Antique Arms & Militaria

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.

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 it 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, as 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 it's 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.

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

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

Code: 24769

A Superb Late 18th Century, Napoleonic Wars British Officer's Sabre With a French 'Trophy' Blade, With An Ancient Egyptian Goddess Wadget Entwined Serpent British Hilt

Gilt bronze serpent hilt chisselled in great detail and of very fine quality. Talisman symbol Napoleoniuc blade. Circa 1800. Very possibly a war trophy from the Battle of the Nile, with Nile Club connections There are numerous examples of snakes depicted in Napoleonic swords, such as the Lloyds swords, but usually with other beasts, such as lions, tigers or hounds, but to have two opposing serpents alone is very rare indeed. Snake sculpture - the Staff of Aesculapius, the Staff of Mercury, and the Embodiment of Wisdom Snakes are fairly frequent in Georgian sculpture, and of course from other periods. In art generally in fact from medieval times onwards, the snake is also associated with wisdom, and in this capacity is often found with statues of Prudence. The way this sword is constructed shows it is likely a trophy blade, captured in combat and mounted with a Napoleonic French sabre, etched with talismanic symbols of a crescent moon, sun, grand Turk's head, stand of arms. In fact the whole sword may indeed now be described as talismanic. Blade in superb condition, original scabbard in very good condition indeed, and the hilt is excellent. Scabbard throat lacking.
Egyptian gods and goddesses, much famed in ancient Egypt, become hugely popular throughout Western artistic culture in the early 19th century.
Europe became beguiled by ancient Egyptian art and architecture in all its forms, and furniture designers and sculptors particularly, eagerly created the ‘Egyptian style’ in the Regency period England, and the Consular and Directoire period in France.

The 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



Overall 39 inches long, blade 32 inches  read more

Code: 23387

A Simply Fabulous Cased Double Barrelled Percussion Sporting Gun by James Wilkinson

29inch sighted damascus browned barrels engraved with the manufacturer's details on the sighting rib, serial no. 4105, border and scroll engraving of the finest quality, with signed back action locks, half stocked with chequered wrist, border and scroll engraved steel mounts, contained in a relined mahogany case with commensurate accessories, lid with later label. Prior to the death of Henry Nock in 1804 James Wilkinson had been foreman and general manager to his Father-in-Laws business. No doubt a very capable man clearly perfectly placed to carry on the business at hand managing not only the premises at Ludgate Hill but the many other workshops scattered around London. History would show James Wilkinson every bit the equal to Henry Nock save for Nock’s inventive genius. However James would grow the reputation of the business with many of his fine sporting guns being the envy of sportsman and royalty a like. After the death of Henry Nock in 1804 James Wilkinson had advertised himself as “ James Wilkinson Gunmaker, successor and son-in-law to the late Mr Henry Nock ” as was the fashion of that period. So when in 1824 Henry joined the family business this was changed to reflect the new situation. From then Father & Son would be trading under “ James Wilkinson & Son ” or more simply “ Wilkinson & Son ”. To replicate such a fine hand made ‘bespoke’ double barrelled gun today, only Purdey or Boss of London could have the skills required to replicate it. A fine engraved bespoke single Purdey side by side shotgun, with a pair of Damas barrels, costs today £113,500, each, that is £227,000 for a pair, with an 18 months to 2 year waiting time, and additional costs for casing and tools. The double-barrelled sporting gun was seen as a weapon of prestige and authority, especially in the days of the East India Company and the later Raj in India, where it was known as Dunali (literally "two pipes"). It was especially valued in Bihar, Purvanchal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab  read more

Code: 23372

A Most Scarce 17th Century Tanjore Battle Axe From The Era of Moghul Emperor Aurangzebe

From the era of Emperor Aurangzebe, from Lahore, in the Punjab. Iron combat axe head of iconic backswept form with elongated rectangular socket mount, on likely a later haft. Sobriquet Aurangzeb (Persian: "Ornament of the Throne") or by his regnal title Alamgir (Persian: "Conqueror of the World"), was the sixth, and widely considered the last effective Mughal emperor. His reign lasted for 49 years from 1658 until his death in 1707.

Aurangzeb was a notable expansionist and during his reign, the Mughal Empire reached its greatest extent, ruling over nearly all of the Indian subcontinent. During his lifetime, victories in the south expanded the Mughal Empire to 4 million square kilometres, and he ruled over a population estimated to be over 158 million subjects, with an annual yearly revenue of more than ten times that of his contemporary King Louis XIV of France, around 39 million pounds (almost 3 billion rupees) in 1690. Under his reign, India surpassed China to become the world's largest economy, nearly a quarter of world GDP in 1700.

Aurangzeb is considered one of India's most controversial kings. Some historians argue that his policies abandoned his predecessors' legacy of pluralism and religious tolerance, citing his destruction of Hindu temples and execution of a Sikh guru, while other historians question this, arguing that his destruction of temples has been exaggerated and were politically motivated, and noting that he built more temples than he destroyed, also destroyed Islamic mosques, paid for the maintenance of temples, employed significantly more Hindus in his imperial bureaucracy than his predecessors did, and opposed bigotry against Hindus and Shia Muslims.

It was at the end of his reign that the downfall of the Mughal Empire began. Rebellions and wars eventually led to the exhaustion of the imperial Mughal treasury and army. He was a strong-handed authoritarian ruler, and following his death the expansionary period of the Mughal Empire came to an end. Nevertheless, the contiguous territory of the Mughal Empire still remained intact more or less until the reign of Muhammad Shah.  read more

Code: 20915

A Most Rare British Army Officer's 1801, Egyptian Campaign, Snake Goddess' Head Light Infantry Officer’s Sword. Used Throughout The Entire Napoleonic Wars Up To The Battle of Waterloo. Likely By An Officer of ‘The Glosters’

Specifically with British Army ‘Nile Club’ officer's connections, where officer members, who fought in the Egypt campaign, wore distinctive swords with zoomorphic hilts depicting animal gods and goddesses. A direct homage to Nelson's presentation zoomorphic hilted sword, dirk and sword versions of Nelson’s zoomorphic sword, as worn by his captains who served under his command, and by the marines and army officers who similarly fought in his Egypt campaign on land over the next three years, that were members of the so-called Egyptian or Nile Club. The wearing of such a sword {or a dirk} would clearly and distinctively set an officer apart as ‘one who served’ in the great hero’s victorious campaign.

Egyptian gods and goddesses, much famed in ancient Egypt, become hugely popular throughout Western artistic culture in the early 19th century.
Europe became beguiled by ancient Egyptian art and architecture in all its forms, and furniture designers and sculptors particularly, eagerly created the ‘Egyptian style’ in the Regency period England, and the Consular and Directoire period in France.

This is a most rare British officer's bespoke sword, commissioned circa 1800, with such a stylish hilt, of a rare, zoomorphic, ancient Egyptian animal god or goddess form, with its snake god head pommel, with engraved snake-scale body creating its back strap, plus, the Egyptian snake goddess Wadjet's form, as engraved hilt langets. This sword is based on the British 1796 pattern light infantry variant sabre, with its deeply curved slashing blade, superbly etched with King George’s royal cyphers. This sword was continually used throughout the Napoleonic Wars, and up to Waterloo in 1815. Very likely by an officer of ‘The Glosters” the 28th Regiment of Foot. No doubt the fact that the Goddess Wadget was the Ancient Egyptian symbol of divine authority and royal power likely had no small influence upon its choice of design.

In 1801 On the morning of March 21 a vastly superior French army, which easily outnumbered the British, attacked near Alexandria. By those times muzzle-loading rifles were in common use and the infantry fought in two ranks - one row kneeling and the rear rank firing over their shoulders.

At one point during the fierce fighting -when it looked as though the Glosters would be surrounded - the rear rank was commanded to "about face". This meant turning and fighting back-to-back against enemy soldiers coming from the rear. After much savage hand-to-hand combat the French were stopped and by mid-morning their entire army was in retreat.

As a reward for their vital contribution to the victory - and in memory of that back-to-back fighting - the Glosters were given the right to wear a badge at the back, as well as the front, of their caps - the famous sphinx Back Badge.

Napoleon's army in Egypt may have been defeated but on the European mainland his forces remained a serious threat. By 1810 both the 28th and 61st were in Spain with the task of clearing French troops from the entire Peninsular.

But it took another four years of difficult fighting - in which the Glosters lost 1,200 men - before the British, under the command of the "Iron" Duke of Wellington, finally expelled them.

In 1814, Napoleon, having escaped from Elba, once more rallied troops to his cause and the European allies - under the command of the Duke - were sent to face him.

In the summer of 1815, Napoleon was finally defeated at Waterloo and exiled to the island of St Helena. The Glosters were in the forefront of the fighting - and were the only regiment specifically mentioned by name in Wellington's famous despatch.

With a beautiful zoomorphic hilt, with its original mercurial gilt finish, of a beautifully chiselled and hand engraved snake's head and body, combined with two snake engraved langets, with its wire bound wooden grip, and deeply curved now russetted blade bearing King George IIIrd's cyphers. Deep sword cuts from close combat action on the blade edge and upon one langet. Combat damage inflicted likely in the Peninsular War up to Waterloo. Nelson's captains at the Nile formed the Egyptian Club often though referred to as the Nile Club to meet and commemorate the battle. Among their first actions were to present a sword to Nelson and commission his portrait. There were also weapons made, based on the one presented to Nelson, for the other members of the Egyptian Club, that had zoomorphic hilts in the form of crocodiles.
At the instigation, it is said, of Lady Hamilton and Captain Hardy, the Marquess of Queensbury laid out a plantation of trees on his estate near Stonehenge in Wiltshire in the formation of the fleets at the Battle of the Nile, known as the ‘Nile Clumps’. A ceremonial sword with its hilt in the shape of a crocodile commemorating Nelson's victory over the French at the Battle of the Nile in 1798, which was estimated at £40,000 to £60,000, sold at auction in 2002 for £270,650 to a private collector.

The engraved sword was one of a handful made for the elite Egyptian Club whose membership was restricted to the captains of ships which had fought at the Nile. Nelson called them his "band of brothers". However, Howard Blackmore late assistant keeper of the Tower of London Collection told us around 30 years ago, that there was a distinct possibility British army officers, that also fought at the Nile Campaign, but of course on land, formed their own version of Nelson's Egyptian Club, called the Nile Club, where officers in the campaign had zoomorphic Egyptian snake or camel hilted swords presented to each other. The snake hilted version were based on the snakes of the ancient Egyptian Goddess Wadjet, and the snake head on the Pharaoh's crown. There is a distinct possibility that this sword may well be one of those, its rare shape and form certainly shows as likely. We have heard of one serving example now in America, a Nile club officer’s sword with a zoomorphic camel head hilt. Its likely possibilities of provenance are most intriguing. Five years ago also we had a British camel headed version likely from the same club member. The French Campaign in Egypt and Syria (1798-1801) was Napoleon Bonaparte's campaign in the Ottoman territories of Egypt and Syria, proclaimed to defend French trade interests, weaken Britain's access to British India, and to establish scientific enterprise in the region. It was the primary purpose of the Mediterranean campaign of 1798, a series of naval engagements that included the capture of Malta.

On the scientific front, the expedition eventually led to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, creating the field of Egyptology. Despite many decisive victories and an initially successful expedition into Syria, Napoleon and his Armee d'Orient were eventually forced to withdraw, after sowing political disharmony in France, experiencing conflict in Europe, and suffering the defeat of the supporting French fleet at the Battle of the Nile.

The last time we saw an Egyptian Club Zoomorphic crocodile hilted sword sold was at Sotheby's in 2020, estimated at £60,000 to £80,000 gbp, but the blue and gilt to the blade was present and it had its scabbard.

The second to last photo in the gallery is of a painting of ‘The Glosters’, that fought at Waterloo.

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: 22179

An Early 19th Century French Monarchy Period Silver and Gilt Cavalry Officer's Belt Buckle

Bourbon restoration
Main article: Bourbon Restoration in France

This period of time is called the Bourbon Restoration and was marked by conflicts between reactionary Ultra-royalists, who wanted to restore the pre-1789 system of absolute monarchy, and liberals, who wanted to strengthen constitutional monarchy. Louis XVIII was the younger brother of Louis XVI, and reigned from 1814 to 1824. On becoming king, Louis issued a constitution known as the Charter which preserved many of the liberties won during the French Revolution and provided for a parliament composed of an elected Chamber of Deputies and a Chamber of Peers that was nominated by the king
The rooster played an important role as the revolutionary symbol, but it would become an official emblem under the July Monarchy and the Second Republic when it was seen on the pole of regiments’ flags. In 1830, the "Gallic Rooster" replaced the fleur-de-lis as the national emblem, and it was again discarded by Napoleon III.

Silver French crest centre, applied a gilt plate and belt loop, with very unusually its original leather uniform protecter intact.  read more

Code: 24758

A Most Attractive Kurdish 19th Century Jambiya.

Carved wooden hit brass embossed and leather scabbard over wood. Double edged steel blade. The blade would polish nicely. The janbiya was given its name because it is worn on the side of a person – the word janbia is derived from the Arabic word "janb" which mean "side". A janbia is constituted of a handle, a blade, and a sheath in which the blade is held. It is made of a certain sort of wood, to hold the blade that is fixed to the waist from underneath with an upward curved sheath. The belt that holds the janbia can be made of tanned leather, or, wound some thick cloth.

The janbiya handle often tells of the social status of the man who wears it.  read more

Code: 16537

A Superb & Most Gruesome Collectors & Conversation Piece, A King George IIIrd “Man Trap’ Only The Second Original Example We Have Had in 10 years

Scarce Wrought Iron Man Trap, probably 18th or very early 19th century, comprising 2 large sprung iron ‘jaws’ each lined with a row of interlocking teeth and released by a trip plate.
Here's a nice gory object to attract interest and conversation.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries common land and shared fields were being enclosed in pursuit of more efficient and productive farming, as well as for fashionable parkland. William Cobbett (born in Farnham in 1763) wrote passionately about the resulting loss of livelihood for the rural poor and there were other protests. In 1721 a masked gang, led by 'King John' killed 11 deer at the Bishop's Park at Farnham and then rode through the market place in triumph.
In 1723 the 'Black Act' authorised the death penalty for more than 50 poaching offences. It remained law for nearly a century and when it was repealed poachers were transported instead. Landowners also used man traps, as well as spring guns and dog spears operated by trip wire, to deter poachers. Man traps were made illegal in 1826 but in 1830 a new law was passed enabling landowners to apply for a licence to use them. They were finally banned in 1861, although Gertrude Jekyll, famous ornamental garden designer writing in 1904, observed that "notices of such dangers were posted on the outsides of properties to within a comparatively recent date."
Our man trap probably dates to the late 18th to 19th century. To set it, the metal jaws were forced apart and held down by a finely balanced catch. The slightest movement of the central plate would release the catch, causing the jaws to slam shut. It is hard to imagine that the poacher would not lose his foot. The hooks on the plate were to hold down the leaves and grass used to camouflage the trap.
Gertrude Jekyll includes a photograph of a man trap in Old West Surrey, along with the story of how this "curious relic of cruel old days" was found - "it was discovered in a wood on a beautiful property owned by a lady who had four then unmarried daughters. Luckily no one enjoyed the obvious joke more than these dear ladies themselves." Maximum length 113cms, jaws 37cms diameter. Fair condition, some old damage, now covered with old black preserving paint. Used to deter trespassers and poachers and therefore left outside. Spring 'Trap Spring' not functioning for safety.  read more

Code: 23563

A Letter Sent From Port Royal from Capt Vansittart, the Capture of a French Privateer

Dated April 5th 1804 from Capt. Henry Vansittart (1777-1843) of HMS Fortunee to Admiral James R. Dacres Admiral of the White. The letter informs the admiral that Capt Vansittart captured the French pirate ship, the Privateer Tarzan with 46 men aboard. Capt Vansittart had a most distinguished career culminating in his appointment as Vice-Admiral. He served on on the Princess Royal, flagship of Rear-Admiral Goodall, the L'Aigle with Capt. Hood at the Battle of Calvi, on HMS Victory, and as Lieutenant of HMS Stately in the capture of the Cape of Good Hope, and Capt of HMS Fortunee for nine years
Born: 17th April 1777 at Hanover Square, Westminster, Middlesex
Vice-Admiral
Died: 21st March 1843 at Eastwood, Woodstock, Canada

Vice-Admiral Vansittart was the 5th son of George Vansittart (1745-1825) of Bisham Abbey in Berkshire, who married, on 24th October 1767, Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Sir James Stonhouse, bart. He was born in George Street, Hanover Square, on 17th April 1777 and grew up in Bisham. General George Henry Vansittart, was his elder brother; Henry Vansittart, the Governor of Bengal, and Professor Robert Vansittart were his uncles; and Nicholas, 1st Baron Bexley, his first cousin. Having been entered on the books of the Scipio, guard-ship on the Medway, in October 1788, he was afterwards nominally in the Boyne, guard-ship on the Thames, and probably actually served in the Pegasus on the Newfoundland station in 1791. In 1792, he was on the Hannibal, stationed in Plymouth, and, in 1793, went out to the Mediterranean on the Princess Royal, flagship of Rear-Admiral Goodall. During the Siege of Toulou by the Republican Army, he was severely wounded. After the evacuation of the place, he was moved into L'Aigle, with Captain Samuel Hood, served at the Siege of Calvi and was, in October 1794, moved onto the Victory in which he returned to England. On 21st February 1795, he was promoted to be lieutenant of the Stately, in which be was present at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope, and of the Dutch squadron in Saldanha Bay. He was then moved onto the Monarch, Elphinstone's flagship, and returned in her to England. He was next appointed to the Queen Charlott, Keith's flagship in the Channel; and, on 30th May 1798, was promoted to be commander of the Hermes, from her, he was moved to the Bonetta, which he took out to Jamaica; and, on 13th February 1801, he was posted to the Abergavenny, stationed at Port Royal. In the July, he returned to England in the Thunderer and, after a few months on half-pay, was appointed, in April 1802, to the Magicienne from which, in January 1803, he was moved, to the Fortuned of 36 guns. For upwards of nine years, he commanded this ship in the North Sea, off Boulogne, in the Channel, in the West Indies and in the Mediterranean, for the most part in active cruising and in convoy service. In August 1812, he was moved onto the 74-gun ship ?Clarence?, till March 1814. With the exception of a few months in 1801-2, he had served continuously from 1791. He became a Rear-Admiral on 22nd July 1830, Vice-Admiral on 23rd November 1841 and died on 21st March 1843 at his seat, Eastwood at Woodstock in Canada. He married, in 1809, Mary Charity (d. 1834), daughter of the Rev. John Pennefather, and was the father of five children including Vice-Admiral Edward Westby Vansittart. Paper bears Admiralty, Crowned oval bearing Brittania watermark, and maker name, Gater and date 1803.  read more

Code: 20833

A Simply Stunning Ancient & Historical Era Greek Leaf Shaped Bronze Sword With a Distinctive Blood Channel. From the Most Iconic Period Of Ancient Greek Classical History. Around 3200 Years Old

A wonderful original artefact of classical history, made and used by a Greek warrior from circa 1200 b.c. A Superb ancient Greek bronze age sword blade with fabulous areas of crystallised malachite blue/green patina. From the era of the legendary Mycenaean Greek Trojan Wars.

The story of the Trojan War the Bronze Age conflict between the kingdoms of Troy and Mycenaean Greece straddles the history and mythology of ancient Greece and inspired the greatest writers of antiquity, from Homer, Herodotus and Sophocles to Virgil. Since the 19th-century rediscovery of the site of Troy in what is now western Turkey, archaeologists have uncovered increasing evidence of a kingdom that peaked and may have been destroyed around 1,180 B.C. perhaps forming the basis for the tales recounted by Homer some 400 years later in the Iliad and the Odyssey. According to classical sources, the war began after the abduction (or elopement) of Queen Helen of Sparta by the Trojan prince Paris. Helen’s jilted husband Menelaus convinced his brother Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, to lead an expedition to retrieve her. Agamemnon was joined by the Greek heroes Achilles, Odysseus, Nestor and Ajax, and accompanied by a fleet of more than a thousand ships from throughout the Hellenic world. They crossed the Aegean Sea to Asia Minor to lay siege to Troy and demand Helen’s return by Priam, the Trojan king. The siege, punctuated by battles and skirmishes including the storied deaths of the Trojan prince Hector and the nearly-invincible Achilles, lasted more than 10 years until the morning the Greek armies retreated from their camp, leaving a large wooden horse outside the gates of Troy. After much debate (and unheeded warnings by Priam’s daughter Cassandra), the Trojans pulled the mysterious gift into the city. When night fell, the horse opened up and a group of Greek warriors, led by Odysseus, climbed out and sacked the Troy from within. After the Trojan defeat, the Greeks heroes slowly made their way home. Odysseus took 10 years to make the arduous and often-interrupted journey home to Ithaca recounted in the Odyssey. Helen, whose two successive Trojan husbands were killed during the war, returned to Sparta to reign with Menelaus. After his death, some sources say she was exiled to the island of Rhodes, where a vengeful war widow had her hanged.
Photo in the gallery of an Attic black figure vase that shows Theseus killing the Minotaur of the Cretan labyrinth with an identical pattern of Greek sword. A feminine figure looks on from the right, possibly Ariadne. Late 6th, early 5th century BCE. (Archaeological Museum, Milan). See discussion in Branigan, K. Aegean Metalwork of the Early and Middle Bronze Age, Oxford, 1974, p.8-21. 15.5 inches long overall  read more

Code: 22069