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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.1796 Light Dragoon Sabre Waterloo era With all steel mounts and combat scabbard. Ornance crown stamp to blade.Over all light pitting.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 marks18th Century Barbary Pirate's Cutlass in Steel. Short Deeply Curved Blade This most interesting 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. The Barbary States was a collective name given to a string of North African seaports stretching from Tangiers to Tripoli. These ports were under the nominal control of the Ottoman Empire, but their real rulers were sea rovers or corsairs who sallied forth from the coast cities to plunder Mediterranean shipping and capture slaves for labour or ransom. Among the famous prisoners ransomed from the shackles of Barbary were St. Vincent de Paul, and Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote Common piracy by the Barbary States blossomed into a sophisticated racket in 1662, when England revived the ancient custom of paying tribute. The corsairs agreed to spare English ships for an annual bribe paid in gold, jewels, arms, and supplies. The custom spread to all countries trading in the Mediterranean. England paid tribute for the vessels of her American colonies, and France guaranteed it for them during the War of Independence. The new United States awoke abruptly to an ugly responsibility of independence when in 1785 the Dey of Algiers seized an American ship and jailed its crew for nonpayment of tribute. In response, the United States, rather than fighting the pirates, paid ransom and tribute to the pirates, and in 1800, it is said, the amount was 20% of the entire US budget. Once the United States built their own Navy however, they took matters into their own hands to end the tribute paid to Muslim pirates and slave traders. The United States, the Constellation and the Constitution were some of the ships that killed pirates by the hundreds. And legend has it the United States Marines, were called leathernecks because they had high collars made of leather to ward off cutlass attacks by Babary Pirates, however this is not true, as the 'leatherneck or 'stock' was worn by many soldiers of the day both British and American, and was to maintain their military bearing and uprightness on duty. 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. We have lightly cleaned the sword to a more attractive burnished grey steel patina. It has a typical Scimitar type hilt with single knucklebow, and a short curved blade bearing eyelash armourer's marks. 21 inch blade [measured straight across the curve] overall pitting.18th Century Indo Persian Tulwar All steel hilt and blade18th 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".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 EraA '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 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 Edward Ist period Prick-Spur of The Crusudes Era From the period of King Edward Ist of England [Lord of Ireland, Duke of Aquitaine], known as Longshanks or Hammer of The Scots [Edwardus Primus Scottorum Malleus]. This Knightly Iron Spur was used during an incredibly interesting part of English, Scotttish and Crusades history, during the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire and the defeat of William Wallace's invasion of England.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 1777 Model French Cavalry Flintlock Pistol Marked St. Etienne, with the M.1777 mark engraved to barrel tang. 500 of these pistols were shipped from France to General Lafayette to be used by the American Army in the Revolutionary war. This pattern of pistol were continually used in what were probably the most turbulant days of French history, right through the 1790's, in the French Revolution, when the Committee of Public Safety and the Revolutionary Tribunal were instituted immediately after the execution of the King. This is the period that is known as "The Reign of Terror", during which the ruling faction ruthlessly exterminated all potential enemies, of whatever sex, age, or condition, which began in September of 1793 and lasted until the fall of Robespierre on July 27, 1794: during the last six weeks of the Terror alone (the period known as the "Red Terror") nearly fourteen hundred people were guillotined in Paris alone. This single period was probably the most foul and heinous period of French history, where, as is so often the case, revolutionaries, once successful, turn on themselves [with all the prerequisite paranoia] to eliminate all future so called 'counter revolutionary' ambitions, that may threaten the new governing elite. Probably only a single Revolution example, the American Revolution, was the exception to this. The Convention was replaced in October of 1795 with the Directory, which was replaced in turn, in 1799, by the Consulate. Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor in May of 1804.This era was is the period known as the Napoleonic Wars, and the Cuirassiers [Heavy Cavalry] used many pistols just as this example during the entire war period in the Grande Armee. From the Russian campaign, the Austrian campaign, the Peninsular War and finally at Waterloo. This beautiful pistol has good sound action a bell shaped trigger guard and steel rammer. Brass frame and steel barrel. The brass frame is stamped with numerous marks as to be expected.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 sectionA 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 '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 armourA 19th Century French Cavalry Armour Back-Plate A great display piece of original French Heavy Cavalry Armour. Superb for a display of Stand-of-ArmsA 19th Century French Chassepot Rifle Long Sword Bayonet. Brass ribbed hilt. All steel scabbard, Yataghan blade. Very good condition . 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.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 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 Beautiful 'Wild West' Remington 1875 .44 Remington Cal. Revolver One of the best 'Wild West' guns ever made and Frank James [Jesse James' brother] carried two of these 1875 Remingtons. It is very difficult in the UK to find original 'Wild West' six-guns that can be owned, as most antique cartridge guns are prohibited to collectors. However, this gun takes the now obsolete .44 Remington bullet that allows this gun to be owned without restriction within the UK. Serial number 1079. At the base of the left grip there are 6 very small, but deliberate, carved notches around 2mm long each. Working action, good main spring, good cylinder rotation, slight wear to the plating, but absolutely as to be expected for a gun of this age. Single action.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 Century Original Royal Naval Officers Combat Sword A combat sword of traditional 1796 pattern with copper gilt hilt finely geometrically carved whale bone grip and fouled anchor langets. Battle of the Nile 1798 Vintage. Very feint traces of engraving to blade. There are several similar 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 an officer at the Battle of The Nile on HMS Mutine. However, we cannot verify this definitively. No scabbard. Pictures in the gallery are of original oil paintings depicting the Battle of the Nile. For information only not included.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 and Highly Rare Continental Four Barrel Tap Action Pistol A fine and rare late 18th century pistol of good quality and much desirablity. Superbly carved butt with a carved fishscale and acanthus leaf design, octagonal lozenge form butt cap. Four, side-by-side and over-and-under barrels, boxlock action with double flintlock hammers and double triggers. From the era of Napoleon, and no doubt carried by an officer of noble of great importance and standing, who must have had access to considerable resources in order to pay for such an expensive arm.Top sliding safety catch. Some old corrosion to left side barrels.Fine overall engraving includin a lion to the lock plate.A Beautiful and Very Fine Koto Katana of Some 600 Years Old Signed Bishu Osafune Morimitsu and the date 1408. A fine signed Tachimei blade. Gold inlaid pierced iron tsuba with Fukurin rim. Stunning blade with superb curvature typical of the 14th and 15th century. Full length deep hi, light and elegant hamon. Nanako ground fushi kashira and dragon gold and shakudo minuki. Red and gold dimpled lacquer saya.This is a most beautiful sword of singular elegance, made around the time that King Richard IInd [Richard of York] was defeated by the Lancastrian King, King Henry IVth at the culmination of The Wars of The Roses. Geoffrey Chaucer had just died after he finished his classic, The Canterbury Tales, and at time of King Henry fighting the French in one of the greatest victories in English history, at Agincourt. It is extraordinary that a sword of this age is in a condition that appears almost as new. There is probably not a single English sword still in existence, from that era, that comes anywhere as near as good condition as this one. If we were fortunate enough to have an English equivalent sword, of that age and condition, it's price would likely be in excess of £100,000. It is simply for the reason that the Japanese consider that a Samurai sword is the greatest possession one can own, and for it's whole life [while in Japan of course] it was likely treated as the most precious object, that each and every Samurai who owned or carried it had. This sword is also featured in our Japanese Gallery.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 FlandersA Beautiful Antique Islamic Jambiya with Belt A superb Jambiya probably Yemeni with original belt [rebuckled and strapped] with hinged pouch and scroll container. Beautiful intricate silver bullion decoration, typically with crude elementsA 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 Battle of Waterloo era Fine Quality 1796 Light Dragoon Sword Very finely engraved blade with slight traces of blue and gilt, a simply superb officer's battle sword. A mighty swash buckling sabre from the era of the great Napoleonic Wars, The Peninsular War and Waterloo. With good steel combat scabbard, good traditional form blade, steel P hilt with ribbed grip fully wire bound over leather, all steel in a good overall brown patina. A traditional sabre of the British Cavalry Light Dragoons. An amazingly effective sword of very fine 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. The sabre is in good overall and sound condition, very little rattle in the scabbard [as usual]. Photo in the gallery of a period painting from Peninsular period 7th Light Dragoon [later known as Hussars] wearing his 'Le Marchant' designed Sabre identical to this example. Scabbard throat lackingA 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 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 PatternA 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 overallA 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 Beautiful Quality, Georgian, British Large Pocket or Table Compass Used most likely from the Napoleonic Wars to the Crimean War. A good large sized brass compass of great beauty with finest engraving to silver dial. With a detachable sighting vane that is housed in the domed lid. Excellent patina 8.5cm. This is the kind of compass that any British officer of the Royal Engineers or Infantry may carry, it was an absolutely essential piece of equipment during the 18th and 19th century. A super Period desk piece that is also eminently functional.A Beautiful War of 1812 Rare American Officer's 'Blue and Gilt' Sabre Fine gilt hilt with eagle head pommel and carved ribbed bone grip. P hilt guard, fully engraved combat weight blade with around 85% original deluxe 'Blue & Gilt' remaining. Early American crest and motto, the Eagle with the Stars and Stripes shield plus a scroll with 'E Pluribus Unum' within. The War of 1812 is one of the almost forgotten wars of the United States. The war lasted for over two years, and while it ended much like it started; in stalemate; it was in fact a war that once and for all confirmed American Independence. The offensive actions of the United States failed in every attempt to capture Canada. On the other hand, the British army was successfully stopped when it attempted to capture Baltimore and New Orleans. There were a number of American naval victories in which American vessels proved themselves superior to similarly sized British vessels. These victories coming after victories in the Quasi War (an even more forgotten war) launched American naval traditions. No scabbardA Beautiful, Scottish Jacobite Rebellion Period , Basket Hilt Broad Sword A Good Original 17th Century Basket Hilted Broad Sword Typical sword used the Dundee Rising in 1689 at the first Jacobite Rebellion 1715 and the second rebellion in 1745. Although each Jacobite Rising had unique features, they were part of a larger series of military campaigns by Jacobites attempting to restore the Stuart kings to the thrones of Scotland and England (and after 1707, Great Britain). James VII of Scotland and II of England was deposed in 1688 and the thrones were claimed by his daughter Mary II jointly with her husband, the Dutch-born William of Orange. After the House of Hanover succeeded to the British throne in 1714, the risings continued, and intensified. They continued until the last Jacobite Rebellion ("the Forty-Five"), led by Charles Edward Stuart (the Young Pretender), who was soundly defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. This ended any realistic hope of a Stuart restoration. Dundee's rising in Scotland On 16 April 1689 John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, raised James' standard on the hilltop of Dundee Law with fewer than 50 men in support. Although Presbyterian historians later labelled him "Bluidy Clavers" for his vicious persecution of Covenanters, he has also been called "Bonnie Dundee". This was from a song written by Sir Walter Scott in 1830. James had already arrived in Ireland and his letter was on the way promising Irish troops to assist the rising in Scotland. At first Viscount Dundee had difficulty in raising many supporters. The ineffectiveness of the Williamite commander Major-General Hugh Mackay of Scourie encouraged support. Two hundred Irish troops successfully landed at Kintyre to add to Dundee's forces. Dundee also received support in the western Scottish Highlands from both Roman Catholic and Church of Scotland clans. By July the Jacobites had eight battalions and two companies, almost all Highlanders. Dundee gained the confidence of the clans by cultivating the allegiance of each Highlander and respecting the precedence of the clans. He realized that to them, the cause of Jacobitism was secondary. At a time when infantry were trained to fight in formation, the Highlanders' method was more informal. They set aside their plaids and other encumbrances before the battle, and dropped to the ground to avoid enemy volleys. After quickly returning fire, they pursued their foes, screaming in the Highland charge. They used heavy broadswords and targe (shield), or whatever weapons they had, including pitchforks or Lochaber axes (a combined axe and spear on a long pole). Such a charge was devastating to troops struggling to reform their lines, or fix the recently introduced 'plug' bayonets.The Highland charge (and troop strength) defeated a larger lowland Scots force at the Battle of Killiecrankie on 27 July 1689. About one-third of the Highlanders were killed in the fighting, and Dundee died in the battle. At the street fighting of the Battle of Dunkeld on 21 August, the Jacobite Highlanders were decisively defeated by the Cameronians. Much of the North remained hostile to the English government. Expeditions to subdue the highlands were met with a series of skirmishes. Jacobite forces suffered a heavy defeat at the Haughs of Cromdale on 1 May 1690. Later that month Mackay constructed Fort William on the site of an old fort built by Cromwell. News in July of William's victory over James at the Battle of the Boyne caused Jacobite hopes to fall. On 17 August 1691 William offered all Highland clans a pardon for their part in the Jacobite Uprising, provided that they took an oath of allegiance before 1 January 1692 in front of a magistrate. The Highland chiefs sent word to James, now in exile in France, asking for his permission to take this oath. James eventually authorised the chiefs to take the oath, but it was mid-December before his message arrived. Despite difficult winter conditions, a few took the oath in time. The brutality of the Massacre of Glencoe sped acceptance by the clans. By the spring of 1692 the Jacobite chiefs had all sworn allegiance to King William. The uprisings were aimed at returning James VII of Scotland and II of England, and later his descendants of the House of Stuart. The "First Jacobite Rebellion" and "Second Jacobite Rebellion" were known respectively as "The Fifteen" and "The Forty-Five", after the years in which they occurred (1715 and 1745). A Good and very wide broadsword blade with multi fullered top section, and single fuller mid to bottom section. Good Iron basket of traditional 17th century form with central swollen bars and unornamented central panels. Plum pudding type pommel. Wooden grip wrapped in a strip of deerhide, but this is unlikely to be the original binding as the deerhide would need replacing every 50 years or so. Interestingly the basket hilt broadsword was used by all of the main combatants during that time, by the some English [mostly on horseback] the Lowland Scots and the Highlanders, but only the Scots continued it's use as a battle weapon and dress sword. It fell out of favour and it's practical use by the English by around the 1760's. Overall length 92.5 cm, blade width at the ricasso 43mm, basket width [widest] 12cmA Beautiful, Victorian, Original Royal Naval Ship's Captain's Uniform Comprising frock coat, trousers, bicorn helmet, gold bullion trimmed leather belt and gilt buckle, full bullion eppaulettes with capatain's crowns and it's original laquered helmet trunk. The frock coat is full trimmed in finest bullion with fine gilt buttons adorned with naval anchors and King Edward's crown, and the four cuff stripes on each sleeve for the rank of captain. This is a glorious unform that would superbly grace any display, collection or situation it was placed in. A stunning hand made bespoke uniform, from the days of the mighty Dreadnought Class Battleships, that would cost the best part of £8,000 to have tailored today.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 'Blues And Royals' Dress Helmet of the Royal Horse Guards Designed at the time of Queen Victoria, and known as the Albert pattern helmet, named after the Prince Consort, HRH Prince Albert. Used during the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. In near mint condition from the 1980's. The Queen's Foot Guards and Queen's Royal Horse Guards are the names given to contingents of infantry and cavalry soldiers charged with guarding the official royal residences in London. The British Army had regiments of both Horse Guards and Foot Guards predating the English Restoration (1660), and since the reign of King Charles II these have been responsible for guarding the Sovereign Palaces. Fine steel and brass original dress helmet ornamented with the Garter Star and Crest and Her Majesty's Crown. Traditional red plume of the Blues and Royals. Excellent condition but signs of use naturallyA British 1796 Dragoon Sabre. Waterloo and The Peninsular War Era. A traditional sabre of the British Cavalry used in the Peninsular War and Waterloo. All steel combat scabbard. 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. External mounts pitted, blade very good.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 Infantry and Rifles Company Officer's Sabre Used in the Peninsular War, Waterloo & The War of 1812 by a British Officer of an infantry or a light infantry regiment. A singularly beautiful sword that was designed for battle but was superbly serviceable for full dress. It has a carved slotted hilt with the pierced cypher of King George IIIrd as the inner design within the knuckle bow and adorned with a wonderfully detailed lion's head pommel, with fine triple wire binding around the spiral grip. It has an elite and deluxe 'Blue and Gilt' decorated blade and it is beautifully engraved with all the devices of King George IIIrd. The Blue and Gilt form of blade was the very finest type of blade available for an officer during the late 18th to early 19th century. It was extremely expensive, likely making a sword several times more expensive to commision than a standard plain blade. It was a way wereby a bladesmith could sublimely display his skills of embellishment, to enhance a blade using mecurial gilding and oil blueing, combined with fine engraving, that was simply breathtaking in it's overall effect. This is the pattern of British Officer's sword carried by gentlemen who relished the idea of combat, but found the standard 1796 Infantry pattern sword too light for good combat. The light infantry regiments were made up of officers exactly of that mettle. The purpose of the rifles light infantry regiments was to work as skirmishers. The riflemen and officers were trained to work in open order and be able to think for themselves. They were to operate in pairs and make best use of natural cover from which to harass the enemy with accurately aimed shots as opposed to releasing a mass volley, which was the orthodoxy of the day. The riflemen of the 95th were dressed in distinctive dark green uniforms, as opposed to the bright red coats of the British Line Infantry regiments. This tradition lives on today in the regiment’s modern equivalent, The Royal Green Jackets. The standard British infantry and light infantry regiments fought in all campaigns during the Napoleonic Wars, seeing sea-service at the Battle of Copenhagen, engaging in most major battles during the Peninsular War in Spain, forming the rearguard for the British armies retreat to Corunna, serving as an expeditionary force to America in the War of 1812, and holding their positions against tremendous odds at the Battle of Waterloo. With traditional pierced slotted hilt with pierced relief cypher of King George IIIrd, lion's head pommel and fish skin grip with multi wire binding. Copper gilt and leather mounted scabbard. Deeply curved plain blade with some signs of combat wear etc.The 1803 Sabre has frequently described as one of the most beautiful swords ever carried, and it was used, in combat, in some of the greatest and most formidable battles ever fought by the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe the Peninsular Campaign and Waterloo. This is a very attractive sword indeed and highly desirable, especially for devotees of the earliest era of the British Rifle Regiments, such as the 95th and the 60th. As a footnote, in Bernard Cornwall's books of 'Sharpe of the 95th', this is the Sabre Major Sharpe would have carried if he hadn't used the Heavy Cavalry Pattern Troopers Sword, given to him in the story in the first novel. Overall this battle cum dress sword is in very good order and quite stunning. In beautiful brass mounted leather scabbard with replacement/restored stapled mountsA 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 patinaA 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 Enfield Mk IV Martini Henry 'Long Lever' Rifle Ghurka Issue The status of the Martini Rifle, in the minds of all that know it, will forever be linked to the 1879 Zulu War. Thanks, in the most part, by the classic adventure and historical war film, starring Michael Caine and Stanley Baker, called, ZULU. It was made in four marks, the first two being the short lever type the second with the long lever ejector. In many respects it was the most powerful rifle of it's type ever used by the British with it's huge bore and large grain cartridge. Later guns could shoot far further and more accurately, but the short distance stopping power of this gun was legendary. The .45 inch calibre Martini-Henry rifles had a tremendous and punishing recoil. In 1889 W.W Kimball published an article called, "The Martini-Henry Rifle". In it he wrote; England's soldiers have gallantly fired on the enemy when they knew full well what a horrible punishment they were to receive from the brutal recoil of their weapons, and have borne their torture with true English grit. An English officer informed the writer that the practice was a great aid to gallantry in battle in South Africa, for "when a fellow has been so brutally pounded by his own rifle half a hundred times, he doesn't so much mind having an assegai as big as a shovel stuck through him; it's rather a relief, don't you know." This gun, dated 1887, came from the King of Napal's personal Ghurka Armoury, where this gun has been in store for over 110 years. 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 were issued with this British made rifle. 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 GhurkasA 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 IndiaA Cased Civil War Colt 1851 Navy Revolver, 36 Calibre Set in a late fitted oak case, with a Colt 36 cal. double bullet and ball mould, a separate turnscrew and a cleaning rod. Full barrel address Saml. Colt Hartford Ct. A pistol made at the beginning of the war, in 1861, and used throughout the whole Civil War. The 36 Calibre Colt Navy Revolver is probably the most famous historical Colt ever made, it's design is superb and a true icon of 19th century America. The pistol has various areas of surface pitting. Matching serial numbers. Wild Bill Hickock used a pair of 36 cal colt navy revolvers, and there are numerous records of world famous American, Wild West and Civil War personalities, heroes and villains using themA 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 Brass Framed Boxlock Percussion Pistol Circa 1830 Boxlock action, cylindrical barrel. Fine walnut grip. A sound and effective personal protection pistol that was highly popular during the late georgian to early Victorian era. London, like many cities around the world at that time, could be a most trecherous 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 coinfidence in them, armed personal protection was considered essential. Circa 1830. Fully operating action. Dolphin form hammer with small rim loss.A Charming English Boxlock Spring Bayonet Pistol Maker Engraved Late King George IIIrd period. Slab sided butt grips, nicely engraved steel mounts with overal russet surface. SpRing loaded flick bayonet with sliding trigger retainer. Cylindrical turn off barrel with English proofs to underside. Percussion action. Maker engraved in scroll on the lock plate but too indistinct to read.. A sound and oubly effective [due to the flick bayonet] personal protection pistol that was highly popular during the late Georgian to early Victorian era. London, like many cities around the world at that time, could be a most trecherous 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 coinfidence in them, armed personal protection was considered essential. Circa 1830. Fully operating action. Dolphin form hammer with small rim loss.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 King George III, Patent Spring-Bayonet Naval Pistol of HMS Echo Made by Waters, Gill & Co. Patent. A very rare large boxlock, flintlock pistol, with a Gill's patent bayonet, with independent rear trigger patent action by Water's, Gill, and a sliding safety. Fine walnut stock with a silver escutcheon, engraved with an officer's monogramme, anchor and Echo [for HMS Echo, Sloop of War]. Fully fancy scroll engraved Waters,Gill & Co. and to the reverse, Patent, No 2xx. The trefoil bayonet is also beautifully engraved Gill. John Waters' patent for the spring bayonet was one of the significant stepping stones in the manufacture of firearms in the 18th century, but the Gill patent version is certainly one of the rarest one is likely to ever see. Over the past 40 years we have been very fortunate to have had a small few of John Waters', rare, Patented bayonet pistols, but we believe this is the very first, of the far rarer Waters, Gill & Co examples, we have ever had. It has a separate trigger pull action, within the trigger guard, behind around and behind the normal trigger. The bayonet is sprung and locked into position with a fully enclosed barrel system, with a semi concealed release catch. With a little dilligent research, due to the ship's name being detailed, the name to this officer's monogramme should traceable.This is a superb example with an action that is likely as tight and as crisp as the day it was made. All parts are excellent but a little grey, and only the exposed engraved areas show slight surface wear. The sliding safety is hardened steel. In 1795, Britain and France were again at war. Both Britain and France knew the importance of the Cape of Good Hope which was seen as the gateway to the East as Gibraltar was the gateway to the Mediterranean. Early in January 1795 France invaded the Netherlands and Prince William of Orange sought sanctuary with the British crown which in turn reasoned that the custodianship of the Cape should be handed to the British. In June 1795 the British Navy's Admiral, George Keith Elphinstone, arrived at Simonstown with a fleet of nine gunships and marines. After weeks of futile negotiations with Governor Sluysken, Elphinstone disembarked his troops under the command of Gen James Henry Craig. On June 14 the Dutch were unable to scorch Simon’s Towns, when 350 Royal Marines and 450 men of the 78th Highlanders infantry regiment took control of the town. The Dutch retreated to their fort just outside Muizenberg, where their military force could defend against the British forces with artillery fire. The British assembled another 1,000 sailors from the fleet into two battalions of five hundred men each, commanded by Commander Temple Hardy, captain of Echo, and Commander John William Spranger, captain of Rattlesnake, bringing the total number of soldiers to 1,800 men. The British used carronades, a powerful, short-range anti-ship and anti-crew weapon, from the ships’ launches, to serve as close artillery. The Dutch waited with 800 soldiers at their Muizenberg fort. [ another picture in the gallery is of HMS America, HMS Stately, HMS Rattlesnake and HMS Echo at the Battle of Muizenberg], On Sunday 7 August 1795 at 12:00pm the skirmish commenced, when the British marched towards Muizenberg in a column formation, for speed and manoeuvrability, through Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay, supported by the the big 4th rate America and Stately, and the smaller Echo and Rattlesnake from the sea with their carronade cannons In a hurry the Dutch constructed defences, and assembled the guns from various sources. Two 4-pounder field guns with their large wheels were the easiest to be transported with horses to the site. A couple of days later a 13-inch mortar and a howitzer, a kind of short, heavy cannon, and also a powder wagon, a kind of box on wheels with a steep roof, arrived at the fort. These were used for dropping explosive shells, instead of solid shot, on the British infantry. Next the Dutch sent two big 24-pounder cannons and their gun carriages.These were meant to be operated from mounted positions as ship or battery guns. Apparently they arrived without their wooden platforms. Weighing 2500 kg, they quickly sank into the sand and impossible to aim. Two more 4-pounders were sent to the fight. In the Dutch’s retreat to Zandvlei they would’ve taken the 4-pounders. However the large 24-pounders, mortar and howitzer were left behind, and captured by the English. The Dutch most likely disabled them before deserting them. Because the Dutch fort was built so close to the sea, it was within range of the ships guns. The warships anchored close to the rocks and in half an hour fired 800 cannon balls at the defenders. The column of British soldiers and troops then overran the position. Some of the Dutch and especially the Pandouren or native troops fought well, but Dutch morale was low and they abandoned the fight. The Pandouren were Coloured or Khoisan men who were either slaves of the Dutch or free men subject to the authority of the VOC. By 2:00pm the Dutch retreated around the corner to Zandvlei. The fighting continued for weeks, but the British eventually pushed the Dutch back to Wynberg Hill. On the 14th of September 1795 a fresh assault with reinforcements was made on the Dutch. On 16 September 1795 the Dutch finally surrendered the Cape to Britain, probably unknown to Elphinstone who dispatched a squadron of four ships from Simonstown to survey the Atlantic seaboard to identify any defensive emplacements. The squadron arrived at Hout Bay at noon on the 15th and the ship sloop "Echo" entered the Bay to identify any coastal batteries. The Echo soon drew "spirited fire" from both East and West Fort and her 16 six pounder guns were no match for the shore batteries. The Echo speedily withdrew and thus ended the "Battle of Hout Bay". There was no record of a "hit" by either side but the incident remains the last active engagement in the history of Hout Bay's East and West Fort Batteries and Hout Bay can fairly claim the only convincing "win" against the British forces. On the following day, the Dutch capitulated and thus commenced the first British occupation of the Cape. HMS "Echo" probably looked something like the wonderful painting in the gallery taken from the cover of an Alexander Kent Novel "Sloop of War". Lieutenant Temple Hardy's Echo was the third of her name in the Royal Navy. She was a ship sloop, i.e. three masted and square rigged on all three masts. She was the name ship of a class of 16 gun, ship rigged sloops and was the first ship specifically designed to carry carronades, which were at that time new fangled things. In fact they did not even count as guns in defining the number of guns a ship carried. She was probably one of the fastest gun ships of her day hence Commodore Blanket's decision to send her into Hout Bay on her exploratory excursion. She was launched at Liverpool in October 1782, 101 feet on deck, 337 tons and with a crew of 125 officers and men. Her main armament consisted of 16 long six pounders. In addition she carried six 12-pounder carronades on the quarterdeck and a further pair of the same guns on the forecastle.13.5 inches long with bayonet extended, 10 inches long with bayonet folded. Please be aware this pistol may, from the photographs, appear to look the same size as a standard boxlock pocket pistol of that era, but, it is much larger and of 'Manstopper bore'A Fabulous Napoleonic ''Tower Of London' 'Brown Bess' Musket 39 inch Barrel British front line issue Bess from the Napoleonic wars, The Peninsular Campaign, the American War of 1812 and then, The Battle of Waterloo 1815. With excellent Tower lock with powerfully tight action, finest brass furniture, superior comb wrist stock. Although it has natural signs of use [for who indeed would desire to own a Bess that hadn't seen combat service?] it's present state of preservation is absolutely stunning. This fine British combat long arm, from the greatest historical era of Britain's wars with the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte of France, would grace any of the great private or museum collections. A hand made Tower of London musket that would have seen service in one of the world's great regiment's such as the, Black Watch, the Gordon Highlanders, or the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards. Such as at Hougemont, or in the 'Squares' in the field of Waterloo, at Quatre Bras, The Battle of Salamanca, The Battle of Talavera, The Battle of Vitoria,The Battle of Corunna, The Battle of Badajoz. And in America; The Battle of Tippecanoe, The Capture of the Cuyahoga Packet, The British Capture Fort Mackinac The Fall of Fort Detroit, The The Battle of Queenston Heights,The Battle of Frenchtown The Battle of York, The Siege of Fort Meigs The Battle of Moraviantown, The Battle of Chateauguay, The Battle of Chrysler’s Farm, The Battle of Lacolle Mill, Niagara Campaign of 1814, Battle of Lundy’s Lane, Chesapeake Bay, The Washington Campaign The Battle of Plattsburg Bay, The Battle of New Orleans to mention but a few. The Brown Bess musket was the mainstay weapon of the world reknown British infantryman. Despite appalling conditions, the cruelest of punishments and woefully poor pay, it was still preferable [to many] than a life of poverty at home. But despite all the trials and tribulations of being an 18th and 19th century British infantryman or grenadier, they were the finest, bravest, and loyalist soldiers that ever drew breath, at the same time admired, respected and feared throughout the world. The British army under Wellington was the only European army where looting and rape was uniformly punished by flogging or death, [unlike in Napoleon's army where the food and maintenance structure was based entirely on looting]. Although of course desertion existed, it was the men that stayed and fought that created the legend that was built around the greatest army in the world, that, in the main, remained unconquered for the next 200 years. Later ramrod.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 listA Fascinating Georgian Naval Bosun's Club With Retracting Blade A wooden shafted British Naval club, with a leaden end covered in naval knotted twine, that was used by the Ship's Bosun when on 'press gang' duty or boarding raids. This example is very unusual in that it has a retracting blade that comes through the club head, that can be affixed in place immediately before hand to hand combat on board ship. It creates a formidable weapon though small enough to be highly practical and worn through the Bosun's wide leather belt.Club 10 inches long when blade retracted, 15.5 inches long when blade affixed.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 rammerA 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 Antique Kris A beautiful antique Keris [Kris] With a very beautiful blade. The traditional Indonesian weapon allegedly endowed with religious and mystical powers. Good Indonesian hardwood hilt and scabbard, with a stunning serpentine blade showing incredible grain somewhat reminiscent of a flowing river. With traditional Meteorite laminated iron blade with hammered nickle for the contrasting pattern.A Fine French Cavalry Pistol of The Crimean War. An 1822 Model Cavalry Pistol, made at the armoury of St Ettiene, with the 1842 pattern percussion conversion. 17.6mm [also known as .69 calibre]. Traditional brass furniture, walnut stock and with numerous French regulation stamps and markings. With a cup ramrod [the cup section was for removing the correct amount of powder from a standard, same calibre, French musket paper cartridge, in order for it to be used in the pistol]. The British and French, allied with Turkey, fought the Russians in a war in the Crimea, and it was one of the most famous wars of the 19th century. This fine pistol was made for the Crimea conflict, and a despatch of the 19 October 1855, reports of a Cavalry Victory of Allies near Eupatoria, Crimea, where this pistol may well have been used [amongst other battles]. Marshal Pelissier reports, on the 1st inst., that a brilliant contest of cavalry was fought on the 29th ult., at Koughil, five leagues N. E. of Eupatoria, in which the Russian Cavalry, commanded by Gen. Korf, were defeated by the French cavalry, under General Allonville. Six guns, twelve ammunition wagons, and a campaign forge, with all the appurtenances, and 160 prisoners, of whom two were officers, were captured, besides 250 horses of the Russian Hussars. Fifty of the Russians were killed; among them was Col. Androwsky. Of the French six were killed, and twenty-seven wounded.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 DynastyA 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, 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 longA 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 French Shako Plate 1830 Original Shako Helmet Plate with the Gallic Cock in good condition circa 1830. A well favoured symbol since the French Revolution, it fell out of favour with Napoleon Bonaparte as he thought it an inappropriate symbol of French power. However, It returned as the premier symbol in 1830, and later on, even though it was not liked by Napoleon IIIrd in his reign, it remained in use alongside the Napoleonic Eagle.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 1845 pattern Victorian, British, Royal Engineers Officer's Sword With fine pierced gothic hilt depicting the royal cypher of Queen Victoria. Fully deluxe etched blade with royal devices and badge of the Royal Engineers made by Hamburger and Rogers of London. The reverse of the blade has an etched pictorial arrow detailing the blade's point of percussion. This is to show to the sword's owner the optimum postion for the blade to come into contact with an adversary or another sword when in sword combat. One of the most famous Royal Engineer's Officers was Lt. Chard who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his command and outstanding bravery at Rorkes Drift in the Zulu War of 1879. For his services at Rorke's Drift, Lieutenant Chard was promoted to Captain and Brevet Major. He was also awarded the Victoria Cross. The award citation covered both Chard and Bromhead: 'For gallant conduct at the Defence of Rorke's Drift, 22nd and 23rd January 1879. The Lieutenant-General reports that had it not been for the example and excellent behaviour of Lieutenants Chard, Royal Engineers, and Bromhead, 24th Regiment, the defence of Rorke's Drift would not have been conducted with the intelligence and tenacity which so eminently characterised it. The Lieutenant-General adds, that the success must in a great measure be attributable to the two young officers who exercised the chief command on the occasion in question.' One picture in the gallery is of Chard VC standing, and another seated picture of the very same type of sword across the lap of the officer. For information only and not included.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 familyA 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 longA 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 beautyA 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 London Percussion Manstopper Pistol Circa 1830 Fine superb walnut stock with excellent patina, chequered grip, round flat topped steel barrel with barrel slide and finely engraved barrel tang. Steel trigger guard with finely engraved pineapple finial. Flat stepped lock, dolphin hammer, single ramrod pipe 9.25 inches long, 5 inch barrel & a .7 inch bore. The action and lock is perfectA 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 BudapestA Good Moghul Tulwah with Silver Hilt 17th to 18th Century The Hilt is over laid wth thick sheet silver and beautifully embossed with with a floral scroll pattern. Excellent condition. Good steel blade.A Good Napoleonic ''Tower Of London' 'Brown Bess' Musket 39 inch Barrel Fine walnut stock, ordnance stamped , 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. Lot's of stamps and markings over and above the usual ordnance marks, proofs etc. Bright steel barrel with no corrosion, clearly marked 'Tower GR' lock.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 longA 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 US Civil War Sergeant's Sword Civil War Dated Production Made and maker marked by Ames of Chicopee Mass. Brass hilt brass and leather scabbard. Excellent natural age patina.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 Waterloo Period Heavy Cavalry Officer's Sword The gilt, 'Boat' hilted sword used by officers of the Union Brigade of Heavy Cavalry that fought with great distinction against Napoleon's Elite Cuirassier Regiments during the Peninsular War and Waterloo. Regiments such as The Scots Greys, The Inniskillin Dragoons, and The 1st Royal Regt. A painting in the gallery by Mark Churms of the Union Brigade at Waterloo [For information, education and historical perpective purposes only, not included] 27.25 inch blade. 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]A Good, British, Napoleonic Wars 'Brown Bess' Musket A super volunteer infantryman's musket. Made by Mann [possibly Charles Mann of London] with superb walnut stock fine brass furniture and traditional 39 inch barrel with Tower of London Armoury proofs. Good swan neck cock flintlock bearing makers name. In very good condition for age.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 Good, Original, Antique Nepalese Gurkha Kukri "Ayo Gorkhali!" Possibly one of the most iconic combat edge weapons ever made. With carved bone hilt, finest steel blade and it's original leather bound wooden scabbard. The Kukri is the renown and famous weapon of the Nepalese Ghurkha. Probably the most respected and feared warriors in the world, the Ghurkas of Nepal have fought in the Ghurka regiments of the British Army for around two centuries. With a degree of loyalty and dedication that is legendary, there is no greater soldier to be at one's side when in battle 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.Last photo in the gallery of a Ghurkha charge in WW2. Leather very dry, would much improve with leather dressing.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 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 Horn Hilt Jambiya With solid horn hilt double edged blade and leather scabbard.19th century.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 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 onlyA 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 Lee Metford 1888 Pattern Bayonet With scarce non regulation scabbardA 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 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 Magnificent All Steel Battle Mace of the Late 15th Century The Mace was a formidable weapon, primarily for use on horseback and has been used since the earliest days as a highly effective arm against even the best protected Knight in great helm and mail. Henry the Vth is shown in a fine painting praying before Agincourt with his near identical form battle mace at his side. The mace was also carried in battle by medieval bishops, warrior Bishop Odo of Bayeux is represented on the Bayeux tapestry as wielding one, instead of the sword, so as to conform to the canonical rule which forbade priests to shed blood. The earliest ceremonial maces, that developed from the battle mace, were, at first intended to protect the body of the King, and were borne by the serjeants-at-arms, a royal body-guard of French King Philip II, and England's Richard I. This mace has four elaborate steel flanges. Twisted steel haft, swollen hand grip, likely once covered in leather for additional grip.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 acrossA 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 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 wallpieceA Most Attractive Crimean War Vintage Webley Bentley Cased Revolver With a very nice amount of original blue finish remaining. Good tight action. Set in original mahogany case, containing it's oil bottle, nipple key and cap tin. With it's inner compartment section lid containing the original trade label, Jackson, Gunmaker, 16 Edgeware Road, London. A beautiful English open frame 5 shot revolver from the 1850's. A popular revolver used by British officers in the Crimean War.A Most Beautiful Brown Bess Musket of the Napoleonic Wars. This is one of the most clean and attractive British front line infantry muskets we have seen in many a year. It was made at the start of the Napoleonic wars and all the steel parts are absolutely blemish free without any evidence of rust anywhere. The stock has been repolished at sometime but it looks absolutely beautiful for that. All the mounts are original period mounts but the trigger guard has seen an old serviceable repair. The butt plate looks possibly to be an original field replacement as it overlaps the stock slightly at the base. This gun has a most interesting history in that it came from a Swedish collector who had it in his family for generations. Familiy lore had it that it came to Sweden at the close of the Napoleonic wars, via a French capture, and was issued to a Swedish militia. It does bear some most interesting regimental marks that we are certainly not familiar with, and also a museum collection number on the forend brass. A perfect gun for a collector of beautiful historical English military arms, that may, one day, with diligent research, reveal a fascinating and interesting history. It's condition is very clean indeed, with a barrel as clean and bright as we have ever seen. The lock is similarly bright, due to it's no doubt constant maintenence polishing, and that has worn way quite an amount of the GR Crown stamps. It is priced very keenly indeed, considering it is such a beautiful piece, so it is well within the modest collectors range, as good examples of these guns are now easily approaching the rare and valuable gun category.A Most Charming 1830's Antique Sporting Long Gun Walnut stock [recently repolished], percussion action lock with scroll engraving. Round steel barrel. A super decorative wall piece that would enhance and grace any antique based home or gentleman's study. Action very light.A Most Charming Victorian Sword Stick By Escoffier of St Eteinne Blade maker marked Escoffier of St Etienne, and with his armourers mark of FBE. F Escoffier was director of the St. Etienne military arsenal, but he had his own little workshop in the centre of the arsenal which he supplied weapons for a select few private clients.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 Impressive Matchlock Military Musket From India 17th to 18th Century Long fine barrel. Good walnut stock. Overall in very good condition for age. 67.75 inches overall. Two pictures in the gallery are period paintings of matchlocks 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) Other pictures show 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. [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 scabbardA 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 40cmA 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 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 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 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 WaterlooA 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 workmanshipA 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 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 19th Century British Army Infantry 'Redcoat' Coatee In coarse red cloth with trim. White lacings with black trim. Some repair sections to front. Lined. Replacement old Imperial buttonsA 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 British Royal Naval Circa 1804 Cutlass The famous double-disc or 'Figure of Eight' cutlass guard in iron with ribbed iron grip. Single edged blade. The very form of cutlass used by sailors aboard the British 'Man o'War' 100 gunners, and frigates at the world reknown Battle of Trafalgar. Where Admiral Lord Nelson soundly thrashed both of the combined French and Spanish fleets, using never before seen tactics, and creating forever more the phrase the 'Nelson Touch' that symbolises his success and unique skill.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 includedA 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 Ist Pattern Brunswick Rifle Sword With brass sword hilt, double edged wide blade with single central fuller.Marked Enfield VR Crown dated 1840. Small hilt hole. Company number 9 over 10. Used by the British Rifle regiments the 60th and the 95th during the 1840's and 1850's, in the Sikh War and the Indian Mutiny. This was a direct replacement rifle for the famous Baker Rifle. In fact on Dec. 1 1862, Confederate purchasing agent, Caleb Huse purchased 2,020 Brunswicks for the Army of The Confederacy, which is later confirmed in a letter by Confederate Ordnance Chief Colonel Josiah Gorgas on February 3, 1863.;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 Medeivil Large, Elm, Mazer Bowl Probably 16th century of between 500 to 450 years old. A very similar example was recovered from the sunken Mary Rose, and it would have been made by a professional turner. Although a Mazer bowl is more traditionally quite small piece, held by one hand, the large bowls were made to hold greater quantity, such as the example from King Henry's flagship, The Mary Rose. Some old body repairs.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 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 1453A 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 conditionA 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 overallA 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 overallA 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 Scarce, Transitional, British 'Improved Revolver' Circa 1850. The type used by British officer's in the Crimean War, and the earliest form of cylinder percussion revolver used.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 Pleasing English, King George IIIrd, Flintlock Boxlock Pistol Early Derringer type, made by Hinks of Liverpool. Good flintlock action with a sliding safety and overall a really nice little gun. A most interesting small, English, Vest or 'Hideaway' Pistol. Flintlock boxlock action, 1 5/8th inch barrel 6 1/4 inches overall. A pistol that was the precursor to the famed 'Derringer' pistols, a smaller than usual type of the pocket pistol, that could be successfully concealed in a vest, or even in a garter by the ladies, oh my!.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 So Called 'Executioner's' Keris With Fine Laminated Blade. Also known as Keris Penyalang or the Executioners' keris. A long straight blade, it is said, was used to pierce the heart through the neck. Keris Patani This form originates in the Northern Malay States particularly Patani, now a Southern Thai province. It is characterised by its hilt, the Hulu Pekaka or Kingfisher because of its long beak and bulging eyes. Fine Pamor blade.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 French, Elite Heavy Cavalry, Carabiniers Helmet. Used from the 1814 to 1830, The Napoleonic Pattern. Initially part of the small, elite Heavy Cavalry, later part of the Imperial Guard. Shows the Royal badge removed, above the peak, possibly for the 100 days, the Napoleonic Restoration era. One chinscale present, part liner present. Good skull and crest condition, replaced horsehair plume. Name stamped [Painting of the Imperial Carabiniers at Borodino in the gallery, for historical information and education only, not included]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 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' Shamshir Sword All copper gilt hilt and mount. Decorated with a Tiger's head pommel, and fully designed with Tiger mask suspension mounts and all over patterning. Tipu Sultan (c.1753–99) the Sultan of Mysore from (1782–99). 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 within 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. The blade is inlaid in silver with a hunt of tigers 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 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 solid gold hilted sword of Tipu Sultan. Please note, the body of the tiger on the 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, 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.RESERVED COLLECTIONA 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 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, 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 overallA 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 overallA 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 Beautiful Antique 'Skull and Crossbones' Ritual Dagger A Victorian dagger with a most attractive full relief Skull and Crossbones hilt. Daggers of this ilk were usually custom made for Secret Society rituals, and this is a very good example indeed of these much sought after, yet scarcely found daggers of this type. Ormolu gold mounts of a relief skull as the pommel and crossed thigh bones as the quillons.with a multi wire bound grip and florid engraved mounts to the scabbard. The scabbard is bound in now faded green cloth, with a silver bullion braid covering the offside seam. Many witchcraft and occult collectors eagerly seek these incredibly distinctive pieces, and good Victorian examples are very highly prized and most difficult to find. This dagger was made and carried by a person that would most likely have been a member of the secret societies [such as the Masons or Knights Templar], but, the Skull and Crossbones was similarly closely associated with organizations such as the Brotherhood of St. Francis of Wycombe, the Order of Knights of West Wycombe and later the Monks of Medmenham. These are all pseudonyms of the Sir Francis Dashwood's infamous 'Hellfire Club' of the 18th century. A dagger of this ilk was likely custom made for member, or indeed leader, of a Secret Society for Satanic rituals, and this is a very good example indeed of these much sought after, yet scarcely found ritualistic daggers. Ormolu mounts of a relief skull as the pommel and acanthus leaf quillons, with a multi wire bound grip and ormolu and leather scabbard. Many witchcraft and occult collectors eagerly seek these incredibly distinctive pieces, and good Victorian examples are very highly prized and most difficult to find. The Skull symbology was associated with organizations such as the Brotherhood of St. Francis of Wycombe, the Order of Knights of West Wycombe and later the Monks of Medmenham. These are all pseudonyms of the Sir Francis Dashwood's infamous 'Hellfire Club' from the 18th century. The 19th century underground resurgence of the Hellfire Club, Satanism and Devil worship, was much speculated upon in certain circles of Victorian society, especially during the time of Jack The Ripper, the first and most notorious serial killer ever to have lived. One of it's most famous leaders was the Victorian Englishman Aleister Crowley. Born Edward Alexander Crowley in Warwickshire in 1875, he was the self-proclaimed “Wickedest Man in the World” and in his later years an avid supporter of Germany's emerging fascism. One of Crowley’s literary contributions was 'The Equinox' (publ'd 1909). Many of the ideas contained in this work became the basis for modern Satanism, and his books frequently expounded the virtues of ritualistic human sacrifice. His wickedest deeds are still the subject of much speculation today. The last photo is of Aleister Crowley adorned in his secret ritual society garb clutching his ritual Skull dagger in his right hand The gilt had to be expertly cleaned by a conservator to remove decades of oxygenationA 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 Islamic Jambiya [Oman Khanjar] in All Arab Silver Metal A beautiful quality dagger of typical form of the famous middle eastern Jambiya, and in Oman it is called the Khanjar. This deluxe example is all silver, except the blade which is steel, and Jambiya of this quality were almost allways usually for presentation. Lawrence of Arabia had several very similar ones presented to him, they were his favourite dagger, and he was frequently photographed wearing them. One picture is a portrait of Lawrence with his silver Jambiya, near identical to this one. [Information only not included] Silver coloured metal, not hallmarked silver.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 patternA Superb British Police Constable's Sword 1830-40 In excellent condition with it's original very fine brass mounted leather scabbard. In the earliest days of the British Police, founded by Sir Robert Peel, the 'Peelers' or 'Bobbies' [as they were affectionately called] were often given the 'Grave Yard' shift [an expression that is still in use today]. This shift was for the constables to guard local cemeteries from grave robbers [such as the notorious pair of villainous grave robbers 'Burke and Hare'] who dug up the newly deceased to provide corpses for student surgeons and physicians for most handsome rewards. This was a capital crime, and the robber's would frequently defend themselves with hard and ruthless endeavor which necessitated the police constables to be armed.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 French Ist Empire Napoleonic Cavalry Officers Battle Sabre With traditional brass 3 bar hilt with leather & triple wire bound grip, marquise form langets, beautifully engraved blade, all steel scabbard [with a few combat bruises]. A beautiful sword from the last era of the great French Cavalry Regiments. As used in the wars with Russia, Austria, the Peninsular War and Waterloo. A very good and highly collectable piece, good French Cavalry Swords of this era are now becoming extremely scarce, and confoundingly difficult to find. Aknowledgement to Christian Aries' Armes Blanche Militaires Francais, the standard work for French Napoleonic sword identification, for the last picture in the gallery taken from his reference book.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 overallA 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 Scottish Flintlock Pistol by Heriot of Edinburgh Made prior to the American War of Independence this is a fine pistol by a good Scottish Edinburgh maker who died in 1773. Hallmarked silver butt cap decorated with a fine relief scene of winged Fame sounding a trumpet, holding the Palm of Victory before a stand of flags. Fame in this pose is depicted in The Apotheosis of Washington above the floor of the Rotunda in the eye of the Capitol Dome, and Fame and Peace crowning Washington by Antonio Capellano, in marble relief above the doors to the rotunda in the Capitol. This scene of Fame on a pistol butt cap is most scarce, the plain or the grotesque mask type being more usually seen in this era. In 35 years I can only ever recall seeing very few, but almost allways on pistols connected to supporters, or senior officers, of the American Continental Army of George Washington. Fine walnut stock, horn tipped rammer, flat topped round barrel.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 Third Pattern Brown Bess Musket. US War of 1812 & Napoleonic Wars Period A Brown Bess Infantry Musket. Fine walnut stock, good mounts barrel and furniture. EIC mark to the lock. A most interesting musket, in very good order, from one of the most historically important periods of the British Empire. This long gun was made at the time when the British Army was in the Napoleonic Wars and fighting the Americans in the war of 1812. The East India Co. had many of it's third pattern Besses purloined by His Majesty King George IIIrd's government, in order to augment the Bess long arms that the Tower of London were producing, as the requirement for guns for both conflicts far outstripped supply. 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. A very interesting musket indeed in very good order with fabulous aged patina to whole gun. The lock was completely seized when it arrived but our locksmith stripped the whole mechanism to pieces and it now functions as it should.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.A Very Fine Brass Cannon Barreled Flintlock Blunderbuss By Bond of London Fine walnut stock set with finest engraved brass mounts.. Blunderbuss's are the most distinctive, favoured and prized of the early English Flintlocks. The colour combination of brass and the finest walnut created a beautiful and most charming effect. The walnut has excellent original patina, the barrel is of good heavy size and the 'feel' of this early piece is amazing. Action very tight indeed.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 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, Royal Artillery Pouch Badge in superb condition. Traditional 19th century Royal Artillery Cannon in finest gilt over bronze. 10cm longA 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 19th Century French Gladius Sword This pattern of Gladius [named after it's direct original version, the ancient Roman sword used by the Roman Empire for hundreds of years] was made and used in France from the 1830's till the 1850's. Many were sold in the early 1860's to the US in order to supply their desperate need for arms for the Civil War. The US in fact found this pattern sword so effective it directly copied the French gladius sword, and made their own [slightly differrent version with an Eagle decorated pommel] for use by the US foot artillerymen. This form of stout sword was incredibly efficient at close quarter combat, in fact the Romans discovered so and used it for centuries, and it's power and effectiveness, when used by well trained legionaries and gladiators, was never bettered for almost 2000 years.This very French sword type appears, and is illustrated, in 'American Swords and Maker's Marks' by Clegg Donald Furr, as the US Civil War imported short sword. In fact many are still unaware it is a French made sword, as it has been [quite wrongly] frequently attributed as an American sword, by some, for many decades. We show this sword in totally 'sleeper' condition as it has remained untouched for likely over 100 years. We can repolish it all, blade, hilt, mounts and leather scabbard, so the whole sword gleams. This we can do, if desired, for around £50 [special discounted price] or, alternatively the new owner could easily do it, at their discretion, or, just leave it as is.A Very Good 19th Century French Sword A cast brass hilted sword but with one or two most interesting features we can't recall seeing previously. The guard is beautifully cast with the the old French Revolutionary symbols of the 'Fasces' [copied from the old Roman Empire symbol], draped with flags and banners. The hilt grip, also cast brass, has an interesting spiral band of acorn leaves. We can't be sure just how rare [or indeed not] this sword is, but we can not recall seing quite it's like before. Steel double fullered blade, folding rear guard shell overall all in good condition. Long 30.5 inch blade. No scabbardA Very Good 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, Victorian, WW1 Medal Group An Indian General Service Medal with two bars, Tirah 1897-98, & Punjab Frontier 1897-98, also a British Expeditionary Force trio [1914-15 Star, War Medal & Civilization Medal].The 2nd Battalion the Royal Sussex Regiment served in India till 1914 when they were transferred to Europe for service in the the Great War. 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. Photos of the monument in the gallery.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 bladeA 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 Good Quality 1860's Large Double Action Pinfire Revolver 12mm Cal, 10” overall, round barrel, 6” with sighting rib, Liege proved, plain bright metal finish, bag shaped butt with lanyard ring, plain walnut grips. As a European import these 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 full military army size, and is the very type that was so popular, as a fast and efficient military arm , by many of the officers of both the US and the CSA armies.A Very Good, 'Garibaldi' Period, 1860, Italian Cavalry 'Battle' Sword The revolutionary general Giuseppe Garibaldi has been dubbed the "Hero of the Two Worlds" in tribute to his military expeditions in both South America and Europe, and he is considered an Italian national hero. The Expedition of the Thousand (Italian Spedizione dei Mille) was a military campaign led by the revolutionary general in 1860, in which a force of volunteers defeated the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, leading to its dissolution and annexation by the Kingdom of Sardinia. A large impressive and imposing sword. All steel hilt with leather grip. All steel scabbard, single fullered combat weight blade. A Photo in the gallery is a remarkable statue of Garibaldi in Washington Square, New York, drawing his sword, that looks extremely similar to this one.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, 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 onlyA 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 Bombay Engineers Officer's Sword of The Indian Mutiny A very rare historical Wilkinson sword of the highly sought after era of the East India Company's Bombay Engineers, from the time of the Indian Mutiny. Early Indian Regimental swords are very scare and much sought after by collectors. This is a super example, based on the 1821 British Cavalry officer's sabre pattern, with a fully deluxe etched blade bearing Queen Victoria's cypher and the regimental device of the Bombay Engineers. Their officers were British, and they served their Queen, their country and the East India Company Army with distinction in the Mutiny, with three of the regiments combat fatalities listed below : Lieutenant William George Douglas Dick - killed in action at Jhansi - 8th April 1858 Aged 22. Son of the late John Campbell Dick, Bengal Civil Service. 2nd Lieutenant Charles Hancock - wounded in explosion at Kotah - 30th March 1858. died of wounds 14th April 1858 Aged 21. Son of Major-General Hancock, Bombay Army. 2nd Lieutenant Hugh R. Meiklejohn - killed in action at Jhansi - 8th April 1858. This sabre may well have been owned by one of those gentlemen or one of their brother officer's. With it's original leather and steel mounted scabbard. Non numbered blade [Numbering started on Wilkinson's blades in 1854]. Good Henry Wilkinson maker mark,address and seal mark.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 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 lackingA Very Scarce, Victorian, Royal Marines Light Infantry Tunic In traditional red cloth with blue trim. With original Victorian buttons by Player of Birmingham. Players were traced by us as last being in business in Birmingham in 1880. Named feintly to Farrant, we traced the a Farrant who served in the RMLI who was born in 1846, and his service in the 'Red' Marines the Royal Marines Light Infantry, was in the Plymouth Division from 1856 -1872. Untouched condition,some areas need cleaning. Associated belt with standard lion over crown centre.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 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 Highlander's Small Dirk Made purely for dress purposes without any blades. Nicely engraved silver, traditional stone set pommels, original leather belt mount, maker marked on the scabbard Forsyth of Edinburgh and Glasgow.10 inches long overall Silver coloured metal, not hallmarked English silver.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 hiltA Wild West Era Shoulder Holster A good leather concealed holster with leather belt for a pocket revolver.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 Zulu War British Officers Sabre of the 4th Foot [The Kings Own] A sword of very good historical interest specifically towards the 1879 Zulu War. A traditional officers pierced brass gothic hilted sword with Queen Victoria's cypher. With a pipe back blade. It has small regimental numerals on the hilt for the 2nd Battalion 4th Ft. that would likely indicate it was one of the regiment's issue swords, as opposed to a private purchase. One of the decorated regiments that valiantly fought alongside the 24th Foot in the Zulu War. The regiments history in the Zulu War is thus; Jan 1879 Receive news of the disaster at Isandlwana Jan 1879 6 companies march to Helpmakaar Jan 1879 6 companies moved from Helpmakaar to Utrecht and Greytown Jan 1879 3 companies garrisoned previously at Cape Town receive orders to join HQ. 26th Jan 1879 These 3 companies embarked in the “African” a privately owned mail ship, rented by an entrepreneur to the Gov't to quickly get reinforcements to Durban. 29th Jan 1879 These 3 companies arrive at Durban 2nd Feb 1879 These 3 companies reach Maritzburg Feb 1879 These 3 companies await arrival of 21st Regiment Feb 1879 These 3 companies continue on viâ Colenso, Ladysmith, and Newcastle to Utrecht and Greytown, from there they were despatched to Balte’s Spruit, Conference Hill, and Lüneberg. During this march Major Blake and Capt. Moore were surrounded by Zulu impi but were not attacked. The companies of the battalion were distributed 'in reserve' over a wide area of country, including the Utrecht district, Potgreter’s Farm, Lüneberg, Balte’s Spruit, Conference Hill, etc. 28 Mar 1879 Involved in Battle of Inhlobana Hill 29th Mar 1879 Some 2nd/4th casualties incurred at Kambula. 3rd Jul 1879 Reconnaissance before Ulundi 4th Jul 1879 Battle of Ulundi Jul 1879 After the battle of Ulundi, the companies were relieved by those of the 24th Regiment of Foot and then proceeded to Lüneberg and Standerton in the Transvaal. 6th Sept 1879 Colonel Bray, with three companies of the regiment, assisted by the Frontier Light Horse and a detachment of Engineers, blew up the caves known as Mbilini’s, in the neighbourhood of the Ntombe River. Sept 1879 Manyanyoba, the independent chief who had long given great trouble, now surrendered. He had been holed up in the Mbilini's Cave, so commonly referred to as Manyanyoba's Cave. 8th Sept 1879 Some 2nd/4th casualties incurred at LunebergIt.The sword is a little battle weary with visible combat signs on the hilt but for a sword of the Zulu War this is certainly to it's benefit. It clearly shows it is a good honest example of a combat sword, that has been used for the very intention that it was made. With scabbard [worn chape]. Last photo in the gallery of a painting by Charles Edwin Fripp of the Zulu War. [Information only not included]A Zulu War Vintage, British Army MK II Martini Henry 450 577 Infantry Rifle A Zulu War Vintage, British Army MK II Martini Henry 450 577 Infantry Rifle We have just had this rifle stock cleaned and it has transformed this rifle into one of the best Martinis we have ever seen. 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 no perceptible corrosion marks on the lock at all and it appears to have all it's original blueing. Maker marked, in very good order indeed with an excellent action The most famous British Infantry breech loading rifle of the 19th century. As used in the film ZULU, the type used during the Zulu War, a very nice example dated 1874. The Martini-Henry was a breech-loading lever-actuated rifle adopted by the British, 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 type 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' markAll 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 lengthAmerican 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 11mm Remington Rollingblock Carbine 1871 With walnut stock, 2 slingswivels, breech with Crown stamp and dated 1871. No remaining manufacturers markings.The Remington Rollingblock rifle was one of Remington's most sucessful long guns, that was introduced at the close of the Civil War in 1865, and a highly effective design for it's age. Numerous worldwide contracts for the Rollingblock gained Remington huge advantage in the military long arm market, during the last quarter of the 19th century.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 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 18th Century Indo- Persian Pesh Kabz Dagger. Distinctive recurved blade,'ivory grip', red velvet covered wooden scabbard. Good condition for ageAn 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 overallAn 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 pittingAn 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 pommelAn 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 Ancient, Beautiful, Bronze Flanged Dagger of the era of The Trojan Wars In one piece daggers of this form the hilts were flanged so that they could take inlaid scales of wood, bone, or metal. Made in the Persian Empire this dagger would have been a prized possession of a Warrior from the time of the legendary 'Siege of Troy'. A beautiful antiquity with good patina and great form. Circa 800 B.C. very possibly earlier. 151/2 inches longAn 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 69An 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 hardwoodAn 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 designAn 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 Austro Hungarian Sabre with Slotted Hilt Mid 19th century. Complete in it's original scabbard, with mirror bright blade in original polish. Very good steel to scabbard and hilt, fishskin wirebound grip. With Knot. Dark patina. This sword could, if one wished, polish to bright steel very well, the age discolouration that it has is very light.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 English Civil War Broad Sword, Blade Signed JOHANES WUNDES. The most popular form of early mid 17th century broadsword used by officers in the English Civil War. Used by mounted officers, foot officers and pike officers.Single downturned quillon, double ring guard with sprung in plates, single knucklebow joined at the rings by additional bars front and back, ribbed drum shaped pommel, some perishing losses to one ring plate. A good broadsword blade with traces of the name IOHANNES WUNDES [1565 to 1610] who was a well reknown Solingen bladesmith. There are examples of Wudes's swords in all the world's great museum collections, at least one was excavated from early colony of Jamestown in Virginia, and appeared in the Virginia Muster of 1624/25 where around 400 swords in the colony are listed. The retaining screw in the pommel is not original.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 Nepalese Presentation Kukhri Dagger A most attractive Kukhri of presentation form decorated with gilt bullion and pearl beads.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 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 'BattleField Recovery' Civil War Remington 36.cal Navy Revolver Battle of Cold Harbour recovery. A very interesting and impressive pistol, from the era of the greatest conflict of a so called 'brother against brother' and 'father against son' war in western civilised history.This is an absolute bargain due to it's degraded surface condition. The Remington 'Navy' Revolver of 36 calibre is a very collectable gun indeed, in fact one of the most sought after American guns ever made. However, this is notfine condition example, in fact it is distinctly below average, due of course to the fact it was a battlefield recovery, the action still works fine but the cylinder only manually rotates. E. Remington & Sons manufactured the percussion .36-(Navy) calibre revolver used during the American Civil War from 1861 onwards. Known as the Remington New Model, it was used primarily by Union soldiers, and widely favored over the standard issue Colt Army Model 1860 by those who could afford it, due primarily to its durability and ability to quickly reload by switching to another pre-loaded cylinder. It also saw use in the American West, both in its original percussion configuration and as a metallic cartridge conversion. Family history has that this pistol was recovered a year or so after The Battle of Cold Harbor, the final battle of Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Overland Campaign during the American Civil War. It is remembered as one of American history's bloodiest, most lopsided battles. Thousands of Union soldiers were killed or wounded in a hopeless frontal assault against the fortified troops of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Grant said of the battle in his memoirs "I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made. I might say the same thing of the assault of the 22d of May, 1863, at Vicksburg. At Cold Harbor no advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained."The Battle of Cold Harbor was the final victory won by Lee's army during the war (part of his forces won the Battle of the Crater the following month, during the Siege of Petersburg, but this did not represent a general engagement between the armies), and its most decisive in terms of casualties. The Union army, in attempting the futile assault, lost 10,000 to 13,000 men over twelve days. The battle brought the toll in Union casualties since the beginning of May to a total of more than 52,000, compared to 33,000 for Lee. Although the cost was horrible, Grant's larger army finished the campaign with lower relative casualties than Lee's.An Original and Rare Edo Jidai 'Ninja' Armour A Very Rare, Edo Era [1599-1863] Japanese 'Ninja' Armour. Originally we believed this to be a Samurai Ashigaru [foot soldiers] armour, but after extensive research and information given to us by a learned Samurai scholar we now know 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, and due to much of this folklore, over the decades, straight Ninja swords have been requested of us by new collectors, but, in fact, Ninja swords never actually existed. By very neccessity a Ninja had to be anonymous with little to identify him from a normal low rank Samurai, so he would use 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 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 Original Victorian Martini Henry Mk II Carbine Short Lever Rifle In worn order, marked Enfield and Crown, II. Officially government converted from an 1885 Mk II Infantry Rifle and re-issued, in Nov.1893, to the 1st Volunteer Lincolnshire Artillery. Regimentally stamped butt stock disc. Barrel cut at breech and lock seized. An ideal restoration project, or , an original finely made, traditional, British Army, Victorian regimental rifle for display purposes. Lacking cleaning rod.An Ottoman Turkish Long Holster Pistol Most attractively mounted with carved and chisselled mounts. Long barrel and good flintlock action. Made in the Ottoman Empire, this long flintlock pistol is simply covered in fine detailing and decoration. 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.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 coined in the 19th century to describe pieces made in an earlier or even ancient form and style, but 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 onlyAntique 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 onlyAntique 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 onlyAntique 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 onlyAntique 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 onlyAntique 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 onlyAntique 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 shadeArgyll and Sutherland Highlanders Glengarry Badge 1882 to 1900 Pattern In pressed nickle with good clear definition and in good condition, 2 lugs.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 1848/49Beautiful 1856 'Tower of London' Armoury Victorian Cavalry '2 Band' Carbine Walnut stock, brass furniture 2 steel bands barrel and lock. Superb polish to the rich grained walnut. Cavalry swivel bar, captive ramrod. Good action.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 Light Infantry Volunteers Sabre All steel combat scabbard. Blade named to Ensign Light infantry volunteers crest. Gothic hilt with light infantry bugle and Victorian crown.British, 'Charge of the Light Brigade' Officer's Lancers and Hussars Sword The very type of Hussar's and Lancer's sabre as used by British Cavalry Officer's in the ill fated charge in the Crimean War against Russia. All steel three bar steel hilt, all steel combat scabbard with fine pipe back blade and beautiful etched panels with Queen Victoria's cypher. Full original triple wire binding over complete fish skin grip. Overall all browned patina. This sword was, strangely, all painted in black paint, but after some very judicious and careful effort, it has been removed to reveal a most handsome and historical period sword. Sadly, of course, we have no way of knowing if this sword was ever used by a specific officer in the charge, however it is absolutely used at the time and is the type used by all the serving Cavalry officers [The Cavalry officers actually used two types of sword, this, the 1821 pattern, and a few officers also used the mamaluke pattern sword] In the Crimean War (1854-56), the 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, Cullodon, 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 regiments, 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. 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 last picture in the gallery is of Capt. Louis Edward Nolan (January 4 1818-October 25 1854), who was a British Army officer of the victorian era, an authority on cavalry tactics, and best best known for his controversial role in launching the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Battle of Balaclava. He was the first casualty of that engagement. His identical sword can be plainly seen in that painting.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 dayCased 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 $100,000Commemorative 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.Dumbartonshire Volunteer's Badge Cast white metal with one lug missing 82mm x 62mmEarly 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 FlandersEarly Mahratta Khanda Hilt Firangi Sword All steel hilt and blade, straight single edged blade, double fullered, typical Khanda Hilt with flattened guard, 17th 18th century.This is the form of sword used against the British in the Mahratta Wars. One hilt section seperated.Early Mahratta 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 against the British in the Mahratta Wars.Early to Mid 19th Century Officers Dress Sword-Belt In beautiful red morrocco leather and gold bullion, a dress belt for an officers sword to be worn under the coatee. All straps and buckles intact.Eikon Basilike. " The King's Book" The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in His Solitudes and Sufferings. Printed 1662. 2 Volumes. Hand named and dated to it's owner 'John Coke' 1695 [see next to last photo in gallery]. Likely the son or grandson of Sir John Coke, of Melbourne Hall [from whence Melbourne City gained it's root name] a passionate royalist servant of King Charles Ist, and, his Secretary of State. His eldest son though [also named Sir John Coke] was not a royalist, being more of a parliamentarian. However, his son, once more a John, quite rightly returned to his grandfather's royalist views. A wonderful pair of Restoration period books that would grace the finest library or perfectly compliment a collection of antique or period arms and armour. Beautifully rebound in the last century. A pair published in 1662 just after Charles the IInd was returned to the throne of England. "Eikon Basilika" (vol. 1) has been attributed to King Charles I himself, and also to John Gauden. Vol. 2 has title: A collection of declarations, treaties, and other principal passages concerning the differences betwixt King Charles I and his two houses of Parliament / edited by William Fulman and Richard Perrinchief. The workes of King Charles the martyr Aeternitati sacrum A collection of declarations, treaties, and other principal passages concerning the differences betwixt King Charles I and his two houses of Parliament The works of Charles I with his life and martyrdome Eikon basilike. Printed by James Flesher for R. Royston Bookseller to the King. The first version issue was published during King Charles Ist's lifetime, and were immensely successful. However, after the King's execution, the years of the Commonwealth intervened and it wasn't until the return of the King, did Charles IInd order a new version for the Restoration, and these are the first edition of 1662 of those. A large pair, 13.5 inches by 9.25 inches by 1.5 inchesElegant Napoleon Bonaparte Medal Cliche Signed Andrieu F. Beautifully cast in bronze patinated white metal. A high-relief of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Andrieu was a very prestigious Napoleonic medal-maker and was renowned for his most beautiful and widely circulated images of the Emperor.19th century. 66mmFine Early, 'King Billy' [William IIIrd] Barrelled Flintlock Blunderbuss 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 1830French 1830's Shako Helmet Plate. Copper plate of a Cockerel over French symbols.French 1886M Lebel Bayonet. For the Lebel Rifle All brass hilt, cruciform blade, quillon officially removed. Original scabbard with matching numbers. Good conditionFrench 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 FrancaisFrench Shako Helmet Plate Mid 19th Century Laurel wreathed Cockeral Crest with regimental number '2' 136mm x 111mmGeorge 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.GIFT VOUCHER The perfect Birthday Gift. Valid without time limit, for any item or items. Please add the name of the recipient with your order.We can customise your gift voucher for any amount required please e.mail us for details.GIFT VOUCHER Valid without time limit for any item[s] in any gallery at any time. Please specify name of recipient in the Comment box in the Basket section. You can also customize your voucher for any particular value, please specify this in the Comments section.GIFT VOUCHER Valid without time limit for any item[s] in any gallery at any time. Please specify name of recipient in the Comment box in the Basket section. You can also customize your voucher for any particular value, please specify this in the Comments section.GIFT VOUCHER Valid without time limit for any item[s] in any gallery at any time. Please specify name of recipient in the Comment box in the Basket section. You can also customize your voucher for any particular value, please specify this in the Comments section.GIFT VOUCHER Valid without time limit for any item[s] in any gallery at any time. Please specify name of recipient in the Comment box in the Basket section. You can also customize your voucher for any particular value, please specify this in the Comments section.GIFT VOUCHER Valid without time limit for any item[s] in any gallery at any time. Please specify name of recipient in the Comment box in the Basket section. You can also customize your voucher for any particular value, please specify this in the Comments section.GIFT VOUCHER Valid without time limit for any item[s] in any gallery at any time. Please specify name of recipient in the Comment box in the Basket section. You can also customize your voucher for any particular value, please specify this in the Comments section.Gift Voucher The perfect Birthday Gift. Valid without time limit, for any item or items. Please add the name of the recipient with your order.We can customise your gift voucher for any amount required please e.mail us for details.Gift Voucher. An Ideal Birthday or Anniversary Solution Valid without time limit, for any item[s] in any Department. Please add the recipients name in the Comments section of the Basket when purchasing. Any Gift Voucher can be customised to suit any value required.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.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 Calibre American Civil War Period Pinfire Revolver Lefrauchaux type revolver likely 11mm cal. Overall grey finish with some action difficulties. It would make an ideal restoration project, or, left alone as a historical military curiosity. The imported Lefrauchaux revolver was the fourth most popular handgun of the Civil War, and General 'Stonewall' Jackson owned at least two examples. One photo in the gallery is an original ambrotype of a Confederate 'Rebel' soldier with his pinfire tucked in his belt [for information only not included]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 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 inchesMagnificent Double Barrelled Flintlock Coaching Carbine [Detachable Stock] 18th century circa 1780. By one of the finest Parisian makers, Escalere. A beautiful take down carbine of most elegant and slender proportions. Finest possible quality walnut stock, with remarkable quality full relief carving, steel mounts with superb engraving, browned barrels inlaid with gold. Left and right hand flintlocks. Both locks and barrel signed Escelere A Paris, and address Rue de Tournon, A Paris inlaid in pure gold. Similar fine double barrelled coaching guns [with de-tachable stocks] were frequently made as gifts to be presented by such great notables as the King of France, King Louis XVI th, and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. There are several such pieces in the French National Collection and this wonderful arm could easily grace any of the finest gun collections of the world.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 1690-1725Magnificent Rifle, Ancell of Perth Lock [ Maker to HRH Prince Albert]. A finest handmade bespoke antique rifle with superb, top grade walnut which is superbly carved. The handmade gun of a Prince or Duke etc 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. Carbine length, but around a 21 mm bore, absolutely huge!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.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 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. 35mmPair 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.Rare Ist Edition, 3 Volumes of Hyde's 'Rebellion and Civil War' Publ'd 1702 The True Historical Narrative of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England. By Edward Hyde, Earl Of Clarendon. Lord High Chancellor of England, [Under His Majesty King Charles Iind] Lord Chancellor of Oxford University, and Grandfather of both Queen Mary and Queen Anne of England. Printed at The Theater, Oxford in 1702. Sir Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, 1609-74. Elected to Parliament in 1640 he was the MP to Wooten Basset, and although at first he was an opponent to the King he soon became interested in influencing the King's relationship with Parliament. In 1641, Edward Hyde became an adviser to King Charles Ist. He drafted most of the declarations issued in the King's name and attempted, where possible, to moderate his policies. Always acutely aware of legal and constitutional considerations, Hyde despaired at the King's attempt to arrest the 'Five Members' in January 1642, but joined him at York in May, after which he was expelled from Parliament and denounced as one of the King's "evil councillors". Hyde attended the King on campaign during the opening stages of the civil war. He was present at Edgehill, where his role was to look after the Princes Charles and James. In February 1643, Hyde was knighted and appointed to the Privy Council; the following month he was made Chancellor of the Exchequer. During the autumn of 1643, he was appointed to the secret committee or "junto" which discussed all important matters with the King before they were put before the Privy Council. Hyde was anxious to reach a political settlement with Parliament rather than rely upon a military victory, and to this end he made efforts to win over key individuals to the King's cause. He advised the King to summon the alternative Oxford Parliament in December 1643, hoping to deprive the Long Parliament of its authority, but its success was limited and even Hyde had to recognise Westminster as the true Parliament in 1644. In January 1645, Hyde supported peace negotiations with Parliamentarian and Scottish commissioners at the Uxbridge Treaty. The failure of these talks further reduced his influence, and in March 1645, he was removed from the King's immediate circle and appointed to the Council of the Prince of Wales at Bristol. After the defeat of the Royalist cause at Naseby, Hyde and his fellow councillors accompanied Prince Charles into Cornwall, then to the Scilly Isles and finally to Jersey where they arrived in April 1646. Hyde advised against the Prince's moving to Paris to join Queen Henrietta Maria, but could not prevent him from going. He remained living quietly on Jersey for two years, during which time he began writing his great history of the civil wars. In 1651 young Charles instigated the 3rd Civil War and was Crowned King at Scone in Scotland, but after his defeat by Cromwell, Charles escaped from England [after the battle of Worcester in 1651] and Hyde rejoined him in Paris and remained with him throughout the rest of the exile as the King's most trusted adviser. Hyde's aim was always to keep Charles from making any move that would alienate English Protestants or damage the Anglican church. This brought him into conflict with the "Louvre" faction that revolved around Henrietta Maria, and many attempts were made to turn Charles against him. Hyde also discouraged wild plots for the reconquest of England, fearing that they would only reunite the republican and radical factions against Charles. After Cromwell's death in 1658, Hyde was appointed Lord Chancellor and entered into negotiations with English Presbyterians and others who supported the return of the Monarchy. He was instrumental in drawing up Charles' manifesto the Declaration of Breda in 1660. Shortly after the Restoration, a scandal broke when Hyde's daughter Anne (1637-71) was discovered to be pregnant. She claimed that James, Duke of York (later King James II), was the father and that they had been secretly married. Although James initially denied his marriage to a commoner, Anne was recognised as Duchess of York early in 1661. Hyde was offered a dukedom but, aware of his vulnerability to charges of deliberately insinuating himself into the royal family, he preferred to accept the lesser title of 1st Earl of Clarendon. Although Anne died before James became King, she was the mother of the future Queens Mary and Anne. Clarendon continued to hold the office of Lord Chancellor and was a strong influence during the early years of Charles II's reign. He favoured the Anglican church and opposed moves towards religious toleration. However, his caution and conservatism made him enemies in Parliament while his criticism of the loose morals of the Restoration Court irritated the King and his ladies. He was finally manoeuvred out of favour by his enemy Lord Arlington in 1667. Threatened with impeachment, Clarendon went into exile in France, where he completed his history of the wars. The work was published posthumously under the direction of his son between 1702 and 1704 under the title: The True Historical Narrative of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England. These fine volumes are very rare First Editions, published in Oxford in 1702. 3 Vols 15.5 x 9.5 x 2.25 inches . Rebound in the 19th centuryRare 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]Saharan Tuareg 'Takouba' Broad Sword with Tooled Leather Scabbard It is a style of sword traditionally associated with the Tuareg, a nomadic people predominantly of Berber origin. The Tuareg long dominated the central and west-central areas of the Sahara desert, including portions of what is now Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, and Morocco, and had a reputation as effective warriors and as highwaymen. Broad fullered blade with crescent armourer's marks. Tooled leather covered scabbard, elaborate belt mounts, and hilt. The sword has a conical pyramid form pommel, straight crossguard with plain cylindrical grip and the whole form is based around the Crusader's swords that were captured in the region in the 12th to 14th centuries. An early 20th century sword in overall good condition for age. 30.5 inch blade, 2 inch wide blade at the ricasso.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.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 highSuper 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, 18th Century Royal Naval Iron Swivel Gun From the Anglo French Wars [in the Americas], the American Revolutionary Wars, to the Battle of Trafalgar period. Made in the traditional form of a British, Royal Navy 'Man o' War' cannon, but smaller, the swivel gun was the smallest form of cannon used on board a Royal Naval Man o'War. Swivel guns are among the smallest types of cannon, typically measuring less than 1 m (3 ft) in length and with a bore diameter of up to 3.5 cm (1¼ in). They can fire a variety of ammunition but were generally used to fire grapeshot and similar types of small-diameter shot, though they could also fire small caliber round shot. They were aimed through the use of a wooden handle, somewhat similar in shape to a baseball bat, attached to the breech of the weapon. Swivel guns served as short-range anti-personnel ordnance. They were not ship-sinking weapons, due to their small calibre and short range, but could do considerable damage to anyone caught in their line of fire.Also due to their relatively small size, swivel guns were highly portable and could be moved around the deck of a ship quite easily (and certainly much more easily than other types of cannon). They could be mounted on the deck railings of a ship, which provided the gunner with a reasonably steady platform from which to fire. Their portability enabled them to be installed wherever they were most needed; whereas larger cannon were useless if they were on the wrong side of the ship, swivel guns could be carried across the deck to face the enemy. This fine piece is 57 cm long, 13cm wide at the breech, 16 cm wide at the trunnions, 9cm wide at the muzzle. 3.5cm.bore to fire a .5 pound or .75 pound ball, Approx 56 lb weight. Our conservator has had to spend over 48 hours cleaning out the bore and the exterior of this cannon but with superb results. Being such a compact size, this wonderful cannon is eminently suitable for interior display, and would make a superb feature for any gentleman's study or office, or in fact any suitable area within any kind of residence, however limited for space. British Man o'War sailing ships like HMS Endeavour, HMS Bounty, and similar, commonly had upward of six such cannon mounted around their gunwale. They were used to signal landing parties etc., also as a defence against pirates or similar 'hostiles', and by flagships to signal other vessels in a fleet. Weighing-in at around 1/2 to 1-cwt, a couple of seamen could ship, or unship, these cannon as & when required.The last photo in the gallery is from a near identical cannon still with it's wrought iron swivel intact, recovered from the 1764 wreck of the Industry, the Royal Navy ship lost off the harbour of St. Augustine, Florida, America, just after the Spanish ceded La Florida to England at the end of the 'seven years' war in America and Europe.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.TaylorUnusual 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.Victorian Lee Metford Bayonet Regimentally marked to the Essex Regiment. Made by Wilkinson. VR Crown stamp to blade. Unusual nickle plated variant.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 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.

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