Antique Arms & Militaria

Superb Napoleonic Wars, British Officer's Sabre With Captured French 'Trophy' Mamluk Consular Guard Officer's Damascus Blade, With An Ancient Egyptian Serpent Goddess Hilt. For an Officer Who Served in The Nile Campaign

New photographs added to include the identical Damascus blade, bearing a Mamluk officer's portrait bust within its design, of the Philippe Missilier Collection exceptionally rare sword of an officer of the Mamluk Imperial {formerly Consular} Guard, Ist Empire, {see photo 9 in the gallery}

Gilt bronze entwined twin serpent zoomorphic hilt, influenced by the Egyptian Goddess Wadget, chisselled in great detail and of very fine quality. Talisman symbolic, Napoleonic Damascus blade, of an officer of the elite Napoleonic Mamluke Guard Circa 1800. There is another blade known, an identical example, on another sword from an officer of the French Napoleonic Mamluke Guard, formerly in the Philippe Missillier collection, that appears in Aries seminal work on French Napoleonic swords, and Michel Pétard's work of similar renown, with all the same iconography within the design, and, also upon a damascus blade {see photo 9 in the gallery}.

This sword is extraordinarily rare, as the officer corps of Napoleon's Mamluk Consular Guard would likely number less 15. For example in 1802 there were just 13 officers recorded who would have carried this sword, and how many survive to today, may possibly be less than two or three.

Certainly a war trophy blade and scabbard used by a British officer that served at the Battle of the Nile, thus, it also has Nile Club connections. There are numerous examples of snakes depicted in zoomorphic hilted Napoleonic swords, such as the Lloyds Patriotic Fund swords, but usually combined with other beasts, such as lions, tigers or hounds, but to have two opposing entwined serpents is very rare indeed. Without a doubt this hilt design was inspired by Wadjet, the ancient Egyptian serpent goddess, in order to reflect the direct connection to a Battle of the Nile British officer veteran.

Snake sculpture - the Staff of Aesculapius, the Staff of Mercury, and the Embodiment of Wisdom Snakes are fairly frequent in Georgian sculpture, and of course from other periods. In art generally in fact from medieval times onwards, the snake is also associated with wisdom, and in this capacity is often found with statues of Prudence. The way this sword is constructed shows it is a trophy blade, of a Mamluk officer, thus captured in combat by the British, and then re-mounted. The Mamluk officer’s sword, was etched with talismanic symbols of a crescent moon, sun, a Mamluks turbaned officers portrait bust head, and a stand of arms, upon fine Damascus pattern steel.

In fact the whole sword may indeed now be described as iconically talismanic. The blade is in superb condition, with its original steel combat scabbard, also in excellent condition, and the English zoomorphic hilt is, furthermore, excellent too .
Egyptian gods and goddesses, much famed in ancient Egypt, become hugely popular throughout Western artistic culture in the early 19th century.
Europe became beguiled by ancient Egyptian art and architecture in all its forms, and furniture designers and sculptors particularly, eagerly created the ‘Egyptian style’ in the Regency period England, and the Consular and Directoire period in France.

The Nile Club" (often referred to historically as the Egyptian Club) was an exclusive group of senior British officers who fought under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson at the decisive Battle of the Nile on August 1–3, 1798.

Key details regarding this group and its connection to the Napoleonic Wars include:
Following their massive victory at Aboukir Bay, which stranded Napoleon in Egypt, the captains of Nelson’s fleet formed this most exclusive club to celebrate and commemorate the action.

The club included the captains of the ships present at the battle, such as Captains Sir F. Berry (Vanguard), T. Trowbridge (Culloden), R.W. Miller (Theseus), and A.J Ball (Alexander).
The "Nile" Dirks/Swords: Members were entitled to wear a special sword or dirk featuring a zoomorphic Nile Crocodile on the hilt to signify their participation. Marines and Army may have had the associated Egyptian zoomorphic snake god hilt, or, another option, the zoomorphic camel head hilted sabre. We had a zoomorphic Nile Club camel head hilted officer’s sword a few years ago that we sold to an esteemed American dealer.

These weapons are now considered very rare historical artifacts.

Connection to Trafalgar: Many of the officers in the Nile Club continued to serve under Nelson and were likely present at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where they would have worn their Nile-associated swords with pride.

The Mamluks service in the Napoleonic Wars;
At the Battle of Austerlitz, the Mamluks were in the reserve, under Rapp, with the rest of the Imperial Guard cavalry, when the Russian cavalry charged onto the Pratzen Heights and dispersed two French regiments of the Vandamme division. After an unsuccessful counterattack by two squadrons of mounted chasseurs supported by three squadrons of mounted grenadiers, Napoleon ordered Rapp to charge at the head of the last two squadrons of chasseurs and the Mamelukes in order to restore the situation. The Mamelukes threw themselves into the mêlée, but the impact of their charge was mitigated by the mass of men and horses. Lieutenant Renno rushed at a Russian square and opened a breach, which was quickly exploited by the Mamelukes, who broke through the formation and took 120 prisoners. Encouraged by this success, Rapp's cavalrymen seized a battery before contributing to the rout of the Russian Imperial Guard cavalry. Following this victorious engagement, two Mamelukes each came to throw an enemy standard at Napoleon's feet. The company's losses amounted to one dead and five wounded.

In 1808, Napoleon ordered Marshal Murat to enter Spain and occupy Madrid. The Mamluks took part in this expedition. Staunchly Catholic, the Spanish people remembered the period of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors, and was offended by the presence of the Mamluks who entered the capital on 24 March 1808. The abdication of King Charles IV and then of his son Ferdinand in favour of Joseph Bonaparte, the Emperor's brother, exacerbated tensions between the Spanish and the French.

In April, the company of Mamluks numbered 86 men. Seeking to expand this force, chef d'escadron Daumesnil, commanding the detachment of chasseurs of the Guard in Spain, asked permission to enlist foreigners, former Mamelukes but also Greeks or Spaniards, which Napoleon refused: "I created this corps to reward those men who served me in Egypt, and not to make a collection of adventurers." On 2 May, the people of Madrid revolted and attacked isolated soldiers. Murat then ordered the cavalry to enter the city to suppress the riot. The mounted chasseurs of the Guard led by Daumesnil advanced first, followed by the Mamelukes and the rest of the Guard cavalry. Passing through Alcalá Street, where they had rocks thrown at them, the French cavalrymen reached the Puerta del Sol where many Spaniards had gathered.

The Mamluks arrival marked the beginning of merciless fighting. The Madrid rebels assaulted the horsemen with knives, jumped onto their mounts behind them and tried to dismount them. For their part, the Mamluks responded with scimitar strikes and skillfully cut off heads, a hundred "in an instant" according to Marbot. In the mêlée, Lieutenant Chahin saved chef d'escadron Daumesnil, who had fallen to the ground after having his horse killed from under him, before being struck in turn; the residents of a house on San Geronimo Street were also massacred by the Mamluks in retaliation for the killing of two of their comrades. At the end of the fighting, the company had its five officers injured as well as three horsemen killed or mortally wounded, losses that Ronald Pawly considered as "relatively limited" compared to the painter Goya's depictions. Edward Ryan instead mentions only two killed.

See picture 8 in the gallery to see Admiral Nelson with his Nile Club zoomorphic hilted sword

Overall in superb condition, Small scabbard throat mount lacking to the scabbard. Overall 39 inches long, blade 32 inches  read more

Code: 26141

A Stunning Antique 18th Century Indonesian Silver Mounted Kris With Pamour Meteorite Blade

Keris Melayu Semenanjong with a serpentine blade with 7 Luk seven curves or waves. A very good and rare example of a keris from the southern Malaysian peninsular region of Johor or Selangor. Handle in the jawa demam form. This form of hilt is common in central or southern Sumatra, as well as the Malay peninsular regions. The Minang variant is usually more upright with a more flaring top.
The top sheath in the typical Malay tebeng form, are made from very well selected kemuning woods with flashing grains. Bottom stem is likely made from well selected angsana woods with tiger stripe graining. It has a beautifully tooled silver sheath and a plain silver pendoko or ferrule completes the wonderful fittings.

Pamor patterns are arranged in the mlumah technique of the wos utah or scattered rice variations which is said to enhance the owner?s material well being. Traditionally the pamor material for the kris smiths connected with the courts of Yogyakarta and Surakarta originates from an iron meteorite that fell to earth at the end of 18th century in the neighborhood of the Prambanan temple complex. The meteorite was excavated and transported to the keraton of Surakarta; from that time on the smiths of Vorstenlanden (the Royal territories) used small pieces of meteoric iron to produce pamor patterns in their kris, pikes, and other status weapons. After etching the blade with acidic substances, it is the small percentage of nickel present in meteoric iron that creates the distinctive silvery patterns that faintly light up against the dark background of iron or steel that become darkened by the effect of the acids.  read more

Code: 22608

An Absolute Beauty! A 19th Century, Highly Attractive, Antique Stiletto Bladed Gambler's Boot Dagger Spiral Carved Bone Hilt. With Quadrefoil

Spiral carved bone hilt, powerful quatrefoil 'armour piercing' blade, steel teardrop quillon crossguard, nickle scabbard. A superbly effective concealment gambler's boot dagger from North America

A very fine quality dirk, perfect for concealment for the gamblers of the Wild West frontier, and the Mississippi river boat gamblers. Carved horn grip with small hairline cracking. Steel double edged blade of very fine and substantial quality. The strength of a blade that could punch through almost anything, ball end straight quillon in steel. Carved grip with shell form pommel. Original leather covered wooden scabbard with German silver mounts. Whether on a riverboat atop the Mighty Mississippi, or in the smoky dimness of a mining camp saloon, a lucky draw could turn a broken man into a winner. In the days of the frontier west, poker was king with the mustachioed likes of Wild Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, "Canada" Bill Jones, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and hundreds of others.

In the old west towns of Deadwood, Dodge City, Tombstone, and Virginia City, gamblers played with their back to the wall and their guns at their sides, as dealers dealt games with names such as Chuck-A-Luck, Three Card Monte, High Dice, and Faro, by far the favourite in the wild west saloons. Gambling took many forms on riverboats. Gambling with one's life with the boilers aside, there were sharks around willing to fleece the unsuspecting rube. As cities passed ordinances against gaming houses in town, the cheats moved to the unregulated waters of the Mississippi aboard river steamers.

There was also gambling with the racing of boats up the river. Bets were made on a favourite vessel. Pushing the boilers hard in races would also cause fires to break out on the wooden deck structures. Size 10 inches long overall, blade 5 1/4 inches. A very similar example was sold in Butterfields Auction, San Francisco in 1992 for £1,030. As is usual for these small knives it has no maker markings

The carved handle has some feint natural line age markings  read more

Code: 24160

A Superb Original Waterloo Recovered Souvenir '6 Pounder ' Royal Artillery Cannon Ball Fired at La Haye Sainte During The Battle, Recovered From The Farm. With Clear Impact Site To The Ball.

Napoleonic Wars cannon ball recovered from a Waterloo excavation well over 190 years ago. One of three we just acquired that were brought back from Waterloo to England over 190 years ago, the first was sold by us recently.

At the Battle of Waterloo, the British Royal Artillery deployed 6-pounder cannons, from which this ball was fired, a relatively light artillery piece that fired a 6-pound (approximately 2.7 kg) solid iron ball. These cannons, introduced in 1793, were crucial for supporting cavalry charges and were easier to manoeuvre than heavier guns.

The 6-pounder was designed to provide lighter, yet still effective, artillery support to the cavalry and infantry.
They fired various types of ammunition, including round shot (solid iron balls), canister shot (a type of scatter shot), and spherical case shot (a type of shell).
The effective range of the 6-pounder with round shot was around 800-900 yards (732-823 metres), though it could reach up to 1700 yards (1554 metres).
The cannonballs were devastating, capable of inflicting serious injury and damage to both men and horses.

At Waterloo, the 6-pounders were primarily used by the Royal Horse Artillery and some field artillery units, with variations in the types of 6-pounders used.
Captured at Waterloo:
Some French 6-pounder cannons were also captured by the British as trophies of war.
La Haye Sainte:
The strategic farmhouse of La Haye Sainte was a focal point of fighting, where the 6-pounder was used extensively.

We show in the gallery a photo of a Waterloo cannon ball embedded in a cemetery wall, from Waterloo Relics by Bernard & Lechaux

Another identical cannon ball is now in the National Army Museum, see gallery.
NAM Accession Number
NAM. 1999-05-8-1

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury, Britain's famous, favourite, and oldest original Armoury Antique store, 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, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.  read more

Code: 26135

A Superb Antique Edwardian Service Helmet of The Dorsetshire Regiment. Blue Cloth with Gold Badge, Fittings, Spike, & Rose Head Curb Chain Mounts and Chin Chain

The Dorsetshire Regiment was established in the Regular Army in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot and the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot. The 1st Battalion was stationed in Malta from 1888, in Egypt from 1889, and in British India from 1893, where it took part in operations in the Tirah Campaign on the North West Frontier in 1897–98.

The 2nd Battalion was stationed in Ireland from 1893 to 1897, then in Malta from 1899. Following the outbreak of the Second Boer War in late 1899, they were sent to South Africa, participating in the Relief of Ladysmith. The battalion stayed in South Africa throughout the war, which ended in June 1902 with the Peace of Vereeniging. Four months later 300 officers and men left Cape Town on the SS German in late September 1902, and arrived at Southampton in late October, when they were posted to Portland.

In 1908, the Volunteers and Militia were reorganised nationally, with the former becoming the Territorial Force and the latter the Special Reserve; the regiment now had one Reserve battalion and one Territorial battalion.

First World War

During the First World War, nine hostilities-only battalions were formed, six battalions serving overseas. The 1st Battalion and 6th (Service) battalion served on the Western Front throughout most of the war. Additional battalions (1/4th Battalion, 2/4th Battalion and 3/4th Battalion) were formed as part of the Territorial Force to meet the demand for troops on the Western Front.

Regular Army
The 1st Battalion was in Belfast when war broke out: it landed at Le Havre in August 1914 forming part of the 15th Brigade in the 5th Division. It transferred to 95th Brigade in the 32nd Division in December 1915 and to the 14th Brigade in the same Division in January 1916.


British Army recruiting poster : "4th Batt. Dorset Regiment. Men Of Dorset ! Your King And Country Need You. Join Your County Battalion".
The 2nd Battalion was in Poona, India, when war broke out and was shipped, as part of the 16th Indian Brigade, to Mesopotamia, where it was trapped in the Siege of Kut and captured by the Turks. (Of the 350 men of the battalion captured, only 70 survived their captivity.) During the siege, returning sick and wounded, and the few replacements who had been sent out, were unable to re-join their battalion, so they, and similar drafts of the 2nd Norfolk Regiment, were amalgamated into a scratch battalion forming part of the force attempting to relieve Kut. This battalion was formally titled the Composite English Battalion, but was more commonly known as The Norsets; it was broken up in July 1916, when the 2nd Dorsets was re-constituted. The battalion then served in Egypt as part of 9th Indian Brigade in the 3rd Indian Division.

The British Army’s Home Service Helmet was introduced in 1878. It was of a German influence and would replace a long line of shakos going back to the days of the Peninsular War and Waterloo. In blue cloth, sometimes green, sometime grey, sometimes with a spike, sometimes with a ball, the stiff cork headdress would become a common site on parade grounds throughout Britain for more than thirty years. Most Regular Army regiments and corps took to the helmet, as did their Militia, Volunteer and Territorial counterparts.
With the new headdress came the helmet plate, those highly desirable items of militaria much sought after today by collectors. Large, star-shaped mostly and displaying both ancient and new regimental devices, brightly they shone in their silvers, gilts, gilding and white metals, covering almost the entire front of the headdress as they did so.

The British Army during the Victorian era served through a period of great technological and social change. Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, and died in 1901. Her long reign was marked by the steady expansion and consolidation of the British Empire, rapid industrialisation and the enactment of liberal reforms by both Liberal and Conservative governments within Britain.

The British Army began the period with few differences from the British Army of the Napoleonic Wars that won at Waterloo. There were three main periods of the Army's development during the era. From the end of the Napoleonic Wars to the mid-1850s, the Duke of Wellington and his successors attempted to maintain its organisation and tactics as they had been in 1815, with only minor changes. In 1854, the Crimean War, and the Indian Rebellion of 1857 highlighted the shortcomings of the Army, but entrenched interests prevented major reforms from taking place. From 1868 to 1881, sweeping changes were made by Liberal governments, giving it the broad structure it retained until 1914.

Upon Victoria's death, the Army was still engaged in the Second Boer War, but other than expedients adopted for that war, it was recognisably the army that would enter the First World War. The Industrial Revolution had changed its weapons, transport and equipment, and social changes such as better education had prompted changes to the terms of service and outlook of many soldiers. Nevertheless, it retained many features inherited from the Duke of Wellington's army, and since its prime function was to maintain an empire which covered almost a quarter of the globe, it differed in many ways from the conscripted armies of continental Europe


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: 25419

A Superb Victorian Service Helmet of the Hampshire Regiment, the Ist Volunteer Battalion. Blue Cloth with Silver Badge, Fittings, Spike, & Rose Head Curb Chain Mounts and Chin Chain

The Volunteers came into being as a result of the war scare of 1859 when Anglo-French relations were very strained. They provided their own arms and equipment and served at their own cost, except if called out for actual service. They were under the lords lieutenant of counties who authorised the formation of corps and gave commissions to their officers. Their purpose was to act as auxiliaries to the regular army and militia.

In the early part of the South African War the War Office gave notice that active service companies from volunteer battalions would be sent out to their county regiments at the front. The Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Brigade was called upon to supply one company, each battalion contributing a section of 23 rank and file. The first company under Captain Seward served in South Africa some 15 or 16 months, losing the six young men whose names appear on a brass plate. Four of them died and two in the Barberton railway accident.

The British Army’s Home Service Helmet was introduced in 1878. It was of a German influence and would replace a long line of shakos going back to the days of the Peninsular War and Waterloo. In blue cloth, sometimes green, sometime grey, sometimes with a spike, sometimes with a ball, the stiff cork headdress would become a common site on parade grounds throughout Britain for more than thirty years. Most Regular Army regiments and corps took to the helmet, as did their Militia, Volunteer and Territorial counterparts.
With the new headdress came the helmet plate, those highly desirable items of militaria much sought after today by collectors. Large, star-shaped mostly and displaying both ancient and new regimental devices, brightly they shone in their silvers, gilts, gilding and white metals, covering almost the entire front of the headdress as they did so.

The British Army during the Victorian era served through a period of great technological and social change. Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, and died in 1901. Her long reign was marked by the steady expansion and consolidation of the British Empire, rapid industrialisation and the enactment of liberal reforms by both Liberal and Conservative governments within Britain.

The British Army began the period with few differences from the British Army of the Napoleonic Wars that won at Waterloo. There were three main periods of the Army's development during the era. From the end of the Napoleonic Wars to the mid-1850s, the Duke of Wellington and his successors attempted to maintain its organisation and tactics as they had been in 1815, with only minor changes. In 1854, the Crimean War, and the Indian Rebellion of 1857 highlighted the shortcomings of the Army, but entrenched interests prevented major reforms from taking place. From 1868 to 1881, sweeping changes were made by Liberal governments, giving it the broad structure it retained until 1914.

Upon Victoria's death, the Army was still engaged in the Second Boer War, but other than expedients adopted for that war, it was recognisably the army that would enter the First World War. The Industrial Revolution had changed its weapons, transport and equipment, and social changes such as better education had prompted changes to the terms of service and outlook of many soldiers. Nevertheless, it retained many features inherited from the Duke of Wellington's army, and since its prime function was to maintain an empire which covered almost a quarter of the globe, it differed in many ways from the conscripted armies of continental Europe.

The disciplinary system was not notably more harsh than the contemporary civil Penal System, although soldiers stood less chance of severe penalties being commuted. The death sentence could apply for crimes such as mutiny or striking an officer, but was generally reserved for actions that were capital crimes in common law, such as murder. Minor infractions could be summarily punished with extra duties or stoppages of pay, but flogging remained a punishment for many offences, including minor offences, on the discretion of a court martial. A court martial could be held at regimental level (which might well be influenced by the attitude of the colonel or other senior officers), or district level where convenient, or a General Court Martial might be convened under the authority of the Commander-in-Chief for serious matters or offences involving officers.

The maximum number of strokes inflicted on a soldier sentenced to flogging (which had been a barbaric 2,000 in 1782, essentially a death sentence for nearly any man) was reduced to 300 in 1829, and then to 50 in 1847. Some regiments nevertheless rejoiced in the nicknames of the "bloodybacks" if they were notorious for the number of floggings ordered.

Only a small portion of soldiers were permitted to marry. Soldiers' wives and children shared their barracks, with only blankets slung over a line for privacy. Wives often performed services such as laundry for their husbands' companies or barracks. A particularly cruel feature of the Army's practices was that fewer soldiers' wives were allowed to accompany a unit overseas (one per eight cavalrymen or twelve infantrymen) than were permitted when serving at home. Those wives not chosen by lot to accompany the unit when it embarked were forcibly separated from their husbands, for years or for life.

Soldiers' pay was nominally one shilling per day, but this was decreased by "stoppages" of up to sixpence (half a shilling) for their daily rations, and other stoppages for the issue of replacement clothing, damages, medical services and so on. In 1847, it was laid down that a soldier must receive at least one penny per day, regardless of all stoppages. A privileged life indeed.
Typical natural age and wear to the helmet, slight internal crack to rear neck tail cork underneath the blue cloth


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: 25417

Scarce Antique Victorian Regimental Racoon Skin Cap of The Northumberland Fusiler's. Flaming Fusiler Grenade Badge With George and The Dragon Regimental Motto Quo Fata Vocant With Red and White Feather Hackle, and Curb Chin Chain

In 1874 all Fusilier Regiments took into wear for all ranks a fur cap of black racoon skin, around 9 inches high, with a gilt grenade in the front, bearing the regimental badge. The chin strap was a gilt curb chain lined with black leather or velvet.

At this date, the Northumberland Fusiliers was the only Fusilier Regiment wearing a plume, of red and white, though subsequently plumes were authorised for all other Fusilier Regiments ".

After the Napoleonic Wars, the regiment spent time in the West Indies, the Mediterranean, Ireland and Mauritius. In 1857, it raised a 2nd Battalion again. This unit remained at home, while 1st Battalion was sent to serve in the Indian Mutiny (1857-88).

1st Battalion returned to India in 1866, staying for 14 years and forming part of the Peshawar Field Force during the Second Afghan War (1878-80). It was replaced in India by 2nd Battalion in 1880. The latter took part in the Black Mountain Expedition on the North-West Frontier in 1888.

During the 1881 Army reforms, the regiment’s name changed again, now becoming The Northumberland Fusiliers.

1st Battalion sent a detachment to West Africa for the Fourth Ashanti War in 1895. The entire battalion then fought in the Sudan in 1898 and on the North-West Frontier of India in 1908.

Both regular battalions also saw action in the Boer War (1899-1902) from 1899. They fought in several battles, including Belmont, Graspan, Modder River, Magersfontein, Stormberg, Reddersberg and Sanna's Post.

Indeed, the regiment raised two additional regular battalions in 1900 to meet the demands of this conflict. 3rd Battalion served in South Africa, while 4th Battalion was stationed in Ireland. However, these were both disbanded in 1907.

The Northumberland Fusiliers raised 50 Reserve, Territorial, New Army, Garrison and Home Service battalions for the First World War (1914-18), a number only bettered by the all-territorial London Regiment. 29 of these battalions served overseas, earning 67 battle honours in France and Flanders, Salonika, Gallipoli, Egypt and Italy. The regiment sustained over 16,000 dead.

Of its regular units, 1st Battalion spent the whole of the conflict on the Western Front, arriving there in August 1914 and going on to fight in many of the main engagements. 2nd Battalion was in India on the outbreak of war, but deployed to France in January 1915. Later that year, it was transferred to Egypt and then to Salonika.

The 1st Battalion served in Ireland during that country's War of Independence (1919-21) and then deployed to Germany on occupation duties. Following a spell of home service, it then spent time in the West Indies and Egypt (1931-34), before moving to Palestine in 1937 where it helped suppress the Arab Revolt (1936-39).

Meanwhile, 2nd Battalion served in Iraq in 1920 and then undertook a long spell of garrison duties in India. It deployed to Shanghai in 1930 and after several years at home moved to Palestine in 1936.

During the 1930s, the regiment's two regular battalions were converted into heavy machine gun units. The regiment also gained a ‘Royal’ prefix in 1935 to recognise its wartime service.

Second World War
1st Battalion was in the Middle East on the outbreak of the Second World War (1939-45) and went on to fight in the North Africa campaign. This service included Tobruk (1941) and El Alamein (1942). It spent much of 1943 in Syria before deploying to Italy where it spent the rest of the war.

In 1939, 2nd Battalion deployed to France with the British Expeditionary Force, but was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940. It spent the next two years on home defence duties. In 1943, it joined the Tunisian campaign before landing at Salerno in Italy.

The regiment also raised eight Territorial and hostilities-only battalions during the conflict. These served as infantry and machine gun battalions, but also in motorcycle, reconnaissance and searchlight roles. They served at home, in North Africa, Italy, North-West Europe and the Far East.  read more

Code: 25416

Welcome to The Lanes Armoury, Britain's Truly Magical Place, Where Thousands of Original & Breathtaking Wonders Are For Sale

Our beautiful pieces from history are not always just for looking at, some can still be enjoyed and worn for every one to see.

See our latest incredible 'Royal' daggers from the 17th century Pattal-hatara (Four Workshops) of the King of Sri Lanka. Occasionally, as we are Great Britain’s leading gallery of our kind, we have had had such knives, over the past 30 years, before, but nothing as fine as these museum grade examples, from the small collection we were thrilled to have acquired.

We have just also just added to the web store; a German colonels sword surrendered at the formal surrender of the German armed forces in May 1945 to Field Marshal Lord Montgomery, and a beautiful and magnificent samurai swords from the 1600's Tokugawa Shogunate period, one of the most fabulous samurai swords you might ever see. Plus, an Ancient Greek short sword or long dagger From The Greco-Persian Wars era, From the time of the Spartans at Thermopylae, to Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia & Egypt

We Are Not Just A Webstore, We Are Always Welcoming Thousands Personal Visitors To View or Buy our Museum Pieces in Our Gallery In Brighton, Every Day* {but Sunday}

Thousands of original, historic, ancient, antique and vintage collectables. For example; from Ancient Rome, China and Greece, to Medieval Japan, and Viking Europe. Covering British, European, and in fact, all worldwide eras of historical events from the past 4000 years, with antiquities, weaponry, armour, object d’art, militaria and fabulous books, from the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the iron age, and right up to WW2.

Where else in the world could you find, under one roof, original artifacts, such as,; a mace and archer’s ring recovered from the site of Battle of Crecy, a sword of a British Admiral or notorious pirate fleet captain of the Golden Age of piracy of 17th century England, a battle mace, possibly once used by of one the personal guards in the service of the most famous Pharoah, Rameses the Great of Egypt, or, a museum quality 500 year old sword of a samurai clan Daimyo lord, and a pair of gold and enamel Art Deco 1920’s Magic Circle medals awarded to a friend of Harry Houdini. And all of the above, with many, many other Museum pieces, have been just been offered upon the site within the past couple of weeks.

Personalised and unique ‘Certificates of Authenticity’ can be supplied for every, single, purchase.

Our family have been personally serving the public in Brighton for several generations, in fact, for over 105 years.

* Opening hours Monday to Saturday 11.00am till 4.00pm, closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.


See in the gallery Will Young wearing one of our fabulous Victorian tunics, plus, James Marshall ‘Jimi’ Hendrix  read more

Code: 24055

A Breathtaking & Original Museum Piece. An Ancient Greek Leaf Shaped Sword or Long Dagger From The Greco-Persian Wars Era, From the Time of the Spartans at Thermopylae, To Alexander the Great's Conquest of Persia & Egypt

An original and most rare ancient Greek warrior's short sword or long dagger, circa 500 to 300 b.c. In superb excavated condition, and remarkable for its age, with light areas of encrustations and an overall delightful patina, all one piece cast construction.

Likely the short sword or long dagger of a warrior from the time of the Spartans at Thermopylae to Alexander the Great {son of Philip II of Macedon} and his renown conquests of the then known world.

Also as used at the Battle of Thermopylae which was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas I of Sparta, and the Achaemenid Empire of Xerxes I.
It was fought over the course of three days, during the second Persian invasion of Greece. The battle took place simultaneously with the naval battle at Artemisium. It was held at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae ("The Hot Gates") in August or September 480 BC.
The Persian invasion was a delayed response to the defeat of the first Persian invasion of Greece, which had been ended by the Athenian victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. By 480 BC, Xerxes had amassed a massive army and navy and set out to conquer all of Greece. The Athenian politician and general Themistocles had proposed that the allied Greeks block the advance of the Persian army at the pass of Thermopylae, while simultaneously blocking the Persian navy at the Straits of Artemisium.

A Greek force of approximately 7,000 men marched north to block the pass in the middle of 480 BC. The Persian army was rumoured to have numbered over one million soldiers. Herodotus, a contemporary writer put the Persian army strength as one million and went to great pains to describe how they were counted in groups of ten thousand at a review of the troops. Simonides went as far as to put the Persian number at three million. Today, it is considered to have been much smaller. Scholars report various figures ranging between about 100,000 and 150,000 soldiers. The Persian army arrived at the pass in late August or early September. The vastly outnumbered Greeks held off the Persians for seven days (including three of battle) before the rear-guard was annihilated in one of history's most famous last stands. During two full days of battle, the small force led by Leonidas blocked the only road by which the massive Persian army could pass. After the second day, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a small path used by shepherds. It led the Persians behind the Greek lines. Leonidas, aware that his force was being outflanked, dismissed the bulk of the Greek army and remained to guard their retreat with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians. It has been reported that others also remained, including up to 900 helots and 400 Thebans. The remaining soldiers fought to the death. Most of the Thebans reportedly surrendered. Around 150 years later Alexander the Great, Greece’s most famous king created an Empire that still today resonates in its magnitude. Ancient Greek warriors were still using daggers such as this one. While Alexander's army mainly fielded Pezhetairoi (Foot Companions) as his main force, his army also included some classic Hoplites, either provided by the League of Corinth or from hired mercenaries. Beside these units, the Macedonians also used the so-called Hypaspists, an elite force of units possibly originally fighting as Hoplites and used to guard the exposed right wing of Alexander's phalanx. Today, Alexander the Great is still considered one of the most successful military leaders in history. His conquests shaped not just eastern and western culture but also the history of the world. Alexander was born July 20, 356 BC in Pella, a city in the Ancient Greek Kingdom of Macedonia. As the son of Philip II, King of Macedon, Alexander was raised as a noble Macedonian youth. Learning to read, play the lyre, ride, fight, and hunt were high priorities for Alexander.

As he got older, his father had the famous Aristotle tutor his son. His father knew he could no longer effectively challenge the mind and body of his son. Aristotle educated Alexander and his companions in various disciplines such as medicine, philosophy, morality, religion, logic, and art. Many of his study companions would later become generals in his army.

When King Philip was assassinated, Alexander ascended to the throne at the young age of 20. After quelling small uprisings and rebellions after his father’s death, Alexander began his campaign against the Persian Empire.

Crossing into Asia with over 100,000 men, he began his war against Persia which lasted more than seven years. Alexander displayed tactical brilliance in the fight against the Persian army, remaining undefeated despite having fewer soldiers.

His successes took him to the very edge of India, to the banks of the Ganges River. His armies feared the might of the Indian empires and mutinied, which marked the end of his campaign to the East. He had intended to march further into India, but he was persuaded against it because his soldiers wanted to return to their families.

Alexander died unexpectedly after his return to Babylon. Because his death was sudden and he did not name a successor to his throne, his empire fell into chaos as generals fought to take control.

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

A bronze short sword or long dagger with leaf-shaped blade, flat-section grip widening at the end. 630 grams, 38.5cm (15 1/4"). very fine condition for age.  read more

Code: 23524

A Museum Piece, Antique 17th-18th Century Sinhalese Nobleman's Dagger Piha Kaetta, From The Royal Workshops of The King Of Kandy With Fabulous Gold Alloy, Silver, & Carved Black Coral Grip, and Very Unusually With its Original Scabbard.

The knife has being cleaned and conserved in the workshop

From our latest incredible collection of early 'Royal' daggers from the 17th century Pattal-hatara (Four Workshops) of the King of Kandy of Sri Lanka


From the sixteenth century, the Kandyan kingdom was drawn into the Wars of Kotte Succession after the Kingdom of Kotte was divided among three brothers. It was also at this time that the Portuguese Empire intruded into the internal affairs of Sri Lanka, establishing control over the maritime regions of the island and seeking to control its lucrative external trade. During this civil war the Kandyan kingdom almost lost its independence the Kingdom of Sitawaka who occupied it for a decade. The Crisis culminated in the collapse of the Kotte kingdom in 1597 and all of its successor states, including the Sitawaka kingdom. Kandy was the only independent Sinhalese kingdom to survive thus beginning the Kandyan period (1592–1815). Kandyan rulers, in an effort to protect their independence, alternated between resistance and diplomacy when dealing with the Europeans.
In the seventeenth century, the kingdom formed an alliance with the Dutch East India Company to expel the Portuguese from the island. Although the Portuguese were eventually removed, the Dutch double-crossed the Kandyans and retained control of the coastal regions and relations between Kandy and the Dutch became strained. The Kandyans and the Dutch would engage in two wars with the later resulting in loss of all of Kandy's remaining coastal territory, making it a landlocked country.

A single edged robust steel blade with fuller along the back edge. The forte and spine of the blade are heavily encrusted in silver and gold alloy with scrolling foliage, encased on each side with chased silver alloy bolster panels, over the base, decorated with finely chased floral and vine scrolling foliage, with finely carved black coral grip.

The hilt is finely carved and detailed with aliya-pata pattern hilt. The end is encased in a broad rounding of silver and gold alloy that has been chased in high relief with particularly fine Ceylonese scrolling foliage and flower motifs. From this is emitted a rounded tang button. In its wood scabbard with fluted finish and small wood part repaired

These fabulous and beautiful, elaborately decorated knives are the product of the Pattal-hatara (four royal workshops), the blades being supplied by smiths.
This was a mainly hereditary corporation of the best craftsmen who worked exclusively for the king in Kandy. Originally there was only one pattala but this was subsequently divided into sections which included a Randaku pattala (golden sword armoury or workshop). As well as being worn by courtiers, these knives were given by the king to nobles and to the temples. "The best of the higher craftsmen (gold and silversmiths, painters, and ivory carvers, etc.) working immediately for the king formed a close, largely hereditary, corporation of craftsmen called the Pattal-hatara (Four Workshops). They were named as follows; The Ran Kadu Golden Arms, the Abarana Regalia, the Sinhasana Lion Throne, and the Otunu Crown these men worked only for the King, unless by his express permission (though, of course, their sons or pupils might do otherwise); they were liable to be continually engaged in Kandy, while the Kottal-badda men were divided into relays, serving by turns in Kandy for periods of two months.
A related but less ornate example but without a scabbard currently is on display in London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. Also another, later but very similar to ours, with scabbard, in the same Museum, see below link,
Another example is in the Clive Collection (see Archer, 1987, p. 45 for an illustration.). The Clive example was first mentioned in inventories in 1775.
References
Caravana, J. et al, Rites of Power: Oriental Weapons: Collection of Jorge Caravana, Caleidoscopio, 2010.
Hales, R.,
Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime’s Passion, Robert Hale CI Ltd, 2013.

De Silva, P.H.D.H & S. Wickramasinghe,
Ancient Swords, Daggers & Knives in Sri Lankan Museums, Sri Lanka National Museums, 2006.

Weereratne, N.,
Visions of an Island: Rare works from Sri Lanka in the Christopher Ondaatje Collection, Harper Collins, 1999.

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O452562/knife-and-sheath/

Occasionally, as we are Great Britain’s leading gallery of our kind, we had had such knives, over the past 30 years, before, but nothing as fine as these museum grade examples, from the small collection we were thrilled to have acquired.  read more

Code: 20007