WW1 / WW2 / 20th Century

Very Fine Regimental Officer's Sword WW1 of the 5th Prussian Jäger Battalion (1st Silesian). Imperial Prussian Eagle Guard With Crest of Kaiser Willhelm IInd. Commanded By Crown Prince Wilhelm of Prussia the Heir of Kaiser Wilhelm IInd. Sword No 1

1889 pattern. Stamped on the guard for the first officer of the 5th Jäger Battalion, the 1st Company, Sword Number 1. Stamped on the hilt, 5.J.1.1, in it it’s matching numbered scabbard. Used in the 1914 Schlieffen Plan, the Battle of the Ardennes, and the Battle of Verdun and Marne. Overall the sword is in excellent condition, with its original multi wire bound sharkskin grip fully original and intact. Bronze guard, with the personal monogram of the Kaiser upon the grip, and guard depicting the Imperial Prussian Eagle, pieced and in relief. Double fullered blade and it’s original all steel combat scabbard. The blade bears the Kaiser Wilhelmi W Crown proof inspection mark
The 5th Prussian Jäger Battalion (1st Silesian)
AKA The Jäger-Batallion von Neumann (1.Schlesisches ) Nr.5 was formed in 1808 as the 1. Schützen-Abteilung (Schlesische). They fought Napoleon at the Battles of Leipzig and Waterloo, Revolutionaries in Baden in 1849, Austria- Hungary at Königgrätz in 1866 and France again at Wörth and Sedan in 1870. Since 1901 Archduke Ferdinand Carl of Austria-Hungary was honorary Colonel in Chief of the battalion.

In 1914 they were garrisoned at Hirschberg (modern Jelenia Góra, Poland) and formed part of the V Army Corps. During the First World War they served on the Western Front, notably at the Battles of the Marne and Verdun.

On mobilisation, V Corps was assigned to the 5th Army forming part of centre of the forces for the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914 on the Western Front.

In August 1914 the command of 5th Army was assigned to Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany, heir to the Hohenzollern throne, with General Schmidt von Knobelsdorf serving as his chief of staff, and would remain thus until late 1916. The opening hostilities on the Western Front saw the Crown Prince's 5th Army, along with the neighboring 4th Army (commanded by Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg), acting at the center of the Schlieffen plan attack into Belgium and France. On 21 August 1914, in what became known as the Battle of the Ardennes, the 4th and 5th Armies advanced into the Ardennes to counter a thrust by the French 3rd and 4th Armies. Over the next two days 5th Army played a major part in halting the opposing French forces. By 23 August, after taking heavy losses and being outmaneuvered strategically, the two French armies were driven into retreat. Following the German 5th Army's victory in the Battle of the Ardennes it moved to Verdun, where it would remain until 1918. In February 1916 the Crown Prince's 5th Army would launch Operation Gericht, the German offensive that began the Battle of Verdun, one of the bloodiest and longest battles in history. Late in 1916, after suffering terrible losses in its efforts at Verdun, General Max von Gallwitz assumed control of 5th Army. Before the close of the war 5th Army fought in several noteworthy actions, including the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, in September 1918, when it was defeated by the American Expeditionary Force under John J. Pershing. The Fifth Army continued to oppose the AEF's Meuse-Argonne Offensive until the Armistice of 11 November 1918. At the end of the war it was serving as part of Heeresgruppe Gallwitz

It was still in existence at the end of the war in Armee-Abteilung C, Heeresgruppe Gallwitz on the Western Front.

Wilhelm, German Crown Prince, Crown Prince of Prussia (Friedrich Wilhelm Victor August Ernst; 6 May 1882 – 20 July 1951) was the eldest child of the last Kaiser, Wilhelm II, German Emperor, and his consort Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, and thus a great-grandson of Queen Victoria, and distant cousin to many British royals, such as Queen Elizabeth II. As Emperor Wilhelm's heir, he was the last Crown Prince of the German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia, until the abolition of the monarchy.

Wilhelm became crown prince at the age of six in 1888, when his grandfather Frederick III died and his father became emperor. He was crown prince for 30 years until the fall of the empire on 9 November 1918. During World War I, he commanded the 5th Army from 1914 to 1916 and was commander of the Army Group German Crown Prince for the remainder of the war. After his return to Germany in 1923, he fought the Weimar Republic and campaigned for the reintroduction of the monarchy in Germany. After his plans to become president had been blocked by his father, Wilhelm supported Adolf Hitler's rise to power, but when Wilhelm realised that Hitler had no intention of restoring the monarchy, their relationship cooled. Wilhelm became head of the House of Hohenzollern on 4 June 1941 following the death of his father and held the position until his own death on 20 July 1951.

Blade 33.5 inches long, overall length in scabbard, 41 inches

Small denting to the scabbard.  read more

Code: 25235

A Very Fine, Shinto, Tokugawa Tachi Presented to Admiral Wildes {Capt of USS Boston, Of Admiral Dewey's Spanish War Fleet} In Yokahama Japan in 1896.

Acquired from his descendant family. Famously, in America the US Navy hero's dress uniform and gold sword was auctioned by Skinnersinc, after his gold, presentation American admiral's sword, was discovered after being locked in a mysterious family trunk for decades. It made American national news across the States, at the time the trunk was opened, to reveal ts magnificent treasure and it was sold for $31,200.
Admiral, formerly Captain, Frank Wildes commanded the Protected Cruiser USS Boston (Cruiser No. 1) during the Spanish-American War, leading its crew of 19 officers and 259 men in action, a significant historical ship with a notable captain known for his leadership on this vessel.
Key Details about Captain Wildes & USS Boston:
Ship: USS Boston (Cruiser No. 1) was a protected cruiser, a type of warship.
Era: Captain Wildes commanded her during the Spanish-American War.
Command: He led a substantial crew of 19 officers and 259 enlisted men.
Legacy: His name appears on the roster of commanding officers for the USS Boston, highlighting his role in the ship's history.

When USS Boston left Hong Kong for the war in Manila the British naval officers in Hong-Kong knew the difference between us and the Spanish in this particular, and when we were leaving port for Manila the captain of the HMS Immortality shouted to Captain Wildes: “You will surely win. I have seen too much of your target practice to doubt it.” The British in China were confident of our victory when we sailed, but I believe that the Russian, German, and French naval officers thought Spain would conquer.

From Gunner Joel C. Evans account after the victorious battle, 'When I returned to Hong-Kong on the SS McCulloch, leaving Manila on May 5. We made the trip in forty-six and a half hours. Our reception in the harbor was generous. We were surrounded by launches, while representatives of governments and of newspapers all over the world implored speedy information. That night ashore was to be remembered. ‘The Americans made a jollification of it that outdid any celebration in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. The British residents joined in it, and in spirit the men of the two nations were one in rejoicing over the victory of the Anglo-Saxon."

USS BOSTON was assigned to the United States Asiatic Squadron under Commodore Dewey. She took part in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, and the capture of the city of Manila on August 13th. The cruiser remained in the Philippines, assisting in their pacification, until June 1899. BOSTON returned to San Francisco in August, 1899 and went out of commission, rejoining the Pacific Squadron in 1902. In June, 1905 she helped represent the Navy at the Lewis and Clark Exposition at Portland, Oregon, and between April 23 and May 10, 1906 she helped care for the victims of the San Francisco earthquake and fire. As a militia training vessel and receiving ship she survived until 1946.  read more

Code: 26063

A Most Fine and Rare Original Frank Brangwyn WW1 Propaganda Poster. A Superb Piece Of Original Historical WW1 Artistry,Ideal For Interior Decor

This is a superb original work of art that would look simply amazing framed and placed in the right setting.
After the June 1915 raids, when air raids intensified, the Daily Chronicle offered its readers £150 for damage to homes and their contents by hostile aircraft, £100 for fatal injuries, £30 for damage inflicted by the enemy but not by air power and £10 to cover medical fees for non-fatal injuries.

The Zeppelin Raids: the vow of vengeance. Drawn for "The Daily Chronicle" by Frank Brangwyn A.R.A. 'Daily Chronicle' readers are covered against the risks of bombardment by zeppelin or aeroplane.British infantryman, full-length standing figure, looking up and shaking his fist at a departing Zeppelin. At his feet lies the body of an old woman who is mourned by a small boy and woman, left. In the background a skyline of bomb damaged and smoke shrouded buildings text: "THE ZEPPELIN RAIDS: THE VOW OF VENGEANCE Drawn for 'The Daily Chronicle' by Frank Brangwyn ARA" (in 2 lines upper edge) & "'DAILY CHRONICLE' READERS ARE COVERED AGAINST THE RISKS OF BOMBARDMENT BY ZEPPELIN OR AEROPLANE" printed by The Avenue Press, Ltd., Bouverie St., London, E.C. Original lithograph poster.

There are other original surviving examples of this original poster in both the Imperial War Museumin London and the Library of Congress in America. Posters of this kind are rare simply due to the fact they were considered as disposable propaganda artworks and were thus disposed of when no longer needed after the wars end. Brangwyn trained at the Royal College of Art, and was an apprentice with the designer William Morris. A highly regarded and prolific draughtsman, he was an established Royal Academician by the beginning of the First World War.
Frank Pick, General Manager of London Underground and a notable supporter of high quality design, commissioned Brangwyn to produce morale raising posters for London commuters. Brangwyn also worked extensively for war charities, producing many posters in support of Belgian relief, as he had been born in Bruges. Later in the war he contributed to the Ministry of Information's print series 'Efforts and Ideals' and designed posters for the National War Savings Committee.
His emotive realism was often criticised by government officials for demoralising the public. His depiction of close combat in the War Savings poster 'Put Strength in the Final Blow' was published only after some debate. The poster caused a public outcry in Germany, but ironically Brangwyn's reputation was considerably higher on the Continent. He was featured in an illustrated article in the prestigious German poster journal, Das Plakat in 1919.
Moved by the suffering and destruction of the war, Brangwyn later became a pacifist. His career continued to flourish after the war, most prominently as a painter of murals for public buildings. He is celebrated in the Brangwyn Museum in Bruges and the Musee de la Ville at Orange, France also has large holdings of his work. During World War I, the impact of the poster as a means of communication was greater than at any other time during history. The ability of posters to inspire, inform, and persuade combined with vibrant design trends in many of the participating countries to produce interesting visual works. At the start of the twentieth century he was the one British artist whose work was revered by the European cognoscenti, and the Japanese recognised in his artistic endeavours a love of simplicity, geometric compositions, and clarity of colour. He worked for Bing and Tiffany and produced murals for four North American public buildings. A supremely charitable man with a reputation for being irascible; a pacifist whose brutal WWI poster Put Strength in the Final Blow (1918) reputedly led the Kaiser to put a price on his head.
The man whom G K Chesterton described as
‘the most masculine of modern men of genius’ could also produce exquisitely delicate and serene works like St Patrick in the Forest (Christ’s Hospital murals); and his oils are as voluptuous in colour and form as his furniture is minimalist. Original WW1 and WW2 Posters are becoming hugely popular yet some are still very affordable, prices for nice examples are reaching well into the thousands over the past few years now. If a 1920's Russian movie poster of the Battleship Potemkin will fetch over £100,000 GBP, the potential for the values of fine propaganda posters by the great artists of their day could be immense 20 x 30.25 inches  read more

Code: 22667

Used In WW1 & WW2. An Imperial German Issued Peaked Cap for Fire Protection Officer of Lubeck. Used From WW1 & Through to Early WW2 After The Organisation Was Taken Over By Himmler’s SS

A rare service cap, that is historically very interesting indeed, yet remarkably affordable.

Blue wool cloth with two red piping borders and single red and brass disc roundel. In super condition, worn areas to the lining and sweatband, as to be expected, but the peak and dark blue cloth are superb.

Made in WW1 Imperial period, worn right through the later Weimar period and into the early Third Reich era. When used in the Third Reich era, by the Fire Protection Police, it was an organization that was an auxiliary to the Ordnungspolizei, and during the war was absorbed into the SS. Feuerschutzpolizei. By 1938, all of Germany's local fire brigades were part of the ORPO. Orpo Hauptamt had control of all civilian fire brigades. ORPO's chief was SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer Kurt Daluege who was responsible to Himmler alone until 1943 when Daluege had a massive heart attack.

From 1943, Daluege was replaced by Obergruppenfuhrer Alfred Wunnenberg until May 1945.

ORPO was structurally reorganised by 1941. It had been divided into the numerous offices covering every aspect of German law enforcement in accordance with Himmler's desire for public control of all things.

A very attractive and interesting piece in super order and totally complete.  read more

Code: 21181

A Very Fine & Rare Pair of Cased WW1 Great War Imperial German Epaulettes. For An Officer Of Adolf Hitler’s War Service Bavarian Reserve Regiment. It Is Distinctly Possible He Served With The Later Fuhrer

For the Imperial German 40th Infantry officer. Used by the German regimental officers that fought in the trenches with Adolf Hitler's infantry, and apparently the 40th relieved to command Hitler's company within the List Regiment, the Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 16 (1st Company of the List Regiment).

Beautifully preserved In their original storage case in mint condition overall.
Mid blue cloth background with gilt crescent and Infantry number 40. Red back cloth.

During the war, Hitler served in France and Belgium in the Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 16 (1st Company of the List Regiment). He was an infantryman in the 1st Company during the First Battle of Ypres (October 1914), which Germans remember as the Kindermord bei Ypern (Ypres Massacre of the Innocents) because approximately 40,000 men (between a third and a half) of nine newly-enlisted infantry divisions became casualties in 20 days. Hitler's regiment entered the battle with 3,600 men and at its end mustered 611. By December Hitler's own company of 250 was reduced to 42. Biographer John Keegan claims that this experience drove Hitler to become aloof and withdrawn for the remaining years of war. After the battle, Hitler was promoted from Schutze (Private) to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal). He was assigned to be a regimental message-runner

The List Regiment fought in many battles, including the First Battle of Ypres (1914), the Battle of the Somme (1916), the Battle of Arras (1917), and the Battle of Passchendaele (1917). During the Battle of Fromelles on 19?20 July 1916 the Australians, mounting their first attack in France, assaulted the Bavarian positions. The Bavarians repulsed the attackers, suffering the second-highest losses they had on any day on the Western Front, about 7,000 men  read more

Code: 22240

Original WW1 Gurkha's Kukri Field Marshall Manekshaw once said, " If someone says he does not fear death, then he is either telling a lie or he is a Gurkha".

Part of a collection of 3 original military Gurkha's kukri, two WW2 and one WW1 and a WW2 Japanese soldiers flag {now sold}. All without scabbards, with very good blade with signs if combat use and surface marking and some areas of old pitting. They were all formerly on display on the walls of a defunct in 1968 regimental officer's mess the Royal Warwickshire Regt, moved when it merged in 1968 to become Fusilier Brigade with a WW2 Japanese silk flag. All 4 pieces are being sold by us separately. Tempered steel blade and carved wood hilt. The Kukri is the renown and famous weapon of the Nepalese Gurkha.A Superb WW1 Gurkha's Kukri Combat Knife "Ayo Gorkali" The Gurkha Battle Call "The Gurkhas Are Coming!" Field Marshall Manekshaw once said, " If someone says he does not fear death, then he is either telling a lie or he is a Gurkha". The Gukhas are the finest and bravest, combat soldiers in the world, with legendary loyalty to the British Crown. When worn in combat it would normally be in a khaki canvas cover. Superb tempered steel blade, overall in fabulous condition. Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw once said, " If someone says he does not fear death, then he is either telling a lie or he is a Gurkha". On 12/13 May 1945 at Taungdaw, Burma now Myanmar, Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung VC was manning the most forward post of his platoon which bore the brunt of an attack by at least 200 of the Japanese enemy. Twice he hurled back grenades which had fallen on his trench, but the third exploded in his right hand, blowing off his fingers, shattering his arm and severely wounding him in the face, body and right leg. His two comrades were also badly wounded but the rifleman, now alone and disregarding his wounds, loaded and fired his rifle with his left hand for four hours, calmly waiting for each attack which he met with fire at point blank range. Afterwards, when the casualties were counted, it is reported that there were 31 dead Japanese around his position which he had killed, with only one arm.In the Falklands War in 1982 the Argentinians abandoned Mount William without a fight simply because the enemy forces advancing towards them were the 2nd Battalion, 7th Ghurka Rifles. Probably the most respected and feared warriors in the world, the Gurkhas of Nepal have fought in the Gurkha regiments of the British Army for around two centuries. With a degree of loyalty and dedication that is legendary, there is no greater soldier to be at one's side when in battle than the noble Gurkha. With a Kukri in his hand and the battle cry called, "Ayo Gorkhali!" "the Gurkhas are coming!", no foe's head was safe on his shoulders. Battle hardened German Infantry in WW1, or WW2 Japanese Shock Troops, have been known to tremble in their boots at the knowledge that they would be facing the Gurkhas in battle. Some of the most amazing feats of heroism have resulted in the most revered medal, the British Victoria Cross the world's greatest and most difficult to qualify for gallantry medal being awarded to Ghurkas. The blade shape descended from the classic Greek sword of Kopis, which is about 2500 years old.
Some say it originated from a form of knife first used by the Mallas who came to power in Nepal in the 13th Century. There are some Khukuris displaying on the walls of National Museum at Chhauni in Kathmandu which are 500 years old or even older, among them, one that once belonged to Drabya Shah, the founder king of the kingdom of Gorkha, in 1627 AD. But, some say that the Khukuri's history is possibly centuries older this. It is suggested that the Khukuri was first used by Kiratis who came to power in Nepal before Lichchhavi age, in about the 7th Century. In the hands of an experienced wielder Khukuri or Kukri is about as formidable a weapon as can be conceived. Like all really good weapons, Khukuri's or Kukri's efficiency depends much more upon skill than the strength of the wielder. And thus so that it happens, that a diminutive Gurkha, a mere boy in regards to his stature, could easily cut to pieces a gigantic adversary, who simply does not understand the little Gurkha's mode of attack and fearsome skill. The Gurkha generally strikes upwards with his Kukri, possibly in order to avoid wounding himself should his blow fail, and possibly because an upward cut is just the one that can be least guarded against however strong his opponent. Approx 18.5 inches long  read more

Code: 23722

A Most Scarce & Collectable 1935 Issue WW2 Luftwaffe Combat Helmet M35 NS62 Single Decal But Only Partialy Visible. Stamped Batch Number D128. with Original Liner And Partial Chin Strap

Overall in jolly nice condition.
The liner is named for the Luftwaffe officer or airman.

Arguably the helmet was the most recognizable part of the individual German soldiers appearance. With a design that derived from the type used in world war one, the German helmet offered more protection then ones used by it’s enemies. The quality luftwaffe gray painted steel helmet with decals and rolled steel rim and leather liner was a labour intensive product and simplified as the war progressed.
The earliest model helmet used in world war two was this model 35 or M35 Stahlhelm. During the war the helmet was simplified in 2 stages. In 1940 the airvents changed from separate rivets affixed {as has this one} to the helmet shell to stamped in the main body of the shell. In 1942 a new model was introduced where the rim of the shell was left sharp and not rolled over as previous models. These models are known in the collector community as M40 and M42. The low sides that protect the neck and ears, the tell tale design that the Germans introduced in 1935 can still be seen in modern day army helmets.

The WW2 German helmet maker "NS" stands for Vereinigte Deutsche Nickelwerke AG (United German Nickelworks) located in Schwerte, a major manufacturer producing steel helmets (Stahlhelm) 62 is the helmets size.  read more

Code: 26039