WW1 / WW2 / 20th Century

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An Earliest Independance Pattern Royal Swaziland Police Senior Officer's Sword. Commissioned From Wilkinson Sword In 1969. Superb Condition For Age With Field Service Scabbard

An Earliest Independance Pattern Royal Swaziland Police Senior Officer's Sword. Commissioned From Wilkinson Sword In 1969. Superb Condition For Age With Field Service Scabbard

Perfect for the collector of rare patterns of Wilkinson service swords, or a worldwide police service collector, or, a collector of scarce African 20th century service swords. Overall in excellent condition, and Wilkinson serial numbered for its completion and issue in 1969. Made for the initial 1968 order from the King of Swaziland for the renaming of the Swaziland police service. Modeled entirely on the regulation 1897 Pattern British Infantry Officer's Sword, but with the Royal Swaziland Police badge crest and motto, instead of the British sovereign's cypher, which would have been H.M.Queen Elizabeth IInd.

Founded in 1907 when the territory was under British rule, the Royal Swaziland Police Force initially consisted of 22 European officers along with 125 African Zulus, under Captain C.H. Gibson. A police training school was established in Mbabane in 1927 and a modern training college was built in 1965 at Matsapha. During the independence celebrations in 1968 King Sobhuza II renamed it into the Royal Swaziland Police Service, with the legal document that established the organization being the Police Act No. 29/1957.

The 1897 pattern Infantry officer's sword has remained unchanged to the present day.
By the time of its introduction, the sword was of limited use on the battlefield against rapid-firing rifles, machine guns and long-range artillery. However, the new sword was regarded, when needed, as a very effective fighting weapon. Reports from the Sudan, where it was used in close-quarters fighting during the Reconquest of the Sudan 1896-99, were positive.
Field Marshal Montgomery advanced with his 1897 Pattern drawn during a counter offensive in the First World War. The actual sword he carried is exhibited in the Imperial War Museum, London.

The blade is straight and symmetrical in shape about both its longitudinal axes. The thick blade has a deep central fuller on each side and is rounded on both its edge and back towards the hilt, giving a “dumbbell” or “girder” cross section. Through a gradual transition, the blade becomes double edged towards the tip, and the last 17 inches were sharpened when on active service. The blade ends in a sharp spear point.
The guard of the regular British officer’s sword is aldo a three-quarter basket of pressed, plated steel. But it is decorated with a pierced scroll-work pattern and had the royal cypher of the reigning monarch set over the lower knuckle bow, as opposed to the Swaziland Police crest and motto that this fine sword has.  read more

Code: 25477

495.00 GBP

A Very Good Current Service 1897 Pattern ERII Post 1953 Officer's Sword In Nickel Plated Dress Scabbard, with Its Original Buff Hide Knot

A Very Good Current Service 1897 Pattern ERII Post 1953 Officer's Sword In Nickel Plated Dress Scabbard, with Its Original Buff Hide Knot

ERII period, ordnance issue, with fine nickle plated scabbard and buff hide knot, fine plated hilt with ERII royal cypher embossed thereon, and its original wire bound sharkskin grip. Plain bright steel blade. The scabbard bears the stamped matching number as it appears on the blade ricasso.

Overall in very nicely maintained condition, perfect for current service, and formerly the property of a ERII, post 1953, British Army regimental warrant officer. The plated basket surface has some microscopic surface age speckling

The 1897 pattern Infantry officer's sword has remained unchanged to the present day.
By the time of its introduction, the sword was of limited use on the battlefield against rapid-firing rifles, machine guns and long-range artillery. However, the new sword was regarded, when needed, as a very effective fighting weapon. Reports from the Sudan, where it was used in close-quarters fighting during the Reconquest of the Sudan 1896-99, were positive.
Field Marshal Montgomery advanced with his 1897 Pattern drawn during a counter offensive in the First World War. The actual sword he carried is exhibited in the Imperial War Museum, London.

The blade is straight and symmetrical in shape about both its longitudinal axes. The thick blade has a deep central fuller on each side and is rounded on both its edge and back towards the hilt, giving a “dumbbell” or “girder” cross section. Through a gradual transition, the blade becomes double edged towards the tip, and the last 17 inches were sharpened when on active service. The blade ends in a sharp spear point.
The guard is a three-quarter basket of pressed, plated steel. It is decorated with a pierced scroll-work pattern and had the royal cypher of the reigning monarch set over the lower knuckle bow.

One of the famous British officer's of WW2, who was a devoted exponent of hand to hand sword combat, using his 1897 pattern sword in battle, was infantry officer 'Mad' Jack Churchill. After fighting at Dunkirk, he volunteered for the Commandos. On one occasion, a general who had commented on his weaponry, Churchill is said to have replied "Any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed."

In his service in Norway (1941)
Churchill was second in command of No. 3 Commando in Operation Archery, a raid on the German garrison at Vågsøy, Norway, on 27 December 1941.  As the ramps fell on the first landing craft, he leapt forward from his position playing "March of the Cameron Men" on his bagpipes, before throwing a grenade and charging into battle. For his actions at Dunkirk and Vågsøy, Churchill received the Military Cross.

In Italy;
During the Allied invasion of Sicily
In July 1943, as commanding officer, he led No. 2 Commando from their landing site at Catania, in Sicily, with his trademark Scottish broadsword slung around his waist, a longbow and arrows around his neck and his bagpipes under his arm, which he also did in the landings at Salerno.

Leading 2 Commando, Churchill was ordered to capture a German observation post outside the town of Molina, controlling a pass leading down to the Salerno beachhead. 136–137  With the help of a corporal, he infiltrated the town, captured the post and took 42 prisoners including a mortar squad. Churchill led the men and prisoners back down the pass, with the wounded being carried on carts pushed by German prisoners. He commented that it was "an image from the Napoleonic Wars". He received the Distinguished Service Order for leading that action at Salerno.

Churchill later walked back to the town to retrieve his sword, which he had lost in hand-to-hand combat with the German regiment. On his way there, he encountered a disoriented American patrol mistakenly walking towards enemy lines. When the NCO in command of the patrol refused to turn around, Churchill told them that he was going his own way and that he would not come back for a "bloody third time"  read more

Code: 25476

575.00 GBP

A Household Division, Welsh Guards, Drum Major's, Vintage Pace Stick. E.R II Period

A Household Division, Welsh Guards, Drum Major's, Vintage Pace Stick. E.R II Period

Formerly used by the Welsh Guards Drum Major of H.M.Queen Elizabeth II . A pace stick is a long stick usually carried by warrant officer and non-commissioned officer drill instructors in the British and Commonwealth armed forces as an aid to military drill.
A pace stick usually consists of two pieces of wood, hinged at the top, and tapering towards the bottom, very similar to large wooden drafting compasses used on school blackboards. They are usually shod and fitted with highly polished brass. They can open so that the tips separate at fixed distances, corresponding to various lengths of marching pace, such as "double march", "quick march", "step short", etc. When opened to the correct pace length, the pace stick can be held alongside the holder's body by the hinge, with one leg of the stick vertical to the ground, and the other leg pointing forward. By twirling the stick while marching, the stick can be made to "walk" alongside its holder at the proper pace.

Otherwise, while on parade or when marching, it is normally carried tucked tightly under the left arm and parallel to the ground, with the left hand grasping the stick near the top.

The objective of the pace stick drill is to ensure uniformity in the use of the stick, as well as to maintain a high standard of steadiness and cohesion among the instructors. This meticulous display of drill prowess highlights the discipline and precision that are hallmarks of military training. Photo by David Friel - originally posted to Flickr as Colour Sergeant, Welsh Guards, with pace stick
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.  read more

Code: 25474

175.00 GBP

A Rare WW2 21st Army Group Commander-in-Chief's, Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, April 1945 Signed Certificate for Outstanding Good Service & Devotion To Duty As a Combatant.

A Rare WW2 21st Army Group Commander-in-Chief's, Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, April 1945 Signed Certificate for Outstanding Good Service & Devotion To Duty As a Combatant.

This certificate states:

“21st Army Group, 1659410 Gnr W Fox 98 HAA Regt RA

" it has been bright to my notice that you have performed outstanding good service, and shown great devotion to duty, during the campaign in north west Europe. I award you this certificate as a token of my appreciation and I have given instructions that this should be noted in your Record of Service. Date April 1945, signed B.L Montgomery, Field Marshal Commander in Chief, 21st Army group.”

This certificate is in nice condition, but with age foxing, and is mounted behind glass.  read more

Code: 25462

265.00 GBP

Very Scarce British Army GPMG 'Jungle' Box 50 Round Magazine

Very Scarce British Army GPMG 'Jungle' Box 50 Round Magazine

After the Second World War the Belgian Mitrailleuse d’Appui General (MAG – General Purpose Machine Gun) was selected as the winning design to replace both the Vickers Heavy Machine Gun and Bren Light Machine Gun.

Built under licence at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield it was renamed 7.62mm L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), or 'Gimpy'.

L7A2 '50rnd Belt Box' GPMG 4,000rnd Auto-Winding Box Magazine

The design uses piston and bolt derived from the proven Browning Automatic Rifle, with the belt feed mechanism being based on that of German wartime designs, providing for a reliable and robust weapon.

The GPMG can be used as both a Light Machine Gun, firing from the shoulder or in the sustained fire mode installed on a tripod. In the sustained role it is operated by a two-man team, in a specialist machine gun platoon to provide battalion-level fire support.

The Parachute Regiment has always been a major user of the GPMG and in operations from the Middle East, Northern Ireland through to the Falklands, Kosovo and Afghanistan the GPMG has provided over 50 years of service.

The newer 5.56mm Minimi Light Machine Gun has supplemented the Gimpy in the British Army, but the Parachute Regiment still carry the Gimpy on foot patrols in Afghanistan for its superior weight of fire, stopping power and range.

Statistics

Length: 1,232mm

Weight: 10.9Kg

Calibre: 7.62mm

Feed: Belt

Range: Bipod 800m, Tripod 1,400m

Rate of Fire: 1,000 RPM

This item is for sale to UK only, Not suitable for export.  read more

Code: 23866

80.00 GBP

A Fabulous, Original, Cased Set of 3 German 15cm Howitzer Steel Shell Cases

A Fabulous, Original, Cased Set of 3 German 15cm Howitzer Steel Shell Cases

The box case still with it's original German Army camouflage paint. Each shell case is dated. The 15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze 18 or sFH 18 (German: "heavy field howitzer, model 18"), nicknamed Immergren ("Evergreen"), was the basic German division-level heavy howitzer during the Second World War, serving alongside the smaller but more numerous 10.5 cm leFH 18. It was based on the earlier, First World War-era design of the 15 cm sFH 13, and while improved over that weapon, it was generally outdated compared to the weapons it faced. It was, however, the first artillery weapon equipped with rocket-assisted ammunition to increase range. The sFH 18 was also used in the self-propelled artillery piece schwere Panzerhaubitze 18/1 (more commonly known as Hummel).

***We bought a collection of these scarce collectors items, original Third Reich shell cases, some are now sold.

The sFH 18 was one of Germany's three main 15 cm calibre weapons, the others being the 15 cm Kanone 18, a corps-level heavy gun, and the 15 cm sIG 33, a short-barreled infantry gun. The gun originated with a contest between Rheinmetall and Krupp, both of whom entered several designs that were all considered unsatisfactory for one reason or another. In the end the army decided the solution was to combine the best features of both designs, using the Rheinmetall gun on a Krupp carriage.

The carriage was a relatively standard split-trail design with box legs. Spades were carried on the sides of the legs that could be mounted onto the ends for added stability. The carriage also saw use on the 10 cm schwere Kanone 18 gun. As the howitzer was designed for horse towing, it used an unsprung axle and hard rubber tires. A two-wheel bogie was introduced to allow it to be towed, but the lack of suspension made it unsuitable for towing at high speed. The inability of heavy artillery like the sFH 18 to keep up with the fast-moving tank forces was one of the reasons that the Luftwaffe invested so heavily in dive bombing, in order to provide a sort of "flying artillery" for reducing strongpoints.

The gun was officially introduced into service on 23 May 1935, and by the outbreak of war the Wehrmacht had about 1,353 of these guns in service. Production continued throughout the war, reaching a peak of 2,295 guns in 1944 Inert empty and safe, but not suitable for export or for sale to under 18'  read more

Code: 18417

335.00 GBP

An Amazing WW1 British Trench Howitzer Maker Marked and Dated 1915, An Intriguing and Fascinating Souvenir of The Great War's Trench Warfare

An Amazing WW1 British Trench Howitzer Maker Marked and Dated 1915, An Intriguing and Fascinating Souvenir of The Great War's Trench Warfare

What an amazing display and conversation piece!

Trench mortars were the army’s most forward artillery, right up on the front line. These short range weapons were able to throw large, high explosive projectiles, short distances across No Man’s Land at the enemy trench system opposite.

Llewelyn Wyn Griffith, a captain with the 15th Royal Welch Fusiliers, described a battery of 2 inch mortars opening fire on enemy lines:

“A pop, and then a black ball went soaring up, spinning round as it went through the air slowly; more pops and more queer birds against the sky. A stutter of terrific detonations seems to shake the air and the ground, sandbags and bits of timber sailed up slowly and then fell in a calm deliberate way. In the silence that followed the explosions, an angry voice called out in English [with a distinct German accent no doubt] across No Man’s Land, ‘YOU BLOODY WELSH MURDERERS.’

Somewhat ironic, since the Kaiser invaded France and Belgium, slaughtered the allies, both civilians and combatants, in their hundreds of thousands, yet when the British -Welsh have the temerity to fight back and thus kill the German invaders, they are called murderers by the German combatants [sound familiar?]

The 2 inch mortar [named for the size of the rod not the huge explosive head] was considered accurate out to 350 yards with a maximum effective range out to just under 600 yards.

Introduced in 1915, the 2 inch mortar was originally crewed by men taken from the battalion it was stationed with, along with some specialists from the Royal Artillery. However, with the introduction of the 3 inch Stokes mortar which was operated by the infantry themselves the 2 inch mortars became the sole responsibility of the Royal Field Artillery.

The British Army entered the First World War with very few mortars, and certainly none at the battalion level. As the stalemate of trench warfare set in and the effectiveness of enemy mortars became clear it was decided that trench mortars of various sizes would be needed.

Nicknamed ‘plum pudding’ or ‘toffee apple’ mortars after their projectile’s characteristic shape, the 2 inch Medium Mortar or 2 inch Trench Howitzer, was one of Britain’s first effective light trench mortars to be introduced.

Mortar positions were often in secondary trenches just behind the infantry’s frontline. This was to help protect the infantry from potential counter-battery fire. The trench mortars were often deployed to sectors to provide counter battery fire against German minenwerfers or in the run up to an offensive or local action. A British Army report on artillery use, drawn up in February 1917, noted that “Owing to their liability to be destroyed by hostile artillery fire it may often be advisable to defer opening fire with these mortars till the last day of bombardment.” The mortars were also tasked with keeping gaps made in the wire clear and with supporting any feint attacks made by infantry during gaps in the bombardment running up to a larger offensive.

Llewelyn Wyn Griffith, a captain with the 15th Royal Welch Fusiliers and later a novelist, recalled in his war memoir:

“At night a trench mortar officer set his guns in a derelict trench about twenty yards behind the line and carried up his ammunition, heavy globes of iron with a little cylindrical projection like a broken handle. In the morning I moved the men from the bays between the trench mortars and their target, to lighten the risk of loss from retaliatory fire.”

The 2 inch medium mortar entered service in spring 1915 and remained in use into 1917 with British and Empire troops. It was used on the Western Front and in Mesopotamia. Over 800 were ordered initially with 675,000 bombs, many of the mortars were made in railway and agricultural machinery workshops, allowing larger factories to focus on more complex weapons. The 2 inch mortar was superseded by the larger bore Newton 6 inch mortar later in the war. Some of the remaining 2 inch projectiles were re-purposed as makeshift anti-tank mines, buried in no man’s land in anticipation of possible German tank attacks.

Not suitable for export, inert, safe and perfectly harmless, but of substantial heft. UK mainland delivery only. 34 inches long overall head 9 inch diameter.  read more

Code: 24389

450.00 GBP

A Singularly Beautiful German Officer's Dovehead Fully Deluxe Hand Engraved Sabre from the Weimar to the WW2 Third Reich Period. Hilt and Blade in Pristine Condition

A Singularly Beautiful German Officer's Dovehead Fully Deluxe Hand Engraved Sabre from the Weimar to the WW2 Third Reich Period. Hilt and Blade in Pristine Condition

By E.F.Horster Solingen.E. & F. Hörster (Solingen) is the last incarnation of the manufacturer “Friedrich Hörster”, later “F Hörster & Co.”. Its beginnings reach back to 1850. Friedrich Hörster died in 1875, at which point his son continued the family business as “E. & F. Hörster”, at the behest of Friedrich Emil & Fritz Hörster. The firm lasted after WWII.

This brass example is entirely engraved throughout. The pommel and backstrap area feature nicely done oak leaves and acorns having hand pebbling over the leaves and the veins all hand accented. The same is true of the oak leaves and acorns on the “P” guard. The grip tabs have two acorns which go around the rivet area. The crossguard has a series of box devices running throughout the length ending in a teardrop with an engraved swirl. The obverse langet features a Wehrmacht-style double oak leaf wreath. As with all of the above decoration this wreath is entirely hand carved into the brass. The ferrule above has a cross motif on the obverse and reverse with more oak leaves and acorns. The grip is a black celluloid over a carved wood base. The celluloid remains in perfect condition and is tightly wrapped with triple twisted brass wire. Much of the original polish still remains throughout the hilt of this piece – maybe 95% plus.

The scabbard is straight throughout. This scabbard has excellent original black paint. The paint is mostly all there showing nominal signs of usage but still in excellent condition. The long blade is in choice condition having its original high polish finish and retaining its needlelike tip. This blade is easily in full mint condition. The obverse ricasso is marked with the E&F Hörster double ovals. The ovals contain the firm’s name and the Solingen location. The center area features the large “H” letter with the smaller “H” and “S” letters that are pierced by a sword. The original brown leather washer is in place, and its original brown leather finger retaining loop. A very good, historical, early Army Officer’s sword More photos to add today

The German Army (German: Heer, was the land forces component of the Wehrmacht, the German armed forces, from 1935 to 1945. The Wehrmacht also included the Kriegsmarine (Navy) and the Luftwaffe (Air Force). During World War II, a total of about 15 million soldiers served in the German Army, of whom about seven million became casualties. Separate from the army, the Waffen-SS (Armed SS) was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. Growing from three regiments to over 38 divisions during World War II, it served alongside the army but was never formally part of it.

Only 17 months after Hitler announced publicly the rearmament program, the Army reached its projected goal of 36 divisions. During the autumn of 1937, two more corps were formed. In 1938, four additional corps were formed with the inclusion of the five divisions of the Austrian Army after the Anschluss in March. During the period of its expansion by Adolf Hitler, the German Army continued to develop concepts pioneered during World War I, combining ground (Heer) and air (Luftwaffe) assets into combined arms teams. Coupled with operational and tactical methods such as encirclements and the "battle of annihilation", the German military managed quick victories in the two initial years of World War II, prompting the use of the word Blitzkrieg (literally lightning war, meaning lightning-fast war) for the techniques used.

The German Army entered the war with a majority of its infantry formations relying on the horse for transportation. The infantry remained foot soldiers throughout the war; artillery also remained primarily horse-drawn. The motorized formations received much attention in the world press in the opening years of the war, and were cited as the main reason for the success of the German invasions of Poland (September 1939), Norway and Denmark (April 1940), Belgium, France and Netherlands (May 1940), Yugoslavia (April 1941) and the early campaigns in the Soviet Union (June 1941). However their motorized and tank formations accounted for only 20% of the Heer's capacity at their peak strength.  read more

Code: 25450

SOLD

A Superb German Pre War & WW2 Ernst Packe & Sohn Leopard's Head, Cavalry, Regimental Officer's Sabre

A Superb German Pre War & WW2 Ernst Packe & Sohn Leopard's Head, Cavalry, Regimental Officer's Sabre

Pre War & WW2 German Army Officers Sword by Ernst Pack & Sohne, Solingen, a very good example of the scarce leopard's head pattern type sword by this maker, with langet having traditional cavalry regimental device of crossed sabres. With flat knuckle bow with oakleaves relief, leopard head pommel with glass ruby eyes and patterned backstrap. Black celluloid covered grip with wire binding. Housed in its original steel scabbard with single hanging ring. Slightly curved steel blade with makers trademark to the base. Generally very good condition.

By 1939 the German Reich possessed 3,800,000 horses to be used in WWII German cavalry while 885,000 were initially called to the Wehrmacht as saddle, draft, and pack animals. Of these, 435,000 horses were captured from the USSR, France, and Poland. Additional horses were purchased from Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, and Ireland.

Klaus Christian Richter, himself a member of the 1935 German cavalry class, commented in his book Cavalry of the Wehrmacht 1941-1945 on the physical and psychological stress of the war: “The old soldierly virtues proved themselves once more: courage, sense of duty, feeling of responsibility, comradeship, and as well love of the horse.” German riding schools, horses, and riders were of the highest quality, and from 1930 to 1940 competed in every important international event. Their crowning achievement came at the 1936 Olympics when the German team won six equestrian gold medals and one silver, dominating all three disciplines—dressage, jumping, and military—a feat never repeated.

A cavalry brigade consisted of 6,684 men and 4,552 horses plus 409 horse-drawn vehicles and 318 motorcycles (153 with sidecars), as well as 427 cars and trucks and six armored scout cars. After the success of these troops during the 1939 Polish campaign, the 1st Cavalry Division was formed in October 25, 1939. The cavalry division would go on to fight in Holland, Belgium, and France during 1940. When it was time to attack Russia, the division came under the command of Panzer Group II, commanded by General Heinz Guderian. At this stage, because some 17,000 horses were employed, the sheer number caused supply problems.

The two WWII German cavalry divisions of the Waffen SS, after fighting for two years on the Eastern Front, were destroyed in the desperate fighting around Budapest, which was taken by Soviet forces on February 11, 1945. Wehrmacht cavalry units composed of anticommunist Cossack volunteers surrendered to the British, and despite promises to the contrary, they were forcibly repatriated to the Soviets who considered them collaborationists and traitors. As a result, the common soldiers received eight-year prison sentences in the Gulag system, while the higher ranking officers were hanged.


Blade measures 33 ½ inches, overall 39 ½ inches.  read more

Code: 25433

695.00 GBP

A Good King George VIth Pattern Household Division Drum Major's, of The Welsh Guards Marching Mace

A Good King George VIth Pattern Household Division Drum Major's, of The Welsh Guards Marching Mace

Household Division Drum Major's marching mace In Nice condition, A pre 1953 pattern, for a member of the Battalion Staff. this was acquired, with his bearskin, of a retired Welsh Guards Drum Major. Although once used in the Welsh Guards this is a universal pattern for use by all the guards and other drum major's etc. Traditional form white metal head surmounted with the King's Tudor Crown, now used by His Majesty King Charles IIIrd, before him, by his grandfather King George VIth. Black marching pole cross bound with plaited cord.

The Welsh Guards was raised on 26 February 1915 by order of King George V, in order to complete the national complement of regiments of Foot Guards identified with the countries of the United Kingdom.

On inception the Regiment took its place alongside the English Grenadier Guards and Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards and the Irish Guards. Two days later, the Battalion mounted its first King's Guard at Buckingham Palace on 1 March 1915 - St David's Day.

The title "Drum Major" is an appointment, not an ordinary or regular military rank. The Drum Major is always referred to and addressed as "Drum Major" or "Sir" this is because as a Drum Major of the Household Division, a Royal Warrant is awarded as a “Drummer to the Household” and a member of Battalion Staff.
The insignia of the appointment is four inverted chevrons worn on a wrist-strap whilst in shirt-sleeve order, or four inverted large chevrons worn on the uniform sleeve, surmounted by a drum.
Military Drum Majors utilize a ceremonial mace for giving commands while marching.  read more

Code: 25432

150.00 GBP