A Superb Choice For This Christmas, And a Special Price Too! A Very Good World War II Imperial Japanese Army Officer's Katana.Signed Munetada.& Dated
Signed; Ni Ti Nampo {made at Southern Area South East Asia} Hokkushu {North Province by Munetada, in the reign of Showa, in 1945 Hatchi Gatsu in an auspicious month.
Exceptionally signed in great detail on both sides of the nakago tang, describing it was made in the South East Asian Japanese Empire, in Showa 1945, by Munetada. It is a beautiful blade with all its original shingunto jungle combat wooden saya and tsuka mounting, completely bound in jungle combat leather, with a brass mokko form tsuba.
These late war katanas are probably the most interesting of all the wartime made Japanese officers swords due to the exigencies of late war supplies to the IPA in their declining last year, facing the greatest amount of combat against the allies that they had ever experienced. The Imperial Japanese armed forces occupied massive territories captured from the British, Dutch and Chinese. During this time of the beleaguered Japanese Army sergeants, that were promoted in the field to officer's, often had to have swords such as this. The reputation of Imperial Army troops during the Pacific War of refusing to surrender was established by the low number of Japanese survivors in numerous battles throughout the Pacific Campaign; 921 captured out of a garrison strength of 31,000 in the Battle of Saipan, 17 out of 3000 in the Battle of Tarawa, 7,400–10,755 out of 117,000 in the Battle of Okinawa, with a high number of battlefield suicides sanctioned by the Imperial Army. In the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) just over 1,000 surrendered in each of 1942 and 1943, around 5,100 in 1944, and over 12,000 in 1945, and might have been greater except for disease. Propaganda through leaflet drops by the Americans accounted for about 20% of surrenders; equating to about one POW for every 6,000 leaflets dropped; while the Japanese objected to the "unscrupulous" leaflets, which contained some truth with regard to the willingness of American forces to accept surrenders from the Japanese. This was in contrast to Imperial Japanese Army practice of depicting American troops as cruel and merciless, referring to them as Kichiku Beihei, (Demonic Beast) and informing their own troops that Americans would rape all captured women and torture the men, leading directly to brutal treatment of Allied POWs in incidents such as the Bataan Death March and the mass suicide of Japanese soldiers and civilians during the Battle of Saipan and Battle of Okinawa. It was from Japanese officers such as these that these swords, were taken at the surrender or termination in combat of the officers, and the 1945 made swords were the rarest to survive of all. This sword was originally purchased by a collector from our late friend, neighbour and local dealer, located in the old Armoury, at the House of Correction, in the Lanes, Paul Grafton, in around 1962.
The leather cover on the saya has shrunk a little at the top, and the habaki blade collar mount is a little bruised from use, but the blade condition is remarkably well preserved. The combat leather has incredible aged patina read more
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A Very Good WW2 Japanese Kaiten or Zero Kamikaze Pilots 'Seppuku' {Hara-Kiri} Tanto Signed Seki {Mino} Junin Kanesada With Fine Hamon. This Is Certainly One Of, If Not The, Best Examples We Have Ever Seen
A traditional, signed, and most rare seppuku suicide dagger in shira saya standard wooden mounting. Issued in WW2
Unusually, signed on the blade face as a form of horimono. With a very good notare hamon and good kissaki turn back. Full hi to one side, and typical yakideshi hamon end. Nicely naturally aged short tang with early hand punched mekugi ana.
There is no set pattern that the knives conform to as they were not a standard issue they were privately purchased by the pilot himself or was given to him as a gift.
Every example is different, some have a blade inscription (hardly any), some had a leather scabbard cover like the swords have, and most do not have a signed Tang.
The very type as were presented to the WW2 Zero pilots before their Kamikaze suicide missions {see photo in the gallery} and also given to or purchased by Kaiten pilots, the Japanese navy's one man human suicide torpedoes. Blade wartime period, traditionally made. A must have piece, for collectors of fine Samurai edged weapons, who have yet to gain one of these most interesting daggers for their collection. Photo in the gallery shows a WW2 'Kamikaze' pilot being issued his suicide Seppuku tanto in the Kaiten ceremony. Originally they would have had an exterior brown leather cover and neck strap. The pilot had the choice whether to commit suicide, or not. It was not an order, nor directive and if the pilot missed the ship he had the option of killing himself to ask forgiveness of the honourable ancestors for his failure, as many of the planes had only enough fuel for a one way trip. Because the Zero pilot was belted into a very narrow seat and wearing many layers of his cold atmospheric pilot's flying suit with the addition of his life vest; it would be impossible for the aeronautical pilot to commit traditional ritual seppuku. It is said the procedure was to pull the knife out from it's neck sheath and thrust it straight into the throat much like the ladies form of seppuku. Fortunately and obviously this tanto’s original recipient likely failed in his task, and thus it survived intact.
This seppuku tanto survived the war simply because the pilot both aeronautical or maritime} failed in their mission one way or another
In recognition of the unfavorable progress of the war, towards the end of 1943 the Japanese high command considered suggestions for various suicide craft. These suggestions were initially rejected, but later deemed necessary. Various suicide craft were developed in the Japanese Special Attack Units.
For the Navy, this meant Kamikaze planes, Ohka piloted bombs, Shinyo suicide boats, Kaiten submarines, and Fukuryu suicide divers or human mines. The Kamikazes were somewhat successful, and the second most successful were the Kaitens.3
Research on the first Kaiten began in February 1944, followed on 25 July of the same year by the first prototype. By 1 August, an order for 100 units had been placed.
The island of Ōzushima, in the Inland Sea, was used as a training site. The island was equipped with cranes, torpedo testing pits, and launch ramps, and had a large shallow bay for test running and firing. The Kaiten Memorial Museum is now situated there.
Kaiten pilots were all men aged between 17 and 28. Initial training consisted of sailing fast surface boats by periscope and instrument readings alone. When a pilot had advanced past this basic training, he would begin training on Kaitens. Training craft were fitted with a dummy warhead that contained telemetry equipment and an emergency blowing tank that could return the craft to the surface should the trainee dive to a dangerous depth. Kaiten training started with basic circular runs to and from a fixed landmark at a reduced speed; the training advanced to faster and more hazardous runs around rocks and through channels in deeper waters. The more difficult runs required the pilot to surface and check the periscope repeatedly, and required conscientious adjusting of trim tank levels because of the reducing weight as oxygen was used up. When the instructors were confident about a pilot's abilities, they would advance the pilot to open water training against target ships. Training at this level was often done at full attack speed, and either at night or in twilight. The final phase of training would be a submarine launch and more open water attack runs on target ships.212
Training was dangerous, and 15 men died in accidents, most commonly collisions with the target vessels. Although the warheads were only dummies, the impact at ramming speed was enough to both cripple the Kaiten and severely injure the pilot.13
In action, the Kaiten was always operated by one man, but the larger training models (Types 2, 4, and 5) could carry two or even four.
Kaiten pilots who were leaving for their final missions would leave testaments and messages behind for their loved ones
Blade has a pewter habaki and plain shira saya. read more
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Beautiful, Original Antique Samurai Katana Signed By High Rated Master Smith, Masashige Tegarayama, 手柄山正繁 With Highly Rare Tamashigiri Cutting Test, By Gonnosuke Komatsubara, Dated 1799, Shinshinto Era Higo Fuchi Kashira.
The tsuka has Higo school, Edo period, plain iron fuchi kashira, and a very nice pair of gold dragon with ken menuki, and a fine copper habaki with blue-green silk tsuka-ito over traditional samegawa {giant rayskin}.
An elegant full length hi horimono blade, with a narrow suguha hamon, with just a few, as can occasionally be expected from swords kept in the UK in the 1870’s, minuscule, age and edge marks mostly to one side of the blade, thus priced accordingly. Signed by a master smith of great status dated and tested by the execution of a criminal by a a shogunate approved tamashgiri master of the Yamada family.
By Masashige Tegarayama. 手柄山 正繁
He was famous and highly regarded as a sword smith .
On the other side is a man named Gonnosuke Komatsubara. 小松原 権之助.
He is the tamegashiri master who tested the sharpness of this sword when he was going to execute a criminal with it.
The date is August 13,1799 （寛政十一年八月十三日）and the only people who could execute a criminal were those from family recognized by the shogunate, and who were adopted by the sixth head of that family Yoshimasa Yamada. 山田吉昌. known as the Shogun's Executioners
The text next to the date indicated the evaluation of the sharpness of the sword.
The characters written are “Chichiwari Dodan “ 乳割 土壇 which means that the criminal was laid on a foundation piled with earth, and when the chest was cut , the cut reached the ground, this is a record of where the sword was actually cut and how far it cut.
The tsuba is a super example of an eight-spoke wheel that connects the rim to the plate in this Katchushi Tsuba, likely Koto period circa 450 years old. The ‘spokes’, which symbolize the ‘eight fold path’, radiate from the plate, of ribbed octagonal rim. The surface has perfect colouration and patina, the quality of iron is very good. The Buddhist Eightfold Path consists of eight practices: right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi ('meditative absorption or union'; alternatively, unanimous meditative awareness)
Katchushi means armoursmith in Japanese.
So, it is said that the definition of Katchushi-Tsuba is tsuba made by armour-smiths.
The saya has a beautiful black urushi lacquer ribbed top section, with a bottom section of nishiji gold urushi lacquer.
The samurai were roughly the equivalent of feudal knights. Employed by the shogun or daimyo, they were members of hereditary warrior class that followed a strict "code" that defined their clothes, armour and behaviour on the battlefield. But unlike most medieval knights, samurai warriors could read and they were well versed in Japanese art, literature and poetry. Samurai were expected to be both fierce warriors and lovers of art, a dichotomy summed up by the Japanese concepts of bu to stop the spear exanding into bushido (the way of life of the warrior) and bun (the artistic, intellectual and spiritual side of the samurai). Originally conceived as away of dignifying raw military power, the two concepts were synthesized in feudal Japan and later became a key feature of Japanese culture and morality.The quintessential samurai was Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary early Edo-period swordsman who reportedly killed 60 men before his 30th birthday and was also a painting master. Members of a hierarchal class or caste, samurai were the sons of samurai and they were taught from an early age to unquestionably obey their mother, father and daimyo. When they grew older they could be trained by Zen Buddhist masters in meditation and the Zen concepts of impermanence and harmony with nature. The were also taught about painting, calligraphy, nature poetry, mythological literature, flower arranging, and the tea ceremony. read more
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An Original, Near Mint Blue Finish & Near Perfect Condition Original Walther PPK Pistol The Premier & Iconic Spy Pistol Since WW2. Deactivated To UK Spec. Fully Actionable. Possibly The Best Example You Could Ever Find
The iconic pistol of James Bond and the British spy pistol of legend {despite being German} that represents everything quintessential of SIS and the MI6 intelligence officer. Interestingly Bond was never actually a spy, but an SIS intelligence officer, despite being constantly referred to as such as a ‘Super-Spy’. In amazing condition for age, signs of minimum service use. Circa 1960's issue {James Bond period}
THE WALTHER PPK: THE HISTORY BEHIND FILM’S MOST FAMOUS SPY GUN
Yes, it’s that gun – an undisputed legend of the silver screen. The Bond movie franchise made the sleek, refined Walther Arms’ PPK famous in the hands of the British super-spy, but the gun has a rather checkered and interesting past that predates smooth and suave Sean Connery as 007. As it was used during WW2 by all the major infamous figures of the Third Reich High Command, including Hitler & Eva Braun.
"Walther PPK. 7.65mm with a delivery like a brick through a plate-glass window. Takes a Brausch silencer, with little reduction in muzzle velocity. The American CIA swear by them."
― Major Boothroyd to James Bond
The Walther PPK is a German pistol issued to James Bond in the 1958 Ian Fleming novel, Dr. No, and is used in all subsequent books as his signature weapon. With the transition to the big screen, the PPK became Bond's primary weapon and was featured from 1962 (Dr. No) to 1995 (GoldenEye). In the 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies, the transition was made to the Walther P99, which would be used for the rest of Pierce Brosnan's tenure as Bond.
Although the promotional material for Casino Royale (2006) featured the PPK, it was only used during the pre-title fight sequence with Dryden's contact, Fisher. For the rest of the film, Bond would continue to rely on the P99. For 2008's Quantum of Solace, however, the Walther PPK made a welcome return as 007's main sidearm throughout the film. This trend continued in Skyfall (2012), where the spy was provided with a modified Walther PPK/S.
THE ORIGINAL POLIZEIPISTOLE
The original Walther PP (Polizeipistole or police pistol) was a series of small handguns created by Walther in 1929 for German police and military, the K suffix was for the shorter and better concealable version. Wildly successful, the PP inspired lookalike pistols from several European manufacturers. For sale to within UK mainland only. Complete with official certificate of deactivation, no licence required to own or collect. read more
995.00 GBP
A Very Fine & Incredibly Impressive Napoleonic 1st Empire French Cuirassier's Sword. The Largest Cavalry Sword Ever Made, for The Tallest Soldiers of France, & Used At Waterloo
Superb and beautiful hilt, with very fine original leather bound grip, and a very fine double fullered blade with stunning bright patina. Steel combat scabbard without denting. French Napoleonic 'An 13' year 13 swords were manufactured from 1805 and discontinued in late 1815, whereupon it was superceded in general by the later hilt style of the 1816 model, although some of the surviving models, such as this beauty, continued in service.
Renown throughout the world of historic sword collectors as probably the biggest and most impressive cavalry sword ever designed. This would have seen service in the Elite Cuirassiers of Napoleon's great heavy cavalry regiments.
Napoleon hoped to compel Tsar Alexander I of Russia to cease trading with British merchants through proxies in an effort to pressure the United Kingdom to sue for peace. The official political aim of the campaign was to liberate Poland from the threat of Russia. Napoleon named the campaign the Second Polish War to curry favour with the Poles and provide a political pretence for his actions. The Grande Armee was a very large force, numbering nearly half a million men from several different nations. Through a series of long marches Napoleon pushed the army rapidly through Western Russia in an attempt to bring the Russian army to battle, winning a number of minor engagements and a major battle at Smolensk in August. Napoleon hoped the battle would mean an end of the march into Russia, but the Russian army slipped away from the engagement and continued to retreat into Russia, while leaving Smolensk to burn. Plans Napoleon had made to quarter at Smolensk were abandoned, and he pressed his army on after the Russians. The battles continued, but once the winter set in Napoleon's army was facing insurmountable odds that left it effectively shattered beyond repair. Napoleon fled, it is said, dressed as a woman, and the army left to it's sad and miserable fate. Only around 27,000 were able to return after a mere six months of the Russian campaign. The campaign was a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. The reputation of Napoleon was severely shaken, and French hegemony in Europe was dramatically weakened. The Grande Armee, made up of French and allied invasion forces, was reduced to a fraction of its initial strength. These events triggered a major shift in European politics. France's ally Prussia, soon followed by Austria, broke their alliance with France and switched camps. This triggered the War of the Sixth Coalition. The Cuirassiers Heavy Cavalry Regiments used the largest men in France, recruited to serve in the greatest and noblest cavalry France has ever had. They fought with distinction at their last great conflict at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and most of the Cuirassiers swords in England very likely came from that field of conflict, after the battle, as trophies of war. However, this sword was one of the few that were allowed to remain in the elite cuirassier corps after Waterloo, serving King Louis XVIIIth both before Napoleon's 100 days, and after his crushing defeat by Wellington at Waterloo. In fact one can see it has been service together with its scabbard, as they are bearing the same serial numbers matching. Inspected on the blade by Lobstein and Bick, also back strap engraved Manufacture Imperial Klingenthal, January 1814. Hilt stamped with the serial number 614, as on the scabbard
Every warrior that has ever entered service for his country sought trophies. The Mycenae from a fallen Trojan, the Roman from a fallen Gaul, the GI from a fallen Japanese, the tradition stretches back thousands of years, and will continue as long as man serves his country in battle. In the 1st century AD the Roman Poet Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis Juvenal
wrote; "Man thirsts more for glory than virtue. The armour of an enemy, his broken helmet, the flag ripped from a conquered trireme, are treasures valued beyond all human riches. It is to obtain these tokens of glory that Generals, be they Roman, Greek or barbarian, brave a thousand perils
and endure a thousand exertions". A truly magnificent Napoleonic sword in superb condition for it's age.
The largest sword of it's kind that was ever made or used by the world's greatest cavalry regiments. The cuirassiers were the greatest of all France's cavalry, allowing only the strongest men of over 6 feet in height into it's ranks. The French Cuirassiers were at their very peak in 1815, and never again regained the wonder and glory that they truly deserved at that time. To face a regiment of, say, 600 charging steeds bearing down upon you mounted with armoured giants, brandishing the mightiest of swords that could pierce the strongest breast armour, much have been, quite simply, terrifying. The brass basket guard on this sword is first class, the grip is totally original leather and a great colour
only shows expected combat wear, the blade is double fullered and absolutely as crisp as one could hope for. Made in the Napoleonic Wars period.
Just a basic few of the battles this would have been used at such as
1814: La Rothiere, Rosnay, Champaubert, Vauchamps, Athies, La Fere-Champenoise and Paris
1815: Quatre-Bras and Waterloo. Apparently every remaining French elite cuirassier regiment fought at Waterloo for Napoleon, and there were no cuirassier reserve, and there were no cuirassier militia
The blade has wonderful steel bright colour, and the hilt has fabulous patina. Overall 45.5 inches long in its scabbard, the spear pointed blade is 37.6 inches long. Old original aged patina and regular usual surface staining to the scabbard steel. read more
Choose The Ideal Christmas Gift From Great Britain's Favourite Armoury Antiques & Collector's Shop. Some of The Best Ideas You Could Imagine, For Both Christmas & New Year, Have Come From The Lanes Armoury’
To one and all, we wish a Merry Christmas season
Feliz Navidad
聖誕快樂
Joyeux Noël
عيد ميلاد مجيد
Frohe Weihnachten
Buon Natale
Prettige Kerstdagen
Feliz Natal
メリー クリスマス
This is our 104th year of family trading this coming Christmas, and the dawn of our 105th year. The world famous New York Times included our gallery in their list as one of the very best places to visit in the UK when travelling to Europe from America.
Unique, ancient, antique and vintage beautiful items are our specialty, and be sure and certain that anything from us will be the best choice you can make this Christmas time. Just arrived this week! A 500 year old samurai sword of breathtaking beauty, together with another collection of original samurai swords including a fine daisho.
All kinds of other unique and fabulous conversation pieces, including some delightful volumes, have been acquired lately, such as, for example,
Another part of our original Japanese katana acquisitions arrived, and as usual many are stunning beauties
A most rare late 17th early 18th century Japanese-Dutch ‘Black Ship’ captain’s sword was added, made by Japanese emigre sword koshirae makers from Nagasaki. A sawasa technique of gilded copper alloy with black shakudo detailing, a European style naval captain’s sword, made by Japanese samurai sword artisans, from Nagasaki, a sword of incredible beauty and rarity. Plus, a hanger sword, the same type as used by the notorious pirate, Blackbeard,
We have had arrive here recently some wonderful, original pieces of history,
Every item, as usual, will be accompanied with our unique, presentation quality, 'Certificate of Authenticity' that will not only fully certify it's genuineness, but it will detail the circumstance of it's origin, and where and when it may have been used in it's specific or generic history. Where else in Britain could you walk out of the store with an original souvenir from Alexander the Greats battle with the Persians in 334 B.C, for only £65, to a fabulous unique handmade gold, diamond and ruby timepiece once owned by movie legend, Elizabeth Taylor, or, the 2500 year old ancient sword that may likely have once been the sword of a king!
We are very proud to offer a superb selection of ancient antiquities, swords, daggers and spears from all the major past empires and civilisations of the world from over the past 3,500 years. In fact many recognise our unique and original selection is likely the best and most comprehensive to be seen, and offered for sale, anywhere in Europe, and possibly even the world over.
A fabulous set of Strand Magazine hardbacks, containing the earliest versions of Sherlock Holmes. First editions in bound book form
"Outside of a dog, man's best friend is a book. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
— GROUCHO MARX
And please be further assured, all gift purchases may be changed after Christmas for any form of suitable alternatives.
"Doesn't someone you know deserve something unique from The Lanes Armoury"
The Lanes Armoury described by the 'New York Times' as one of the very best stores and destinations to visit when in Europe.
A living, breathing gallery that is a huge walk around ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’, containing thousands of original historical and magical pieces from the ancient long past, to the near recent. In fact, from 300,000 years of human history, and 100 million years of world history.
We are certainly not the biggest premier store in Europe recommended by the New York Times, in fact we are probably the smallest, but what we lack in size, apparently, we more than make up for in amazement, and wonder, and, the family have been trading in Brighton for over 104 years
For example, we added recently items that range from a Samurai Ancestral Sword Around 600 years old {or more}, a WW2 Japanese Officer's Sword With An Ancestral Blade 450 Years Old, an original late Koto to shinto samurai’s daisho, a stunning ‘Agincourt’, hand-and-a-half knights sword, a Seige of Troy era Bronze Age sword, incredibly rare original Viking warriors sword around 1000 years old, a beautiful samurai’s disguised fan dagger, plus, Ancient Roman Gladiator's rings for both for a Gladiator and Gladiatrix, around 1700 years old.
Google just let us know our updated Google entry just past the amazing 1,000,000 { one million } searches in order to find out our location in order to visit us here in Brighton, England.
Twenty Three Years Ago, After 80 Years Trading in Brighton, We Were Honoured by Being Nominated & Awarded by BACA, In The Best Antique & Collectables Shop In Britain Awards 2001
Presented by MILLER'S Antiques Guide, THE BBC, HOMES & ANTIQUES MAGAZINE, for the British Antique & Collectables Awards. The version of the antique dealers ‘Oscars’ of Britain.
In the gallery, the first photo, is a wonderful daybreak photo, taken the at the farm last Christmas season, at 7.55 am, Thursday the 14th December 2023. Showing what some are calling the South of England's 'Sky-on-Fire' Daybreak. You can see in the far distance in his retirement paddock the late Judy Hawkins's beloved former UK 'Supreme Champion' Scottish Highland grey pony, that was a frequent competitor against the late queen's Highlands at Windsor Castle. In his prime, he had his own worldwide fan club, and competition followers. Photo 7 in the gallery is old “Governor’ and his little chum “Roger” waiting for their morning apples. Photo 8 is a typical example of everyday new arrivals in the gallery. Photo 9 is Judy and Holly, ten years apart, first watching "Governor" in competition, then Holly alone, following on in her late devoted grandmother's passion, and, the family tradition. Our family have been entranced by our love of animals since modern memory, but principally dogs and horses, for over 200 years. Of course, in regards to horses, the first 130 years was by necessity, as then you couldn’t get anything done, in both the domestic or business world, at all, without them, but the past 70 years has been for love, pleasure and joy alone. read more
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Late 18th Century 1792, Heavy Quality & Powerful Naval Officer's or Marines Officer's Fighting Dirk, With Its Owner's Royal Monogram of a Crowned M R. From The Battle of the Glorious First of June, Battles of the Nile, Camperdown, & Trafalgar Period
A simply stunning, unique, and incredibly powerful double fullered bladed combat dirk of great heft. Maker engraved by Thomas Gill, bearing a royal crowned monogram MR {on both sides}, and the blade makers guarantee of quality and dated on its spine,"Never To Fail" 1792. Original George IIIrd hardened leather scabbard with superb colour and original aged patination.
The lack of any uniform regulations during this period allowed officers the freedom to buy and carry weapons of their choice, leading to great variety in weaponry. Dirks were a form of dagger or long knife typically carried in addition to an officer’s full-size hanger or smallsword, used either as a backup weapon or held in the off-hand in the manner of a parrying dagger. This example is of incredible quality, combined with a pleasing appearance, considerably more than many fighting dirks from this era. Without specific ornamentation or markings one cannot tell if it was carried by an Army or a Navy officer, but the blade speaks volumes as to the status of its high ranking original officer owner.
The heft and size of this finest dirk is very reminiscent of the width and blade form of Scottish highlanders dirks of the time, and that might explain the ancestry of its owner. The crown is the type of highest royal rank, possibly the son of a king or prince of royal descent.
The Battle of the Glorious First of June in 1794 was the first naval conflict between the British and the French during the French Revolutionary Wars. read more
Choose The Ideal Christmas Gift From Great Britain's Favourite Armoury Antiques & Collector's Shop. A Battle of Agincourt Tanged 'Flesh Cutter" Arrowhead, 1415, Battlefield Recovered In the 1820's as A 'Grand Tour Souvenir'
Yet another small part of our wondrous, new, historical, and original Ancient Roman, Ancient Greek, Viking, Crusaders, and Medeavil battlefield antiquities and artefacts, another collection that has just arrived with us. Act fast though, the collection was small and selling fast!!
Much of it acquired by a family in the 1820's while on a Grand Tour of Anglo French battle sites within Northern & Western France from Azincourt, in the Pas-de-Calais, to Poitiers in Aquitaine.
Most English war arrows for Longbows could vary, and some archers would have some type known as a "Flesh Cutter" since their job was Broadheads were for targeting un-armoured men and knight's horses.
After several decades of relative peace, the English had renewed their war effort in 1415 amid the failure of negotiations with the French. In the ensuing campaign, many soldiers perished due to disease and the English numbers dwindled, but as they tried to withdraw to English-held Calais they found their path blocked by a considerably larger French army. Despite the disadvantage, the following battle ended in an overwhelming tactical victory for the English.
King Henry V of England led his troops into battle and participated in hand-to-hand fighting. The French king of the time, Charles VI, did not command the French army himself, as he suffered from severe psychotic illnesses with moderate mental incapacitation. Instead, the French were commanded by Constable Charles d'Albret and various prominent French noblemen of the Armagnac party.
This battle is notable for the use of the English longbow in very large numbers, with the English and Welsh archers forming up to 80 percent of Henry's army. The decimation of the French cavalry at their hands is regarded as an indicator of the decline of cavalry and the beginning of the dominance of ranged weapons on the battlefield.
Agincourt is one of England's most celebrated victories. The battle is the centrepiece of the play Henry V by Shakespeare. Juliet Barker in her book Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle ( published in 2005) argues the English and Welsh were outnumbered "at least four to one and possibly as much as six to one". She suggests figures of about 6,000 for the English and 36,000 for the French, based on the Gesta Henrici's figures of 5,000 archers and 900 men-at-arms for the English, and Jean de Wavrin's statement "that the French were six times more numerous than the English". The 2009 Encyclopædia Britannica uses the figures of about 6,000 for the English and 20,000 to 30,000 for the French. Part of an original medieval collection we have just acquired, of Viking and early British relics of warfare from ancient battle sites recovered up to 220 years ago.
It has been suggested that the bodkin came into its own as a means of penetrating armour, but research by the Royal Armouries has found no hardened bodkin points, though only two bodkin points were actually tested, not a statistically relevant number. Bodkins did, however, have greater ability to pierce mail armour than broadheads, and historical accounts do speak of bodkin arrows shot from close range piercing plate armour. Broadheads were made from steel, sometimes with hardened edges, but were more often used against lightly armoured men or horses than against an armoured adversary.
In a modern test, a direct hit from a steel bodkin point penetrated mail armour, although at point blank range. However, the test was conducted without a padded jack or gambeson, which was layered cloth armour worn under heavier armour for protection against projectiles, as it was known to stop even heavy arrows.
Armour of the medieval era was not completely proof against arrows until the specialised armour of the Italian city-state mercenary companies. Archery was thought not to be effective against plate armour in the Battle of Neville's Cross (1346), the Battle of Bergerac (1345), and the Battle of Poitiers (1356); such armour became available to European knights and men at arms of fairly modest means by the late 14th century, though never to all soldiers in any army.
Some recent tests have demonstrated that needle bodkins could penetrate all but heavy steel plate armour; one test used padded "jack" armour, coat of plates, iron and steel mail and steel plate. A needle bodkin penetrated every type, but may not have been able to inflict a lethal injury behind plate. As with all other tests, accuracy of these tests is called into question as the arrowheads were all high carbon steel and hardened, and the historical accuracy of the armour tested is unknown.The name comes from the Old English word bodkin or bodekin, a type of sharp, pointed dagger. Arrows of the long bodkin type were used by the Vikings and continued to be used throughout the Middle Ages. The bodkin point eventually fell out of use during the 16th and 17th centuries, as armour largely ceased to be worn and firearms took over from archery. 105mm long overall including socket
As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity.
Most of our antiquities and artefacts are from 200 year past souvenir accumulations from British ‘Grand Tours’. Beautiful Items and antiquities were oft acquired in the 18th and early 19th century by British noblemen and women touring battle sites in Northern France and Italy, in fact most of Europe and the Middle East, on their so-called ‘Grand Tour’. They were often placed on display upon their return home, within the family’s 'cabinet of curiosities', within their country house. Some significant British stately homes had entire galleries displaying the treasures and artefacts gathered and purchased on such tours, and some tours lasted many years, and the accumulated souvenirs numbered in their hundreds or even thousands. A popular pastime in the 18th and 19th century, comprised of English ladies and gentlemen traveling for many months, or even years, throughout classical Europe, and the Middle East, acquiring knowledge and education on the arts, and thus returning with antiquities and antiques as souvenirs for their private collections, and these travels have been thus called ‘Grand Tours’.
long overall including tang
As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity read more
A Good Victorian Bamboo Hidden, Secret, Dagger-Cane. An Original Antique Collector's item
This is a cane that originally was likely intended for close quarter action. The sword stick or cane was in its day ideal for defensive action, but the dagger-cane was usually intended for both offensive or defensive, ideal for use in a crowd or a hand to hand conflict in most confined quarters of any bustling city. As an antique collectable it is simply awesome. A startling and most collectable conversation piece, worthy of the legendary Sherlock Holmes himself, in fact, more likely a tool of the diabolical genius, and arch nemeses of Holmes, Professor Moriarty . One can only imagine what perils and heinous adversities that it's original owner, who had this awesome cane commissioned, must have feared, dreaded or even instigated. The name Bartitsu might well have been completely forgotten if not for a chance mention by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in one of his Sherlock Holmes mystery stories. In the Adventure of the Empty House (1903), Holmes explained that he had escaped the clutches of his enemy Professor Moriarty through his knowledge of bartitsu, or Japanese wrestling. Using a walking cane with or without hidden blade.
The swordstick was a popular fashion accessory for the wealthy during the 18th and 19th centuries. While the weapon's origins are unknown, it is apparent that the cane-sword's popularity peaked when decorative swords were steadily being replaced by canes as a result of the rising popularity of firearms, and the lessening influence of swords and other small arms.
The first sword canes were made for nobility by leading sword cutlers. Sixteenth century sword canes were often bequeathed in wills. Sword canes became more popular as the streets became less safe. Society dictated it mandatory that gentlemen of the 18th and especially 19th centuries would wear a cane when out and about, and it was common for the well-dressed gentleman to own and sport canes in a variety of styles, including a good and sound sword cane. Although Byron was proficient in the use of pistols, his lameness and his need to defend himself in some potentially dangerous situations made a swordstick doubly useful to him. He received lessons in London from the fencing master Henry Angelo and owned a number of swordsticks, some of which were supplied by his boxing instructor Gentleman John Jackson.
Sword sticks came in all qualities, and for numerous purposes, from the simplest bamboo sword cane personal defender to stout customs officer’s ‘prod’, to offensive close quarter stiletto dagger canes and even to the other side of the world in the form of Japanese samurai’s shikome-sue, hidden swords.
We show two famous sword sticks in the gallery, one that belonged to Lord Byron, and another in a Presidential Centre Library collection, a historic sword stick is part of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Centre Library collection in Fremont, Ohio from the Waggoner family, the sword-cane was said to have been presented to Mr Waggoner by General George Washington in honour of Waggoner's service in Washington's Life Guard during the American Revolutionary War
36 inches long overall 9.5 inches long blade. An original antique collectable for display purposes only. read more
395.00 GBP
A Very Fine & Rare Original Napoleonic Wars ANXI Light Cavalry Trooper's Sabre. Used by Napoleon's Most Famed Lancers, Hussars, Chasseurs. The Sabre Troupe de Cavalerie Légère Modèle AN XI
Very rare combat sabre for the troop, perfectly homogeneous and authentic to discover in superb state of conservation considering all the battles it experienced during the Napoleonic wars it deserves to find a fine place in a thematic collection.
During a parade the sight of the hussars would the women’s hearts made wildly pounding. In combat they rode yelling most unearthly, cursing and brandishing their weapons. They had their own code - that of reckless courage that bordered on a death wish. The hussars were the eyes, ears and … egos of the army.
With their look suitably piratical their hair plaited and queued they were one heck of mean buggers. Some regiments were composed of fellows who had a natural longing for a fight (or trouble !) The mutually supporting camaraderie of the hussars was important factor of their esprit de corps. Tactically they were used as scouts and screen for other troops and due to their combativeness were also used in pitched battles. It was not a rare sight to see a hussar in a forefront of a hack-and-slash melee, gripping his reins with his teeth, a pistol in one hand and saber in the other.
Three bar guard the pommel back strap piece has a slight tilt forward complete the hilt's elegant form. One unique elements of this sabre is the leather bound, ribbed grip with its brass olive shaped stud. The arsenal markings are on the back of the slightly fulled 34 3/4 inch blade.
Hilt stamped stamped by Joseph Innocent Krantz, Chef de Batt'on, the Napoleonic Imperial period sword inspector from 1812, and Jean George Bick's mark of 1812 a controller 1st class. Blade marked, Klingenthal Man Imperial Janvier 1813 {only Janvier 1813 is still easily visible} Joseph Innocent Krantz, Chef de Batt'on, stamp is also on the blade face
Referenced in the works of Michel Pétard "Des sabres et des épées - Troupes à cheval de l'Empire à nos jours - Tome Second", pages 137 and 138; long-tailed cap; calf-covered wooden handle with brass olive mount.
One of the rare sabres specifically made to re-arm the French cavalry after the catastrophic losses in 1812 in Russia.
The disaster of 1812 in Russia
It is estimated that 175.000 excellent horses of cavalry and artillery were lost in 1812 in Russia ! The remnants were mounted on Russian and Lithuanian peasant ponies. The rebuilding of the cavalry in 1813 was more difficult than infantry and artillery. Shortages of trained cavalrymen, officers, NCOs and war horses were critical. Promotions were rapidly handed out and temporary squadrons were formed.
In the beginning of April 1813 general Bourcier gathered 10.000 battle-hardened veterans from 60 regiments spread across the countryside. The cavalry centres were in the cities of Magdeburg and Metz. Horses were coming from northern Germany. During Armistice was more time to train the young troops and many regiments showed improvements in their maneuvers. But they never reached the level of pre-1812.
French Cavalry Under Napoleon.
"When I speak of excellent French cavalry,
I refer to its impetous bravery,
and not to its perfection"
- General Jomini
Napoleon's Cavalry and Its Leaders "Cavalry is useful before, during and after the battle," wrote Napoleon, and he stressed the need for audacity in its employment and careful training to achieve true discipline. He was also insistent that careful categorization according to role was of great importance... It was some time before the French cavalry reached its full potential, as it had suffered the loss of many officers during the Revolutionary period, but by 1807 it was reaching its prime. The great charges led by Murat at Eylau and Grouchy at Friedland played vital parts in the outcome of these battles." (Chandler - "Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars" pp 85-86)
"Under Napoleon, the French cavalry were, in contrast to the infantry, far more renowned for their action in masses than for their duty as light troops. They were deemed irresistible, and even Napier admits their superiority over the English cavalry of that day. Wellington, to a certain degree, did the same. And strange to say, this irresistible cavalry consisted of such inferior horsemen ... no soldiers are so careless of their horses as the French." ("The Armies of Europe" in Putnam's Monthly, No. XXXII, published in 1855).
Used in such battles as;
In the Battle of Lützen (German: Schlacht von Großgörschen, 2 May 1813), Napoleon I of France defeated an allied army of the Sixth Coalition.
The Russian commander, Prince Peter Wittgenstein, attempting to forestall Napoleon's capture of Leipzig, attacked the French right wing near Lützen, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, surprising Napoleon. Recovering quickly, Napoleon ordered a double envelopment of the allies. After a day of heavy fighting, the imminent encirclement of his army prompted Wittgenstein to retreat. Due to a shortage of cavalry, the French did not pursue.
The two armies would clash again in the Battle of Bautzen three weeks later.
The Battle of Vitoria in North-Eastern Spain, to the South of Bilbao and near the French border.
Wellington’s army comprised 52,000 British and 28,000 Portuguese troops. An army of 25,000 Spanish troops co-operated in the campaign. Wellington’s army had 90 guns.
The French army, drawn from the Army of the South, the Army of the Centre and the Army of Portugal, comprised 50,000 troops (including 7,000 cavalry), with 150 guns. It was Wellington’s decisive defeat of Joseph Bonaparte’s French army on 21st June 1813 in North-Eastern Spain in the Peninsular War
The Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of the Nations, was fought from 16 to 19 October 1813 at Leipzig, Saxony. The Coalition armies of Austria, Prussia, Sweden, and Russia, led by Tsar Alexander I and Karl von Schwarzenberg, decisively defeated the Grande Armée of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon's army also contained Polish and Italian troops, as well as Germans from the Confederation of the Rhine (mainly Saxony and Württemberg). The battle was the culmination of the German Campaign of 1813 and involved 560,000 soldiers, 2,200 artillery pieces, the expenditure of 400,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, and 133,000 casualties, making it the largest battle of the Napoleonic Wars, and the largest battle in Europe prior to World War I.
The War of One Hundred Days, culminating in Quatre Bras and Waterloo. This fabulous sabre was almost certainly a trophy of war from Waterloo, and any or all of the the previously listed battles it would likely have seen service within.
After the fighting at Quatre Bras (16 June 1815) the two opposing commanders Marshal Ney and the Duke of Wellington initially held their ground while they obtained information about what had happened at the larger Battle of Ligny. They received intelligence that the Prussian army under the command of Prince Blücher had been defeated by the French Army of the North under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Upon receiving this news Wellington organised the retreat of the Anglo-allied army to a place he had identified a year before as the best place in Belgium for him to be able to employ his reverse slope tactics when fighting a major battle: the escarpment close to the village of Waterloo.
On the 17th, aided by thunderstorms and torrential rain and before the arrival of Napoleon, Wellington's army successfully extricated itself from Quatre Bras and passed through the defile of Genappe. The infantry marched ahead and were screened by a large cavalry rearguard. The French harried Wellington's army, but were unable to inflict any substantial casualties before night fell and Wellington's men were ensconced in bivouacs on the plain of Mont-Saint-Jean.
Without scabbard read more
1450.00 GBP