Antique Arms & Militaria

South American 19th Century Brazilian Faca De Ponta Fighting Knife

Rare Antique Brazilian Cangaceiros Faca De Ponta Lampiao Bandit Dagger Knife. Intersperced discs of carved bone and horn handle. Good maker mark logo of a prancing pony. Although made earlier they are now called after the early 20th century bandit leader. Lampiao became associated with an established bandit leader, Sebastiao Pereira. After only a few months of operating together, in 1922, Pereira decided to retire from banditry; he moved to the State of Goias and lived there peacefully into advanced old age. Lampiao then took over leadership of the remnants of Pereira's band. For the next 16 years, he led his band of cangaceiros, which varied greatly in number from around a dozen to up to a hundred, in a career of large-scale banditry through seven states of the Brazilian Northeast.

Depending on the terrain and other conditions, the bandits operated either on horseback or on foot. They were heavily armed, and wore leather outfits, including hats, jackets, sandals, ammunition belts, and trousers, to protect them from the thorns of the caatinga, the dry shrub and brushwood typical of the dry hinterland of Brazil's Northeast. The police and soldiers stationed in the backlands often dressed in an identical manner; on more than one occasion Lampiao impersonated a police officer, especially when moving into a new area of operations, in order to gain information.

The firearms and ammunition of the cangaceiros were mostly stolen, or acquired by bribery, from the police and paramilitary units and consisted of Mauser military rifles and a variety of small arms including Winchester rifles, revolvers and the prized Luger and Mauser semi-automatic pistols.

A strange and contradictory piety ran through Lampiao's psyche: while robbing and killing people, he also prayed regularly and reverenced the Church and priests. He wore many religious symbols on his person; presumably, he invested them with talismanic qualities. Like many others in the region he particularly revered Padre Cicero, the charismatic priest of Juazeiro. He was noted for his loyalty to those he befriended or to whom he owed a debt of gratitude. He generously rewarded his followers and those of the population who shielded or materially helped him (coiteros), and he was entirely reliable if he gave his word of honour. Lampiao was capable of acts of mercy and even charity, however, he systematically used terror to achieve his own survival. His enmity, once aroused, was implacable and he killed many people merely because they had an association with someone who had displeased him. He is recorded as having said "If you have to kill, kill quickly. But for me killing a thousand is just like killing one". For the cangaceiros murder was not only casual, they took pride in their efficiency in killing. They were excellent shots and were skilled in the use of long, narrow knives (nicknamed peixeiras - "fish-filleters") which could be used to dispatch a man quickly.

Lampiao's band attacked small towns and farms in seven states, took hostages for ransom, extorted money by threats of violence, tortured, fire-branded, and maimed; it has been claimed that they killed over 1,000 people and 5,000 head of cattle and raped over 200 women. The band fought the police over 200 times and Lampiao was wounded six times. 11 inches long overall  read more

Code: 20875

Very Special Offer!! Many Have Been Reserved Just 5 Remaining As Not Yet Reserved A Fabulous, Original Set of Antique MK II Zulu War &1880's Vintage Martini Henry Rifles

Special one off offer items. We are sending them individually to be conserved and stock restored but as requested and as required. The stocks and all steel parts are very good but some stock cracking needs attention etc. our artisan can attend to that near invisibly. All the rifles are with original Victorian era leather slings.
These the very types of MK IIs as were used by the 24th Foot at Ishandwhana and Rorkes Drift. All of them are original ordnance contract examples, made either by Enfield, Birmingham Small Arms or London Small Arms, all with VR Crown mark, all originally line regiment issue. All sold on an individual basis . As they are incredibly collectible it is most unlikely they will remain available for long.

These rifles are truly exceptional examples, maker marked, and in very good operational order indeed with an excellent action, and clearly combat used. All their cleaning rods are present but usually no longer removable.
The Martini Henry, .450 577 rifle was most famous British Infantry breech loading rifle of the 19th century. All of these rifles are just as were used in the film ZULU, and the exact type as was used during the 1879 Zulu War, all very nice examples.
The Martini-Henry was a 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 in 1879. 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 MKII. The later dated 1880's examples we have were used throughout the British empire. This fabulous set, will now be sold individually, and were used for lecture purposes for almost 15 years at various military bases around the country

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: 24259

A Very Good Queen's South Africa Medal Lancashire Fusiliers

3 Clasps. A superb medal from one of the great British Regiments of the Line. Known for their valour, determination and courage. The Lancashire Fusiliers was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that saw distinguished service through many centuries and wars, including the Second Boer War both World War I and World War II, and had many different titles throughout its 280 years of existence.During the Second Boer War, the 2nd Battalion saw action at the Battle of Spion Kop in January 1900 and the Relief of Ladysmith in February 1900. The 6th (Militia) Battalion also served in the war, leaving for South Africa with 650 men on 10 February 1900. All three Volunteer Battalions also found 'service companies' of volunteers who served alongside the Regulars, and gained the battle honour South Africa 1900?1902 for their battalions. The Lancashire Fusiliers Boer War memorial is to be found in Whitehead Gardens, known as Clock Tower Gardens,
in front of the Town Hall bordered by Manchester Road and Knowsley Street,
Bury, Greater Manchester. It was originally situated in Market Place,
Bury. It takes the form of a bronze statue of a soldier standing in Fusilier's
dress, waving his cap, on a plinth upon which is the inscription. It
lists the men who died from the Lancashire Fusiliers, regular, militia
and volunteers, in South Africa 1900-1902. There are 170 brave souls names listed.
The memorial was unveiled on 18th March 1905 by the 17th Earl of Derby;
the sculptor was Sir George James Frampton.  read more

Code: 21373

A Miniature Waterloo Period 'Brown Bess' Musket Bayonet

Original hand engineered miniature, made post war by renown miniaturist engineer Ronald Platt. Photographed alongside the original bayonet to show perspective. the Third or India Pattern became the standard British musket in use throughout the remainder of French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and was used in almost every theatre in which the British were present. It was the musket that the British soldier carried during the Peninsular War and the Hundred Days campaign including both the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo. It was also used in the War of 1812 in North America.  read more

Code: 21596

An Early Fine Miniature Single Shot Bolt Action Rifle

Showing all the minute detail of the original bolt action rifle. European armies continued to develop bolt-action rifles through the latter half of the nineteenth century, first adopting tubular magazines as on the Kropatschek rifle and the Lebel rifle, a magazine system pioneered by the Winchester rifle of 1866. The first bolt-action repeating rifle was the Vetterli rifle of 1867 and the first bolt-action repeating rifle to use centerfire cartridges was the weapon designed by the Viennese gunsmith Ferdinand Fruwirth in 1871. Ultimately, the military turned to bolt-action rifles using a box magazine; the first of its kind was the M1885 Remington Lee, but the first to be generally adopted was the British 1888 Lee-Metford. World War I marked the height of the bolt-action rifle's use, with all of the nations in that war fielding troops armed with various bolt-action designs. Probably a Colt or Remington pattern. 6 inches long Non working original hand engineered miniature, made post war by renown miniaturist engineer Ronald Platt.  read more

Code: 21285

A Georgian 18th century Carved Horn Primer or Pistol Flask

made in the 18th and used into the early 19th century. With powder measure screw on cap. Cow horn with wooden base plate.
Firearms became more and more sophisticated during the 16th-century but still required a number of accessories to load and operate them. The main charge, placed in the barrel with the shot, was carried in the powder flask. Smaller priming flasks contained fine-grain powder for priming the pans of wheel-lock firearms. Flasks were attached to a bandolier, a type of sling worn over the shoulder or around the waist, from which hung the various accessories required for a weapon including spanners for the mechanism, measured charges, powder flasks and priming flasks.  read more

Code: 21666

A Victorian Durham Light Infantry Helmet Plate Ist Volunteer Battalion

In white metal with black centre. The 1st Durham Rifle Volunteer Corps was formed at Stockton-on-Tees in 1860, and in 1880 was amalgamated with other Durham corps, from Darlington, Castle Eden and Middlesbrough, to form a battalion of eight companies.

The 1st Durhams later became the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry and as such gained the battle honour `South Africa 1900-02' for the services of its members during the Boer War.  read more

Code: 16734

A King George IVth Police Tipstaff

With areas of painted finish lacking. Traditional of uppermost cylindrical form with a turned grip. The 18th century had been a rough and disorderly age, with mob violence, violent crimes, highwaymen, smugglers and the new temptations to disorder brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Clearly something had to be done. In 1829 the Metropolitan Police Force, organised by Sir Robert Peel, was established to keep the order in London. The force, under a Commissioner of the Police with headquarters at Scotland Yard, was essentially a civilian one: its members were armed only with wooden truncheons and at first wore top-hats and blue frock-coats. The "Peelers" or "Bobbies" were greeted largely with derision by Londoners, but they did become accepted fairly quickly. Thier primary purpose was to prevent crime, and some London criminals left their haunting grounds of London for the larger provincial towns, which in turn established their own forces on the Metropolitan model. The pattern followed through to the small villages and countryside. To secure co-operation between the spreading network and establish further forces, Parliament passed an act in 1856 to co-ordinate the work of the various forces and gave the Home Secretary the power to inspect them. In the counties, under the Police Act of 1890, the police became the combined responsibility of the local authorities - the County Councils - and the Justice of the Peace, while in London, the Metropolitan Police at Scotland Yard remained under the Commissioner appointed by the Home Office. At the turn of the century, the British police force established a reputation for humane and kindly efficiency. Their mere existence undoubtedly did a lot to prevent crime, and they built up what was on the whole a highly effective system of investigation and arrest.  read more

Code: 16913

Many Wonderous Pieces Added Every Day. There is Probably Nowhere Else In The World You Can View Such Fabulous & Historical Wonders,.. & Where Everything Is For Sale

All under one roof, intriguing and collectable artefacts, and specialist 1st edition rare books, plus militaria such as, an original, huge, and very rare 88mm WW2 Shell from a German 'King Tiger' tank, ranging to an original Imperial Roman Legionary’s gladius sword, a museum quality samurai sword by one of the great sword makers of early 14th century Japan. Or, a most rare, and absolutely stunning museum grade Christian samurai’s sword from circa 1630.
These past few weeks we have added, and are still adding, original, ancient artefacts, from Rome, France, Carthage, Persia, Greece, and Britain, many from fine English collections, originally acquired in the early 19th century, and then re-acquired from the descendants of those original collectors, in the 1990’s or even before by other collectors who subsequently sold them to us.
We have thousands of pieces, that you can can view [and buy] from our website. View and buy such treasures as a 2000 year old roman soldier's gladius sword, from the time of Julius Caesar, Augustus and Nero. A museum grade 1000+ year old sword of a Viking chieftain, king or earl [in Viking times called a jarl] that is inlaid with traces of knotwork silver inlay. A bronze and iron Archemeanid sword from the time of the Greco-Persian wars of Xerxes the Great against the Spartans at Thermopylae, or a Circa 2,500 Scythian infantry warrior’s bronze helmet. Plus, Imperial Roman 1st and 2nd century rings, the type such as worn by a Roman freed gladiator, or, the owner of slave gladiators, the Imperial Pretorian Guard, legionary officer's or nobles, often with the traditional symbols and figures, from the time of the Emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. A superb 3rd to 4th century BC Falcata sword similar to the Greek Kopis, the sword used by Hannibal’s army in the 2nd Punic War and his invasion of Rome across the Alps, and a 3rd Century Imperial Roman Sword, from the time of Emperor Constantine and the Battle of Cibalae. Plus a remarkable 900 to 1066 period Original Viking- Norman Iron Four Plate Helmet, as seen depicted in the world famous so-called Bayeux Tapestry, plus, early and rare books, such as, an original very early printing of a 5th century Roman treatise on Roman warfare, and an 18th Century biography on 18th century Warfare, or a very rare 15th century incunabula by Bartolomeus Platina personally commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV.

Plus, as usual, many, many thousands of pieces of historical interest, from one of the oldest and still thriving [if not the oldest surviving] traditional, purveyors of original ancient, antique and vintage historical militaria, companies in Europe, family based through generations in the city of Brighton, and for over 100 combined years located in the Brighton Lanes.

Our family partners Mark and David have dedicated between them, a combined 90 plus years together, serving the world's collectors. Some are the simplest of collectors, some with most eclectic tastes, covering all fields of interest spanning millennia, others, highly specific, if not profound. Very recently we found for a specialist book collector a most rare ‘Subscriber’s Edition’ 1926 Seven Pillars of Wisdom, by T.E. Lawrence, a book that the collector had been searching for for 20 years, and we had joined in that search for him around 10 years ago. He had seen two volumes of that edition around 10 years ago, but discounted both of them, as not quite the perfect volume he was looking for. The dedication of a collector who could spend 20 years to find a single book, that specifically suited his needs, is simply remarkable, although strangely, not that unusual in our line of country. Despite the fact that the book we found for him was approaching six figures, he actually had spent over twice that sum during his 20 year worldwide search to find just the perfect one he was looking for. When asked by us which specific book he was seeking of that printing, he replied that he didn’t actually want or need a perfect condition example at all, just the one that was perfect for him “ I am not entirely sure which one I seek, but I’ll know it when I hold it”

The best part of our field is that, in the most part, of all of what we regularly offer can be remarkably affordable compared to almost every other form of fine and rare collectable. For example, the best available fine art paintings etc. can run into millions, even hundreds of millions of pounds, the finest pieces of furniture can run into hundreds of thousands or even millions, the best silver, coins or stamps can also be worth millions, and even 20th century motor cars can reach tens of millions of pounds. So although some of our pieces might appear expensive, by comparison to almost every other field in the world of collecting, they can be amazingly affordable to all and every rank of collector.

We suppose that is our raison d’etre, every year we buy many thousands of pieces, and pass them on to similarly thousands of collectors, from postmen to presidents, from Chelsea pensioners to field marshals, from law clerks to Lord Chancellors. I [Mark] remember one such interesting and jolly conversation, I and my wife Judith had over lunch, with the soon to become Lord Chancellor Quentin Hogg, in Jermyn St., during our London honeymoon in 1978. Judith had, on occasion before our marriage, worked with Sir Michael Havers, [Quentin’s successor as Lord Chancellor in 1987] so they had mutual acquaintance. The general chit chat got around to the efficacy of hanging, the effectiveness of the hangman’s knot, against the much earlier system of the executioner’s axe that was only afforded only to those of high status!. Quentin remarked at the conclusion [tongue in cheek] “ I have a little list of likely candidates, just in case it is re-introduced”

By way of coincidence, a few years later we sold a 16th century executioner’s axe to a ‘Beefeater’ Yeoman Warder of the Tower of London, Geoffrey Abbot, near identical to one that executed Lady Jane Grey, who was proclaimed Queen of England in 1553, reigned for just 9 days and subsequently executed within the grounds of the Tower, aged just 16 or 17, and our former axe appears amongst other places, illustrated in his books on the execution at Tower of London. He was even consulted some years later for the execution of Saddam Hussein.

Many of our collectors have become lifelong and dear friends, with conversations on every subject imaginable, covering every conceivable avenue of interest, and it has been a privilege to know every single one, friendships valued beyond pearls.  read more

Code: 23775

A Good Victorian Fifth Royal Irish Lancers Tchapka Helmet Plate

In superb condition, fabulous bronze patina and two helmet screw posts.Queen Victoria's crown. The regiment was originally formed in 1689 as James Wynne's Regiment of Dragoons. They fought in the Battle of the Boyne and at the Battle of Aughrim under William of Orange. Renamed the Royal Dragoons of Ireland, they went on to serve with the Duke of Marlborough during the Spanish War of Succession and earned three battle honours there.In 1751, they were retitled 5th Regiment of Dragoons and in 1756 the 5th (or Royal Irish) Regiment of Dragoons. As such, they served in Ireland and were active during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. However, they were accused of treachery; their accusers claimed their ranks had been infiltrated by rebels. (According to Continental Magazine, April 1863, the unit refused to attack a group of rebels.) This accusation appears to have been false, but nevertheless they were disbanded at Chatham in 1799. The regiment was reformed in 1858, keeping its old number and title, but losing precedence, being ranked after the 17th Lancers. It was immediately converted into a lancer regiment and titled 5th (or Royal Irish) Regiment of Dragoons (Lancers). In 1861, it was renamed the 5th (or Royal Irish) Lancers and then the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers. The regiment served in India and a section served in Egypt in 1885, taking part in the battles at Suakin. It served with distinction in the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902, gaining battle honours at Battle of Elandslaagte and The Defence of Ladysmith.

The regiment then returned to England where it stayed until the outbreak of World War I, when it became part of the British Expeditionary Force and saw action continually from 1914 to 1918 in some of the war's bloodiest battles. During the battle of Bourlon Wood George William Burdett Clare received the Victoria Cross posthumously. The 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers won a total of 20 battle honours during the Great War.

The 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers also has the grim honour of being the regiment of the last British soldier to die in the Great War. This was Private George Edwin Ellison from Leeds, who was killed by a sniper as the regiment advanced into Mons a short time before the armistice came into effect.

The regiment was renamed 5th Royal Irish Lancers and disbanded in 1921, but a squadron was reconstituted in 1922 and immediately amalgamated with the 16th The Queen's Lancers to become the 16th/5th Lancers The Royal Irish Lancers were in Mons at the time of retreat in 1914 but escaped and returned on Armistice Day. The last cavalry regiment out and the first back!. The memorial panel we show in the gallery records the return welcomed by the Maire and the Cur?. The scene is taken from a painting, ?5th Lancers, Re-entry into Mons?, last heard of in the private collection of a Belgian citizen. This in turn is almost a mirror image of a painting ?5th Lancers, Retreat from Mons? (whereabouts unknown). In the former, the troopers are heading in the opposite direction to the ?Retreat?, and a middle-aged priest and a pregnant woman watching the departure of the regiment among a worried-looking crowd of Belgian citizens have subtly changed: the priest is now white-haired and the mother holds up her four-year-old child, having lived through the occupation of the German forces in Mons for four years. The Great War 1914

The 5 Lancers, as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, were heavily involved and played a major role in the initial mobile actions fought by the BEF. They gained the distinction of being the last cavalry regiment to withdraw from Mons during the retreat; they also had the privilege to be the first British regiment to re-enter Mons after the pursuit in November 1918. Generally the First World War is described as a war of trench deadlock primarily fought by the infantry, gunners and engineers, this assessment is correct. It must however be remembered that cavalry regiments were expected to take their place in the line from time to time and did share the privations of trench warfare suffered by the infantry. On a number of occasions 5 L particularly distinguished themselves: in the defence of Guillemont Farm, June 1917, 3 MCs, and 4 MMs were won and during the defence of Bourlon Wood in 1918 Private George Clare won a posthumous VC. While the main focus of the First World War remained with the armies fighting on the western front it was by no means the only theatre of war. In 1918 Allenby, a 5th Lancer and later a Field Marshal, reorganised British forces in the Middle East pushing his lines forward into northern Palestine. Allenby's Army broke through at Megiddo resulting in the collapse of Turkish resistance. 8.25 inches x 5 inches approx.  read more

Code: 19688