Antique Arms & Militaria

A Very Rare, And Incredibly Beautiful, Regimental British Sword Museum Piece, From The Napoleonic Wars. A 1st Regiment Of Foot Sabre With Battle Honour Crest Of The Sphinx. For The Egyptian Campaign {For the Battles of Aboukir 1801 & Alexandria 1801}

A Beautiful 1803 pattern British combat infantry regimental sword for the Royal Scots, the 1st Regiment of Foot. A glorious museum piece for its combination of beauty and incredible combat history

This wonderous sabre looks as good as anything you will see on display in the Tower of London Armoury museum. This beauty could be the prize 'star' piece of any collection of rare Napoleonic swords

Copper gilt 1803 pattern slotted hilt with lion's head pommel royal crest GR knuckle bow, slotted hilt with four regimental badges of the 1st Regiment of Foot The Royal Scots, with figure of the Sphinx battle honour. Wooden ribbed grip and original copper gilt mounted scabbard with maker engraving of John Salter of 35 the Strand, London. Maker to the Duke of Sussex, and a famed maker of swords for Admiral Lord Nelson, and Lloyds Patriotic Fund.

The overall condition of the sword is very good indeed, yet it has clearly been used, in impressive hand to hand combat, as the sword blade’s cutting edge has numerous attacking and defensive edge-to-edge sword cuts. Very likely acquired during its last combat service use at Quatre Bras and Waterloo, as the cuts would have been removed by the regimental armourer in order to restore a smooth cutting edge ready for the next battle, that never occured of course, thanks to the Duke of Wellington's magnificent victory over Napoleon.

A remarkable regiment of incredible combat history. They fought, with honours awarded, in the Egyptian Campaign against Napoleon, serving in the Mediterranean. This included Toulon (1793), Corsica (1794), Aboukir (1801) and Alexandria (1801). In 1799, the battalion also took part in the unsuccessful Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland. In the Peninsular war, they fought at Corunna (1809), before being evacuated and sent on the Walcheren Expedition. It returned to Iberia, taking part in many engagements, including Fuentes de Onoro (1811), Salamanca (1812), Vitoria (1813) and the Battle of Nive (1813), before advancing into France in 1814. It later fought magnificently at Quatre Bras and Waterloo (1815).

The 1st Regiment of Foot (Royal Scots), 3rd Battalion, played a key role at Waterloo in Kempt’s Brigade (1st Division), positioned along the Ohain Road. They withstood heavy artillery, held their position during intense infantry attacks, and advanced in the late afternoon. They previously fought at Quatre Bras, forming a successful square with the 28th Foot.

Positioned on the left of the allied line, they were heavily involved in defending against French advances.
They held their position, forming lines and squares to combat French infantry and cavalry charges. During lulls, they withdrew to the reverse slope to avoid artillery fire.

Fighting at Quatre Bras on June 16, forming a combined square with the 28th Foot to repel cavalry.

During Waterloo, the regiment was involved in close-quarters fighting against initial French attacks, later supported by the Union Brigade cavalry.
Major Campbell was wounded, with command falling to Captain Robert Macdonald.
The regiment advanced towards the ridge after the fall of La Haye Sainte around 5:00 PM.

The 3rd Battalion was part of Major General Sir James Kempt's 8th British Brigade.

The Royal Scots (1st Regiment of Foot) was the oldest and most senior infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, raised in 1633 and serving until 2006. Known as "Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard," it was formed by Sir John Hepburn for service in France before joining the British establishment in 1678. The regiment was amalgamated into the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Originally raised in 1633 by King Charles I as a Scottish regiment for French service during the Thirty Years War, later known as the Regiment de Douglas or Regiment de Dumbarton.
Precedence: It was recognized as the 1st Regiment of Foot in 1751.
Major Campaigns: Served in the War of Spanish Succession (Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet), 7 Years War, Napoleonic Wars (including Waterloo).
The Napoleonic Wars: During the Napoleonic Wars, they were heavily involved in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo in 1815
The development of the Pattern 1803 Flank Officer's sword originates with formation of grenadier and light companies in the late 18th century. These were considered the elite of both the Foot Guards and line infantry, and could be detached and deployed separately. The grenadier company was the senior company of any infantry battalion and would typically lead an assault. The light company fulfilled the skirmishing role for the battalion. When a battalion was deployed in line, the grenadier and light companies were deployed on the right and left flanks respectively, and both companies could be could be called upon to operate in looser formations and semi-independently. The added element of risk associated with detached skirmishing in looser formations meant that the officers of these companies needed a more robust fighting sword than the straight 1796 pattern.  read more

Code: 26176

A Wondrous Quality 18th Century Gilt Bronze Hilted Royal Naval Officers Sword of Hunting Hanger Form

Due to its superlative quality it was likely formerly the the property of a duke, prince, or an aristocrat of the highest status. It is also very similar to the the Walpole-Suckling Hunting Hanger Sword believed Carried by Capt. Horatio Nelson, sold by Sotheby's special treasures sale in 2003, see photo 10 in the gallery.

Originally intended for use in the boar or stag hunt, but most usually used in the early part of the 18th century by British senior officers in the Royal Navy. There are many portraits of Queen Anne period Naval admirals and the like carrying their hunting swords while in service aboard ship, as it was the perfect size for close combat use, aboard a well and profusely rigged man o’ war.
In the gallery is a portrait of Admiral Benbow holding his very similar hunting sword, another of Admiral George Churchill with his same sword, and once again with his same hunting sword Admiral Sir Cloudsley Shovell.

In the seminal works, 'Swords for Sea Service' by May and Annis, shown in photographed plates 80 and 81, are two other 18th century hunting swords used by noted naval officer's, one by Galfridus Walpole, said to have been used by Nelson and the other sword of Admiral Don Francisco Xavier Winthuysen, that was surrendered to Commodore Nelson at the Battle of St Vincent in 1797

Finest gilt bronze hilt engraved and cast throughout of scenes of hunts. With sharkskin grip, cast repousse decorated shell guard, knuckle bow and pommel, decorated with full relief very finely engraved blade with hunting scenes of wild boar. The wild boar is the ancestral species of the domestic pig. It is native across much of Central Europe
Unlike the Romans for whom hunting boar was considered a simple pastime, the hunting of boars in Medieval Europe was mostly done by nobles for the purpose of honing martial skill. It was traditional for the noble to dismount his horse once the boar was cornered and to finish it with a dagger. To increase the challenge, some hunters would commence their sport at the boars mating season, when the animals were more aggressive. Records show that wild boar were abundant in medieval Europe. A charging boar is considered exceptionally dangerous quarry, due to its thick hide and dense bones, making anything less than a kill shot a potentially deadly mistake. Hunting dogs have been used to hunt boar since ancient times. Boar hunting dogs are loosely divided into two categories, bay dogs, and catch dogs.
Bay dogs harass and harry the boar, keeping it cornered in one place and barking loudly. This behaviour is known as "baying" or keeping the boar "at bay". The bay dogs' barking alerts the hunters to the bay, so that the hunter may catch up and kill the boar.the clergy demanding tribute from commoners in the form of boar carcasses or body parts. In 1015 for example, the doge Ottone Orseolo demanded for himself and his successors the head and feet of every boar killed in his area of influence.

In this period, because of the lack of efficient weapons such as guns, the hunting of boars required a high amount of courage, and even the French king Philip IV died from falling off his horse when charged by a boar.

The sword is in fine condition for its age. It lacks the small quillon end  read more

Code: 21041

A Superb 17th Century Kora of the Gurkhas of Nepal

The blade has an unusual shaped tip, inlaid with brass cross devices within fine engraved borders and bands, twin disc guards, iron grip, stupa-shaped pommel. The Kora is possibly the oldest form of sword of the Gurkhas and it may well be that their phenomenal military success was largely due to their possession of such a terribly effective weapon." 'Kora,' has an inner cutting edge, with which those who use it skilfully are enabled to cut a foe in two at a single blow." Its appearance reminds of the European Sabre but instead of curving upwards (back) it has a wide tip, a forward curved blade, single edged on its concave side, the latter two characteristic sit shares with the Kukri knife. When used correctly the forward curved blade concentrates the power/energy of the strike to the curved area thus allowing more force to be utilised at the point of contact in each blow. It is designed with its practical application in mind, to chop/slash and not for Classical fencing, yet its usually light enough if the need arises. Like Nepal, the Kora & Kukri are strongly associated with the Gurkhas and was firstly illustrated in Col. William Kirkpatrick's work "An Account of the kingdom of Nepal?" published in London, 1811 based on his travels in 1793 to Nepal. There both the Kukri and Kora is for the first time illustrated to the wider worlds public. The Kora was traditionally used warfare and personal protection, but also played and still plays a function in the religious sphere where it is used to behead sacrificial animals in one blow, otherwise believed to bring bad fortune and the sacrifice is considered useless. Thus both a skilled man and a formidable blade is needed, the Kora certainly passes the criteria!.

Photo 9 in the gallery of the Bagbhairab Temple, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. they are Koras used from the battle of Kirtipur during the 1760`s.

Blade 55cms, overall 70.5cms. Jolly nice condition for age.  read more

Code: 21790

A Superb Ancient Greek Bronze Scholar’s Tablet Ring From The Time of Alexander the Great Circa 340 BC. Engraved With Symbolic Crosshatching Of Stylized Pre-Euclidean Geometry, And In The Proportions of A Greek Stele. From the Greek στήλη

Another collection of fine antiquities will be added soon, including this most rare scholar’s tablet ring from the time of Alexander the Great. A ring as could be worn by such as one of the greatest philosophers in history, Aristoteles. Very fine naturally aged bronze ring, in rectangular tablet form, with crosshatch engraving of stylized pre-Euclidean geometry

The great philosopher Aristoteles taught Alexander the Great in Naoussa
In the year 342 bc King Philip II of Macedonia invited. in the area of Naoussa, the great philosopher Aristoteles to educate his 13 year old son Alexander, who will be later known throughout the world as Alexander the Great.
Aristoteles accepted to undertake the education of Alexander and the children of Macedonian nobles in the Temple of the Nymphs near Naoussa. Many of these students would become Alexander’s friends and future generals. Aristotle taught Alexander and his friends about medicine, philosophy, morals, religion, logic, and art. Under Aristotle’s tutelage, Alexander developed a passion for the works of Homer. Aristotle gave him an annotated copy, which Alexander later carried on his campaigns.
This location of the Temple of the Nymphs near Naoussa is rounded with nature, trees, a river and a small swamps. Walking through the nature the philosopher Aristoteles taught Alexander using the epic poems of Homer.
The location is an incredible area that has more than 2300 years of history.

Alexander the Great himself famously wore jewelry that was full of imagery and symbolism. He frequently commissioned and wore jewelry, of bronze, silver and gold, with themes that celebrated his divinity, his victories, and his idea of a unified universe. He expressed his divine background and goals by using mythical creatures. Additionally, to emphasize his status as a monarch.

Steles have also been used to publish laws and decrees, to record a ruler's exploits and honours, to mark sacred territories, generally taller than it is wide, erected in the ancient world as a monument. The surface of the stele often has text, ornamentation, or both.

Picture in the gallery of Stele of Arniadas.

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: 25437

A Fabulous Knight’s Seal Ring, From Agincourt to the Wars of the Roses Period. A 15th Century Ring with an Intaglio Stylized Engraving of An Armoured Knight on Horseback Holding Aloft His Knightly Sword, a Fabulous and Beautiful Piece.

This is a really rare original piece, and it has been many decades since we last even saw an intaglio seal ring, made for a knight of the realm, that is actually depicting an engraved armoured knight as the body of the seal itself, but as one that is holding his sword aloft for combat, this must be the rarest of all.
Overall it is in fabulous condition with a stunning naturally aged bronze patination. Around 600 years old probably worn for a 100 years, or possibly much more. The intaglio seal engraving is superb. Armour-protected knights charged on horseback wielding their knightly swords and lances ten to eleven feet long (cut down to as short as five feet by both the French and English at the Battle of Agincourt). The age of the lance ended with the rise of the bowmen in the fourteenth century. While the devastating volleys of English longbow men had initiated the change at Crecy on August 26, 1346, it was massed bodies of pikemen that really thwarted cavalry charges, as they did at the Battle of Pavia in 1525. Large quantities of lances would also have been used at Agincourt by men-at-arms, the sword by knights and some men-at-arms. The small mounted French force at the battle tasked with driving off the English archers would have been equipped with this lance type weapon. The vast majority of the French men-at-arms, and all of the English, were dismounted but still used lances at Agincourt. The English had an advantage over the French at the battle however, because the latter had decided to shorten their lances to give them greater control over their weapons prior to the battle. This proved to be a mistake during the melee as the longer English lances meant that they had a greater reach and were able to push over the French. One account of the lance used at Agincourt involved an assault on King Henry himself." under the banner of the Lord of Croy, eighteen gentlemen banded themselves together of their own choice, and swore that when the two parties should come to meet they would strive with all their might to get so near the King of England that they would beat down the crown from his head, or they would die, as they did; but before this they got so near the said King that one of them with the lance which he held struck him such a blow on his helmet that he knocked off one of the ornaments of his crown. But not long afterwards it only remained that the eighteen gentlemen were all dead and cut to pieces; which was a great pity; for if every one of the French had been willing thus to exert himself, it is to be believed that their affairs would have gone better on this day. And the leaders of these gentlemen were Louvelet de Massinguehem and Garnot de Bornouille" King Henry V of England led his troops into battle and participated in hand-to-hand fighting, sword in hand. The French king of the time, Charles VI, did not command the French army himself, as he suffered from severe psychotic illnesses with moderate mental incapacitation. Instead, the French were commanded by Constable Charles d'Albret and various prominent French noblemen of the Armagnac party.

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

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

The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic wars for the throne of England. They were fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet, the Houses of Lancaster and York. They were fought in several sporadic episodes between 1455 and 1487, although there was related fighting before and after this period. The conflict resulted from social and financial troubles that followed the Hundred Years' War, combined with the mental infirmity and weak rule of Henry VI, which revived interest in the alternative claim to the throne of Richard, Duke of York.

The final victory went to a claimant of the Lancastrian party, Henry Tudor, who defeated the last Yorkist king, Richard III, at the Battle of Bosworth Field. After assuming the throne as Henry VII, he married Elizabeth of York, the eldest daughter and heiress of Edward IV, thereby uniting the two claims. The House of Tudor ruled England and Wales until 1603. Queen Margaret and her son had fled to north Wales, parts of which were still in Lancastrian hands. They later travelled by sea to Scotland to negotiate for Scottish assistance. Mary of Gueldres, Queen Consort to James II of Scotland, agreed to give Margaret an army on condition that she cede the town of Berwick to Scotland and Mary's daughter be betrothed to Prince Edward. Margaret agreed, although she had no funds to pay her army and could only promise booty from the riches of southern England, as long as no looting took place north of the River Trent.

The Duke of York left London later that year with the Earl of Salisbury to consolidate his position in the north against the Lancastrians who were reported to be massing near the city of York. He took up a defensive position at Sandal Castle near Wakefield over Christmas 1460. Then on 30 December, his forces left the castle and attacked the Lancastrians in the open, although outnumbered. The ensuing Battle of Wakefield was a complete Lancastrian victory. Richard of York was slain in the battle, and both Salisbury and York's 17-year-old second son, Edmund, Earl of Rutland, were captured and executed. Margaret ordered the heads of all three placed on the gates of York.

A fine, ancient, but even wearable ring size N1/2  read more

Code: 25457

Original Antique MK I - II Short Lever Martini Henry Rifle, Dated 1875, By Enfield, Early Model Long Cocking Indicator, With Original Victorian Leather Sling. Rare Brass Muzzle Dust Cover & In Fabulous Condition. One Of Only 1400 Early MK1 Models Made

Original Antique MK I-II Antique Short Lever Martini Henry Rifle, with Victorian leather sling & fabulous stock patina, and great steel condition with barely negligible traces of corrosion anywhere. Numerous inspection stamps throughout the rifle, upon the barrel, action, trigger guard, dust cover etc. With Superb Steel Patination & Stock Patina

Only about 1400 MK I’s were made and in 1877 they were replaced by the MK II which incorporated several design improvements learned from the MK I. At this time the surviving MK I’s were factory
converted to the MK II. When converted to the MK II an additional “I” was added to the
receiver markings, which resulted in the marking being skewed to the right of centre, whereas rifles made originally as a MK II would have this marking centered.

The stock looks as good as the very best quality walnut stock can be, after it was used by a front rank regiment for several decades.

In our opinion this conservation has revealed this wonderful rifle to be one of the best and beautiful ‘used’ examples outside of the National Army Museum

Returning from professional hand conservation Fully actionable and a superbly tight mechanism.

The most desirable Martini Henry are the MK I's and the MKI-II's, The very types of Martini short Lever rifle as were used by the 24th Foot at Ishandwhana and Rorke's Drift, and then later in the Afghan War and several conflicts against the Mahdi in the Sudan. They were even also used up to WW1 by some colonial regiments. This is a very fine early original ordnance contract example, best line regiment issue, and made by Enfield with VR Crown mark stamped 'sx' on the breech for upgraded hardened steel pin.

This rifle was made at the Enfield arms workshop and is a truly exceptional and beautiful example, maker marked, and in very good operational order indeed with an excellent action, but clearly combat used.

The Martini Henry, .450 577 rifle was most famous British Infantry breech loading rifle of the 19th century. This rifle is just as were used in the film ZULU, and the exact model type as was used during the Zulu War, a much superior condition stunning example.

The Martini-Henry breech-loading rifle, firing
cartridges, was the primary British infantry weapon during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War, crucial at battles like Rorke's Drift. While capable of 12–20 rounds per minute, it suffered from overheating and jamming due to gunpowder residue, leading to severe recoil and performance issues in sustained, close-range combat.
Key Aspects of the Martini-Henry in the Zulu War
Weapon Specifications: The Mark II was the most common model used alongside with the earlier issue, rare, MK I-II, featuring a short lever-action breech block and often a 25-inch socket bayonet essential for melee.The rifle was accurate and long-ranged, but produced heavy smoke. Continuous firing caused excessive heating and fouling, forcing soldiers to use cleaning rods to dislodge stuck, fired cartridges.

At Rorke's Drift, disciplined volleys from the Martini-Henry enabled a small force to hold off large Zulu numbers. However, ammunition shortages and jamming issues contributed to the disaster at Isandlwana.
Soldiers were often only issued 70 rounds, which was insufficient during sustained Zulu attacks.
Bayonet Use: The long bayonet was crucial, as the rifle was 4ft 9in long, giving soldiers a vital range advantage in close-quarters fighting.

The weapon was well-regarded for its power but required careful maintenance, which was difficult during the heat of the conflict

This Martini-Henry dated 1875, was the breech-loading lever-actuated rifle adopted by the British, combining an action worked on by Friedrich von Martini (based on the Peabody rifle developed by Henry Peabody), with the rifled barrel designed by Scotsman, Alexander Henry. It first entered service in 1871 replacing the Snider-Enfield, and variants were used throughout the British Empire for 30 years. It was the first British service rifle that was a true breech-loading rifle using metallic cartridges.
During the Martini-Henry period in service, the British army were involved in a large number of colonial wars, most notably the Anglo-Zulu War. The Martini Henry, 450-577, Short Lever, MK I converted MK II or the regular MK II rifle was the type used by the company of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot present at Rorke's Drift during the eponymous battle. The MK I originally had a small design fault in that the actions hinge pin was initially made of brass, which was too soft for continual use. The rare and early MKI's were thus converted by removing this pin, replacing it with a steel pin, and then redesignated the MKI-II, and the breech stamped ‘six’ as this beauty is.

The Martini Henry were later used throughout the British Empire, as this one clearly was as well. In fact the Martini henry was such a good rifle many survived to be used in WW1 by some colonial regiments.

This absolute beauty was originally acquired by our dear friend and business colleague, around twenty years ago, direct from storage in a former military arsenal, after around 100 years in greased dry storage. It was initially then passed on to a collector, and from there, to us, only yesterday.

We have both types of original Martini Henry socket bayonets, available, the British Pattern 1853/72, bushed bayonet for Martini Henry rifle, and used by the 2nd battalion 24th foot at Rorkes drift.

The pattern 1853/ 72 was called a bushed model as they were modified from 20mm diameter to 18.1 mm diameter by a process then called bushed to fit the new Martini Henry rifle.

The 2nd battalion 24th foot had been in South Africa longer and still had the older pattern 1872 bayonet.

Also;

We have the newer, 1876 pattern Martini Henry socket bayonet, with 21.5 inch blade, {aka the Long Lunger} that was issued to the 1st battalion, the 24th Foot, and used by them at Isandlwana.

The two bayonets are to be sold separately, at £150 GBP each, but, with first option going to the next owner of the rifle, who may wish, neither bayonet, one, or both. Once the rifle's next owner chooses, we will then offer the bayonets for sale {but obviously, only, if one or both remain}

As with all our original antique arms, no licence is required to own, purchase or to collect anything of that description we sell. They, and all of these rifles, are entirely unrestricted to own, collect, and display just as they are, however, we only permitted to sell to those who are over 18 of age with suitable I.d.  read more

Code: 26175