. It worked on a rotating multi barrelled system that over the decades evolved into the multi chambered, revolving cylinder with single barrel, that is still in use today.

A Very Rare Austrian Tube-Lock Horse Pistol [With US Civil War Connections A well recorded import for the American Civil War Cavalry of both The North and South. Using the Augustin system, a rarely seen and highly collectable pistol of the mid 19th century.One of the last examples of this rare pistol was sold by the Visser Collection in 1991. The Henk Visser collection was one of the finest collections in the world, and it was a private collection the rarest European arms. This example of the 1850 Austrian Cavalry Horse Pistol was made in 1853 by Fruwirth [maker mark F.F.], it was a pistol that was in service production for only 4 years, before the Augustin tube-lock system was abandoned for the standard percussion system. The Austrian tube lock arms were placed in storage and then sold to the US for the Civil War, being bought by both the Union and the Confederates, with some being converted to the standard percussion in Belgium before their journey to America. It is unknown exactly how many were bought but it is recorded that [ of the more common 1849 pattern longarm version] some 25,000 were imported and sent to Freeman's forces in Missouri in 1861. The North also acquired a recorded 346 imported horse pistols, but it is unknown how many were bought by the Confederates. A picture in the gallery of a Civil War cavalryman with his horse pistol in it's holster [saddle-bucket] attached to the front of his saddle.

A Very Rare Early Royal Navy Sea Service Flintlock Pistol The very rare pre-regulation model, made before the1756 Sea Service regulation pattern. Crown GR lock made by Willits, and dated 1742, [a recorded London maker up to 1789] with the crowned ordnance inspector's/receiving mark, swan necked cock. All brass furniture, sea service butt cap with traditional short ears. Brass side plate with covered brass hole for the contemporarily removed long belt hook screw. In 1756 the Royal Navy was issued with the official, regulation Long Sea Service Pistol, which over the next century was changed adapted and remodeled to encompass modern advances in technology. Prior to the 1756 pattern the Navy used pistols that were based around the standard regulation Dragoon Pistols, used by the British cavalry regiments, but it took almost two decades to regularize the pattern for the Royal Navy in 1756. This highly scarce piece is one of those rarely seen pre-regularized pistols that were made in the years before the official pattern was determined. On first viewing it appears almost identical, but on closer inspection, and once it's date is revealed, one can see the subtle differences that set it apart from it's 1756 successor. A near identical example in wreck recovered condition is in the National Maritime Collection, Their pistol was allegedly recovered from the wreck of the St Mathias in St Mary's Creek Chatham, that was sunk by fire during the assault by the Dutch on Chatham in 1667. This pistol has a further highly interesting feature. In the stock, at the grip, there are two purposefully cut notches. It has long been a tradition of both legend and fact that some would 'notch-up' a victory in combat on the hilt or handle his weapon. Some of the most infamous of these were outlaws and gunmen of the American Wild West, but the tradition is said to go back thousands of years. These notches are so deliberate, and without any other easily explained purpose, that it is very reasonable to assume these were executed for one and the same purpose, as a symbol or memory of victory by the sailor, maybe a ship sunk or captured, or an enemy cut down by gunfire in close quarter action. The wreck recoved pistol can be viewed on the national maritime museum website.

A Very Rare Indeed, Zulu to Boer War Military Copper Canteen and Cup A large size tinned copper, military, regimental or Red Cross drinking canteen with cup lid, used to give wounded men relief on the battlefield. Probably around 2.5 pint size. Made by Harrison Bro's and Howson for the Board of Ordnance and bearing the Broad Arrow mark. This was never a commonly made piece when new, but their survival rate has been so poor that we have only ever seen it's like in the Canadian Anglo-Boer War Museum, where they have on display a near identical tinned one that still retains it's Victorian Red Cross markings. Of course that is not to say it is unique, but by the quantity of items we view on a day to day basis, Victorian, Zulu War and Boer War kit and equipment is really phenomenally rare to see these days. The flask has the innovative curved body form that hugs the side of the carrier and that was later adopted and used in the Great War for all men's flasks. A Brief History on Harrison Bro's & Howson They became one of Sheffield's biggest cutlery firms. They developed from a Norfolk Street cutlery business established in 1796 by Thomas Sansom under the style of Thomas Sansom & Sons. They were later joined in business by sons William and John in 1826 and 1834 respectively. In 1803, George Howson joined as an apprentice and by the 1840's he had become influential within the company. He died in 1847 and it was around then that the style Harrison Bro's & Howson was adopted. The chief partners were William Howson (1824-1884, George's son) and two brothers William Harrison (1816-1897) and James Harrison (1825-1893).The cup is on tight and we are reluctant to try to force it off. Overall height 9,5 inches, width 6.75 inches depth 3 inches. Cup size 3.25 inches across, 2.5 inches high.

A Very Rare [1822/45 Gothic Hilt Pattern] Victorian Senior Sergeant's Sword In a most attractive nickel finish with a nickel and leather mounted scabbard. Also an unusual transitional blade that has features of the 1845 Wilkinson type blade and the early 1822 pattern pipe back point. The 1822/45 pattern gothic pierced cypher hilt with non folding guard, with the post 1845 dove head pommel, These sabres must by definition have been made in very small numbers indeed [due to the small number of senior sergeants in any regiment] and we certainly have not had more than a very few of these most interesting swords during the last thirty years or so. The sword that was carried by the most senior nco of each regiment. Usually he would be the most, experienced, responsible, respected [and feared] man in the whole regiment [likely including the C.O.].

A Very Scarce French Chassepot Rifle Artillery Musketoon Modele 1866 The scarce Artillery Musketoon model, St Etienne. Converted to the Gras system in 1874. Renamed the 1866-74. At some time this gun has been used by the French colonial troops, the famous Spahi, and over decorated with flamboyant inlays at the butt, possibly when the gun was retired from military service . 11mm calibre, .20+ inch barrel. no licence required.Its inventor was, Antoine Alphonse Chassepot, and it became the French service weapon in 1866. It was first used at the battlefield at Mentana, November 1867, where it inflicted severe losses on Garibaldi's troops. The event was reported at the French Parliament: "Les Chassepots ont fait merveille!", {The Chassepots did marvelous execution !} In the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) it proved greatly superior to the German Dreyse needle gun, outranging it by 2 to 1. Although it was a smaller caliber but the chassepot ammunition had more gunpowder and thus faster muzzle velocity. The Chassepots were responsible for most of the Prussian and other German casualties during the conflict. Small Gras cartridge adaption bolt head lacking

A Very Scarce Ist Pattern Victorian Royal Navy Midshipman's Dirk, and even rarer still, it is the broad bladed variant. The very first 1856 pattern midshipman's dirk with a custom made extra wide blade, with fine gilt hilt depicting the traditional lion's head pommel, wire bound fish skin grip. Beautifully etched blade with Queen Victoria's cypher. Used from the Crimean War period by the youngest officer's in the Royal Navy in the last days of the great 100 gunner Man O'War sailing ships, and the earliest days of the steam and sail 'Iron Clad' battleships.

A Very Scarce Ottoman Period Turkish Cadet's Sword Brass D Hilted sword with a small single fuller edged blade, very nicely etched and with an Islamic script panel.19th century. Probably only the second example we have had in at least 20 years.

A Very Unusual Civil War 'C.Howard' Rimfire Long Gun with Underlever Action This is undoubtedly one of the scarce patent action guns made in the 1860's to 1870 that didn't make it into greater production. There are elements of similarity in this rifle to the profile of Jean Baptiste Revol's [of New Orleans] patent breech loading rifle of 1853. In America around this time all manner of new gun actions and mechanisms were being created, in order to utilize the latest breech loading cartridges that had been designed to replace the outdated percussion muzzle loading system. This rifle, although not in pristine condition, is a must for collectors of unusual and patented actions from this incredible era. For it was this very time, when no one new for certain which way the new cartridges could be made to function to their best advantage, that probably the most significant weapons were being created, and those systems and actions were to mould the whole industry of arms production even until today. Great and legendary gunsmiths, such as Henry [who sold out to Winchester], were striving to create the best, most efficient, and indeed most marketable methods to evolve the rifle into the next level of development and progress, and this is likely one of those that simply failed to make the grade. This gun is one of only 2000 Mr. C. Howard's patent guns ever made, including the examples made under contract by Whitney Arms of Conn. USA. Made from the 1862 patent by Howard from the Civil War and by Whitney from 1866 to 1870. Most examples are marked by Whitney but just a few were completely unmarked, and this is one of those few. Just a very few came to England in the late 19th century so although a very rare gun relatively speaking, it is far rarer here in the UK.

A Victorian 1839/42 Pattern Carbine. Full walnut stock, all brass furniture. VR Crown Lock marked Tower. Hanovarian bayonet catch recess in brass forend. 26.5 inch barrel, 43 inches overall.

A Victorian British Connaught Rangers Officer's Helmet Tin the case which is emblazoned with the makers name Hawkes and a brass plaque with the officer's name and regiment engraved, Addis Delacombe Esq Connaught Rangers. The 1st Battalion deployed to South Africa as part of 5th (Irish) Brigade which was commanded by Major-General Fitzroy Hart. The Rangers took part in numerous engagements during the Boer War. The regiment took part in the Battle of Colenso on 15 December, part of the attempt to relieve the town of Ladysmith, besieged by Boer forces. The Rangers and the rest of the 5th (Hart's) Brigade, who were on the left flank, had been forced to perform over 20 minutes of drill before the advance. The Brigade suffered heavily during their participation in the battle, the Boers inflicting heavy casualties. The advance was met with a fire from three sides that forced them to withdraw. The battle ended in defeat for the British. That battle and two previous defeats at Magersfontein and Stormberg became known as 'Black Week'. The Rangers fought at Spion Kop and the Tugela Heights during further attempts by General Sir Redvers Buller to relieve the besieged town of Ladysmith. In late February the siege of Ladysmith finally came to an end after it was relieved by British forces. The regiment was awarded the battle honour Relief of Ladysmith in addition to South Africa 1899–1902. The 5th Brigade subsequently deployed to Kimberley and took part in further operations against the Boer guerillas. The Rangers finally departed South Africa for Ireland after the Boer War ended in 1902, and were also awarded the theatre honour. In 1908 the 1st Battalion arrived in India while the 2nd Battalion returned home to Ireland. The 1st and 2nd battalions of the regiment were given new Colours by HM King George V in 1911. The 2nd Battalion had left Ireland and was in England when the "war to end all wars", the First World War, began in August 1914. This tin is in untouched condition and could be much improved with simple cleaning but we have left 'as is' for those that prefer it as such.

A Victorian British Heavy Cavalry Sabre of The Household Cavalry The sword of the elite Royal Horse Guards, the monarch's mounted bodyguard. A sabre of the Boer War vintage, fully ordnance marked and dated.Blackened finish. Overall surface pitting. No scabbard.

A Victorian British Royal Artillery Officer's Undress Sabretache A Victorian officer's despatch and document case worn with the Artillery officer's uniform, suspended from a belt by straps, until it's use was discontinued in 1901. Bearing it's original, good, Royal Artillery badge with cannon.

A Victorian, Deluxe, Regimental Sword of The Lancashire Rifle Volunteers A good combat weight blade. With a noble crest design within the regimental patterned blade with a delightful frosted finish overall. Pierced steel hilt

A Wonderful Late 17th Early 17th Century 'Royal Naval' Hunting Sword Brass hilt with fine detailed repousse hunting scenes. Finely engraved blade. Tortoishell grip, with contemporary, 18th century horn and nail repair to the outer grip.The very form of sword used by all the great Royal Naval Captains and Admirals of the William and Mary to Queen Anne period. Such as Admirals Benbow, Shovel, Hopsonn etc. Usually simple examples this is an especially finely engraved example of high quality, and the repair is actually so charming and indicative of the age as to be a positive advantage.

A Wonderful Antique Drum. With the badge of the Royal Sussex Regiment Fully painted with the regimental badge, of all the regiments Battle Honours of Louisburg, Quebec, 1759 Maida, and Nile 1884-1885 before the Boer War period. One of the great British Regiments that saw fine and noble service by it's officer's and men throughout the British Empire. Originally formed as the Earl of Donegal's Regiment of Foot in 1693 (raised by Arthur Chichester, 3rd Earl of Donegall in Belfast), it was disbanded in 1698 and raised again in 1701. The regiment was also known as the Belfast Regiment and by two other colonel's names before it was given the numerical title of 35th in 1747. It was given the title Prince of Orange's Own Regiment in 1751 and in 1782 became the 35th (The Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot. In 1805 the regiment changed its county allegiance and recruiting ground becoming the 35th (Sussex) Regiment of Foot. In 1881 during the Childer's Reforms of the British Army the 35th Regiment was united with the 107th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Light Infantry) to form the The Royal Sussex Regiment. Following it's last name change the regiment was sent to Egypt in 1882 as part of General Wolseley's expedition to crush the Urabi Revolt and conquer Egypt in the name of the Khedive. The 2nd Battalion was stationed in Alexandria after its bombardment by the Royal Navy and the 1st Battalion was engaged in several of the decisive land battles in that short-lived conflict. Later, in 1884, the regiment was part of the Nile Expedition--the unsuccessful attempt to save General Gordon and his garrison at Khartoum during the Mahdist War. Twenty men of the regiment, lead by Lt. Lionel Trafford, lead the advanced party towards Khartoum. Being told that the enemy would flee at the sight of the British in their red coats, they traded their khaki for the scarlet of the Camel Guards. Nevertheless, the British relief force was two days too late, as Khartoum had fallen and Gordon was killed. The 2nd Battalion, stationed in India, was part of the Black Mountain Expedition of 1888, as one of many battles fought along the North-West Frontier Province. The Tirah Campaign was a campaign organised in 1897 by Sir William Lockhart against the Afridis and the Orakzais in the Tirah Valley on the North West Indian frontier, part as what was known as 'The Great Game' the conflict between Russia and the British Empire for control of India. As Imperial Russian expansion threatened to collide with the increasing British dominance of the Indian sub-continent, the two great empires played out a subtle game of exploration, espionage and imperialistic diplomacy throughout Central Asia. The conflict always threatened, but never quite developed into direct warfare between the two sides. However, there were great battles and conflicts that were created by 'The Great Game', including the Tirah Campaign and The Punjab Frontier in 1897-98. Rudyard Kipling's clasic novel KIM was made into a Hollywood spectacular starring Errol Flynn, and the entire novel was based around the espionage and conflict derived from this fascinating and significant era of the converging interests of Russia and Britain. There is a bronze monument in Eastbourne, Sussex, to the casualties of the 2nd Battallion serving in Tirah.. In 1900, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (Royal Sussex Militia) Battalions of the regiment joined the British Army in the bloody Anglo-Boer War. The 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment served in India till 1914 when they were transferred to Europe for service in the the Great War.

A Wonderful Silver Hilted 1796 Blue and Gilt Light Dragoon Officer's Sabre Silver hilt, carved horn grip and bound with triple wire silver binding. Stunning 'Blue and Gilt' fully engraved blade with an engraved dragoon officer on horseback with sword drawn and with the crowned cypher of King George IIIrd overall in around 80% condition. It is in it's combat all steel scabbard [with some denting] and the cutting edge has several offensive and defensive combat sword cuts. This sword is top drawer quality, in simply super condition for age, that combined with it's obvious and original combat battle scarring to the edge makes it simply a collector's dream. In it's day this sabre would have cost a king's ransom in the order of around 20 guineas which was a sum probably never seen all together in the entire lifetime of a regular trooper, as a trooper's pay at that time was just 1 shilling a day. Used in one of the great British Light Dragoon regiments in the time of the greatest war of the 19th century agianst the seemingly unstoppable armies of France under the command of the legendary Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte

All Steel Antique Silver Inlaid Kindjal. A medium size Kindjal typical of these Russian and Caucasian daggers. Silver worn in parts. A nice antique piece.19th century. 40cm o/a length

American 19th Century Socket Bayonet Marked from Rock Island Arsenal a good 19th century bayonet with traditional 'US' brass disc within leather scabbard mount.

Amost Interesting and Attractve Albanian Rat-Tail Pistol Traditional Miquelet Lock with all metal stock with fancy scroll work design.18th century, short barrel.39cm long overall.

An 1801 'Tower of London' Brown Bess Musket, Front Line Regt Issue Fine walnut stock, ordnance stamped & dated 1801, traditional brass furniture, 39 inch barrel. The mainstay of British Infantry, used in the famous British 'Squares' at Waterloo and all the famous battles of the Napoleonic Wars. Front line regimental issue. Good overall condition. A fine and highly collectable piece. The nickname Brown Bess started in the 1740's. Early uses of the term include the newspaper, the Connecticut Courant in April 1771, which said "...but if you are afraid of the sea, take Brown Bess on your shoulder and march." This familiar use must indicate widespread use of the term by that time. The 1785 Dictionary of Vulgar Tongue, a contemporary work which defined vernacular and slang terms, contained this entry: "Brown Bess: A soldier's firelock. To hug Brown Bess; to carry a fire-lock, or serve as a private soldier.". Rudyard Kipling, wrote in 1911 "In the days of lace-ruffles, perukes, and brocade Brown Bess was a partner whom none could despise - An out-spoken, flinty-lipped, brazen-faced jade, With a habit of looking men straight in the eyes - At Blenheim and Ramillies, fops would confess They were pierced to the heart by the charms of Brown Bess. ” This gun is a lovely example with a beautifully tight action, some barrel pitting. It also has a Londonderry gun census stamp that shows it was, during it's later working life, in Ireland.

An 1816 East India Co. Fusil Converted to a Fowling Gun It was not uncommon for British officer's who served in the British Army or the East India Co. army, when leaving service, to convert their military Fusil or arm to civilian life. Although officers would never use a musket in service [only, more usually, officer's pistols or a sword], some, may have required the service of a Fusil, which was effectively a better quality, light weight musket, possibly with finer mounts or features, such as stock chequering. When one's regular army career was over, and one was placed on the reserve or half pay list, one's fusil, that had been used in the service of the regiment, possibly, for many years, could be half stocked and reformed for it's retired life on the farm or country estate. This is one of those long arms. The lock is marked for the East India Co, and dated 1816. It was the independant Chartered British controlled Army [and Navy] that ran India for the British Empire for nigh on a 100 years, until the Indian Mutiny, when it was dissolved.

An 1856 East India Pattern Percussion Cavalry Carbine Victorian, Birmingham, marked. With VR cypher and EIG mark of the East India Government. Lock marked Birmingham and dated 1869. Captive swivel ramrod. The 1856 'East India Pattern' carbine was made in Enfield, and at the London and Birmingham trades. This was made at the latter, in smoothbore .65 cal. Just returned from being fully cleaned and polished in our workshops, serviced lock action, very tight action. Typical East India light stock.

An 1856 Percussion East India Pattern Carbine Two band with the front band replaced with a cappucine. Captive ramrod with linkage lacking. Percussion action, with good action, a refinished stock and reblued steel. The bore has now lost any rifling that may have been remaining.

An 1897 Victorian British Infantry Officers Sword Steel half basket hilt in pierced honeysuckle pattern with the pierced royal cypher of Queen Victoria. Fine fully etched blade with royal cypher and devices. All steel scabbard. Used in the Boer War and WW1. Burnished bright steel with ribbed wooden grip.

An 18th Century Small Sword Rapier. A Long, Boot or Cloak Sword Cast brass hilt with relief figural decoration, and hawthorn wood grip. Steel rapier blade with engraving and deep fuller. No knuckle bow or guard. No scabbard. Circa 1750. The knuckle bow and guard have been purposefully removed and the hilt re-attached. We had one quite similar, around 20 years ago, which came with an old article from a Connoisseur journal, It described, what was called, a boot or cloak sword. In the days of the threat by highwaymen, when a gentleman may have the need to consistently travel from town to town on horseback, but not by mail coach, a constant traveler might adapt a sword that could be easily slotted into knee high riding boots, or slipped into an especially constructed sleeve inside a riding cloak. For in wet and inclement weather a gentleman's flintlock pistol could not function, so without a sword for protection he was dangerously defenseless. Naturally a standard rapier short sword would be more normal, but on occasion, a gentleman that traveled constantly, or journeyed on perilous pursuits [such as a revenue man] might require a more concealable sword that would be far more easily manageable on both horseback or on foot. It also has the unique advantage of being eminently useable as a short distance spear type weapon, as it's weight balance is now very effective for that alternate purpose. 29.75 inches long overall

An 18th Century Tulwar Sabre. With Knucklebow Guard Disc hilt, single edged blade. This sword was a part of a stand of arms in a fine old country hall that had been on display for around 200 years, along with two other swords from the same display. Family history has it that this sword [and two others, sold separately] came from an officer that served on board ship in the Marines in the 18th century. His swords were trophies of his service and were confiscated from successful actions against captured pirate vessels, during the 1780's and 90's off the Barbary coast. This sword came to us is a dreadfully dirty condition, and had not been touched, or removed from the great hall, for likely 200 years. Long single edged blade and disc hilt. We have lightly cleaned the sword to a more attractive burnished grey steel patina. Overall surface pitting

An 18th Century Turkish, Bone Hilted Kindjal Short Sword The blade has traces of a complex etched design that may include Islamic script. Carved bone hilt with single silver leaf and nail stud.

An 18th To 19th Century Indo Persian Sword With an inscribed blade and traditional Tulwar hilt. A battle sword that would have seen service in the era of the British war against Tippoo Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore. Probably brought back to England as a trophy of war.

An American 19th Century Secret Society Sword With beautiful Globe & Crown Pommel wire bound leather grip. Fancy brass mounts with steel and brass pommel

An American Civil War Cavalry Sabre by P.S. Justice, Philadelphia Phillip Justice held contracts for 13,685 cavalry sabers and 1050 light artillery sabers in 1861. No scabbard. This sword would dramatically and cosmetically improve with full hand polishing etc. We can do this in our workshops [Please enquire for details if required]. But for now we leave as is as some collectors prefer swords completely untouched for posterity.

An American Civil War Sabre 1840 Pattern. Brass hilt and steel scabbard The 1840 pattern was known in it's day as the 'wrist-breaker', and it was soon succeeded by the later 1860 pattern, that was of a lighter weight and slightly shorter. However, both patterns were used in conjunction with each other during the whole of the Civil War, by both the North and South's cavalry regiments. The 1840 pattern was initially designated the 'Heavy Cavalry' pattern, but by the Civil War there were no heavy cavalry troops in the Union Army. The grip has been restored by an amateur, but we are leaving it 'as is' and pricing it accordingly. There are very very feint maker marks traces, but they are so feint as to be negligible. The maker stamps on the ricasso were unfortunately in a very susceptible wear point when the blade was rubbed against the steel scabbard throat. The rest of the sword is very good indeed and it is a good sound example of these much sought after American sabres.

An Ancient Chinese Bronze Battle 'Ge' Polearm around 2700 Years Old A rare Pole Arm Halberd of the Zhou or Tang Dynasty. The word 'Ge' means dagger axe. The whole form of this beautiful example is based around a bird of prey, in relief. Beautifully modeled with hieroglyphics, an elongated main blade and a shorter back blade. Around 700 B.C.Socket mount for a wooden haft. Good patina with feint signs of cuprite that forms beneath the encrustation. This item is, in many ways, most interesting as it is so reminiscent of Ancient Egypt. The whole form and design appears, on first inspection, to be based around Horus god of Edfu [ the Hawk, god of the sky, protector of Kingship and son of Osiris and Isis]. A replacement short haft for illustration purposes has been fitted. National Geographic made a superb documentary on the uses of the 'Ge' in warfare with a near identical original example shown.

An Anglo Saxon Nobles Prick Spur. 10th century A rare piece of pre Norman Conquest 10th Century ironwork. A Noble's Prick Spur complete with it's original fastening buckle. Set on a small display board.

An Antique British Officers Infantry Sword of the Crimean War Brass hilt with pierced gothic hilt pattern. With the full relief cypher of Queen Victoria. A traditional combat sword in worn order. Twist wooden grip lacking fishskin. No scabbard.

An Antique Ching Dynasty Chinese Pirate's Cutlass Brass 'D' shaped guard with elongated quillon, deep wide blade.The most powerful Chinese pirates emerged mid-way through the Ching dynasty and fluorished in Fujian and Canton provinces. Between 1802 and 1804, Zhen Yi and his wife Zheng Yi Sao were the most powerful pirates known in Chinese history. They formed a pirate coalition that grew to over 10,000 men.Zheng Yi belonged to a family of successful pirates who traced their criminal origins back to the mid-Seventeenth century. Following his marriage to Ching Shih, Zheng Yi used military assertion and his family's reputation to gather a coalition of competing Cantonese pirate fleets into an alliance. By 1804, this coalition was a formidable force, and one of the most powerful pirate fleets in all of China. In 1807, Zheng Yi died, and Ching Shih maneuvered her way into his leadership position. The fleet under her command established hegemony over many coastal villages, in some cases even imposing levies and taxes on settlements. According to Robert Antony, Ching Shih "robbed towns, markets, and villages, from Macau to Canton." She ended her career in 1810, accepting an amnesty offer from the Chinese government. She kept her loot, married her lieutenant and adoptive son Cheung Po Tsai, and opened a gambling house. She died in 1844, at the age of 69

An Antique Early 19th Century Italian Dragoon Sword Modeled on the Prussian, 1780 Hussar pattern sword, this is an early 19th century Italian Sabre. Curiously this sword has an etched panel with XII Lancers. The only logical reason we can conclude why an Italian sword was etched 12th Lancers, is that the 12th served with distinction with the Armoured Brigade in the 1944 Italian campaign, it is possible a lancer brought back this sword as a souvenir and had it etched XII Lancers. Apart from that goodness knows why it should be so etched. Most of these swords were made by the German manufacturer of Schnitzler and Kirshbaum. A historical period sword, from a significant era of European warfare with almost puzzling etched panel from one of the great British lancer regiments. Overall in very nice condition indeed.

An Antique Gentleman's Silver Topped Walking Cane London Silver dated 1889 With a mallacca wood shaft. Overall bruising to the silver. Scroll engraving and a most complex design engraved on the top.

An Antique Honourable Artillery Company Officer's Sword Typical gilt metal hilt with the HAC grenade. Excellently etched blade including the monogramme and crest of it's noble original owner. The HAC can trace its history as far back as 1296, but it received a Royal Charter from Henry VIII on 25 August 1537, when Letters Patent were received by the Overseers of the Fraternity or Guild of St George authorising them to establish a perpetual corporation for the defence of the realm to be known as the Fraternity or Guild of Artillery of Longbows, Crossbows and Handgonnes. This body was known by a variety of names until 1656, when it was first referred to as the Artillery Company. It was first referred to as the Honourable Artillery Company in 1685 and officially received the name from Queen Victoria in 1860. The regiment has the rare distinction of having fought on the side of both Parliament and the Royalists during the English Civil War 1642 to 1649.

An Antique Japanese Tanbo. From the Basil Robinson Collection. One of two we were fortunate to acquire, of differing lengths. He was president of the Royal Asiatic Society from 1970 to 1973. He was Keeper Emeritus at the Victoria and Albert from 1972 until his retirement in 1976. He joined the Victoria & Albert Museum in the late 1930's as Assistant Keeper of Metalwork. In WW2 he volunteered to serve in the Royal Sussex Regt. He served as an Intelligence Officer in the Headquarters of 14 Army, which defeated the Japanese in the course of the campaign in Burma whose major actions were the battles of Imphal and Kohima. After the end of the war, Robinson was sent to Singapore to be employed, on the basis of his knowledge of Japanese swords, in evaluating large quantities of swords surrendered by the defeated enemy. He was able to obtain the services of Colonel Yamada Sakae, of the 3rd Air Force, who had been a member of the sword evaluating committee of the Japanese War Office, to assist in his task. He returned to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1946. In the years following the war, Robinson proved a prolific author, publishing monographs on Persian miniatures and paintings, on Japanese swords and armor, and on the woodblock prints of Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi. His The Arts of the Japanese Sword (1961) was one of a small number of post-WWII publications in European languages which played a crucial role in opening up the study of Nihonto to Western students and collectors. The use of the short tanbo, a twelve to eighteen inch truncheon, may have come from the tessan, or war fan. Usually when a samurai was inside visiting a home, he might remove his katana, but would still wear his short sword. However, in some situations he might be obliged to remove even this. In these situations he could always carry a fan, the Tessan. It is believed by some that the Tanbo evolved from this. The advantage of the tanbo is that, being shorter than a normal cudgel the use of the weapon is not obvious, and getting the necessary wrist snap requires some training and practice. Therefore, since presumably your opponent is not familiar with the technique, the weapon does not present as great a threat as, for example, a knife, should you be disarmed. 46 cm long In dark hardwood

An Antique Koummya Jambiya Dagger of North Africa Tradition double edged blade with brass and silver metal coloured mounted scabbard. Dark hardwood hilt rimmed in arab silver with black cord belt.Silver coloured metal, not hallmarked English silver.

An Antique Koummya Jambiya Dagger of North Africa Tradition double edged blade with brass and arab silver coloured metal mounted scabbard. Dark hardwood hilt rimmed in brass with black cord belt.Silver coloured metal, not hallmarked English silver.

An Attractive Antique Indonesian Kris The traditional Indonesian weapon allegedly endowed with religious and mystical powers, also spelt Keris. The hilt on this example is somewhat unusual as it is carved in the form of an Armadillo like creature. Traditional meteoritic laminated iron serpentine blade. Wooden scabbard overlaid with brass that is finely engraved with a horticultural design

An Attractive Indo Persian Stand of Arms, Khula Khud, Dhal, Kora, Shamshir In the traditonal Medeivil style but later, likely last century. Highly decorated with a multi figural design which is similarly matching on the shield with Islamic script panels.The steel helmet [Khula Khud] has a central steel spike, and mail type neck defences. A round shield [Dhal] with four central bosses. With a pair of swords, an Indo Persian Kora [a weapon that is part sword part axe] and an Indo Persian Shamshir. This is a very attractive and decorative suite of arms, and in the right setting would look absolutely stunning, yet at relatively little cost.

An Early 19th Century Napoleonic, Elite, Heavy Cavalry Armour Cuirass Good steel composite front and back plate, steel mounted leather straps [leather very old replacements]. Fully brass studded, with 26 brass rim studs [2 missing] to the front plate, and around 22 to the back plate [8 missing]. Leather belt. Overall russet surface. A good and highly collectable piece of early 19th century Heavy Cavalry armour. The elite French Heavy Cavalry Mk 1 and Mk 11 pattern front cuirasses, pricipally used from 1802 to 1808, were near identical to this example, with the early peasquod type frontispiece and the brass rim stud arrangement. Cuirassiers were mounted cavalry soldiers equipped with armour and firearms, first appearing in late 15th-century Europe. They were the successors of the medieval armoured knights. The term is derived from cuirass, the breastplate armour which they wore. The first cuirassiers did not appear very different from the medieval knights; they wore (almost) full-body armour, and the only items of equipment which differentiated them from knights were leather riding boots and the use of wheel-lock pistols, in addition to lances and swords. Cuirassiers wore armour long after it had become of limited value in the face of the ever-increasing use of firearms. However, the extent of the armour worn was gradually decreased so that, by the end of the 18th century, it comprised only a breastplate (the cuirass or plastron), backplate (carapace), and helmet. The Elite Cuirassiers fought against each other in some of the most spectacular battles ever seen, involving the cavalry of Austria, Prussia, Russia, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Britain. From 1805 at Wertingen, Elchingen, Hollabrunn, and battle of Austerlitz 1806 : Battle of Jena 1807 : Heilsberg and battle of Friedland 1809 : Eckmühl, Ratisbonne, Essling, and battle of Wagram 1812 : Mohilev, battle of Borodino, and Winkowo 1813 : Bautzen, Reichenbach, Jauer, Dresde, Wachau, and Leipzig 1814 : La Rothière, Rosnay, Champaubert, Vauchamps, Valjouan, Athies, Reims, Fere-Champenoise, and Paris 1815 : Ligny, and finally, Waterloo. Early Napoleonic Cuirassiers armour is now so truly rare as to be near unavailable. The back plate in it's working life has been field repaired and slightly extended, probably for a larger built cuirassier trooper than first used it. This wonderful piece is in total sleeper condition, and if one chose it could be buffed and polished to near return it to it's once brilliant polish. However, we are loathe to attempt this, as many may prefer to leave it just as is, with all it's natural age and battle scars intact. The decision whether to polish or leave should be made by it's next fortunate owner.

An Eastern European 18th Century Rat-Tail Pistol All brass metal stock with elongated butt long steel barrel and steel trigger guard.Pierced nail-head butt decoration. Good strong Miquielet action. A popular long holster pistol used throughout Europe and Russia.

An Edwardian Colonel's Scarlet Cloth Sidecap, of 15th [The Kings] Hussars. Good condition overall. With two Lion and Crown buttons for the rank of Colonel and Brigadier .

An Excellent 1874 Mk 1 Martini Henry Short Lever Rifle [MK II Adaption] With large cocking indicator. A most superior Martini in many ways. A rare MK I, converted to MK II, dated 1874. The very type as was used by the 24th Foot at Ishandwhana and Rorkes Drift. Made by Enfield, with VR Crown mark. This rifle is truly exceptional, in that it has little perceptible corrosion marks on the lock at all and it appears to have a lot of nice blueing. Maker marked, in very good order indeed with an excellent action. The stock is simply superb and shows a fabulous rich walnut colour that is so rarely seen, as, sadly, 95% of all the Martinis surviving today suffer from unpleasant deep oil penetration, that was once used for the long term storage of these guns stocks. The most famous British Infantry breech loading rifle of the 19th century, the Martini-Henry was a breech-loading lever-actuated rifle adopted by the British military, combining an action worked on by Friedrich von Martini (based on the Peabody rifle developed by Henry Peabody), with the rifled barrel designed by Scotsman, Alexander Henry. It first entered service in 1871 replacing the Snider-Enfield, and variants were used throughout the British Empire for 30 years. It was the first British service rifle that was a true breech-loading rifle using metallic cartridges. During the Martini-Henry period in service, the British army were involved in a large number of colonial wars, most notably the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. This Martini Henry, 450-577, Short Lever, [MKI converted] MKII rifle was the one of the two types used by the company of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot present at Rorke's Drift during the eponymous battle. The MkI had a small design fault in that the actions hinge pin was initially made of brass, which was too soft for continual use. The rare and early MKI's were converted by removing this pin, replacing it with a steel pin , and then redesignated the MKII. These rarer and very desireable converted MKI's can be identified by only one small distinction, the numeral 'I' was added to the MKI stamp, to make it a MKII, and that additional 'I' is slightly off centre underneath the ordnance lock viewer's 'crown v' mark. On the action plate some WD markings have been excised

An Exceptional Victorian British 1853 Pat. Heavy & Light Cavalry Sabre A finest sabre used by both the British Light Brigade and the Heavy Brigade. Although with signs of use and some small edge to edge sword combat nicks on the blade this is truly an exceptional example, and likely one of the very best available in the country. Traditional leather rivetted grip and steel combat scabbard. The very same age and pattern as were issued to the 13th Hussars just before they were sent to fight the Czar's Army in Russia, in the Crimean War, and it is perfectly possible that this saw good service in Her Majesty's cavalry in those very campaigns. In fact this pattern of sword was carried by about half of all the troopers who participated in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade, and the less famous but successful Charge of the Heavy Brigade. Also as an interesting twist in the 1853 sword's history, shipments of them were sold to the Confederate states during the American Civil War and saw extensive service in that struggle. In the Crimean War (1854-56), the famous 13th Light Dragoons were in the forefront of the famous Charge of the Light Brigade, immortalized by Tennyson's poem of that name ("Into the valley of death rode the six hundred"). The regiments adopted the title hussars at this time, and the uniform became very stylish, aping the hussars of the Austro-Hungarian army. But soon the blues and yellows and golds gave way to khaki as the British army found itself in skirmishes throughout the far-flung Empire, in India and South Africa especially. In 1854 the regiment received its orders from the War Office to prepare for service overseas. Five transport ships - Harbinger, Negotiator, Calliope, Culloden, and the Mary Anne – embarking between the 8 May and 12 May, carried 20 officers, 292 other ranks and 298 horses. After a troubled voyage, the regiment arrived at Varna, Bulgaria on the 2 June. On the 28 August the entire Light Brigade (consisting of the 4th Light Dragoons and 13th Light Dragoons, 17th Lancers, the 8th Hussars and 11th Hussars, under the command of Major General the Earl of Cardigan) were inspected by Lord Lucan; five men of the 13th had already succumbed to cholera. On the 1 September the regiment embarked for the Crimea - a further three men dying en-route. On the 20 September the regiment, as part the Light Brigade, took part in the first major engagement of the Crimean War, the Battle of the Alma. The Light Brigade covered the left flank, although the regiment’s role in the battle was minimal. With the Russians in full retreat by late afternoon, Lord Lucan ordered the Light Brigade to pursue the fleeing enemy. However, the brigade was recalled by Lord Raglan as the Russians had kept some 3,000 uncommitted cavalry in reserve. During the 25 October the regiment, as part of the Light Brigade, took part in the Battle of Balaclava and the famous Charge of the Light Brigade. The 13th Light Dragoons formed the right of the front line along with the on the left. The 13th and 17th moved forward; after 100 yards the 11th Hussars, in the second line, also moved off followed by the 4th and 8th. It was not long before the brigade came under heavy Russian fire. Lord Cardigan, at the front of his men, charged into the Russian guns receiving a slight wound. He was soon followed by the 13th and 17th. The two squadrons of the 13th and the right squadron of the 17th were soon cutting down the artillerymen that had remained at their posts. Once the Russian guns had been passed, they engaged in a hand-to-hand fighting with the enemy that was endeavouring to surround them by closing in on either flank. However, the Light Brigade having insufficient forces and suffering heavy casualties, were soon forced to retire. The sword has very good regimental markings, a good stout combat blade, pitted and burnished scabbard. Leather 5 rivet grip, triple bar guard. Ordnance stamped. Bright steel polished.

An Exceptionally Rare 'Lefaucheux' 12 Shot Revolver of The Civil War Era. The big 12 shot cylinder revolver is quite simply, immensely rare, and few now remain in existence. They are normally now only to be seen in the great arms collections, such as in the Tower [of London] Armoury and the Metropolitan in the USA. This fine gun is in very good condition with good functioning action, though it is a unnamed example, it lacks the Lefaucheux name, likely in order to avoid the payment of royalties, that was most prevalent at the time. Lefaucheux, in 1835, patented an ingenious brass-based paper shot shell that was ignited by a hammer striking a pin that extended through the rear of the case, which rested upon an internal fulminate percussion cap. This was the basis for all the pinfire revolvers that Lefaucheux designed. During the Civil War, when both the North and the South were avidly trying to purchase British and Continental arms, the Lefaucheux pinfire became a highly desirable arm on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, for instance, carried an engraved Belgian-made Lefaucheux that had been presented to him by his officers, and Confederate Major Generals J E B Stuart, Braxton Bragg and Richard H. Anderson favored a similar, but 9 shot revolver, but theirs were also fitted with an additional large central calibre that fired a single shot shell. The large majority of pinfires were probably used by the Yankees, simply because they were more successful at importation of both arms and ammunition. It is estimated that next to Colt, Remington and Starr, more Lefaucheux pinfires were used by the Union than any other make. By the war's end almost 12,000 had been purchased. The Confederates' pinfire accumulation was more haphazard, and a wider variety was imported. 7mm cal. 4.75 inch barrel.

An Indo-Persian Tulwar With An Ancient, Possibly Crusades Era, Blade A sword with a really early watered steel blade, that has most likely been rehilted in around the 18th century. The blade has, due to it possibly being lost at an old battle site, begun to reveal it's lamination. This is very unusual, and it creates a rather interesting and attractive perspective of a blade, that one never normally sees. The blade could reasonably be estimated as being 14th to 15th century, from the later Crusades era. It is very rarely seen, but now and again, one comes across an early, rehilted sword blade, that is referred to as an 'ancestral blade'. A blade from a much earlier era, maybe used or even captured in battle by an ancestor, from long past and near forgotton wars, that was re-hilted in later times, so it may be used by the original sword owner's descendant. This sword would be far more valuable if it was in slightly better condition, and certainly if it's specific history was known, but none the less it is a super thing, worthy of much conversation.

An Indonesian Polearm of Spear blade form Meteoritical blade form in traditional straight bladed Kris style. Hardwood long haft.Embossed brass decorative haft mount.

An Interesting 18th Century Flintlock Semi Holster Pistol With very nice quality brass mounts and butt. The walnut stock is inlaid with thin lines of silver filigree. The shortened barrel is of steel as is the lock. Good tight action and a most unusual very early feature of the barrel tang screw coming up from the trigger recess instead of down to it, a form of barrel mounting more usually seen in the 17th century. It is likely this flintlock is possibly made with some Italian or even English parts for the export Ottoman market.

An Islamic Dagger. With a highly unusual wide blade, horn hilt and leather scabbard with geometric patterning.Early 19th century.

An Old Horn Powder Flask Typical cow horn flask with horn stopper.

An Original & Beautiful Antique Helmet, British, 1st Royal Dragoons The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army. The regiment was formed in 1661, and served until 1969, when it was amalgamated with the Royal Horse Guards to form The Blues and Royals. The regiment was first raised as a single troop of veterans of the Parliamentary Army in 1661, shortly thereafter expanded to four troops as the Tangier Horse, taking the name from their service in Tangier. They were ranked as the 1st Dragoons, the oldest cavalry regiment of the line, in 1674; on their return to England in 1683 the three troops were joined with three newly-raised troops and titled The King's Own Royal Regiment of Dragoons, named for Charles II. In 1690 they were renamed as simply The Royal Regiment of Dragoons, and formally titled in 1751 as the 1st (Royal) Regiment of Dragoons. The title was simplified in 1877 to the 1st (Royal) Dragoons The 1RD fought throughout the Peninsular War and had the singular honour of forming the English contingent of the Union Brigade at Waterloo. They rode to immortal glory that day in the finest company of the Scots Greys and The Inniskilling Dragoons. Together they shattered d'Erlons Corp and took several prized Eagles. At the Battle of Waterloo where the regiment captured the French 105th Infantry Regiment's Colours. The eagle that topped the Colour, with the number 105, formed part of the Regiment's crest uniforms. The latter half of the nineteenth century saw them in action in the Crimea. In the Crimea they formed part of the Heavy Brigade under General Scarlett, joining in the charge at Balaklava, and attacking in flank the hostile squadron that threatened to envelop the first line. For this the Royals are authorised to wear the words "Balaklava" and "Sebastopol" on their standards, which in 1858 were no longer carried by each squadron, one being given the entire regiment. They served in the Boer War (by then called 1st (Royal) Dragoons) and in India before deploying to Flanders in 1914. The regiment fought at Ypres, Loos, Hohenzollern and against the Hindenburg line in 1917. The inter war years saw 1st The Royal Dragoons stationed in Egypt, India and Palestine before the regiment was deployed to the Western Desert in 1941 seeing distinguished service at El Alamein, followed by service in Sicily and Italy. Operation Overlord in 1944 saw the regiment in Normandy from where they went onto liberate Copenhagen in 1945. The regiment survived the immediate post-war reduction in forces, and was retitled as The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons) in 1961, but this name was short-lived; it was amalgamated with the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues), to form The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) in 1969. This good original helmet looks absolutely glorious, however, there are some old age imperfections where the skull, at some time in it's service, has been dented and some old restoration has been achieved. Fortunately they are mostly behind the plume area and thus near invisible.

An Original and Rare Edo Jidai 'Ninja' Armour SOLD A Very Rare, Edo Era [1599-1863] Japanese 'Ninja' Armour. it is a very rare, original, antique Ninja's armour. An innocuous shirt of anonymous simplicity that actually contains concealed chain mail armour hidden within it's interior. Ninja, as a group, it is said, first began to be written about in 15th century feudal Japan as martial organizations predominately in the regions of Iga and Koga of central Japan [unconfirmed], though the practice of guerrilla warfare and undercover espionage operations goes back much further. At this time, the conflicts between the clans of Daimyo that controlled small regions of land had established guerrilla warfare and assassination as a valuable alternative to frontal assault.Since Bushido, the samurai code, forbade such tactics as dishonorable, a daimyo could not expect his own Samurai troops to perform the tasks required; thus, he had to buy or broker the assistance of ninja to perform selective strikes, espionage, assassination, and infiltration of enemy strongholds. There is a lot of mythology surrounding the Ninja but by very neccessity a Ninja had to be anonymous with little to identify him from a normal low rank Samurai, so he would use a standard Samurai sword [Wakazashi or Katana] of plain simplicity. The armour coat is in dark blue, a linen coat inner lined with chain mail and small, horn octagonal armour plates throughout. Black trim with laced cord sides. This is a rare piece, we have only seen one similar, many, many years ago. It is a plain coat that if not recognized for what it is, would probably discarded when found, and most likely nearly all that were ever made were treated in this fashion and sadly destroyed. We have photographed the coat with some pictures showing, through careful, invasive camera technique, the chain mail and horn plate construction within the two layers of cloth.

An Original Ching Dynasty Chinese Sword [Jian] Known as the River Pirate's sword with double edged blade. Tortoishell covered scabbard with brass fittings engraved and decorated with stylised bats and seal marks. Carved ribbed wooden grip. Some losses to tortoishell. Grip hilt mounts with slight damage at the crossguard making it loose.. Overall 23 inches long. Brought back to England as a souvenir of the Boxer Rebellion. A photo in the gallery shows a contemporary group of Boxers in Peking during the seige of the legations. The Boxer Rebellion, more properly called the Boxer Uprising, or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement was a violent anti-foreign, anti-Christian movement called the "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" in China, but known as the "Boxers" in English. The main 'Boxer' era occured between 1898 and 1901. This fascinating era was fairly well described in the Hollywood movie classic ' 55 Days in Peking' Starring Charlton Heston and David Niven. The film gives a little background of Ching Dynasty's humiliating military defeats suffered during the Opium Wars, Sino-French War and Sino-Japanese war or the effect of the Taiping Rebellion in weakening the Ching [Qing] Dynasty. However, situations in which the various colonial powers exerted influence over China (a great source of outrage that drove many Chinese to violence) are alluded to in the scene in which Sir Arthur Robinson and Major Lewis visit the Empress after the assassination of the German minister. * Dowager Empress - "....the Boxer bandits will be dealt with, but the anger of the Chinese people cannot be quieted so easily. The Germans have seized Kiaochow, the Russians have seized Port Arthur, the French have obtained concessions in Yunnan, Kwan See and Kwantang. In all, 13 of the 18 provinces of China are under foreign control. Foreign warships occupy our harbours, foreign armies occupy our forts, foreign merchants administer our banks, foreign gods disturb the spirit of our ancestors. Is it surprising that our people are aroused?" * Sir Arthur Robinson - "Your Majesty if you permit me to observe, the violence of the Boxers will not redress the grievences of China" * Dowager Empress - "China is a prostrate cow, the powers are not content milking her, but must also butcher her." * Sir Arthur Robinson - "If China is a cow your majesty, she is indeed a marvelous animal. She gives meat as well as milk...." Pictures in the gallery of a watercolour of the Boxers [1900] and the combat in the siege. For information only not included. 23 inches long overall

An Original Scramasax Dagger Knife Blade Circa 700 to 900 ad The Scramasax was a utility knife and tool utilized by several Germanic tribes, specifically the Saxons, Vikings and Franks, between the 4th and 10th centuries. It was carried horizontally on the back of the belt for concealment and easy access. If primary weapons were lost, the scramasax made an ideal last-resort combat weapon. Lacking hilt that would likely have been staghorn or bone. 5.25 inches overall.

An Original Victorian Cavalry Helmet of the Loyal Suffolk Hussars. A super county yeomanry helmert with it's original plume and in untouched condition. The Duke of Yorks Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars were formed in 1794, when King George III was on the throne, William Pitt the Younger was the Prime Minister of Great Britain, and across the English Channel, Britain was faced by a French nation that had recently guillotined its King and possessed a revolutionary army numbering half a million men. The Prime Minister proposed that the English Counties form a force of Volunteer Yeoman Cavalry that could be called on by the King to defend the country against invasion or by the Lord Lieutenant to subdue any civil disorder within the country.The Suffolk Yeomanry was raised in as the Loyal Suffolk Hussars, they fought in the Boer war as part of the Imperial Yeomanry. In the First World War they fought at Gallipoli, Palestine and the Western front. During the Second World War they fought in North Africa, Italy and France.This wonderful helmat has fortunately not been restored and is in it's original state, with superb colour patina and complete with it's original plume and brass chinscales. Some skull dent bruising and It's liner is mostly lacking.

An Ottoman Turkish Yataghan Khard Dagger Probably 19th century or possibly early 20th century. A 'sleeper' kept in and old storage locker for decades and still very grubby. I]ivory grips attached with four rivets to the decorative hilt, with thin translucent red highlights, with a t section steel blade, original wooden leather covered scabbard with lattice work decoration [wear to leather. The knife length is 26.5cms. Some small chip to ears of ivory grips. Bought as a pair with it's identical matching dagger but we are selling them seperately.

An Ottoman Turkish Yataghan Khard Dagger. Probably 19th century or possibly early 20th century. A 'sleeper' kept in and old storage locker for decades and still very grubby. Ivory grips attached with four rivets to the gilded decorative hilt with thin translucent red highlights, with t section steel blade, original wooden leather covered scabbard with lattice work decoration [wear to leather. The knife length is 26.5cms chips to ears of the ivory grips. Bought as a pair with it's identical matching dagger but we are selling them seperately. Blade with some old grease encrustantions, will easily remove and should overall clean and polish up rather well

An Turkish Ottoman Long Horse Pistol With all brass mounts with long eared butt typically naively engraved with cannon, flags and drums. Steel barrel with chisseling of scrolls and a grotesque mask. Banana shaped steel lock with matching ancanthus scroll engraving to the lock plate and cock. Typical mid 18th century English style, that was immensely popular in the Ottoman Empire, but likely made in the late, to the early, 19th century. Good working order. Two interior screws on the action replaced.

AN Unusually Large Chinese Ching Dynasty Trousse With steel mounts this is a most impressive Trousse [container of eating and utility implements] used by an Officer when on campaign in the service of the Emperor. Mandarins examples are small and beautifully intricate and made of luxurious materials such as Jade , Gold, Ray Skin and Silver. This is a far more substantial [twice the normal size] and robust but still has the typical fine quality features in the key pattern mounts and the small picks concealed in it's sheath.

Ancient Bronze Age Spear, 4000 Years Old An Amlash spear made around 2000 B.C. Good socket mount with excellent natural age encrustation patina.

Ancient Form Chinese Bronze Helmet, of Circa 400bc Warring States Era Style With good green aged patination, and as tradition dictates, cast in one piece. In the past 30 years or so we have had only a very few of these helmets, and just two have been original and the correct age that they should. We feel likely it is not the age as it appears to be, but a later made example known as 'Historismus'. Historismus armour was a name likely coined in the 19th century to describe pieces made in an earlier or even ancient form and style, but made much later. However, it is still a most beautiful piece of art, extremely pleasing, decorative, and it would compliment any historical or classical display of arms or antiques.31 cm high, weight 3 kilos.

Antique Arquebus Battlement Gun From The Armoury of Maharajah of Jaipur This huge gun would make a fantastic display piece. It is one of a collection we acquired from the Armoury of The Maharajah of Jaipur and stored since the time of Tippoo Sultan in the late 18th century. Walnut Stock, long steel barrel, matchlock mechanism, stamped with with Jaipur Arsenal Mark. Due to their size we cannot ship these guns outside of the UK. . Amazingly impressive arm at very little cost and great value. Generic representative photos, all the guns are very slightly different. Approx 8ft long various degrees of natural age wear and some age damage. Stock will need a little work. Generic photos, please contact for further delivery details. UK Delivery only

Antique Arquebus Battlement Gun From The Armoury of Maharajah of Jaipur This huge gun would make a fantastic display piece. It is one of a collection we acquired from the Armoury of The Maharajah of Jaipur and stored since the time of Tippoo Sultan in the late 18th century. Walnut Stock, long steel barrel, matchlock mechanism, stamped with with Jaipur Arsenal Mark. Due to their size we cannot ship these guns outside of the UK. . Amazingly impressive arm at very little cost and great value. Generic representative photos, all the guns are very slightly different. Approx 8ft long various degrees of natural age wear and some age damage. Stock will need a little work. Generic photos, please contact for further delivery details. UK Delivery only

Antique Arquebus Battlement Gun From The Armoury of Maharajah of Jaipur This huge gun would make a fantastic display piece. It is one of a collection we acquired from the Armoury of The Maharajah of Jaipur and stored since the time of Tippoo Sultan in the late 18th century. Walnut Stock, long steel barrel, matchlock mechanism, stamped with with Jaipur Arsenal Mark. Due to their size we cannot ship these guns outside of the UK. . Amazingly impressive arm at very little cost and great value. Generic representative photos, all the guns are very slightly different. Approx 8ft long various degrees of natural age wear and some age damage. Stock will need a little work. Generic photos, please contact for further delivery details. UK Delivery only

Antique Arquebus Battlement Gun From The Armoury of Maharajah of Jaipur This huge gun would make a fantastic display piece. It is one of a collection we acquired from the Armoury of The Maharajah of Jaipur and stored since the time of Tippoo Sultan in the late 18th century. Walnut Stock, long steel barrel, matchlock mechanism, stamped with with Jaipur Arsenal Mark. Due to their size we cannot ship these guns outside of the UK. . Amazingly impressive arm at very little cost and great value. Generic representative photos, all the guns are very slightly different. Approx 8ft long various degrees of natural age wear and some age damage. Stock will need a little work. Generic photos, please contact for further delivery details. UK Delivery only

Antique Arquebus Battlement Gun From The Armoury of Maharajah of Jaipur This huge gun would make a fantastic display piece. It is one of a collection we acquired from the Armoury of The Maharajah of Jaipur and stored since the time of Tippoo Sultan in the late 18th century. Walnut Stock, long steel barrel, matchlock mechanism, stamped with with Jaipur Arsenal Mark. Due to their size we cannot ship these guns outside of the UK. . Amazingly impressive arm at very little cost and great value. Generic representative photos, all the guns are very slightly different. Approx 8ft long various degrees of natural age wear and some age damage. Stock will need a little work. Generic photos, please contact for further delivery details. UK Delivery only

Antique Arquebus Battlement Gun From The Armoury of Maharajah of Jaipur This huge gun would make a fantastic display piece. It is one of a collection we acquired from the Armoury of The Maharajah of Jaipur and stored since the time of Tippoo Sultan in the late 18th century. Walnut Stock, long steel barrel, matchlock mechanism, stamped with with Jaipur Arsenal Mark. Due to their size we cannot ship these guns outside of the UK. Amazingly impressive arm at very little cost and great value. Generic representative photos, all the guns are very slightly different. Approx 8ft long various degrees of natural age wear and some age damage. Stock will need a little work. Generic photos, please contact for further delivery details. UK Delivery only

Antique Chinese Lacquer Games Box With George IIIrd Armorial Counters Chinese in the European taste made for the English 19th century export market. The noble armorial mother o'pearl gambling tokens show they were a set made to order for a member of the English nobility around 1790. A wonderful gamers gambling set comprising of a fine lacquer box decorated with Chinese lacquer exotic birds. Canted corners and interior fitted with sections and lids. With two sets of antique mother o'pearl counters one numbering 51 counters, three shape forms of round, rectangular and long rectangular, all of sublime quality, superbly engraved with English monogrammes and noblility crests, of griffin heads surmounted over a shield set with three hounds heads and interspersed Jerusalem crosses, [circa 1790]. The other set of very nice cquality numbering 85 have exotic birds and a geometric reverse pattern [circa 1810]. There is also contained within a miniature playing card set, and a small lidded box containg three ivory die, two stamped with matching GR with Crown in red.

Antique Ching Dynasty 'Rose Medallion' Canton Export Porcelain Lamp A superb and beautiful lamp, circa 1830, with the body of a Cantonese Vase [in Rose Medallion pattern] with lacquered highly decorative pierced brass bottom mount and an oil lamp top, converted to electricity.25 inches high [not including light fitting] 33 inches high with shade

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Glengarry Badge 1882 to 1900 Pattern In pressed nickle with good clear definition and in good condition, 2 lugs.

Austrian Mannlicher Cavalry Bayonet Model 1895 Regimentally marked Used by the Austrian Empire in WW1. The sole difference between this and the common standard type [for infantry] is the inclusion of the rifle's foresight which surmounts the crossguard. Condition is very good. Exhibiting the Austrian cutting edge upwards feature that other countries do not have. Wood grips with two rivets.Combat marks to right grip. In it's original all steel scabbard and frog.9.75 inch blade.

Austro Hungarian, Crown Jubilee Cross Medal of 1908 On the 2nd of December 1908 Kaiser Franz Joseph I celebrated his 60th Crown Jubilee. In a similar fashion to the celebrations held ten years previously, special commemorative decorations were instituted and awarded to honor all manner of service to the Kaiser and the country. The decoration itself was designed by the famous medal designer Kammermedailleur Professor Rudolf Marschall (1873-1967) and was based on a so-called Tatzenkreuz (a cross similar to that used by the German Iron Cross), of about 37 mm diameter, with a wreath of laurel leaves between the arms. On the obverse the cross bore a round centerfield, about 20 mm in diameter, depicting a portrait of the Emperor's head and on the viewer's left side the small inscription "FRANC.IOS.I." and - only in some cases - on the right side the very small designers mark "R.Marschall". On the plain rear side the two years "1848 - 1908" on two lines.This cross was presented to all officers, military officials and soldiers who had a minimum of 3 years of service on a professional status during the period between the 2nd of December 1898 and the 2nd of December 1908, also to all personnel who had taken part in a minimum of one engagement during the 1848/49

Beautiful Antique Silver and Enamel Indo-Persian 'Rulers' Sword.Wootz Steel Quite simply one of the most beautiful swords, from the finest pedigree, that one can ever own. A Long curved, early antique Mogul blade showing fine Damascus of finest wootz steel [true Damascus] of the Kirk Narduban pattern, known as Mohamed's Ladder. Solid silver hilt with finest blue Basse Taille enamel, likely from the 18th century. Considered by many to be, alongside the Samurai sword, the finest sword blades ever made, the blades of the best Indo Persian swords were manufactured using wootz, otherwise known as 'true Damascus' steel. This creates a very particular grain on the surface of the blade. The exquisite enamel hilt is lustrous translucent blue over finest solid silver. Basse Taille, is French for "low cut", and was a technique where a hand cut pattern is created in the silver before translucent enameling, so that when the enamel is laid over it, the pattern shines through the transparent glass. 'Basse Taille' adds incredible texture and life to the design. A style of enamel work that was copied [and in some ways historically made his own] by the great Russian silver house, and personal enamalist to Czar Nicholas IInd, Carl Faberge. All of the world famous, and fabulous Faberge Easter eggs, that were made for the Russian Czars Alexander and Nicolas, utilized the [guilloche] simplified 'Basse Taille' enamel process, [guilloche is slightly easier to produce, and less organic, as it was machine cut patterning] but, it is little known to have been, in the greater part, created by the great Indo Persian artisans in the 18th century. We have spent many thousands of pounds over numerous weeks of highly specialist and intensive work to simply professionally clean it, as it the hilt was absolutely and totally blackened with age and accumulated age discolouration, thus making a proper appraisal impossible. The pommel cap is slightly misshapen through age, and this wehave decided to leave untouched.The blades of the best swords were manufactured using wootz, otherwise known as 'True Damascus' steel. This creates a very particular grain on the surface of the blade. True Damascus blades were manufactured in the Safavid Persian Empire (covering the area of modern Iran and parts of several other countries), originally in Damascus, and then later in Khorassan and Isfahan, using steels of Indian origin. Damascus steel is created by the extremely slow cooling of the melted iron, which encourages the formation of extremely hard Martensite crystals among softer Cementite ones. The veins of these Martensite crystals create the distinctive ‘watered steel’ pattern on Damascus blades, as well as giving them a fine balance of hardness and flexibility. In the 16th century, Persian ‘watered steel’ was famous across Eurasia. High quality Persian swords like this one were much sought after since they were easily capable of splitting contemporary European helmets with a single stroke, and, through legend, halving a silk handkerchief drawn lightly across their blades.

Beautiful Pair of Irish, Cased Duelling Pistols The Epitome of Fine Pistols By Tomlinson of Dublin, a reknown maker of 'Fyne Dueling Pistoles'. In an original case with full tools, a fine pair of good Irish Duelers, used by Officers and Gentlemen in the King George IIIrd era of the Napoleonic Wars. Irish guns of this era are much sought after by collectors, and pairs of pistols, fully cased, are especially highly prized and very rare indeed. Finest walnut full-stocks and Damascus steel hooked barrels, lined with gold at the breech. Excellent engraved steel furniture fully engraved throughout with pineapple finials to the trigger guards. Original horn tipped ramrods. Dueling practices and rituals were codified in the Code Duello of 1777 which set forth rules describing all aspects of an "affair of honour," from the time of day during which challenges could be received to the number of shots or wounds required for satisfaction of honour. For gentlemen the law "offered no redress for insults" he might be subject to from rivals and enemies. Shooting a fellow officer in a duel "gave a sharp edge to one's reputation, earned congratulations in the regimental mess, and brought admiring glances from the ladies.... higher military authorities...regarded dueling as a proof test of courage..." Although theoretically banned by British Army regulations, refusing a challenge was likely to result in an officer having to leave his regiment, for the same rules that banned dueling forbade an officer from submitting to "opprobrious expressions" or "any conduct from another that should degrade him, or, in the smallest way impeach his courage." To decline a challenge was often equated to defeat by forfeiture, and was sometimes even regarded as dishonorable. Prominent and famous individuals ran an especial risk of being challenged for duels. Among the most famous duels are the American Burr-Hamilton duel, in which notable Federalist Alexander Hamilton was fatally wounded, and the duel between Duke of Wellington and the 10th Earl of Winchilsea, wherein each participant intentionally missed the other. In New Orleans in 1817 wealthy Creole Bernard de Marigny challenged American blacksmith James Humble to a duel. Humble at nearly seven feet tall had the advantage of size but had never so much as handled a weapon before, and Marigny was only five-nine but a deadly fighter. But by tradition Humble, as the challenged party, had choice of weapons and location. His choice: the duel would be fought with blacksmith hammers standing in six feet of water in Lake Pontchartrain. Marigny immediately declared that he could not possibly harm a man with such a sense of humor and invited Humble home for dinner.

British 1796 Heavy Cavalry Officer's Sword From Peninsular War and Waterloo era. A very good example of these most desirable of Georgian Swords used by an Officer in the Heavy Cavalry [with a combination, dress hilt and combat broadsword blade and scabbard]. Traditional 'Boat Shaped hilt' in very good order, Silver ribbed grip, broadsword blade with some traces of engraving, Used by an officer of the British Heavy cavalry. The Heavy Cavalry were seperated into two brigades at Waterloo. The 1st Brigade, known as the Household Brigade, commanded by Major-General Edward Somerset (Lord Somerset), consisted of guards regiments: the 1st and 2nd Life Guards, the Royal Horse Guards (the Blues), and the 1st 'King's' Dragoon Guards The 2nd Brigade, also known as the Union Brigade, commanded by Major-General Sir William Ponsonby, was so called as it consisted of an English (1st, 'The Royals'), a Scottish (2nd, 'Scots Greys'), and an Irish (6th, 'Inniskilling') regiment of heavy dragoons. More than 20 years of warfare had eroded the numbers of suitable cavalry mounts available on the European continent; this resulted in the British heavy cavalry entering the 1815 campaign with the finest horses of any contemporary cavalry arm. They also received excellent mounted swordsmanship training. The two brigades had a combined field strength of about 2,000 (2,651 official strength), and they charged with the 47-year-old Uxbridge leading them and little reserve Scots Greys Regt. The Scots Greys, as part of the Union Brigade [so called as it was made up of a regiment of Heavy Cavalry from each part of Britain] were some of the finest heavy Cavalry in Europe and certainly one of the most feared. A quote of Napoleon of the charge at the Battle of Waterloo goes; "Ces terribles chevaux gris! Comme il travaillent!" (Those terrible grey horses, how they strive!) At approximately 1:30 pm, the second phase of the Battle of Waterloo opened. Napoleon launched D'Erlon's corps against the allied centre left. After being stopped by Picton's Peninsular War veterans, D'Erlon's troops came under attack from the side by the heavy cavalry commanded by Earl of Uxbridge including Major General Sir William Ponsonby's Scots Greys. The shocked ranks of the French columns surrendered in their thousands. During the charge Sergeant Ewart, of the Greys, captured the eagle of the French 45th Ligne. The Greys charged too far and, having spiked some of the French cannon, came under counter-attack from enemy cavalry. Ponsonby, who had chosen to ride one of his less expensive mounts, was ridden down and killed by enemy lancers. The Scots Greys' casualties included: 102 killed; 97 wounded; and the loss of 228 of the 416 horses that started the charge. This engagement also gave the Scots Greys their cap badge, the eagle itself. The eagle is displayed in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards museum in Edinburgh Castle. The British Heavy Cavalry, during the Peninsular War and at Waterloo it fought with incredible distinction and exemplary bravery, and saw some of the most incredible and courageous combat. Fighting the elite French Curassiers and Carabiniers of Napoleons Imperial Guard was no mean feat, for at the time the French Cavalry was some of the most formidable in the world, and at their very peak. Never again was the French Cavalry to be as respected and feared as it was during the great Napoleonic era. Some of the battles this may also have been used at were; [during 1808-14] The Peninsular Campaign, including, Salamanca , Toulouse, Albuera Talavera, Pyrenees then from 1814: La Rothiere, Rosnay, Champaubert, Vauchamps, Athies, La Fere-Champenoise and Paris 1815: and Quatre-Bras. The last photo in the gallery is of Lady Butler's painting, the Charge of the Scots Greys at Waterloo. One of the heavy cavalry regiments whose officers used this form of sword. [For information only not included]

Buy With Confidence From Britain's Last Remaining Armoury Shop that are specialists in original Fine Arms, Armour, Books and Militaria from 4000 to 40 years old. Serving the world's collectors over four generations. We are one of the county's oldest established businesses, and the last of our kind in the country. Every item we sell comes with a Certificate of Authenticity & all our swords & guns etc. are real, authentic antiques, or collectors items, that require no license and are not restricted to buy and own [providing one is over 18 years of age]. New items added to our site every hour, with at least 12 updates every day

Cased Pair of The Very Finest, French, Exhibition Grade Duelling Pistols Made by Gastinne-Renette à Paris "Arquebusier de l'Empereur". Emperor Napoleon's gunsmith, Louis-Julien Gastinne-Renette of Paris, was one of France's, and indeed one of the the world's, finest, gunsmiths. He was also appointed personal gunmaker to the King of Spain. Finest micro chequered walnut stocks, with relief carved lion's head forends, superbly deep relief fancy engraved steel mounts and a fabulous pair of gold name inlaid and rifled, Damascus barrels. Finest engraved percussion locks with set [pressure adjustable] triggers. In their original, fitted, burr walnut veneered case, with some of the original tools, including a wooden barrel mallet, and a pair af rammer and cleaning rods with cleaning jag. As is usual with French Duelling Pistols, they are far more extravagent than their English or Irish counterparts. The French taste displaying considerably more extravagence, and a more outward display of expense and quality, the English preference being for more reserved simplicity. The original case woodwork is magnificent in it's burr grain pattern, and in excellent condition. The price well reflects that some small accessories are missing, but these may be able to be replaced with a little time and effort. While frequently forbidden by law, the tradition of duelling to resolve personal differences or restore honour was well established in both Europe and America of the 1800s. In the United States, duelling was a publicly declaimed, yet clandestinely observed activity that involved many Presidents, Senators and other statesmen or military officers. Not until 1883 did Congress pass a bill banning duelling within the District of Columbia. The arm of choice in Great Britain, France and America was the muzzleloading single-shot pistol, presented as identical pairs, and cased with a variety of specialized loading and cleaning accoutrements. Handcrafted for superb balance, these smoothbore pistols were made by some of the world’s finest gunsmiths.At first rifled barrels and sights were considered unsporting, as was careful aiming and practicing beforehand. One duelist opined that when a duelist took the time to aim carefully, even a poor shot had a one in five chance of hitting his target. One duelist complained after an encounter that his opponent "took full aim at him." The pistols used in the Burr/Hamilton duel had had secret hair triggers (and hidden rifling). Hair triggers enjoyed some popularity but premature discharges and accidents involving wounded seconds and spectators made them fall into disrepute. One Abraham Bosquet describes an incident where a duelist shot himself in the foot while awaiting a duel to commence due to a pistol with a hair trigger. Though rifling was considered bad form, Lord Cardigan used a rifled pistol in his 1840 duel and was censured for it. Various strategies were employed to prevent injuring including standing sideways to make a slimmer target, though Charles James Fox replied, "Why man, I'm as thick one way as the other!" when his second suggested it in his duel in Hyde Park in 1779. Fox was injured in the duel. Seconds in a duel would prepare the firearms for the confrontation of the principals. The choice of a site depended on geography with many duels being fought on isolated sandbars or islands where maximum privacy was possible. A formal duel was a carefully choreographed affair, with a series of steps (the code duello) followed by the parties. In addition to the principals and seconds, a surgeon was also required to be in attendance. After the initial exchange of shots at ten paces without effect, both parties could elect to move closer or end the affair with honor upheld. A temporary exhibit in the galleries of the National Firearms Museum of America now offers visitors the rare opportunity to see the finest duelling pistols from many renowned British and Continental armsmakers. Located in the museum's new lobby exhibition area, 32 flintlock, percussion, and pill-lock arms from the noted and finest gunmakers in the world including Durs Egg, John and Joseph Manton, Charles Moore, GASTINNE RENETTE, John Twigg, and Robert Wogdon. In the Antiques and Fine Art Magazine in 2009 an article titled 'Informed Collecting' by R.Finer shows a most similar quality exhibition grade pair, by Gastinne-Renette, valued for sale at between, $50,000 and $100,000

Commemorative Medal for the Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871 Circular gilt bronze medal with ribbed loop for ribbon suspension; the face with an Iron Cross (cross pattée) with rays between the arms, inscribed ‘1870 1871’ within a wreath of laurel; the reverse with the crowned monogram of King Wilhelm above the inscription ‘Dem siegreichen Heere’ (the victorious army), circumscribed ‘Gott war mit uns Ihm sei die Ehre’ (God was with us To Him the Glory); the edge inscribed ‘AUS EROBERTEM GESCHUETZ’ (from captured cannon); The medal was instituted on 20 May 1871 for those active in the War with France. It was in bronze for combatants and steel for non-combatants. The conflict between France and Prussia that signalled the rise of German military power and imperialism was provoked by the Prussian (later German) Chancellor Otto von Bismarck as part of his plan to create a unified German Empire. The French armies were overcome at Sedan by the efficient Prussian forces, battle-hardened from their conflicts with Denmark and Austria. In Paris, a bloodless revolution led to the overthrow of Napoleon III. The city was besieged by the Prussians from 19 September and held out, suffering severe privation, until 28 January. France was forced to cede Alsace and Lorraine to the Germany which had been proclaimed an empire under Wilhelm I on 18 January 1871 in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, sowing the seeds of future 20th Century conflicts. A very good example.

Commemorative Medal for the Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871 Circular gilt bronze medal with ribbed loop for ribbon suspension; the face with an Iron Cross (cross pattée) with rays between the arms, inscribed ‘1870 1871’ within a wreath of laurel; the reverse with the crowned monogram of King Wilhelm above the inscription ‘Dem siegreichen Heere’ (the victorious army), circumscribed ‘Gott war mit uns Ihm sei die Ehre’ (God was with us To Him the Glory); the edge inscribed ‘AUS EROBERTEM GESCHUETZ’ (from captured cannon); The medal was instituted on 20 May 1871 for those active in the War with France. It was in bronze for combatants and steel for non-combatants. The conflict between France and Prussia that signalled the rise of German military power and imperialism was provoked by the Prussian (later German) Chancellor Otto von Bismarck as part of his plan to create a unified German Empire. The French armies were overcome at Sedan by the efficient Prussian forces, battle-hardened from their conflicts with Denmark and Austria. In Paris, a bloodless revolution led to the overthrow of Napoleon III. The city was besieged by the Prussians from 19 September and held out, suffering severe privation, until 28 January. France was forced to cede Alsace and Lorraine to the Germany which had been proclaimed an empire under Wilhelm I on 18 January 1871 in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, sowing the seeds of future 20th Century conflicts. A very good example.

Crimean War Vintage Antique Russian Pioneer’s Sawback Falchion Sword, A nice original 1830's Romanov era sword that has without doubt seen a lot of combat service, and likely brought back as a souvenir of the Crimean War. Curiously the swords that appear in England were mostly in the Russian armoury store at Sebastepol during the war, and they were 'liberated' by the British soldiers from the armoury, and then used against the Russians in combat by the British. The broad slightly curved single edged blade with wide fuller on the both sides, and has a saw back-edge. The cast brass grooved hilt is stamped on cross guard with Cyrillic letters and marks. Overall length: 26inches (66cm). Length of blade 19¼ inches (49cm). Blade pitting and minor damage to the blade point otherwise fair condition. No scabbard

Dumbartonshire Volunteer's Badge Cast white metal with one lug missing 82mm x 62mm

Early 18th Century British Dragoon Pistol by Barbar of London Brass 'butt set with a face cartouche. Elongated barrel typical of the early to mid 18th century with Queen Anne proof marks to the top of the barrel. Banana shaped lock signed Barber. At some time the walnut stock was fully restored.

Early 19th Century Officer's Eppaulettes of Prince of Wales Dragoon Guards Crescentric form with articulated scales and fancy script regimental silver initials PWDG. Made by W & T Buckmaster.The 3rd Regiment of Dragoon Guards was one of the elite heavy cavalry regiments in the Imperial, British Army. A regiment with an impressively long record of loyalty, bravery and tenacity that one expects to see, from one of the regiments of the finest cavalry division, in the finest army in the world. Regimental Honours. 1701 - 1705 Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet during the war of Spanish Succession. 1756 - 1763, Warburg during the Seven years war 1793 - 1802, Beaumont and Willems during the French revolutionary wars. 1808 - 1802 Talavera, Albuhera, Vittoria, peninsula during the Peninsula War 1867 - 1868 The Abyssinian war 1899 - 1902, The South African war 1914 - 1914, Ypres 1914, and 1915, Loos, Arrass 1917, Scarpe 1917, St Quentin, Avre, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Mons, in France and Flanders

Early Sikh Khanda Hilt Firangi Sword All steel hilt and blade, straight single edged blade typical Khanda Hilt with flattened guard 17th 18th century.This is the form of sword used by the Sikhs in India and symbolic of their nation

Early Sikh Khanda Hilt Firangi Sword 17th to 18th Century All steel hilt and blade, straight single edged blade, double fullered, typical Khanda Hilt with flattened guard, 17th 18th century.A most interesting and beautioful sword. One hilt section seperated.

Early Victorian [Naval] Officer's Pocket Telescope By Negretti and Zambra Crimean War period from the siege of Sebastopol era. This beautiful small telescope has a finest varnished mahogany barrel, three brass draw tubes and night and day tube. Makers name inscribed to the smallest tube. The brass fittings include a sliding eyepiece cover [lacking it's pin]. Made by the most famous maker in the world, Negretti and Zambra of London. There are identical examples of telescope of this form [also of the same age] in the British National Maritime Museum. One example is a telescope that once belonged to Lieutenant Frederick Semple R.N.(1833-72) Exhibit number; F4463-001. This is a very nice looking example indeed, even better than the National Maritime Museums example with most of it's original lacquer still present, but now simply a display piece, at least for the time being as the lenses do not focus. They appear to be all present and in perfect order, however, they may be set incorrectly, and not being instrument restorers we know not how to rectify the problem, so some effort may be required to restore it to useable order, if it is so desired. 6 inches long compacted, 18.5 inches fully extended

Elegant Mahdist Sudanese Dagger or Short Sword 14 inch double edged blade with delicate stipple banded edges and medial ridge. Elongated grip in two stages for two hand use. Grip wrap and scabbard of maroon red and brown leather with black borders and bands. The scabbard with lineal tooled decoration and white leather bands and tassel. Unusually complete with belt loop and attached grip securing band. Well preserved English trophy of the Sudanese War.The Mahdist War (also called the Mahdist Revolt) was a colonial war of the late 19th century. It was fought between the Mahdist Sudanese and the Egyptian and later British forces. It has also been called the Anglo-Sudan War or the Sudanese Mahdist Revolt. The British have called their part in the conflict the Sudan Campaign. It was vividly described by Winston Churchill (who took part in its concluding stages) in The River War.

Exceptional and Pair of Silver Mounted Flintlock Pistols By Philip Bond of London. Circa 1795. Beautiful quality, solid hallmarked silver mounts by Moses Brent. With very fine, demi blunderbuss swamped barrels, proof stamped by Joseph Buckmaster. Superb Juglans Regia walnut stocks with sumptous patina. A fabulous pair of very fine quality pistols of the Napoleonic wars era, likely for a Royal Naval Captain, as brass barrels and silver mounts suited the salty sea environment very well indeed, unlike steel barrelled and steel mounted pistols that corroded very easily at sea. In very good condition, good tight actions.

Fine Early King William IIIrd Barrelled Flintlock Blunderbuss Navy Pattern Fine English walnut stock with brass furniture. Overall this gun has a fabulous aged patina that is truly exceptional. Good early barrel in two stages in brass with early proofs. A Fine large sized ordnance Blunderbuss of great quality and presence. Distinctive and traditional flared shaped muzzle, with 1690 proof stamps, at the barrel breech, and this flintlock blunderbuss was upgraded with the lock, in around 1800, by Blair and Sutherland one of London's best lock and gunsmiths. Over all, this gun is in very good condition indeed. Although this weapon was designed for dramatic function and effect this example has a beautifully elegant feel to it, and it is a delightful example, deserving of much praise, and would make a finecompliment to any collection of fine old English weaponry. It's 1690 proof mark is of King William IIIrd. He was the British King who was victorious at the Battle of The Boyne in Ireland, the most famous battle between King William and the previous British King, King James, his uncle. William's army of English and Dutch were against the French and Irish forces supporting the deposed King James IInd. King James was not actually present at the engagement, as opposed to King William who led his men personally into battle, despite being a man of slight build and a severe asthmatic. King William the IIIrd was the grandson of Executed King Charles the Ist and married to King James IInd's daughter Mary, James was his uncle and third son of Charles Ist. Ironically William [a Protestant King] fought James [a Catholic King] with the support of the Pope, as they were both part of the Grand Alliance [The league of Augsburg] which was determined to defend the Palatinate from France [James's ally]. The barrel also bears the personal proof of Joseph Buckmaster a supplier to the ordnance and a famous master smith of the early 18th century. Over the decades we have had his mark on several fine pistols and blunderbusses, including arms of the Jacobite Rebellion, and he was once prosecuted and fined for being in possession of arms bearing the King's mark. The furniture is of the earliest military and navy Land Pattern type used from the 1720's. The history that this gun has seen can only be marveled at, and it is likely at least for a good portion of it's working life it was used at sea in the Navy as it bears a rack number '29'. 16.5 inch barrel 33 inches long overall.

Flintlock Pistol By England's Most Celebrated Maker, Mr Wogdon of London A Fine walnut stock, steel barrel, steel lock and all brass furniture. Butt cap with long ears. Forend walnut restored. The golden era of the dueling pistol in Britain lasted from around 1770 to 1850. By 1780 it was stated that "pistols are the weapons now generally made use of." Robert Wogdon was the most celebrated of the manufacturers of flintlock pistols, whose object was to make a nicely balanced, fine handling, accurate and often intentionally beautiful pistol. Wogdon began working as a gunmaker in London in 1765 and opened a shop in the fashionable Haymarket at the end of 1774. Atkinson estimates the number of lives claimed by Wogdon pistols in the "many hundreds," earning Wogdon the sobriquet of the "patron of that leaden death." One of the most famous duels in United States history took place on July 11, 1804 between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton at Weehawken, New Jersey. Hamilton, the former Treasury secretary died as a result of his wound, former Vice President Burr was indicted for murder but not prosecuted. Three years earlier Alexander Hamilton's son had been killed in duel at the same spot using the same set of tricked-out .544 caliber English-made Wogdon pistols. A picture in the gallery is of the The Wogdon pistols used in the infamous Hamilton-Burr Duel from the Chase Manhattan Archives, New York [For information only]

For Original Japanese Samurai Weapons See the Japanese Dept. For Samurai Katana, Samurai Wakazashi, Tanto, Tachi, Daisho, Kai Gunto, Shin Gunto, Kyo Gunto, all types of Military Japanese Swords, NCO's Swords, Tsuba, Fushi Kashira, Han Dachi, Jinja Tachi, Naga Nata, Yari, Jitte, Kodsuka, Kogai & Minuki, please see our extensive selection in our Japanese Department. Here you may view and purchase original items, some of which are up to 600 years old and as seen in this photograph. It is an original, Edo era portrait photo, and shows a group of seated and standing Samurai.

French 1830'S Shako Helmet Plate Brass plate of Cockerel and stamp of 'Return to Liberty' July 1830

French 1830's Shako Helmet Plate. Copper plate of a Cockerel over French symbols.

French Marquetry 19th century Bureau-Plat, Floral and Scroll Marquetry Top A stunning French antique writing desk or display centrepiece with four large pembroke style legs, walnut top with large central panel of a large Adam style urn with American Indian head profiles and scroll floral marquetry. Four side serpentine form.

French Republic Shako Helmet Plate Mid 19th Century Shako Plate with large Cockeral over flags and fasces with a banner embossed Republique Francais

French Shako Helmet Plate Mid 19th Century Laurel wreathed Cockeral Crest with regimental number '2' 136mm x 111mm

George IIIrd Marmaluke Sabre Fancy cast brass marmaluke Hilt. Good steel curved blade Used by Bandsmen in The Napoleonic Wars,. Based on the Marmaluke Swords captured at the Nile by Nelson.

Historical Medal For the Marriage of the Duke of York & Princess Mary 1893 Married At Chapel Royal St James's Palace 6 July 1893. Reverse with Duke and Duchess standing before Brittania Made by Spink and Sons London. Silvered on metal. 51mm.

Historical Victorian British Regimental 9th Lancer's Sword of Major C.Rich. we have had a no-expense-spared cleaning and restoration project completed on this sword, leaving every original part in place exactly as it should. The blade is in very fine order with 8 of the considerable 9th Lancer's regimental Battle Honours detailed from Peninsular to Lucknow, and Major Rich's crest and family motto 'Garde ta Foi'. All steel three bar hilt with wire bound fishskin grip. All steel combat scabbard with a few combat dents. Major Charles David Rich, was awarded a commission in 1851, as a young officer, and served the regiment with distinction in the Indian Mutiny, including in the relief of Lucknow by Lord Clyde. He served with the military train and force that remained at Alumbagh, from the relief, siege and capture of the city in March 1858. He was mentioned-in-despatches for services in action at Alumbagh [his horse shot from under him] and served through the campaign at Oude and Rohilcund, including actions at Rhodamow and Allygunge, the capture of Bareilly, action at Shahjehanpore and the persuit to Mahomdee. He then commanded a squadron at the passage of the Gogra and the affairs at Mutchleegaon and Kumdakoli. Awarded medal and clasps. One of the bravest cavalry regiments of the British Army the 9th Lancers have served the Crown with undiminished distinction and honour, including, on one occasion in 1879, when ordered by General Roberts to delay the Afghan army, led by Mahomed Jan on his march on the City of Kabul, 126 9th Lancers and 44 men of the 14th Bengal Lancers were ordered to a full cavalry charge against the entire Afghan army of 10,000. 172 men against 10,000. Remarkably they actully committed two charges and losses unsurprisingly were heavy, the 9th Lancers lost 18 men and 34 horses, with another 13 men and 37 horses wounded. It is this action, alongside so many others too numerous to mention, that makes the steel resolve of the British soldier, against all and any odds, the finest in the world. The 9th Queen's Royal Lancers were originally formed during the Jacobite Risings in 1715. They were formed by Major-General Owen Wynne and were the second cavalry regiment in the British Army. They were initially known as the "9th Dragoons" or "Wynne's Dragoons". In 1783 they converted into Light Dragoons, becoming the 9th Light Dragoons, and served in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, Sir Samuel Auchmuty's expedition to the River Plate in 1803, the occupation of Montevideo and Wellington's Peninsula War between 1811 and 1813. In 1816 they were constituted Lancers and in 1830 were given the distinguished title of "Queen's Royal", in honour of Queen Adelaide, consort of William IV, hence becoming the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers. The Lancers were first posted to India during the Gwalior Campaign of 1843. They subsequently took part in the First Anglo-Sikh War of 1845-46 and the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1848-49 where they were often led by Sir Hope Grant and were the first recipients of the Bronze Star Medal. During the Indian mutiny of 1857, the 9th Lancers earned the name the Delhi Spearmen, a name which is believed to have been given to them by the mutineers themselves. 9th Lancers was present in all three of the most notable events associated with the Indian mutiny, namely, the seizure of Delhi, the seizure of Lucknow and the relief of Lucknow. For their actions the Lancers were awarded twelve Victoria Crosses, more than any other cavalry regiment. They were described by an ally as:- "The beau ideal of all that British Cavalry ought to be in Oriental countries". The Lancers were posted to Afghanistan during the Second Anglo-Afghan War, 1878–1880 during which they were issued with Martini-Henry carbines in place of their pistols. On 19 October 1878 they left Sialkot, India and, under the command of Major R. Cleland, marched to the mouth of the Khyber Pass where they joined Sir Frederick Maude's division. The division then moved to Narkoo via Ali Masjid and Dakka where it was to remain until June 1879. In January 1879 one squadron left the regiment to join the Kurrum Valley Field Force under Sir Frederick Roberts. The Treaty of Gundamak was signed and on 2nd June 1879 the regiment less one squadron returned to Sialkot. Advance to Kabul; On 3 September 1879 the British Embassy to Kabul was massacred. Hostilities recommenced two weeks later and the Lancers were ordered to go to Kabul. Their detached squadron had entered the Kurrum Valley as early as March and now formed the advance-guard for this advance on Kabul, which started on 27 September.At daybreak on 6 October Captain Apperly took twenty Lancers from Charasia to reconnoitre the pass. They were almost immediately fired upon and so began the "Action of Charasia". The day ended with the British being in possession of all of the main positions in the vicinity. One hundred and two Lancers were sent in a cavalry force to cut off the retreat of the enemy who were thought to have abandoned Sherpur. The town was found deserted, with seventy five guns left abandoned by the enemy, who were spotted on the Asmai Heights overlooking Kabul. On 9 October the Lancers set off in pursuit of the Afghans, who had left Kabul during the night leaving their guns, tents and camp equipment. The pursuit lasted twenty-one miles but, apart from a small band of twenty, the Afghans could not be caught. Kabul was now in British hands and on 13 October 1879 the whole of General Robert's force marched into the city. Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment On 4 November 1879 the headquarters and two other squadrons of the regiment joined Captain Apperly's squadron at Sherpur cantonments. On 9 December one squadron accompanied a small infantry force under Brigadier-General MacPherson and took part in the defeat of Mir Butcha near Kila Karez. On 10 December they escorted four-horse artillery guns and were rejoined by squadrons led by Brigadier-General Massy and Lieutenant-Colonel Cleland. On 11 December they encountered a 10,000 strong Afghan army near Kila Kazi which was led by Mahomed Jan. Roberts arrived and, deeming it to be of the utmost importance to delay Mahomed's advance on Kabul as much as possible, gave the order for a full cavalry charge. The woefully outnumbered cavalry consisted of 126 men of the 9th Lancers and 44 of the 14th Bengal Lancers and they were met with ferocious fire from the 10,000 Afghans. General Roberts described the ensuing events:- The charge was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Cleland and Captain Neville, the former of whom fell dangerously wounded: but the ground, terraced for irrigation purposes and intersected by nullahs, so impeded our cavalry that the charge, heroic as it was, made little or no impression upon the overwhelming numbers of the enemy. The effort, however, was worthy and that it failed in its object was no fault of our gallant soldiers. Captain Stewart-Mackenzie was ordered to make a second charge but this had no better effect than the first. Losses were heavy and the 9th Lancers lost 18 men and 34 horses, with another 13 men and 37 horses wounded. Two days later the men killed on the 11th were buried. During the burial ceremony orders were received to immediately turn out in the company of the Indian Cavalry. They fell upon the Afghans, who had been driven off the Takht-i-Shah Peak on the Siah Sung Heights, and hit them on both flanks, scattering them over the plain. One charge proved disastrous; Captain Butson, who was in command of the 9th Lancers, was shot through the heart; Captain Scott-Chisholme was shot through the thigh, the flash burning his clothes so close was the discharge of his rifle. Although most severely wounded, he remained in the saddle and brought the regiment out of the action. 5 Lancers and 4 horses were killed, and 8 men wounded. The regiment returned to cantonments at Sherpur after this battle. On 15 December Mahomed's army reached Sherpur and started the Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment. Charasiab, A squadron of Lancers took part in the Second Battle of Charasiab on 25 April 1880. They accompanied a column under the command of MacPherson to come to the aid of a British force that had been surrounded by the Afghans near Char Asiab. The enemy was routed and the British pursued the enemy for four miles. Relief of Kandahar; The 9th Lancers under the command of Lieut. Col. C.A. Bushman on the march to Kandahar, painted by Orlando Norie. The troops would march in the early morning to avoid the full heat of the sun, halting a few minutes every hour. In this way, the column managed to cover up to 20 miles a day. On 8 August 1880 the Lancers left Kabul to march to the relief of Kandahar. They were led by Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. Bushman, but were part of a much larger force of 10,000 men, headed by Sir Frederick Roberts. The Lancer's headquarters reached Robat, 21 miles from Kandahar, on 27 August, and established communication with the garrison via heliograph. The rest of the British force joined them the next day and by 31 August the British were camped under the walls of Kandahar. 319 miles of extremely difficult terrain had been crossed in just over 20 days. On 1st September the Lancers took part in the Battle of Kandahar and helped rout Ayub Khan's army and capture his treasury, camp equipment and 33 guns. Ayub's army was pursued by the British cavalry for about 10 miles across the Argandat Valley and were 12 hours in the saddle. For their services during their time in India, the 9th Lancers would be awarded the Battle Honours Punniar, Sobraon, Chillianwallah, Goojerat, Punjaub, Delhi 1857, and Lucknow and earn the sobriquet “The Delhi Spearman”. For their service in the Second Afghan War, the 9th Lancers were awarded the additional Battle Honours Charasiah, Kabul 1879, Kandahar 1880 and Afghanistan 1878-1880. The last two Battle Honours on this blade are Lucknow and Delhi, both appear to have been added by Wilkinsons during it's service use and post initial production.

Indo Persian Moghul Tulwar All steel hilt and blade. Long straight blade. With knucklebow. 18th to 19th century.

Iron Bound Strong Box Centre panels of canvas on wood, iron strap bound, typical old strongbox for military transportation of valuables, currency etc.

Islamic Antique Snaphaunce Long Gun Snaphaunce Long Gun, with snaphaunce lock, brass barrel bands, elongated steel barrel. Walnut stock plain design. Early 19th century.

Italian Vitterli Bayonet Model of 1871 With officially shortened 10 inch blade. Leather scabbard with brass fittings. Quillon marked LN57-7-6. Wooden left hand grip section split.

King George IIIrd English Butterfly Pembroke Table Two drawer, moulded legs, four side serpentine edges with thumbnail moulding..

King George IIIrd Regency Centre Collumn Sabre Leg Pembroke Table In beautiful flame mahogany, central collumn sabre leg with brass paw feet, two folding flaps,one drawer one dummy drawer. Top in need of very minor polish.

Kurdish Jambiya Dagger Northern Iraq 19th century. Horn hilt with pewter studs, double edged blade with central rib. Brown embossed leather scabbard. [Ref.: "Islamic Weapons. Maghrib to Moghul" by A. C. Tirri, page. 95].

Kurdish Jambiya Dagger Northern Iraq 19th century. Horn hilt, double edged blade with central rib.Black embossed leather scabbard.[Ref.: "Islamic Weapons. Maghrib to Moghul" by A. C. Tirri, page. 95].

Large French/Continental Cavalry Percussion Pistol The form of Cavalry Pistol used in the Crimean War by the French, and then, many were exported to America for use in the Civil War.This Pistol came from America about 25 years ago. Percussion Action with traditional brass mounts and brass tipped steel ramrod.Good tight action.Model 1822. Circa 1830.Proved barrel.

Late 17th century Century Officer's Hunting Hangar In the days of the early Royal Navy, officers carried short swords in the pattern of hunting swords, with both straight or curved blades, fancy brass mounted single knucklebow hilts with principally stag horn grips. The brass was usually repousse with either a floral and figural design or scrolled and ribbed. The sword has very nice fairly straight blade and a very attractive sunburst pommel. Single fullered straight blade.There are numerous portraits in the National Portrait Gallery and The National Maritime Museum that show British Admirals [such as Benbow and Clowdesly Shovel] holding such swords. A portrait of legendary Admiral Benbow in the gallery holding his late 17th century hunting sword. [for information only]. Hunting hangars generally had a small down turned shell guard, however, just as with Admiral Benbow's sword [see portrait] this sword's small guard has also been removed.

Late 17th Century North European Cavalry Sabre Of The Battle of The Boyne era. This super historical sword is the type used by the Dutch, Huguenot and Danish cavalry [and mounted infantry officer's] at the Battle of the Boyne under the command of King William IIIrd [King Billy]. With fantastical dog or lion like beast pommel, brass hilt with three bar, half 'open' basket, double ovoid guard [engraved with deer] and thumbring. Excellent multi wire binding. Good blade, with single fuller and small, combat 'sword to sword' edge nicks. The Battle of the Boyne [ Cath na Bóinne] was fought in 1690 between two rival claimants of the English, Scottish and Irish thrones - the Catholic King James and the Protestant King William, who had deposed James in 1688. The battle, won by William, was a turning point in James' unsuccessful attempt to regain the crown and ultimately helped ensure the continuation of Protestant supremacy in Ireland. The battle took place on July 1, 1690 just outside the town of Drogheda on Ireland's east coast. The armies stood on opposing sides of the River Boyne. William's forces easily defeated those of James who led an army of mostly raw recruits. The symbolic importance of this battle has made it one of the best-known battles in British and Irish history. It is a key part in Ulster Protestant folklore and is still commemorated today, principally by the Orange Institution. 2 Paintings in the gallery are period examples of the battle, for information and education only, not included.

Late Koto early Shinto Samurai Katana, Around 400 Years Old A Samurai sword from the era of the greatest battle in Samurai history. The Battle of Sekigahara, which transformed Japan for the next 280 years. On October 21, 1600 [or October 15 depending on which calendar one uses] 75,000 soldiers in Ieyasu's eastern army and 79,000 soldiers in Mitsunari's western army clashed at Sekigahara. Though the battle was the biggest and most decisive in feudal Japanese history, it lasted only six hours. The western forces initially had the advantage, but under a plot Ieyasu hatched before the battle, Kobayakawa Hideaki, a powerful western Japanese daimyo, defected to the eastern army and tipped the scales in favor of its victory. Ieyasu subsequently consolidated his position as the ruler of Japan and became shogun in 1603. He set up his government in Edo, now Tokyo, and inaugurated the Edo period, an era dominated by the Tokugawa line of shoguns lasting two and a half centuries. Mokko form Tsuba, dark red stone ground lacquer saya.Late Koto early Shinto Katana blade with Sugaha Hamon. Buffalo horn Kashira, Shibuishi relief bird and floral design Fushi Silver Dragon Minuki good signs of much activity in the hada. Late polish blade. For those that are unused to the extraordinarily fine quality of Samurai sword blades, you will see from the photos of this blade, in our gallery, the amazing condition and tempering of this sword. Without doubt the ancient Japanese master swordsmiths produced steel of a quality that was unequaled by the rest of the world for almost a thousand years. the most amazing Blade length, Tsuba to tip, 26.75 inches

Magnificent Ebossed 16th Century Parade Helmet Form Of King Henry llnd of France. After Etienne Delaune, who was one of the greatest designers of Romanesque Renaissance Armour of the 16th century. His armours were made for the most powerful and noblest Kings and Emperors of Europe, such as Emperor Rudolf II of Germany or King Henry II of France. This helmet is in the closed form, with superb and rich high quality embossing of Romanesque figures, representing the Julius-Ceasar-and-Pompei Armour by Etienna Delaune, about 1558-59 in Second Variant style. (H.M. Armouries in the Tower of London). This is truly one of the most singularly beautiful antique helmets we have seen in many decades, and it's bronze patina is wonderfully lustrous and shows a depth and quality of divine beauty. This glorious helmet is bronze, made in the 19th century as a museum copy, possibly by the Elkington Co. who had an arrangement with the Victoria and Albert Museum South Kensington London, to make identical and faithful copies of the great armours and helmets in the national collection. An original helmet, of this period and quality, by one of the great masters would likely be valued between £700,000 to £2,000,000. In the largest non Federal museum in Washington, USA, the Corcoran Gallery of Art museum founded in 1869, has an entire gallery dedicated and containing a series of Elkington's bronze replications of the great renaissance armours and works of art, like this example, copied from the V & A Museum Collection in London. Hairline crack in the front gorget.

Magnificent Pair of German Holster Pistols From Dessau With Amazing Patina Finest engraved all steel mounts, grotesque mask long eared buttcaps, serpent sideplates and Circa 1730. Finest walnut stocks. Locks engraved Schinzel, a Dessau. In the 18th century the cities and states that is now known as Germany produced some of the finest quality arms ever made. The demand at that time for arms of the finest quality was very strong indeed. Nobles and officers of all the European nations were constantly involved in either one war or another, or sometimes even several. Despite England having the reputation of having some of the world's finest gunsmiths at that time German made pistols were still very popular here due to their similar fine quality. They were of course highly prized by all of the most powerful and influencial nobles, Princes, and Kings throughout the whole of Europe, and all of the world finest arms collections of the time, and indeed today, always have within them the finest German guns. They were also very much used by the senior officers of both combatants in the American War of Independence, and a few fine examples most similar to these can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum and the Smithsonian in the USA. For example, around the time these fine pistols were made the Seven Years war was imminent, and it involved all of the major European powers. The war pitted Prussia and Britain and a coalition of smaller German states against an alliance consisting of Austria, France, Russia, Sweden, and Saxony. Russia temporarily changed sides in the later stages of the war. Portugal (on the side of Great Britain) and Spain (on the side of France) were drawn into the conflict later, and a force from the neutral Netherlands was attacked in India. Because of its global nature, it has been described as the "first World War" and significant changes in the balance of power and territories of several of the participants. The war began with Frederick the Great of Prussia's invasion of Saxony. Fighting between Britain, France and their respective allies in North America had broken out in 1754, two years before the general conflict, as part of an Imperial rivalry. The fighting in America is sometimes considered a separate war, the French and Indian War. This War of the 1760's has been superbly represented in numerous Hollywood classics starring the likes of Spencer Tracy and Clark Gable, and most lately in the modern and magnificent film classic 'Last of the Mohicans' by James Fenimore Cooper, directed by Michael Mann. Pistols of this identical form are shown in all of those films. The Grand Dukes of Saxe-Weimar, Schloß Ettersburg had guns in their armoury by Schnitzel, including the personal gun of Grand Duke Ernst-August [1728-1748). The maker is probably Johann Erdmann Schinzel, recorded 1690-1725

Middle Eastern Silver Traditional Jambiya Silver two ring mounts to scabbard with silver and leather decoration. Horn hilt silver mounted. Circa 1850 Silver coloured metal, not hallmarked English silver.

Napoleonic Wars British Infantry Brown Bess Musket From The Tower Of London The mainstay of British Infantry, used in the famous British 'Squares' at Waterloo and all the famous battles of the Napoleonic Wars. Front line regimental issue. Good overall condition. A fine and highly collectable piece. The nickname Brown Bess started in the 1740's. Early uses of the term include the newspaper, the Connecticut Courant in April 1771, which said "...but if you are afraid of the sea, take Brown Bess on your shoulder and march." This familiar use must indicate widespread use of the term by that time. The 1785 Dictionary of Vulgar Tongue, a contemporary work which defined vernacular and slang terms, contained this entry: "Brown Bess: A soldier's firelock. To hug Brown Bess; to carry a fire-lock, or serve as a private soldier.". Rudyard Kipling, wrote in 1911 "In the days of lace-ruffles, perukes, and brocade Brown Bess was a partner whom none could despise - An out-spoken, flinty-lipped, brazen-faced jade, With a habit of looking men straight in the eyes - At Blenheim and Ramillies, fops would confess They were pierced to the heart by the charms of Brown Bess. ” This gun is a lovely example with a beautifully tight action and all good stock in fine walnut.

Napoleonic Wars, Texas Revolution and US Civil War, M. 1809 Prussian Musket A most interesting and fascinating musket used in the two greatest conflicts of the 19th century. Used both in the Napoleonic Wars, and, in The American Civil War. And Ironically, it was one of the only forms of musket that was used by both protagonists during both of those conflicts, for Napoleon, and then against him, and then some 45 years later, for the Confederacy and at the same time, for the Union as well. Also known as the Potsdam Musket they [as is this gun] were converted to percussion action around 1839. This musket would also have been known for it's use in the revolutionary Texas period, in the war made famous by the notorious siege by Mexican forces under General Santa Anna at The Alamo in Texas, The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas). All but two of the Texian defenders were killed, including Jim Bowie, William B. Travis and Davy Crockett. Santa Anna's perceived cruelty during the battle inspired many Texians—both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States—to join the Texian Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texians defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, ending the revolution. Prussian 1809 muskets were also the first foreign purchased arms getting to the Union forces, starting in August of 1861, and were sorely needed to arm new Yankee regiments. While heavier than the French-styled American arms, the were considered substantial and effective in the early war period, as they were very well made. Those of the Prussian 1809 muskets that did see Confederate service, and there were quite a few, were recorded from the battlefield captures, as the contracts and records that once existed for their purchase by the Confederacy are no longer in existance. Makers can be Potsdam, Saarn, Neisse, Suhl or Dresden. The earlier part of this muskets life saw service first for Napoleon [as Prussia was a near subjugated vassel of the French Empire] but later against. The Franco-Prussian treaty of 1812 forced Prussia to provide 20,000 troops to Napoleon's Grand Armee, first under the leadership of Grawert and then under Yorck. The French occupation of Prussia was reaffirmed, and 300 demoralized Prussian officers resigned in protest. During Napoleon's retreat from Russia in 1812, Yorck independently signed the Convention of Tauroggen with Russia, breaking the Franco-Prussian alliance. Stein arrived in East Prussia and led the raising of a Landwehr, or militia to defend the province. With Prussia's joining of the Sixth Coalition out of his hands, Frederick William III quickly began to mobilize the army, and the East Prussian Landwehr was duplicated in the rest of the country. In comparison to 1806, the Prussian populace, especially the middle class, was supportive of the war, and thousands of volunteers joined the army. Prussian troops under the leadership of Blücher and Gneisenau proved vital at the Battles of Leipzig (1813) and Waterloo (1815). Later staff officers were impressed with the simultaneous operations of separate groups of the Prussian Army.The Iron Cross was introduced as a military decoration by King Frederick William III in 1813. Very good walnut stock, with slight old cracking near the wrist and a small inserted plug for a detached long distance site, fine tight action and simply emblazoned with regimental marks and stampings on the butt and barrel. Good brown barrel with some old russetting at the breech area. Good original ramrod.

One of Finest EIC Ghurka Issue 1842 Pattern 'Brown Bess' Type Musket we have ever seen. London made for the East India Co., issued to the Ghurkas and used in the Indian Mutiny. Although with signs of combat use this gun really is in beautiful condition, and the action is 'as tight as a drum', with fabulous patina on the fine walnut stock with London stock makers mark. The last of the so called 'Brown Bess' muskets made and issued just before the Minie Rifle and the 3 Band Enfield Rifle was introduced to the British Army. The Ghurkas of Nepal have fought with the very highest distinction in the Ghurka regiments of the British Army for around two centuries, and the Ghurkas of Nepal [armed with this actual gun] were brought in by the British to help quell the mutineers in the mutiny of 1857. With a degree of loyalty and dedication that is legendary, there is no greater soldier to be at one's side, when in combat, than the noble Ghurka. With a Kukri in his hand and the battle cry called, "Ayo Gorkhali!" ["the Gurkhas are coming!"], no foe's head was safe on his shoulders. Battle hardened German Infantry in WW1, or WW2 Japanese Shock Troops, have been known to tremble in their boots at the knowledge that they would be facing the Ghurkas in battle. Some of the most amazing feats of heroism have resulted in the most revered medal, the British Victoria Cross [ the world's greatest and most difficult to qualify for gallantry medal] being awarded to Ghurkas. The East India Co. [for those who are unfamiliar with it] was one of the largest British organisations ever to have existed, and it even had it's own Army and Navy, large and powerful enough to rival those any of any country in the world. It was run by British Officers and Gentleman, in India, to enable peaceful free trade throughout the British Empire. Founded by Royal Charter in 1600 it continued until 1858.

Original Bearded Battle Axe Sir William Wallace Period of the 13th Century from the era of The Battle of Falkirk and the Battle of Stirling Bridge. This is a bearded battle axe of typical design known as Saxon-Viking, although of course the Vikings were of an earlier era, their style of axe design was so efficient it continued for several centuries. A most powerful axe, used in both single or two handed combat, and easily capable of cleaving through an iron helmet or chain mail, and also an eminently good throwing axe in the right circumstances. On September 11, 1297, Wallace won the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Although vastly outnumbered, the Scottish forces led by Wallace and Andrew Moray routed the English army. John de Warenne, 7th Earl of Surrey's professional army of 3,000 cavalry and 50,000 infantry met disaster as they crossed over to the north side of the river. The narrowness of the bridge prevented many soldiers from crossing together (possibly as few as three men abreast), so while the English soldiers crossed, the Scots held back until half of them had passed and then killed the English as quickly as they could cross. The infantry were sent on first, followed by heavy cavalry. But the Scots' sheltron formations forced the infantry back into the advancing cavalry and in the general confusion the bridge collapsed, sending armoured knights to drown in the river below. A pivotal charge, led by one of Wallace's captains, caused some of the English soldiers to retreat as others pushed forward, and under the overwhelming weight, the bridge collapsed and many English soldiers drowned. Harry claims that the bridge was rigged to collapse by the action of a man hidden beneath the bridge. The Scots won a significant victory which boosted the confidence of their army. Hugh Cressingham, Edward's treasurer in Scotland, died in the fighting and it is reputed that his body was subsequently flayed and the skin cut into small pieces as tokens of the victory. The Lanercost Chronicle records that Wallace had "a broad strip [of Cressingham’s skin] ... taken from the head to the heel, to make therewith a baldrick for his sword". William Crawford led 400 Scottish heavy cavalry to complete the action by running the English out of Scotland. It is widely believed that Moray died of wounds suffered on the battlefield sometime in the winter of 1297, but an inquisition into the affairs of his uncle, Sir William Moray of Bothwell, held at Berwick in late November 1300, records he was "slain at Stirling against the king.".Overall russetted iron surface axe head born on an old wood haft [but not it's original haft, as likely no original axe hafts remain in existence of that era]. Axe width 7.25 inches, cutting edge 5.25 inches, socket length 3.5 inches, Overall length 32.75 inches.

Original 13th Century Knight's Prick Spur. From the era of the Crusades a nice example of collectable and very early equestrian pieces. Mounted on a display stand.

Original 1791 General Lafayette Medal. George Washington's Great General Commemorative Medal for Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de la Fayette. General Lafayette was a French military officer born in the Haute-Loire region of France. Lafayette was a general in the American Revolutionary War and a leader of the Garde Nationale during the French Revolution. In the American Revolution, Lafayette served in the Continental Army under George Washington. While serving in the Revolutionary War, he was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine and organized a successful retreat. In the middle of the war, he returned to France to negotiate an augmented French commitment to the war.General Lafayette was a leading figure among the Feuillants, who tried and failed to turn France into a constitutional monarchy, and commander of the French National Guard. He was accused by J.P. Marat of responsibility for the “Massacre of the Champ de Mars”. On 1792, the Jacobin party seized control of Paris and the National Assembly, ordering Lafayette’s arrest. After this occurance, he fled France and was arrested by the Austrian army in Belgium. He served five years in various Austrian and Prussian prisons and was finally released in 1797. However, Napoleon Bonaparte would not allow his return to France for several years even though he continued to be active in French and European politics until his death in 1834.This medal was engraved by Rambert Dumarest,Uncirculated Medal in Bronze. The obverse depicts General Lafayette military bust looking left, the surfaces are in a nice red mahogany color with great blueish toning in the fields.The reverse reads: IL A COMMMANDé / LA GARDE NATIONALE / PARISIENNE EN 1789 / 1790 ET 1791. Edge reads: SE. VEND. A. PARIS. CHEZ. MONNERON (PATENTé).to be sold at the Monneron’s, Paris (licensed). This statement, which presumably implies that the tokens could be sold back to the Monneron Brothers for their denominational value. Struck at Matthew Boulton's Soho Mint in copper. French medallic tokens struck there in the early 1790s for the family business known as the Frères Monneron (the Monneron Brothers.) The economic turmoil, which followed the French Revolution of 1789, and Matthew Boulton’s ability to produce high-quality coinage on his steam-operated coining presses at Soho, combined to produce some of the most beautiful tokens ever issued. At the onset of the revolution, the French economy was already virtually bankrupt following the enormous expense of France’s support for America in its War of Independence against Great Britain. Though the storming of the Bastille on 14th July 1789 marked the end of absolute monarchy in France and the dawning of a new society based on the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity, the old ancien régime coinage of Louis XVI continued to be struck until 1792. After 1789, Louis XVI initially remained a monarch in the form of constitutional King of the French. A new constitutional coinage in copper or bell-metal, silver and gold followed in 1791, circulating alongside the ancien régime pieces. In spite of the 1791 issue however, France, like Britain, suffered from an acute lack of specie – a situation exacerbated by the economic problems of the time. A short-term solution was attempted by the introduction of a new circulating medium of exchange - the notorious assignats - paper money backed by confiscated church properties and land. Produced in vast quantities, the assignats eventually depreciated to the point of worthlessness and, as a result, the French were to distrust paper money for many years to come (this was in fact France’s second attempt to introduce paper money backed by land rather than gold and silver – John Law’s previous attempt at the beginning of the 18th century had also met with disaster.) And so, it was against this uncertain economic background that the tokens of the Monneron Brothers appeared.the first Monneron tokens to appear were in fact designed by another skilled French engraver, Rambert Dumarest (1760-1806). Like Dupré, Dumarest was born in Saint-Étienne. He travelled to England in the summer of 1790 to take up a post as engraver at the Soho Mint and designed two Monneron tokens during his year long stay there. These undated pieces bear portraits of two famous people whose influence had played a part in the Revolution - the Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) and the French military officer the Marquis de La Fayette (1757-1834).Next to last picture in the gallery is by Jean-Baptiste Le Paon and shows the Marquis de La Fayette with James Armistead at the Battle of Yorktown. 35mm

Our Family Archive Photos Since we started putting on our site some of our old archive photos, taken of our family business and staff over the past decades, we have had a lot of interest from old visitors to Brighton, and requests from many people to put online any future photos we discover. So here are a couple of new ones. A photo of our Holland & Holland roadcoach harnessed with our pair of greys [Lady Chatterley and Sgt. Corke]. The coach used to travel between the our shops and other local destinations, including the main Brighton railway station, collecting and delivering customers. We also used to run seafront rides between Brighton and Hove. The other photo is of Mark Hawkins, taken circa 1961, with his first gun purchase, an 18th century brass barrelled Blunderbuss. It cost two pounds ten shillings [about two years pocket money!]

Pair of Stunning Quality Original Ching Dynasty Paintings, Chinese Export of Sword bearing Ladies. Painting in Chinese white and polychrome gauche on paper. With most rare and highly unusual sword interest and connections. They comprise of a seated Chinese Emperor or possibly War Lord adorned in magnificent dragon armour, with his eunuch attendants at his side [one is sword bearing] and with a partly covered bow on his lap. He is receiving a missive which is being read by another attendant or eunuch. It's matching pair is a painting of very high born lady, also seated, being presented with an offering. It is a dragon decorated banner, that can be seen in a stand, set on table that is behind the Emperor in the previous picture. This banner bears the identical dragon symbol as to be seen on the War Lords armour. Most interestingly the lady is carrying a long sword [jian] and two of the attendant also have swords [dao and jian], one being borne as if in presentation. The lady also wears silk dress with the same dragon décor. Could this be an Emperor and Empress?, we can't really say. They are obviously depictions of a significant event, maybe from early Chinese history but sadly we have no idea. The ladies bareing swords though is very rare and we suspect highly significant. Small paper cracking and very old touch in areas. Original silk boarder mounting and black lacquer painted wooden frames. Likely painted on Chinese pith paper. Pith comes from the central column of spongy cellular tissue in the stem of a small tree called Tetrapanax Papyrifera, native to south-west China and a member of the ginseng family. It has had a variety of uses, some going back many centuries, such as artificial flowers, hairpins and medicinal purposes. In the early nineteenth century it became very popular as a surface for painting with water colours and tempera. For use in painting, the pith is cut by hand with a knife into thin sheets from short lengths of the spongy tissue. Cutting is highly skilled and the constraints of the process mean that the finished sheets for painting seldom, if ever, measure more than about 30 cm by 20 cm. The sheets are dried, trimmed and used for painting without any further processing. Painters on pith did not in general sign their work.

Probably The Finest 1822 Pattern British Infantry Officer's Swords We Have Seen In around 5 years. The mercurial gilt hilt has around 98% of all it's original gilt remaining, and the blade is absolutely sublime, bearing all the royal cyphers and devices of Queen Victoria. In it's original steel combat cum dress scabbard. Used from the Crimean war the Indian Mutiny and the Zulu War. This would have been used by an officer of the ilk of Lt Bromhead at Rourke's Drift in the Zulu War of 1879, and in the film this very form of sword can be seen.

Rare King William IVth British Sea Service Pistol With the Crimean War period percussion conversion. Fine walnut stock, traditional brass butt cap and furniture, captive ramrod, 9inch barrel. Lock marked with WR Crown marking. Based around the New Land pattern light dragoon service pistols. A super piece and a very scarce collectors item. Used in the era when the Royal Navy still used the magnificent 100 gunner 'Man O' War' galleons, and the from before the start of when the great 'Iron Clads' were being produced for the new form of naval warfare. It was from this era that the world was to see the end of the great sailing ships that coursed the seven seas for the greatest navy the world has ever known. Barrel bears the Victorian Crimean War period VR service proof mark.One picture in the gallery is a British Man O' War HMS Marlborough, and another the Bombardment, by the Royal Navy ship, HMS Bulldog, of Bomarsund, during the Crimean War. [For information only not included]

Scott's Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft Rare 2nd Edition 1831. by Sir Walter Scott, from the personal library of William Congreve Russell, Whig MP and High Sheriff of Worcestershire and Capt of the North Worcestershire Volunteers. Original antique books on Witchcraft are highly prized and compliment beautifully antique weaponry based in the same vein. A beautiful book of most fascinating interest. Good calf leather binding, mild foxing throughout. In ill health following a stroke, Sir Walter Scott wrote Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft at the behest of his son-in-law, J. G. Lockhart, who worked for a publishing firm. The book proved popular and Scott was paid six hundred pounds, which he desperately needed. (Despite his success as a novelist, Scott was almost ruined when the Ballantyne publishing firm, where he was a partner, went bankrupt in 1826.) Letters was written when educated society believed itself in enlightened times due to advances in modern science. Letters, however, revealed that all social classes still held beliefs in ghosts, witches, warlocks, fairies, elves, diabolism, the occult, and even werewolves. Sourcing from prior sixteenth- and seventeenth-century treatises on demonology along with contemporary accounts from England, Europe, and North America (Cotton Mather’s Magnalia Christi, for one), Scott’s discourses on the psychological, religious, physical, and preternatural explanations for these beliefs are essential reading for acolytes of the dark and macabre; the letters dealing with witch hunts, trials (Letters Eight and Nine), and torture are morbidly compelling. Scott was neither fully pro-rational modernity nor totally anti-superstitious past, as his skepticism of one of the "new" sciences (skullology, as he calls it) is made clear in a private letter to a friend. Thus, Letters is both a personal and intellectual examination of conflicting belief systems, when popular science began to challenge superstition in earnest. This book also appears in our Book Department. 6" x 4"

Silver Koftgari Work Hilted Moghul Tulwah Armouror's marked blade of a Crescent and Stars.Excellent silver fancy Koftgari decorated hilt.Blade probably 17th century, 18th to 19th century hilt.

Silver Mounted Pichangatti Coorg Knife, Early 19th Century A silver Indian Pichangatti Coorg knife for the specialist collector of Oriental daggers. There is a near identical example, but in much poorer condition, in the Royal Armouries collection [ Object number XXVID.image number Di 2005-081 4]This is a 19th century Pichangatti knife of the Coorg people of Southwest India. The heavy, broad steel blade is quite sharp and has a single fuller on each side. The blade is engraved traditional Coorg eyelash design. The silver hilt is engraved.With an overall length of just 22cm (8 5/8 inches), this is not a large knife. Nevertheless, it is sharp and deadly in the hand as well as a beautiful work of art. The Coorgis pronounci it “Peechekathi” and not “Pichangatti”. The word “kathi” in Coorgi (and most other Dravidian tongues such as Tamil and Malayalam) means “knife” or “dagger”. The Pichangatti cannot be purchased “off the shelf” even in the heart of Coorg (also known as Mercara). Like the Keris of Java and heirlooms of other cultures, it often handed down over generations.“Coorg” (an anglicized corruption of Kodagu, said to be derived from the Kanarese Kudu, " steep," or "hilly"), is a province of India. The Coorgis, or more properly, “Kodagas”, are renowned warriors (sometimes known as the “Lords of War”) who live on the east coast of India in the north of the state of Karnataka. Their homeland has been defended vigorously (and successfully) for two millennia. Some people believe they are descendants of part of Alexander the Great's army. These men in Alexander's army may have come from what is now Syria.

Spanish Heavy Cavalry of the Line Sword 1815 Pattern [1832] In 1815 Spanish heavy line cavalry troopers were equipped with a new sword. This sword, having a very similar hilt to the French heavy cavalry An. XI pattern, in brass, with knuckle-bow, three curved quillons and pommel with no backstrap. Blade marked Toledo 1863. This sword has certainly seen service and it is overall pretty worn. However this is a big scarce Napoleonic pattern Cuirassier sword and a most impressive example and the first example we have seen in nearly 10 years. The big and impressive original 19th century Spanish heavy cavalry swords are near unheard of, in regards to recent availability, in England, and we have certainly never seen any in America, Australia or Canada available at all over the past 10 years. Scabbard with half paint traces and wire loose and grip combat bent.

Stunning Pair of Victorian, Cold Painted Celtic Warrior Sculptures Two of the great Warrior Kings of history. One is most likely King of the Gauls, Vercingetorix, one of the greatest Celtic Warrior Kings, and the other, probably, High King Brian Beru of Ireland, likely Ireland's most famous King from the pre Medieval times. A superb hand painted pair of Victorian sculptures in cast spelter metal. Small paint chips, overall very good condition. 40cm high

Super Zulu War Interest Set of Napier's 'Peninsular War' of Lord Chelmsford Original Set of 6 Volumes of Napier's "A History of the War in the Peninsular" from the personal library of Lord [General] Chelmsford, probably the most significant and famous [and some may say 'infamous' ] name of the 1879 Zulu War. He was the first appointed army commander of the Zulu War of 1879, but was relieved of his command, due to the disaster and massacre of the Battle of Isandlwana. However, it is recognised in some respects that he exonerated his reputation at the Battle of Ulundi. There is no historic record, book or film that does not focus on Chelmsford's actions of the Zulu War, it is arguable, that without him, or his actions, the Zulu War may not have the historical significance that it has today. Just as in many ways the famous 'Charge of the Light Brigade' has it's very existance due to the notorious actions of Lord Cardigan. These books are signed personally by Chelmsford, when he acquired them as a Lt. In the Grenadier Guards in 1848, with his own personal labels. His given name was Frederick Augustus Thesiger and he was given a commission in the Rifle Brigade in 1844. In 1845, he served with the Rifles in Halifax, Nova Scotia before purchasing an exchange into the Grenadiers as Ensign and Lieutenant in November of that year. He was promoted Lieutenant and Captain in 1850, and became aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Eglinton, in 1852, and then to the Commander-in-Chief in Ireland, Sir Edward Blakeney, from 1853 to 1854.In May 1855, he left for the Crimean War, in which he served firstly with his battalion, then from July 1855 as aide-de-camp to the commander of the 2nd Division, Lieutenant-General Markham, and finally from November 1855 as deputy assistant quartermaster general on the staff at Headquarters, being promoted brevet Major. He was mentioned in despatches and received the fifth class of the Turkish Order of the Medjidie and the British, Turkish and Sardinian Crimean medals.In 1857, he was promoted Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel, and transferred, as a Lieutenant-Colonel, to the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment in 1858, serving with that regiment at the end of the Indian Mutiny, for which he was again mentioned in despatches. From 1861 to 1862 he served as deputy adjutant general to the forces in Bombay, and was promoted brevet Colonel in 1863. He served, again as deputy adjutant general, in the Magdala campaign, for which he was awarded the CB and made an aide-de-camp to the Queen in 1868. He was adjutant general in the East Indies from 1869 to 1874.He returned to England in 1874 as colonel on the staff, commanding the forces at Shorncliffe, and was appointed to command a brigade at Aldershot, with the temporary rank of Brigadier-General, in 1877. He was promoted Major-General in March 1877. In February 1878 he was appointed to command the forces in South Africa, with the local rank of Lieutenant-General, and in October succeeded his father as 2nd Baron Chelmsford. He brought the Ninth Cape Frontier War to an end in July 1878, and was made a KCB in November. In January 1879 he invaded Zululand (see Anglo-Zulu War), but the centre column of his forces was defeated at the Battle of Isandlwana. Because an invasion of Natal seemed likely as a result, Chelmsford was relieved of his command. However he defeated the Zulus at the Battle of Ulundi just before the arrival of his replacement, Sir Garnet Wolseley, which effectively ended the campaign. He left for England in July 1879, but Wolseley ensured in his despatches that Chelmsford receive all the credit for Ulundi, and he was awarded the GCB in August. NAPIER, W.F. A History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France, from the Year 1807 to the Year 1814. To which is prefixed: A Reply to Lord Strangford’s Observations; also, A Reply to various Opponents; together with Observations illustrating Sir J. Moore’s Campaigns. London: Thomas & William Boone, 3rd Edition. Published 1835 6 volumes. brown calf with raised bands, red title labels and extra gilt to spines; marbled boards, end papers. and edges. Corners bumped and worn, extremities rubbed, the leather will need attention ideally. But for historical purposes, due to their significant ownership, it may well be best to leave them original and as they are. Napier's are a very highly regarded set of volumes, and a must for all military strategists and historical Peninsular War collectors, but the added benefit of once being the property of General Chelmsford of the Zulu War make them a unique and highly significant set. There is a picture in the gallery of Lord Chelmsford and a picture of a South African 100 year commemorative issue first day cover, issued in 1979, showing Chelmsford and the Zulu King. For information only not included.

Superb 'Shaturnal' Swivel Cannon of the Moghal Artillery Of Akbar the Great A superb late Medeavil matchlock swivel cannon used on the back of a camel or even elephant. With a bore in excess of one inch and a barrel around three times the normal width of a musket. Superb early ironwork with superb hide retaining straps, fine walnut stock. 62 inches overall length, barrel length 41.25 inches, external muzzle width 2 inches. By the time of Akbar (October 15, 1542 – October 27, 1605) heavy mortars and cannons were rarely used in the Mughal military. Light cannons that could be used on the battlefield were the mainstay of the Mughal artillery corps, including the shaturnal, similar to swivel guns, but carried on the backs of camels and even in the howdahs of elephants. Akbar, widely considered the greatest of the Mughal emperors was thirteen years old when he ascended the throne in Delhi, following the death of his father Humayun. During his reign, he eliminated military threats from the Pashtun descendants of Sher Shah Suri, and at the Second Battle of Panipat he defeated the Hindu king Hemu. It took him nearly two more decades to consolidate his power and bring parts of northern and central India into his realm. There are original paintings [copied in the gallery] showing Akbar's matchlocks and artillery being used in combat. Towards the end of 1568 Akbar concentrated his forces around the fort of Ranthambhor, held by a vassal of the Maharana of Chittor, Rao Surjan Hada of Bundi. This fort had been attacked earlier in 1560, but that Mughal army had been defeated by the Rajputs. The fort of Gagraun, to the south of Bundi, had however been captured that year. Now after the capture of Chittor Akbar could turn once again to Ranthambhor.

Superb 1750 Polygonal Telescope by Royal Instrument Makers Nairne and Blunt The design of this singularly fine telescope, with its slightly tapering decagonal mahogany barrel, is characteristic of those produced in the 18th century for use on board ship. The barrel was designed for strength, since the techniques for manufacturing strong round barrels were not well developed at this time. The other fittings are brass and include a single draw tube and sliding eyepiece and objective lens covers. In the National Maritime Museum collection is a near identical telescope that once belonged to Captain John Shortland, who commanded the captured French frigate HMS ‘Junon’, which was re-taken by the French in 1809. Shortland died off Guadaloupe in 1810, and another that is is said to have belonged to Admiral Lord Howe (1726-99), who became First Lord of the Admiralty in 1783. The world renown Captain James Cook used Nairne and Blunt as instrument makers, and his Cistern Barometer (made by Nairne and Blunt) is also in the National Maritime Collection. Edward Nairne was a Fellow of the Royal Society, and in partnership with Thomas Blunt, they had premises in Cornhill [originally from 1749] and advertised their company as "Optical, Mathematical and Philosophical Instrument Makers". In 1776 he received his Royal Appointment as instrument maker to His Majesty King George IIIrd. In 1777 Thomas Bugge, Danish Astronomer Royal and Member of the International Commission on the Metric System, visited Nairne and Blunt, on his tour to London, and spent the incredible sum of £88 on the finest instruments. This is a signal and rare find, and absolutely ideal for both collectors of fine British maritime artefacts and the rarest antique instruments. There is a portrait in the gallery of Captain Sir Edward Vernon with his identical polygonal telescope on his knee. The original portrait is in the National Maritime Collection. Good working optics, finest walnut case, lens cap and sliding cover, maker inscribed on the tube. The walnut tube needs a little repolishing on one quarter, we include this in the price.

Superb And Fantastic Koto Period Samurai's Saddle [Kura] & Stirrups [Abumi] Signed Nobushige and dated 1596. Wonderful Edo period lacquer decoration, and overall all in superb condition. Saddle all wood, the Abumi are the finest quality lacquer over iron shells. All decorated with a combination of tortoise and bamboo. Simply amazing and singularly beautiful. This set can also be seen in the Japanese gallery.

Superb George IIIrd Officer's Telescope In Original Leather Protective Case Finest mahogany central body with four draw brass tubes, with all the original lacquer finish remaining. A telescope of quality worthy of the great Duke of Wellington himself. One of the finest examples we have seen in many a year. Made by William Harris who originally worked for the famous Sir David Brewster in Edinburgh until about 1800, then began to produce instruments under his own name. Sometime before the Battle of Waterloo during the Napoleonic Wars he opened premises at 50 Holborn in London, marking his output as William Harris and Co. In 1840, The firm's name was changed to William Harris & Son, Length when compacted 10inches, length fully extended 38 inches, width at widest 2.2 inches. Leather case ii inches long. Focuses very nicely but the lenses are a little dusty

The Lanes Armoury is not just a webshop, we are are based around one of the oldest established stores in the county, one of the oldest family businesses, and we are filled to the very rooftops with fascinating Arms, Armour and Books. We are also officially listed as one of the top 50 places essential to see when visiting Brighton & Hove City. Our shop [and the partners, in their role as appraisers and consultants] regularly appear on BBC TV and numerous other Terrestrial and Satellite TV Stations. When in town why not come and see us, all are heartily welcome.

The Lanes Armoury Always Welcome Personal Visitors To The Store In Brighton The story so far of the Hawkins Brothers and "The Lanes Armoury" written by Francis Taylor; Sadly it is likely the last true original 'Armoury' shop left in the whole of Britain.They are described all over the world as one of the top visitors attractions of the City of Brighton, England, and hundreds of thousands of tourists [and regular visitors] come to see them every year. They evolved from one of the oldest established family businesses in Sussex, with a client base that includes Heads of State, Presidents, Princes and Kings. But whether you are a movie star, a professor, a postmen or a student all are treated with the same courtesy. Every sale is important to them, beit a badge for £5 or a 1st edition rare book for £5,000. Every day they are told that, to some, this is their favourite shop in the world, so they believe they have a great responsibility, to their customers, their reputation, and to the amazing city of Brighton. To view a little visual history during the past century click the photo to the left to see more photos of their store today, and also 3 original vintage photos from their archive. One of their shop from around 1920, one of their 1920's vintage horse drawn pantechnichon [still in use till 1969] and one of their 'more modern' trucks in the 1970's. The partners Mark and David regularly appear on the BBC [and other numerous UK TV channels] on various antique 'discovery' programs as consultant appraisers and valuers. During Mark's 40 years, and David's 30 years with the family business, it is estimated they have had pass through their hands and appraised possibly more items than any other dealers in the whole country and their breadth of knowledge and experiance is simply astonishing. While in his capacity as Export Director of the old family firm Mark was personally responsible for the sale and export of over 2,000 antique items every single week for nearly ten years! Shipping them to, amongst other worldwide destinations, their associate auction house in Georgia, USA. Of course, these days, and for the past 20 years now, the brothers are 'specialists' their concentration as now limited to just fine, antique, arms, armour and historical books. A recent article, written on them, at City News Live is copied below as published;*********** With so many different histories to offer, you can feel freer in Brighton than in most British cities to select trips which coincide with your interests – and of course, you're much more likely to find in Brighton things to do which bring the history you love to life. For the lover of militaria, a visit to The Lanes Armoury is a must with a difference. The Armoury's housed in a three-storey 16th century building and is a real treasure trove – it's a museum which is not a museum as everything is for sale. It has been nominated and then short-listed for the British Antique & Collectors Awards as the best Antique Shop in Great Britain and is the latest incarnation of a much older business – David Hawkins Antiques Ltd – which was one of the earliest and largest dealers in Antiques and Collectibles within the whole of Europe. It's their specialisation in Arms, Armour, Militaria, and Books which really marks them out and creates such a fascinating and fantastic place to visit. From bronze-age swords, suits of armour, guns, revolvers, duelling pistols, American Civil war swords through to medals and World War II weapons, it's all there to be viewed and drooled over. It's not a museum but when you leave, you've had the same experience! I can honestly say the experience of a visit to the armoury, although not a vast premises by any means, is utterly memorable, and every single person that passed through their doors while I was there was either astonished, or amazed, or both! F.Taylor

Unusual Bayonet For the Italian 1891 Cacarno Rifle Straight crossguard marked Terni Arsenal, heavily blued blade, original fluted all steel scabbard. Wooden grips, very good condition overall.

Very Fine Officer's Bullion Gold and Crimson Sash With Gold Crimson Tassels With finest red morroco leather lining. The cost new of this full dress tassel is now £850 [from Churchill's favourite tailor's Gieves & Hawkes] and they are truly wonderful quality pieces of British dress regalia. Absolutely essential for the collector of antique Victorian British officer uniform regalia, or to return it to current service use for full dress occasions, as it is still required for use in such circumstances today

Very Nice Quality King George IIIrdFlintlock Boxlock Pistol By Jover London All steel barrel lock and fittings, slab sided walnut grip. Nice tight action. Made by an unusual London maker Mary Jover. There were very few ladies that owned a gunsmiths so it is rather nice to see an example made by such a good maker from such an unusual source. Early Derringer type, Good flintlock action with a sliding safety and overall a really nice little gun. A most interesting small, English, Vest or 'Hideaway' Pistol. A pistol that was the precursor to the famed 'Derringer' pistols. Overall in very good condition indeed absolutely corrosion free.

War Shield, Probably of the Tulama People Southwest Ethiopia A 'Gatshena', a highly convex shield used by the Christen Tulama that encompassed the area that is now known as Addis Ababa. This antique shiled is of very thick hide, possibly hippopotamus, geometric circle patterning with a rolled and everted rim. Worn as a symbol of rank.

We Always Welcome Personal Visitors To Our Store In Brighton To view our history during the past 100 years click the photo to see more photos of our store, and 3 original photos of our store around 1920, one of our 1920's horse drawn pantechnichon [still in use till 1969] and one of our 'more modern' trucks in the 1970's. At any one time [in the long past days, when the family business was based around general antiques] we had up to 20 horse-drawn vehicles in service at any one time, and our dearest and oldest horse, who was our last in service, was Dolly, one of the very last horses living [until she past away] trained for the black-out during the Blitz [she knew her way around the town of Brighton in pitch black darkness].

We Are Always Pleased to See Personal Visitors To Our Shop In Brighton we are frequently described as one of the top visitors attractions of the City, and hundreds of thousands of tourists [and regular visitors] come to see us every year. We evolved from one of the oldest established family businesses in Sussex, with a client base that includes Heads of State, Presidents, Princes and Kings. But whether you are a movie star, a professor, a postmen or a student all are treated with the same courtesy. Every sale is important to us, beit a badge for £5 or a first edition for £5,000. Every day we are told that, to some, this is their favourite shop in the world, so we believe we have a great responsibility, to our customers. To view our history during the past century click the photo to the left to see more photos of our store then and now. An article, written on us, in City News Live is featured as follows; With so many different histories to offer, you can feel freer in Brighton than in most British cities to select trips which coincide with your interests – and of course, you're much more likely to find in Brighton things to do which bring the history you love to life. For the lover of militaria, a visit to The Lanes Armoury is a must with a difference. The Armoury's housed in a three-storey 16th century building and is a real treasure trove – it's a museum which is not a museum as everything is for sale. It has been nominated and then short-listed for the British Antique & Collectors Awards as the best Antique Shop in Great Britain and is the latest incarnation of a much older business – Hawkins – which was one of the earliest and largest dealers in Antiques and Collectibles within Europe. It's their specialisation in Arms, Armour, Militaria, and Books which really marks them out and creates such a fascinating and fantastic place to visit. From bronze-age swords, suits of armour, guns, revolvers, duelling pistols, American Civil war swords through to medals and World War II weapons, it's all there to be viewed and drooled over. It's not a museum but when you leave, you've had the same experience!.

We Urgently Wish To Purchase All Similar Items As Can Be Seen On Our Site For example; American Civil War and Wild West Revolvers, Swords, Repeating Arms [such as Winchesters Spencers & Sharps], Long Guns Napoleonic and Waterloo era Swords, Pistols, Helmets Brown Bess Muskets & Baker Rifles, Antique Swords, Guns and Armour of all Nations. British Antique Flintlock and Percussion Pistols, Cased Duelling Pistols, Cased Guns either Singular, Pairs or Triples. Blunderbuss both Military and Naval. Antiquities such as Bronze Age Swords, Daggers & Axes. Medieval Armour, Swords, Daggers, Flails, Maces, Battle Axes, Pole Arms, Lances & Helmets. Civil War Weaponry, Wheel locks, Matchlocks, Harquebus & Halberds. Shields, Ethnic Weaponry, Asian Weaponry Chinese Weapons and Armour of All Ancient and Antique Eras, Mogul Arms, Daggers, Swords, Long Guns, Victorian Helmets and Head Dress, Victorian Military Arms such as Martini Henry, Enfields & Sporting Muskets, Zulu Weapons Shields and Clubs. Military Bronze Statuary, Busts From Ancient Greece to the WW2 Era etc etc.

We Urgently Wish To Purchase All Similar Items As Can Be Seen On Our Site For example; We buy all swords, We buy all guns, American Civil War and Wild West Revolvers, Swords, Repeating Arms [such as Winchesters, Spencers & Sharps], Long Guns Napoleonic and Waterloo era Swords, Pistols, Helmets Brown Bess Muskets & Baker Rifles, Antique Swords, Guns and Armour of all Nations. British Antique Flintlock and Percussion Pistols, Cased Duelling Pistols, Cased Guns either Singular, Pairs or Triples. Blunderbuss both Military and Naval. Antiquities such as Bronze Age Swords, Daggers & Axes. Medieval Armour, Swords, Daggers, Flails, Maces, Battle Axes, Pole Arms, Lances & Helmets. Civil War Weaponry, Wheel locks, Matchlocks, Harquebus & Halberds. Shields, Ethnic Weaponry, Asian Weaponry Chinese Weapons and Armour of All Ancient and Antique Eras, Mogul Arms, Daggers, Swords, Long Guns, Victorian Helmets and Head Dress, Victorian Military Arms such as Martini Henry, Enfields & Sporting Muskets, Zulu Weapons Shields and Clubs. Military Bronze Statuary, Busts From Ancient Greece to the WW2 Era etc etc.

WHY NOT VISIT OUR JAPANESE DEPARTMENT ? In the Japanese Department we invite you to view a most pleasing selection of genuine, antique, Samurai edged weapons from 60 to over 700 years old, to suit all budgets. We also have a good selection of WW2 Japanese swords.