A Superb, Really Rare, French, Napoleonic Short Sea Service Boarding Pistol. The Pistolet De Bord Maritime, Modele 1786, Manufacture Nationale De Tulle Circa 1792

Used in the French navy during the Battles of the Nile and Trafalgar. Very good, tight and crisp action. Likely a war trophy of Trafalgar. French sea service pistols are far more rare than their British equivalents, due to the fact there were fewer French ships, and that so many French ships-of-the-line being captured or sunk by the British Royal Navy, between the 1790's to 1805 Such as when the French Fleet was soundly thrashed in the Egypt campaign at the Nile in 1798, and a little later the French and Spanish fleet, in 1805, were once again soundly thrashed and captured by Admiral Nelson at Cape Trafalgar.

The Battle of the Nile, was a battle that was one of the greatest victories of the British admiral Horatio Nelson. It was fought on August 1, 1798, between the British and French fleets in Abū Qīr Bay, near Alexandria, Egypt.

The French Revolutionary general Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798 made planned for an invasion of Egypt in order to constrict Britain’s trade routes and threaten its possession of India. The British government heard that a large French naval expedition was to sail from a French Mediterranean port under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte

Determined to find the French fleet, he sailed to Egypt once more, and on August 1 1798 he sighted the main French fleet of 13 ships of the line and 4 frigates under Admiral François-Paul Brueys d’Aigailliers at anchor in Abū Qīr Bay.

Although there were but a few hours left until nightfall and Brueys’s ships were in a strong defensive position, being securely ranged in a sandy bay that was flanked on one side by a shore battery on Abū Qīr Island, Nelson gave orders to attack at once. Several of the British warships were able to maneuver around the head of the French line of battle and thus got inside and behind their position. Fierce fighting ensued, during which Nelson himself was wounded in the head. The climax came at about 10:00 PM, when Brueys’s 120-gun flagship, L’Orient, which was by far the largest ship in the bay, blew up with most of the ship’s company, including the admiral. The fighting continued for the rest of the night; just two of Brueys’s ships of the line and a pair of French frigates escaped destruction or capture by the British. The British suffered about 900 casualties, the French about 9,000.

The Battle of the Nile had several important effects. It isolated Napoleon’s army in Egypt, thus ensuring its ultimate disintegration. It ensured that in due time Malta would be retaken from the French, and it both heightened British prestige and secured British control of the Mediterranean.

The Battle of Trafalgar, (October 21, 1805), was a naval engagement of the Napoleonic Wars, which established British naval supremacy for more than 100 years; it was fought west of Cape Trafalgar, Spain, between Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar. A fleet of 33 ships (18 French and 15 Spanish) under Admiral Pierre de Villeneuve fought a British fleet of 27 ships under Admiral Horatio Nelson.

Nelson was outnumbered, with 27 British ships of the line to 33 allied ships including the largest warship in either fleet, the Spanish Santísima Trinidad. To address this imbalance, Nelson sailed his fleet directly at the allied battle line's flank, hoping to break the line into pieces. Villeneuve had worried that Nelson might attempt this tactic but, for various reasons, had made no plans for this eventuality. The plan worked almost perfectly; Nelson's columns split the Franco-Spanish fleet in three, isolating the rear half from Villeneuve's flag aboard Bucentaure. The allied vanguard sailed off while it attempted to turn around, giving the British temporary superiority over the remainder of their fleet. In the ensuing fierce battle 20 allied ships were lost, while the British lost none.

Nelson's own HMS Victory led the front column and was almost knocked out of action. Nelson was shot by a French musketeer during the battle, and died shortly before it ended. Villeneuve was captured along with his flagship Bucentaure. He attended Nelson's funeral while a captive on parole in Britain. The senior Spanish fleet officer, Admiral Federico Gravina, escaped with the remnant of the Franco-Spanish fleet (a third of the original number of ships); he died five months later of wounds sustained during the battle.

The victory confirmed the naval supremacy Britain had established during the course of the eighteenth century, and was achieved in part through Nelson's departure from prevailing naval tactical orthodoxy. The belt hook was removed in its working life. Belt hook screw mount still remains in place  read more

Code: 25204

A Fine & Rare Medieval Short Sword, 15th Century, Used in the Battle of Agincourt 1415 Period, The Weapon of A Man-At Arms, Or Foot Knight of The Anglo French Wars Era of King Henry Vth

What a fabulous original ‘statement piece’ for any collector of fine early arms. In the world of collecting there is so little remaining in the world from this highly significant era in European and British history. And to be able to own and display such an iconic original representation from this time is nothing short of a remarkable privilege.

A man-at-arms was a soldier of the High Medieval to Renaissance periods who was typically well-versed in the use of arms and served as a fully-armoured heavy cavalryman.A man-at-arms could be a knight, or other nobleman, a member of a knight's or nobleman's retinue, or a mercenary in a company serving under a captain. Such men could serve for pay or through a feudal obligation. The terms knight and man-at-arms are often used interchangeably, but while all knights equipped for war were men-at-arms, not all men-at-arms were knights

A fine example piece, from the ancient knightly age, from around 620 to 700 years ago. an ancient and original historical sword in usual russetted condition for edged weapons of this era, with some elements lacking, the grip would have been made of organic material (such as wood or horn) and such natural materials cannot survive so many centuries without constant care . Furthermore, almost every item made of iron from this period, even the rarest of swords and daggers in the Royal Collection, will likely be in this very same state of preservation, with overall traces of surface russetting.

This sword is probably of Italian origin, from the earliest renaissance period. Swords and daggers from Germany and Italy were often imported all around Europe and certainly into Britain for the use of warrior knights and men-at-arms..

A straight short sword, likely shortened from longer, with wide double-edged blade, shallow central groove, battle nicks to the sides, iron hilt with cross-guard in unusual Oakshott style 4 with a raised quillon, pommel in the Oakshott B1 type. After several decades of relative peace, the English had renewed their war effort in 1415 amid the failure of negotiations with the French. In the ensuing campaign, many soldiers perished due to disease and the English numbers dwindled, but as they tried to withdraw to English-held Calais they found their path blocked by a considerably larger French army. Despite the disadvantage, the following battle ended in an overwhelming tactical victory for the English.

King Henry V of England led his troops into battle and participated in hand-to-hand fighting. The French king of the time, Charles VI, did not command the French army himself, as he suffered from severe psychotic illnesses with moderate mental incapacitation. Instead, the French were commanded by Constable Charles d'Albret and various prominent French noblemen of the Armagnac party.

This battle is notable for the use of the English longbow in very large numbers, with the English and Welsh archers forming up to 80 percent of Henry's army. The decimation of the French cavalry at their hands is regarded as an indicator of the decline of cavalry and the beginning of the dominance of ranged weapons on the battlefield.

Agincourt is one of England's most celebrated victories. The battle is the centrepiece of the play Henry V by Shakespeare. Juliet Barker in her book Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle ( published in 2005) argues the English and Welsh were outnumbered "at least four to one and possibly as much as six to one". She suggests figures of about 6,000 for the English and 36,000 for the French, based on the Gesta Henrici's figures of 5,000 archers and 900 men-at-arms for the English, and Jean de Wavrin's statement "that the French were six times more numerous than the English". The 2009 Encyclopædia Britannica uses the figures of about 6,000 for the English and 20,000 to 30,000 for the French. Weight 552 grams, 53cm (21”). Fine condition.

See Oakeshott, R.E., The Archaeology of the weapons, London, 1960; Oakeshott, E., The sword in the Age of the Chivalry, Woodbridge, 1964 (1994).

The word daga in Italy and the Venetian Empire indicated a double edged and pointed short sword, used for both war and hunting, usually 40 to 60 cm long. This medieval short sword was often used during duels. Swords like this were able to penetrate thin parts of full plated armour owing to their sharp point.

Ewert Oakshott , Ronald Ewart Oakeshott (25 May 1916 – 30 September 2002) was a British illustrator, collector, and amateur historian who wrote prodigiously on medieval arms and armour. He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a Founder Member of the Arms and Armour Society, and the Founder of the Oakeshott Institute. He created a classification system of the medieval sword, the Oakeshott typology, a systematic organization of medieval weaponry, a seminal work of world renown  read more

Code: 23523

Beautiful Antique Fijian 'Snake Club' Gata Waka, A Fijian Warrior's Battle Club With Skull Splitter End, Known as a Gunstock Club. One Of The Most Important Possessions Of Fiji Warrior To Demonstrate His Status Is To Slay An Enemy With The Gata Waka

18th to 19th century, an early19th century Fiji battle club. Excellent condition with fabulous natural patina. So called because of their resemblance to the butt of a gun, they are actually have no relation to rifles or muskets, and predate their appearance. It could be described as a dueling club as it could be used to parry, and then bring the bladed end down on its victim. Another trick the Fijians would use is to pin them down by the neck with the crook of the club and then snap. Probably nokonoko wood. These clubs are made from the buttress roots of an uprooted sapling that has been planted and deliberately and carefully trained to produce the desired shape. The heavy two handed war club in all its various forms is regarded as being the favourite arm of the Fijian warrior. To slay an enemy with a club brought the warrior more prestige than to kill with any other weapon. Sometimes in order to gain 'Koroi, killer status, a detained prisoner would be speared and then administered a killing blow by a warrior to the head with a club. The fact that the club shattered that part of the body held most sacred by Fijians; the head, accounted in some degree for the special psychological aura surrounding it and distinguishing it from every other weapon in the Fijian warrior's armoury.
A tally of kills made with a club was often kept by a means of nicks or notches on the head or handle, by boring small holes in the shaft. A 19th century Fijian Gata Waka snake club of dark brown patina, the heavy gunstock head the main section with raised medial ``skull splitter`` ridge, the tapering oval section haft with swelling butt. The role of the craftsman in Fijian culture was a much-valued skill and the woodcraftsmen in Fiji formed a distinct group in the community, with their own chiefs and specialists in making various items. Clubs were lovingly crafted and some clubs required years to make. Club carvers 'matai ni malumu' were highly skilled in selecting the correct type of wood for making the club and experienced enough to experiment with design as the variation in design and ornamentation on Fijian clubs attest to.
According to Rod Ewins, "This type of club is notable for the cheeks that were pounded with rocks while the tree was growing. The ridges running across the cheeks are typical." (Traditional Fijian Artefacts, Just Pacific, 2014, p. 89, fig. 6.34(i)) A small rounded ridge is located at the base of the spur at the head of the club. It is called the Tere Tere after the frill of an iguana. Small defensive wood cut in the haft midsection. This Gatawaka or gunstock club is around 37.5 inches long and an absolute beauty.  read more

Code: 20893

1st Edition Napoleon, by Hewiston W. B. The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. In Two Volumes Printed in 1814

London: Printed & Published by J. Wallis, and sold by S. A. Oddy, J. Goodwin, and Davies & Eldridge, Exeter, c. 1810
London: Wallis, 1814. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Two volume set. Good condition.

Illustrated with numerous b/w engraved plates. A popular British life of Napoleon. The two volumes are the first edition which ends with Napoleon's abdication to Elba. Photos to add of both books on Monday 23rd. Each volume is 8.25 inches x 5.25 inches x 1.25 inches
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), also known as Napoleon I, was a French military leader and emperor who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. Born on the island of Corsica, Napoleon rapidly rose through the ranks of the military during the French Revolution (1789-1799). After seizing political power in France in a 1799 coup d’état, he crowned himself emperor in 1804. Shrewd, ambitious and a skilled military strategist, Napoleon successfully waged war against various coalitions of European nations and expanded his empire. However, after a disastrous French invasion of Russia in 1812, Napoleon abdicated the throne two years later and was exiled to the island of Elba. In 1815, he briefly returned to power in his Hundred Days campaign. After a crushing defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, he abdicated once again and was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he died at 51. Napoleon was, and remains, famous for his battlefield victories, and historians have spent enormous attention in analysing them. In 2008, Donald Sutherland wrote:

The ideal Napoleonic battle was to manipulate the enemy into an unfavourable position through manoeuvre and deception, force him to commit his main forces and reserve to the main battle and then undertake an enveloping attack with uncommitted or reserve troops on the flank or rear. Such a surprise attack would either produce a devastating effect on morale, or force him to weaken his main battle line. Either way, the enemy's own impulsiveness began the process by which even a smaller French army could defeat the enemy's forces one by one.
After 1807, Napoleon's creation of a highly mobile, well-armed artillery force gave artillery usage increased tactical importance. Napoleon, rather than relying on infantry to wear away the enemy's defences, could now use massed artillery as a spearhead to pound a break in the enemy's line. Once that was achieved he sent in infantry and cavalry.  read more

Code: 23379

History of United Netherlands From The Death of William the Silent,To The Twelve Years Truce - 1609. by John Lothrop Motley. New Edition With Portraits. 4 volumes,

All in fine bindings with clean and polished calf in red, two gilted leather title labels on the spines of each, 5 raised bands. Marble cover and interior pages. Marbled edges.

Published 1875/6 by John Murray Albemarle St. London. Motley, who served as United States ambassador to Austria during the Civil War and later as ambassador to Great Britain, said of his affinity for the Netherlands: "I had not first made up my mind to write a history and then cast about to take up a subject. My subject had taken me up, drawn me on, and absorbed me into itself." Although he spent much of his life abroad, Motley was a member of the Boston literary circle that included Hawthorne, Lowell, Longfellow, and Motley's future biographer, Oliver Wendell Holmes. William I, Prince of Orange (24 April 1533 ? 10 July 1584), also known as William the Silent or William the Taciturn (translated from Dutch: Willem de Zwijger), or more commonly known as William of Orange, was the main leader of the Dutch Revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs that set off the Eighty Years' War (1568?1648) and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1581. He was born in the House of Nassau as Count of Nassau-Dillenburg. He became Prince of Orange in 1544 and is thereby the founder of the branch House of Orange-Nassau and the ancestor of the monarchy of the Netherlands. Within the Netherlands he is also known as Father of the Fatherland (Dutch: Vader des Vaderlands).

A wealthy nobleman, William originally served the Habsburgs as a member of the court of Margaret of Parma, governor of the Spanish Netherlands. Unhappy with the centralisation of political power away from the local estates and with the Spanish persecution of Dutch Protestants, William joined the Dutch uprising and turned against his former masters. The most influential and politically capable of the rebels, he led the Dutch to several successes in the fight against the Spanish. Declared an outlaw by the Spanish king in 1580, he was assassinated by Balthasar G?rard (also written as "Gerardts") in Delft in 1584. A fine set, very collectable and much sought by collectors. Philip II of Spain berating William the Silent Prince of Orange by Cornelis Kruseman.  read more

Code: 22358

Rare 1st Edition 'Reveries or Memoirs Upon The Art of War', Printed in 1757

An important classic. First Edition in English. (8-1/4 x 10-1/2 inches) leather bound of 195 pages, and a page of advertisements for other books by the publisher. 40 copper plates, some fold out, on 34 pages. First edition in English of a classic 18th century military work by Saxe (1696-1750) the renowned soldier. The book is divided into 2 parts, the first examining the raising, feeding, clothing, exercising, paying, encamping, and moving of an army, and the 2nd covering the strategic aspects of combat, including attack and defence in various terrains. A nice rare copy with former owner's and name plate, Thomas Best of Park House, Boxley, Kent. Added some original Letters, upon various Military Subjects, wrote by the Count to the late King of Poland, and M. de Folard, which were never before made public: Together with His Reflections upon the Propagation of the Human Species. Translated from the French. This is the first edition in English of a classic military work by one of the world's most famous soldiers. At the age of twelve, Dresden-born Maurice de Saxe (1696?1750) entered the Saxon army, beginning a long and successful military career that culminated in his promotion to Marshal of France, where he retained full command of the main army in Flanders directly under Louis XV. Again and again, de Saxe achieved enormous victories over his enemies, becoming one of the greatest military leaders of the eighteenth century. Combining his memoirs and general observations with brilliant military thinking, Reveries on the Art of War was written in a mere thirteen days. Introducing revolutionary approaches to battles and campaigning at a time of changing military tactics and leadership styles, it stands as a classic of early modern military theory.
De Saxe's Reveries offered numerous procedural innovations for raising and training troops. His descriptions for establishing field camps were soon standard procedure. His ideas advanced weapon technology, including the invention of a gun specially designed for infantrymen and the acceptance of breech-loading muskets and cannons. De Saxe heightened existing battle formations by introducing a specific attack column that required less training, and he rediscovered a military practice lost since the ancient Romans ? the art of marching in cadence. He even delved into the minds and emotions of soldiers on the battlefield, obtaining a deeper understanding of their daily motivations.
Written by a military officer of great acumen, Reveries on the Art of War has deeply impacted modern military tactics. Enduringly relevant, this landmark work belongs in the library of anyone interested in the history, tactics, and weapons of European warfare. We show a wax miniature of the books owner, Thomas Best, in full military uniform. The miniature is held as part of the Victoria and Albert Museum Collection.  read more

Code: 21247

Superb & Incredibly Sought After, US Pre-Civil War Staghorn Antler Gripped Bowie Knife, London Made By Joseph Buck, Freeman of The City of London Circa 1830's. German Silver Crossguard & Hilt Panel. With Its Original German Silver Mounted Brown Scabbard

This is a simply superb pre-American Civil War period clipped back blade Bowie knife, complete in its original scabbard, maker marked by Joseph Buck of Tottenham Court Road, London. A very rare maker of Bowie knives, from around 1833 at Tottenham Court Rd London, until he moved his main addressed premises in 1836 to Newgate St., and again in 1856

Photos in the gallery of a Sun Fire Insurance Policy record register, from 5 November, 1834 (policy 1187028) revealed business owner “Joseph Buck of No. 245 Tottenham Court Road, Saw, Plane, File and Tool Maker.”
Further pictures in the gallery of a personal photo of Joseph Buck himself, who was awarded “The Freedom of the City of London", and a photo of his admission papers as a ‘freeman’ on 20 January, 1836. All of the above are copies for informative provenance only.

Traditional, and original, American pre Civil War period, London made, US import Bowie knife, with clip back blade, maker marked by its very rare Bowie maker, Buck of Tottenham Court Rd, {London}. All the best and most collectable antique Bowies used in the pre-Civil War, the war period, and the Wild West era, were actually British imports, mostly from Sheffield, but the rarest were made in London, as is this one.

The "first" Bowie knife was reportedly a simple hunting knife, designed by Rezin Bowie for his brother James Bowie {world famous hero of the Alamo seige in Texas} and forged by blacksmith Jesse Clifft from an old file around 1827 in Louisiana. While Rezin Bowie claimed the design and his granddaughter corroborated seeing Clifft make it, the exact appearance and maker are debated, with James Black also claiming to have made the first Bowie knife for Jim Bowie. The knife gained fame after James Bowie used his version in the 1827 Sandbar Fight, leading to widespread popularity and numerous variations, including this Bowie, made just a few years after their invention and use by Jim Bowie.

The blade is very good indeed, nicely edged and tipped, the nickel hilt mounts are in superb condition, as are the staghorn grip plates. The brown scabbard has its original nickel throat mount with frog stud, and overall in very nice order indeed

The old traditional early Bowie knife was both a hunting knife and a tool. With it, one could clear a path, hack a sapling, dig a hole, or butcher game. In the siege of Bexar in 1835, Texans used Bowie knives to dig through roofs and walls and engage in hand-to-hand combat with the Mexicans. The knife was not designed or balanced for throwing.

Southerners replaced their sword canes with Bowie knives, and sought expert cutlers, North and South, to craft fine blades. The cutlers usually were surgical and dental instrument makers in large cities. Most signed their works; Peter Rose and John D. Chevalier were prominent in New York, English & Huber and Clarenbach & Herder in Philadelphia, Reinhardt in Baltimore, Thomas Lamb in Washington, Dufilho in New Orleans, Alfred Hunter in Newark, Marks and Rees in Cincinnati, Daniel Searles in Baton Rouge, and Rees Fitzpatrick in Natchez. Henry Schively also made improved versions in various styles. English cutlers in Sheffield, who had dominated the American cutlery market since colonial times, took advantage of the fascination with the Bowie knife. They capitalized on vivid reports by English journalists of murder and mayhem in America, involving the defenders of such heinous crimes and assaults, using just such as this beautifully made knife.

A trickle of Sheffield Bowie knives in the early 1830s developed into a flood before the Civil War. Bowie knife collections indicate that only about one in ten was American made. English cutlers applied clever motifs and blade etchings that appealed to American tastes and patriotic spirit. Examples include such labels as "American Bowie Knife," "Texas Ranger Knife," "Arkansas Toothpick," "Patriot's Self Defender," "Death to Abolition," "Death to Traitors," "Americans Never Surrender," "Rio Grande Camp Knife," and "I'm A Real Ripper." Handle and guard mountings also carried symbols and slogans with American appeal. Cutlers attached handles of ivory, pearl, tortoise shell, black and gray buffalo horn, India stag horn, and fine woods. Handle pommels of nickel silver featured horse heads, shells, and geometric designs. Manufacturers generally signed their blades and added such distinctive trademarks as I*XL, B4ANY, and XCEED. At the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1846, the Bowie knife was a popular weapon in Texas. Texas Rangers under Jack (John Coffee) Hayes and Ben McCulloch carried Bowie knives and Colt Dragoon pistols into battle. Knife blades stamped and etched with Mexican War motifs appeared. Zachary Taylor, mounted on Old Whitey, was a favorite subject. Bust etchings included "Old Zach," "General Taylor Never Surrenders," "Palo Alto," and "Buena Vista." Pommels featured a Taylor bust with a patriotic slogan.

In the late 1830s an alarmed public in several Southern states demanded stringent laws to curtail the increasing "rule of the Bowie knife." In January 1838 the Tennessee legislature passed "An Act to Suppress the Sale and Use of Bowie Knives and Arkansas Toothpicks in this State." However, the sale of the knives continued to accelerate, due to it being the ideal defensive sidearm against nefarious attack, reaching a peak after the Civil War. During that war, crude blacksmith made Bowie knives were popular among Confederate soldiers. Some had large, wide blades, like those of artillery shorts words; most were unmarked. The Confederates considered the knife an essential accoutrements in the early months of the war, but as the conflict wore on the knife was replaced with the bayonet. The knives had hickory or hardwood handles and iron mounts, and were worn in heavy leather sheaths with throats and tips of tin, iron, or brass. Blades had scratch engravings and crude acid etchings, with such patriotic motifs as "Sunny South," "Confederate States Defender," or "Death to Yankees." A few Confederate Bowie knives were made by experienced cutlers and exhibited excellent workmanship. Union soldiers generally wore Sheffield or British made Bowie knives.

"In the history of American arms," wrote historian Harold L. Peterson (1958), "three weapons stand out above all the rest: the Kentucky rifle, the Colt's revolver, and the Bowie knife." Each became a part of the "Great American Legend."

Overall in scabbard approx. 13 inches long, Blade approx. 8 inches long.
The blade is 90% excellent bright, yet it does have some small salt-and-pepper pitting around the makers mark, possibly caused by a non-removed thumbprint, that has corroded, as they often do if not polished off, over a long period of time, and at the ricasso there a little pitting as well on both sides, just below the nickel crossguard. An area often missed when blades are cleaned before being re-offered into their scabbards.

It is a not often realised reaction of steel to the simplest of issues, fingerprints. Fingerprints contain highly corrosive acids that if left un-removed from raw polished steel will continue its highly invasive corroding effect, often for years, that results in localised pitting of this very nature. Probably the most famous Colt revolver in the collecting world is known as the ‘Thumb Print Colt Walker’. A revolver valued today in the millions of dollars, due to its simple, corroded thumbprint pitting, on the surface of its otherwise fine finish of the pistol. The Colt Walker Dragoon revolvers were made for a very small but significant large calibre dragoon pistol order by Capt Walker of the Texas Rangers in the 1850’s. Most were over loaded with powder {a significant design fault} that they exploded in service, so very few survive, and are thus highly prized. But one, has its incredibly distinctive ‘thumbprint corrosion’ damage, and is so iconic that it now is the pistol of legend within the collecting world.  read more

Code: 25905

A Stunning & Rare Original Neolithic Battle Axe 4,000 to 5,000 Years OId. Recovered From Oxfordshire. With An Incredible Weighty Heft of Two Pounds. Potentially A PreHistoric Anglo-Norse Weapon

Although this axe was recovered some decades ago from Oxfordshire it may have been a Norse made battle axe of an English stone age settler up to 5,000 Years ago.

This lithic battle axe has convex sides that are slightly swollen around the central hole, the latter being designed for the fitting of a handle. It has been worked from a single block of carved and polished stone.
Battle-axes from the Neolithic Norse cultures were used as combat weapons in the area of Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Like the one we are now show, they were heavy and sturdy pieces, capable of dealing a heavy blow to the enemy. They were sometimes decorated with engravings and were used for hunting as well as for warfare.

The archaeological discovery of lithic industry (stone tools) is a clear sign of human activity and progress. During the Neolithic period, the lithic industry reached a high degree of skill and evolution (in fact, the very name "Neolithic" -new stone- responds to a new way of working stone, which will be polished as opposed to the carved stone of the Palaeolithic, a change that represented a real technological revolution.

Stone hand axes were in use in the Paleolithic period for hundreds of thousands of years. The first hafted stone axes appear to have been produced about 6000 BCE during the Mesolithic period. Technological development continued in the Neolithic period with the much wider usage of hard stones in addition to flint and chert and the widespread use of polishing to improve axe properties. The axes became cult objects (for example, the entry for the Battle-axe people of Scandinavia, treated their axes as high-status cultural objects). Such stone axes were made from a wide variety of tough rocks such as picrite and other igneous or metamorphic rocks, and were widespread in the Neolithic period.

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

Just over 7 inches long almost I kilo in weight  read more

Code: 24919

Stone Age Britain Flint Tools, Some of The Earliest Evidence of Stone Age Man in the UK. Paleolithic Henley Pit Chopper Core & Moortown Pit Handaxe 200,000 to -300,000 Years Old

Approximately a quarter of a million years old. A framed display containing two large stone age tools, the Paleolithic Henley Pit chopper core and the Moortown Pit handaxe Acheulian (Homo erectus) brown flint hand axe / chopper, c.300,000 to 200,000 B.C. One artefact comes from Moortown Pit, Dorset, UK. The other Henley Pit. In untouched condition before mounting. They are in jolly fine condition. From an early Lincoln Collection originally found in Dorset. The frame is somewhat later.  read more

Code: 22297

An Extraordinary Original Conversation Piece. A Superb, Original, Late Queen Elizabeth Ist to King James Ist Period Miniature Pistol. Late 1500's, To The Turn of The 17th Century, Functioning Miniature Pistol

A pistol made in bronze, many hundreds of years ago, to fire off for the entertainment of the nobility and their children. Dark blue-black bronze age patination

An extraordinary little piece of rarely known history, from the earliest age of the black powder pistol. These intriguing miniature functioning pistols were called petronel, named after the original early name of matchlock and wheellock pistols, and very much of the period, from the Elizabethan to the Carolean age.

A petronel is a 16th and 17th century black powder muzzle-loading firearm, defined by Robert Barret (Theorike and Practike of Modern Warres, 1598) as a horsemans peece. It was the muzzle-loading firearm which developed on the one hand into the pistol and on the other into the carbine. The name (French petrinel or poitrinal) was given to the weapon either because it was fired with the butt resting against the chest (French poitrine, Latin pectus) or it was carried slung from a belt across the chest. Petronels are found with either matchlock or wheellock mechanisms.

The sclopus was the prototype of the petronel. The petronel is a compromise between the harquebus and the pistol. Early petronels date back to the end of the 14th century, with a crude buttstock. Generally the touch hole is on the right side, and fired by a separate slow match. Sometimes they had small hinged plate covers to protect the priming from moisture. By extension, the term petronel was also used to describe the type of light cavalry who employed the firearm. The petronel (cavalryman) was used to support the heavy cavalry such as demi-lancers and cuirassiers. The petronel was succeeded by a similarly armed cavalryman called the harquebusier.


We acquired a stunning little collection of miniature petronel, effectively toys, and they are the Zenith of original, and historical conversation pieces, especially when one considers they are around 450 year old working pistols. Naturally they were not made with the action mechanism of a full sized petronel, one just ignited them with a smouldering match cord, to create an instantaneous small bang and puff of smoke.
Please note, under no circumstances should one try to use them today. Each pistol is to be sold seperately.  read more

Code: 24929