Antique Arms & Militaria

A 19th Century Napoleonic Pattern, Spanish Dragoons, Heavy Cavalry of the Line Sword

In the Napoleonic wars the Spanish heavy line cavalry troopers were equipped with this pattern of sword, based on the French cuirassiers sword, having a hilt of the French heavy cavalry Cuirassiers, An XI pattern, in brass, with knuckle-bow, three curved quillons and pommel. Later this was regularised to create the model 1832 pattern. This sword's blade is maker marked, Toledo 1863. This sword has certainly seen service and evidence of combat use. This is a big, scarce Napoleonic pattern Cuirassier battle sword, and a most impressive and fascinating example, and the first of it's kind we have seen in nearly 10 years, These huge and impressive original 19th century Spanish heavy cavalry swords are very rarely seen to survive and this is a very impressive piece. The Cavalry Regiment El Rey (Spanish: Regimiento de Caballera El Rey is the oldest cavalry regiment in the Spanish Army, distinguishing itself on several occasions during the Peninsular War. They are known bestn for there charge at the Battle of Talavera where they dealt the decissive blow against General Jean Francois Leval's German Division. The Cavalry Regiment El Rey is Spain's oldest cavalry regiment, founded in 1538 under the reign of King Charles I of Spain, and as such bore the title The King's in the Spanish Army. During the Napoleonic era it was considered as one of the best Spanish regiments and it distinguished itself during the Spanish War of Independence, frequently being commented as performing very well in those years. In 1807 the regiment was assigned to Marques de la Romana's Division of the North. In 1808 it joined the fight against France after evacuating from Denmark.

Upon arrival in Cantabria the cavalrymen marched to Extremadura where they were to collect horses, thus avoiding the defeat that fell upon Romana's division at Espinosa de los Monteros. In 1809 the regiment would see much action while serving in Gregorio Garcia de la Cuesta y Fernandez de Celis' Army of Extremadura, as part of General Jose de Henestrosa's 1st Cavalry Division. It would fight at the Battle of Talavera, where they captured four French cannons and would be highly praised in Cuesta's report. During the Spanish War of Independence the unit wore a blue coat with scarlet cuffs, collar, lapels, turnbacks, gold piping and buff breeches. Like all regiments at the start of the Peninsular War they wore a red plume on their hat to show their loyalty to the Bourbon monarch, Ferdinand VII of Spain, instead of the "hated foreigner" Joseph Bonaparte. In 1870 the regiment wore a blue coatee with scarlet cuffs, collar and lapels, white turnbacks, and yellow piping and had brass buttons, they also wore blue breeches. The troopers wore a black bi-corn hat with gold lace and a red cockade with a gold cockade loop.

In 1898 the regiment had a uniform of a light blue dolman with black Austrian loops and white metal buttons; red collar and cuffs, and red trousers with a light blue stripe. They had also, after the Napoleonic Wars adopted the use of a cuirass and helmet, of steel with brass ornamentation. However, in the colonies of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Las Carolinas Islands and the Philippines they wore the Rayadillo colonial uniform with red collar and cuffs and Leopoldina shakos with the Spanish red and yellow cockade 95 cm blade  read more

Code: 22097

A Truly Exceptional & Rare Original 16th Century Italian Renaissance Sfondagiaco Eared Dagger, Named From The Protruding Twin ‘Ears’ of the Pommel Shaped As Stunning Masked Horned Goats.

An original and rare dagger used by Princes, Dukes and Kings, capable of perforating chainmail and sliding between metal armour plates.
An exceptionally rare and important so called 'Ear Pommel Dagger', from 16th century Venice, Italy. With a traditional form brass hilt, of twin plates double rivetted through the blade tang, finely engraved, with a pair of ear pommels, in the form of two simply stunning full relief masks of horned goats, backed with clam shell decoration. Double edged graduating blade.

What has been described the most valuable dagger in the world was another, most similar 'Ear Form Pommel Dagger', from the same era of the 15th century.
It was from the Nasrid dynasty in Spain and it sold in Sotheby's Auction house nine years ago for an incredible $6 million dollars. However that example was decorated with Islamic decoration in gold. Ear Daggers are considered the most important contribution to the Nasrid panoply of arms and armour. Ear Daggers probably originated from North Africa, although ancient Asiatic versions existed from 1200 bc. They were used in Spain during the 15th and 16th centuries, and also introduced to Italy and Christian Europe in the 15th century. Daggers of this type were once extremely fashionable among great and powerful nobles, princes and kings, and there exists a portrait of the young King Edward VI of England, now in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle, clutching an Ear Dagger at his waist. Deriving its name from the striking design of the hilt pommel, the Ear Dagger (dague oreilles in French and alla Levantina in Italian) comprises two flattened, embossed or conical discs which resemble ears, issuing from either side of the grip a.
Only a handful of comparable examples of the Nasrid daggers exist, and mainly in museum collections.
Original 15th century ear daggers are only generally to be found in the finest national museums such as the Louvre, the British Royal Collection, the Metropolitan Museum, Fifteenth-century Italy was unlike any other place in Europe. It was divided into independent city-states, each with a different form of government. Florence, where the Italian Renaissance began, was an independent republic. It was also a banking and commercial capital and, after London and Constantinople, the third-largest city in Europe. Wealthy Florentines flaunted their money and power by becoming patrons, or supporters, of artists and intellectuals. In this way, the city became the cultural centre of Europe, and of the Renaissance. Italian Wars, (1494-1559) series of violent wars for control of Italy. Fought largely by France and Spain but involving much of Europe, they resulted in the Spanish Habsburgs dominating Italy and shifted power from Italy to north-western Europe.
The wars began with the invasion of Italy by the French king Charles VIII in 1494. He took Naples, but an alliance between Maximilian I, Spain, and the pope drove him out of Italy. In 1499 Louis XII invaded Italy and took Milan, Genoa, and Naples, but he was driven out of Naples in 1503 by Spain under Ferdinand V. Pope Julius II organized the League of Cambrai (1508) to attack Venice, then organized the Holy League (1511) to drive Louis out of Milan. In 1515 Francis I was victorious at the Battle of Marignano, and in 1516 a peace was concluded by which France held onto Milan and Spain kept Naples. Fighting began in 1521 between Emperor Charles V and Francis I. Francis was captured and forced to sign the Treaty of Madrid (1526), by which he renounced all claims in Italy, but, once freed, he repudiated the treaty and formed a new alliance with Henry VIII of England, Pope Clement VII, Venice, and Florence. Charles sacked Rome in 1527 and forced the pope to come to terms, and Francis gave up all claims to Italy in the Treaty of Cambrai (1529). By the Peace of Cateau-Cambr?sis (1559), the wars finally ended. 16 inches long overall, blade 11 inches.  read more

Code: 22159

Archaic Chinese Warrior's Bronze Sword, Around 2500 Years Old, From the Zhou Dynasty to the Qin Dynasty, Including the Period of the Great Military Doctrine 'The Art of War' by General Sun-Tzu

Chinese Bronze 'Two Ring' Jian sword, however both the grip rings are now lacking, as is the pommel. Used in the era of the Seven Kingdoms period, likely in the Kingdom of Wu, up to the latter part of the Eastern Zhou dynasty (475 – 221 BC).

From our wonderful collection of ancient Chinese weaponry we recently acquired, another stunning ancient sword around 2500 years old or more. From the Zhou dynasty, and the area of the King's of Wu, in Chu. as this sword bears old damage it is priced accordingly, yet it is still an ancient piece of great beauty and interest.

Swords of this type are called “two-ring” swords because of the prominent rings formerly located on the hilt. This is the very type of sword used by the warriors serving under the world renowned General Sun Tzu, in the Kingdom of Wu, who is thought by many to be the finest general, philosopher and military tactician who ever lived. His 2500 year old book on the methods of warfare, tactics and psychology are still taught and highly revered in practically every officer training college throughout the world.
We show a painting in the gallery of a chariot charge by a Zhou dynasty warrior armed with this very form of sword.
The Chinese term for this form of weapon is “Jian” which refers to a double-edged sword. This style of Jian is generally attributed to either the Wu or the Yue state. The sword has straight graduated edges reducing to a pointed tip, which may indicate an earlier period Jian.

The blade is heavy with a midrib and tapered edges
A very impressive original ancient Chinese sword with a long, straight blade with a raised, linear ridge down its centre. It has a very shallow, short guard. The thin handle would have had leather or some other organic material such as leather or hemp cord, wrapped around it to form a grip. At the top once had a round, likely dished pommel

The Seven Kingdom or Warring States period in Chinese history was one of instability and conflict between many smaller Kingdom-states. The period officially ended when China was unified under the first Emperor of China, Qin pronounced Chin Shi Huang Di in 221 BC. It is from him that China gained its name.

The Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE) was among the most culturally significant of the early Chinese dynasties and the longest lasting of any in China's history, divided into two periods: Western Zhou (1046-771 BCE) and Eastern Zhou (771-256 BCE). It followed the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE), and preceded the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE, pronounced “chin”) which gave China its name.

In the early years of the Spring and Autumn Period, (770-476 BC) chivalry in battle was still observed and all seven states used the same tactics resulting in a series of stalemates since, whenever one engaged with another in battle, neither could gain an advantage. In time, this repetition of seemingly endless, and completely futile, warfare became simply the way of life for the people of China during the era now referred to as the Warring States Period. The famous work The Art of War by Sun-Tzu (l. c. 500 BCE) was written during this time, recording precepts and tactics one could use to gain advantage over an opponent, win the war, and establish peace.

Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher who lived in the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, an influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking. His works focus much more on alternatives to battle, such as stratagem, delay, the use of spies and alternatives to war itself, the making and keeping of alliances, the uses of deceit, and a willingness to submit, at least temporarily, to more powerful foes. Sun Tzu is revered in Chinese and East Asian culture as a legendary historical and military figure. His birth name was Sun Wu and he was known outside of his family by his courtesy name Changqing The name Sun Tzu by which he is more popularly known is an honorific which means "Master Sun".

Sun Tzu's historicity is uncertain. The Han dynasty historian Sima Qian and other traditional Chinese historians placed him as a minister to King Helü of Wu and dated his lifetime to 544–496 BC. Modern scholars accepting his historicity place the extant text of The Art of War in the later Warring States period based on its style of composition and its descriptions of warfare. Traditional accounts state that the general's descendant Sun Bin wrote a treatise on military tactics, also titled The Art of War. Since Sun Wu and Sun Bin were referred to as Sun Tzu in classical Chinese texts, some historians believed them identical, prior to the rediscovery of Sun Bin's treatise in 1972.

Sun Tzu's work has been praised and employed in East Asian warfare since its composition. During the twentieth century, The Art of War grew in popularity and saw practical use in Western society as well. It continues to influence many competitive endeavours in the world, including culture, politics, business and sports.

The ancient Chinese people worshipped the bronze and iron swords, where they reached a point of magic and myth, regarding the swords as “ancient holy items”. Because they were easy to carry, elegant to wear and quick to use, bronze swords were considered a status symbol and an honour for kings, emperors, scholars, chivalrous experts, merchants, as well as common people during ancient dynasties. For example, Confucius claimed himself to be a knight, not a scholar, and carried a sword when he went out. The most famous ancient bronze sword is called the “Sword of Gou Jian”.

This is one of a stunning collection of original archaic bronze age weaponry we have just acquired and has now arrived. Many are near identical to other similar examples held in the Metropolitan in New York, the British royal collection, and such as the Hunan Provincial Museum, Hunan, China.
As with all our items, every piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity  read more

Code: 24876

NOW SOLD. A Magnificent & Incredibly Rare, Historical, Original, Ancient Sword of a Knights Templar, Bearing Three Knights Templar Armourer's Stamps on Both Sides of The Very Wide & Substantially Powerful & Sharp Blade. Almost 1000 Years Old

A fabulous sword of the 1000's to the 1200's made for and used by a Knights Templar crusader almost 1000 years ago. A form of sword designated in the seminal work by Ewart Oakshott known within the Oakshott categorisation as the type Xa or XI and pommel Oakshott type B. Interestingly, it is further almost identical to the legendary historical sword of St Maurice, the coronation sword of the Holy Roman Emperors

These are incredibly rare identification Knights templar crucifix marks, inlaid with gold alloy traces, and very rare indeed to see on any surviving knight's sword from the Crusades period. We have spent many decades eagerly hunting out such beautiful historic rarities, and remarkably we have been successful in our diligent efforts twice this year, however it is not unusual to go years or even decades without finding any quite like them at all.

There is a similar sword dated to circa 1200, from Germany, preserved in the Wallace collection, in London, and another in the Ewart Oakshott Collection dating from the 11th century

There was a Templar's grave site recently uncovered at a church in Staffordshire, and we show in the gallery the grave marker of a Templar outside the church, showing the tradition of three versions of the Templar crosses carved upon the stone, and this sword also bears the three Templar crosses.

This wonderful original Medieval period antiquity would make a spectacular centrepiece to any new or long established fine collection, or indeed a magnificent solitary work of historical art, for any type of decor both traditional or contemporary. What a fabulous original ‘statement piece’ for any collection or decor. 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 wonderful example piece, from the ancient knightly age. Effectively, from this time of almost a thousand years ago, from a collectors point of view, nothing else significant survives at all, only the odd small coin, ring, or very rarely seen, and almost impossible to own, carved statuary.

A Single-Handed, Knights Templar sword, made in the 12th century {circa 1100's} and constantly used in the early Crusades period, by a Knights Templar. with a very broad, and still incredibly sharp, tapering blade bearing six armourers stamps of the Knights Templars, it has it original, long, now mobile cruciform crossguard. Original ancient iron swords, if they still have a crossguard, never have the original wooden grips, the wood never survives the hundreds of years passing which means, the crossguard becomes mobile and no longer in a fixed position.

Hand forged by such as a templar armourer, during the time of England's King Henry Ist, and used into the reigns of King Henry the IInd, and King Richard Ist, aka the Lionheart, and potentially, for the following century.

The Knights Templar were an elite fighting force of their day, highly trained, well-equipped, and highly motivated; one of the tenets of their religious order was that they were forbidden from retreating in battle, unless outnumbered three to one, and even then only by order of their commander, or if the Templar flag went down. Not all Knights Templar were warriors. The mission of most of the members was one of support – to acquire resources which could be used to fund and equip the small percentage of members who were fighting on the front lines. There were actually three classes within the orders. The highest class was the knight. When a candidate was sworn into the order, they made the knight a monk. They wore white robes. The knights could hold no property and receive no private letters. They could not be married or betrothed and could not have any vow in any other Order. They could not have debt more than they could pay, and no infirmities. The Templar priest class was similar to the modern day military chaplain. Wearing green robes, they conducted religious services, led prayers, and were assigned record keeping and letter writing. They always wore gloves, unless they were giving Holy Communion. The mounted men-at-arms represented the most common class, and they were called "brothers". They were usually assigned two horses each and held many positions, including guard, steward, squire or other support vocations. As the main support staff, they wore black or brown robes and were partially garbed in chain mail or plate mail. The armour was not as complete as the knights. Because of this infrastructure, the warriors were well-trained and very well armed. Even their horses were trained to fight in combat, fully armoured. The combination of soldier and monk was also a powerful one, as to the Templar knights, martyrdom in battle was one of the most glorious ways to die.

The Templars were also shrewd tacticians, following the dream of Saint Bernard who had declared that a small force, under the right conditions, could defeat a much larger enemy. One of the key battles in which this was demonstrated was in 1177, at the Battle of Montgisard. The famous Muslim military leader Saladin was attempting to push toward Jerusalem from the south, with a force of 26,000 soldiers. He had pinned the forces of Jerusalem's King Baldwin IV, about 500 knights and their supporters, near the coast, at Ascalon. Eighty Templar knights and their own entourage attempted to reinforce. They met Saladin's troops at Gaza, but were considered too small a force to be worth fighting, so Saladin turned his back on them and headed with his army towards Jerusalem.

Once Saladin and his army had moved on, the Templars were able to join King Baldwin's forces, and together they proceeded north along the coast. Saladin had made a key mistake at that point – instead of keeping his forces together, he permitted his army to temporarily spread out and pillage various villages on their way to Jerusalem. The Templars took advantage of this low state of readiness to launch a surprise ambush directly against Saladin and his bodyguard, at Montgisard near Ramla. Saladin's army was spread too thin to adequately defend themselves, and he and his forces were forced to fight a losing battle as they retreated back to the south, ending up with only a tenth of their original number. The battle was not the final one with Saladin, but it bought a year of peace for the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and the victory became a heroic legend.

Another key tactic of the Templars was that of the "squadron charge". A small group of knights and their heavily armed warhorses would gather into a tight unit which would gallop full speed at the enemy lines, with a determination and force of will that made it clear that they would rather commit suicide than fall back. This terrifying onslaught would frequently have the desired result of breaking a hole in the enemy lines, thereby giving the other Crusader forces an advantage.

The Templars, though relatively small in number, routinely joined other armies in key battles. They would be the force that would ram through the enemy's front lines at the beginning of a battle, or the fighters that would protect the army from the rear. They fought alongside King Louis VII of France, and King Richard I of England.3 In addition to battles in Palestine, members of the Order also fought in the Spanish and Portuguese Reconquista.

According to author S.Tibble, and in his new book, Templars, the Knights Who Made Britain, he details a very convincing and gripping history, that the Templars, famous for their battles on Christendom’s eastern front, were in fact dedicated peace-mongers at home. They influenced royal strategy and policy, created financial structures, and brokered international peace treaties—primarily to ensure that men, money, and material could be transferred more readily to the east.

Charting the rise of the Order under Henry I through to its violent suppression following the fall of Acre, Tibble argues that these medieval knights were essential to the emergence of an early English state. Revealing the true legacy of the British Templars, he shows how a small group helped shape medieval Britain while simultaneously fighting in the name of the Christian Middle East

The Oakshott Type XI swords were distinguished by Oakeshott by having a double edged blade, generally long in proportion to the hilt, with a very fuller running within a few inches of the point. This type has generally been considered to belong to the period of c. 1120-c./1200–1220 AD, but research following the work of Oakeshott has given a much earlier possible date of employment and confirmed that the sword was still used during the fourteenth century. Since swords of this typology were often discovered in rivers or buried, due to the corrosion, they present spatulate or slightly rounded points. Crossguard is mobile on this sword, as usual, as no wooden grip ever survives.

Almost every weapon that has survived today from this era is now in a fully russetted condition, as is this one, because only the swords of kings, that have been preserved in national or Royal collections are today still in a relatively good state and condition. However, compared to many currently in the Royal Collection this could be considered fine and above average.

In the gallery we show a Templar cross on a Templar silver coin, and a photo of the three Templar crosses on a Templar grave, versions as can be clearly seen on this blade.

With reference to;
Templars
The Knights Who Made Britain
Steve Tibble
Imprint: Yale University Press, to be Published: 12 September 2023

34.25 inch blade, total 39.75 inches

As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity  read more

Code: 24916

Vintage, Household Cavalry Dress Uniform. A Wonderful Helmet, Cuirass Armour, Tunic, White Leather Panteloons, Jack Boots with Spurs, Buff Hide & Cotton Riding Gauntlets Of The Royal Mounted Bodyguard of Her Well Beloved Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth IInd

Post 1953 period. The full dress uniform helmet and armour of the Blues and Royals

The Household Cavalry are the only British regiments dressed as cuirassiers and has worn them since the coronation of William IV in 1830. The cuirass consists of a front and back polished steel plate shaped to fit the body. It had brass edges and studs on the sides and was secured on the shoulders by two gilt scales of regimental pattern. At the waist it is secured by a thin buff hide leather belt. The cuirass is lined with leather, The cuirass is only worn in mounted review order with the white leather panteloons and jack boots.

This unit is one of the two Household Cavalry regiments in the British Army, the other being The Life Guards. It was formed in 1969 by amalgamating The Royal Horse Guards with The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons), both of which had origins dating back to the mid-17th century.

19th century
In 1809, the unit moved to the Peninsular War (1808-14), helping to cover Wellington's retreat to Torres Vedras (1810) and charging at Fuentes de Onoro the following year. It also fought at Ciudad Rodrigo (1812), Badajoz (1812), Alba de Tormes (1813), Vitoria (1813) and Pamplona (1813).

In 1815, it fought at Waterloo with the Union Brigade. It captured the eagle of the French 105th Line Infantry Regiment there before being counter-attacked by French lancers.

A long period of home service followed until the Crimean War (1854-56), where the regiment charged with the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava in 1854.

The next three decades were spent on garrison duties in England, Ireland and Scotland. During this period, in 1877, the regiment was re-named the 1st (Royal) Dragoons. Then, in 1884, it sent a detachment to the Sudan that fought at Abu Klea (1885).

In 1899, it sailed to South Africa to fight in the Boer War (1899-1902), where it was immediately employed in the relief of Ladysmith.

The regiment deployed to the Western Front in 1914 and spent the entire First World War (1914-18) there with 3rd Cavalry Division. It fought in many battles including the First Battle of Ypres (1914), Second Battle of Ypres (1915), Loos (1915), Arras (1917) and Amiens (1918).

It was stationed in England, India, Palestine and Egypt during the inter-war period.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War (1939-45), it became a mechanised unit, joining the Royal Armoured Corps in 1940. It served as an armoured reconnaissance regiment in Syria (1941) and North Africa, where it fought in the Gazala battles and at El Alamein in 1942. It then took part in the Sicily and Italian campaigns in 1943.

The regiment landed in Normandy in July 1944 and ended the war as part of the force which liberated Copenhagen in May 1945.

Although famous for its ceremonial duties, the new unit saw much active service during the 1970s and 1980s as a reconnaissance unit in West Germany with the British Army of the Rhine. Squadrons from the regiment also carried out several tours of Northern Ireland and served on Cyprus with United Nations forces.

In 1982, it sent detachments to the Falklands War, where they supported The Parachute Regiment in the Battle of Wireless Ridge.  read more

Code: 24993

A Good Victorian Bamboo Hidden, Secret, Dagger-Cane. An Original Antique Collector's item

This is a cane that originally was likely intended for close quarter action. The sword stick or cane was in its day ideal for defensive action, but the dagger-cane was usually intended for both offensive or defensive, ideal for use in a crowd or a hand to hand conflict in most confined quarters of any bustling city. As an antique collectable it is simply awesome. A startling and most collectable conversation piece, worthy of the legendary Sherlock Holmes himself, in fact, more likely a tool of the diabolical genius, and arch nemeses of Holmes, Professor Moriarty . One can only imagine what perils and heinous adversities that it's original owner, who had this awesome cane commissioned, must have feared, dreaded or even instigated. The name Bartitsu might well have been completely forgotten if not for a chance mention by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in one of his Sherlock Holmes mystery stories. In the Adventure of the Empty House (1903), Holmes explained that he had escaped the clutches of his enemy Professor Moriarty through his knowledge of bartitsu, or Japanese wrestling. Using a walking cane with or without hidden blade.

The swordstick was a popular fashion accessory for the wealthy during the 18th and 19th centuries. While the weapon's origins are unknown, it is apparent that the cane-sword's popularity peaked when decorative swords were steadily being replaced by canes as a result of the rising popularity of firearms, and the lessening influence of swords and other small arms.


The first sword canes were made for nobility by leading sword cutlers. Sixteenth century sword canes were often bequeathed in wills. Sword canes became more popular as the streets became less safe. Society dictated it mandatory that gentlemen of the 18th and especially 19th centuries would wear a cane when out and about, and it was common for the well-dressed gentleman to own and sport canes in a variety of styles, including a good and sound sword cane. Although Byron was proficient in the use of pistols, his lameness and his need to defend himself in some potentially dangerous situations made a swordstick doubly useful to him. He received lessons in London from the fencing master Henry Angelo and owned a number of swordsticks, some of which were supplied by his boxing instructor Gentleman John Jackson.

Sword sticks came in all qualities, and for numerous purposes, from the simplest bamboo sword cane personal defender to stout customs officer’s ‘prod’, to offensive close quarter stiletto dagger canes and even to the other side of the world in the form of Japanese samurai’s shikome-sue, hidden swords.

We show two famous sword sticks in the gallery, one that belonged to Lord Byron, and another in a Presidential Centre Library collection, a historic sword stick is part of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Centre Library collection in Fremont, Ohio from the Waggoner family, the sword-cane was said to have been presented to Mr Waggoner by General George Washington in honour of Waggoner's service in Washington's Life Guard during the American Revolutionary War

36 inches long overall 9.5 inches long blade. An original antique collectable for display purposes only.  read more

Code: 25564

A Most Rare Early, 14th Century, circa 1340, Medievil Iron Hand Cannon or 'Handgonne' Made in the Period, & Used From the Battle of Crecy and Poitier Era.

An absolutely beauty and an incredibly significant historical piece, effectively the handgonne, was the very first iron hand held powder and ball piece, that began the evolution into the pistol, almost 700 years ago, and around 500 years before Mr Colt developed his first revolver in the 1840's.

From a collection of original rare antiquities collection we acquired, and this is the third extraordinarily rare original handgonne from that collection. We normally find only one or two every ten years or so, or even longer, but to buy all three from the collection was amazing.

The earliest design of conical form. Small enough and light enough to be manoeuvred by hand and thus then loosely fixed, or semi-permanently fixed, in either an L shaped wooden block and used like a mortar, or, onto a length of sturdy wooden haft, from three feet to five foot long to be used almost musket like and bound with wrought iron bands see illustration in the photo gallery of these medievil variations of mounting. The precursor to the modern day pistol and musket from which this form of ancient so called handgonne developed into over the centuries. It is thought that gunpowder was invented in China and found its way to Europe in the 13th Century. In the mid to late 13th Century gunpowder began to be used in cannons and handguns, and by the mid 14th Century they were in relatively frequent use for castle sieges. By the end of the 14th Century both gunpowder, guns and cannon had greatly evolved and were an essential part of fortifications which were being modified to change arrow slits for gun loops. Hand cannon' date of origin ranges around 1350. Hand cannon were inexpensive to manufacture, but not accurate to fire. Nevertheless, they were employed for their shock value. In 1492 Columbus carried one on his discovery exploration to the Americas. Conquistadors Hernando Cortez and Francisco Pizzaro also used them, in 1519 and 1533, during their respective conquests and colonization of Mexico and Peru. Not primary arms of war, hand cannon were adequate tools of protection for fighting men.. Approx, 4 inches long 1 1/2 inch bore, and weighs around 5.1 lbs

See Funcken, L. & Funcken F., Le costume, l'armure et les armes au temps de la chevalerie, de huitieme au quinzieme siecle, Tournai,1977, pp.66-69, for reconstruction of how such hand cannons were used.
At the beginning of the 14th century, among the infantry troops of the Western Middle Ages, developed the use of manual cannons (such as the Italian schioppetti, spingarde, and the German Fusstbusse).  read more

Code: 24816

A Superb Finest Quality Large Royal Naval Sea Service Brass Cannon Barelled Flintlock Blunderbuss. Made by I Gore of The Minories, London. With Ordnance Crown Stamp. Land Pattern Brass Furniture. Circa 1760

This is a very powerful example of its rare kind, with great heft and substance. Almost the power of a royal naval swivel cannon. Excellent flintlock action. 1740 CP & V proofs to the barrel, finest quality walnut rail stock, all brass furniture in the ordnance Land Pattern form. original ram rod with load extraction steel worm end.

Brass blunderbusses were "naval enforcers" in war and peace. this beauty was used from the American Revolutionary War, through the Anglo French Wars, the Napoleonic Wars, such as the Battle of The Nile, the Battle of Camperdown, the Battle of Cape St. Vincent and the Battle of Cape Trafalgar. The War of 1812 against the American Navy, and up to around the early 1840's. Their huge, smooth-bore barrels are very destructive at close range. They are easy to load and fairly easy to repair.

This amazing example was used by the Royal Navy during the Revolutionary war up to and past the close of the Napoleonic wars.

With these guns such as this at its command, it is little wonder that Britain ruled the waves for many generations. The "Sea Service," as the British Navy was called, continued to be the world's most powerful maritime force for two centuries.

The blunderbuss, which takes its name from the German term Donderbuschse (thunder gun) is a short-barreled firearm with a flared muzzle that made its appearance in the late 16th century. Often associated with the Pilgrims, the blunderbuss was still relatively unknown in the early 17th century.
Originally intended for military purposes, these arms can be traced to 1598, when Germany's Henrich Thielman applied for a patent for a shoulder arm designed for shipboard use to repel enemy boarders. The blunderbuss quickly became popular with the Dutch and English navies. England's growing maritime power seems to have fueled production of these short bell-barrel arms, which were useful during close-in engagements between warships by enabling marines clinging to ship's rigging to use them against the gun crews of opposing vessels. The barrels and furniture of the blunderbuss were typically made from brass, and stocks were most commonly made from walnut. Other, less robust woods were sometimes used, but their tendency to shatter ensured that walnut would remain in widespread use as a stocking material.
The blunderbuss played a role during the English Civil War of 1642-48, and these arms were widely used as a personal defense arm in England during the Commonwealth Period. The lack of an organized system of law enforcement at that time, coupled with the growing threat posed by highwaymen, placed the burden of protecting life and property in the hands of honest citizens.

Although some blunderbusses bore the royal cipher of the Sovereign, they typically did not feature the Broad Arrow identifying government ownership or the markings of the Board of Ordnance, however this example bears the ordnance crown of King George IIIrd. Several brass- and iron-barreled blunderbusses were captured from the forces of Lord Cornwallis upon the latter's surrender to the Continental Army at Yorktown, Virginia in the final land campaign of the American Revolution

As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables, and it will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Overall it is in superb condition with a exemplary original aged patination. the for end on one side has a small combat field service repaired fore stock crack in the wood.  read more

Code: 25557

From Limoges, a Champleve Enamel Gilt & Bronze Sword Belt Plate of a Knight of King Henry II & Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Decorated With A Knight Combating A Beast with Spear and Shield . 1100's 'Opus Lemovicense' Crafted in Limoges, Aquitaine

12th century A.D.. Rectangular plaque with two attachment holes and flange one edge, with traces of a red and blue enamel design of a knight in combat with a beast, armed with a shield and spear, of 'opus lemovicense' { known as the “Work of Limoges"}. This belt plate was created by the same workshop and possibly the very same craftsmen that created on of the finest surviving medieval works of art, the Becket Casket, that now resides in the Victoria and Albert Museum. The belt plate contains the very same blue enamel as the Becket Casket.

A beautiful yet relatively very inexpensive example of 900 year old medieval enamel work from Limoges, in Aquitaine. Crafted from a highly technical workshop under the patronage of King Henry IInd and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine

Limoges enamels, the richest surviving corpus of medieval metalwork, were renowned throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. Yet today they are little known outside academic circles. The present volume, L'Œuvre de Limoges, published in conjunction with the exhibition Enamels of Limoges, 1100–1350, brings to deserved public attention nearly two hundred of the most important and representative examples from the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Musée du Louvre, the great church treasuries of France, and other sources. Early in the twelfth century, goldsmiths at the Benedictine Abbey of Conques in the hills of the ancient province of Rouergue began to create enamels whose jewel-like colors and rich, golden surfaces belied their fabrication from base copper. Within a generation, this technique was established in the area of the Limousin itself. By the 1160s the enamels created at Limoges, known as opus lemovicense, were a hallmark of the region. They were to be found not only in the Limousin and the neighboring region of the Auvergne but also in Paris, in monasteries along the pilgrims' road to Santiago de Compostela, at the Vatican, and in the cathedrals of Scandinavia.

The works of Limoges were created for important ecclesiastical and royal patrons. The wealth of enameling preserved from the Treasury of the abbey of Grandmont, just outside Limoges, is due chiefly to the Plantagenet patronage of Henry II and his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Enamels created during their reign resonate with the elegant style of the court, and the dramatic history of Henry's monarchy is evoked by such works as the reliquary of Saint Thomas Becket. Ecclesiastical patrons such as Archbishop Absalon of Lund, Cardinal Guala Bicchieri, and, above all, Pope Innocent III were key to the dissemination of Limoges work throughout the churches of Europe.

While few of the artists who created the enamels that have come down to us are known by name, the works of several—Master Alpais, Garnerius, and Aymeric Chretien—are here juxtaposed with related pieces, some of them demonstrably from the same atelier. Clearly, the ability of the goldsmiths of Limoges to adapt their work to meet the demands of a varied clientele was an essential element in their success. Victorines and Franciscans joined Benedictines among the patrons of Limoges. Before the middle of the thirteenth century, the goldsmiths of Limoges began to create tomb sculptures of gilt copper with enameled surrounds, the most famous being the paired images of John and Blanche of France, children of Saint Louis. Objects decorated with enameled coats of arms came into prominence at about the same time.

Eleanor of Aquitaine (1137-1152) was one of the most powerful and influential figures of the Middle Ages and Queen of both France and England. Her legendary Courts of Love were said to have established and preserved many of the rituals of courtly love and chivalry- and had a far-reaching influence on literature, poetry, music and folklore.

The Becket Casket is a reliquary made in about 1180–90 in Limoges, France, and depicts one of the most infamous events in English history, the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket. Following the assassination, relics of St Thomas were placed in similar reliquaries and dispersed across the world. This 'chasse' shaped reliquary is made of gilt-copper round a wooden core, intricately decorated with champlevé enamel to tell the story of Thomas Becket through literal and symbolic imagery. An exemplary showcasing of the Limoges enamel technique, this reliquary is now located in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England.

The Becket Casket is ornately decorated with champlevé enamel surrounding its wooden core and gilded copper interior. The decorative technique of champlevé enamel is a method in which high heat is utilized to fuse a powdered glass material into a recessed area of a metal surface.

The basic process of enameling involves fusing powdered material, such as glass, to the outer surface of a metallic or similar object through the use of high temperature. It is an ancient artistic process, used throughout history and crossing borders to create beautifully decorated pieces of all kinds. The process of champlevé enameling holds almost all of the basic steps as that of regular enameling. However in this technique, recesses of all shapes and sizes are carefully carved into the metallic body of the object and further filled with the powdered glass or frit, allowing for a different finish. The recessing in the body of the object can also be cast or etched, and the following steps remain the same.

The Becket Casket is shown in photo 8 in the gallery

See Taburet-Delahaye, E. & Boehm, B.D., L'Œuvre de Limoges, Paris, 1995,Enamels of Limoges, 1100–1350
Gauthier, Marie-Madeleine, Bernadette Barriere, Dom Jean Becquet, Elisabeth Taburet-Delahaye, Barbara Drake Boehm, Michel Pastoureau, Beatrice de Chancel-Bardelot, Isabelle Biron, Pete Dandridge and Mark T. Wypyski
1996

34mm x 34mm  read more

Code: 25555

A Superb British Light Dragoon Regimental Sword. 21st LD. The Regiment's Colonel Was One Of the Most Famous & Infamous American Revolutionary War's British Light Dragoon Commanders, Colonel {Later Brevet General} Banastre Tarleton

A very good King George IIIrd regimental trooper's issue sabre, in very nice condition, and regimentaly marked for the 21st Light Dragoons, the spine bears the maker’s details, “JosH H. Reddell & Co.” Joseph Hadley Reddell was a Napoleonic War's Birmingham maker, a noted supplier of swords to the British Government Board of Ordnance.

Famous in England due to his exploits in the Americas, and at the same time, infamous to Americans, due to his reputation for given what was known as 'Tarleton’s Quarter' to the surrendered, which was effectively 'No Quarter Offered'.

Between 1806 and 1816, under Col. Tarleton’s Command, the 21st LD was stationed in Cape Colony. While stationed here it sent men to the 1807 Battle of Montevideo in South America, as well as sending men to Barbados between 1808 and 1809. In 1816 it sent men to the Capture of Tristan de Cunha, due to Napoleon's incarceration there in late 1815. Saint Helena {Napoleon Bonaparte's island of exile}, is one of the three constituent parts of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, a remote British overseas territory.

During the Napoleonic wars, under the command of Banastre Tarleton, the regiment uniquely had four black enlisted volunteer regimental trumpeters, three from the West Indies and one American.
In the course of the colonial war in North America, Cornet Tarleton's campaign service during 1776 earned him the position of brigade major at the end of the year; he was twenty-two years old. He was promoted to captain on 13 June 1778. Major Tarleton was at the Battle of Brandywine and at other battles in the campaigns of 1777 and 1778. One such battle, in 1778, was an attack upon a communications outpost on Signal Hill in Easttown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, which was guarded by troops commanded by Capt. Henry Lee III, of the Continental Army, who repulsed the British attack
Tarleton materially helped Cornwallis to win the Battle of Camden in August 1780. On 22 August, he was promoted to major in the 79th Regiment of Foot (Royal Liverpool Volunteers). He defeated Thomas Sumter at Fishing Creek, aka "Catawba Fords", but was less successful when he encountered the same general at Blackstock's Farm in November 1780.
On 29 May 1780, Colonel Tarleton, with a force of 149 mounted soldiers, overtook a detachment of 350 to 380 Virginia Continentals, led by Colonel Abraham Buford. Buford rejected Tarleton's invitation to surrender on essentially the same terms as the Charles Town garrison. The Continentals continued marching, not preparing for battle until they heard their rear guard in action. Only after sustaining many casualties did Buford order the American soldiers to surrender. Nonetheless, Tarleton's forces ignored the white flag and massacred the soldiers of Buford's detachment; 113 American soldiers were killed, 203 were captured, and 150 were severely wounded. The British army casualties were 5 soldiers killed and 12 soldiers wounded. From the perspective of the British Army, the affair of the massacre is known as the Battle of Waxhaw Creek. In that time, the American rebels used the phrase "Tarleton's quarter" (shooting after surrender) as meaning "no quarter offered".

Forty years later, Robert Brownfield, a surgeon’s mate in the Second South Carolina Regiment at the time of the battle, wrote an account. He said that Colonel Buford raised the white flag of surrender to the British Legion, "expecting the usual treatment sanctioned by civilized warfare"; yet, while Buford called for quarter, Colonel Tarleton's horse was shot with a musket ball, felling horse and man. On seeing that, the Loyalist cavalrymen believed that the Virginia Continentals had shot their commander – while they asked him for mercy. Enraged, the Loyalist troops attacked the Virginians and "commenced a scene of indiscriminate carnage never surpassed by the ruthless atrocities of the most barbarous savages"; in the aftermath, the British Legion soldiers killed wounded American soldiers where they lay.

Tarleton's account, published in 1787, said that his horse had been shot from under him, and that his soldiers, thinking him dead, engaged in "a vindictive asperity not easily restrained".

Regardless of the extent to which they were true or false, the reports of British atrocities motivated Whig-leaning colonials to support the American Revolution. On 7 October 1780, at the Battle of Kings Mountain, South Carolina, soldiers of the Continental Army, having heard of the slaughter at Waxhaw Creek, killed American Loyalists who had surrendered after a sniper killed their British commanding officer, Maj. Patrick Ferguson.

On 17 January 1781, Tarleton's forces were virtually destroyed by American Brigadier General Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens. Tarleton and about 200 men escaped the battlefield.

Lieutenant Colonel William Washington commanded the rebel cavalry; to deprive the rebels of leadership he was targeted by the British commander and two of his men. Tarleton was stopped by Washington himself, who attacked him with his sabre, calling out, "Where is now the boasting Tarleton?" A cornet of the 17th, Thomas Patterson, rode up to strike Washington but was shot and killed by Washington's orderly trumpeter.

Washington survived this assault and in the process wounded Tarleton's right hand with a sabre blow, while Tarleton creased Washington's knee with a pistol shot that also wounded his horse. Washington pursued Tarleton for sixteen miles, but gave up the chase when he came to the plantation of Adam Goudylock near Thicketty Creek. Tarleton was able to escape capture by forcing Goudylock to serve as a guide.

Tarleton continued to serve in the British Army and was promoted to colonel on 22 November 1790, to major-general on 4 October 1794 and to lieutenant-general on 1 January 1801. Whilst on service in Portugal, Tarleton succeeded William Henry Vane, 3rd Earl of Darlington as colonel of the Princess of Wales's Fencible Dragoons in 1799. Tarleton was appointed colonel of the 21st Light Dragoons on 24 July 1802. He was brevetted to general on 1 January 1812. He had hoped to be appointed to command British forces in the Peninsular War, but the position was instead given to Wellington. He held a military command in Ireland and another in England.

Trumpeter Andrew John Baptiste was born in the West Indies c.1780 (one source gives his birthplace as ‘Mandingo, Africa’). He enlisted in the 21st in July 1799. On enlistment he was 5/3 and ¼” tall with a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. A labourer by occupation, he was discharged, being invalided, at the Cape (South Africa), in July 1817. He is not recorded as being paid a pension, so it is likely that he was either simply discharged or received a gratuity.His surname was rendered as Babtiste and Bapliste. The Mandingo tribe Bissau.

Trumpeter Samuel Campbell was born in St Domingo c.1783. He enlisted in the 21st in October 1800. On enlistment he was 5/7 and ½” tall with a black complexion, black eyes, black hair and was a carpenter by occupation. A married man, he had probably met his wife Margaret (nee’ Roque), whilst the regiment was serving in Ireland. Their son, also named Samuel, was baptised in Woodbridge, Suffolk, when the regiment was quartered there in March 1805. He died in February 1812, serving in the latter stages of the 4th Xhosa War. Credit of £1/14s/1d was paid to his wife, Margaret, in Limerick, Ireland.

Private La Fleur Crittee was born in Pon-di-Cherry, East Indies c.1779. (Puducherry, India). He enlisted in the 21st in August 1805. On enlistment he was 5/11” tall with a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. A servant by occupation, he died in November 1815, whilst the regiment was serving in the Cape (South Africa). Sources: Forename also rendered as La Flean, and surname as Cartter, Cretie and Crittie.

Trumpeter Samuel Thomas was born in St Vincent c.1778. He enlisted in the 21st in March 1799. On enlistment he was 5/5” tall with a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. Invalided at the Cape (South Africa) in July 1817, he transferred to the Cape Cavalry. Discharged as a Trumpeter on a pension “being worn out”, in January 1821, he was described as being of “very good character”.

Trumpeter John Williams was born in Baltimore, USA c.1783. He enlisted in the 21st in September 1806. On enlistment he was 5/6” tall with a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. A labourer by occupation, he was discharged in the Cape, (South Africa), in June 1817.

No scabbard.
Painting in the gallery of the IV Light Dragoons and their black trumpeter.  read more

Code: 25554