Antique Arms & Militaria

An Absolutely Beautiful Original 2nd Century Imperial Roman Officer or Noble's Carved Intaglio, Carnelian Gem Stone, Status Seal Ring, Depicting a Dolphin. Originally Worn in the Roman Empire's of Trajan to Commodus

In Rosemary Sutcliff’s 'Eagle of the Ninth' series of books, a similar Dolphin ring was first owned by a Roman soldier and passed down the family over the centuries.

Made and worn during the reigns of;
Emperor Trajan
Emperor Hadrian
Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Emperor Lucius Aurelius Verus
Emperor Commodus Antoninus

The carvings on rings and seals are known as Intaglio, and a seal ring was part of Roman society for nobles, military officers and citizens. They were personal signets, and the more valuable were made from a small gemstone, with a design cut into the surface by skilled craftsmen, and usually set within a ring. They were used to seal important documents, and objects by making an impression on soft clay or wax. Wearing a carved carnelian signet ring immediately showed that you were of rank, and thus had status, wealth and influence. Some surviving rings have been found across Roman Britain, in towns and military sites alike, including two at the Waddon Hill former Roman military fort site..

Dolphins, like those seen on the Venus Mosaic found at Kingscote in Gloucestershire, are a fairly popular image in Roman art. They have a rich background in Greek and Roman mythology, literature, and folklore. They were often included in sculptures to improve the stability of the main figures!

Dolphins are featured in many Greek and Roman myths. Here, they are symbols of romance, illustrating the theme established by the depiction of Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love, in the central roundel of the mosaic. The presence of these dolphins alongside Venus also serves as a reminder of the myth that Venus was born from the sea, famously depicted in Botticelli’s late fifteenth century painting ‘The Birth of Venus’.

Their association with Venus is by no means their only significance in Greek and Roman mythology. In the sixth/seventh century B.C. ‘Homeric Hymns’, Dionysus, the Greek God of Wine and Theatre (who later became Bacchus in Roman mythology), was kidnapped by pirates. He turned into a lion to punish the kidnappers and, terrified, they jumped overboard. When they hit the water, Dionysus turned them into dolphins. The ‘Homeric Hymns’ also describe Apollo, a Greek and Roman God, turning into a dolphin to guide a ship into harbour. Another myth tells that Apollo’s son, Eikadios, was shipwrecked and carried to shore by a dolphin. This is one of many myths about dolphins rescuing drowming men, or bringing bodies back to shore for burial.

Dolphins are also often associated with minor sea deities. The Roman author Statius wrote in his first century A.D. epic poem ‘Achilleid’ that the sea-nymph Thetis rode a chariot through the sea that was pulled by two dolphins. Similarly, Philostratus’ ‘Imagines’describes a scene in which the one-eyed cyclops Polyphemus falls in love with the sea-nymph Galatea while she is riding four dolphins.


3/4 of an inch across.  read more

Code: 24626

A Stunning Rarity, A Solid Silver Roman Military Ring, Possibly of a Tribune or Legatus, or Even the Personal Guard of the Emperor Contantine Ist, of the Roman Empire. Engraved with the Personal Wreathed Labarum Standard of Constantine the Great

Engraved with the Personal ‘Wreathed Labarum’ Standard of Constantine the Great.
A Labarum engraved ring of Constantine Ist's Military standard showing the symbol 'Chi Rho' surrounded by the victory symbol laurel wreath. As it is a solid silver ring it likely demonstrates it was awarded and worn by an Imperial Roman military commander of high rank. Roman bronze rings and bracelets were awarded and allowed to be worn by the Legionary or Centurion, but the silver grade was only for the ranks of such as the Centurion, Tribune or Legate. Plus, as the Emperors symbol is framed in the engraving within a laurel wreath of victory, it may most likely have been awarded to the highest rank of Tribune [a wide stripe Tribune] or, a Legate, after a great victory in combat. Possibly after the Battles of Livium Bridge against Maxentius and the Battle of Chrysopolis against Emperor Licinius in the East, The religious aspect of the conflict was reflected in Licinius drawing up his battle lines with images of the pagan gods of Rome prominently displayed, whilst Constantine's army fought under his talismanic Christian standard, the labarum. Licinius had developed such a superstitious dread of the Labarum he forbade his troops from attacking it, or even looking directly at it.

Constantine’s saw his divine message from Christ, it was;
‘In hoc signo vinces’ – “In this sign, you will win”

The Labarum was a square legion's banner of the 4th century Roman Empire, with golden fringes, hung on a cross beam, on which was embedded the Chi-Rho Christogram, and sometimes also the image of Christ in purple and gold. It was introduced by Emperor Constantine the Great. It was the banner of the Roman legions but used only when the emperor was with the army.

According to an account by Eusebius of Caesarea, before the battle at the Milvian Bridge (October 28, 312 CE) Constantine the Great had a vision that allowed him to win. Around noon, he was to see a luminous cross in the sky, and under it, an inscription in Greek – “You will overcome this”. Better known in Latin translation In hoc signo vinces – “In this sign, you will win”. The next night in a dream, Christ commanded him to use the sign of the cross against his enemies. Eusebius then describes labarum (legionary’s banner) with the sign of Chi Rho.

The Labarum, became the sacred military standard of the Christian Roman emperors, first used by Constantine I in the early part of the 4th century AD. The Labarum—a Christian version of the vexillum, the military standard used earlier in the Roman Empire—incorporated the Chi-Rho, the monogram of Christ, in a golden wreath atop the staff. The flag was made of purple silk (purple dye being at this time a rarity derived from a shellfish of the genus Murex) richly embroidered with gold. Although usually suspended from a horizontal bar, it appears to have been displayed occasionally by fastening one of its sides to its staff.

Constantine was the first emperor to convert to Christianity. He ended the policy of persecuting Christians and in 313 CE issued the Edict of Milan, proclaiming the freedom to profess this religion.

A silver ring of a hoop form, with nicely shaped shoulders, circular bezel nicely engraved with the Emperor's Chi Rho cross, within a laurel wreath roundel. In the gallery is the Labarum of Constantine I, reconstructed from the depiction on a follis Roman coin, minted c. 337. The three dots represent "medallions" which are said to have shown portraits of Constantine and his sons. plus another Roman coin showing his standard, an artistic representation of the Emperor's Labarum, and an original roman carved marble panel, showing Emperor Constantine holding his personal standard adorned with his Chi Rho symbol at the very top.

Battle of Milvian Bridge, (October 28, 312 CE), major battle in a Roman civil war between Constantine I and Maxentius. After the collapse of the Roman Empire’s Second Tetrarchy, Constantine and Maxentius asserted competing claims to the imperial throne. At Maxentius’s goading, Constantine invaded the Italian Peninsula. A lightning campaign saw Maxentius killed in battle at the Milvian Bridge on the outskirts of Rome. Constantine’s victory confirmed his role as ruler of the Western Empire. According to ancient sources, Constantine converted to Christianity just before the battle. The Battle of the Milvian Bridge may have concluded Constantine’s civil war with Maxentius, but it was not his final battle. In the East, Licinius conquered his rival Maximinus Daia’s lands. However, he held them only briefly before Constantine invaded, first in 314 and again in 316. Constantine seemingly eschewed any subtlety of manoeuvre, he launched a single massive frontal assault on Licinius' troops and routed them.[6][8] He won a decisive victory in what was a very large-scale battle. According to the fifth-century historian Zosimus, “There was great slaughter at Chrysopolis.” Emperor Licinius was reported to have lost 25,000 to 30,000 men, with thousands more breaking and running in flight. Licinius managed to escape and gathered around 30,000 of his surviving troops at the city of Nicomedia.

Recognising that his surviving forces in Nicomedia could not stand against Constantine's victorious army, Licinius was persuaded to throw himself on the mercy of his enemy. Constantia, Constantine's half-sister and Licinius' wife, acted as intermediary. Initially, yielding to the pleas of his sister, Constantine spared the life of his brother-in-law, but some months later he ordered his execution, thereby breaking his solemn oath. This occurred because Licinius was suspected of treasonable actions, and the army command pressed for his execution. A year later, Constantine's nephew, the younger Licinius, also fell victim to the emperor's anger or suspicions. He was executed in 326 and had his name expunged from official inscriptions.

In defeating his last foe, Licinius, Constantine became the sole emperor of the Roman Empire; the first such since the elevation of Maximian to the status of Augustus by Diocletian in April 286. After his conquest of the eastern portion of the Roman Empire, Constantine made the momentous decision to give the east its own capital, and the empire as a whole its second. Constantine was now the undisputed ruler of the entire Roman Empire. As thanks for his good fortune and proof of his conviction, he would make Christianity the state’s most favoured religion. But Constantine would also abandon the city whose conquest had cemented his conversion. The capital would be relocated east to the city of Byzantium (renamed Constantinople, modern Istanbul). Rome would be left to crumble, and with it the Western Empire.

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


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Code: 24628

A Gold Inlaid Traditional Persian Armour Suite, of Helmet, Shield & Arm Defence. The Kulah Khud,(کلاه‌خود) Sipar (سپر), and Bazu Band (بازوبند). Late 18th to Early 19th Century, Possibly Wootz Steel { Pulad}

A simply stunning suite of original armour comprising the traditional Kulah khud, dhal, and bazu band. Most likely made in Isfahan

A very fine set of Persian armour consisting of a shield; sipar (سپر), helmet; kulah khud (کلاه‌خود) and armguard; bazu band (بازوبند) for the left hand. Such sets often come with only one bazu band, and curiously, it is always the left one like seen here.

The helmet has a hemi-spherical skull, pierced with four heart-shaped panels each fitted with an iron plate within a moulded frame, the skull fitted at its apex with a low spike, a pair of plume-holders at the front and with a staple for a sliding optional nasal guard, decorated over the greater part of its surface with gold koftgari flowers and foliage and mail neck-defence of butted links; the bazu band of a gutter-shaped form, fitted with hinged inner arm-defence, each decorated with gold and silver koftgari foliage, and chain mail covering for the hand of butted links, and with a padded lining; and the dhal somewhat in the size of a buckler of shallow convex form, the outer face applied with brass and gold and silver koftgari inlay foliage and flowers and decorated with silver koftgari foliage enriched with gold flowers: Koftgari is the name for Indian form of Damascening used on Indo-Persian armour and weaponry, which also closely resembles the Damascening found in Persia and Syria.

The inlay process begins after the piece is moulded and fully formed. The intended design is engraved into the base metal and fine gold or silver wire is then hammered into the grooves.

The base metal is always a hard metal, either steel, iron or bronze, and the inlay a soft metal, either gold or silver. This combination prevents the base from deforming when the wire inlay is hammered into the surface and results in the inlaid areas being well defined and of sharp appearance.

Swords, shield and armour were often decorated in koftgari . Persian arms and armor enjoyed widespread fame across the world and naturally found their way to the armories of Ottoman and Indian rulers. Aside from fine craftsmanship, the Persians were known to produce very fine wootz, most notably in the city of Isfahan.

Armours such as this fine suite could be used by the guard of nobility or Ta'zieh

The Ta'zieh were religious passion plays that recounted the tragedy of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. They were performed at set dates and local royalty, and even the Shah himself, took great pride in organizing them in the most lavish manner:

"Among the " properties " may be reckoned horses, mules, camels, etc, all richly caparisoned; lions and other wild beasts from the Shah's menagerie; carpets, shawls, dresses, and suits of armour of every description; European uniforms for the Feringhi ambassador and his suite, who intercede with Yezid for the lives of Hussein's family; and an endless variety of ornamental objects old and new. Some months ago the Shah ordered a collection of ancient metal vases to be made, to add to the splendour of the next Tazieh."

-Robert Murdoch Smith, 1876



Fine sets of Persian arms and armour thus found their way through export to the palaces of Ottoman and Indian rulers but also to the arms panoplies that were commonly found in the homes of European gentlemen, particularly in Britain. The British traditionally always had a great fondness of this form of high quality, exotic Asian weaponry, helmetry and armour.  read more

Code: 21499

A Fine Original Italian Papal Army Helmet Cabasset c.1570 From The Papal Armoury, Used By The Cannoneers of the Papal Artillery. Also Cabassets Sent To Japan For The Kirishitan Catholic Converts. Acquired From The Papal Armoury, in The Vatican, by Fentons

Good Heavy Italian Infantry Helmet Cabasset c.1570, hammered steel raised from a single plate, medial ridge with pear stalk finial, border retains its original brass rosettes (2 missing) each embossed with a ring of 6 stars, stepped flared brim with turned over edge, retaining original linen lining band inside. 19cms tall. Excellent condition.

Provenance, originally from The Papal Armoury at the Vatican and subsequently acquired by London antique arms dealers Fenton & Sons Ltd. In 1919.

Fenton and Sons, Antique Arms and Armour, traded in London from 1894-1927. and supplied, amongst others, the British Museum. Interesting aside, we used to supply them with antique armour, in the 1920's until 1927 when they closed down.

This and a few others were acquired by Fentons in 1919 and were listed in their catalogue. They were all from the Papal Armoury in Rome made for the Barberini family.

The Barberinis supplied the armour and cabassets for the Papal Army in the late 16th century, a period fraught with anarchy and bandits and direct attacks on papal territories by Parma.
The close association led to Maffeo Barberini becoming Pope Urban VIII. His brother Taddeo was made Supreme Commander of the Papal Army. The helmets, including this one, were from the papal armoury and served through the papal wars. It is estimated that about 4500 men served the Papal Army and most would have worn these cabassets, making the original number of the group well over 4000. Other cabassets from the group are now in the Musio Storico Vaticano the Old Papal armoury now in the Vatican Historical Museum in the Lateran Palace, Rome.

Some cabassets and cuirass’s went to Japan with the bodyguard of the Vatican’s missionary priests on the ‘Black Ships” for the Kirishitan {Catholic} samurai converts. Some were given to the samurai converted clans, others were returned after the missionary priests were ordered to leave Japan in 1587 with their Catholic guard. They were the lucky ones, the many that stayed were martyred in Japan ten years later in 1597. Christianity became a hidden religion, and the samurai that refused to re-covert back to Buddhism and the Shinto cause, that were discovered, were tortured horrifically, some, allegedly, being sawn in half vertically from the groin up. See picture 10 in the gallery depicted a priest blessing a samurai who is adorned in adapted Papal armour {Cabasset and Cuirass}

The Papal Army was the loosely-construed army of volunteers and mercenaries in the service of the Italian Papal States, active from the 8th century until the capture of Rome by Italy in 1870. The Papal States maintained a sizeable military during the Middle Ages, using it to fight against the Holy Roman Empire and its Ghibelline allies.
During the 1300s, the Papal States began to employ the services of condottieri, mercenaries who sold their services to the extremely wealthy Catholic Church. These forces would be instrumental to the defence of the Pope during the Italian Wars of the 15th and 16th centuries, with Cesare Borgia leading the Papal Army on a campaign of conquest that added several new city-states and regions to the Papal States' territories. Painting in the gallery of the Massacre of San Bartolome in the Catholic-Protestant Religious Wars, where the French crown aided by Queen Catherine de Medici, mother of the French King, with the Pope's blessing, slaughtered ten of thousands of Huguenots what is considered the second deadliest religious war in European history (surpassed only by the Thirty Years' War, which took eight million European lives) The pope was so delighted with the massacre he ordered a Te Deum to be sung as a special thanksgiving (a practice continued for many years after) and had a medal struck with the motto Ugonottorum strages, (Latin: " slaughter of the Huguenots 1572"

Intriguingly some of the papal armoury was selected to go with the Catholic priests on the ‘Black Ships’ to aid the attempted conversion to Catholicism of the Japanese. In fact in many respects it was very successful, and several clans converted, and the Catholic armour of the Pope’s Army was utilised and made into Japanese versions of kabuto {helmets} and complete yoroi {suits of upper armour} see picture 10 in the gallery.

Oda Nobunaga (1534–82) had taken his first step toward uniting Japan as the first missionaries landed, and as his power increased he encouraged the growing Kirishitan movement as a means of subverting the great political strength of Buddhism. Oppressed peasants welcomed the gospel of salvation, but merchants and trade-conscious daimyos saw Christianity as an important link with valuable European trade. Oda’s successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–98), was much cooler toward the alien religion. The Japanese were becoming aware of competition between the Jesuits and the Franciscans and between Spanish and Portuguese trading interests. Toyotomi questioned the reliability of subjects with some allegiance to the foreign power at the Vatican. In 1587 he ordered all foreign missionaries to leave Japan but did not enforce the edict harshly until a decade later, when nine missionaries and 17 native Kirishitan were martyred.

After Toyotomi’s death and the brief regency of his adopted child, the pressures relaxed. However, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the great Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1867), gradually came to see the foreign missionaries as a threat to political stability. By 1614, through his son and successor, Tokugawa Hidetada, he banned Kirishitan and ordered the missionaries expelled. Severe persecution continued for a generation under his son and grandson. Kirishitan were required to renounce their faith on pain of exile or torture. Every family was required to belong to a Buddhist temple, and periodic reports on them were expected from the temple priests.

By 1650 all known Kirishitan had been exiled or executed. Undetected survivors were driven underground into a secret movement that came to be known as Kakure Kirishitan (“Hidden Christians”), existing mainly in western Kyushu island around Nagasaki and Shimabara. To avoid detection they were obliged to practice deceptions such as using images of the Virgin Mary disguised as the popular and merciful Bōsatsu (bodhisattva) Kannon, whose gender is ambiguous and whom carvers often render as female.

The populace at large remained unaware that the Kakure Kirishitan managed to survive for two centuries, and when the prohibition against Roman Catholics began to ease again in the mid-19th century, arriving European priests were told there were no Japanese Christians left. A Roman Catholic church set up in Nagasaki in 1865 was dedicated to the 26 martyrs of 1597, and within the year 20,000 Kakure Kirishitan dropped their disguise and openly professed their Christian faith. They faced some repression during the waning years of the Tokugawa shogunate, but early in the reforms of the emperor Meiji (reigned 1867–1912) the Kirishitan won the right to declare their faith and worship publicly.  read more

Code: 23583

A Most Impressive Original 16th -17th Century Nuremberg 'Black and White' Comb Morion Helmet, The Very Same Form of Helmet As Was Made Famous by the Spanish Conquistador’s in Their Conquest of Central America

The depiction of conquistadors with high comb morions is widespread, ranging from
international movies, such as ‘Captain from Castille’ (1947) with Tyrone Power or ‘Aguirre,
The Wrath of God’ (1972) with Klaus Kinski, to the current Lego ‘Conquistador’ series. Peaked
morions are particularly prominent in the later, 1594, illustrations of Theodore de Bry.

A most similar morion, was in the great historical collection of arms armour from the armoury of, in Zleby Castle. which contained some Nuremberg 'black and white' morion helmets such as this. Morion is a type of open helmet used from the middle 16th to early 17th centuries, such as by the Munich Town Guard, usually having a flat brim and a crest from front to back. Its introduction was contemporaneous with the exploration of North, Central, and South America. Explorers like Hernando de Soto and Coronado may have supplied them to their foot soldiers in the 1540s. The iconic morion, though popularly identified with early Spanish explorers and conquistadors, was not in use as early as the conquest of Mexico by Hernan Cortez or Francisco Pizarro's conquest of the Incas in South America. Thirty to forty years later, it was widely used by the Spanish, but also common among foot soldiers of many European nationalities, including the English; the first English morions were issued during the reign of Edward VI. The crest or comb on the top of the helmet was designed to strengthen it. Later versions also had cheek guards and even removable faceplates to protect the soldier from sword cuts.

The morion's shape is derived from that of an older helmet, the Chapel de Fer, or "Kettle Hat." Other sources suggest it was based on Moorish armor and its name is derived from Moro, the Spanish word for Moor. The New Oxford American Dictionary, however, derives it from Spanish morrion, from morro 'round object'. The Dictionary of the Spanish Language published by the Royal Spanish Academy indicates that the Spanish term for the helmet, morrion, derives from the noun morra, which means "the upper part of the head". A somewhat similar example is in the Metropolitan Museum in New York accession number 14.25.508

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: 26213

A Superb Original Zulu War Souvenir of a Knopkerrie Staff of an Induna High Ranking Zulu. His Symbol of Authority, Prestige, and Status. Another Induna's Example Was Taken By Lt Bromhead At Rorke's Drift, Now In The Regimental Museum

In 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War, a Zulu chief or high-ranking induna carried a long knobkerrie (iwisa) not merely as a weapon, but as a symbol of authority, prestige, and status.

While ordinary warriors used knobkerries for close-quarters combat—designed to crush skulls, often proving more effective than spears in tight fighting—a chief's knobkerrie was frequently a highly refined, ornate staff. Or the large Knop {head} type

Carved from extremely dense, heavy, indigenous hardwood root to create a beautiful, dark, polished patina over years of use.

Often features a perfectly spherical or slightly flattened knob at the end of a long, thin handle, occasionally adorned with complex geometric or zig-zag carvings at the grip.
High-ranking examples were sometimes adorned with intricate, fine copper or iron wire binding, indicating the status of the owner.
It was a "prestige object" handled daily, representing the bearer’s power to command.

Another induna's wooden staff of Zulu War origin, in the regimental museum, is described as being ‘taken’ by Major Gonville Bromhead, 24th Regiment, at the Battle of Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War, 1879, South Africa.

Later presented to Henry Germain Mainwaring, 24th Regiment
Physical description Staff carved from dark brown wood with two polished heads at the top
and a hand-grip featuring a raised decorative pattern (amasumpa).

Above and beneath the hand-grip the staff is inscribed:
'From Major G. Bromhead / XXIV / To / H.G. Mainwaring / XXIV / Taken at the / Attack /
on / Rorke's Drift / 22nd Jan / 1879'. Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh, Brecon

51 inches long  read more

Code: 26215

A ‘Special Offer’ Pair, A Single Fired Musket Ball & Single Musket Flint From The Waterloo Battlefield Site During the Construction of the Waterloo Mound in the 1820’s

From the field of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, during a Grand Tour at the building of the Waterloo mound, a huge lion monument at the battle site of Waterloo, in honour of the Prince of Orange. A collection 20 assorted musket flints and pistol and musket balls recovered from Waterloo, offered by us as a matched pair of one ball and one flint at a time. Originally purchased by the nobility from the peasant excavators in Belgium, while building the Prince of Orange's Waterloo Mound at the battlefield in the 1820's, and acquired by us from their descendants as a collection of 20. From part of our antiquities and curiosities acquired from a circa 1820's Grand Tour classical collection from Europe and the Middle East. Such as Agincout, Poitiers, Crecy, Waterloo, Philippi, and following Alexander's campaign trail of his conquests then part of the Ottoman Empire. We have been purchasing piecemeal from the same family for around 20 years, military items and artefacts from the family's forebears Grand Tour in the early 19th century.

We are offering them as two fabulous souvenirs of the famous Duke of Wellington's victory over France and Napoleon, a matched pair, one flint and one ball.
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday, 18 June 1815, near Waterloo in Belgium, part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands at the time. A French army under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated by two of the armies of the Seventh Coalition, a British-led coalition consisting of units from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Hanover, Brunswick, and Nassau, under the command of the Duke of Wellington, referred to by many authors as the Anglo-allied army or Wellington's army, and a Prussian army under the command of Field Marshal von Blücher, referred to also as Blücher's army. The battle marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars. The battle was contemporaneously known as the Battle of Mont Saint-Jean or La Belle Alliance (the beautiful alliance).
Waterloo was the decisive engagement of the Waterloo Campaign and Napoleon's last. According to Wellington, the battle was "the nearest-run thing you ever saw in your life". Napoleon abdicated four days later, and coalition forces entered Paris on 7 July. The defeat at Waterloo ended Napoleon's rule as Emperor of the French and marked the end of his Hundred Days return from exile. This ended the First French Empire and set a chronological milestone between serial European wars and decades of relative peace, often referred to as the Pax Britannica. The battlefield is located in the Belgian municipalities of Braine-l'Alleud and Lasne, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Brussels, and about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the town of Waterloo. The site of the battlefield today is dominated by the monument of the Lion's Mound, a large artificial hill constructed from earth taken from the battlefield itself; the topography of the battlefield near the mound has not been preserved. Photo is of ten of our twelve pairs

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The Lanes Armoury, world renown as Britain's favourite specialist collectors shop, and also a font of historical and educational information that is detailed with every single item. We detail each piece alongside its historical context, either generic or specific, for those that may wish to read, learn, or be informed, as opposed to simply acquire collectable items. It is probably one of the oldest companies of our kind in the whole of Europe and we have been established through generations, as specialists in armoury antiques, militaria collectables, and specialist books, since the early 1900’s, and thus we have continued to be one of the largest in the world today. We are also very pleased to know we are also studied and read by academics and students from hundreds of universities around the world, by those that are interested in not only British but worldwide history.
For this reason we also like to be known as a learning and researching website.
Everyday we are contacted by historians that wish to make contributions to our detailed information for our pieces, and to thus add to our constant dedication to impart historical knowledge, that may be unknown to many of our millions of viewers.

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

Code: 23946

A Superb Zulu War Zulu Chiefs Knopkerrie Staff, With Entwined Serpent, Identical to King Chetwayo's Staff, It was the British Museum Since 1963. A Typical Senior British Officer's Souvenir of the Zulu War.

Chetswayo's staff is now in the National Army Museum

Although it is typical for officers that commanded their men in the Zulu War of 1879 to return to England with souvenirs such as this beauty, this is absolutely not a typical example. The serpent entwined knopkerrie staff is incredibly rare, and this is an exceptionally rare Zulu War artefact.

Chiefs were awarded the privilege to use the knopkerrie staff, but so few used the serpent entwined type.

Made of South African hardwood the knopkerrie long staff were permitted to be used by high ranking Zulu warrior veterans such as chiefs and kinglets, and as one can see that King Chetswayo had the same one it confirms just how rare the serpent entwined version really is.

This is a stunning example with breathtaking natural age patina and in superb condition.

King Cetshwayo was the last Zulu King. At the time British people spelt the name Cetewayo, but nowadays it is more likely to be Cetshwayo, closer to the actual pronunciation. After a long and brave fight by the Zulu army, the King was captured after the battle of Ulundi in 1879 by Major Richard J.C. Marter of the Kings Dragoon Guards. Colonel Harford described the moment King Cetewayo gave himself up – “the King …strode in with the aid of his long stick, with a proud and dignified air and grace, looking a magnificent specimen of his race and every inch a warrior in his grand umutcha of leopard skin and tails, with lion’s teeth and claw charms round his neck”.

In 1882, Mr F.C. Lucy took a collection of these valuable items back to Britain after a trip to South Africa. The list was long and included Cetewayo’s knopkerrie walking stick, 13 throwing and stabbing assagais (light spears), 3 knobkerries (clubs), clothing with bead work, 2 Kaffir pipes and 2 Zulu pipes, as well as a number of natural history objects.

These were donated to the Banff Museum by Mr Lucy of London, via his mother-in-law Mrs Ewing, who lived in St Catherine Street. The walking stick is listed as being in the museum in 1919 (Banff and District by A. Edward Mahood). After this it is difficult to track what happened to Cetewayo’s stick until it turns up in the British Museum in 1963 {see their photograph of his knopkerrie walking stick}. It is there listed as being previously owned by Cetshwayo kaMpande, Banff Museum, and from the collection of Captain A.W.F. Fuller.

As one can see, this knopkerrie stick is near identical to Chetswayo's knopkerrie walking staff, that is shown in photo 4, photo 2 is an original photo portrait of King Chetswayo

34 1/5 inches long overall  read more

Code: 26212

A Great Looking Original MK1-11 Martini Henry ' Short Lever' Mid 1870's Issue, From The Zulu War Period With Superb Steel & Stock Patina. One of Only 1400 Ever Manufactured. The Most Famous Victorian Service Rifle Ever Issued. Zulu War Collection.

Original Antique MK I-II Antique Short Lever Martini Henry, with large cocking indicator, one of the first 1400 only ever made, between 1871 to 1876, all the others subsequently were MKIIs, from 1876, then MKIIIs and finally MKIVs. The gun has really good stock patina, and great steel condition, with barely negligible {if any} traces of corrosion anywhere. Numerous inspection stamps throughout the rifle, upon the barrel, action, trigger guard. With two Board of Ordnance Broad Arrow roundel stamps upon the buttstock. One original earlier {not readable} beneath a clearer second partly readable for empire service. Traces of VR Crown stamp to the lock, with broad arrow and I I {off centre} below.

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. Meanwhile before the MKIIs were issued the early original 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, just as this Martini-Henry has, and often each of the two ‘I I’ stamps can be of slightly differing sizes, whereas rifles made originally, from 1876, as a MK II issue would have this marking centered and of equal size.

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.

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

This rifle was made at one of the ordnance arms workshops and is a truly exceptional and beautiful example, 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, that dates to around 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.

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 great rifle, after its front rank line regimental service use, was taken out of regular infantry service, around 25 years after its first issue, and transferred to such as the Canadian, British Columbia penal service in Vancouver, whereupon the barrel was internally bored out and was increased {in 1903} by 0.026 of an inch, in order to accept the larger ball I.P. cartridges. The price of this beauty reflects that internal adaption in order to extend its useful service issue life within the empire. Externally however, the gun looks exactly as it did during its front rank service in the Zulu War era of 1879, and is in superbly actionable condition.

The lock plate bears the offset MK I I stamp beneath the ordnance broad arrow, plus the VR and large crown, worn, but still identifiable.

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 long guns, are entirely unrestricted to own, collect, and display just as they are, however, we are only permitted to sell to those who are over 18 of age with suitable I.d.  read more

Code: 26198

A Superb, Late 18th Century Napoleonic Wars Volunteer Jäger Officer’s Rifle. With Finest Walnut Stock And High Quality Mounts, Fine Quality Rifled Barrel of Approx .75 Inch Bore. The Rifle Purchased & Issued By The Army Before The Baker Rifle Was Produced

This beauty is likely the best, and best value, original rifle {with ordnance crown inspection stamp} used by the British Army, under the command of The Duke of Wellington, during the Napoleonic Wars. The latest of just three 60th Rifles service Jägers we have be privileged to acquire in the past 15 years.

Fine walnut full stock, in great polish, with King George IIIrd crown stamp on the inner butt box slide, and carved rifle cheek-piece. Sighted barrel, with the with traditional wooden Jägers patch box, and very finely engraved brass mounts, traditional rifle trigger guard and the butt plate is numbered 4, it has its original rifle ramrod with carved bone end to match the carved bone forend. Superb set trigger action conversion to percussion, in its working life in order to extend its use, and enable its use in foul weather.

An original Napoleonic & Anglo-French wars period issue Officer’s grade rifle, used by an officer of the 60th Regiment, and the predecessor rifle to the world renown Baker Rifle, that was itself a Jager rifle copy, that was issued to the 95th. Another remarkable thing about this rifle is that is a little more than half the cost today of its equivalent, yet more well known successor, a regulation issue Baker Rifle. This is due to the fact it does not quite have the fame as associated with the Baker Rifle of the 95th Rifles, much due to the wonderful modern book and film series penned by Bernard Cornwall, ‘Sharp of the 95th’ etc.

These Austro-Prussian made rifles, used by the 60th Rifles Regt. Volunteers, are referred to in British Military Firearms 1650 to 1850 by Howard Blackmore. As Assistant Keeper of Arms at the Tower of London, Howard, personally showed Mark three such identical examples, used by the 60th Rifles, that were in the Tower Collection, around 50 years ago.

The story of the earliest British rifle regiment goes as follows; at the end of 1797 - the year in which the Duke of York became colonel in-chief -of the 60th, it was decided to increase British forces in America, and an Act of Parliament was passed authorizing the Crown "to augment His Majesty's 60th Regiment of Infantry by the addition of a Fifth Battalion," to serve in America only, and to consist of foreigners.

“De Rottenburg organized his new battalion entirely for the special duties of ‘Riflemen.’ They were to be the ‘eyes of the army.’ He instituted a perfect system of drill for riflemen, and out-post duties; this system he printed in a book, which was afterwards embodied in the book of ‘Field Exercise and Evolutions of the Army,’ with a complimentary order by the Duke of York, then Commander-in-Chief.

This battalion, the first green-coated rifle battalion in the Army, was organized under the command of Lieut-Colonel Baron de Rottenburg, of Hompesch's Corps. It was formed of 17 officers and 300 men from Hompesch's Chasseurs, and was dressed in bottle-green cut-away coats with scarlet facings, white waistcoats, blue pantaloons, with black leather helmets and black belts. They were armed, at first, with inferior 'contract' rifles imported from Germany, but after those were rejected this better type was chosen. This fifth or "Jager" battalion served in Ireland in 1798 during the Rebellion, and then proceeded to the West Indies, where, in June, 1799, it received 33 officers and 600 men from Lowenstein's Chasseurs, another regiment of foreigners, at the capture of Surinam in 1791 and afterwards in South and North America.
In 1804 an Act was passed authorizing 10,000 foreign troops to serve in England, and the 5th Battalion was brought home in consequence in 1806. It went to Portugal in June, 1808, and from the opening skirmish at Obidos, on 15th August, two days before the battle of Roleia or Rolica down to the end of the war, took part in Wellington's campaigns in Portugal, Spain and the South of France.
This rifle was used prior to and during the Napoleonic Wars, the Peninsular War, the War of 1812 in America, and in the period of War of the 100 Days at Waterloo. The men in Hompesch’s British rifle corps were of all nations, except English and French and four hundred of the ‘Mounted Riflemen’ formed the nucleus of the new battalion, but they were chiefly Germans, and in Germany Rottenberg placed recruiting officers for the purpose of raising men for Britain's 60th.". "The battalion thus formed was the original of those battalions now so well known, and so distinguished in every sense of the word, as ‘Riflemen.’
The men were dressed and equipped as Jägers. They were armed with rifles, and carried what were called ‘rifle bags’ made of leather, instead of knapsacks; they grew the moustache, and they were dressed in green. In this particular they claim priority, in time, to all other battalions in the British army….” A superbly effective rifle, and a super and fine historical example, with the traditional German style patch box in wood as opposed to the Baker's brass version. A very fine walnut stock, brass furniture, including large ramrod pipes, heavy steel ramrod. Superb tight and crisp action. 30 inch rifled octagonal barrel, 45.5 inches long overall. “The men in Hompesch’s British rifle corps were of all nations, except English and French and four hundred of the ‘Mounted Riflemen’ formed the nucleus of the new battalion, but they were chiefly Germans, and in Germany De Rottenberg placed recruiting officers for the purpose of raising men for Britain's 60th.". "The battalion thus formed was the original of those battalions now so well known, and so distinguished in every sense of the word, as ‘Riflemen.’ The men were dressed and equipped as Jägers. They were armed with rifles, and carried what were called ‘rifle bags’ made of leather, instead of knapsacks; they grew the moustache, and they were dressed in green. In this particular they claim priority, in time, to all other battalions in the British army….” On our previous example, we had a few years ago, it still had inside the patch box, its original hand written label circa 1800, in part English and German, that gave what we believed to be the name of the rifleman 'Kluge' that used it, it's calibre, the gun's number 157, promise right of supply, and notes on it's accuracy at 100 ,150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600 & 700. We can enclose with our compliments a copy photo of that list, in our previous Jager rifle of the 60th, just to show to the new owner of this rifle, what it once may also have had stuck within the patch box lid. Before the standard Baker rifle, which was a near direct copy of this Jäger rifle, replaced the Jäger rifles, this was the rifle acquired by England from Prussia, by the British ordnance, and was issued to the earliest British rifle regiment the 60th, formed in the late 18th century. They were then used in America and Ireland, and then in Spain, Portugal & France

The riflemen were the first to fight the French at Obidos on Aug. 15, and then again played a leading role in the Battle of Roliça two days later.

Following Roliça, Wellesley decided to take five companies of the 5/60th and place them in each of the other brigades. This would strengthen the light companies of the battalions in those brigades and give them some rifle-armed troops. The decision was quickly vindicated by the 5/60th’s performance at the Battle of Vimeiro on Aug. 21. Not only did the five companies that were still brigaded with the 95th help defeat an attack on Wellesley’s centre, but the detached companies were present wherever the French attacked.

They also quickly gained a reputation for targeting French officers. Charles Leslie of the 29th Foot wrote:

“In this battle the 60th Riflemen, who were all Germans, showed great tact in taking advantage of the ground and dexterity in the use of their arms. General Fane, who commanded the light troops, observing one of these men successfully hit one or two French officers who were gallantly exposing themselves in front leading on their men, exclaimed in the excitement of the moment, ‘Well done, my fine fellow! I will give you half a doubloon for every other one you bring down.’ The man coolly loaded again, fired, and hit another, then looking at the General, he said gravely, ‘By Got, I vill make my vortune’.”

This rifle is a superb piece, in fabulous condition in all parts, walnut brass and steel. The action is as tight as a drum. And the walnut patina is a beautiful golden brown.

In the picture in the gallery there is a photograph of a 60th Rifleman next to a 95th in the Peninsular War. And another photograph we show is of another 60th rifles rifle patch box lid that we had on another Jager rifle of the 60th, some years ago, and on that rifle, affixed on that patch box lid, were written his site windage adjustments. Note the photo in the gallery of the 60th Rifleman's patch box lid inner side on our past 60th Jäger Rifle, {not of this rifle}.
We noticed inside this rifles patchbox lid, a feint, GR crown military inspection stamp.
As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables

Every item is accompanied with our unique, Certificate of Authenticity. Of course any certificate of authenticity, given by even the best specialist dealers, in any field, all around the world, is simply a piece of paper,…however, ours is backed up with the fact we are the largest dealers of our kind in the world, with over 100 years and four generation’s of professional trading experience behind us  read more

Code: 24769