WW1 / WW2 / 20th Century

A Stunning Original Horseguards Officer's Pattern Helmet Plate. In Gold, Red Enamel Cross, Blue Enamel Garter, And Frosted Silver Cut Steel Order of the Garter Badge Star

Probably the worlds most beautiful helmet plate ever designed.
This fabulous quality officer’s helmet plate, in use since the Queen’s coronation in 1953, was used by an officer of the Queen’s mounted bodyguard, from either the Blues and Royals or the Life Guards regiments, that combined, make up the Royal Horseguards. The helmet plate is identical for both helmets, only the colour of the yak hair plume was different, white for Life Guards, red for Blues and Royals.

The Albert helmet is the current ceremonial headgear of the British Army's Household Cavalry, for both the Life guards regiment and the Blues and Royals regiment, known collectively as Horseguards.

This pattern will now be changed very soon for the design designated for His Majesty King Charles lII. The crown will be changed to the single domed crown of all the kings since Edward VIIth. The domed crown is called either The King’s Crown or the Imperial State Crown. The late Queen’s crown, is known as St Edwards Crown.

The Albert pattern helmet was introduced by Prince Albert in 1842 and adopted by the Household Cavalry the following year. In 1847 the helmet was introduced to all heavy cavalry regiments. It remains in use as the full dress headgear of the two remaining Household Cavalry regiments, the Blues and Royals and the Life Guards. The magnificent helmet remains in use with the two current Household Cavalry regiments, the Blues and Royals with red plume and the Life Guards with white plume. These regiments are amalgamations of the four earlier regiments. The Life Guards retain the white plume and the onion from the 2nd Regiment, the Blues and Royals retain the red plume of the Royal Horse Guards. Blues and Royals officers wear a yak hair plume. Farriers in both regiments wear different plumes, the Life Guards farrier wear black and Blues and Royals farrier red.

The regiments also differ in how they wear the helmet's chin strap. The Blues and Royals wear it under the chin while the Life Guards wear it under the lower lip. The helmet is now in white metal for all ranks and the same helmet plate is worn by both regiments (they were different historically).

The Albert helmet is only worn in full dress review order, guard order and front yard order by other ranks and in full dress, levee dress and ceremonial rehearsal dress by officers. Medical and veterinary officers do not wear the helmet, instead wearing a cocked hat.

The other ranks of the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry wear the helmet in full dress (with the plumes of their parent regiments), except when parading in the presence of the royal family, when they wear state dress with jockey caps. Band officers wear Albert helmets on both occasions.

Its condition is considered by us as mint. A complete Horseguards officer’s helmet from the 1953 coronation period, in mint condition, will cost today somewhere between £6,500 to £10,000.

Photo in the gallery of royal Horseguards officers and men; Credit MOD  read more

Code: 24065

Swedish M1896 Mauser Bayonet, Knife Bayonet for Use on the 6.5 mm. m/1896 Swedish Mauser rifle. The M/1896 Bayonet Was Also Used With the M/1938 Short Rifle and AG42b Ljungmann Self-Loading Rifle During WW2

Swedish M1896 Mauser Bayonet, excellent condition plus. Blade with all original polish and crossgraining.

Rifle 42, 1st company, 6th Infantry

Sweden remained officially neutral in World War II, avoiding direct military involvement by making difficult concessions to both the Allies and Axis, notably allowing German troop transit and exporting vital iron ore while also providing refuge to some refugees and conducting intelligence. Surrounded by German-occupied territory after 1940, Sweden balanced its neutrality with economic ties, allowing German troop movements in exchange for non-invasion, while secretly gathering intelligence and strengthening its own defenses.
Key Aspects of Swedish Neutrality:
Official Stance: Sweden declared neutrality in September 1939, a policy rooted in its long history without war.
Geopolitical Pressure: After Germany invaded Norway and Denmark in April 1940, Sweden was isolated and forced to negotiate with Germany.
"Transit Traffic": Sweden allowed German soldiers and war materials to travel by rail through its territory to and from Norway until August 1943.
Economic Concessions: Sweden supplied Germany with crucial iron ore, ball bearings, and other goods, with Swedish naval escorts sometimes protecting Baltic shipments.
Intelligence & Diplomacy: Sweden maintained intelligence operations, intercepting German communications, and offered limited support to the Allies, including rescuing Jewish refugees later in the war.
Military Buildup: Recognizing its vulnerability, Sweden rapidly increased its military strength and defenses throughout the war, deterring potential invasion.
Challenges & Legacy:
Moral Dilemmas: Sweden's pragmatic neutrality, involving cooperation with Nazi Germany, remains a controversial topic, questioning if it did enough to help victims of the Holocaust.
Balancing Act: Sweden managed to keep its official neutrality and sovereignty but at the cost of significant moral compromises, a difficult legacy often termed "compromise neutrality".

Knife bayonet for use on the 6.5 mm. m/1896 Swedish Mauser rifle. The m/1896 bayonet was also used with the m/1938 Short Rifle and AG42b Ljungmann self-loading rifle.
According to Scandanavian bayonet collector/researcher Per Holmback, M1896 bayonets were produced by:

—Eskilstuna Jernmanufactur AB (1899–1912)
—Carl Gustaf Stad (1913–?)
—Erik Anton Berg AB (years unknown)

The earliest examples had a flat spring catch. This was replaced by a conical spring catch

This example was made by Erik Anton Berg (EAB) of Eskilstuna.

The unit marking on the crosspiece identifies the bayonet as belonging to Rifle , th company, 17th Infantry Regiment.

Complete In Scabbard. Also Fits The Ljungman AG42B S/A Rifle Mod.1942.
M1896 Mauser Knife All-Steel Bayonet,Tubular Engine Turned/Chequered Tubular Steel Grip, Cross-Guard And Muzzle Ring, 209 Mm Single Edged mint Polish Blade, Slightly Widening Towards Point, Single Narrow Fuller,
Complete In Steel Scabbard. Excellent condition overall,  read more

Code: 26152

A Good Hitler Jugend Dagger 1936 By Puma {Coded M7/27} Blut und Ehre Blade. Scarce Transitional Early Period Dagger Which Bears Its Makers Name and RZM Code

Puma of Solingen, 1936
the steel blade etched Blut und Ehre, Blood and Honour {worn} to one side, and stamped maker's mark to the other, also M 7/27 1936 RZM to ricasso, with swept quillon and two piece black chequered grip inset enamelled device to one side, housed in lacquered steel scabbard, post war replaced, synthetic leather strap with buttoned belt frog.

The Hitler Youth was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party. It existed from 1922 to 1945.The Youth group was established in 1922 as the Jungsturm Adolf Hitler. Based in Munich, Bavaria, it served to train and recruit future members of the Sturmabteilung (or "Storm Regiment"), the adult paramilitary wing of the NSDAP.

Following the abortive Beer Hall Putsch (in 1923), the Nazi youth groups were ostensibly disbanded but many elements simply went underground, operating clandestinely in small units under assumed names. Finally, on 4 July 1926, the Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung was officially renamed Hitler Jugend Bund der deutschen Arbeiterjugend, (Hitler Youth League of German Worker Youth). This event took place a year after the Nazi Party itself had been reorganized. The architect of the re-organisation was Kurt Gruber, a law student and admirer of Hitler from Plauen, Saxony.

After a short power struggle with a rival organization - Gerhard Roßbach's Schilljugend - Gruber prevailed and his Greater German Youth Movement became the Nazi Party's official youth organization. In July 1926, it was renamed Hitler-Jugend, Bund deutscher Arbeiterjugend (Hitler Youth, League of German Worker Youth) and, for the first time, officially became an integral part of the Sturmabteilung.

By 1930, the Hitler-Jugend had enlisted over 25,000 boys aged 14 and upwards. It also set up a junior branch, the Deutsches Jungvolk, for boys aged 10 to 14. Girls from 10 to 18 were given their own parallel organisation, the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM), League of German Girls.

In April 1932, the Hitler Youth was banned by Chancellor Heinrich Brüning in an attempt to stop widespread political violence. But by June the ban was lifted by his successor, Franz von Papen as a way of appeasing Hitler whose political star was ascending rapidly.

A further significant expansion drive started in 1933, when Baldur von Schirach became the first Reichsjugendführer (Reich Youth Leader), pouring much time and large amounts of money into the project. One photo in the gallery shows the Hitler Jugend dagger being worn by a group of HitlerYouth on a goodwill vist to Meiji Shrine in Japan in October 1938.

The dagger is jolly nice but has seen wear and use, the blade is bright polish but traces of light surface pitting and polishing has worn away a lot of the etching. The grips are good and the diamond enamel swastika has one small chip.  read more

Code: 26151

Exceptional German WW1 Mauser, S98/05 S or m.S.'Sawback' Bayonet By Mauser. Maker Stamped Waffenfabrik Mauser Obendorf, In Its Original Matching Maker Marked Scabbard. Only 6% Of The Mauser Bayonets Were Fitted With Sawback, and 99.9% Of Those Removed

With original sawback intact. Fabulous condition example, wint near mint finish blade, and the condition throughout is excellent with just marginal denting to the scabbard.
Dated 1917. Although it has clearly been used in combat, and has a few small dings on the scabbard etc. you would have to go to the Imperial War Museum to find and see one as good as this. It may be simply impossible to upgrade to a better example.


The Mauser Gew98 Sawback 'Butcher' bayonet was issued in WW1 but was soon altered by the German soldiers, by way of the removal of the sawback edge.
It was commonly alleged that a German soldier captured alive with his 'Sawback' intact would be immediately killed by his allied captors, as the gruesomeness of the bayonet was much resented by the allied soldiers. This bayonet however is completely unaltered and it's sawback is perfectly intact. Excellent plus condition overall, with fabulous scabbard.

Fully German ordnance marked.

Germany used a wide variety of bayonets on the Mauser Gew-8 and Kar-98 rifles. They entered World War 1 issuing the 1898/05 or ‘Butcher Blade’ model. As the war progressed the shorter blade types and the ersatz models were introduced.
A small percentage of German bayonets were made with a saw back. They were only to noncommissioned officers or pioneer troops.

The Seitengewehr 98/05 has a wood handle and swept back quillon. 14.5-inch single edge butcher blade, marker marked on the ricasso. Dated on top of the blade in front of the crosspiece. Early versions have the saw back as does ours. The saw back was phased out during the war due to negative Allied propaganda. Most had the saw back ground off and re-issued. The first scabbards were leather with steel fittings, followed by all steel.

At the beginning of the Great War, the M1898/05 came with high ears and without flash guard. Pioneers and machine gunner crews used this version because of its suitability to chopping down bushes. The sawback was a favoured tool among German Military units.

The Seitengewehr 98/05 was introduced into the Prussian army in late 1905, as a replacement for the 98/02 for engineers and pioneer troops, as the 98/02 was deemed to long and heavy for it's intended purpose and one and a half times the length of the 1898/05. Initial production was in two versions, the first plain backed, and the second with 29 double teeth. The bayonet, as typical of German blades, did not have more than a vestigial muzzle ring, relying on the length of the hilt mounting to fix the blade to its rifle. The plain back version was identified as the S98/05 or S98/05 o.S. (ohne Säge - without saw) and the saw back as the S98/05 S or m.S. (mit Säge - with saw). About 6% of blades made were fitted with the saw back

At the beginning of WWI it was found that the S98/05 had a problem when used with the Karabiner 98 rifle, the shorter barrel on this model led to burning and damage to the grips as the barrel finished before the vestigial muzzle ring, so in1915 it was decided to fit a steel flash guard (Schutzbleche) to the back of the bayonet to protect the grips. The bayonet was modified by removing most of the muzzle ring remaining, reducing the back of the tang and adding the flash guard.

The sawback version of the bayonet soon became very unpopular on both sides of the frontline. When plunged into the enemy, this style of blade pulled out the victim’s insides when removed causing exceptional pain, suffering and inevitably death. It was communicated to the German army that French and British soldiers would torture and then killed their troops if found with a sawback blade on their bayonet. Therefore an order was issued in 1917 that all sawbacks be removed from service . A super rare piece.

14.5 inch blade  read more

Code: 26150

NOW SOLD An Incredibly Rare And Historical WW2 British SOE Special Operation Executive Agents ‘Assassination’ Sleeve Stiletto Dagger. Used In The Special Forces Mission During The Italian Campaign and The Invasion of Sicily

Rare Special Operations Executive (S.O.E) Assassination Sleeve Dagger, alloy and leather sectioned hilt dagger, with double edged, diamond section, needle type blade.

Correctly un-marked. Complete with its brown leather scabbard with leather strap attachment piece to the top of the scabbard.

To be found in possession of this dagger, in occupied territory during WW2, was incredibly dangerous. If you were caught, that was it, you would be executed. These stealth weapons are few and far between. Once they were used by the secret agents they were often disposed of.

Regrettably, it is more than likely the SOE agent that used this assassin's dagger was either killed or executed when he was caught, as this stiletto was found by a british soldier, in the possession of a captured, AXIS, Prisoner of War. The only thing about this wondrous and historic piece that we don’t know, is to whom it was issued.

The blade measures 123 mm, the knife is 195 mm overall , in its scabbard it is 204mm long.

These stiletto daggers were designed to be carried by S.O.E agents who were dropped behind enemy lines as they could be concealed in a sleeve and easily accessed for close hand to hand combat or to take out an enemy sentry quickly. As with most items issued to the SOE they were not marked with any makers stamps in-case of capture.

Key aspects of SOE Special Operations Executive} involvement and special forces operations in Sicily include:
Targeting Fascist Italy: Between 1940 and 1943, the SOE worked to encourage sabotage and resistance against Mussolini’s regime. By the time of the Sicily invasion, this research and clandestine groundwork aimed to undermine Italian morale and operations.
Special Raiding Squadron (SRS): The Special Raiding Squadron, commanded by Paddy Mayne and often linked to the SAS and SOE’s broader special forces mission, spearheaded aspects of the invasion. These hand-picked raiders were tasked with lightning raids and close-quarter combat.
The SRS and special forces conducted raids to disrupt German and Italian defensive lines during the 1943 campaign, which lasted from 9 July to 17 August.
SOE's role was part of a larger, broader strategy to cripple Italian resistance and support the massive Allied conventional forces (160,000+ men) that landed in Sicily. While Operation Mincemeat was a separate intelligence operation, it was crucial in tricking the Axis into strengthening Greece instead of Sicily, easing the landing of Allied special forces and regular troops.

The SOE’s efforts in Italy were considered high-risk, as agents operated in a hostile enemy country rather than occupied territory.

One of the most famous of all the SOE Agents, was Violette Szabo, G.C. (George Cross).

Of course all the SOE agents were equally brave, and for that matter, some of the bravest heroes that ever ever fought for King and Country, it is just that Agent Szabo’ s heroic and famous story became incredibly famous, culminating in the British biographical film ‘Carve Her Name With Pride’ Starring Virginia McKenna

Violette Bushell was born in Paris, France, in 1921, before her family moved to England. At the outbreak of World War II, she joined the Women's Land Army and the Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she met Étienne Szabo, a Free French corps soldier. They were married and she bore him a daughter, Tanis, in 1942. That same year Étienne was killed in action at the battle of El-Alamein.

It was this event that led her to join the Special Operations Executive intelligence agency, which, at the time, had its headquarters on Baker Street.
Violette was considered a valuable asset, by the S.O.E., due to her fluency in French and, after undergoing extensive training in how to conduct espionage and reconnaissance missions, explosives, weapons, guerilla warfare and sabotage skills, she entered occupied France, in 1944.

Her first mission was a failure as the Gestapo captured and interrogated a British spy who revealed sensitive information. Violette and her team fled France in an RAF aeroplane, that was nearly shot down twice by German anti-aircraft guns, but successfully made it back to England.

Two months later and Violette was back in France, acting as a liaison with French-resistance partisans and to lead operations to sabotage communication lines, in an effort to delay a German military response to the upcoming D-Day landings. However, the S.O.E. had greatly overestimated the partisans capability, so Violette was ordered south to another resistance unit.

Unfortunately, this other resistance unit were unaware that an SS unit were close by and, as they had a predilection for using vehicles, easily aroused suspicion.

At a roadblock they realised they were trapped and leapt from the car, fleeing across fields. Violette twisted her ankle and took up protection behind an apple tree, from where she used her submachine gun to pin down the German soldiers while her colleagues escaped. She managed to hold off the Germans for thirty minutes, before she ran out of her ammunition. In that time she killed a Corporal and several soldiers.

Before she could take her cyanide pill she was captured and taken to the SS for interrogation.

During her four day interrogation she was subjected to horrific torture and sexual violence before she was sent Ravensbrück concentration camp, by train.

With other resistance fighters Violette made plans to organise an escape from the camp. On February 5, 1945 these plans were discovered, resulting in her being taken to a place of execution, and shot to death. She was 23.

The George Cross was posthumously bestowed on Violette Szabo, by King George VI, on December 17, 1946.

Overall, the casualty rate for SOE agents in certain sectors was very high—estimated at around 28% for all SOE agents between 1940 and 1945—compared to a 3.5% death rate for British military personnel overall. Of the roughly 41 female F Section agents sent to France alone, 16 did not survive, around 40%, with 12 executed in concentration camps.

‘The Life That I Have’
By Leo Marx

The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours.

The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause.

For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.

Leo Marx SOE operative and veteran of WW2.
In the war, famous poems were used to encrypt messages. This was, however, found to be insecure because enemy cryptanalysts were able to locate the original from published sources. Marks countered this by using his own written creations. "The Life That I Have" was an original poem composed on Christmas Eve 1943 and was originally written by Marks in memory of his girlfriend Ruth, who had just died in a plane crash in Canada.
On 24 March 1944, the poem was issued by Marks to Violette Szabo, a British agent of Special Operations Executive who was eventually captured, tortured and killed by the Nazis.

Picture in the gallery is of the Portrait bust of Violette Szabo G.C. depicted upon the monument to the memory of fallen SOE agents.  read more

Code: 26149

A Superb Piece Of WW2 Anglo American Aeronautical History, and An Absolute Beauty. An Original, 1940's B3 WW2 USAAF Pilots Sheerling Jacket. Perry Sportswear Co of Newburgh New York Contract. In Super, Wearable Condition

In superbly fully conserved condition, perfectly wearable today.
Good size 40 inch chest

Exactly As Used in WW2 By General George Patton, and the WW2 US Aircrew. pilots, navigators, gunners etc. Type B-3 early American WW2 Contract; No. 33-H-5595 , 43-13612-AF Manufactured by Perry Sportswear Co.​ Newburgh, New York.

There is no doubt that jacket has seen incredible times, and true historical collectors will absolutely love it with all its amazing character and signs of age. Our last example was certainly not mint, in fact pretty worn, but this example is certainly in very good conserved condition indeed. Perfectly wearable

It we had had it when Steve McQueen visited us in the 60’s, we could likely have named our price. He would simply not have left our shop without it!

Made and issued for the Army Air Forces, from 1933 till 1943. Original examples of these super WW2 Aeronautical gems are so very scarce indeed, and the beauty of them is, they are still superbly wearable, in fact the more aged the better!.
US legend General George Patton wore his favourite B3 during the entire Battle of Bulge campaign {and we show a photo of him wearing it,}. Plus we show a movie still of the legendary Steve McQueen and Bob Wagner in their B3's that they both wore in their iconic WW2 movie during 1962, 'The War Lover'. It was while he was filming in Cambridge that he came down to see us in Brighton to view a vintage car we had for sale.

It was a year later in 1963, he starred in one of the greatest war movies of all time 'the Great Escape', as Captain Virgil Hilts 'The Cooler King'.

A faithful modern very fine quality reproduction copy today can cost more than $4,400, {such as by Mc Coys Manufacturing Co.,new made in Japan} so how much more can you value an early, wartime superb condition original.

Over two million American servicemen passed through Britain during the Second World War. In 1944, at the height of activity, up to half a million were based here with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).

The job of the half million British based USAAF officers and servicemen was to man and maintain the vast fleets of aircraft needed to attack German cities & and industry.

Working alongside the Royal Air Force (RAF), their aim was to severely weaken Germany's ability to fight. This was a central part of the Allied strategy for winning the war. American women also served, working for the American Red Cross or as members of the Women's Army Corps.

Over 200 airfields were occupied or newly-built by the USAAF. Each one would house around 2,500 American men many times the population of the nearest village. Thousands more were based at smaller sites. Halls and country houses became headquarters for commanders and planners. Some were converted to hospitals or rest-homes for combat-weary fliers. Barns and outbuildings would house teams of truck drivers and their vehicles. Even specialist bakery units were dotted around the UK, providing fresh bread for the airmen.

No wonder, then, that the Americans' arrival was known as the 'friendly invasion' their impact on British life was huge and they profoundly changed the places they inhabited.

The majority of the Americans left Britain in 1945. They left an enduring legacy and are fondly remembered by those they met. Including, all our six aunts! our mother’s sisters. Hundreds of volunteers across East Anglia still help preserve these memories. They look after memorials in village squares, on corners of former airfields, or at crash sites. They manage museums in former control towers, or preserve precious collections in pubs or farm buildings.

Brighton was home to thousands of US and Canadian servicemen in 1944, billeted at all the hotels on Brighton seafront. Despite much of Brighton being off limits to civilian visitors due to it coastal location. With barbed wire fenced off beaches and the mined sea. And our piers were cut in half so they couldn’t be used as Jerry landing jetty’s.

The B-3 flight jacket, introduced by the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1934, was the standard-issue "heavy zone" garment for WWII bomber crews, designed to withstand temperatures down to
at high altitudes. Made of sheepskin with a thick shearling lining, leather exterior, and large collar, it was essential for survival in unpressurized planes.
Developed for crew members flying in open or unpressurized, high-altitude bombers (up to 25,000 feet) during WWII.
Design & Material: It featured sheepskin with fur (shearling) on the inside and a leather exterior. Unlike the lighter A-2 jacket, it did not have knit cuffs or waistbands, which could freeze; instead, it used leather straps for cinching to retain heat.
Features: A large collar with dual buckled straps enabled it to be secured against the face for maximum protection.
Standardized in 1934, it was inspired by the British Irvin flying jacket. While initially, they were crafted with unfinished white sheepskin, designs evolved, and by 1943, they were frequently made in brown, hand-dyed finishes with horsehide reinforcing stress points.
Usage: It was considered the "ultimate" Cold War-era sheepskin jacket, famously worn by figures like General George Patton. It remained in service until May 1943 before being replaced by newer models.

The B-3 is now a legendary, iconic piece of military history often associated with the"tough-as-nails", image of WWII aviators.

Later zip.  read more

Code: 26138

Really, Really Rare, Original German 75mm Tank Shell Case, WW2 As Used by the Infamous Panther Tank, Officially the Panzerkampfwagen V Panther. With Impact Fuse, And Electric Tank Primer. Fitted With 75mm Shell Head, High Explosive, WW2 IssueDated 1944

A fabulous display and conversation piece

On 27 February 1944 it was redesignated to just PzKpfw Panther, as Hitler ordered that the Roman numeral "V" be deleted.citation needed In contemporary English-language reports it is sometimes referred to as the "Mark V".

The Panther was intended to counter the Soviet T-34 medium tank and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV. Nevertheless, it served alongside the Panzer IV and the heavier Tiger I until the end of the war. The Panther was a compromise. While having essentially the same Maybach V12 petrol (690 hp) engine as the Tiger I, it had better gun penetration, was lighter and faster, and could traverse rough terrain better than the Tiger I. The trade-off was weaker side armour, which made it vulnerable to flanking fire, and a weaker high explosive shell. The Panther proved to be effective in open country and long-range engagements. Although it had excellent firepower, protection and mobility, its reliability was less impressive. The Panther was far cheaper to produce than the Tiger I. Key elements of the Panther design, such as its armour, transmission, and final drive, were simplifications made to improve production rates and address raw material shortages. Despite this, the overall design has still been described by some as "overengineered".

The Panther was rushed into combat at the Battle of Kursk in the summer of 1943 despite numerous unresolved technical problems, leading to high losses due to mechanical failure. Most design flaws were rectified by late 1943 and early 1944, though the bombing of production plants, increasing shortages of high-quality alloys for critical components, shortage of fuel and training space, and the declining quality of crews all impacted the tank's effectiveness. Though officially classified as a medium tank, at 44.8 metric tons the Panther was closer in weight to contemporary foreign heavy tanks. The Panther's weight caused logistical problems, such as an inability to cross certain bridges, otherwise the tank had a very high power-to-weight ratio which made it highly mobile.

The naming of Panther production variants did not, unlike most German tanks, follow alphabetical order: the initial variant, Panther "D" (Ausf. D), was followed by "A" and "G" variants.

The critical detail of the 88mm round was that it didn’t reach the velocity of the 75mm L71 gun on the Panther. The 88mm round weighed 22 pounds, reached 2600 feet per second and could penetrate 83mm of hardened steel at 2000 meters. The 75mm L71 round was 16 pounds, reached 3070 feet per second and could penetrate 89mm of hardened steel at 2000 meters. Both could easily pop the top off any Allied tank out to 1500–2000 meters. But the heavier 88mm round was slower and had a comparative trajectory like the proverbial rainbow. Even though the 75mm gun on the Panther tank fired a lighter shot, it had a flatter trajectory and didn’t overload the already strained Panther drivetrain with the excessive weight of the 88mm piece.

The bottom of the shell case is surface corroded but you can still see the electric primer fitting. The shell head is an original 75mm WW2 German example, but not the original panther type.

37.5 inches high.

Inert, safe and empty.  read more

Code: 26137

A Most Rare, Original, Reich Marshall Herman Goering Small Propaganda Poster. "Weil wir einig sind, sind wir stark, weil wir stark sind, sind wir frei." ... Hermann Goring, " Because We Are United We Are Strong, Because We Are Strong We Are Free"

In very good condition for age.

Rarely surviving piece from the the pre war Germany.

"Weil wir einig sind, sind wir stark, weil wir stark sind, sind wir frei." ... Hermann Goring,

" Because We Are United We Are Strong, Because We Are Strong We Are Free"
28th of February to 6th March 1938. weekly slogans of the National Socialist German Workers' Party.

Another original copy of it is in the George C Marshall Foundation library During World War II, Marshall as Army Chief of Staff (1939-1945) was the most important military figure in the U.S. military establishment and of great significance in maintaining the Anglo-American coalition. After the war, he was named special ambassador to China (1945-1947), Secretary of State (1947-1949), President of the American Red Cross (1949-1950), and Secretary of Defense (1950-1951). In 1953 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in proposing, encouraging legislative action, and supporting the European Recovery Program (known as the Marshall Plan). For nearly 20 years he was a major U.S. leader, militarily, politically and morally, and he is still widely admired today.  read more

Code: 20865

A Superb, Original, Her Majesty Queen ELizabeth II, Household Division Drum Major's Welsh Guards Bearskin Cap. In Superb Condition, A Post 1953 Coronation Era, Bearskin, For a Member of The Battalion Staff {Gloriously Fluffy}

A fabulous original Household Division bearskin of the Welsh Guards, in stunning condition, with luxurious fur quality. Original Welsh plume of green and white horsehair.
Perfect interior cane frame and complete leather lining with all the tongues in perfect condition. Maker label to the interior.

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.

A bearskin is a tall fur cap derived from mitre caps worn by grenadier units in the 17th and 18th centuries. Initially worn by only grenadiers, its usage was extended to several other military units in the 19th century. The bearskin cap continued to see use in battle during the mid-19th century, although by the 20th century, it was only used for parade dress. In the 21st century, the bearskin cap is retained by select military units as a prominent element of their ceremonial and full dress uniforms.

The earliest record of a bearskin-like cap being worn by soldiers in Europe was during the mid-17th century, although its widespread adoption did not take place until 1761, when French grenadiers began to wear tall fur caps resembling the Prussian mitre cap. The purpose appears to have been to add to the apparent height and impressive appearance of these troops both on the parade ground and the battlefield.5 These fur caps developed into the colossal bearskin caps worn by the French Imperial Guard. The British Grenadier Guards adopted the headdress after their victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, with other British units and European militaries adopting the headdress in the years after.

The headdress continued to see military service during the mid-19th century, with British foot guards and the Royal Scots Greys wearing bearskins in battle during the Crimean War.6 However, by the mid-19th century, the expense of acquiring bearskin caps and the difficulty in maintaining them in good condition led to some military units limiting the use of the headdress for specific occasions. Some units, like the Italian 1st Regiment "Granatieri di Sardegna", eventually discontinued the use of the headgear altogether during that century.

The British Army continued to use the headdress during peacetime manoeuvres until the introduction of khaki service dress in 1902. Immediately before the outbreak of World War I in 1914, bearskins were still worn by several British, Belgian, Danish, German, Russian, and Swedish units as a part of their ceremonial/parade dress. Several units that retired the use of the headdress during the 19th century, including units in Italy and the Netherlands, also readopted it for ceremonial use during the 20th century


Every single item from The Lanes Armoury 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, as Britain’s oldest established, and favourite, armoury and gallery  read more

Code: 25421

Very Fine 1889 Pattern Regimental Officer's Sword WW1 Imperial Prussian Eagle Guard With Crest of Kaiser Willhelm IInd. Surrendered on the 4th of May 1945. A Few Hours Before The Official Instrument Of Surrender Was Signed at 18.30 Hours

Surrendered by a veteran staff officer of Generalmajor Hans Kienast, at the surrender to Field Marshal Montgomery of the German armed forces in 1945.

However, most regrettably, there was no written record kept of the name of the colonel that surrendered it. If this had been recorded, this sword could have been priced at ten times its current value, or even higher. But, it does mean, as such, it is incredibly affordable. This surrender was a precursor to the final unconditional surrender of all German forces (V-E Day) on May 8, 1945.

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.

1889 Pattern Prussian Officers sword with cast Eagle guard, multi wire bound sharkskin grip, excellent condition double fullered blade and black lacquered steel combat scabbard. Kaiser Willhelm Crest to grip.
Many of these swords were also used in the 3rd Reich by veteran officers serving in WW2 after their service in WW1, as was this great example.

Numerous Vintage photographs of WW2 German Officers show them wearing this pattern of sword, including one in the gallery of Generalleutnant Hans von Donat with his identical sword.

This sword was taken at the official event of the German high command requesting surrender terms to Montgomery at 2nd army HQ on May 3rd, all of the participants were disarmed, unfortunately it is not known from whom this sword was taken.

See our original official photograph from this special and monumentally important historical event, taken on the 3rd of May 1945. It is of Field Marshal Montgomery, Admiral von Friedeburg, General Kinzel and Rear Admiral Wagner plus aides .The unconditional surrender was not ‘officially signed until a few days later as Stalin insisted his generals must be present. Overall this sword is in excellent condition.
Field Marshal Montgomery greeted for the surrender the German delegation (Admiral von Friedeburg, General Kinzel and Rear Admiral Wagner).
The images were taken by the British Army Film and Photographic Unit.

Field Marshal Montgomery signed the terms of the surrender watched by Rear Admiral Wagner and Admiral von Friedeburg.
On 4 May 1945, at 18:30 British Double Summer Time, at Lüneburg Heath, south of Hamburg, Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery accepted the unconditional surrender of the German forces in the Netherlands, northwest Germany including all islands, in Denmark and all naval ships in those areas. The surrender preceded the end of World War II in Europe and was signed in a carpeted tent at Montgomery's headquarters on the Timeloberg hill at Wendisch Evern. Lüneburg had been captured by the British forces on 18 April 1945 with Montgomery establishing his headquarters at a villa in the village of Häcklingen. A German delegation arrived at his tactical headquarters on the Timeloberg hill by car on 3 May, having been sent by Großadmiral Karl Dönitz who had been nominated President and Supreme Commander of the German armed forces by Adolf Hitler in his last will and testament on 29 April. Dönitz was aware of the allied occupation zones intended for Germany from a plan that had fallen into German hands. He therefore hoped that protracted partial and local surrender negotiations might buy time for troops and refugees in the east to seek refuge from the Red Army, whilst holding open a pocket to provide sanctuary on the west bank of the River Elbe.

Dönitz did not think it appropriate to negotiate personally with a field marshal as he had become the head of state following the death of Adolf Hitler. He therefore sent the delegation headed by the new Commander-in-Chief of the German navy Admiral Hans-Georg von Friedeburg. Montgomery refused an initial offer to surrender Army Group Vistula which was being cut off to the east by the Red Army and demanded the unconditional surrender of all forces on his northern and western flanks. The Germans stated that they did not have the authority to accept Montgomery's terms. However they agreed to return to their headquarters to obtain permission from Dönitz.

The German officers returned the next day at 18:00 with an additional delegate, (Colonel Fritz Poleck) representing the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (the German armed forces high command). Von Friedeburg was ushered into Montgomery's command caravan for confirmation that they were ready to sign. For the surrender ceremony Montgomery sat at the head of a table with an army blanket draped over it and two BBC microphones in front of him; he called on each delegate in turn to sign the instrument of surrender document at 18.30. The surrender ceremony was filmed by the British Pathé News and recorded for broadcast on radio by the BBC with a commentary by the Australian war correspondent Chester Wilmot. The intimate detail of document translation and conversation interpretation was supervised by one of Montgomery's senior intelligence officers Colonel James Oliver Ewart.

We acquired it from the same family of the WW2 photographer, that had another German sword, surrendered at the same surrender signing, four years ago.

Photo shown in the gallery, that we once had, taken at time of the surrender of this sword, with Field Marshal Montgomery in May 1945  read more

Code: 26139