Antique Arms & Militaria

A Most Powerful Rare Romano-Frankish Iron Socket Spear 1900 to 1500 Years Old. A Stunning Original Antiquity Of Great Heft & Presence, This Would Make A Fabulous Addition or Any Collection of Ancient Roman Empire Artifacts From The Era Of Emperor Commodus

To the invasions of Rome by the Huns and Visigoths.

Recovered many centuries ago from a Merovingian warrior's excavation of the 6th century. Roman to Frankish period 2nd to 6th century AD. Diamond form blade which would have incredible penetrative power, strong enough to pierce the strongest armour or breastplate of the time. Romano-Germanic cultural contact begins as early as the first Roman accounts of the Germanic peoples. Roman influence is perceptible beyond the boundaries of the empire, in the Northern European Roman Iron Age of the first centuries AD. The nature of this cultural contact changes with the decline of the Roman Empire and the beginning Migration period in the wake of the crisis of the third century: the "barbarian" peoples of Germania Magna formerly known as mercenaries and traders now came as invaders and eventually as a new ruling elite, even in Italy itself, beginning with Odoacer's rise to the rank of Dux Italiae in 476 AD.

The cultural syncretism was most pronounced in Francia. In West Francia, the nucleus of what was to become France, the Frankish language was eventually extinct, but not without leaving significant traces in the emerging Romance language. In East Francia on the other hand, the nucleus of what was to become the kingdom of Germany and ultimately German-speaking Europe, the syncretism was less pronounced since only its southernmost portion had ever been part of the Roman Empire, as Germania Superior: all territories on the right hand side of the Rhine remain Germanic-speaking. Those parts of the Germanic sphere extends along the left of the Rhine, including the Swiss plateau, the Alsace, the Rhineland and Flanders, are the parts where Romano-Germanic cultural contact remains most evident.

Early Germanic law reflects the coexistence of Roman and Germanic cultures during the Migration period in applying separate laws to Roman and Germanic individuals, notably the Lex Romana Visigothorum (506), the Lex Romana Curiensis and the Lex Romana Burgundionum. The separate cultures amalgamated after Christianization, and by the Carolingian period the distinction of Roman vs. Germanic subjects had been replaced by the feudal system of the Three Estates of the Realm. 11.85 inches long 250 grams Almost every iron weapon that has survived today from this era is now in a fully russetted condition, as is this one, because only the swords of kings, that have been preserved in national or Royal collections are today still in a good state and condition.  read more

Code: 21964

A Fine Cased Pair of 1840's Victorian Rear Admirals Epaulettes.

Overall in jolly good condition for age, in their original Japanned lacquer tin case. Made and used in the days of sail, aboard the great ships-of-the-line and the '100 gunners'. Admirals always served aboard the larger vessels in the fleet [also known now as capital ships] in the Royal Navy, His vessal would be known as the admiral's 'flag ship' and flying his personal rank flag. Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore (U.S. equivalent of rear admiral lower half) and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks".
It originated from the days of naval sailing squadrons and can trace its origins to the Royal Navy. Almost all of the modern traditions of the world's navies can trace there traditional origins back to the British Royal Navy. Each naval squadron would be assigned an admiral as its head, who would command from the centre vessel and direct the activities of the squadron. The admiral would in turn be assisted by a vice admiral, who commanded the lead ships which would bear the brunt of a naval battle. In the rear of the naval squadron, a third admiral would command the remaining ships and, as this section of the squadron was considered to be in the least danger, unless from a surprise attack from the rear. The admiral in command of the rear would typically be the most junior of the squadron admirals. This ranking has survived into the modern age, with the rank of rear admiral the most-junior of the admiralty ranks of many navies. Epaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations. In the French and other armies, epaulettes are also worn by all ranks of elite or ceremonial units when on parade. It may bear rank or other insignia, and should not be confused with a shoulder mark - also called an shoulder board, rank slide, or slip-on - a flat cloth sleeve worn on the shoulder strap of a uniform (although the two terms are often used interchangeably).

Epaulettes are fastened to the shoulder by a shoulder strap or passenten, a small strap parallel to the shoulder seam, and the button near the collar, or by laces on the underside of the epaulette passing through holes in the shoulder of the coat or by a metal slide arrangement. Colloquially, any shoulder straps with marks are also called epaulettes. The placement of the epaulette, its colour and the length and diameter of its bullion fringe are used to signify the wearer's rank. Although originally worn in the field, and they certainly were when these were made, epaulettes are now normally limited to dress or ceremonial military uniforms. A photo in the gallery of Nelson's shot-through epaulette from Trafalgar. He has two stars due to his superior Admirals rank.  read more

Code: 21806

A Superb, English, Late 18th Century Duelling Pistol By One of The Worlds Greatest Gunsmiths, John Manton of Dover St. London

The serial number, 2873, dates the manufacture to circa 1798. Finely engraved steel mounts with spur trigger guard with pineapple finial. Browned twist Damascus barrel, gold inlaid with the name Manton and London. Fine walnut stock with, carved horn forend, chequered grip, and barrel retaining key. Very tight and crisp action, overall in nice condition with natural age and wear and some surface russet marking

Converted to Manton's percussion system by likely Joseph Manton sometime in the early 19th century. The pistol is serial numbered very closely to a pair of cased duelling pistols also by John Manton, freely acknowledged to be possibly the finest English duelling pistols in the world, certainly the finest ever to appear at auction, and they were estimated to be worth, several years ago, up to $180,000. That pair see a photo in the gallery are serial numbered 2837 and dated to 1797. He was supposedly making in his workshop 100 guns per annum and our pistol is numbered just 36 away from the cased pair.

John Manton is regarded as one of the most innovative English gun makers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His inventive spirit and desire for continued improvement challenged the designs of the old masters. Manton''s patents and new designs changed the gun industry not only from a manufacturing standpoint, but also for his gentlemanly clients.

About John Manton.

John Manton was born in 1752 in Lincolnshire. He first began his career as a foreman to John Twig. At the age of 29, Manton opened his own gun shop at No. 6 Dover Street. His business quickly prospered, and he had many elite patrons, such as the Royal Family. His sons became a part of the business as well, and the firm of John Manton and Son produced a wide range of guns for their most discerning clientele.

About his duelling pistols.

One of the greatest technologies Manton refined was the accuracy of the duelling pistol. The inaccuracy of the duelling pistols as they were led to less wounds and deaths, and were designed for a quick draw. Manton wanted to improve the slow shot of the duelling pistol because of the increasingly popular event of target practise. He produced heavier barreled duelling pistols and Manton's were at a clear advantage if they were to be caught defending their honour. Many gentleman would visit the shooting gallery of Manton to practise their slow shots, and refine their precision so that they could always be ready for a duel. Including such as Lord Byron

John Manton is considered to by one of the greatest London gunmakers of his time. Around the age of 30 he started his own business at 6 Dover Street where he remained for the rest of his career. He died in late 1834, leaving his business to his son George Henry.

As with all our antique guns, no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 24861

A Very Rare Scots Fusilier Guards Officer's Bearskin Cap 1854. Used at Alma. Of Major Sir Charles J. J. Hamilton, 3rd Baronet Hamilton, Commander Of The Battalion Of Scots Fusilier Guards, Hero of Alma. Cousin of Capt. E.A.Hamilton Coldstream Guards

He commanded a battalion of the Scots Fusilier Guards at the Battle of Alma, and had his horse shot under him.

Acquired with a pair of books presented to his cousin, his heir, the 4th & 2nd baronet Hamilton, Edward A. Hamilton, Coldstream Guards in 1858. They are interred in the same family crypt at Brompton cemetery.

A person can be both the 4th baronet of one line and the 2nd baronet of another by inheriting two separate, distinct baronetcy titles from different branches of their family.
This scenario typically arises through a combination of inheritance, a lack of direct male heirs in one branch, and the merger of family lines.

In overall very good condition, the interior is lined with a leather cap, stitched to the skin, as could be usual for the Crimean bearskin, so the caps could be transported flat one supposes, and it also has the officer's velvet band partially intact. It has no hackle mount externally, which is correct for the Scots Fusilier Guards bearskins, as they wore no hackle, unlike the Grenadiers, and Coldstream Guards. This is only the second 1850's example used in the Crimea we have seen outside of the Guards Museum
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This is the bearskin headdress of an 1850's officer of the Scots Fusilier Guards, one of the most famous regiments of infantry in the British Army. This celebrated item, still worn by the Guards Division on ceremonial duties, has its origins in the Battle of Waterloo, where the 1st Foot Guards of Wellington's army fought against the French Imperial Guard, who wore bearskin caps. It was during the reign of King George IV that the Guard uniforms were changed, along with the Guard Regiments themselves. The scarlet coatee was introduced, with gray or white trousers and in 1832 the bearskin cap became the official headdress of all three guards regiments, thus creating the ceremonial uniform that essentially remains in use today.

In the Crimean war the bearskin was reduced in height and the cap's pelt could be attached to a leather cap, as is this one, and not mounted on a frame of willow or rattan, one such bearskin mounted is in the Guards Museum London

In the Crimean war they were still a combat helmet, classified as a bearskin cap. Sometime after the Crimea the bearskin was only in use by the guards, and fusiliers as a dress cap, as it still is today.

The guards combat details follow below {in a brief resume} at the Battle of Alma, during the retreat and second attack.

By now, the 1st Division had finally crossed the river and the Russians in the greater redoubt saw approaching them the Guards' Brigade, with the Grenadier Guards on the right, the Scots Fusilier Guards in the centre, and the Coldstream Guards on the left. Out of sight on the far left was the Highland Brigade, commanded by Sir Colin Campbell. Campbell was irritated by the Guards' delay and ordered an immediate advance. A firm believer in the charge with bayonets, Campbell told his men not to fire their rifles until they were "within a yard of the Russians".

The Scots Fusiliers, by then ahead of the rest of the division, started to move uphill immediately, repeating the Light Division's mistake, which at that moment was running down from the redoubt, pursued by Russian infantry. The Light Division crashed into the advancing Scots Fusiliers with such force that the line was broken in many places. The Scots faltered, but emerged on the other side with only half their numbers and continued towards the great redoubt in a chaotic state. When they were 37 m (40 yd) from the redoubt, the Russians mounted a massive volley. The Scots Fusiliers were forced to retreat, stopping only when they reached the river.

The two other guards regiments filled the gap left by the Scots Fusiliers, but refused orders to charge with bayonets up the hill. Instead, the Grenadiers and the Coldstream formed into lines and started firing Minié volleys into the Russian advance parties. This stopped the Russians, and the Grenadiers and the Coldstream were soon able to close the gap between them; the Russians were again forced back into the redoubt. Vintage, replaced chinscales

Photos in the gallery of Hand-coloured photograph of three soldiers of the Scots Fusiliers Guards who served in the Crimean War. From right to left are Corporal Judd, Edward Temple and William Reynolds. They are all seated with Judd resting his bearskin on his lap and Temple holding one of the three rifles joint together pointing upwards.

Sir Charles John James Hamilton, 3rd Baronet, of Marlborough House, Hampshire, was the only son of Admiral Sir Charles Hamilton, K.C.B., 2nd Baronet, and Henrietta Martha, only daughter of George Drummond, of Stanmore in Middlesex. Educated at the Charterhouse, he was a career soldier, and appointed a Major in the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He succeeded his father in 1849, and was promoted a Colonel in the Army in 1854 in which year he retired. He commanded a battalion of the Scots Fusilier Guards at the Battle of Alma, and had his horse shot under him. He was awarded the Crimean Medal and Clasp, and the Turkish War Medal and was nominated a Companion of the Order of the Bath by special statute. He married, 14 December 1833, Catherine Emily, daughter of William Wynne of Dublin, but they had no children, and when he died in 1892 he was succeeded by his cousin, Sir Edward Archibald Hamilton, 2nd Baronet of Trebinshun House, Breconshire.

"Sir Charles John James Hamilton, Baronet, 1776, of Iping, succeeded. to the Baronetcy, 14 Sep. 1849 (1854) Major Scots Fusilier Guards, distinguished himself at the battle of the Alma, Sep. 1854, but retired in 1855 as Lieut.-Colonel ; C.B., 1855.

Throughout the war Queen Victoria had taken an active interest in the welfare of the troops and on their return from the Crimea she met a number of the veterans at Buckingham Palace, Chatham Military Hospital and Aldershot Garrison. Following these meetings she commissioned a series of photographs of the veterans from the photographers Joseph Cundall and Robert Howlett.

The other coloured photograph is of Colour Sergeant William McGregor of the Scots Fusilier Guards.  read more

Code: 24947

19th Century 1850's English Tranter .36 calibre Double Trigger Revolver One of the Most Favoured Revolver's of The US Civil War Confederates

The Tranter revolver is a double-action cap and ball (percussion) revolver invented around 1856 by English firearms designer William Tranter (pictured below). The original Tranter’s operated with a special dual-trigger mechanism (one to rotate the cylinder and cock the gun, a second to fire it)
The revolvers in .36 and .44 calibre were popular with Confederate troops during the American Civil War and thousands of them were shipped from Birmingham, England to New Orleans under contract to the Griswold Company.

Tranter’s most successful series of arms were his “self-cocking” revolvers, which were initially introduced in 1853. The earliest revolvers utilized Robert Adams’ patent for a solid, one-piece frame and barrel that were machined from a single forging. Tranter’s initial production run of revolvers included both Adams 1851 Patent lock works, and Tranter's own patented lock works. The original “Tranter” type revolvers, known to collectors as 1st Model Tranter or sometimes “Adams-Tranter” revolvers due to the frame marking, had no provision for a fixed loading lever. The lever swiveled on a stud that projected from the left side of the frame, which had no provision to retain the lever when it was mounted on the revolver. The lever was intended to be stored in a case or carried in the pocket; hardly a practical solution if the user actually had to reload the revolver in the field. Most of these guns were manufactured on Adams Patent frames
Famous Tranter owners

Major Heros Von Borcke, CSA
The Pinkerton Detective Agency
General J.E.B. Stuart, CSA
Capt Charles Green, CSA
Chief Inspector Donald Swanson, Scotland Yard
Sherlock Holmes
Thomas Knowles
Murder of Peter Clark

The frame, under the grip bears a serial number 7 and another matching 7 partially under the spring , and another 7 on the wooden grip. The cylinder rotates sporadically and fires on the second trigger, the left side inverted Y safety spring has a thin arm crack, single nipple lacking. No maker engravings present, with regular view and proof stamps on every cylinder and barrel, both of which are standard features on all Confederate UK contract arms,  read more

Code: 24576

A Wonderful & Historical Pair of Mid 18th Century 'Royal' French Long Holster Pistols, Marked 'Cour Royal', 1754 American Anglo-French-Indian War & Revolutionary War of 1776 Period Flintlocks, Circa 1750. Made For An Officer Of the French Royal Court

The walnut has wonderful patina, the steel barrel and mounts are all in the rococco décor form, both hand chisseled and engraved, with overall surface age pitting. Very good tight actions to both. The locks were transform silex almost two hundred years ago, which is an upgrade system to convert the actions to percussion, in order to ensure their working life by an additional forty years or so. Locks engraved Cour Royal with feint makers name beneath. Barrels bear superb gun barrel makers proof stamps. Sadly we know not the name of the officer in Louis XVth’s court for whom they were made, but they were used in the Americas in the 1750’s, and 1770’s and were upgraded likely there too in the early 1800’s. However, being a Royal Court maker he must of been of substantial position, rank, and indeed power, within the King’s army. It is intriguing to wonder who it may have been, possibly one of the French general’s. Such as, Louis-Joseph de Montcalm
Marquis de Vaudreuil
Baron Dieskau
François-Marie de Lignery

The French and Indian War (1754–63) comprised the North American theatre of the worldwide Seven Years' War of 1756–63. It pitted the colonies of British America against those of New France. Both sides were supported by military units from their parent countries of Great Britain and France, as well as by American Indian allies. At the start of the war, the French North American colonies had a population of roughly 60,000 settlers, compared with 2 million in the British North American colonies. The outnumbered French particularly depended on the Indians. The European nations declared war on one another in 1756 following months of localized conflict, escalating the war from a regional affair into an intercontinental conflict.

The name French and Indian War is used mainly in the United States. It refers to the two main enemies of the British colonists: the royal French forces and the various American Indian forces allied with them. The British colonists were supported at various times by the Iroquois, Catawba, and Cherokee, and the French colonists were supported by Wabanaki Confederacy members Abenaki and Mi'kmaq, and Algonquin, Lenape, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Shawnee, and Wyandot.

British and other European historians use the term the Seven Years' War, as do English-speaking Canadians. French Canadians call it La guerre de la Conquête (the War of the Conquest) or (rarely) the Fourth Intercolonial War.

Fighting took place primarily along the frontiers between New France and the British colonies, from Virginia in the south to Newfoundland in the north. It began with a dispute over control of the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers called the Forks of the Ohio, and the site of the French Fort Duquesne within present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The dispute erupted into violence in the Battle of Jumonville Glen in May 1754, during which Virginia militiamen under the command of 22-year-old George Washington ambushed a French patrol.

In 1755, six colonial governors in North America met with General Edward Braddock, the newly arrived British Army commander, and planned a four-way attack on the French. None succeeded, and the main effort by Braddock proved a disaster; he lost the Battle of the Monongahela on July 9, 1755 and died a few days later. British operations failed in the frontier areas of Pennsylvania and New York during 1755–57 due to a combination of poor management, internal divisions, effective Canadian scouts, French regular forces, and Indian warrior allies. In 1755, the British captured Fort Beauséjour on the border separating Nova Scotia from Acadia, and they ordered the expulsion of the Acadians (1755–64) soon afterwards. Orders for the deportation were given by William Shirley, Commander-in-Chief, North America, without direction from Great Britain. The Acadians were expelled, both those captured in arms and those who had sworn the loyalty oath to His Britannic Majesty. Indians likewise were driven off the land to make way for settlers from New England.

The British colonial government fell in the region of modern Nova Scotia after several disastrous campaigns in 1757, including a failed expedition against Louisbourg and the Siege of Fort William Henry; this last was followed by Indians torturing and massacring their British victims. William Pitt came to power and significantly increased British military resources in the colonies at a time when France was unwilling to risk large convoys to aid the limited forces that they had in New France, preferring to concentrate their forces against Prussia and its allies in the European theater of the war. Between 1758 and 1760, the British military launched a campaign to capture the Colony of Canada (part of New France). They succeeded in capturing territory in surrounding colonies and ultimately the city of Quebec (1759). The British later lost the Battle of Sainte-Foy west of Quebec (1760), but the French ceded Canada in accordance with the Treaty of Paris (1763).

The outcome was one of the most significant developments in a century of Anglo-French conflict. France ceded to Great Britain its territory east of the Mississippi. It ceded French Louisiana west of the Mississippi River (including New Orleans) to its ally Spain in compensation for Spain's loss to Britain of Florida. (Spain had ceded Florida to Britain in exchange for the return of Havana, Cuba.) France's colonial presence north of the Caribbean was reduced to the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, confirming Great Britain's position as the dominant colonial power in eastern North America.

Once the war was concluded just over a decade later these pistols saw service in the American Revolutionary War of the 1770’s, but most likely then by an American officer as they were almost certainly taken as war booty or surrendered during the French Indian War, in order for them to have remained in the Americas until the 18th century at least.  read more

Code: 21241

A Really Rare Original Victorian Crimean War Other Ranks Guardsman's Bearskin Cap. with Hardened Leather Interior Frame & Original, Victorian, Crown VR , Maker's Label

From our fabulous Crimean war collection.

It is fair to say less than one in ten thousand household Division Bearskin Caps to be seen today, on the collectors market, is an original, Victorian issue, 1850's, Crimean War service bearskin cap, the other 9,999 per ten thousand, will be the regular 20th century cane framed bearskin caps. With good condition, leather lined chinscales.

In overall very good condition, the interior bears its original mid 19th century Victorian makers label. It is heavy stitched leather, stitched to the skin, as would be usual for the Crimean bearskin, and it also has the regular other ranks leather headband intact, {the officer's version had a velvet headband} fully. It has no hackle mount externally, which is correct for the Scots Fusilier Guards bearskins, as they wore no hackle, unlike the Grenadiers, and Coldstream Guards. This is only the third 1850's example used in the Crimea we have seen outside of the Guards Museum
.
This is the bearskin headdress of an 1850's other ranks of the Scots Fusilier Guards, one of the most famous regiments of infantry in the British Army. This celebrated item, still worn by the Guards Division on ceremonial duties, has its origins in the Battle of Waterloo, where the 1st Foot Guards of Wellington's army fought against the French Imperial Guard, who wore bearskin caps. It was during the reign of King George IV that the Guard uniforms were changed, along with the Guard Regiments themselves. The scarlet coatee was introduced, with gray or white trousers and in 1832 the bearskin cap became the official headdress of all three guards regiments, thus creating the ceremonial uniform that essentially remains in use today.

In the Crimean war the bearskin was reduced in height and the cap's pelt could be attached to a hardened leather cap, as is this one, and not mounted on a frame of willow or rattan as they are today, one such leather lined bearskin is in the Guards Museum in London

In the Crimean war they were still a combat helmet, classified as a bearskin cap. Sometime after the Crimea, the bearskin was only in use by the guards, and fusiliers regiments as a dress cap, just as it still is today.

The guards combat details follow below {in a brief resume} at the Battle of Alma, during the retreat and second attack.

By now, the 1st Division had finally crossed the river and the Russians in the greater redoubt saw approaching them the Guards' Brigade, with the Grenadier Guards on the right, the Scots Fusilier Guards in the centre, and the Coldstream Guards on the left. Out of sight on the far left was the Highland Brigade, commanded by Sir Colin Campbell. Campbell was irritated by the Guards' delay and ordered an immediate advance. A firm believer in the charge with bayonets, Campbell told his men not to fire their rifles until they were "within a yard of the Russians".

The Scots Fusiliers, by then ahead of the rest of the division, started to move uphill immediately, repeating the Light Division's mistake, which at that moment was running down from the redoubt, pursued by Russian infantry. The Light Division crashed into the advancing Scots Fusiliers with such force that the line was broken in many places. The Scots faltered, but emerged on the other side with only half their numbers and continued towards the great redoubt in a chaotic state. When they were 37 m (40 yd) from the redoubt, the Russians mounted a massive volley. The Scots Fusiliers were forced to retreat, stopping only when they reached the river.

The two other guards regiments filled the gap left by the Scots Fusiliers, but refused orders to charge with bayonets up the hill. Instead, the Grenadiers and the Coldstream formed into lines and started firing Minie volleys into the Russian advance parties. This stopped the Russians, and the Grenadiers and the Coldstream were soon able to close the gap between them; the Russians were again forced back into the redoubt. Vintage, replaced chinscales

Photos in the gallery of hand-coloured photograph of three soldiers of the Scots Fusiliers Guards who served in the Crimean War. From right to left are Corporal Judd, Edward Temple and William Reynolds. They are all seated with Judd resting his bearskin on his lap and Temple holding one of the three rifles joint together pointing upwards.

Alongside this Crimean piece we also acquired a fabulous Crimean War pistol and an 1853 relic sword blade from the Charge of the Light Brigade.

Throughout the war Queen Victoria had taken an active interest in the welfare of the troops and on their return from the Crimea she met a number of the veterans at Buckingham Palace, Chatham Military Hospital and Aldershot Garrison. Following these meetings she commissioned a series of photographs of the veterans from the photographers Joseph Cundall and Robert Howlett.

The other coloured photograph is of Colour Sergeant William McGregor of the Scots Fusilier Guards.

The maker of this bearskin cap was established in 1776, as Sword Cutlers, Military Outfitters, and Hatters, W. Cater & Co. They were at 56 Pall Mall, and they moved from 56 Pall Mall, to 62 Pall Mall in around 1918.  read more

Code: 25401

A Most Rare & Stunningly Beautiful Imperial Russian Superior Cavalry Officer's Sword, Romanov Era, From the First Quarter to Mid 19th Century. A War Trophy of the Crimean War

Curved, bright polished single edge blade, cut with 2 fullers (one broad, one narrow), very fine brass hilt decorated throughout with laurel and acanthus leaves and foliage in relief, a knuckle bow with two bar guards, and a superb original wire bound polished horn grip, with a typically Russian form of forward slanted pommel, with pommel ball.

Original Imperial Russian Romanov period officer's swords of the 19th century appear very rarely indeed, as so few survived the revolution, and when they do, if they are the very fine quality examples, they can achieve extraordinarily high prices. It is certainly possible this sword is a trophy of the Crimean War.

This superb sabre would likely have seen its most combative service in the Crimea, such as at The Battle of Balaclava that is remembered in Britain for the actions of two British units. At the start of the battle, a large body of Russian cavalry charged the 93rd Highlanders, who were posted north of the village of Kadikoi. Commanding them was Sir Colin Campbell. Rather than "form square", the traditional method of repelling cavalry, Campbell took the risky decision to have his Highlanders form a single line two men deep. Campbell had seen the effectiveness of the new Minié rifles with which his troops were armed at the Battle of Alma, a month earlier, and he was confident that his men could beat back the Russians. His tactics succeeded. From up on the ridge to the west, Times correspondent William Howard Russell saw the Highlanders as a "thin red streak topped with steel", a phrase which soon became the "Thin Red Line".

Soon afterward, a Russian cavalry movement was countered by the Heavy Brigade, which charged and fought hand to hand until the Russians retreated. That caused a more widespread Russian retreat, including a number of their artillery units. After the local commanders had failed to take advantage of the retreat, Lord Raglan sent out orders to move up and to prevent the withdrawal of naval guns from the recently captured redoubts on the heights. Raglan could see those guns because of his position on the hill. In the valley, that view was obstructed, and the wrong guns were in sight to the left. The local commanders ignored the demands, which led to the British aide-de-camp, Captain Louis Nolan, personally delivering the quickly-written and confusing order to attack the artillery. When Lord Lucan questioned to which guns the order referred, the aide-de-camp pointed to the first Russian battery that he could see and allegedly said "There is your enemy, there are your guns", because of his obstructed view, which were wrong. Lucan then passed the order to the Earl of Cardigan, which resulted in the Charge of the Light Brigade.

The House of Romanov was the reigning imperial house of Russia from 1613 to 1917. They achieved prominence after Anastasia Romanovna married Ivan the Terrible, the first crowned tsar of all Russia. Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia, and his immediate family were executed in 1918, but there are still living descendants of other members of the imperial house.

Romanov 19th century history;
Paul I was murdered in his palace in Saint Petersburg in 1801. Alexander I, succeeded him on the throne and later died without leaving a son. His brother, crowned Nicholas I, succeeded him on the throne in 1825. The succession was far from smooth, however, as hundreds of troops took the oath of allegiance to Nicholas's elder brother, Constantine Pavlovich who, unbeknownst to them, had renounced his claim to the throne in 1822, following his marriage. The confusion, combined with opposition to Nicholas' accession, led to the Decembrist revolt. Nicholas I fathered four sons, educating them for the prospect of ruling Russia and for military careers, from whom the last branches of the dynasty descended.

Alexander II, son of Nicholas I, became the next Russian emperor in 1855, in the midst of the Crimean War. While Alexander considered it his charge to maintain peace in Europe and Russia, he believed only a strong Russian military could keep the peace. By developing the Imperial Russian Army, giving increased autonomy to Finland, and freeing the serfs in 1861 he gained much popular support for his reign.

The Crimean War was fought from October 1853 to February 1856 between the Russian Empire and an ultimately victorious alliance of the Ottoman Empire, France, the United Kingdom, and Sardinia-Piedmont.

Geopolitical causes of the war included the decline of the Ottoman Empire (the "Eastern Question"), the expansion of Russia in the preceding Russo-Turkish Wars, and the British and French preference to preserve the Ottoman Empire to maintain the balance of power in the Concert of Europe. The flashpoint was a disagreement over the rights of Christian minorities in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, with the French promoting the rights of Roman Catholics, and Russia promoting those of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The Crimean War marked a turning point for the Russian Empire. The war weakened the Imperial Russian Army, drained the treasury and undermined Russia's influence in Europe. The empire would take decades to recover. Russia's humiliation forced its educated elites to identify its problems and recognise the need for fundamental reforms. They saw rapid modernisation as the sole way to recover the empire's status as a European power. The war thus became a catalyst for reforms of Russia's social institutions, including the abolition of serfdom and overhauls in the justice system, local self-government, education and military service.

In excellent condition overall considering this fabulous and incredibly rare sabre’s cavaly officer has obviously seen hand-to-hand combat, thus there is very light and minuscule overall surface wear to the steel blade, but it is still very fine indeed, very bright and wonderfully polished. On the hilt’s upper section of knuckle-bow, on the inner side, there is a very fine tiny combat-stress hairline {see photo 6}. Likely caused by a combat punch action impact of the hilt against a resistant object, possibly a helmet. Blade overall 38 .75 inches long, blade 31.75 inches long. No scabbard

Possibly by Schaaf & Söhne St. Petersburg.
We have seen Imperial Russian, of very similar quality and design, officer’s dragoon swords, such as a later pattern St Anne’s dragoon sword for bravery, sell for up to £30,000, so relatively, this sword is most inexpensive by comparison..  read more

Code: 25399

A Wonderful, Original, Antique Victorian Helmet of the 6th Dragoons the Inniskillins. One of the Great Irish Cavalry Regiments in the British Army & One of The Most Desirable of All The Victorian Regimental Helmets

One of the best surviving examples one can see in or out of a museum

They served in the Crimea in 1854, losing all its horses en route in a fire on board its troop ship, but still managing to take part in the charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava.

The regiment was deployed to the Crimea in April 1854 but during the voyage the regiment's transport ship Europa sank with the loss of the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Willoughby Moore, and 17 of his men. Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Dalrymple White took over command of the regiment and led it in action at the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854.

The first assault line consisted of the Scots Greys and one squadron of the Inniskillings, a total of less than 250 sabres. Only when the RSMs declared themselves happy with the alignment did Scarlett order his bugler to sound the 'Charge'. The idea of a charge conjures up images of the Light Brigade dashing forward at speed but Dragoons were larger men with much heavier equipment so their charge was more of a trot. Floundering at obstacles such as ditches or coppices they headed towards the massed ranks of Russian cavalry, pressing on inexorably at a mere 8 miles an hour. Slow they may have been but the effect of these heavy cavalrymen slamming into the much lighter Russian cavalry stunned their enemy. A letter from a Captain of the Inniskillings illustrates the mellee which followed:

"Forward - dash - bang - clank, and there we were in the midst of such smoke, cheer, and clatter, as never before stunned a mortal's ear. it was glorious! Down, one by one, aye, two by two fell the thick skulled and over-numerous Cossacks.....Down too alas! fell many a hero with a warm Celtic heart, and more than one fell screaming loud for victory. I could not pause. It was all push, wheel, frenzy, strike and down, down, down they went. Twice I was unhorsed, and more than once I had to grip my sword tighter, the blood of foes streaming down over the hilt, and running up my very sleeve....now we were lost in their ranks - now in little bands battling - now in good order together, now in and out."
In the words of Colonel Paget of the Light Brigade "It was a mighty affair, and considering the difficulties under which the Heavy Brigade laboured, and the disparity of numbers, a feat of arms which, if it ever had its equal, was certainly never surpassed in the annals of cavalry warfare, and the importance of which in its results can never be known.
It then took on peacekeeping roles in India in 1857 after the Mutiny and in South Africa in 1880 after the Zulu War.

It fought as mounted infantry in the Boer War. After the outbreak of the Second Boer War in October 1899, the regiment was sent to South Africa. It formed part of General French′s force in the operations around Colesberg, and afterwards one squadron took part in the relief of Kimberley in February 1900.22 The squadrons of the regiment then rejoined, and formed part of the cavalry brigade which served in all the engagements in the general advance on Pretoria, one of the Boer capitals, which was captured on 5 June 1900. They took part in the battles of Diamond Hill (June 1900) and Belfast (August 1900), and in the following cavalry advance on Barberton in the Eastern Transvaal. The regiment subsequently joined a column under the command of Colonel Michael Rimington in the Orange River Colony, taking part in miscellaneous raids and drives there throughout the last year of the war, which ended with the Peace of Vereeniging on 31 May 1902. Following the end of the war, 257 officers and men of the regiment left Cape Town on the SS Orissa, which arrived at Southampton in late October 1902,23 and another 138 men arrived at Queenstown the following month on the SS Orient.After their return, the regiment was stationed at Curragh. One of its lieutenants, Lawrence Oates, was recommended for the Victoria Cross and is best known for his last words - 'I am going out, I may be some time' - shortly before his death on Scott’s expedition to the South Pole in 1912.

The unit served mainly as infantry on the Western Front during the First World War, suffering heavy casualties on the rare occasions it charged as cavalry.  read more

Code: 25325

A Very Fine, 17th Century, King 'William & Queen Mary' Period Hangar Sword Cutlass of Senior Naval Officer's Admirals and Captains of the Royal Navy. & Notorious Pirates 🏴‍☠️ Gold Inlaid Flower Head Stamped Blade

From a superb family collection we just acquired, that was accumulated over decades, of fine early swords, pistols and cutlasses.

The sword of choice for senior officer's {Admirals and Captain's} serving in the Royal Navy during the 17th and early 18th century. We show three portraits in the gallery of admirals of the age each bearing their same swords, plus notorious pirates Blackbeard using the same sword.

Short flat sided blade. Antler handle made of antler of a male deer, called “hartshorn,” brass single knuckle bow bar hilt with cap pommel.
Blade bears two armourer's marks, of an 8 petealed flower stem and leaf with gold inlay. Overall in superb condition for its age.

Another very similar 'William and Mary period cutlass hangar was recovered {in a very poor state} from the wreck of notorious pirate, Captain Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, that was found at Beaufort inlet in 1996, the remains of the vessel have become the property of the people of North Carolina. And another 'William and Mary' period sword-cutlass is in a museum collection in Colonial Williamsburg in America.

William and Mary were the co-regnants over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, namely the Dutch Prince of Orange King William III (& II) and his spouse (and first cousin) Queen Mary II. Their joint reign began in February 1689 after they were offered the throne by the Convention Parliament irregularly summoned by William after his victorious invasion of England in November 1688, the so-called Glorious Revolution. They replaced James II (& VII), Mary's father, who fled the country. Parliament offered William and Mary a co-regency, at the couple's behest. After Mary died in 1694, William ruled alone until his death in 1702. William and Mary were childless and were ultimately succeeded by Mary's younger sister, Anne.
This was the most popular form of sword used by the early British Naval Commanders when at sea. There are numerous great portraits in the National Gallery, and at the National Maritime Museum, of 17th and 18th century Admirals adorned with identical swords. Such as Admirals Benbow, Shovel et al. we show three such portraits in our gallery, of Hopsonn, Shovel and Benbow.

Vice-Admiral John Benbow (10 March 1653 – 4 November 1702) was an English Royal Navy officer. He joined the Navy in 1678, seeing action against Barbary pirates before leaving to join the Merchant Navy in which Benbow served until the 1688 Glorious Revolution, whereupon he returned to the Royal Navy and was commissioned.

Benbow fought against the French Navy during the Nine Years' War, serving on and later commanding several English warships and taking part in the battles of Beachy Head and Barfleur and La Hogue in 1690 and 1692. He went on to achieve fame during his military accomplishments, which included fighting against Barbary pirates such as the Salé Rovers, besieging Saint-Malo and seeing action in the West Indies against the French during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Cloudesley Shovell (c. November 1650 – 22 or 23 October 1707) was an English naval officer. As a junior officer he saw action at the Battle of Solebay and then at the Battle of Texel during the Third Anglo-Dutch War. As a captain he fought at the Battle of Bantry Bay during the Williamite War in Ireland.

As a flag officer Shovell commanded a division at the Battle of Barfleur during the Nine Years' War, and during the battle distinguished himself by being the first to break through the enemy's line. Along with Admiral Henry Killigrew and Admiral Ralph Delaval, Shovell was put in joint command of the fleet shortly afterwards.

During the War of the Spanish Succession, Shovell commanded a squadron which served under Admiral George Rooke at the capture of Gibraltar and the Battle of Málaga. Working in conjunction with a landing force under the Earl of Peterborough, his forces undertook the siege and capture of Barcelona. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Navy while at Lisbon the following year. He also commanded the naval element of a combined attack on Toulon, base of the main French fleet, in coordination with the Austrian army under Prince Eugene of Savoy in the summer of 1707. Later that year, on the return voyage to England, Shovell and more than 1,400 others perished in a disastrous shipwreck off the Isles of Scilly.

Thomas Hopsonn enjoyed a naval command on 18 May 1688, when James II appointed him to the Bonaventure. This ship was part of the fleet sent to The Nore under Strickland to prevent the Dutch invasion. However, Hopsonn was one of the conspirators within the fleet who supported William of Orange in the Glorious Revolution.

Following the revolution, Hopsonn retained command of the Bonaventure and was part of the squadron that relieved the siege of Derry in June 1689. On 28 October 1689, he was posted to the York, and commanded that vessel during the battle of Beachy Head the following year. Hopsonn's immediate commander in the battle was Sir George Rooke, who formed a high opinion of his gallantry and was afterwards much associated with him. He commanded Royal Katherine for two months starting in August 1690, before moving to command the St Michael. It was aboard the latter that he followed Rooke in the battle of Barfleur on 19 May 1692. In the same year, he was promoted to become a captain in the foot guards on the recommendation of admiral Edward Russell.

Blackbeard or Edward Teach (c.1680-1718) is one of the most infamous pirates to have ever lived.
Known for his fearsome image and daring acts on land and sea throughout the West Indies and along the North American East coast, his legacy has been the inspiration for many depictions of pirates throughout history. In possibly his most brazen act, Teach used his flotilla to blockade the port of Charlestown in the province of South Carolina. Over the course of a week, nine vessels were stopped and plundered as they attempted to sail out of the harbour, where Teach's fleet was moored.
Teach informed some of his prisoners that his fleet required medical supplies from the colonial government of South Carolina and that if none were provided, all would be beheaded and their ships burned.
Two pirates and a prisoner were sent to the town but when they did not return he moved eight ships into the harbour, causing panic and looting within the town. Shortly after his supplies were delivered and the prisoners released, after reportedly being robbed of all worthy possessions.
This siege represents the height of Teach’s notoriety, not just as a skilled captain but a fierce leader who was not confined to the sea and would maraud where he pleased. Exploits such as these made Teach was one of the most commonly reported pirates in the news and in the print of his age.

22.75 inches long overall, 17.5 inch long blade  read more

Code: 25381