A Most Rare, Original, Romanov, Russian Cossack Solid Silver Shashka & Silver Cossack Whip With Concealed Dagger, 'The Imperial Russian Honour Sword & Nagaika Awards of Gallantry' Awarded by The Czar The Russian Version of the British Victoria Cross

Awarded by Czar Alexander Romanov IIIrd in 1883, and it is dated 1883. The superbly deluxe etched presentation blade bears the personal crest cypher of the Czar. A crowned A III, and the crest of the Romanovs.. See photo 9 in the gallery.
In 50 years we have never seen a matching pair of honour sword and dagger complete and together, they may not even have an ioriginal pair in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. One of the greatest museum collections in the world.
A Most Rare 19th Century Romanov era, Russian Shashka, 'Sword of Chivalry' complete with its matching, rare, and fabulous silver Niello presentation Romanov Cossack's nagaika Cossack whip with hidden dagger. Both were awarded for gallantry and heroism in combat during the Romanov era of Czarist Russia, in the reign of Czar Alexander IIIrd, father of Czar Nicolas IInd the last Czar, who was executed with his wife and children by firing squad in Yekaterinburg, by the Russian Bolshevik revolutionaries in July 1918 .

The sword and whip combination are the Imperial Russian equivalent to the Victoria Cross {or the American Medal of Honour}.

For such a great honour, as well as the silver and enamel 'Badge of Honour of St Anne' the recipient may also be awarded a presentation silver sashqua sabre, engraved with the award presentation and emblazened with a silver enamel badge of the Order of St. Anne.
A Cossack could also be awarded, as a very special extra honour, a silver Niello nagaika Cossack whip with a concealed thrusting dagger which also has a matching silver and enamel St Anne award for gallantry badge mounted on the body of the whip. The dagger was for use against attacking wolves or for close combat battle use. We show in the gallery a picture of a Cossack lieutenant with his awarded silver Cossack sashqua of gallantry, and also with his matching presentation nagaika. Also we show a cossack charge with sabres and the nagaika on the cossack's wrists. The picture is a standing lieutenant, of the 2nd Volgski Regiment, Terek Host.

The epitome of the Caucasian Cossack officer; the highly decorated weapons and kaftan are typical of these units throughout the war. The cartridge pockets on each breast, gaziri, were functional as well as decorative. The undershirt, beshmet, was often privately made and did not always conform to regulations. During the war supply problems led to khaki replacing the grey kaftans. The rank of this sotnik or first lieutenant is identified by the three stars and single stripe on his shoulder boards, which also bear the regimental number '2 and the Cyrillic initial of the Terek Cossacks, which resembles 'Br. Light blue was the traditional distinguishing color of the Terek Host. He wears the Order of Vladimir 4th Class with Swords, the Order of St. Anne 4th Class with Swords, a Terek Cossack badge and that of the Novocherkask Cossack School. His handsome weapon is a St. Anne's Sword 'for Bravery' - note the rosette in the pommel. He carries the matching silver Cossack nagaika whip with badge. A most rare desirable and collectable sword of the Imperial, Russian, Romanov period. A sword of gallantry and honour awarded to an officer who displayed the finest valour serving his Czar, the equivalent at the time to the Victoria Cross medal in England or the US Medal of Honour in America. The hilt is silver surrounding a central carved ribbed grip of bone and it is engraved on the pommel in Russian to represent gallantry and there's the red enamel badge of Saint Anna of Russia the blade is simply superb decorated in fine scrolls and imperial scenes of cavalry, stands of arms and flags, and the crest of Czar Alexander of Russia, the father of Czar Nicholas II, the executed last Czar of all the Russias. The spine of the blade bears a cyrillic Russian inscription by the maker Zlatoust, and date 1883. The silver pommel is engraved in Russian, the closest translation in English is 'for Bravery'. The blade is superbly etched with panels of charging cossack cavalry, the crest of the Romanov Czar, Alexander III, the Cross of St Anna, and numerous scrolls and geometric designs, plus traces of original blue and gilt in the fullers. Swords of this nature are some of the most desirable Russian swords ever made and collected from the old Imperial Romanov Russia, and this one is certainly one of the finest we have ever seen. The Order of Saint Anna ("Order of Saint Ann" or "Order of Saint Anne") was established as a Holstein ducal and then Russian imperial order of chivalry established by Karl Friedrich, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, on 14 February 1735, in honour of his wife Anna Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great of Russia. The motto of the Order is "Amantibus Justitiam, Pietatem, Fidem" ("To those who love justice, piety, and fidelity"). Its festival day is 3 February (New Style, 16 February). Originally, the Order of Saint Anna was a dynastic order of knighthood; but between 1797 and 1917 it had dual status as a dynastic order and as a state order. The Head of the Imperial House of Russia always is Master of the imperial Order of Saint Anna. The Order of St. Anna continued to be awarded after the revolution by Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich, and Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna.

Membership of the Order was awarded for a distinguished valour and distinguished service in the military. The Order of Saint Anna entitled recipients of the first class to hereditary nobility, and recipients of lower classes to personal nobility. For military recipients, it was awarded with swords such as this wonderful superior rank example. The blade makers marks of Zlatoust. The House of Romanov was the second dynasty to rule Russia, after the House of Rurik, reigning from 1613 until the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II on 15 March 1917, as a result of the February Revolution.

The Romanovs achieved prominence as boyars of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, later the Tsardom of Russia. In 1613, following years of interregnum (Time of Troubles), the zemsky sobor offered the Russian crown to Mikhail Romanov. He acceded to the throne as Michael I, becoming the first Tsar of Russia from the House of Romanov. His grandson Peter I established the Russian Empire and transformed the country into a continental power through a series of wars and reforms.

The direct male line of the Romanovs came to an end when Elizabeth of Russia died in 1762. After an era of dynastic crisis, the House of Holstein-Gottorp, a cadet branch of the House of Oldenburg that reigned in Denmark, ascended the throne in 1762 with Peter III, a grandson of Peter I. All rulers from the middle of the 18th century to the revolution of 1917 were descended from that branch. Though officially known as the House of Romanov, these descendants of the Romanov and Oldenburg dynasties are sometimes referred to as Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov.

In early 1917 the Romanov dynasty had 65 members, 18 of whom were killed by the Bolsheviks. The remaining 47 members went into exile abroad. In 1924, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, the senior, surviving male-line descendant of Alexander II of Russia by primogeniture, claimed the headship of the defunct Imperial House of Russia. Since 1991, the succession to the former Russian throne has been in dispute, largely due to disagreements over the validity of dynasts' marriages, especially between the lines of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia and Prince Nicholas Romanovich Romanov, succeeded by Prince Andrew Romanov. The sword has no scabbard.


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 trading  read more

Code: 23150

A Stunning British Regulation Pattern Light Dragoon Pistol by Barnett Dated 1802 Inspected by Richard Duce of The Ordnance A Contract Gunmaker Of The British Light Dragoons In the Peninsular and Waterloo Originally For the EIC Cavalry Contract

One of the pistols turned over by the East India Co. army to the Board of Ordnance for the Napoleonic wars, due to the urgent need for arms to counter Napoleon's massive armament reserve. The light dragoon pistol was the standard weapon issued to the British trooper throughout the 18th and early-19th centuries. It bears the same British Board of Ordnance inspection lock stamp, numbered by inspector '2'. Crown Inspector '2' was Richard Duce, and he was the principle inspector for the crown from 1797, and the small arms turned over from the EIC, just as this turned-over pistol {and turned-over Brown Bess muskets} usually bore. We had a very fine 1802 Brown Bess musket, also turned-over by the EIC at the very same time, and also inspected and crown stamped '2' by Richard Duce.

Thomas Barnett was contractor to the Ordnance from 1794.

The world changed in 1793, a mere 10 years after the loss of the American colonies. Britain found itself once again at war, this time with Revolutionary France. An army now reduced in size to an authorised strength of only 44,432 men had to be expanded rapidly, along with the local militia and volunteer forces. The call for arms was huge. Indeed, in 1793 the total stock of muskets in armouries around Britain, including the central arsenal at the Tower of London, was around 60,000. The stocks held in French arsenals amounted to over 700,000.

The idea of introducing the East India Company's arms into British Army service was conceived. By the end of 1794. at that time the East India Company had delivered 29,920 muskets into government stores, all that they could spare.

However they agreed to sell almost all their current contracted guns, for the forseeable future. Indeed, transactions for East India Company small arms would continue throughout the duration of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.

By 1815, the East India Company had sold the Board of Ordnance at least 142,970 small arms.

regimental stock number on the trigger guard underside.

This fabulous example was one of those desperately required light dragoon flintlocks, sold to the British ordnance in 1802. Overall in super condition, obviously used in combat but has been cared for well these past 200 years. Small old stock field repair at the rear of the lockplate.  read more

Code: 24801

A Pair Of Durs Egg Boxlock Pocket Percussion Pistols Circa 1835

In very good order, with what appears to be very nice original finish. All steel furniture with engraved side plates, barrel tangs and trigger guards, slab sided walnut butts, oval name cartouches to sides, one engraved D.Egg.

Durs Egg was one of England finest ever gunsmiths, but at this period his working life was coming to an end, and after his death, his relatives John and George Frederickson carried on working in his name. Good turn-off breech loading barrels with excellent proof markings. Both actions are very crisp indeed, but one pistol is reticent to engage past first cock. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 21533

A Most Beautiful All Brass Large Boxlock King George IIIrd Napoleonic Wars Flintlock Pistol. By Master Gunsmith Philip Bond of London

Just one example of the many dozens of finest quality pistols we have from the 18th and 19th century, we have the privilege to currently offer. Finest London maker Philip Bond of Cornhill. Very good tight and crisp action. Boxlock pistols were pocket pistols popular in the late 1700's and early 1800’s. The most unique feature of their design was the boxlock mechanism. Unlike most firearms which have the cock located off to the side of the pistol, a boxlock pistol had the cock located directly on top of the pistol. They were called a boxlocks because all of the working mechanisms for the cock and the trigger was located in a box or receiver directly below the top mounted hammer. While the cock obstructed the aim of the user, this system had the advantage of making the gun more compact and concealable than other pistols. The first boxlock pistols were flintlock and where later made in percussion lock. Unlike modern firearms, these pistols were not mass produced, but were meticulously hand made by the most highly skilled specialist gunsmith artisans, in their bespoke gunsmith's workshops. In their day there were thousands of such artisans based in workshops around the entire country, today there are just a handful left remaining with the skill to create such masterpieces of the gunmakers art. Finest English bespoke guns today can start from £100,000 each, and it is not unusual to approach £200,000 for a top grade example.
Gun collecting attracts those from all walks of life who appreciate the joy and satisfaction such historical and beautiful pieces bring.
For example, one of the greatest and most famous, senior, late cinematic and stage actors in the world, admired and respected by millions, young and old alike, who played Albus Dumbledore in most of the Harry Potter films, was also a highly talented amateur gunsmith, restorer and collector of the finest antique pistols. The possessor of a unique and remarkable additional skill, equal to that of his acting ability, a talent and passion, that during his life he most discreetly kept very close to his chest. We knew him well, through our late gunsmith of 50 years, Dennis Ottery. And there was many a most enjoyable breakfast we would enjoy with Dennis and Michael in dozens of early mornings in Lewes together, chatting about the joys of gun researching and ownership.

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

Code: 23629

A Rare and Original, American, Antique Civil War Remington Large Calibre Army Revolver, With an Original Wild West Rimfire Cartridge Conversion Upgrade. A Superb 5 Shot Revolver. One of The Most Interesting & Historical Guns of The Civil War & Frontier

In overall very nice condition indeed. The Remington Model 1858 was a cap & ball (also called "percussion") 44-calibre revolver, {upgraded to the larger .46-cal. rim fire in 1868} and used during the American Civil War from its close, then this rare pistol was converted to a larger cartridge, a seperate serial number added to the barrel underside, and re-finished addressed etc. and sold for use in the Wild West era onwards.
It was first used primarily as cap and ball by Union soldiers, and widely favoured over the standard issue Colt Army Model 1860 by those who could afford it, due primarily to its durability and ability to quickly reload. Of course if a gun such as this was captured in a Confederate victory it would be eagerly used by its new southern states owner as a highly prized trophy of war. It also saw considerable use in the American West, both in its original cap & ball configuration and as a metallic cartridge conversion.

At the end of our Civil War, the need to rearm with cartridge arms was an obvious imperative and signaled the end of the muzzleloading era worldwide. America was exhausted and money was tight in both the treasury and people’s pockets, yet the superiority of the copper-cased rimfire round to the paper cartridge couldn’t be ignored even though the obvious limitations of the rimfire system were soon evident. U.S. Civil War General Hiram Berdan’s bolt-action rifle, paper-patched bullet in a drawn brass case ignited by his Berdan primer electrified the world, but our Congress was in no mood to pay royalties on a new rifle and cartridge however superior—even to one of our war heroes—and our military became saddled with an inefficient inside-primed, copper-cased round developed at our arsenal for use in cartridge muskets initially converted from the vast stocks of muzzleloaders on hand.

Handguns were a different matter entirely. Smith & Wesson had locked up the bored-through cylinder patent necessary for the use of a cartridge, but only made .22s and .32s—hardly what a soldier or Indian fighter wanted to war with. The Army having to fight the war with a percussion handgun after seeing how well the Spencer and Henry cartridge rifles fared had no choice for a cartridge handgun with S&W working to renew the patent set to expire in 1869. The market was equally ready for a suitable belt-sized cartridge revolver, and the 1858 Remington was a nearly perfect platform.

While working on their own big bore, Smith & Wesson contracted with Remington to convert 4,575 1858 Army revolvers for a new .46 Short Rimfire cartridge. Of these, 4,141 were sold to wholesaler B. Kittredge & Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio for $3.36 each. That clearly puts these “modern” revolvers in the path of the folks heading West after the war. Due to the hand engraved cylinder patent date of 1855 we believe this is one of those very few intriguing revolvers. Matching six figure serial numbers on the barrel and grip frame, with matching cartridge conversion company serial numbers 2777 also on the barrel and grip frame. Several inspector's marks throughout.

There is a reason the .44 Henry wasn’t shoehorned into the first cartridge revolvers. The rimfire cartridge was nominally a .45. The “.44” in the percussion caliber is for the bore diameter, and the groove diameter was a .45. The conversion process was a lot cheaper without having to install a new barrel, and plenty of the old barrels and revolvers were on hand. Remington already chambered a .46 Long rimfire in Rolling Block carbines for use in the Civil War, and it easily transitioned into a rimfire handgun round with a shortened case and lighter heeled bullet. All these early cartridges, closely duplicated the ballistics of the combustible paper cartridges used in the percussion revolvers.

These first Remington Army conversions have been given the nickname “thin plate conversions” by collectors and were made in three versions. None had loading gates, and that likely made life interesting for those who held the revolver muzzle up while cocking! Perhaps the outside-lubricated bullets were sticky enough to keep the rounds from rocketing out. The original large rimfire was an easy transition to the 1858

A prized possession of the Remington Arms Company is a similar, original, New Model Army with ivory grips once carried by William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody {see photo in our gallery}. The historic revolver is on display with Cody's simple handwritten note, "It never failed me". Cody carried the revolver in original percussion form well into the cartridge era, but didn't converted it to cartridge use. The Remington “Army” .44 percussion revolver was the primary competition to the Colt M1860 .44 percussion revolver during the American Civil War era. Although Sam Colt was the better salesman and marketer, Remington eventually beat Colt out of their military contracts by delivering a comparable (some felt superior) product for less money. In 1864, after the US government had finally beat Colt’s price down to $14.00 per revolver, they had been paying $20.00 or more per gun in the early days of the war, Remington agreed to furnish their “Army” revolver for only $12.00 per gun. That ended the reign of the Colt Army as the first choice for the Ordnance Department procurement officers.


In the field, even though the Colt revolver had the name and the mystique, many cavalry troopers preferred the much sturdier solid frame design of the Remington revolver. According to the research published in Remington Army & Navy Revolvers 1861-1868 by Donald L. Ware, Remington revolvers through serial 149,000 were accepted prior to the end of the Civil War. No license required to own or collect.

The New Model Army pattern
long 8 inch sighted octagonal barrel, stamped with the manufacturer's details and stamped with the serial no. 12XXXX to the underside, usual plain cylinder, usual plain frame, brass trigger guard, good two-piece varnished wooden grips.

Frank and Jesse James both owned and used Remington cartridge revolvers, at least two of which still exist: Frank’s No. 5116 and Jesse’s No. 559. An outlaw known as “Redtop” Callihan was wearing a large calibre cartridge Remington when he was gunned down in Bodie, Calif., in 1892 after allegedly killing six men with it. Businessman R.H. Bain went to Alaska with his Remington and reportedly shot two claim jumpers with it; its original belt, with holster, is stamped “KENNEDY HARDWARE, ANCHORAGE ALAS.”

This is an original antique, historical, collectable with no licence required to own or collect.

One photo in the gallery of Lee Van Cleef in ‘the Good the Bad and the Ugly’ with the Remington New Model Army.

Another photo of Clark Gable using his Remington New Model Army.

For ref;

The Cartridge Era Begins with the 1858 Remington Conversion.
Historical Arms, Old West  read more

Code: 25733

Superb, Victorian 1854 Pat. British Artillery Sword of Brigadier General Arthur Herbert Hussey. Commander of The Royal Artillery in WW1 Made by Wilkinson Sword Co. in 1882. Traditional 3 Bar Hilt Bright Polished Combat Weight Blade & F.S Scabbard

Brigadier General Arthur Herbert Hussey, of Scotney Castle, Kent, was the third son of Edward Hussey III. Born in 1863, he joined the British Army and served in the Royal Artillery from the age of 19 in 1882 until his retirement in 1919 aged 56. During the First World War Arthur was a Brigadier General, his role was Commander of the 5th division Royal Artillery. This was his sword from 1882 until the close of WW1.
During the First World War Arthur was a Brigadier General, his role was to plan and co-ordinate artillery fire to support the men in the trenches.

Monogramed blade of Brig.Gen. Hussey, AHH, serial numbered for its commissioning at Wikinson’s in 1882.
Overall in superb condition, with just very minor natural age service wear on the blade midsection. Superb condition field service scabbard.

This division was under command of II Corps and as such was part of the original British Expeditionary Force. It remained on the Western Front until late 1917 when it moved to Italy, returning to the Western front soon after. It is officially recognised as particpating in the following battles end engagements:

Under overall command of Major-General Sir C. Fergusson, & Brigadier General Arthur Herbert Hussey. Commander of The Royal Artillery

1914
The Battle of Mons (23-24 August) and subsequent retreat (to 5 September), including
The Action of Élouges (24 August; only 1st Norfolk and 1st Cheshire Regiment of 15th Infantry Brigade)
The Battle of Le Cateau (26 August)
The Rearguard Action of Crépy-en-Valois (1 September; only 13th Infantry Brigade)
The Battle of the Marne (7-10 September)
The Battle of the Aisne (12-15 September)
The Battle of La Bassée (10 October – 2 November)
The Battle of Messines 1914 (12 October – 2 November; 2nd King’s Own Scottish Borderers and 2nd King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry of 13th Infantry Brigade under temporary command of the Cavalry Corps)
The Battle of Armentières 1914 (13 October – 2 November; only 1st Dorsetshire Regiment of 15th Infantry Brigade under temporary command of III Corps)
On 18 October, with Major-General Sir C. Fergusson having been ordered home to take command of 9th (Scottish) Division, he was succeeded by Major-General T. N. L. Morland

The First Battle of Ypres in its phase the Battle of Nonne Bosschen (11 November; only the remainder of 15th Infantry Brigade and under temporary orders of 3rd Division under command of I Corps)
1915
The Capture of Hill 60 (under II Corps) (17-22 April)
The Second Battle of Ypres in phases
The Battle of Grafenstafel (22-23 April; only 13th Infantry Brigade under temporary command of V Corps)
The Battle of St. Julien (24 April – 4 May; again only 13th Infantry Brigade under V Corps)
On 15 July, with Major-General T. N. L. Morland having been promoted to command a corps, he was succeeded by Major-General C. T. McM. Kavanagh

In late 1915, some of the regular units of 5th Division were exchanged for those of 32nd Division, a newly arrived volunteer formation. The idea was to strengthen (“stiffen” in the jargon of the time) the inexperienced division by mixing in some regular army troops; even though by now many of the pre-war regulars had gone and the regular battalions themselves were often largely composed of new recruits.

1916
In March 1916 the 5th Division moved south to take over the front line between St. Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, east and north east of Arras. This was a lively time, with many trench raids, sniping and mining activities in the front lines.

On 1 April, Major-General C. T. McM. Kavanagh was succeeded by Major-General R. B. Stephens

When the Franco-British offensive opened on the Somme on 1 July 1916, the 5th Division was enjoying a period of rest and re-fit and was in GHQ Reserve.

The Battles of the Somme 1916 in its phases
The Attacks on High Wood (now under XV Corps) (20-25 July)
The Battle of Guillemont (XIV Corps) (3-6 September)
The Battle of Flers-Courcelette (XIV Corps) (15-22 September)
The Battle of Morval (XIV Corps) (25-28 September)
By 5 October 1916 the 5th Division had left the Somme and moved to the quieter line near Festubert. There was a constant threat from enemy artillery and sniper fire, but in comparison with the Somme it was a relatively tranquil period that lasted until March 1917.

1917
The Battles of Arras 1917 in phases
The Battle of Vimy (under the Canadian Corps, 9-14 April)
The Attack on La Coulotte (Canadian Corps) (23 April)
The Third Battle of the Scarpe (3-4 May)
The capture of Oppy Wood (XIII Corps) (28 June)
On 7 September 1917 the division was finally relieved after several months of operations in the Arras area and moved out of the line for a period, being sent next to join the great offensive in Flanders.

The Third Battle of Ypres in phases
The Battle of Polygon Wood (under X Corps) (26 September – 3 October)
The Battle of Broodseinde (X Corps) (4 October)
The Battle of Poelcapelle (X Corps) (9 October)
The Second Battle of Passchendaele (X Corps) (26 October – 10 November)
A major change now occurred, with 5th Division being one of five British formations selected to be moved to Italy. This was a strategic and political move agreed by the British Government at the request of the Allied Supreme War Council, as an effort to stiffen Italian resistance to enemy attack after a recent disaster at Caporetto. Many diaries at this time, by men who had witnessed slaughter in the floods of Passchendaele, talk of the move and Italy as being “like another world”. Much work was done preparing to move into the mountainous area of the Brenta, but eventually the division was instead moved to the line along the River Piave, taking up positions in late January 1918. The division was recalled hurriedly to France, once the enemy had made an attack in overwhelming strength on 21 March.

1918
The Battles of the Lys 1918 in phase
The Battle of Hazebrouck (under XI Corps) (12-15 April) in which the battalion fought in the Defence of Nieppe Forest
On 15 July, with Major-General R. B. Stephens having been promoted to command a corps, he was succeeded by Major-General J. Ponsonby

On 14 August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for rest and placed in GHQ Reserve. Two weeks later it entered into the “Hundred Days Offensive”. Fighting through Albert (back on the old and devastated Somme ground of 1916), to Irles, Beugny, Havrincourt, Gonnelieu and the River Selle, and finally into Valenciennes and the River Sambre, the division was in more or less continuous action until late October 1918.

The Second Battles of the Somme 1918 in phases
The Battle of Albert (under IV Corps) (21-23 August)
The Second Battle of Bapaume (IV Corps) (31 August – 3 September)
The Battles of the Hindenburg Line in phases
The Battle of Épehy (IV Corps)(18 September)
The Battle of the Canal du Nord (IV Corps) (27 September – 1 October)
The Pursuit to the Selle (IV Corps) (9-12 October)
The Final Advance in Picardy in phase
The Battle of the Selle (IV Corps) (17-25 October)
The 5th Division remained in the area of Le Quesnoy until mid-December 1918. On 13 December, the division began a march into Belgium, eventually reaching the area between Namur and Wavre. The first men were demobilised on 22 December and more followed at regular intervals through early 1919.

The National Trust opened a new exhibition in 2014. 'Arthur’s War' which gave a fascinating insight into the First World War through the thoughts and belongings of Brigadier-General Arthur Hussey, Commander, Royal Artillery, of the 5th Division.

Brigadier-General Hussey’s belongings were discovered in a black metal trunk by National Trust volunteers in 2011 at his former home of Scotney Castle in Kent, now a trust property, and contained letters, diaries, photographs and battle plans. The eleven diaries in the box were the first items to be read and they span Arthur’s time at the front from 1914 – 1918.
It took a team of eight volunteers over 1,200 hours to transcribe the diaries which include passages on the use of gas, wire cutting experiments and specific battles.

The exhibition had been a year in the making and staff and volunteers had been assisted in their research by The London Stereoscopic Company, Fortnum & Mason and the Lamberhurst History Society.

In the government art collection there is a painting that depicts General Hussey with King George Vth, the President of France and the allied General Staff at Merville France in December 1914. Painted by Herbert Arnould Olivier (1861 - 1952)
https://artcollection.dcms.gov.uk/artwork/3808/
{presented to the government collection in 1983 by the Royal Collection}

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 trading  read more

Code: 25615

A Captivating, Plantagenet, War Of The Roses Era Bronze Ring, Circa 1455, With A Central Engraved Yorkist or Lancastrian Rose Surrounded By Four Rose Leaves. Likely Worn By A Plantagenet, Aide, or Supporter.

The House of Plantagenet ruled England in some form or another from the reign of Henry II, beginning in 1154, until the House of Tudor came to power when Richard III fell at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, and thus the fall of the house of the Plantagenets, and the start of the Tudor Age.

It goes back to the Angevin counts (from 1360, dukes) of the western French province of Anjou. Three dynasties belong to it: Angevins, House of Lancaster (Lancastrians) and House of York (Yorkists). Lancastrians and Yorkists fought against each other the Wars of the Roses to get the crown for their dynasty alone.

The name "Wars of the Roses" refers to the heraldic badges associated with the two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet fighting for control of the English throne; the White Rose of York and the Red Rose of Lancaster.

It culminated in the defeat of King Richard IIIrd at the Battle of Bosworth field in 1485, and the start of the Tudor Age, who combined the white rose and the red rose to create the Tudor Rose.

Embryonic forms of this term were used in 1727 by Bevil Higgons, who described the quarrel between the two roses and by David Hume in The History of England (1754–1761):

The people, divided in their affections, took different symbols of party: the partisans of the house of Lancaster chose the red rose as their mark of distinction; those of York were denominated from the white; and these civil wars were thus known over Europe by the name of the quarrel between the two roses

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 trading  read more

Code: 25801

Most Incredible & Finest Quality King George IIIrd Napoleonic Wars Scottish Presentation Sword, Presented In The Months Following the Battle of Trafalgar The Regiment of Midlothian Infantry, East Midlothian, By the Officer's & Men of The New Battle Co.

This is a magnificent ‘royal grade’ museum piece, a sublime quality presentation sword, made with the finest copper-gilt mounts, silver panels, and a stunning blue and gilt blade with deluxe engraving and etched presentation panel. A sword of the highest rank, commissioned to be hand made by Mr Phillip Rundell & Mr George Bridge, partners of their company of personal goldsmiths to King George IIIrd, and one of the worlds finest makers of objects of magnificence, including the British Crown Jewels, universally recognised as the finest, and most valuable by far, suite of royal regalia in the world.

Formerly in the world famous Smithsonian Collection in Washington, America, sold by them over 25 years ago to raise an urgent need of funds.
In the days it was commissioned it would have been made for the equivalent and likely same cost of the £100 Lloyds Patriotic Fund Presentation Swords, that were presented to the heroes of the Royal Navy, such as that fought at Trafalger etc. Bearing in mind the value of £100 in 1806 was a simply remarkable sum, for example only 6% of the families in Britain had a total income of £100 in an entire year in 1806, an equivalent today of around £80,000.

Presentation inscription motto etched onto the blade reads;
‘Into whose hand
this sword is put,
It’s hop’t will not
fear Buonaparte,

So draw me out
I shine so clear
and if I strike
my foes may fear”

This fabulous sword, was made by Philip Rundell and George Bridge whose company later made The British Imperial State Crown, the most famous and important royal crown of state ever made, and last used by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her coronation in 1953. This wondrous sword was formerly from the Smithsonian Collection in Washington, and is remarkably similar to the most valuable and highest quality presentation British swords of the Napoleonic Wars, the Lloyds Patriotic Fund sabres, that today can fetch up to £220,000, considerably more than they were achieving 40 years ago when we sold a fine £100 pound Lloyds sword, and even 20 years ago when we sold our last Lloyds £100 pound sword. This sword's makers were King George IIIrds personal goldsmiths, and made the Irish Crown Jewels in 1830, and Queen Victoria's Imperial State Crown " expressly made for the solemnity of the Coronation" That was last used by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IInd for her coronation. This spectacular sword is inscribed that its bearer should fight Napoleon Bonaparte without fear, but his foes The French will fear its startling brightness and beauty. It has a sharply curved blade, decorated with stands of arms, a crowned GR cypher, the king's Royal arms, a figure of Britannia, and the motto see photo in the gallery and another further Scottish regimental presentation panel on the opposing side of the blade see photo. The dedication reads;

Presented by the New battle company of
The Eastern Regt. of Midlothian Volunteer
Infantry, to David Wight Esq, their Captain
as a Mark of their Regard and Esteem, 1806


It has a superbly detailed classically styled stirrup hilt decorated with acanthus scrolls, oak leaves and acorns, with the langets decorated with stands of arms, it has a copper gilt simulated wire and ribbon bound grip, contained in its ornately mounted silver and copper gilt leather scabbard, each mount finely engraved and decorated with acanthus leaf bouquets and featuring a central oval silver plaque decorated with stands of arms, the upper mount with maker's panel. This amazing sword was formerly in the collection of the Smithsonian in Washington, USA, bequeathed to them by a famed American collector of Napoleonic arms, which they sold for the benefit of the Smithsonian's funds over 25 years ago. Blade 75 cm approx. Maker marked by Philip Rundell and George Bridge of London. The firm was appointed as one of the goldsmiths and jewellers to the king in 1797 and Principal Royal Goldsmiths & Jewellers in 1804, and the firm held the Royal Warrant until 1843. They served four monarchs: George III, George IV, William IV and Victoria. After the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815), the firm prepared 22 snuff-boxes to a value of 1000 guineas each to be given as diplomatic gifts.

In 1830–1831, the firm created the Irish Crown Jewels from 394 precious stones taken from the English Crown Jewels of Queen Charlotte and the Order of the Bath star of her husband George III, and Queen Victoria's Imperial State Crown for her coronation. Despite the incredible success of the Battle of Trafalgar, and the routing of Napoleon’s French and Spanish fleet by Admiral Nelson, concern was still great amongst the people of Britain, in fact it was never greater, of the fear that Bonaparte would continue his efforts to confound and attempt to conquer Britain and its empire, and thus to create his own empire controlling all of Europe And Russia. Rundells quality of workmanship was so fine and renowned throughout the world that there are over 100 items by Rundells in the Royal collection alone.

This wonderful sword was obviously worn with pride by its recipient officer, thus the blade shows commensurate signs of light surface wear as to be expected.

We can, if required, commission a contemporary, bespoke glazed & framed display cabinet made by our local specialist artisan. Perfectly suitable for table or wall mounting. With several options of wood framing types, such as gilt, black or silver, also with coloured velvet backing options, and a suitably engraved brass plaque if required.

The scabbard has a blank silver panel on the inner throat mount that could have been presentation engraved but hasn't been  read more

Code: 23375