Antique Arms & Militaria

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’. Our 105th Christmas in Brighton

Now moving on towards the middle of November, as we all are, this would the perfect time to select a Christmas gift for a loved one {or oneself} from our unique and massive selection of original military antiques, ancient antiquities, and Ist edition novels. Also a fine time for deliveries worldwide to arrive before the Christmas festivities.

This is our 105th year of family trading this coming Christmas, and the dawn of our 106th year. However, we have actually traded in Brighton for well over 200 years, but until WW1 we were principally involved in the fishing trade, especially seafood. In the early 19th century we used to supply the Brighton Royal Pavilion, the palace of King George IVth {formerly the Prince Regent} with shellfish.

Every year, many, many millions of people visit Brighton, and many hundreds of thousands of them find there way here to us. In fact up to two or three thousand often visit us every opening day.
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. Where else in the UK could you leave a store, after a jolly Christmas holiday visit, with a selection of original WW2 Officer’s uniform buttons for only £1.50p each, or an original solid gold and gemstone intaglio carved seal ring once worn 1700 years ago by an Imperial Roman senator. Where you might rub shoulders with a former American President’s First Lady, a Hollywood superstar, {our latest recent superstar visitor was British actor Tom Hardy} or a retired Scottish teacher on a regular visit from the Outer Hebrides.

Incredible things seem to happen here every day, for example, just this week a very nice gentleman arrived after travelling all the way from Hong Kong, just to view, and purchase, one of our most special Japanese swords we were offering, and just as it was being packed up, after our business together was concluded, for its long journey to his home, another gentleman called on the phone with sincere interest in order to buy that very same sword, just a few minutes after the Hong Kong gentleman bought it, and bearing in mind we have many hundreds of swords on offer, and many thousands of intriguing pieces.
This remarkable occurrence was witnessed by one of our oldest friends and a very special regular customer, who was seated witnessing the whole turn of events, and he was amazed at the incredible coincidence, yet, he exclaimed, that so many hundreds of times he has been here in the past near 20 years, and he has seen, first hand, just how often that happens. We are truly a shop of most remarkably diverse visitors, and extraordinary coincidences.

As a former client, world renowned author, John Osborne, once said to Mark,
“It’s quite extraordinary, you can see just about everyone you could imagine here, and if you haven’t seen them yet, there’re probably on their way!’

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! some stunning cannon balls fired at Waterloo. Plus, our current selection ranges from a collection just acquired of really great and rare bayonets, British German & French, antique WW1 and WW2, from a collector who wanted the very best he could find over the past 40 years. Including rare French examples from the 'Russian contract' during WW1, that were uncovered in Ukraine in the late 90's, and some French Foreign Legion bayonets, acquired from a French Foreign Legion reserve armoury depot clear-out in the 70's. Plus stunning and rare Japanese samurai swords including a beautiful, original 'Tamashigiri Cutting Test' antique samurai katana signed by high rated master smith, Masashige Tegarayama, 手柄山正繁 with a highly rare Tamashigiri Cutting Test, By Gonnosuke Komatsubara, Dated 1799 to some super Ist Edition Charles Dickens novels, and various fabulous, wonderful and utterly beautiful antique Victorian dragoon dress helmets. Also a stunning collection of historical, provenanced original Napoleonic War cannon balls and a huge French Howitzer explosive round { now inert}.

All kinds of other unique and fabulous conversation pieces, including some delightful volumes, have been acquired lately, such as, for example, a 1st edition of The Third Man by Graham Greene, one of David senior’s fellow imbibers at our neighbours ancient establishment, The Cricketers, Brighton’s 500 year old inn.

Another part of our original Japanese katana acquisitions arrived, and as usual many are stunning beauties and A Superb Choice For This Christmas, And a Special Price Too! A Very Good World War II Imperial Japanese Army Officer's Katana with a famous family's silver clan mon

We have had arrive here recently, some more really wonderful, original pieces of history. And as usual, this occurs almost every single day, {except Sunday} sometimes many times in a day if we are fortunate. Being one of all the world’s collectors favourite stores, some incredible artifacts are almost magnetically drawn to our doorstep every opening hour.

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 this Christmas with an original souvenir from Alexander the Great's battle with the Persians in 334 B.C, from only £65, to a fabulous unique handmade gold, diamond and ruby 'Mystery Watch' once owned by movie legend, Elizabeth Taylor, for just under £180,000, or, a 2500 year old ancient Chinese sword that may very likely have once been the sword of a king!, and how about a fabulous 'Shaturnal' a Moghul War-Elephant cannon

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.

This Christmas season we can offer thousands of pieces, including, such as, a fabulous complete set of Charles Dickens novels

"Outside of a dog, man's best friend is a book. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."

— GROUCHO MARX
{and yes, he was a visiting customer as well, in around March 1965}

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". Just look at a few of our thousands of pages of delectable offerings, that vary from a very rare Rowntree’s WW2 munitions factory Rescue Officer’s helmet, to an Iceni chieftain’s chariot rein mount from the Roman-Celtic war with Queen Boudicca in England 2000 years ago, to very rare Italian Renaissance 16th century prince's dagger, to crossbow bolts recovered from the Battle site of Bannockburn {23–24 June 1314}, to some exceptional swords from the Napoleonic Wars, some belonging to several of Napoleon's generals. One, is a presentational grade sabre, somewhat akin to the fabulous Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund swords awarded to hero’s of the wars with Napoleon {but fortunately, not for the 100,000 pounds plus cost that they can command today}, &, to a superb Gurkha’s WW2 military issue kukri for just a few hundred pounds. Everything is possible through our portals, for all budget ranges, from just a few pounds to six figures.

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 antiques in Brighton for over 104 years. Prior to that, we traded in Brighton caught shellfish for the previous 100 plus years, with our licensed shellfish concessions for the entire Brighton coastline.

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 Four 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 two Christmas seasons ago, 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 at our farm last year, sadly, they are now no longer with us. 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, with her horse, 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.
This year has been a tough one for our equine life. First we lost Governor, then Roger, then just last week, Arrow. But the many decades of joy they brought us all, and hopefully the joyous life they all led with us here, more than makes up for our feelings of loss and sadness.

The last photo in the gallery is an autographed photo, given to Mark personally, by the late great President Ronald Regan in the Oval Office of The White House.  read more

Code: 25540

Fabulous Extensive Collection of Superb Service Issue 1856-8 Two Band Enfield Yataghan Sword Bayonets. Used In The Opium War With P1853 Enfields. The 1850's War in China and the American Civil War 1861 & The Japanese Boshin War The Satsuma Rebellion

Absolutely bright as a button, all have been hand polished and conserved, for the next 200 years, in our workshop. As good as any you may see in a museum collection.

All to be sold separately, some with scabbards some without.

Original ordnance stamps and inspection marks abound, and regimental gun rack number on the hilts.

The rifle that this sword bayonet was designed for the P1853 two band Enfield rifle, and was the type used in the late Indian Mutiny at the "Seige and Relief of Lucknow". Chequered leather grip with rivets, and screw affixed retaining spring. Good, long, Yataghan blade in bright polish. Excellent leather. The regiments that used this bayonet sword took part in the Second Opium War, the Indian Mutiny and the Third Anglo-Burmese War, and tens of thousands of service issue rifles and bayonets were sold to America in the Civil war, purchased by both the North, and the South. See photos in the gallery of Union and Confederates with the Enfield rifles and their yataghan bayonets. After the Civil War thousands of Confederate purchased Enfields were sold to Japan's Tokugawa Shogunate, and used in the Boshin war and the Satsuma Rebellion.The Boshin War (戊辰戦争, Boshin Sensō), sometimes known as the Japanese Revolution or Japanese Civil War, was a civil war in Japan fought from 1868 to 1869 between forces of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate and a coalition seeking to seize political power in the name of the Imperial Court.

The war stemmed from dissatisfaction among many nobles and young samurai with the shogunate's handling of foreigners following the opening of Japan during the prior decade. Increasing Western influence in the economy led to a decline similar to that of other Asian countries at the time. An alliance of western samurai, particularly the domains of Chōshū, Satsuma, and Tosa, and court officials secured control of the Imperial Court and influenced the young Emperor Meiji. Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the sitting shōgun, realizing the futility of his situation, abdicated and handed over political power to the emperor. Yoshinobu had hoped that by doing this the House of Tokugawa could be preserved and participate in the future government.

A quote from a Confederate officer's diary,
"Every short two-band Enfield which came into possession of any of our men was taken away and given to these men sharpshooters ... But there were not enough and some of them had the common long Enfield."
It would appear that by mid-war in the Confederate Service, while the infantry was provided with the longer rifle-muskets where possible, the shorter rifles (US or Enfield) were preferred for use by the Cavalry:

Gen. Basil Duke noted of Morgan's Cavalry, they did not even like the American shorter carbine length muzzle loaders (musketoons):

"Morgan's Cavalry in the west preferred the British arm they called the "medium Enfield" the two band rifle. The short Enfield carbine they found convenient to carry, but deficient in range and accuracy. The long-Enfield (three band) they found inconvenient to carry, and difficult to use (as was sometimes necessary) on horseback. Regardless, in that command one company had the long Enfield, another the short, and another the medium.

We bought the entire small collection from the widow of a 'best of British Empire rifles and bayonets, plus French and German bayonets collector’, who acquired them over the past 40 plus years, and only ever kept the very best he could afford to keep. Act fast they are selling really fast, three rifles and eight bayonets and a cutlass have sold in two days alone. Top quality and condition,19th and 20th century scarce British French and German collectables are always the most desirable of all. These Victorian British made bayonets were all used in the above mentioned conflicts, including those here, that were eventually sold to Japan, via a very circuitous route, by America, who in their turn purchased them from England for the American Civil War. All of these were acquired by the English collector, from a former Japanese collector of Boshin War and Satsuma Rebellion militaria some decades ago. As the perfect examples of just how far travelled British made arms and bayonets journeyed around the world in their combat service life.

The Confederates imported more Enfields during the course of the war than any other small arm, buying from private contractors and gun runners and smuggling them into Southern ports through blockade running. It has been estimated that over 900,000 P53 Enfields were imported into America and saw service in every major engagement from the Battle of Shiloh (April 1862) and the Siege of Vicksburg (May 1863), to the final battles of 1865. The gun was highly sought after in the Confederate ranks. According to a survey taken by British officials during the early stages of war on the arms of the Western Confederate Forces, nearly 70% were armed with smoothbore arms, such as the Model 1842 Springfield. Later in the war the same survey was taken, they found that more than 75% had acquired a rifle, mainly the Pattern 1853 Enfield.

The P53 Enfields capabilities were largely lost by the lack of marksmanship training by both the Union and Confederacy. Most soldiers were not trained to estimate ranges or to properly adjust their sights to account for the "rainbow-like" trajectory of the large calibre conical projectile. Unlike their British counterparts who attended extensive musketry training, new Civil War soldiers seldom fired a single cartridge until their first engagement. After the end of the war, hundreds of formerly Confederate Enfield 1853 muskets were sold from the American arms market to the Tokugawa shogunate, as well as some prominent Japanese domains including Aizu and Satsuma. These units were later used in the Boshin War, and some remaining in Satsuma were also used by rebelling former samurai in the Satsuma Rebellion about a decade later.

The end of the American Civil War in 1865 had made a huge number of obsolete percussion muzzleloading rifles and rifle muskets available on the secondary market from international arms traders like Schuyler, Hartley & Graham. While these guns were being replaced with modern metallic cartridge breechloaders in most of the world, a muzzleloading Enfield pattern rifle or rifle musket was a huge technological advantage against the traditional smoothbore Tanegashima-tsutsu matchlocks in Japan. Other firearms found their way into Japan through western traders as well, ranging from Spencer Carbines to Smith & Wesson Model No 2 revolvers, and everything in between. The traders were only too happy to arm what was looking to be a Japanese civil war. It is also worth noting that there is the possibility that these bayonets, in addition to almost certainly being used by pro-Imperial forces during the Meiji Restoration of 1868-1869, may well have seen use again during the Saga Uprising of 1874 by the anti-Imperial rebels in that province. Photos in the gallery show two 1860’s Japanese anti Imperial samurai rebels armed with an Enfield rifle, with its Yataghan long sword-bayonet upon his belt, and a similar carbine version.

They will be priced for UK mainland delivery only. For export delivery, please POA.  read more

Code: 25994

A Beautiful Late 18th Century Sikh Empire Prince's or High Status Noble's Lahore Tulwar, Gold Inlaid Koftgari Hilt & Finest Wootz Damascus Steel Blade. Returned From a Museum Grade Blade Conservation

The hilt is covered in pure gold koftgari decor, as a symbol of the owner's rank and status.

A superb blade just returned from specialist cleaning and etching to reveal the Damascus steel patterning.

Gold decorated steel Lahore hilt decorated with stunning design with matching pommel disc. Strong and powerful blade of substance. There are clear indications that this particular hilt is of Punjab manufacture: the fat vase shape of the grip section, the very slightly forward angle of the lotus head quillons and the beautiful gold koftgari.

The Tulwar had historically been the quintessential combat sword used by Sikhs as their sacred kirpan due to its superior handling while mounted on horseback. With a curved blade optimized for cutting and slashing with sweeping cuts delivered from the shoulder by a horseman the curved blade of the tulwar could strike repeated blows without the danger of the blade getting stuck in bone or armour. It allowed for fierce slashing on all sides cutting through enemy formations while mounted on horseback.

This tulwar has a curved blade of approximately 72cm in length with a graduating blade where it eventually begins its taper to the point. With its curved blade the point of the sword cannot be very effectively used for thrusting and the Tulwars defensive capabilities are limited. In this circumstance defence was taken up by using the shield (Dhal) in tandem with the Tulwar as an integral duo on the battlefield.

The blade was firmly attached to the hilt of the Tulwar commonly using a heated paste of lac or red dye from the papal tree which when it hardened provided a solid and effective adhesive between the two parts of the sword.

The hilt of the Tulwar has a button on top and a circular dished pommel disk {without domed pommel cap or knuckle bow} featuring the koftgari inlaid design patterns of flowers, in pure hammered gold inlaid into the traditional steel hilt of the Sixh tulwar.
The grip of the Tulwar below the pommel disk narrows at the top and bottom while bulging out in the middle. The crossguard between the grip and the blade features two short but very thick rounded domed quillions.

The index finger could be wrapped around a quillion rather than the grip providing the swordsman with extra maneuverability of the sword. Some Tulwars feature a knuckle guard extending from the quillion to the pommel disk, while others do not, both styles of Tulwars were commonly used by Sikhs. This sword once had a knuckle guard, but removed likely by the prince owner for comfort .

Guru Hargobind, the 6th Sikh Guru is said to have always carried two Tulwars representing his temporal and spiritual authority. They both had gold onlaid hilts.  read more

Code: 22814

A Most Rare & Beautiful 16th-17th Century Italian Maine Gauche. A Renaissance Period Duellist's Parrying, Shell Guard Dagger, For Combined Use With The Cup Hilt Or Swept Hilt Rapier

Long single edged blade with part false edge, and fine armourer's mark at the ricasso.
Triple section grip in horn and bone, bronze pommel cap. Beautifully pierced steel shell guard with scalloped edge. A most beautiful example of an early, Renaissance period 'main gauche' left hand duellist parrying dagger. When combined with a long swept or cup hilt rapier the pair make two formidable duo offensive and defensive duelling or combat weapons.

The parrying maine gauche dagger falls within the category of small hand-held weapons from the European late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. These weapons were used as off-hand weapons in conjunction with a single-handed sword. As the name implies they were designed to parry, or defend, more effectively than a simple dagger form, typically incorporating a wider guard, and often some other defensive features to better protect the hand, as well. The main-gauche is used mainly to assist in parrying incoming thrusts, while the dominant hand wields a rapier or similar longer weapon also intended for one-handed use.
It may also be used for attack if an opportunity arises. The general category includes two more specific kinds of weapon: sword breakers and trident daggers.

Its beautifully pierced shell guard was designed to be used as either, a hand protector, or, a sword blade catcher when reversed, depending of the swordsman's preference of his combat style.

The use of an off-hand weapon gradually fell out of favour as sword fighting evolved into the modern sport of fencing. The use of progressively lighter primary weapons such as the small sword, epee, and foil allowed for greater speed. Under these circumstances the use of just a primary weapon offered improvements in balance as well as a stance that offered a smaller target.  read more

Code: 22288

A Superb Spanish Cup Hilt Rapier Circa 1660. Double Shell Asymmetrical Hilt Guard With Long Crossguard, Octohedral Double Conical Pommel & Large Pas Dans

Highly complex geometric woven plaited steel wire bound spiral twist grip. Long single fullered blade double edged and graduating to a fine point, with armourers marks and text within the fuller.

The rapier was the principal civilian sidearm throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Designed for cut-and-thrust combat of progressively complex techniques, the rapier is characterised by a double-edged blade with an acute point and an elaborate guard for the hand. The guards, usually of iron or steel, were subject to a variety of embellishment. In Spain swords of this form were often categorized as Bilbo as the steel was exported from Bilbao

The term comes from the Basque city of Bilbao, Bilbo in Basque where the metal (bilbo steel) was extracted and later sent to Toledo, a city in the centre of the Iberian peninsula, where these swords were forged and many exported to the New World of 17th century America.

The espada ropera of the 16th century was a cut-and-thrust civilian weapon for self-defense and the duel, while earlier weapons were equally at home on the battlefield. Throughout the 16th century, a variety of new, single-handed civilian weapons were being developed. In 1570, the Italian master Rocco Bonetti first settled in England advocating the use of the rapier for thrusting as opposed to cutting or slashing when engaged in a duel.citation needed Nevertheless, the English word "rapier" generally refers to a primarily thrusting weapon, developed by the year 1600 as a result of the geometrical theories of such masters as Camillo Agrippa, Ridolfo Capo Ferro, and Vincentio Saviolo.citation needed

The rapier became extremely fashionable throughout Europe with the wealthier classes, but was not without its detractors. Some people, such as George Silver, disapproved of its technical potential and the dueling use to which it was put.1516

Allowing for fast reactions, and with a long reach, the rapier was well suited to civilian combat in the 16th and 17th centuries. As military-style cutting and thrusting swords continued to evolve to meet needs on the battlefield, the rapier continued to evolve to meet the needs of civilian combat and decorum, eventually becoming lighter, shorter and less cumbersome to wear. This is when the rapier began to give way to the colichemarde, which was itself later superseded by the small sword which was later superseded by the épée. Noticeably, there were some "war rapiers" that feature a relatively wide blade mounted on a typical rapier hilt during this era. These hybrid swords were used in the military, even on the battlefield. The sword carried by King Gustavus Adolphus in the Thirty Years' War is a typical example of the "war rapier".

By the year 1715, the rapier had been largely replaced by the lighter small sword throughout most of Europe, although the former continued to be used, as evidenced by the treatises of Donald McBane (1728), P. J. F. Girard (1736) and Domenico Angelo (1787). The rapier is still used today by officers of the Swiss Guard of the pope

36.5 inch blade overall 44 inches, excellent condition for age

Every item is accompanied with our unique, Certificate of Authenticity. Of course any certificate of authenticity, given by even the best specialist dealers, in any field, all around the world, is simply a piece of paper,…however, ours is backed up with the fact we are the largest dealers of our kind in the world, with over 100 years and four generation’s of professional trading experience behind us  read more

Code: 24940

A Fabulous, Original, Royal Naval 32 Pounder Cannon Ball Fired From One Of The 32 Pounder Cannon, The Largest Cannon of the Royal Naval 100 Gunner, Man o'War, Ist Rate Warships In Nelson's Fleet Such As HMS Victory, Into The 'Formidable'

Within “Naval Gunnery”, by Captain H. Garbett R.N., published in 1895, the greater part of the volume deals with the breech-loaders of the 1890s, but, the first chapter discusses the smooth-bore cannon era in considerable detail. A full account is provided of how a 32-pounder – the largest type of gun carried by Victory and her contemporaries – was served. Due to their size and weight these weapons were carried on the “gundeck”, the lowest tier, 30 of them in total on Victory. The next level up, the middle-gundeck, carried 24-pounders, and above that again the upper-gundeck with 12-pounders. Guns of the latter size were also carried in the open on the quarterdeck and forecastle, where the close-range, large calibre Carronades were also mounted.

The ship carried only enough men to crew the guns on one side of the ship only and should it be necessary to fight on both sides simultaneously – as when breaking the French line at Trafalgar – the guns could only be served with half-crews. The weapons were heavy – a 32-pounder’s barrel alone weighed almost three tons – and considerable strength was demanded to run them out and to train them on target.

The cannon balls in our collection were recovered from the Formidable while it was in dock in Plymouth and taken to a local hostelry, and kept as a garden ornaments, near the port as a battle souvenir from the last battle in the Trafalgar campaign in the Battle of Cape Ortegal, where it was captured and taken as a prize from north-west Spain that saw Captain Sir Richard Strachan defeat and capture a French squadron under Counter-admiral Pierre Dumanoir le Pelley. It is sometimes referred to as Strachan's Action. The French ship Formidable was captured by the Royal Navy at the Battle of Cape Ortegal on November 4, 1805. Following her capture, she was sailed to a British port and arrived at Plymouth, England, where she was "laid up in ordinary" and later commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Brave.
The Formidable, an 80-gun ship of the line, was one of four French ships of the line that escaped the Battle of Trafalgar only to be captured shortly after by a British squadron under the command of Admiral Sir Richard Strachan. She arrived in Plymouth later that year, where the process of condemning the ship as a prize and taking her into the Royal Navy began.

To have been recovered from the French third rate ship of the line we presume it must have hit the ship in combat once fired at her by a 32 pounder, either at Cape Trafalgar or Cape Ortegal.

4 November 1805 marks the Battle of Cape Ortegal in the 3rd Coalition War when Captain Sir Richard Strachan’s 4 British ships-of-the-line & 4 frigates defeated Rear Admiral Pierre Dumanoir le Pelley’s 4 French ships-of-the-line. The battle completed the shattering victory at Trafalgar. It ensured British naval dominance for the rest of the Napoleonic Wars.
Dumanoir led the French van at Trafalgar. He escaped & sailed south. On 2 November, he saw 36-gun HMS Phoenix patrolling the area. He chased it. It led him to Strachan, firing its cannons to alert him. Dumanoir fled. Strachan chased him. At 05:45, 4 November, 36-gun HMS Santa Margarita closed on Dumanoir’s rearmost ship, 74-gun Scipion. At 09:30, 36-gun HMS Phoenix joined in. Strachan was 6 miles behind. Scipion fired her stern guns at the frigates. They kept on her, slowing her down. At 11:45, Dumanoir formed line-of-battle. Strachan also formed line, bringing his ships-of-the-line to Dumanoir’s starboard side.
Dumanoir brought his ships around to attack. But Strachan had formed his frigates into a second line on Dumanoir’s port, catching him in a crossfire. By 15:00, Scipion & Dumanoir’s 80-gun Formidable surrendered. 74-guns Duguay Trouin & Montblanc fled. 74-gun HMS Hero & Strachan’s 80-gun HMS Caesar captured them by 15:30. Strachan lost 24 dead, 111 wounded. Dumanoir lost 730 dead/wounded. His ships were commissioned into Britain’s navy. The crews were imprisoned. Ortegal completed Britain’s naval victory. France’s remaining 5 ships were bottled up in Cadiz. Britain now ruled the waves.

On this Pickle Night, November 6th, we remember one of the smallest ships with one of the greatest legacies: HMS Pickle 🎉
Under Lieutenant John Richards Lapenotière, Pickle was “the swiftest ship in Nelson’s fleet,” and after the Battle of Trafalgar she was entrusted with carrying home the official dispatches announcing victory... and the loss of Lord Nelson, 220 years ago this month.
After battling through fierce storms, Lapenotière made landfall at Falmouth on 4 November 1805, then journeyed 271 miles to London by post-chaise, changing horses 21 times in 37 hours to deliver his message to the Admiralty:
“Sir, we have gained a great victory. But we have lost Lord Nelson.”

6 inch solid round shot ball. Weighing in at 28.8 pounds, {weight lost through 1/4 inch surface corruption}

Picture 5 in the gallery is a painting of the Redoubtable and the other ‘prize’ ships captured at Cape Ortegal being towed back to Plymouth.

Photos aboard HMS Victory of the 32 pounder gun deck, one of these cannon, or another like it from Nelson’s fleet, would have fired this cannonball into the Redoubtable. Photos by Francis Sartorius II - http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/12066.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28503147  read more

Code: 25988

A Superb Original Waterloo Recovered Souvenir '6 Pounder ' Royal Artillery Cannon Ball Fired at La Haye Sainte During The Battle, Recovered From The Farm

Napoleonic Wars cannon ball recovered from a Waterloo excavation well over 190 years ago. One of three we just acquired that were brought back from Waterloo to England over 190 years ago, the first was sold by us recently.

At the Battle of Waterloo, the British Royal Artillery deployed 6-pounder cannons, from which this ball was fired, a relatively light artillery piece that fired a 6-pound (approximately 2.7 kg) solid iron ball. These cannons, introduced in 1793, were crucial for supporting cavalry charges and were easier to manoeuvre than heavier guns.

The 6-pounder was designed to provide lighter, yet still effective, artillery support to the cavalry and infantry.
Ammunition:
They fired various types of ammunition, including round shot (solid iron balls), canister shot (a type of scatter shot), and spherical case shot (a type of shell).
The effective range of the 6-pounder with round shot was around 800-900 yards (732-823 metres), though it could reach up to 1700 yards (1554 metres).
The cannonballs were devastating, capable of inflicting serious injury and damage to both men and horses.

At Waterloo, the 6-pounders were primarily used by the Royal Horse Artillery and some field artillery units, with variations in the types of 6-pounders used.
Captured at Waterloo:
Some French 6-pounder cannons were also captured by the British as trophies of war.
La Haye Sainte:
The strategic farmhouse of La Haye Sainte was a focal point of fighting, where the 6-pounder was used extensively.

We show in the gallery a photo of a Waterloo cannon ball embedded in a cemetery wall, from Waterloo Relics by Bernard & Lechaux

Another identical cannon ball is now in the National Army Museum, see gallery.
NAM Accession Number
NAM. 1999-05-8-1

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury, Britain's famous, favourite, and oldest original Armoury Antique store, is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.  read more

Code: 25987

A Superb, Original, Napoleonic Wars, Peninsular Campaign, Siege of Badajoz, 1812, French 8" Explosive Type Howitzer Ball. Used In the Defence of Badajoz. In Fabulous Condition For Age

A large and most impressive hollow iron mortar ball weighing around 30lb. In superb excavated condition, but as it was barely in the usually dry ground {a missfire as it failed to explode} for 15 years or so, it has only basic surface wear. Brought back to England in the 1820's from Badajoz, found during a 'Grand Tour' of Spanish, Napoleonic Wars, Peninsular Campaign battle sites.

The gun crews were composed of 5 men. In 1808, one 6 inch mortar type, with a 3 men crew was added to the list. There was also an 8 inch mortar, outside the Gribeauval system. For these calibres, the bombs could be loaded by one single man and the hooks were not needed.

The 8-inch howitzer was classified as a heavier piece used for siege and fortress artillery.
Consequently, the 8-inch howitzer was primarily deployed during the sieges of strongholds and fortified towns during the Napoleonic Wars, both for defensive, and, offensive barrages.
Specific examples of battles or campaigns where French siege artillery, including 8-inch howitzers, would have been used include:
The Siege of Zaragoza (1809)
The Siege of Badajoz (1812), where grenades (also fired from howitzers) were used as a defensive weapon alongside the large 8" Howitzer balls
The Siege of Tarragona (1811)
The Siege of Cadiz (1810-1812), where 9-inch and 11-inch howitzers (a later innovation) were also used
In the field, Napoleon favored mobility and speed, which led to the extensive use of the lighter 4-, 8-, and 12-pounder cannons and the 6-inch howitzer, often employed in "grand batteries" to concentrate devastating fire on specific points of the enemy line. The 8-inch howitzer, being heavier and less mobile, was not suited for regular mobile field warfare and was usually reserved for more static siege operations.

The French garrison at the Siege of Badajoz in 1812 did not make significant use of howitzers in an offensive capacity, but, records indicate they possessed and used howitzers considerably in a defensive role, particularly for firing shells and grapeshot from the ramparts and in sorties against the British and Portuguese infantry assaults. The british assaults were performed by the volunteer men known as the 'Folorn Hope'
A forlorn hope is a band of soldiers or other combatants chosen to take the vanguard in a military operation, such as a suicidal assault through the breach of a defended position, or the first men to climb a scaling ladder against a defended fortification, or a rearguard, to be expended to save a retreating army, where the risk of casualties is high. Such men were volunteers motivated by the promise of reward or promotion, or men under punishment offered pardon for their offenses, if they survived.
:
Defensive Use: The French, under the command of General Philippon, were well-equipped with various types of artillery for the city's defense. They used their guns and these howitzers to inflict heavy casualties on the British and Portuguese besiegers during the construction of siege trenches and during the final assault on the breaches.
Eyewitness accounts from earlier sieges (e.g., May 1811) specifically mention the French bringing a "Royal Howitzer" out to the area of the Picurina hill during a sortie to fire shells into the allied camps, demonstrating their use of this type of ordnance.

By the time of the final British assault in April 1812, the French garrison was running short of ammunition for their heavy guns and howitzers, which forced them to be economical with their fire to save what they had for the final resistance. This would have limited the overall use of howitzers during the latter stages of the siege.
Defenses at Breaches: During the final assault, the French used a variety of measures to defend the breaches, including explosives, harrows, and chevaux de frise, alongside heavy musket and artillery fire from the ramparts and retrenchments.
In essence, French howitzers were a component of the city's overall defensive artillery, used for firing explosive shells and other close-range ammunition against the besiegers' lines and attacking columns.

Colin Campbell leading the 'Forlorn Hope' in the assault, a painting by William Barnes Wollen

I9th century painting of the Siege of Badajoz in the gallery showing very clearly the trajectory and explosive power of the Howitzers used by both the British and French forces at the same time during the assault.

French Bronze Howitzer photos By PHGCOM - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5283907

The cast iron ball is empty thus perfectly inert and safe.  read more

Code: 25984

A Scarce Infanterie Seitengewehr Model 1871 Mauser Rifle Bayonet With Full Regimental Markings to Sword and Scabbard

The Mauser Model 1871 adopted as the Gewehr 71 or Infanterie-Gewehr 71, or "Infantry Rifle 71" ("I.G.Mod.71" was stamped on the rifles themselves) was the first rifle model in a distinguished line designed and manufactured by Paul Mauser and Wilhelm Mauser of the Mauser company and later mass-produced at Spandau arsenal.

Irish Republicans imported some 1,500 single-shot 1871 Mausers in the Howth gun-running for the nationalist militia called the Irish Volunteers in 1914. They were used in action by the Volunteers in the Easter Rising of 1916, the rebellion aimed at ending British rule in Ireland which began the Irish War of Independence. The 1871 Mauser became known in Ireland as the "Howth Mauser"  read more

Code: 24977

A Fine 1802 Tower of London New Land Pattern ‘G.R.Crown’ Lock Napoleonic Wars Light Dragoon Trooper's Flintlock Pistol. Used From The Peninsular War To The Battle of Waterloo Period.

Excellent walnut stock with original patina, numerous Board of Ordnance inspection stamps and crown stamps, crown G inspection stamp to stock. Traces of large GR crown stamp to lock face plus inspection stamp. Stock stamp as well. All fine brass fittings and captive ramrod. In original flintlock with rolling frizzen, and made at the Tower of London and used by the front line British Cavalry regiments during the Peninsular War, War of 1812, and the Hundred Days War, culminating at Waterloo. One would have to go a long way and for a considerable time to find another example in as good condition and as good quality as this one. Introduced in the 1796 and in production by 1802, the New land Cavalry Pistol provided one model of pistol for all of Britain's light cavalry and horse artillery. Another new element was the swivel ramrod which greatly improved the process of loading the pistol on horseback.
The service of British Cavalry regiments, particularly the Light Dragoons, proved essential in the mastery of the Indian Subcontinent. The Duke of Wellington, then Arthur Wellesley, was primarily recognized for his military genius by his battles in India. Of particular note was the Battle of Assaye in 1803 where the 6000 British faced a Mahratta Army of at least 40,000. During the engagement the 19th Light Dragoons saved the 74th Regiment by charging the enemy guns 'like a torrent that had burst its banks'. Pistols firing and sabre slashing, the 19th broke the enemy's position and the day was won. 19th Light Dragoons gained "Assaye" as a battle honour, and the nickname "Terrors of the East". The 19th Light Dragoons eventually served in North America during the War of 1812 and so did this form of pistol. Cavalry was the 'shock' arm, with lance and saber the principal hand weapons. The division between 'heavy' and light was very marked during Wellington's time: 'heavy' cavalry were huge men on big horses, 'light' cavalry were more agile troopers on smaller mounts who could harass as well as shock.

During the Napoleonic Wars, French cavalry was unexcelled. Later as casualties and the passage of years took their toll, Napoleon found it difficult to maintain the same high standards of cavalry performance. At the same time, the British and their allies steadily improved on their cavalry, mainly by devoting more attention to its organization and training as well as by copying many of the French tactics, organization and methods. During the Peninsular War, Wellington paid little heed to the employment of cavalry in operations, using it mainly for covering retreats and chasing routed French forces. But by the time of Waterloo it was the English cavalry that smashed the final attack of Napoleon's Old Guard. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 23349