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Nation : British
Local Price : $4,995.00

Fine Presentation Civil War M1852 Naval Officer’s Sword. Fine quality and condition US M1852 Naval Officer’s Sword made by Clauberg of Solingen and retailed by the famous New York firm of Schuyler, Hartley, & Graham; inscribed on the scabbard throat fitting “Presented to/Capt. E.A. Robinson/from the crew/U.S.S. Wilderness/1864″. Standard pattern with gilt brass hilt featuring pierced foliate decoration and ribbon bearing “USN” on the guard; sharkskin grip with brass wire wrap. Slightly curved 29 ½” single-edged blade with broad and narrow fullers, finely etched over its upper half with foliage, anchor, trident, and “USN” in ribbon on one side and “IRON PROOF”, capstan, stands of arms, and US flag on the other side. Ricasso marked “Clauberg/Solingen in an oval around a standing knight on one side and “SCHUYLER HARTLEY/& GRAHAM/NEW YORK” on the other side. Etching very clear and retains its original frosted finish. Black leather scabbard with brass mounts and double carry rings. Leather flaking but complete and mounts loose due to leather shrinkage. Retains a period gold bullion sword know, likely with it from the beginning (some wear and fading). USS Wilderness Originally built as the “B. N. Creary” in 1864 at Brooklyn, New York she was acquired by the Union Navy on 30 May, 1864 and simultaneously renamed “Wilderness”. She fitted out at the New York Navy Yard and was commissioned on 20, July 1864, being immediately assigned to the 2nd Division of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. After serving briefly at Hampton Roads and the James River she was sent to the North Carolina coast where she was fitted with four 24-pounders in October, 1864. She went into action almost immediately and on the night of 31 October while patrolling off New Inlet, North Carolina, pursued and captured the British blockade runner “Annie”. In December she participated in the attacks on Ft. Fisher where she assisted in the failed attempt to breach the fort by towing the sidewheel steamer “Louisiana” filled with explosives near the fort’s walls. The ship exploded as planned but had little effect. On January 13, 1865 “Wilderness” brought troops to within 500 yards of the shore where they were loaded on boats for the final assault on Ft. Fisher. She was decommissioned on 10 June 1865 and transferred to the Treasury Department and served as a revenue cutter in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1873 she was renamed “John A. Dix” and was eventually sold in 1891.

Nation : British
Local Price : £4,850.00

English 1796 blue and Gilt Lord Hills No1 Leominster Masonic Sword. £ 4,850.00 English 1796 blue and Gilt Lord Hill No1 Leominster Masonic Sword. Brass hilt with leather grip secured by twisted gilt wire. Slightly curved 1796 blue and gilt cavalry blade decorated with several masonic symbols please see images, plus two banners the first detailing – Friendship Love and True, the second – Lord Hills No1 Leominster. The blue and gilt has age wear but all the detail is visible, overall length 32.75 inch the blade 28.25 inches. Notes – The name Lord Hill does have a famous connection to UK Freemasonry, but it is located a bit further north in Shropshire, not Leominster. Lieutenant-General Rowland Hill the 1st Viscount Hill was a celebrated Napoleonic War hero and a dedicated Freemason. The foundation stone of the massive Lord Hill Column in Shrewsbury was laid in full masonic order by the Salopian Lodge No. 262 in 1814 Completed in June 1816 the Column was erected in honour of the Right Honourable Rowland Lord Hill, Baron of Almarez in Spain, and of Hawkstone and Hardwick Grange, Shropshire; Commander-in-Chief of the British Army a General in the Army; Governor of Plymouth, and Colonel of the Horse Guards Blue. Born at Prees Hall, near Hawkstone in April 1772, Lord Hill fought alongside the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo.

Nation : British
Local Price : £4,800

An English Civil War Period Dish Hilted Military Officer’s Raper dating to 1620 to 1650. A beautifully chiselled English Dish Hilted Rapier dating to the second quarter of the 17 th century and the early period of the English Civil War. The double-edged blade is intended for thrusting and cutting, which suggests the rapier was made for generalist military use rather than as a specialist duelling weapon which required a longer blade. The hilt is made in the traditional English manner boldly chiselled with panels of scrolls, foliage and human faces. The hilt is mounted with a convex dish shaped guard. The outside is superbly chiselled in raised relief. Each half is cut as an oval shield joined at the tang aperture. The spaces between the shields are decorated with fern-like shapes. The edges of the shields are bordered with a frame of dotted squares inside a lined border. To the left and right inside each shield two male heads with mustaches and pointed beards obliquely face each other separated by a further fern-like panel. Each head is surrounded by foliate tendrils. The blade ricasso is secured in a rectangular solid quillon block decorated with vertical grooves and pointed langets at the base. Two boldly formed quillons emanate front and back and terminate in vertically counter-curved flattened terminals strengthened by secondary bars which extend from the brim of the dish guard beneath. The knucklebow emerges horizontally from the quillon block above the front quillon and extends upwards in a bold curve which terminates in a flattened triangular section bent to the vertical, pierced and screwed to the pommel. The knucklebow is flatly swollen in the middle with a fern-like feature on each side. Two horizontal side guard bars are attached to the brim by two short curled bars and extend upwards to join the knuckle bow just below the middle swelling to strengthen the hilt structure. These side bars are also swollen in the middle with fern-like features similar to those on the knucklebow. The solid pear-shaped pommel has an integral flared neck beneath and a ribbed button on top from which cut lines extend to below the middle of the pommel and section the surface into four quarters each infilled with further fern-like designs. The underside is decorated with incised lines which radiate upwards from the neck. The wooden grip is of baluster shape and of rounded oval cross section, tightly bound with twisted counter-curved copper wire ropes with thinner threads between. Woven copper wire “Turks’ Heads” are mounted top and bottom. A tightly fitting rectangular aperture in the centre of the dish guard accommodates the blade ricasso. Part of the ricasso protrudes through after which the tapering blade is of double edged lenticular section to the tip. It has a pronounced central fuller extending from the hilt for 10 inches (25.5 cm) from the hilt on each side. The blade is 35.75 inches (91 cm) long and overall the rapier is 43.25 inches (110 cm) long. Whilst conforming to common styles, compared to other contemporary types of English sword, English rapiers show more variety of form and the many surviving examples are to varying degrees unique. Some similar examples to this rapier are illustrated in Stuart Mowbray’s “British Military Swords – Volume One: 1600 to 1660”, Mowbray Publishing, 2013, pages 254 to 282. See particularly page 260, 262, 263, 264, 266 and 267 This is a pleasing example of an English rapier. It has a fine grey “salt and pepper” aged condition and is finely balanced in hand. --> --> Gallery

Nation : British
Local Price : £4,750.00

**QUALITY**MINT RIFLED BORES**C1780 Cased, Pair Of English John Twigg & John Bass London .577 Regulation Calibre Cavalry Officer’s Private Purchase Carbine Flintlock Pistols Retailed In France By Pirmet Paris & Period Converted To Percussion &accessories. 22967:2 John Bass was a London based gunsmith. He worked between 1761 & 1794 at his workshop located at 19 Green Park Row, Piccadilly, London and was in partnership for a while with the renowned English Gunsmith John Twigg. Bass partnered with his father-in-law John Twigg, himself considered one of the most talented gun makers of the era, to form Twigg & Bass in the 1780s and continued to work under his own name after Twigg's death circa 1790. Twigg & Bass are known to have produced high end flintlock pistols including pocket, coach, and duelling pistols. This is an excellent pair of percussion Carbine pistols by Twigg & Bass made C1780 retailed in France By Pirmet Paris (most likely François Pirmet recorded in Paris 1779–1818) and later period converted to percussion. These convertible Carbine pistols were popular private purchase weapons favoured by Cavalry Officers. They would originally have been issued with removable shoulder stocks so they could be used as either holster pistols or carbines carried in saddle buckets. Originally the pistols would have been supplied in a larger case to accommodate each pistols shoulder stock. These carbine pistols are without their shoulder stocks and are contained in a period fitted case, possibly when period converted to percussion and has all original accessories. The pistols have all original walnut full stocks with chequered grip panels and carved butts. The back of each grip is slotted for shoulder stock attachment. They have 9” sighted octagonal Damascus steel barrels (14 ½” overall). They have blued foliate decorated trigger guards with extended tangs and pineapple finials & Dolphin hammers. The action plates of each pistol are signed ‘Twigg & Bass’. The top of each barrel are signed ‘Twigg & Bass London’. One barrel flat of each pistol is signed ‘Carabine Par’ (Carbine By) and another of each pistol ‘Pirmet A Paris’. Each barrel has crisp English black powder proofs. Both pistols are complete with their original wood ram rods with steel tips and end caps. The rifled bores of each barrel are near mint clean & bright with well defined rifling. Their cocking & firing actions and safety bolts work crisply. The pistols are complete with their fitted wood case. The case with hinged lid has its original lock with key that locks the case correctly, folding brass carry handle and brass hook fasteners. The interior of the case is lined in felt and has compartments contoured to snugly fit the pistols and their accessories which include a copper and brass powder flask, a steel WD (War Dept) marked bullet mould, a wood cleaning rod with brass tip, a wood handled tool and Joyce & Co London labelled percussion cap tin which contains a quantity of percussion caps. The price for this quality pair of cased carbine pistols includes UK delivery. NB as antique percussion weapons no licence is required to own these pistols in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 22967:2

Nation : British
Local Price : £4750.00

A Stunning, Historical, Napoleonic War’s Period, 1796 Pattern Officer's Combat Sword of William A. Cuninghame, of the 95th. It’s rarity value is due to both it’s known specific history to a Napoleonic Wars family member and it’s condition. With superb provenance, that is very rare to survive. He was the father of Capt William Cuninghame Cuninghame, hero of the 79th Foot in the Crimean War, and brother of Capt. Thomas Cuninghame of the 45th Foot. One of all three original family swords, owned and used in combat by William Cunningham senior, all with their own built in provenance, from the world renown British Army, serving in the 95th, 45th and the 79th Regiments. All three were acquired, then expertly conserved by us. They were obtained by us from a direct line family descendant, still possessor of the same family name, and they are all all offered for sale by us separately, but the light infantry sabre of the 45th regiment is now sold. A super, antique and historical, officers combat sword of his ancestor, who fought with distinction in the Napoleonic Wars era. Each sword is engraved with the family name, crest, and motto. This sword, belonged to William Alexander, Cuninghame, who joined his regiment as a junior officer in April 1813, and served as an officer in the 95th regt., Another sword belonged, and was used, by Thomas Cuninghame, William Alexander's elder brother, who served in the 45th regt., both used by them in the Napoleonic Wars, and a basket hilted broadsword which we have also fully conserved, that was used by William Alexander Cuninghame's son, Capt. William Cuninghame Cuninghame, in the Crimean War. According to family record, W.A.Cuninghame while serving with his regiment was wounded in Guadaloupe in 1814, but this may well have been early 1815, during the British invasion to retake the island in Napoleon's Hundred Days period. The Hundred Days war was so called after Napoleon returned from exile in Elba, reformed his army, declared war on the allies, and that culminated in the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium, Wellington's great victory and Napoleon's final defeat. The 1796 Pattern British Infantry Officers Sword was carried by officers of the line infantry in the British Army between 1796 and the time of its official replacement with the gothic hilted sword in 1822. This period encompassed the whole of the Napoleonic Wars. The Napoleonic Wars, was a series of wars between Napoleonic France and shifting alliances of other European powers that produced a brief French hegemony over most of Europe. Along with the French Revolutionary wars, the Napoleonic Wars constitute a 23-year period of recurrent conflict that concluded only with the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon’s defeat by Wellington, and thus his subsequent second abdication on June 22, 1815. It is interesting that statistically Napoleon had fought and won more battles than the worlds next three great military commanders combined, however, despite his obvious genius he never actually won a war, and Wellington had never lost one. France had a population of 27,350,000 in 1801 as opposed to Great Britain’s 10,942,146, outnumbering Britain almost three to one, and France had gained much territory warfare since 1792. However, a significant advance in economic strength was to enable Great Britain to wage war against this formidable adversary and to achieve the “miracles of credit” whereby foreign military assistance could be subsidized. The French, whose manufactures progressed less dramatically than the British and whose seaborne trade had been strangled by the superior nature of Britain’s navy, found it impossible to raise funds commensurate with their aggressive policy in Europe, so that Napoleon had to rely on the spoils of conquest and looting to supplement the deficiencies of French finance. As a matter of course, Wellington had forbade his armies to engage in looting of any kind, upon penalty of severe flogging or worse. The Napoleonic Wars The Napoleonic Wars were massive in their geographic scope, ranging, as far as Britain was concerned, over all of the five continents. They were massive, too, in terms of expense. From 1793 to the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815 the wars cost Britain more than £1,650,000,000. Only 25 percent of this sum was raised by government loans, the rest coming largely from taxation, not least from the income tax that was introduced in 1798. But the wars were massive most of all in terms of manpower. Between 1789 and 1815 the British army had to expand more than sixfold, to about a quarter of a million men. The Royal Navy, bedrock of British defence of its trade, and empire, grew further and faster still. Before the wars it had employed 16,000 men; by the end of them, it employed more than 140,000. Because there was an acute danger between 1797 and 1805 that France would invade Britain, the civil defense force also had to be expanded. The militia was increased, and by 1803 more than 380,000 men were acting as volunteers in home-based cavalry and infantry regiments. In all, one in four adult males in Britain may have been in uniform by the early 19th century. This sword’s design was introduced by General Order in 1796, replacing the previous 1786 Pattern. It was similar to its prececesor in having a spadroon blade, i.e. one straight, flat backed and single edged with a single fuller on each side. The hilt gilt brass with a knucklebow, vestigial quillon and a twin-shell guard somewhat similar in appearance to that of the smallswords which had been common civilian wear until shortly before this period. The pommel was urn shaped and, in many later examples, the inner guard was hinged to allow the sword to sit against the body more comfortably and reduce wear to the officer's uniform.

Nation : British
Local Price : £4,500.00

An Early Flintlock Blunderbuss by W. Brazier, London.. An Early Flintlock Blunderbuss by W. Brazier, London. With three-stage brass barrel swelling at the muzzle, stamped at the breech with London proofs and Braziers own mark, plain steel tang, border engraved ‘banana’ lock-plate stamped with makers name, cock decorated en suite, full-stocked in walnut (slither repair at the muzzle end) with raised moulding around the tang and swelling around the ram-rod opening, engraved brass mounts comprising foliate engraved side-plate, flat butt plate nailed in, plain trigger guard and turned ramrod pipes, with what appears to be original brass tipped ramrod. Brazier William. Apprenticed to Edmund Weston, 1702; free of Gun Makers Co., 1711. At the Royal Oak, Minors, 1717. Reprimanded for selling ‘Two Pattern Guns to Mr Farmer in Birmingham to ye prejudice of the Trade’, 1721. Elected Assistant, 1723; Master, 1730, 1747. Gunmaker, Minors, near Tower Hill, 1736. Contractor to Ordnance, 1714-15. Last reference 1753. Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA. Dimensions: Bore: n/a Barrel Length: 13.75 Inches (17.78 cm) Overall Length: 28.5 Inches (36.83 cm)

Nation : British
Local Price : £4,500.00

A Brass Barrelled Flintlock Blunderbuss by H.W. Mortimer, London, Circa 1780.. A Brass Barrelled Flintlock Blunderbuss by H.W. Mortimer, London, Circa 1780. With belled brass barrel, engraved ‘HAPPY IS HE THAT ESCAPES ME’ around the muzzle, and engraved ‘H.W. MORTIMER LONDON, GUN MAKER TO HIS MAJESTY’ along the top flat and stamped with London proofs and Mortimers barrel smith mark, steel tang fitted with bayonet release catch, stepped bevelled lock signed ‘H.W. MORTIMER’ fitted with sliding safety catch and decorated with foliage, full-stocked in walnut, brass mounts comprising engraved brass escutcheon, engraved butt plate and three-screw side-plate engraved with martial trophy, and trigger guard with pineapple finial, and brass ramrod pipes with horn tipped ramrod (some damage to head). MORTIMER Harvey Walklate Son of Samuel Mortimer, born 1753. Apprenticed to father, 1772; free of Farriers Co., 1782; elected Assistant, 1807. Gunmaker, at Mr Greens ironmonger, 6 Kings Street., Lincolns Inn Fields, 1779; 89 Fleet Street., 1782-99. Appointed Gunmaker to George III, 1783. Contractor to East India Co., 1796-1806. Specialised in repeating pistols and gold mounted guns for the Eastern market. Advertised For the Inspection of the Curious, just finished, Three pair of Elegant Pistols, mounted in solid gold value 547 intended as a present to a foreign Prince, 1784 (Morning Herald, 20 August). Registered mark as small worker at Goldsmiths Hall, 1798. Made gold-mounted firearms set with diamonds for the U.S. Government as present for Bey of Tunis, 1801-2. Member of Law Association Volunteers, provided their muskets, 1803. His own musket in Inns of Court Museum, London. Became H. W. Mortimer, Son & T. Mortimer. Retired, 1811. Died 1819. Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. Dimensions: Bore: N/A Barrel Length: 14 Inches (35.56 cm) Overall Length: 29.5 Inches (74.93 cm)

Nation : Unknown
Local Price : £4,500.00

A Crisp D.B. Flintlock Sporting Gun. A D.B. Flintlock Sporting Gun by Brasher of London. Expertly reconverted to flintlock. With sighted browned double barrels, engraved ‘JOHN BRASHER – CAROLINE STREET’ with single platinum line breech block, profusely engraved tang cut with a sighting groove, stepped bevelled lock, signed beneath the pans, cocks engraved en suite, half-stocked in walnut cut with chequering at the grip, engraved steel mounts comprising butt plate, scrolling trigger guard, with brass tipped ramrod. BRASHER John Gun & Pistol Maker, Birmingham, 1807-31. Marked guns ‘LONDON’. Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA. Dimensions: Bore: Barrel Length: Overall Length:

Nation : British
Local Price : £4,500

An English Silver Hilted Officer’s Sabre by John Carman (II) of London with hallmarks for 1754 / 1755.. This fine officer’s sabre was once part of the Lattimer Collection and is published in Daniel D Hartzler “Silver Mounted Swords – The Lattimer Family Collection”, 2000, Josten’s Printing Company, fig 130, page 68. An old collection reference number is painted in white on the blade near the hilt. See also the same sabre illustrated in Daniel D Hartzler, American Silver-Hilted and Early Federal Swords According to Their Geographical Areas of Mounting, Volume II, 2015, in the section on “Imported Swords”, fig 625, page 690. The hilt and curved fullered blade are of British mid-18th century individual proto-military / regulation type. The hilt is formed from a base made as a convex heart shaped dish with a strengthened brim from which the knuckle bow rises to a swollen hook terminal which fixes into the pommel front. The knucklebow is supported by a single scrolling secondary guard bar which protects the outside of the right hand of the user. The globose pommel has an integral button on top and a pronounced neck beneath. The baluster shaped grip is covered with a decorous binding consisting of different thicknesses of straight and roped silver wire. The grip has a cone-shaped ferrule at its base. The dish guard has a wristguard with a swollen downward facing terminal. The knucklebow is clearly stamped with London hallmarks and the stamp of John Carman. The curved blade has a short ricasso and a broad central fuller extending for most of the blade length with a narrower fuller underneath the spine of the blade for almost the same length. The John Carman that made this hilt was the second cutler and silversmith of that name working in London in the first half of the 18th century. His father was the first who died in 1741. John Carman (II) was born in 1721 / 2 and was indentured to his father for seven years from 1736. He was sworn free by servitude of the Cutlers’ Company in 1743 and registered his first maker’s mark at Goldsmith’s Hall in London in 1748. John Carman (II) was a successful businessman and sword maker. He rose through the ranks of the Cutlers’ Company to become Master for 1761-2. He died in 1764. The length of the blade is 31.25 inches (79.5 cm). The overall length is: 37.25 inches (94.5 cm). The hilt of this sabre is somewhat similar in structure to a more complex and decorous silver spadroon hilt by the same maker hallmarked for 1755 / 1756 which sold at Bruneau Auctions in their sale of April 9th, 2022 lot, 82 (hammer price $10,000). --> --> Gallery

Nation : Russian
Local Price : £4,500.00

Russian Bardiche, 17th Century. Origin: Russian Tsardom, Culture: Russian, Period: 17th Century. A 17th century Russian Bardiche polearm, carried by Russia's Streltsy, the semi-professional musketeer corps established under Ivan IV in the 1550s. The bardiche's long, sweeping axe blade served a dual purpose: a close-combat weapon and a functional rest for steadying heavy matchlock and flintlock muskets during volle

Nation : -
Local Price : £4495.00

Flintlock Holster Pistols by Griffin, Superb. Ref 9291. A Superb Pair of Flintlock Holster Pistols by Griffin. 14 ½” overall, 8 ¾” 16 bore tapering round sighted barrels, signed within an engraved border along the top ‘GRIFFIN LONDON’, & stamped with London proofs & Foreigners marks at the breech, profusely engraved steel tangs, rounded border engraved locks signed ‘GRIFFIN’ cocks decorated en suite, with rare set triggers. Full stocked in walnut with raised mouldings around the locks & the tangs, gilt silver pierced side plates depicting foliage, foliate escutcheons with the original owners crest, silver grotesque masks stamped with hallmarks & turned silver ramrod pipes. Both pistols have steel trigger guards decorated with a chiselled flower head on the bow & shell-like finials. Circa 1760 Pistols in good, crisp untouched condition overall. One pistol with old repair at frizzen. The pistols are accompanied with what appear to be original rare leather frizzen protectors. Benjamin Grffin, shop in Bond Street, London. One of the early makers of double barrel pistols & fowling pieces. Made flintlock pocket & holster pistols with silver mountings, also double barrelled, side-by-side, flintlock pistols with two hammers & two triggers. The name became Griffin & Tow from 1773 to 1796, continuing on Bond Street. Made cannon barrel flintlock pocket pistols & silver mounted flintlock holster pistols. Also brass barrelled flintlock blunderbusses. Benjamin Griffin apprenticed to Samuel Harrison, 1719; gave up apprentice and worked as Foreign gunmaker allowed to prove guns by Gunmakers Co., 1724-31. Told to give up work by Gunmakers CO., but traded as gunmaker (Successor to Samuel Garrison), Bond St., 1735-70. Registered silversmiths mark, Goldsmiths Hall, 1743. With son, Joseph, took out Sun Ins. (No. 159594)on goods at Cross & Griffin, New Bond Street., 1757. Died 1770. Joseph Son of Benjamin. Apprenticed to Samuel Blanckley, turned over to father, 1741; free of Gunmakers CO., 1750. Proof piece and mark 1759. Elected Assistant, 1759; Master, 1762, 1763. Appointed Gentlemen Armourer to His Majesty’s Stables-in-Ordinary, 1760. Gunmaker to His Majesty near the Duke of Graftons, Bond Street., 1763. In partnership with father until 1770, then with John Tow, 1772-82. Died in 1784. Succeeded by John Tow.

Nation : -
Local Price : £4495.00

Dussage Horsemans Sword, rare. Ref X3614. A Rare Dussage Horseman’s Sword. 38” overall, 32” curved, single & false-edged blade, with triple fuller, remains of engravings of Sun in Splendour and Moors head at the forte. Probably Solingen manufacture. Iron hilt, small clam shell guard on one side, ‘S’ shaped counter curved parry quillon & guard, both ending in a buttoned sphere, a ring for the thumb & a guard ring on one side. Grip covered with iron wire binding and with thin, brass wire Turk’s heads. Flattened ovoid pommel. Circa 1570-1600 A fine purposeful sword in good condition, attributed to early Germanic or Hungarian horsemen, also known as ‘Scottish Sinclair Swords’ as used by Scottish mercenaries in the early 1600's. Dussage, dusack or dussack from Czech tesák meaning "cleaver; hunting sword". (lit. "fang") is a single edged sword of the cutlass or sabre type, in use as a side arm in Germany and the Habsburg monarchy during the 16th to 17th centuries,

Nation : -
Local Price : £4,450

A Fine Pair of Officers Flintlock Pistols by Theophilus Richards dating the First Quarter of the 19th Century. Theophilus Richards was one of the most successful, influential and talented gunmakers of the early 19 th century who helped strengthen the position of Birmingham as a major gunmaking centre for the British Empire. He is recorded as manufacturing guns under his own name by 1799 and retired from his businesses in 1825. These pistols are in near mint condition and of fine quality. The stocks are of walnut and the mounts of iron and steel which retain remnants of original blued finish. The tapering, round section, smooth 28 bore browned barrels are stamped with the maker’s name THEOPS RICHARDS on the flattened tops near the breech and with Birmingham proof marks underneath. Each is mounted with fore and rear sights. The barrel tangs are engraved with chevrons and a shield. The flat, stepped, bordered lock plates are engraved on the nippled tails in similar manner to the barrel tangs. The maker’s mark in similar form to its appearance on the barrels is clearly stamped underneath the pans. The flat, bevelled, swan necked cocks have chamfered edges bordered with engraved lines and strands of foliage in the middle. The frizzens are engraved in peascod style to the outsides and the frizzen springs are roller mounted. The trigger guards are shaped with pineapple finials and engraved on the bows with shields and foliage similar to the barrel tangs and lock plate tails. The ramrod mounts are finely shaped and bordered in similar style to the cocks. All of the major screws are engraved with starbursts. The full walnut stocks have finely chequered grips. The ebony ramrods are tipped with horn and one is mounted with a steel worm. A small silver escutcheon is mounted onto the spine of each butt engraved with the monogram “CF” in each case. The condition of the pistols is excellent, almost mint. There are a few minor dents on the reverse sides of the stocks with a couple of very minor stress cracks on one side. The stocks retain an attractive auburn colour to the grain. The iron furniture is in fine condition with the remains of original blued finish in places. The barrel browning is near complete. The locks are in fine symmetrical working order and the mainsprings and frizzen springs are of equal tension. The barrels are just over 7.5 inches long (19.5 cm) and overall measured diagonally extremity to extremity the pistols are 13.5 inches (34.25 cm) long. The father of Theophilus was Thomas Richards who died in 1779, a successful businessman that owned gunmaking and other concerns in Birmingham. He is the originator of the fortunes of the celebrated Richards family. Thomas traded overseas and like most gunmakers of this period profited from the American War of Independence and the slave trade in Africa. He influenced the development of the gunmaking trade in Birmingham. He was a member of a delegation from Birmingham in 1759 that visited Wales to look into the quality of iron produced for their goods. A Thomas Richards was interred at St. Philip’s Cathedral Church in Birmingham in 1779 and is supposed to be the father of Theophilus. Theophilus had worked with his father and took over his businesses, probably continuing to manufacture and trade in his father’s name, for the next 20 years until he changed the name of the firm. Theophilus was manufacturing guns in his own name by 1799. At this time he was 52 years old and undoubtedly already an established gunmaker. He held a Royal contract for the manufacture of arms for the British Army. Unlike many other gunsmith businesses, which assembled separate parts made in different workshops in Birmingham, the Richards’ family always had their own gunmaking factories on High Street. Hence, we can be reasonably sure that the pistols featured here were made “lock, stock and barrel” by the Richards business rather than produced as an assembly of contracted parts. The works that belonged to Theophilus was called “The Royal Patent Waterproof Gun Manufactory”, indicating the continuing interest the family had in developing patents for the improvement of guns. As a wealthy merchant Theophilus played his part in the expansion of Birmingham town. In 1803 he was High Bailiff of Birmingham and in 1808 he sat on a committee with Boulton, Watt and the politician, Thomas Attwood, dealing with new waterworks for Birmingham. His will shows that he invested in canal shares, as did most of Birmingham’s wealthier citizens. An important gunmaker during the Napoleonic Wars he was respected by the Duke of Wellington for the quality of his muskets. At some time Theophilus moved to Edgbaston in the outskirts of Birmingham where he is recorded in 1815. Edgbaston at the time was described as a place of fine villas built for rich merchants. The gun business of Theophilus was most likely absorbed into that of his son William Westley Richards, either upon his retirement, or on his death in 1828, thus opening a new chapter of gunmaking in Birmingham. Theophilus was a well-connected man when he died. Executors of his will included Thomas Westley Oldham, who was High Sheriff of Leicester. A monument was erected in St Philip’s in memory of Theophilus. --> --> Gallery

Nation : British
Local Price : £4,450

A Rare mid 17th century Silver Encrusted English Transitional Rapier / Small Sword. A fine and attractive English Transitional Rapier / Small Sword with a blackened and silver encrusted hilt dating to the second quarter / mid part of the 17th century. This rare type of hilt decoration was reserved for the nobility and gentry as contemporary portraits show. Many surviving examples are in institutional collections and those still in private hands rarely come up for sale. The iron surfaces of the hilt have been delicately chiselled into linear patterns, designs and shapes, including winged cherubs’ heads in raised relief. The hilt has then been blackened and the raised shapes and other features encrusted with silver highlighted by lines of individually applied minute silver dots which markedly contrasts with the blackened background to give a striking appearance. This decorative technique required more time, skill and silver than was needed in standard contemporary silver gilding and was much more expensive to carry out. The technique was only applied to the best manufactured English swords of the time including rapiers, riding swords, pillow swords, robe swords, basket hilted swords and to transitional swords like that described here, which is the only surviving example that we are aware of finished in this manner. The technique seems to have arrived in England in the late 16th century from Europe and tailed off in the Restoration period. At this time transitional swords like this one were replacing rapiers in popularity and eventually evolved into silver hilted small swords of distinctly English type in the later 17th century. The salient feature of the hilt is the asymmetrical convex double shell guard. Each shell has a reinforced rim which is knopped in the middle in the same style as English Walloon Swords of the time. The middle of each shell on each side is centred with a silver spray with a cherub’s head in the middle of which one is missing and the others now worn. Each side of the spray the shells are finely pierced with deliberate patterns of tiny holes highlighted by silver dotted lines imbetween. The well formed pas d’ ane rings are also highlighted with silver dotted lines as are the countercurved quillons which terminate in swellings of hexagonal cross section and small button endings. The bold rectangular section quillon block is finished with four vertical flutes on each side. The ridges are highlighted with lines of silvered dots similar to those already mentioned and the grooves between are highlighted with more widely spaced larger dots. The ricasso has a ridged neck above also decorated with dots on which the base of the grip sits. The solid oval pommel is vertically fluted and decorated in the same manner as the quillon block. It has an integral waisted button on top and a flared neck beneath which also has evidence of silvered dots. The attractive rounded rectangular section baluster shaped wooden grip is mounted with woven copper wire “Turks’ Heads” top and bottom between which a sophisticated and attractive binding of twisted roped copper wire of varying thicknesses is applied. The fine quality tapering blade is of stiff flattened lenticular section and has a short ricasso. It is 32.25 inches (82.0 cm) long with a deeply cut central fuller on each side which tapers from the ricasso to a shallow point after 7.5 inches (19 cm) inside which the bladesmith’s mark INNI ET MVRI is incised. As well as being a fine English sword it provides a reference example of early 17th century English silver on-lay techniques. The sword is in fine condition with some minor wear to the silver on-lay in parts. --> --> Gallery

Nation : Italian
Local Price : £4,400

An Italian Snaphaunce Pistol dating to circa 1680 to 1700. An attractive and sumptuously engraved late 17th century Italian Snaphaunce Pistol mounted with an artistically engraved lock, a full tiger stripe stock and finely decorated iron mounts. The three stage barrel is 11.25 inches (28.5 cm) long and of octagonal section at the the breech for 3 inches (7.5 cm) then of rounded section thereafter to the muzzle. The flat lock plate is finely engraved with scrolls and foliage. The cock is formed with a comb and a dolphin at the neck. The domed head of the screw central to the cock is chiselled in the shape of a human face. The frizzen arm is shaped as the head of a dog. A pierced escutcheon centred with a bust is attached to the upper wrist. The nicely shaped trigger guard is also centred with the bust of a man. The trigger is scrolled backwards and of early form as is the barrel tang screw which enters the stock in front of the trigger with the blunt end terminating flush with the tang top. The butt cap has a further bust in the centre and is engraved with a green man mask on each side from which two long spurs emanate towards the lock and sideplate. The finely figured full tiger stripe stock is complete and whole other than a small repair at the butt end either side of the trigger guard terminal. It has a raised moulding at the ramrod step. The ramrod tubes are cut with raised bands. The horn tipped ramrod has a screw terminal. The stock is mounted with a foliate pierced sideplate also featuring the head of a beast. A sturdy belt hook is screwed into the side plate attached by a screw through the finial. Overall length 17 inches (43 cm). --> --> Gallery

Nation : British
Local Price : £4,350

An early 18th century Scottish Basket Hilted Sword. A robust and finely forged Scottish basket hilted sword dating to circa 1720 to 1730. The sword is of fine quality and was probably made for a middle ranking member of Scottish Highland clan society. The hilt is typical of those made in Scotland for Highlanders between the Jacobite Rebellions of 1715 / 1719 and that of 1745. As such it dates to the final years of independent clan social structure in the Highlands before it was dismantled by the British government after the failure of the 1745 Rebellion. The fully developed iron basket guard is forged from robust rounded structural bars with the spaces between infilled with traditional pierced and engraved panels. The two main guard panels to the front are decorated with vertical and horizontal border lines incised into the exterior surfaces towards the panel edges to form squares. Inside these squares a circle is pierced into the centre surrounded by four pierced flanged hearts with circles in the corners. Each outside edge is symmetrically fretted to give a stylish decorative appearance. The more slender, secondary guard plates to the sides, and the knucklebow plate at the front, are decorated with two circles in the middle, with a flanged heart above and below, enhanced with decorative vertical lines, the central one being wider then the rest, and a lateral groove, flanked by thinner incised lines at the base. The outside edges are symmetrically fretted in a similar manner to the edges of the frontal panels. The hilt structure is strengthened by a merlon at the base of each side plate with a shaped middle finial decoratively grooved in a fan-like manner. The basket is mounted with looped guard bars to the front and a curled wrist guard emanates from the rear quillon. The guard arms converge into three terminals at the top which fit into a chiselled groove which extends for the full circumference of the pommel just below its middle to secure the structure. The dome-shaped pommel has four sets of grooves which radiate from the pommel top to its edge each flanked by thinner incised lines. The middle groove is decorated with equally spaced dots. The spirally grooved wooden baluster shaped grip is of rounded rectangular section and covered with shagreen. It was once bound with twisted wire which is now missing but the imprint remains. The grip retains its iron ferrules top and bottom which are decoratively fretted on the inside edges in much the same manner as the guard plate edges. The hilt retains its thick leather liner. The tapering single edged blade has been fashioned from an earlier high quality broader triple fullered double edged 17th century blade. One of the edges has been reduced to create a back edge. This is not unusual and seems to have been a fashion in early 18th century Scotland to re-purpose earlier blades in this manner as back sword blades increased in popularity in both civilian and military circles. The blade retains a bladesmith’s mark of a copper inlaid orb and cross stamped on each side which indicates that the blade was made in the German blade making centre of Solingen. The blade is 34 inches (84 cm) long. The fullers extend for circa 7 inches (18 cm) from the hilt. The overall length in 39.25 inches (99.5 cm). The sword is in original condition in that the hilt furniture of grip, liner and ferrules, are most likely those mounted onto the sword when it was first made. The age to the iron surface of the inside of the basket guard also shows original antiquity. It would appear that the sword acquired some surface rust over the years since it was laid away and the outside has been cleaned at some time leaving a “salt and pepper” lightly pitted texture to the surface. The deep nicks towards the end of the blade is evidence of intense combat use. For similar contemporary swords see Cyril Mazansky, “British Basket-Hilted Swords”, The Boydell Press, 2005. --> --> Gallery

Nation : British
Local Price : £4,250

An English Civil War Period Mortuary Sword Circa 1640-1660. An attractive English “Mortuary” sword with a pierced and chased hilt dating to the middle part of the 17th century and the English Civil War and Protectorate periods. The hilt is of typical form consisting of a broad boat-shaped guard plate from which three curved primary guard bars, the knuckle bow and two side guard bars, extend upwards ending in flattened angled terminals screwed through eyelets into the pommel with loop headed screws. Two downward facing secondary guard bars emanate from each side of the knuckle bow near its middle and join the base of each side guard bar to strengthen the structure. The guard plate is covered with chiselled decoration to the outside consisting of a roundel surrounding the tang aperture engraved with foliage. The roundel is surrounded by a band pierced and chiselled inside with wigged heads at each quarter separated by pierced designs of foliage and the heads of beasts. This is surrounded by a plain band. The upturned prow of the guard plate is chiselled with scales. The secondary guard bars to the front are chiselled with simple linear features to the middles. The pommel is globular in shape and has an integral button on top and a pronounced flared neck beneath. It is also chiselled with four wigged heads separated by foliate panels. The spirally grooved wooden grip is wrapped with different thicknesses of twisted steel wire and has steel woven “Turks’ Heads mounted top and bottom. The grip base sits on an iron flanged plug mounted onto the inside of the guard plate from which two langets extend through the tang aperture to flank the blade either side for a short distance from the hilt. The single-edged blade has a pronounced ricasso extending for 1.5 inches (4 cm) from the hilt. At the front a deep narrow fuller runs from the hilt underneath the blunt edge of the ricasso on the cutting side of the blade. At the back a fuller runs from the hilt underneath the spine of the blade to a distance of 7 inches (18 cm) from the tip after which the blade is double edged. A further broad shallow fuller runs from the end of the ricasso along the middle of the blade to its tip. A Blade Maker’s stamp of a crown over a crest is applied to one side of the blade in the ricasso. A short distance from the ricasso two counter facing orb and cross marks are applied inside the shallow middle fuller. Between these stamped at the diagonal in capital letters is “CLEMENS” with “SOLIGEN” beneath and “MEFECIT” with “SOLIGEN” beneath enhanced by scrolled engraving. Clearly the blade was made in Solingen by a bladesmith called Clemens. Solingen in Germany was an important manufacturer of blades for use in the English Civil War and huge numbers were imported into Britain during this period for use by both Royalist and Parliamentarian sides. The blade is 32.75 inches long (83 cm) and overall the sword is 39 inches (99 cm) long. For further examples of Mortuary swords see Stuart C Mowbray’s “British Military Swords”, Mowbray Publishing, 2013, in the section dedicated to Mortuary Swords, pages 178 to 225. And see Cyril Mazansky, British Basket Hilted Swords, Boydell Press 2005, Chapter 11, pages 233 to 280. The sword is in good original condition overall with some light “salt and pepper” pitting to the blade. The hilt is firm and in good shape with a couple of small minor cracks and slight damage to one of the pommel screws and one of the eyelets. --> --> Gallery

Nation : French
Local Price : £4250.00

A Fine French Consular Period Sabre of A Cavalry Officer, With 'Marengo' Hilt. A Sabre D'Officier De Cavalrie Legere, By Repute, Said To Be The Privilege of Officer's To Wear That Served At the Battle Of Marengo, Personally, With Napoleon. A very fine and rare example, in very fine condition for age, with a few usual scabbard combat bruises. Modelled after Napoleon’s sabre, re-named by him the Marengo sabre, that he used from the battle of the Nile and at Marengo during his defeat of the Austrians. He presented it to his brother Jerome who was crowned King of Westphalia. Napoleon ordered a sword to be commissioned based on his own sabre and presented it as a Sword of Honour to Captain Blou for his important and vital service at Marengo, and that sword is near identical to this sword that we offer. See photo 10 in the gallery. Napoleon’s Marengo sword was sold at auction in 2007 for $6.5 million dollars. Sabre D'Officier De Cavalrie Legere, 1800 circa, with the 'Marengo' pattern hilt, and double fullered Montmorency pattern blade. A fabulous French Sabre from the French consular period. An original Consular period, 'Marengo' style light cavalry officer's sabre, with very fine and bright Montmorency-style blade one-third beautifully engraved with an incised decoration of weapon trophies and foliage, gilt bronze hilt, mellon pattern pommel, single guard branch with a side engraved with a farandole of foliage, the front side has a V-shaped groove, the rear side has a concave gutter, basal half ear, quillon arched towards the front with button ending, cross hatched carved wooden grip, in its origina sheet brass scabbard, two large brass bands each carrying a supension ring, These styles are said to have gained popularity following Consular Napoleon's victory over the Austrians in Jun 1800 at the Battle of Marengo. French sword cutlers purportedly drew their inspiration from the sabre carried by Napoleon during the campaign. It has been claimed that only officers who had participated in the battle with Napoleon were permitted to carry this style of hilt, although there is no official recognition of this claim. The Battle of Marengo was fought on 14 June 1800 between French forces under the First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte and Austrian forces near the city of Alessandria, in Piedmont, Italy. Near the end of the day, the French overcame General Michael von Melas' surprise attack, drove the Austrians out of Italy and consolidated Bonaparte's political position in Paris as First Consul of France in the wake of his coup d'état the previous November. Bonaparte needed to depart for Paris urgently and the next morning sent Berthier on a surprise visit to Austrian headquarters. Within 24 hours of the battle, Melas entered into negotiations (the Convention of Alessandria) which led to the Austrians evacuating northwestern Italy west of the Ticino, and suspending military operations in Italy. Bonaparte's position as First Consul was strengthened by the successful outcome of the battle and the preceding campaign. After this victory, Napoleon could breathe a sigh of relief. The generals who had been hostile to him could see that his luck had not abandoned him. Thus, he had surpassed Schérer, Joubert, Championnet, and even Moreau, none of whom having been able to inflict a decisive blow on the Coalition. Moreau's victory at Hohenlinden, which was the one that in reality had put an end to the war, was minimised by Bonaparte who, from then on, would pose as a saviour of the fatherland, and even of the Republic. He rejected offers from Louis XVIII, who had considered the Consulate to be a mere transition toward the restoration of the king. Thanks to the victory at Marengo, Napoleon could finally set about reforming France according to his own vision. Napoleon ordered that several ships of the French Navy be named Marengo, including Sceptre (1780), Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1795), Ville de Paris (1851) and Marengo (1810). In 1802, the Marengo department was named in the honour of the battle. Furthermore, Napoleon's mount throughout the battle was named Marengo and further carried the Emperor in the Battle of Austerlitz, Battle of Jena-Auerstedt, Battle of Wagram, and Battle of Waterloo.

Nation : British
Local Price : £4,000

A Rare English Proto-Mortuary Sword of the early 17th century. A rare English sword of “Proto-Mortuary” type dating to the first quarter of the 17 th century. This is a good example mounted with a late 16th / early 17th century multi-fullered single edged blade. The sword is in fine patinated original condition. Meaty weapons like this were primarily manufactured as sidearms for Arquebusiers. As the name suggests, English “Mortuary” Swords, commonly associated with the English Civil War periods, evolved from this earlier sword type. The hilt is typically simple, distinctive and “English” in form, forged from thick flattened iron parts. A broad cross guard is forged on top of a flat oval-shaped guard plate with upturned sides. The rear quillon is formed as a downwardly curled wristguard. Three main structural guard bars extend upwards from the plate, a knuckle bow to the front and two side guards, with flattened angled terminals screwed into the pommel at the top. Two further secondary curled bars emanate from the plate from between the main guard bars and are forged onto the swollen middle of the knuckle bow to strengthen the structure. The guard plate is forged as two scallop shells attached to the cross piece at the middle and at each end where the shell edge meets the rear quillon at the wrist guard and the knucklebow base. The edge of the shell is cut with scallop shapes. From the tang aperture incised lines radiate towards to the rim terminating between the scallops giving a true shell like appearance. The swollen middle to the knuckle bow is finished in a similar manner. The solid pommel is globular in shape and has an integral flat button on top and a pronounced flared neck beneath. The wooden grip is of oval section and spirally grooved bound with thin twisted copper wire and mounted with copper wire “Turks’ Heads” top and bottom. Underneath the spine of the blade four fullers extend from the hilt which are worn away in places. A single fuller extends from the hilt along the blunt edge of the ricasso to the front and terminates where the blade becomes sharp. On one side in the ricasso a blade maker’s mark in the form of two convex crescents facing each other with dots at each extreme is present with a further stamp imbetween. The blade is 32.5 inches long (82.5 cm) and the overall length is 38 inches (96.5 cm). It has a ricasso extending for 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) from the blade. For further examples of similar English swords see Stuart C Mowbray, British Military Swords 1600 to 1660, Mowbray Publishers, 2013, and the examples illustrated in pages 226 – 235. Most of the swords illustrated are similar, and some almost identical to our sword. --> --> Gallery

Nation : British
Local Price : 3995.00 USD

Extremely Rare, Unpublished Dragoon Officer’s Saber By Thomas Gill, C 1785.. Possibly a prototype, experimental or a one off with beautiful, large, cast steel, basket guard and 36” straight blade, bearing “Gill’s Warranted” mark, now worn from many years of polishing. Original fish skin grip with braided brass wire still intact. The uniquely designed basket guard is stunning. It is topped off by a tall pommel with seashell design! If you want one hell of an 18th century British dragoon saber, this is it! Price is firm. Thanks for looking! Be sure to check out our other listings for more rare and important swords! Our direct email address is: fineartlimited@yahoo.com

Nation : Spanish
Local Price : 3995.00 USD

Rare & Important 17th Century Spanish Cup Hilt Rapier / Backsword!. Here is a very rare and early Spanish cup hilt rapier in "untouched" condition (all original) with a beautifully chiseled hilt! Its gadrooned turban pommel has a tall integral capstan that has never been re-peened (so hilt has some looseness – we like it like that as it only attests to the swords purity). Original wound steel grip wire with alternating bands of twisted copper is intact (a tiny old iron staple secures the loose bottom end on reverse). Both ferrules and even both langets are nicely chiseled en-suite with the rest of hilt. The guard-de-pulvo is also decorated in the form of sun rays. The cross guard and knuckle guard are nicely twisted with button terminals. The edge of the cup is chiseled with rope-work as is the bottom of cup! Its 38“ blade is of the back-sword type (Rigid with spine and sharpened on one side only). A great rarity that allows a sturdy thrust and a slashing cut. It is engraved with a cross and geometric designs on both sides that look very Aztec (some wear). Perhaps the designs were engraved in the Americas after the conquest of the Aztec peoples. Possibly owned by a conquistadore in the New World. We can find no other explanation for this. Whatever the case, this sword is a great rarity as far as Spanish cup hilts go. An old collection inventory number is inside the cup. Details of collection will go to purchaser. Price is firm. Thanks for looking! Be sure to check out our other listings for more great swords! Our direct email address is: fineartlimited@yahoo.com

Nation : -
Local Price : £3995.00

Rare 17th Century Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistol by Blanckle. Ref 9267. A Fine Rare 17 th Century Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistol by Blanckle. 15” overall, 7 3/8” two stage copper alloy barrel engraved with acanthus at the flared muzzle & in front of the turned girdle, border engraved octagonal breech becoming polygonal, signed in capitals ‘I. Blanckle’ along the top flat & decorated with strawberry foliage, a line of wrigglework at the rear, & struck with London proof marks & barrelsmith’s mark, probably of John Blanckle, foliate engraved tang , border engraved rounded lock signed in capitals & decorated with strawberry foliage issuing from the mouth of a male profile head, engraved cock. Walnut moulded figured full stock with drop shaped apron around the barrel tang, copper alloy mounts comprising pierced foliate scroll side plate engraved with beadwork, escutcheon engraved with a male portrait bust wearing a cap against a finely dotted ground, rounded pommel cap engraved with a flower head centred on the retaining screw & with a border of repeated foliage, trigger guard with pointed finial & engraved with scrolling foliage issuing from the mouth of a monster head, baluster ramrod pipe, later capped wooden ramrod. Late 17 th century. Blunderbuss of this age are very rare, this example restocked with a later side plate & replaced mainspring, John Blanckle (also Blanckley, Blanckly and Blankley) was apprenticed to Thomas Towle and turned over to Thomas Cox in 1699. He was free of the London Gunmakers’ Company in 1677. He was Contractor to Ordnance between 1682 and 1700, the year of his death. Provenance Professor David Weaver Collection.

Nation : -
Local Price : £3995.00

Flintlock Overcoat Pistols by Barton, Fine & Rare. Ref X3320. A Fine & Rare Pair of Flintlock Overcoat Pistols by Barton. 9 ¼” overall, 5 ½” octagonal sighted 40 bore barrels with silver dovetail foresight, engraved ‘J. Barton London’ in script on the top flat. The bottom flat of the barrel stamped with the London Gunmakers’ Company’s crowned ‘V’ view mark & "I·B” stamp and Irish census marks F4952/3 . Band of engraved fletching at the breech, false breech with band of engraving, ‘V’ rear sight, tang with border line & foliate engraving. Flat bolted border engraved detented locks with engraved wheat ear edge, narrow safety catch, engraved ‘J. Barton’ in script beneath the semi water proof pan, starburst engraved behind the pan, foliate engraved beneath the safety catch and the tip of the tail . Double border line & foliate engraved swan neck cock with top jaws ensuite, engraved cock retaining screw. Double border line engraved back of frizzen with central spine decoration, the tip curved slightly forwards, frizzen spring with roller. Figured walnut full stock, rounded butt chequered with large diamond pattern & small flower heads. Steel mounts comprising trigger guard with decorated edging with flowers & a Union Jack shield design on the bow, trigger plate with pineapple finial, plain trigger guard tang, collared ramrod pipe, single barrel bolt, engraved side nail and side nail cup. Original horn tipped ramrods. Circa 1810 A Fine pair of pistols with some original finish in protected arears. After the partnership of Robert Wogdon and John Barton was mutually dissolved, and Robert Wogdon retired, in 1803, John Barton carried on the business at the same 14 Haymarket address until 1819. His production was limited, both in number and variety, remaining very conservative in style, but the quality of his work was excellent. See John O'Sullivan & De Witt Bailey, ‘Robert Wogdon & Barton, London Gunmakers 1764-1819’, 2019, Page 210 for similar pistols. From The Peter Frazer Collection Previously for sale at £4,950

Nation : -
Local Price : £3995.00

Flintlock Overcoat Pistols by Barton, Fine, Rare. Ref X3318. A Fine & Rare Pair of Flintlock Overcoat Pistols by Barton. 9 ¼” overall, 5” heavy, octagonal sighted 32 bore barrels with silver dovetail foresight, engraved ‘J, Barton London’ in script on the top flat. The bottom flat of the barrel stamped with the London Gunmakers’ Company’s crowned ‘V’ view mark & "I·B” stamp. Band of engraved fletching at the breech, false breech with band of engraving, ‘V’ rear sight, tang with border line & foliate engraving. Flat, stepped bolted border engraved lock, narrow safety catch, engraved ‘Barton’ in script beneath the pan, starburst engraved behind the pan, tail with a band of fletching along the step, foliate engraved beneath the safety catch, the tip of the tail foliate & double border line engraved. Double border line & foliate engraved swan neck cock with, engraved cock retaining screw. Double border line engraved back of frizzen with central spine decoration, the tip curved slightly forwards, frizzen spring with teardrop. Figured walnut full stock, rounded butt. Steel mounts comprising trigger guard with decorated edging with flowers & a Union Jack shield design on the bow, trigger plate with pineapple finial, plain trigger guard tang, collared ramrod pipe, single barrel bolt, engraved sidenail, sidenail cup. Original brass tipped ramrods. Circa 1805 A fine pair of pistols with most original finish remaining. After the partnership of Robert Wogdon and John Barton was mutually dissolved, and Robert Wogdon retired, in 1803, John Barton carried on the business at the same 14 Haymarket address until 1819. His production was limited, both in number and variety, remaining very conservative in style, but the quality of his work was excellent. See John O'Sullivan & De Witt Bailey, ‘Robert Wogdon & Barton, London Gunmakers 1764-1819’, 2019, Page 209 for one of these pistols. From The Peter Frazer Collection Previously for sale at £5,250

Nation : Confederate
Local Price : $3,995.00

Confederate States Armory Cavalry Saber. German immigrant Louis Froelich settled in Wilmington, North Carolina on the eve of the Civil War. In September, 1861, he established the Wilmington Sword Factory in partnership with Hungarian-born Bela Estvan. Shortly afterwards they changed the name to the Confederate States Arms Factory to show their devotion to the fledgling nation and to indicate that they made more than just swords. In March, 1862, Froelich ended his partnership with Estvan. In February of 1863, fire destroyed the Wilmington facility and in March of that year he announced that the armory was being relocated to Kenansville, North Carolina. The new Kenansville factory was raided in July, 1863 by 650 horsemen of the 3 rd New York Cavalry, which reportedly destroyed “some 2500 sabers and large quantities of saber bayonets, bowie knives, and other small-arms”. But Froelich was undeterred and went back to work, continuing to make arms for both the State of North Carolina and the Confederacy. It is estimated that Froelich manufactured as many as 12,000 cavalry sabers of several different styles. The saber offered here features a 35 1/2” single-edged blade with single, broad, unstopped fuller of better quality than found on most other Confederate-made swords. The brass guard differs from other Confederate cavalry sabers in that the two branches of the guard join the knuckle guard at different points, rather than at a single point as found on US sabers. The elliptical guard features the Roman numerals XXVIIII. The distinctive brass pommel is of plain cylindrical form with the top slightly rounded. The original black leather-wrapped grip features 11 turns of single-strand iron wire. Iron scabbard with iron mounts and twin carry rings, retaining remnants of its original red paint (now turned brown). Confederate States Armory cavalry sabers had many variations, both of style and materials. This example being of the most widely known style, featuring the Roman numeral assembly marks on the guard. The iron grip wire and scabbard mounts differed from others of the same style which often used brass, but is totally in line with other known examples. Guard with one bar slightly bent and dark brownish patina; grip wrap showing wear, but complete; blade smooth, with scattered age staining; scabbard with scuffs and some corrosion, its seam being smoother than most other Confederate examples. This type of saber is often called a “Kenansville” cavalry saber, but it could also have been made when the factory was in Wilmington. Overall length 41”, not including scabbard.

Nation : German
Local Price : $3,995.00

Spanish Swept Hilt Rapier, Early 17th C. Featuring hilt of flattened oval bars, comprising large pas d’ane with upturned side-ring extending from its base on the obverse, recurved quillons each widening toward the end, knuckle-guard with bird’s head terminal, faceted fig-shaped pommel with tang button, and octagonal-section grip bound with twisted iron wire and finished with Turk’s heads top and bottom. Slender, 41 1/2″ (105.4 cm) blade of diamond section, with 9″ central fuller stamped “*JOhannes ALIch(?)**” on one side, and “*SOLInGen****” on the other; deeply stamped crown over circle over “T” on the obverse ricasso. These markings are rather confusing, as the ricasso mark is one used by Toledo smiths, not those of Solingen. While there are many German smiths with the first name Johannes (Latin form), none are recorded with last name “ALIch”, or similar. Also, the mixture of uppercase and lower case letters is very unusual, as most blades of the era were stamped with all upper case letters. Since it was common for blade signatures to be faked at the time, it would not be unusual to use several different well-recognized marks to represent quality. Overall length 47 3/4″ (121.3 cm). Metal parts with scattered pitting and even gunmetal gray patina.

Nation : German
Local Price : $3,995.00

Late 16th C Landsknecht Dagger and Scabbard, Probably German. Iron hilt with down-turned lobed guard incised with foliage (brazed copper repair). Ribbed wire-wrapped wood grip broadening toward the pommel and capped with a lobed disc with button; undisturbed peen. Double-edged 11 1/2” diamond-section blade with stamped cross and orb mark on the ricasso. Extremely rare original scabbard made of wood and covered with green textile and decorative pierced sheet iron cover with belt loop; the tip with large ovoid disc and button. Scabbard fitted for side knife, now absent. Blade with scattered pitting and rust marking. Overall length 16”, not including scabbard.

Nation : German
Local Price : $3,995.00

European Shell Guard Rapier, First Half 17th C. Featuring 33″ (83.8 cm) double-edged blade of lens section with twin central full-length fullers, stamped “XIHSX” on both sides in the fullers. Iron hilt with two upturned side rings, each filled with a pierced and embossed shell guard. Decorative chiseled quillon block, reverse quillon with chiseled spherical finial, forward scroll quillon, and knuckle bow with central knob chiseled ensuite. Ovoid pommel with large button, chiseled with human figures, beasts, and grotesque masks in low relief. Wood grip with alternating single-strand and twisted iron wire wrap, and finished with Turks heads top and bottom. Metal with light pitting and rust marking, with gunmetal gray patina; shell guard loose. Overall length 40 1/2″ (103 cm). Unique and attractive rapier. Probably German or Italian. Provenance: The prestigious Russell Char Collection, Las Vegas.

Nation : Unknown
Local Price : £3,950.00

An Incredibly Scarce Flintlock Grenade Launcher.. An Incredibly Scarce Flintlock Blunderbuss Grenade Launcher. With round three-stage cannon barrel, stamped ‘LONDON’ and decorated with foliage at the breech end, interestingly stamped with London proofs and also stamped with later Birmingham proofs (I have not seen this before) plain steel tang (signs of an old repair) stepped bevelled lock, signed ’Stanton’ in script, full-stocked in walnut (old repair to the wrist and above the lock – see pictures) with ‘Elephant and Castle’ escutcheon, foliate engraved butt plate, border engraved trigger guard, turned ramrod pipes, horn tipped ramrod with worm. Stanton Jonathan Apprentice to William Turvey, 1739; free of Gunmakers Co., 1747. Proof piece and mark 1754. Elected Assistant, 1761; Master 1765. Gunmaker, Nephew & Successor to William Turvey, next Furnival Inn, Holborn, from 1748. Died 1766. Dimensions: Bore: N/A Barrel Length: 14 Inches ( Overall Length: 30 inches (

Nation : French
Local Price : £3950.00

A Rare, Absolutely Stunning 1st Empire, Combat, 'Blue. & Gilt' Officer's Sabre of the Legere, Hussards, & Mounted Chasseurs. The Year IX, Circa 1810, Sabre Used by Officers of the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard. The second example of an incredibly rare pair we acquired, but of course swords such as this were never made for combat use in pairs, so we are selling them separately. The first example we offered for sale, a few weeks ago, we immediately sold to a collector from abroad. A fabulous Ist Empire deluxe quality Light Cavalry officer's 'blue and gilt' sabre with three bar guard hilt called "Hunter-style". Maker marked blade, within the gilt under one langet, S & K for Schnitzler and Kirschbaum, a well regarded maker of swords for 1st Empire officers from December 1808. Many officers swords marked S & K are in Les Invalides Musee de l’Armee in Paris. See ref below; Light cavalry Hussars. These fast, light cavalrymen were the eyes, ears, and egos of the Napoleonic armies. They regarded themselves as the best horsemen and swordsmen (beau sabreurs) in the entire Grande Armée. This opinion was not entirely unjustified and their flamboyant uniforms reflected their panache. Tactically, they were used for reconnaissance, skirmishing, and screening for the army to keep their commanders informed of enemy movements while denying the enemy the same information and to pursue fleeing enemy troops. Armed only with curved sabres and pistols, they had reputations for reckless bravery to the point of being almost suicidal. It was said by their most famous commander General Antoine Lasalle that a hussar who lived to be 30 was truly an old guard and very fortunate. Lasalle was killed at the Battle of Wagram at age 34. There were 10 regiments in 1804, with an 11th added in 1810 and two more in 1813. Chasseurs à Cheval (Mounted Hunters) These were light cavalry identical to hussars in arms and role. But, unlike the chasseurs of the Imperial Guard and their infantry counterparts, they were considered less elite. Their uniforms were less colourful as well, consisting of infantry-style shakos (in contrast to the fur busby worn by some French hussars), green coats, green breeches, and short boots. They were, however, the most numerous of the light cavalry, with 31 regiments in 1811, 6 of which comprised Flemish, Swiss, Italians and Germans. was a cavalry composed of chasseurs but on the horse, they could ride into melee or shoot as light infantry The Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard would use this form of sword, and officers of wealth and status could afford, if they so chose, to have Chasseurs à cheval de la Garde impériale engraved onto the sword blades back strap etc. But many chose not to. Chasseurs à cheval de la Garde impériale constituted a light cavalry regiment in the Consular, then Imperial Guard during the French Consulate and First French Empire respectively. They were the second senior "Old Guard" cavalry regiment of the Imperial Guard, after the Grenadiers à Cheval. The regiment had its origins in the Guides raised by General Bonaparte during his Italian Campaign of 1796. It was the Chasseurs that usually provided personal escort to Napoleon, and he often wore the uniform of the regiment in recognition of this service. The regiment was not only known for its lavish uniform, but its combat history as well. On 1 August 1811, the regiment was increased to five squadrons and the vélites were done away with. During the year, squadrons were sent successively to serve with the divisions of the Garde in Spain. Guyot was promoted général de division, but still retained the command. To replace Corbineau and Daumesnil as majors, the regiment received Colonel François d'Haugéranville (6 August) and General Baron Exelmans (24 December). On 6 May 1812, General Lefebvre-Desnouettes, who had escaped by breaking his parole, returned from his captivity in England and resumed command of the regiment. The chasseurs, five squadrons and the company of Mamluks, went through the Russian campaign, but though they lost 500 men, they only had 10 officers hit. At Borodino, they had no officer casualties at all. But on 25 October, the day after the Battle of Maloyaroslavets, two squadrons, escorting the Emperor on a reconnaissance, were sharply engaged and had 4 officers wounded. A body of Cossacks appeared suddenly from a wood and charged straight at Napoleon. General Rapp and the escort managed to beat them off, but not before one had fought his way to within twenty yards of the Emperor. From this day forth, haunted by the fear of captivity, he always carried a bag of poison on a string about his neck. The regiment's losses in this campaign must on the whole be attributed not so much to the fighting as to the Russian climate. In 1813, the regiment was expanded from five to nine squadrons. The first five of these remained under the Old Guard while the newly raised 6th through 9th squadrons formed part of the Young Guard and in 1815 were redesigned as the 2e régiment de chasseurs de la Garde impériale. While Napoleon is best known as a master strategist and charismatic presence on the battlefield, he was also a tactical innovator. He combined classic formations and tactics that had been used for thousands of years with more recent ones, such as Frederick the Great's "Oblique Order" (best illustrated at the Battle of Leuthen) and the "mob tactics" of the early Levée en masse armies of the Revolution. Napoleonic tactics and formations were highly fluid and flexible. In contrast, many of the Grande Armée's opponents were still wedded to a rigid system of "Linear" (or Line) tactics and formations, in which masses of infantry would simply line up and exchange vollies of fire, in an attempt to either blow the enemy from the field or outflank them. Due to the vulnerabilities of the line formations to flanking attacks, it was considered the highest form of military manoeuvre to outflank one's adversary. Armies would often retreat or even surrender if this was accomplished. Consequently, commanders who adhered to this system would place a great emphasis on flank security, often at the expense of a strong centre or reserve. Napoleon would frequently take full advantage of this linear mentality by feigning flank attacks or offering the enemy his own flank as "bait" (best illustrated at the Battle of Austerlitz and also later at Lützen), then throw his main effort against their centre, split their lines, and roll up their flanks. He always kept a strong reserve as well, mainly in the form of his Imperial Guard, which could deliver a "knockout blow" if the battle was going well or turn the tide if it was not. The swords came to us from one of the world's foremost experts on the finest antique European weapons, and a famous collector and author on antique fine and rare swords. Original grip wire over original leather binding, only very light bruising to the scabbard, no combat damage. the blade has much mirror bright blue remaining {around 50%} with areas of blue wear, fine engraving within the blue with all the gilt remaining in the engraving, traditional three branch guard with no combat damage. Ref; 'German Knife and Sword Makers' ( Complete Edition A to Z Hardcover – published 2015 ) by Anthony Carter (Author), John Walter (Author), Henning Ritter (Author). John Walter has been a most welcome visitor to us for decades, and a very dear friend and colleague of our late colleague of over 30 years, Christopher Fox. Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, as Britain’s oldest established, and favourite, armoury and gallery

Nation : British
Local Price : £3,950.00

Royal Victorian General Officers Sword – Prince Arthur. £ 3,950.00 Royal Victorian General Officers Sword belonging to Prince Arthur. Arthur William Patrick Albert was Queen Victoria favourite son and became Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in 1874. He entered the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in 1866 and did well in the army, becoming full general in 1893 and field marshal in 1902. He served in Egypt in 1882, commanding the 1st Guards Brigade at Tel el Kebir. The Sword Levee pattern with flat solid blade, etching includes monogram AWP below the coronet for a younger son and brother of a blood royal – Fairbains Crests – to the reverse is the royal garter with same crown above plus VR in a shield. By Wilkinson Sword London number 19350 and complete with matching brass scabbard.

Nation : British
Local Price : £3,950

A rare English Mortuary Sword, dating to the middle part of the 17th century. A rare English “Mortuary” sword, dating to the middle to third quarter parts of the 17th century and the English Civil War, Commonwealth, Protectorate and Restoration periods. The sword is a rare hybrid type with hilt features common to both contemporary English Mortuary and Walloon swords. The hilt is of typical “Mortuary” form consisting of a broad saucer-shaped guard plate from which three main curved guard bars taper upwards ending with flattened angled terminals screwed into the pommel to secure the structure. The wide back edge of the plate is tightly scrolled downwards to create a wrist guard. The grip sits on top of a flanged plug inside the guard beneath which two short langets extend through the base to secure the blade at the ricasso on either side. Whilst of “Mortuary” type, the hilt differs from the usual form. The guard plate is chiselled on the outside with the outline of two clams, one on either side of the blade, which emulate the side guard plates of English contemporary “Walloon” swords. The insides of these areas are pierced with regular patterns of diamond, circle, and figure of eight shapes, similar to the piercings in the plates of Walloon swords. The oval panel to the front of the guard plate at the base of the knuckle bow is an extension of the plate which is also pierced in the “Walloon” manner. The guard bars are narrower but thicker than the usual flat bars of mortuary hilts. The two secondary guard bars which emit downwards from the knuckle bow either side terminate in pronounced curls which fall short of reaching the side guard bars to which they are usually fixed. Instead, the bars are joined together, and the bottom bar is joined to the plate below. The upper bar is extended to create a crescent which is fixed onto the side guard bar to secure the front and side structures. The middles of the side guard bars are swollen and bisected to create knops and whilst this feature is common, but not exclusive to English Walloon swords, it is not common on mortuary hilts. The curved rear secondary guard bars which extend downwards from the side bars to the plate near the wrist guard terminate in pronounced curls like the secondary bar terminals which emit from the front knuckle bow. The onion shaped pommel is smoothly multifaceted and has an integral button on top and a pronounced flared neck beneath with a collar. It sits on top of a baluster shaped grip with iron ferrules top and bottom bound with wire. The broad, plain, double-edged, tapering blade is imposing and of robust form. It has a short ricasso. The blade was probably made in one of the German blade making centres such as Solingen. Huge numbers of blades were imported into Britain during the Civil War period from Europe to fulfill demand for swords on both Royalist and Parliamentarian sides. Two swords described as mortuary swords, very similar in form to our sword, are illustrated in Cyril Mazansky’s “British Basket Hilted Swords”, Boydell Press 2005, on pages 245 and 246. One is in the Kienbusch Collection, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Reference 1977-167-621, and the other sold through Christies London, lot 54, 7 th May 1981. Other Mortuaries with similar secondary guard arrangements are featured on pages 250 and 263. Contemporary English swords of definite Walloon type which display similar features are illustrated in Mazansky on pages 282, 283 and 284, mounted with typical teardrop wrist guards etc. Provenance: John Hardy Collection. Measurements: 34.5 inch blade (87.5 cm), 40.75 inches overall length (103.5 cm). The blade is just over 1.75 inches wide at the hilt 4.75 cm --> --> Gallery