Antique Arms & Militaria

French Model 1874 "Gras" Sword Bayonet

This bayonet, made by scarce maker L Deny Paris in 1880, was the last of the French "sword-type" bayonets. It was manufactured to fit the French Model 1874 "Gras" Infantry Rifle, basically a refinement of the Model 1866 Chassepot Infantry Rifle. The "Gras" was manufactured from 1874 to about 1885.
The French wars during the useful "life-span" of this bayonet were:
Sino-French War 1883-1885;
Madagascar Wars 1883-1885 and 1895;
1st Mandingo-French War 1883-1886;
1st Dahomeyan-French War 1889-1990;
2nd Dahomeyan-French War 1892-1894;
2nd Mandingo-French War 1894-1895;
Conquest of Chad 1897-1914;
3rd Mandingo-French War 1898;
Moroccan War 1907-1912;
World War I (early). Blade 20.5 inches overall 26 inches  read more

Code: 19122

A Good King George IIIrd Period Belgian Light Dragoon Type Percussion Holster Pistol

Based very comparably to the British 1756 Light Dragoon pattern holster pistol, but made circa 1822. A very strong an robust pistol bearing numerous Belgian proof and military inspection stamps, and a Liege 1811 barrel proof stamp, brass skull-crusher butt cap with lanyard ring. percussion action, finest walnut stock that its surface has been fully relief carved with a snakeskin pattern, a cross, a heart and a serpent, and has a fabulous natural patina. strong mainspring, overall 16 inches long, 9 inch barrel. Set to a hair-trigger action  read more

Code: 23641

Another 180 Books Arrived on Saturday! Plus Dozens of Swords, Pistols, Arms and Armour. To Our Regulars Our Weekly E.mail Sendouts Resumed Today

We have simply had too little time to list, catalogue and photograph all our new additions.

New items arriving including several original US Civil War revolvers and sabres, a jolly rare piece of WW2 Section XII SOE sabotage kit, an amazing presentation huge leather bound tome filled with paintings of French Ancient Regime and First Empire army uniforms and swords helmets etc. A stunning collection of sword sticks of the highest quality,

We are trying our best to resume our usual latest additions send-out early this coming week. Apologies to our disappointed regulars.  read more

Code: 25236

A Rare Crimean War Issue, P1839 Tower of London Royal Naval Sea Service Pistol, In Spectacular, As issued Condition, With Original Finish, Blue and Stock Varnish. Positively and Profusely Stamped & Ordnance Marked, With Numerous Inspection Marks

VR Crown Tower lock with date, stock maker marked by the ordnance contractor Tipping and Lawden, and J.Jones. The new Pattern 1839 Sea Service Pistol, was a single shot percussion action sidearm with a captive ramrod, and was was adopted for use by the Royal Navy from 1839. This pistol was nearly identical to the Pattern 1839 British Naval Coast Guard Pistol, but with two significant exceptions. First, the calibre was reduced to 26-Bore (about .57 caliber) and secondly, the pistol was mounted with an additional conventional belt hook rather than just the butt swivel. One other change was the elimination of the bolted safety behind the cock.

The list below was of the ships of the Royal Navy, issued with this pistol for use in the Crimean war, alongside their launch dates.
Arrow-class gunvessel
HMS Agamemnon (1852)
HMS Ajax (1809)
HMS Amphion (1846)
HMS Arrogant (1848)
HMS Ardent (1841)
HMS Basilisk (1848)
HMS Beagle (1854)
HMS Belleisle (1819)
HMS Blenheim (1813)
HMS Boscawen (1844)
HMS Britannia (1820)
HMS Calcutta (1831)
HMS Cornwallis (1813)
HMS Cossack (1854)
HMS Cruizer (1852)
HMS Cumberland (1842)
HMS Cyclops (1839)
HMS Dauntless (1847)
HMS Driver (1840)
HMS Duke of Wellington (1852)
HMS Edinburgh (1811)
HMS Euryalus (1853)
HMS Eurydice (1843)
HMS Exmouth (1854)
HMS Gorgon (1837)
HMS Hornet (1854)
HMS Imperieuse (1852)
HMS James Watt
HMS La Hogue
HMS Leander (1848)
HMS London (1840)
HMS Majestic (1853)
HMS Merlin (1838)
HMS Miranda (1851)
HMS Monarch (1832)
HMS Neptune (1832)
HMS Nile (1839)
HMS Odin (1846)
HMS Orion (1854)
HMS Pique (1834)
HMS Prince Regent (1823)
HMS Princess Royal (1853)
HMS Queen (1839)
HMS Rodney (1833)
HMS Royal George (1827)
HMS Sans Pareil (1851)
HMS St Jean d'Acre
HMS Tartar (1854)
HMS Tiger (1849)
HMS Valorous (1851)
HMS Virago (1842)
HMS Vulture (1843)

The 1839 Sea Service pistols, and WD contract Colt Navy revolvers, were also used in service by the Navy and Marines in the Second Opium War in China.The Colt revolvers for use by the officers, and the sailors and Marines, the single shot sea service pistols.
The Second Opium War, which brought English Camp's Royal Marines to Guangzhou, started after the Chinese seized a suspected pirate ship that was registered as a British merchant vessel, and the murder by the Chinese of a French priest. In retaliation, Britain made an alliance with France began destroying Chinese forts and eventually gathered an international force that would include British, French, and American combatants. This war would last for four years and climaxed with the burning and looting of the Summer Palace in Beijing, shortly after the Royal Marines arrived at English Camp. The Americans joined as allied combatants in the war, but didn’t make a formal alliance with the Anglo French force.  read more

Code: 25230

A Very Fine & Incredibly Impressive Napoleonic 1st Empire French Cuirassier's Sword. The Largest Cavalry Sword Ever Made, for The Tallest Soldiers of France, & Used At Waterloo

Superb and beautiful hilt, with very fine original leather bound grip, and a very fine double fullered blade with stunning bright patina. Steel combat scabbard without denting. French Napoleonic 'An 13' year 13 swords were manufactured from 1805 and discontinued in late 1815, whereupon it was superceded in general by the later hilt style of the 1816 model, although some of the surviving models, such as this beauty, continued in service.
Renown throughout the world of historic sword collectors as probably the biggest and most impressive cavalry sword ever designed. This would have seen service in the Elite Cuirassiers of Napoleon's great heavy cavalry regiments.

Napoleon hoped to compel Tsar Alexander I of Russia to cease trading with British merchants through proxies in an effort to pressure the United Kingdom to sue for peace. The official political aim of the campaign was to liberate Poland from the threat of Russia. Napoleon named the campaign the Second Polish War to curry favour with the Poles and provide a political pretence for his actions. The Grande Armee was a very large force, numbering nearly half a million men from several different nations. Through a series of long marches Napoleon pushed the army rapidly through Western Russia in an attempt to bring the Russian army to battle, winning a number of minor engagements and a major battle at Smolensk in August. Napoleon hoped the battle would mean an end of the march into Russia, but the Russian army slipped away from the engagement and continued to retreat into Russia, while leaving Smolensk to burn. Plans Napoleon had made to quarter at Smolensk were abandoned, and he pressed his army on after the Russians. The battles continued, but once the winter set in Napoleon's army was facing insurmountable odds that left it effectively shattered beyond repair. Napoleon fled, it is said, dressed as a woman, and the army left to it's sad and miserable fate. Only around 27,000 were able to return after a mere six months of the Russian campaign. The campaign was a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. The reputation of Napoleon was severely shaken, and French hegemony in Europe was dramatically weakened. The Grande Armee, made up of French and allied invasion forces, was reduced to a fraction of its initial strength. These events triggered a major shift in European politics. France's ally Prussia, soon followed by Austria, broke their alliance with France and switched camps. This triggered the War of the Sixth Coalition. The Cuirassiers Heavy Cavalry Regiments used the largest men in France, recruited to serve in the greatest and noblest cavalry France has ever had. They fought with distinction at their last great conflict at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and most of the Cuirassiers swords in England very likely came from that field of conflict, after the battle, as trophies of war. However, this sword was one of the few that were allowed to remain in the elite cuirassier corps after Waterloo, serving King Louis XVIIIth both before Napoleon's 100 days, and after his crushing defeat by Wellington at Waterloo. In fact one can see it has been service together with its scabbard, as they are bearing the same serial numbers matching. Inspected on the blade by Lobstein and Bick, also back strap engraved Manufacture Imperial Klingenthal, January 1814. Hilt stamped with the serial number 614, as on the scabbard

Every warrior that has ever entered service for his country sought trophies. The Mycenae from a fallen Trojan, the Roman from a fallen Gaul, the GI from a fallen Japanese, the tradition stretches back thousands of years, and will continue as long as man serves his country in battle. In the 1st century AD the Roman Poet Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis Juvenal
wrote; "Man thirsts more for glory than virtue. The armour of an enemy, his broken helmet, the flag ripped from a conquered trireme, are treasures valued beyond all human riches. It is to obtain these tokens of glory that Generals, be they Roman, Greek or barbarian, brave a thousand perils
and endure a thousand exertions". A truly magnificent Napoleonic sword in superb condition for it's age.
The largest sword of it's kind that was ever made or used by the world's greatest cavalry regiments. The cuirassiers were the greatest of all France's cavalry, allowing only the strongest men of over 6 feet in height into it's ranks. The French Cuirassiers were at their very peak in 1815, and never again regained the wonder and glory that they truly deserved at that time. To face a regiment of, say, 600 charging steeds bearing down upon you mounted with armoured giants, brandishing the mightiest of swords that could pierce the strongest breast armour, much have been, quite simply, terrifying. The brass basket guard on this sword is first class, the grip is totally original leather and a great colour
only shows expected combat wear, the blade is double fullered and absolutely as crisp as one could hope for. Made in the Napoleonic Wars period.
Just a basic few of the battles this would have been used at such as
1814: La Rothiere, Rosnay, Champaubert, Vauchamps, Athies, La Fere-Champenoise and Paris
1815: Quatre-Bras and Waterloo. Apparently every remaining French elite cuirassier regiment fought at Waterloo for Napoleon, and there were no cuirassier reserve, and there were no cuirassier militia

The blade has wonderful steel bright colour, and the hilt has fabulous patina. Overall 45.5 inches long in its scabbard, the spear pointed blade is 37.6 inches long. Old original aged patina and regular usual surface staining to the scabbard steel.  read more

Code: 25231

A Superb & Most Rare 'New York City' Manufactured 1851 Colt Navy Revolver, British Royal Naval Contract Pistol For The British War Department's Supply of Arms For The Crimean War in Russia. In Stunning Condition, & A Rare Beauty.

With matching serial numbers, for 1853, and very good patinated colour and finish overall, with clear and crisp stampings, and good tight action. A truly super and most rarely surviving, original, US manufactured, 1851 Colt Navy ‘British War Department Contract’ marked and stamped pistol. With fine roll engraved cylinder depicting the sailing ship sea battle. Nicely coloured varnished grips.
With the advent of the Crimean War and the sudden need for handguns in the field, the British Ordnance Department placed orders for a total of 23,700 Colt’s “Navy” pistols. The .36 calibre revolver was a departure from British military handgun doctrine in many ways, as it was both a smaller calibre (.36) when compared to the traditional British military pistols that were typically between .58 and .65 calibre, and it was a multi-shot weapon. The general acceptance of modern repeating handguns was still very much up in the air with the British military at that time, but they proceeded with the order anyway. These revolvers were delivered between March of 1854 and February of 1856. While most of these guns were delivered from Colt’s London production facility, additional revolvers were delivered, out of urgency, from his US based Hartford {New York} manufactory as well. Of all the revolvers supplied, 9,600 were issued to the Royal Navy, and 5,000 were issued to the army in the Crimea, such as to the ‘Guards’ regiment officers.

The majority of the British purchased military guns were standard London production Colt Model 1851 Revolvers. These guns featured iron backstraps, large iron rounded triggerguards, the standard Colt London address, small “severe” London style serial numbers, rounded head frame screws and “Slim Jim” grips. Some American-made revolvers were delivered to complete the order, with the usual brass backstraps and triggerguards. This example is one of those few very rare American made examples.
Eventually nearly all of the British military acquired Colt Navy revolvers were marked with the usual London Address, the London proof marks, as well as the government ownership mark of a small {Broad Arrow} and WD (War Department) mark. However, as to the acquisition of the few American manufactured revolvers, and the speed with which the revolvers were issued, some of the American revolvers went into the field during the Crimean War without the added British proof markings {just as this one doesn't possess} but, with just the War Department WD and Broad Arrow, just as this revolver does indeed have.

Period accounts indicate that the Royal Navy found the revolvers very popular and useful, particularly for boarding parties. In fact, after the conclusion of the Crimean conflict, the Royal Navy continued to utilize the Colt revolvers {alongside the 1839 Pattern Sea Service Single Shot Pistol} in Chinese waters during the Second Opium War that broke out in the fall of 1856. Such as aboard HMS Tribune, which brought the Royal Marines to English Camp, and was a participant in the battle of Guangzhou, during which it had successfully destroyed a fleet of Chinese warships in the Pearl River Delta. Members of the Royal Marines had seen combat across China during the Second Opium War, including fighting in sieges of Chinese forts and naval battles also using the WD Colt revolvers.

The Second Opium War, which brought English Camp's Royal Marines to Guangzhou, started after the Chinese seized a suspected pirate ship that was registered as a British merchant vessel. In retaliation, Britain began destroying Chinese forts and eventually gathered an international force that would include British, French, and American combatants. This war would last for four years and climaxed with the burning and looting of the Summer Palace in Beijing, shortly after the Royal Marines arrived at English Camp.

Interestingly, Colt’s 1851 Navy revolver, their 1860 Army Model and the 1861 Navy Model, all sport cylinder scenes of a naval conflict. If you look closely at the cylinders, you’ll find the legend “Engaged 16 May 1843,” along with the flags of the young Texas Republic and the early Mexican colours flying from the ships’ masts. This date, along with the nautical imagery, represents a seaborne battle in which Texas’s Commodore Edwin Ward Moore defeated a superior (in both number of ships and their size) fleet of Mexican warships—a crucial event in Texas’s struggle for independence. This naval scene was another shrewd move on the part of Colonel Sam Colt, since he was purposely catering to the Texas market that had been so prosperous for him in the past.

The Crimean War was the first major European conflict since Samuel Colt’s revolvers took the world by storm at the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations in 1851, the first World’s Fair. Colt debuted his new revolvers in a large display at the fair, including the Model 1851 Navy which was known originally as Colt’s Belt Model. This was to be Colt’s most significant revolver on the international market.

The Observer of London on November 23, 1851, under the heading “Colt’s Revolvers” noted, “No weapon has attracted more attention than the American revolvers of which several specimens were exhibited during the recent Exhibition…” They stated that U.S. Ordnance tests that showed the ‘51 Navy could be fired 1,500 times a day with only one cleaning. It also reported that they had been used in the Mexican-American War, referencing Colt’s earlier Paterson revolvers, and that the British government had approved the Colt for officers in Africa and India and that this sanctioning had, “not only served to clear the shelves and counters of the American department of the Exhibition, but has been the means of obtaining a large number of orders to be executed for persons in this country.”

Other historic 1851 Navy Colt revolvers used by figures involved in the Crimean War, include Emperor Napoleon III, and a cased pair owned by Lord Cardigan, British Commander of the Light Brigade,

A photo in the gallery of HMS Warrior, and Iron-Clad warship, with the rack of WD 1851 Navy Colts aboard.
HMS Warrior is a 40-gun steam-powered armoured frigate built for the Royal Navy in 1859–1861. She was the name ship of the Warrior-class ironclads. Warrior and her sister ship HMS Black Prince were the first armour-plated, iron-hulled warships, and were built in response to France's launching in 1859 of the first ocean-going ironclad warship, the wooden-hulled Gloire. She is now in HM Dockyards  read more

Code: 25229

A Good 1796 Pattern Infantry Officer's Sword, With Near Mint Hilt of Almost All Its Original Mercurial Gilt and Silver Grip Wire.

Mercurial gilt hilt with double shell fold down guard and silver bound grip, and fully engraved blade with Royal cypher and crest, and some dark blue remaining. From the Napoleonic Wars, the Peninsular war, The War of 1812 in America, then in 1815 at Quatre Bras and Waterloo, and with around 95% of the gilt remaining on the hilt. A simply stunning sword in wonderful condition. British infantry officer's sword of the Napoleonic Wars. The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of major conflicts pitting the French Empire led by Emperor Napoleon I against an array of European powers formed into various coalitions. They revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly owing to the application of modern mass conscription. The wars are traditionally seen as a continuation of the Revolutionary Wars, which broke out in 1792 during the French Revolution. Initially, French power rose quickly as the armies of Napoleon conquered much of Europe. In his military career, Napoleon fought about 60 battles and lost seven, mostly at the end. The great French dominion collapsed rapidly after the disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. Napoleon was defeated in 1814, and then once more in 1815 at Waterloo after a brief return to power. The Allies then reversed all French gains since the Revolutionary Wars at the Congress of Vienna.

Before a final victory against Napoleon, five of seven coalitions saw defeat at the hands of France. France defeated the first and second coalitions during the French Revolutionary Wars, the third (notably at Austerlitz), the fourth (notably at Jena, Eylau, and Friedland) and the fifth coalition (notably at Wagram) under the leadership of Napoleon. These great victories gave the French Army a sense of invulnerability, especially when it approached Moscow. But after the retreat from Russia, in spite of incomplete victories, France was defeated by the sixth coalition at Leipzig, in the Peninsular War at Vitoria and at the hands of the seventh coalition at Waterloo.

The wars resulted in the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and sowed the seeds of nationalism that would lead to the consolidations of Germany and Italy later in the century. Meanwhile, the global Spanish Empire began to unravel as French occupation of Spain weakened Spain's hold over its colonies, providing an opening for nationalist revolutions in Spanish America. As a direct result of the Napoleonic wars, the British Empire became the foremost world power for the next century, thus beginning Pax Britannica.

No consensus exists about when the French Revolutionary Wars ended and the Napoleonic Wars began. An early candidate is 9 November 1799, the date of Bonaparte's coup seizing power in France. However, the most common date is 18 May 1803, when renewed war broke out between Britain and France, ending the one-year-old Peace of Amiens, the only period of general peace in Europe between 1792 and 1814. Most actual fighting ceased following Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo on 18 June 1815, although skirmishing continued as late as 3 July 1815 at the Battle of Issy. The Second Treaty of Paris officially ended the wars on 20 November 1815. Overall this battle cum dress sword is in fabulous condition, from a large former museum collection of original Napoleonic Battle of Waterloo swords

The last photo in the gallery shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo .

No scabbard.  read more

Code: 25233

A Rare & Beautiful, Early 19th Century, Scottish Rams Horn Butt, All Steel, Highlander's Flintlock Pistol Made by Macleod. In Super Condition, With All The Features As to Be Expected For a Fine, Original, Highland Officer's Regimental Pistol

A most fine and stunning, early 19th century, Scottish all steel highlander's flintlock belt pistol by MacLeod {a gunsmith works that was founded in the mid 18th century in Doune, Scotland} with flared octagonal muzzle and proved barrel, a signed lock of "highland" type and finely engraved with typical scrolls and a fern border, the entire stock finely and lightly etched overall with iconic thistles, scrolls and trophies. With fine highland ramshorn butt, with removable ball pricker between, and round ball trigger, side belt hook, and a fancy turned steel ramrod. A typical example of the "highland" type lock, but with a fine, automatic hook-cock, half-cock safety to stop accidental missfire. It ejects from the lock plate when cocking the hammer to safely and firmly hold it in place until full-cock is engaged. Beautifully tight and crisp action.

Highland regiment officer's and sergeants wore one steel pistol under the left arm, hung through the pistol's belt hook on a thin buff leather belt. See the original 18th century portrait painting of Captain Gorry of the Highland Volunteer Regiment, with his pistol belt-hook mounted under his left arm. {For illustrative purposes only}

Pistols were considered requisite items for the Highland soldier as early as the 1730s. By the 1740s the elegant pistol styles of Christie & Murdoch (armourers of Doune, Stirlingshire) had became the most sought after amongst Highland officers. The unique elements of the Doune pistols were the scroll or rams horn butt, fluted barrels at the breech and the octagonal flared muzzles. Soon pistol makers all across Scotland (and in England) began to copy the styles of Doune.

Another same form and age pistol by the same maker, signed MacLeod, with the highlanders scroll butt of an 18th century form, with flintlock and rainproof pan, stock, lock and barrel of decorated steel, silver butt escutcheons engraved with the crest of Scott of Abbotsford, sold for £18750 three years ago, in Edinburgh at auction.

A pair of pistols by the same maker which are still within the collection of Sir Walter Scott and on display at Abbotsford. The pistols on display are not only by the same maker but bear a similar armorial engraving as on the pistol sold in Edinburgh. More remarkably, the pistols are recorded in correspondence between Scott and the gunsmith, Mr.MacLeod, being commissioned by him for King George IV’s visit to Scotland in 1822.

Sir Walter Scott’s personal interest in Scottish history and life is well recorded and his collection of historical arms and armour is famous, much of which still decorates his remarkable Borders home, Abbotsford.

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet FRSE FSAScot (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832), was a Scottish novelist, poet and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European and Scottish literature, notably the novels Ivanhoe (1819), Rob Roy (1817), Waverley (1814), Old Mortality (1816), The Heart of Mid-Lothian (1818), and The Bride of Lammermoor (1819), along with the narrative poems Marmion (1808) and The Lady of the Lake (1810). He had a major impact on European and American literature.

Barrel length 7½", 13" overall length,  read more

Code: 25228

A Pair of late Ming to Early Ching Dynasty 16th to 17th Century Cavalry Stirrups

In antiquity, the earliest foot supports consisted of riders placing their feet under a girth or using a simple toe loop. Later, a single stirrup was used as a mounting aid, and paired stirrups appeared after the invention of the treed saddle. The stirrup was invented in China in the first few centuries AD and spread westward through the nomadic peoples of Central Eurasia. The use of paired stirrups is credited to the Chinese Jin Dynasty and came to Europe during the Middle Ages. Some argue that the stirrup was one of the basic tools used to create and spread modern civilization, possibly as important as the wheel or printing press. The stirrup, which gives greater stability to a rider, has been described as one of the most significant inventions in the history of warfare, prior to gunpowder. As a tool allowing expanded use of horses in warfare, the stirrup is often called the third revolutionary step in equipment, after the chariot and the saddle. The basic tactics of mounted warfare were significantly altered by the stirrup. A rider supported by stirrups was less likely to fall off while fighting, and could deliver a blow with a weapon that more fully employed the weight and momentum of horse and rider. Among other advantages, stirrups provided greater balance and support to the rider, which allowed the knight to use a sword more efficiently without falling, especially against infantry adversaries. The Ming Dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644 A.D., during which China’s population would double. Known for its trade expansion to the outside world that established cultural ties with the West, the Ming Dynasty is also remembered for its drama, literature and world-renowned porcelain.

RISE OF THE MING DYNASTY

The Ming Dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644 A.D., during which China’s population would double. Known for its trade expansion to the outside world that established cultural ties with the West, the Ming Dynasty is also remembered for its drama, literature and world-renowned porcelain.

Ming dynasty founder Emperor Taizu, or Zhu Yuanzhang, was born into poverty, and spent part of his youth wandering the country after his parents died following a series of natural disasters centered around the Yellow River.

The Qing [or Ching] dynasty, officially the Great Qing, also called the Qing Empire by itself or the Manchu dynasty by foreigners, was the last imperial dynasty of China, established in 1636 and ruling China from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming dynasty and succeeded by the Republic of China. The Qing multi-cultural empire lasted almost three centuries and formed the territorial base for the modern Chinese state. After conquering "China proper", the Manchus identified their state as "China", and referred to it as Dulimbai Gurun in Manchu (Dulimbai means "central" or "middle," gurun means "nation" or "state"). The emperors equated the lands of the Qing state (including present-day Northeast China, Xinjiang, Mongolia, Tibet and other areas) as "China" in both the Chinese and Manchu languages, defining China as a multi-ethnic state, and rejecting the idea that "China" only meant Han areas. The Qing emperors proclaimed that both Han and non-Han peoples were part of "China". They used both "China" and "Qing" to refer to their state in official documents, international treaties (as the Qing was known internationally as "China" or the "Chinese Empire") and foreign affairs, and "Chinese language" (Dulimbai gurun I bithe) included Chinese, Manchu, and Mongol languages, and "Chinese people" referred to all subjects of the empire. In the Chinese-language versions of its treaties and its maps of the world, the Qing government used "Qing" and "China" interchangeably.  read more

Code: 20708

A Really Fine and Interesting Late 18th Century Early Sikh Empire Lahore Talwar, With Possibly a Wootz Blade

The hilt [also known as tulwar] comprises langets with lotus-head outlines, domed quillons, and a centrally swollen grip. A knuckle guard with a terminal that recurves toward the disc-pommel which has been attached with a pointed sunburst plaque, a decorative feature further fitted at its centre with a dome and lotus bud finial. The surface has square sectional patterned engraving that once contained silver inlay.

There are clear indications that this particular hilt is of Punjab manufacture: the fat vase shape of the grip section, the slightly forward angle of the quillons and the former geometric pattern of silver koftgari. The hilt is of slightly larger than average proportions and fits comfortably in the hand.

The blade of considerable size, yet slender, and good quality is fitted to the hilt and could possibly be of wootz - this can only be revealed through a professional etch, polish and cleaning of the blade. We have chosen not to do this to keep the historical integrity of the sword and its age.

The blade shape is purely Persian, of shamshīr (شمشیر‎) form with a narrow, pointy blade of deep curvature. Such blades are ideal for close-quarters cutters, with the deep curve helping it target specific places that normal swords could not attach. The type of blade is a referred to as a ‘goliya’ (meaning round) in India. The blade is a highly practical one, with several indications [impacts etc. ] that show that it was clearly used in battle.

The blade has an early engraved armoury storage number MN42. What this most beautiful sword lacks somewhat in condition due to combat. It most easily more than makes up for it in historical interest, quality and beauty.

30 inch blade  read more

Code: 24484