Antique Arms & Militaria

A Very Fine Rare Gambler's Dirk cum Boot Knife, Carved Horn Grip, Mid 19th Century

A very fine quality dirk, perfect for concealment for the gamblers of the Wild West frontier, and the Mississippi river boat gamblers. Carved horn grip with small hairline cracking. Steel double edged blade of very fine and substantial quality. The strength of a blade that could punch through almost anything, ball end straight quillon in steel. Carved grip with shell form pommel. Original leather covered wooden scabbard with German silver mounts. Whether on a riverboat atop the Mighty Mississippi, or in the smoky dimness of a mining camp saloon, a lucky draw could turn a broken man into a winner. In the days of the frontier west, poker was king with the mustachioed likes of Wild Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, ?Canada? Bill Jones, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and hundreds of others.

In the old west towns of Deadwood, Dodge City, Tombstone, and Virginia City, gamblers played with their back to the wall and their guns at their sides, as dealers dealt games with names such as Chuck-A-Luck, Three Card Monte, High Dice, and Faro, by far the favourite in the wild west saloons. Gambling took many forms on riverboats. Gambling with one's life with the boilers aside, there were sharks around willing to fleece the unsuspecting rube. As cities passed ordinances against gaming houses in town, the cheats moved to the unregulated waters of the Mississippi aboard river steamers.

There was also gambling with the racing of boats up the river. Bets were made on a favourite vessel. Pushing the boilers hard in races would also cause fires to break out on the wooden deck structures. Size 10 inches long overall, blade 5 1/4 inches. A very similar example was sold in Butterfields Auction, San Francisco in 1992 for £1,030. As is usual for these small knives it has no maker markings  read more

Code: 24095

A Very Fine And Historical Signed Letter From Admiral Sir G.C.Berkeley Aboard HMS Ganges 1809. From The Admiral That According to Many Historians Personally Instigated The War of 1812 With America, By Ordering The Attack On USS Chesapeake by HMS Leopard

A rare original document of the Napoleonic Wars, that could make a stunning and unique gift. Signed by the Admiral who started the War of 1812, the man who was promoted, in 1810, to be Lord High Admiral of the Portuguese Navy by the Portuguese Regent in Brazil, in order to aid Wellington at sea against the forces of Napoleon. And, furthermore, he was the Admiral who convinced the navy board to investigate, for the health of the navy and England, and to assist the promotion of Edward Jenner’s new vaccine against smallpox. The worlds first vaccine. Edward Jenner, a most remarkable and innovative man, and Berkeley’s friend, who it is said, saved more lives through this work, than any other single man in the history of the world, thanks to his radical idea of the smallpox vaccine, that was promoted, and thus assisted to be accepted by England and the Navy, by the efforts of Admiral Berkeley.

It would make a unique addition to any fine collection, particularly if bespoke framed for the beautiful display of such a significant hand written signed record of Napoleonic Wars British Royal Navy history. Hand signed by the American Station commanding officer, and the instigator of the action, Admiral Sir George Cranfield Berkeley, known as the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, that culminated in the War of 1812.

The letter was for Admiral Sir J.T.Duckworth, regarding Admiral's Berkeley's sending of three British ships for the assistance of Admiral J.T.Duckworths hoped for victory against the enemy, in March 1809.
Admiral Sir George Cranfield Berkeley who is regarded by some to have instigated the cause of the War of 1812 With America by ordering the attack of HMS Leopard on the American frigate USS Chesapeake. He was a highly regarded friend of the Duke of Wellington, and he was also father-in-law to Nelson's great friend, and commander of HMS Victory, Capt. Thomas Masterman Hardy, and he also encouraged his great friend and physician Edward Jenner to continue his work and research on his smallpox vaccine for the good of naval personnel. This action alone directly connects him to one of the greatest and most successful medical achievements in the history of mankind.

Admiral Berkeley partook in several most notable and significant battles and wars, including;
American Revolutionary War
First Battle of Ushant
Great Siege of Gibraltar
Second Battle of Ushant
French Revolutionary Wars
Glorious First of June
Napoleonic Wars
Peninsular War
Admiral Sir George Cranfield Berkeley GCB (10 August 1753 - 25 February 1818), often known as George Berkeley, was a highly experienced, popular, yet controversial naval officer and politician in late eighteenth and early nineteenth century Britain. Serving on several ships, Cranfield-Berkeley saw action at all three Battles of Ushant, commanded fleets in the West Indies and off Ireland and governed the supply routes to Portugal and Spain which kept Wellington's armies in the field during the Peninsula War. He also enjoyed an extensive political career, reforming military practices in Britain and participating in several prominent scandals including feuds with Charles James Fox and Hugh Palliser.In 1786 Berkeley commanded HMS Magnificent and remained with her for three years until 1789 when he became surveyor-general of the ordnance. He left the post after the French Revolutionary Wars broke out in 1793, taking over HMS Marlborough.

French Revolutionary Wars

Berkeley was still in command of Marlborough when she fought under Lord Howe at the Glorious First of June, fighting as part of Admiral Thomas Pasley's van division there and at the preceding Atlantic campaign of May 1794. At the First of June, Marlborough was dismasted in close combat with several French ships and Berkeley badly wounded in the head and thigh, having to retire below after a period to staunch the bleeding. He had a long convalescence after the action but was amongst the captains selected for the gold medal commemorating the action, only awarded to those felt to have played a significant part in the victory.

Returning to service in 1795, Berkeley commanded HMS Formidable off Brest, Cadiz, Ireland and the Texel, coming ashore in 1798 to command the Sussex sea fencibles. In 1799, Berkeley was promoted rear-admiral and attached to the Channel Fleet, but the gout which had forced his first retirement returned, and Berkeley was forced to take permanent shore leave in 1800. In 1801, Berkeley increased his political interests to compensate for the loss of his naval career.
Berkeley continued building his political status during the Peace of Amiens and by Berkeley had been appointed inspector of sea fencibles, a job he undertook with vigour, conducting a fourteen-month survey of Britain's coastal defences, which greatly improved the island's defences. In 1806. In January 1809 he arrived at Lisbon to assume command of the Portuguese station, his flag flying aboard the Barfleur 98 commanded by his son-in-law, Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy, and with his 22 year-old nephew Maurice Berkeley serving as his flag-lieutenant. In November 1811 Captain John Smith Cowan was placed in acting command of the flagship in succession to Captain Henry Hume Spence. Berkeley enjoyed great success in his support of the army, being lauded by Viscount Wellington for his attention to all aspects of his command, and he also managed to keep the French from taking control of the Spanish fleet at Ferrol

Berkeley left this, his last duty, in May 1812, having been promoted admiral on 31 July 1810 and created Lord High Admiral of the Portuguese Navy.
After a shift in political power, Berkeley fell out of favour somewhat and was dispatched to the North American Station. From there, Berkeley ordered the attack by HMS Leopard on the American frigate USS Chesapeake in retaliation for American recruitment of British deserters. This action, known as the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, helped precipitate the War of 1812

Having embarrassed the British government with this action, Berkeley was recalled home. However, public opinion supported his orders, so Berkeley was moved to command in Lisbon in the hope he could organise the chaotic supply system for Wellington's army in the Peninsula War. Berkeley recognised that only a dedicated and organised convoy system could keep the supply of men, food and material regular and consequently set one up. Simultaneously, he reequipped and galvanised the remnants of the Spanish Navy, rescuing several ships from capture by the French as well as used frigates to supply partisan units all along the coast of Portugal and Northern Spain.

By 1810, Wellington could truthfully say of Berkeley that "His activity is unbounded, the whole range of the business of the Country in which he is stationed, civil, military, political, commercial, even ecclesiastical I believe as well as naval are objects of his attention". He was promoted to full admiral and made Lord High Admiral of the Portuguese Navy by the Portuguese Regent in Brazil. By 1810 he had used sailors to man coastal defences all over Spain, freeing soldiers for Wellington and also formed a squadron of river gunboats to harry French units from major rivers like the Tagus.

He and Wellington remained good friends for the rest of their lives, and Wellington later stated that Berkeley was the best naval commander he had ever cooperated with. Furthermore, Berkley's contribution, although unrecognised, due to his association of his lifelong friend, Edward Jenner, the pioneer of the worlds first vaccine. The vaccine for smallpox, that Berkeley had persuaded the government to investigate, particularly with regard for the health of the navy.

Jenner, who is is often called "the father of immunology", due to his work, that is said to have "saved more lives than the work of any other human past or present.” may possibly have failed in his groundbreaking idea, if it had not been for Berkeley’s intervention on his behalf.

The paper of this letter bears the watermark and date of Dusautoy & Rump 1806.
The last picture in the gallery is a portrait of Rear Admiral Duckworth, the recipient of the letter, the previous three pictures are of Admiral Berkeley, Admiral Berkeley’s HMS Ganges, and Edward Jenner

Six similar Royal Naval letters, from 1808-1813, are in the "Sir George Cranfield Berkeley Papers" at Rice University, Texas, USA
https://digitalprojects.rice.edu/wrc/british-navy/collections/show/6

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  read more

Code: 20233

An Early Roman Empire Period 1st Century Status Seal Ring Depicting Winged Pegasus and Bellerophon Slaying the Monstrous Chimaera With His Spear

A superb Henig type Xb ring. Wide oval bezel affixed to flattened shoulders engraved copper bronze alloy with gilt highlights. Almost identical shape and form to one found in the UK near Hadrian's Wall. And another similar, with the very same style of workmanship and engraving from the era, was discovered 50 years ago, and believed to be once the ring of the infamous Pontius Pilate, the Governor of Judea for Rome

Although an Ancient Greek legend, all the gods and myths of Ancient Greece were highly revereed and eagerly adopted by the Romans, for their art especially. However, once they adopted the Greek gods they Romanised and re-named them, such as the God of the Sea, Poseiden, who thus became Neptune, God of the Sea, for the Romans. Traditional stylized engraving, typical for a Roman status ring, for a citizen or noble.

Pegasus is fabled winged-horse from Greek mythology which was fathered by Poseidon and was born from the severed neck of the gorgon Medusa, slain by Perseus. At the same time and in the same way, Chryasor was also born. Poseidon gave Pegasus to his son Bellerophon who put Pegasus to good use in his famous battle with the Chimaera.

The myth of Bellerophon begins with the hero visiting Tiryns and enjoying the hospitality of the city's king Proitos. However, trouble started when Stheneboia, the king's wife, fell in love with the hero and made inappropriate advances. Bellerophon, being a good guest, politely rejected these advances but predictably, Stheneboia saw red and went before the king and accused the visitor of attempting to seduce her. In punishment, Bellerophon was sent by Proitos to serve his father-in-law Iobates, King of Lykia. On arrival, Bellerophon was set a series of dangerous and impossibly difficult tasks, chief amongst them being to destroy the fearsome and rather bizarre Chimaera. This fire-breathing creature was a terrible mix of a lion's body with a snake for a tail and the head of a goat sprouting from its back. To aid him in this task, Bellerophon was fortunate to have at his disposal Pegasus. In some accounts he found the horse at the fountain of Pirene near Corinth, and Hesiod suggests this fact explains the name Pegasus, derived from 'water'- pēgē. Taming the horse with the help of Athena, Bellerophon rode (and flew) Pegasus and managed to kill the monstrous Chimaera with his spear.

Bellerophon and Pegasus went on to enjoy further success with other challenges Iobates set the hero including a battle with the Amazons. However, becoming rather boastful and thinking he could fly high enough on his winged steed to take his place amongst the immortal gods, Bellerophon was thrown by Pegasus and fell unceremoniously back to earth. Meanwhile, Pegasus kept on going and on reaching Mt. Olympus, he was given to Eos who was responsible for bringing Dawn across the sky each day. According to Hesiod in his Theogony, Pegasus also brought Zeus his thunder and lightning whenever needed.
Pegasus appeared on Greek pottery, the earliest being Corinthian wares from the 7th century BCE. Pegasus was also a popular design on coins, in particular from Corinth from the 6th century BCE. A famous representation in sculpture is from the pediment of the Temple of Artemis on Corcyra (c. 580 BCE). The Bellerophon and Pegasus myth was also a popular subject in Roman art - especially engraved semi-precious stone cameos and floor mosaics - where the horse became symbolic of immortality.

A ring discovered 50 years ago is now believed to possibly be the ring of Pontius Pilate himself, and it was the same copper-bronze form ring as is this one. See its image in the gallery, with a detailed drawing of the traditional stylized engraving.

Being around 2000 years old, it has a heavily encrusted, natural, well aged patina

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

Code: 24889

A Very Fine 17th Century Spontoon. Central Double Edge Blade With Side Wings. Used For Over 140 Years in Military Service Including From the English Stuart to Early Hanoverian Reigns, The French-Indian War & Revolutionary War In The Americas

With original long, studded full haft, around 8 foot long, with steel foot. Spontoons (also spelled “espontoons”) appeared later than halberds, coming into use in the late 17th century. The word seems to come from the Italian spuntone, meaning “pointed.” A spontoon’s iron point, sometimes decorated with tassels, was fitted to a sturdy hardwood shaft measuring from six to nine feet in length. The weapon’s distinguishing feature were sidewings sometimes plain and sometimes elaborately ornamental, perpendicular to the main blade.

Spontoons may have evolved from earlier spear-like weapons called pertuisanes or partisans. The partisan had a large blade, sharp on both sides. The blade was wider at the bottom, where twin symmetrical blades of various shapes sprouted from the sides. Rather blurry lines separate the spontoon and a number of other spear-like staff weapons. There were hybrids known as “partisan spontoons,” and some 18th-century European accounts refer to officers’ weapons as partisans rather than spontoons. Other sources refer to spontoons as “half-pikes,” and some simply call them spears.

Although the British serving both in America and Europe, used them in the French Indian War {aka the 7 Years War} quite liberally, we put aside a lot of their use as pole weapons during the Revolutionary War, yet spontoons formed a large part of the equipment of the US Continental Army. Captain Daniel Morgan led a portion of the Continental attack on Quebec on December 30, 1775. His men carried spontoons in addition to rifles and scaling ladders. Attacking a two-gun battery, they drove the defenders into a nearby house. Morgan ordered his men to “fire into the house and follow up with their pikes (for in addition to our rifles, we were also armed with long espontoons), which they did, and drove the guard into the street.”

In several surviving written orders, General George Washington insisted that Continental officers carry spontoons. At Valley Forge on December 22, 1777, Washington directed that each officer “provide himself with a half-pike or spear, as soon as possible.” Washington did not want his officers to carry muskets, which he believed had a way of “drawing their attention too much from the men.” He needed the officers focused on commanding their men, not distracted with loading and firing a musket. Additionally, Washington believed that an officer with neither firearm nor spontoon had “a very awkward and unofficerlike appearance.”

In America, spontoons held on into the early Federal period. A North Carolina militia law of 1787 required infantry officers to carry “side arms or a spontoon.” Because militia officers might well wear civilian clothing, a spontoon or sword served as an indication of superior rank.

The U.S. War Department ordered 120 spontoons for its officers in 1800. Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark each carried one during their transcontinental expedition of 1804-1806. Both officers would have reason to be glad they were burdened with these heavy staff weapons. In what is now Montana, on the night of May 26, 1805, Lewis nearly stepped on a rattlesnake. Guided by the sound of the rattles, Lewis stabbed about in the dark with his spontoon until he killed the snake. Three days later, Clark killed a wolf with his spontoon. Lewis’s spontoon would twice more save his life, once in driving away a bear and another time when the captain saved himself from falling 90 feet from a precipice by bracing himself with his weapon’s long staff.

Lewis and Clark may have been the last American military officers to get any real use out of the spontoon. Watchmen and policemen in some cities carried smaller versions of spontoons until about 1860, but by the time of the War of 1812, they had essentially disappeared from military life. However, William T. Sherman, in an 1890 article in the North American Review, pointed out that U.S. militia laws still on the books stated that “each commissioned officer shall be armed with a sword or hanger and spontoon.” So, strictly speaking, all militia officers without spontoons were in violation of Federal statutes until the militia laws were revised in 1903.

The British Monarch's Royal Bodyguard, the Yeoman of the Guard, wearing their scarlet and gold full dress Tudor style uniforms, still carry the traditional spontoon polearms {see photo in the gallery at the Tower of London}. In the gallery is a photograph of spontoons in a Swiss castle museum gallery. This one is polearm type number four on the right.

It has its original studded haft but since it has been in armoury display for likely two centuries all its surface velvet is now gone and overall surface worn.

what is incredibly interesting is the iron foot of the spontoon, it is a 17th century Civil War pike head, that has likely lost its point so the haft has been turned around the spontoon head fitted, and the pike head left in place to be used as its foot.

See photo 10 in the gallery to show exactly how the pike {now an iron foot} would have looked with its point intact, the pike is on display in the Metropolitan Museum in the USA.

Delivery completely assembled with its haft is within the UK mainland only due to length.

Two links to a similar spontoon and a pike in the Metropolitan Museum below, for reference

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25095

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25847

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: 25649

A Most Fine 1840 Bespoke English Fowling Piece, with Finest Elaborate Engraving, Juglans Regia Walnut Stock and and Damascus Twist Barrel. Finely Engraved Throughout with Hunting Dogs, Scrollwork and Gamebirds

By James Catley of Lench St. Birmingham.

With back action lock prevalent in the 1840's , and a finest damascus 31 1/2 inch long barrel, with twin inlaid gold lines, and hook breech for rapid removal of the barrel. Original rammer, with its concealed threaded worm-screw and cover cap at its farthest end, for the removal of missfires, and the stock has silver escutcheons for a barrel retaining key, again to aid rapid removal of the barrel.

During the 1840s, English fowling pieces (sporting shotguns) reached a pinnacle of mechanical refinement, artistry, and prestige. This decade marked the absolute maturity of the percussion lock system before breechloaders took over, characterized by incredibly fast ignition times, exquisite Damascus steel barrels, and ultra-slim, elegant walnut stocks. London and Birmingham gunmakers set the global standard for luxury sporting arms

By the 1840s, the classic flintlock was considered obsolete for high-end wing shooting. Gunsmiths perfected the copper percussion cap system, utilising "patent breeches" that allowed for near-instantaneous ignition and superior weather resistance.

Barrels were meticulously forged by twisting iron and steel bars together to create striking, intricate patterns (such as curnee, herringbone, or ribbon Damascus). These were finished using a specialized browning or cold rust bluing process that protected the metal while accentuating the elegant swirling pattern.

The lines of 1840s pieces were exceptionally sleek. Stocks were carved from high-grade English or Circassian walnut, featuring fine checkering at the wrist and a slim, gracefully sloping comb. Engraving reached an extraordinary level of detail, featuring tight scrollwork, hunting dogs, and game birds on the lock plates, hammers, and trigger guards.

The 1840s market was dominated by legendary names operating out of London and Birmingham, many of whom pioneered technology still referenced in modern gunmaking today:

This beautiful piece of finest English workmanship, is from the zenith of the worlds greatest gunmaking master craftsmen. It would make a superb piece for interior decoration {no gun safe is required to store antique obsolete arms}, bearing in mind to replace it today, by one of the few remaining and equivalent finest London bespoke gunsmiths, such as Boss or Purdey, would require an expenditure of likely £120,000 plus

All in superb condition for age, with just usual light wear throughout.  read more

Code: 26356

An Early, Historical and Fine, Original, Moghul Empire Katar. As With Most Of The Fine, Surviving, Early Katar It Has an Armour Piercing Blade. Made and Used From the Time Of Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th Century

Indian long blade armour piercing katar from the era of Shah Jahan, builder of The Taj Mahal, the most famous monument to a beloved wife in the world.

It was well known for its armour piercing capabilities, as many historical katars featured a blade that dramatically thickened into a diamond-shaped tip {see photo 9 in the gallery of this katar's blade tip}. This was intentionally engineered to punch directly through steel chainmail or split shields during an ambush.

The Katar is one of India's oldest weapons, characterised by its H shape grip and triangular blade. The Katar was predominantly used in battle and by skilled assassins as a thrusting dagger due to its design similar to the boxing method the user would punch with the dagger in the hand with the aim of piercing chain mail and the opponent. Due to the build of the Katar, with its H shaped grip, the Katar also provided a great defence as the handle bars protected the wrist from getting cut. Katars could also be paired with other weapons, such as a Kard or Pesh Kabz and utilised for slashing; as many of them hard sharp edges. From becoming a predominantly functional weapon, during the Mughal reign of India (from the 1500s onwards) rulers would wear a highly bejewelled gold covered example {see the portrait in the gallery}

The portrait in the gallery, circa 1650, is of Moghul Shah Shuja who was the second son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and Empress Mumtaz Mahal. He is wearing his similar form katar. Although his katar was naturally decorated with fabulous jewels, ours is plain steel.
He was the governor of Bengal and Odissa and had his capital at Dhaka, presently Bangladesh. He suffered and ignominious fate at the hands of his brother, Aurangzeb, who declared himself the next Emperor. In the Moghul Empire it was entirely normal for the most powerful son of the previous Shah to kill, banish or imprison their brothers, who would or even might be contenders for the throne. It was similarly the normal practise of the Ottomans.

Shah Jahan is best remembered for his architectural achievements. His reign ushered in the golden age of Mughal architecture. Shah Jahan commissioned many monuments, the best known of which is the Taj Mahal in Agra, in which is entombed his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. His relationship with Mumtaz Mahal has been heavily adapted into Indian art, literature and cinema. He owned the royal treasury, and several precious stones such as the Kohinoor and has thus often been regarded as the wealthiest person in history.

The death of his father Jahangir in late 1627 spurred a war of succession between his sons Shahryar and Khurram from which Shah Jahan emerged victoriously. He executed all of his rivals for the throne and crowned himself emperor on January 1628 in Agra, under the regnal title "Shah Jahan" (which was originally given to him as a princely title). His rule saw many grand building projects, including the Red Fort and the Shah Jahan Mosque. Foreign affairs saw war with the Safavids, aggressive campaigns against the Shia Deccan Sultanates,10 conflict with the Portuguese, and positive relations with the Ottoman Empire. Domestic concerns included putting down numerous rebellions, and the devastating famine from 1630-32.

In September 1657, Shah Jahan fell seriously ill. This set off a war of succession among his four sons in which his third son, Aurangzeb, emerged victorious and usurped his father's throne. Shah Jahan recovered from his illness, but Emperor Aurangzeb put his father under house arrest in Agra Fort from July 1658 until his death in January 1666. He was laid to rest next to his wife in the Taj Mahal. His reign is known for doing away with the liberal policies initiated by Akbar. Shah Jahan was an Orthodox Muslim, and it was during his time that Islamic revivalist movements like the Naqsbandi began to shape Mughal policies.

9 1/4 inch long blade, overall 17 3/4 inches long. 3 1/2 inches wide.  read more

Code: 26355

Grande Armee Issue, From the Consular To Ist Empire Period. French Napoleonic Year 13 Cuirassier Sword, Manufactured at Versailles in the Early Imperial Period, Circa 1804-1806. Inspected by Nicholas Cherrer, Chef De Battalion

Blade stamped with the mark of the Fasces for the 'Petit Garantie' 1798 to 1809, plus AP for L'Atelier Precision Paris, Paris Workshop and the hilt has the Versailles approval stamp.

Versailles was the premier hilt manufactury and assembly workshop for the Republic and Empire, and only the very finest would pass acceptance. All of the Elite Imperial Guard sword hilts were supplied from here. The Versailles Director was Boutet, probably the greatest & most respected Arms maker that ever lived, his pistols and guns, made for the King and Napoleon, are some of the most beautiful objects ever created by man.

This would have seen service in the Elite Cuirassiers of Napoleon's great heavy cavalry regiments of the Grande Armee such as in 1807 at Friedland. And in the French invasion of Russia ( Campagne de Russie) that began on 24 June 1812 when Napoleon's Grande Armee crossed the Neman River in an attempt to engage and defeat the Russian army. Napoleon hoped to compel Tsar Alexander I of Russia to cease trading with British merchants through proxies in an effort to pressure the United Kingdom to sue for peace. The official political aim of the campaign was to liberate Poland from the threat of Russia. Napoleon named the campaign the Second Polish War to curry favour with the Poles and provide a political pretence for his actions. The Grande Armee was a very large force, numbering nearly half a million men from several different nations. Through a series of long marches Napoleon pushed the army rapidly through Western Russia in an attempt to bring the Russian army to battle, winning a number of minor engagements and a major battle at Smolensk in August. Napoleon hoped the battle would mean an end of the march into Russia, but the Russian army slipped away from the engagement and continued to retreat into Russia, while leaving Smolensk to burn. Plans Napoleon had made to quarter at Smolensk were abandoned, and he pressed his army on after the Russians. The battles continued, but once the winter set in Napoleon's army was facing insurmountable odds that left it effectively shattered beyond repair. Napoleon fled, it is said, dressed as a woman, and the army left to it's sad and miserable fate. Only around 27,000 were able to return after a mere six months of the Russian campaign. The campaign was a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. The reputation of Napoleon was severely shaken, and French hegemony in Europe was dramatically weakened.
The Grande Armee, made up of French and allied invasion forces, was reduced to a fraction of its initial strength. These events triggered a major shift in European politics. France's ally Prussia, soon followed by Austria, broke their alliance with France and switched camps. This triggered the War of the Sixth Coalition. The Cuirassiers Heavy Cavalry Regiments used the largest men in France, recruited to serve in the greatest and noblest cavalry France has ever had. They fought with distinction at their last great conflict at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and most of the Cuirassiers swords in England very likely came from that field of conflict, after the battle, as trophies of war. However, this sword was one of the few that were allowed to remain in the elite cuirassier corps after Waterloo, serving King Loius XVIIIth both before Napoleon's 100 days, and after his crushing defeat by Wellington at Waterloo. In fact one can see it has been issued, re-issued and even re-inspected by Capt. Louis Balaran, at least twice times with numerous serial numbers and inspection stamps stamped and struck out in its working life from 1806.

Every warrior that has ever entered service for his country sought trophies. The Mycenae from a fallen Trojan, the Roman from a fallen Gaul, the GI from a fallen Japanese, the tradition stretches back thousands of years, and will continue as long as man serves his country in battle. In the 1st century AD the Roman Poet Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis Juvenal
wrote; "Man thirsts more for glory than virtue. The armour of an enemy, his broken helmet, the flag ripped from a conquered trireme, are treasures valued beyond all human riches. It is to obtain these tokens of glory that Generals, be they Roman, Greek or barbarian, brave a thousand perils
and endure a thousand exertions". A truly magnificent Napoleonic sword in superb condition for it's age.
The largest sword of its kind that was ever made or used by the world's greatest cavalry regiments. The cuirassiers were the greatest of all France's cavalry, allowing only the strongest men of over 6 feet in height into its ranks. The French Cuirassiers were at their very peak in 1815, and never again regained the wonder and glory that they truly deserved at that time. To face a regiment of, say, 600 charging steeds bearing down upon you mounted with armoured giants, brandishing the mightiest of swords that could pierce the strongest breast armour, much have been, quite simply, terrifying. The brass basket guard on this sword is first class, the blade is double fullered and absolutely as crisp as one could hope for. Made in the early Napoleonic Wars period.
Just a basic few of the battles this would have been used at such as Friedland in 1807, in 1812 and beyond 1812: Borodino and Moscow, Ostrowno, and Winkowo 1813: Reichenbach and Dresden, Leipzig and Hanau
1814: La Rothiere, Rosnay, Champaubert, Vauchamps, Athies, La Fere-Champenoise and Paris
1815: Quatre-Bras and Waterloo. The blade has fabulous steel bright colour, and hilt has fabulous patina. Overall 45.75 inches long in its scabbard, the spear pointed blade is 37.5 inches long. Just old staining to the scabbard steel.

The French Elite Cuirassier Sword is surely one of the most impressive Heavy Cavalry swords ever made, being of incredible size quality and stature. Used in the great campaigns of Napoleon by the Elite Grande Armee Cavalry, from Austria through the Russian Campaign, into the Peninsular War and finally the The Battle of Waterloo. All the Cuirassier were front line regiments, none ever utilized as Militia. With steel combat scabbard, multi fullered blade, brass 4 bar hilt with wire bound leather grip. Circa 1806. The blade is exactly as it should be, and bearing the matching Atelier Paris and Versailles stamp of 1806. Leather grip re-covered some time long past. Excellent condition hilt, and blade, later scabbard  read more

Code: 26351

An Antique 19th Century, Victorian, Naval Ship's Cutlass Iron Bowl With Steel Blade and Cast Ribbed Brass Grip

Likely made by Henry Wilkinson and this particular pattern are recorded as part of Wilkinson's naval cutlass contract in the late 19th century.

Ratings of the Royal Navy have used cutlasses, short, wide bladed swords, since the early 18th century. These were originally of non-uniform design but the 1804 Pattern, the first Navy-issue standard cutlass, was introduced at the start of the 19th century. This was a bluntish weapon that was perhaps intended for cutting away canvas and ropes rather than as a thrusting combat weapon. The 1845 Pattern cutlass introduced a bowl-style hand guard which provided greater protection, with a longer and more curved blade. Its sharper point made it more useful for thrusting attacks, which were now emphasised in the drill manual. The 1845 Pattern was modified several times including shortening and straightening the blades, which weakened them. The 1889 Pattern had a straight, spear-pointed blade with a hilt that curved outwards to catch and redirect an opponent's sword point. The 1900 Pattern, the last navy-issue cutlass, was similar to its predecessor with the introduction of a fuller and a hilt insert that cushioned the user's little finger. It was used in combat in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion. The cutlass was withdrawn from service in 1936 but remains in use for ceremonial purposes. However, we show a photograph in the gallery of British seamen assesing and polishing the ships cutlasses before combat in WW2. Plus, one of our late artisan's was a formar navy man, and he used them in the South China Seas in boarding parties against pirates in the 1950's.

Sailors received little training in sword technique and indeed these weapons were often snatched up at the last minute from chests kept on deck, either to repel boarders or to take on a boarding made against another ship.
Scabbards were not needed because a sailor would need his cutlass for immediate use in battle. However one in ten were made with scabbards for shore parties.
Boarding over the side of another ship in the days of sail was often a difficult affair. Sometimes the enemy's vessel could be much bigger than your own, or indeed much smaller, necessitating either a climb up the gunports and through the anti-boarding nettings of the other ship or a plunge down, probably on a rope's end, onto the deck of the smaller vessel.
At the encounter between the 14-gun Speedy and the 32-gun Gamo in 1801 a British boarding party led by Captain Thomas Cochrane took the Spanish frigate by boarding in a fierce action. The small British ship was manoeuvred to come close alongside the enemy and eventually under the Spanish guns' maximum depression. Then Cochrane led the entire 40 crew - except for eight casualties and the surgeon who was left at the wheel.

Armed with cutlasses, axes and pikes the British sailors fought ferociously in hand-to-hand combat with Cochrane calling loudly for another 50 fictitious reinforcements to follow. The Spanish flung down their weapons and surrendered.

The RN retained cutlasses in service aboard vessals officially until 1936, although there are reports of personnel carrying such weapons in WWII. And it is still used in Courts Marshal. The cutlass was last officially used in the Altmark incident where the British Naval Ship, HMS Cossack, liberated the prisoners captured by the Battleship Graf Spee that were being transported illegally through Norwegian waters by the German ship Altmark.  read more

Code: 26347

A Magnificent 95th Rifles, 1803 British Light Infantry Officer's Sabre of the Napoleonic Wars, The Peninsular War Campaign, The War of the Hundred Days Culminating in Quatre Bras, and Waterloo. with Engraved 'Britannia' Blade. Bespoke Made by Osborne

Used in the Peninsular War, Waterloo & The War of 1812 by a British Officer of a light infantry such as the famous 95th Rifles, or the flank light company of a Guards regiment. Such as that fought at Hougemont in The Battle of Waterloo. and the 95th Rifles that held "The Sandpit" near La Haie Sainte, Waterloo

A singularly beautiful sword, with near mint mercurial gilt hilt, that was designed for battle but was stunningly serviceable for full dress.

It has a carved slotted hilt with the 95th Rifles bugle, the pierced cypher of King George IIIrd, as the inner design within the knuckle bow, and adorned with a wonderfully detailed lion's head pommel, with fine triple wire binding around the spiral sharkskin grip.
This is the pattern of British Light Infantry and Rifles Officer's sword carried by gentlemen officers who relished the idea of combat, but found the standard 1796 Infantry pattern sword too light for extreme combat.

The light infantry regiments were made up of officers exactly of that mettle. The purpose of the rifles light infantry regiments was to work as skirmishers. The riflemen and officers were trained to work in open order and be able to think for themselves. They were to operate in pairs and make best use of natural cover from which to harass the enemy with accurately aimed shots as opposed to releasing a mass volley, which was the orthodoxy of the day.
The riflemen of the 95th were dressed in distinctive dark green uniforms, as opposed to the bright red coats of the British Line Infantry regiments. However the Light Infantry Companies of the Guards Regiments wore red. This tradition of green uniforms lives on today in the regiment’s modern equivalent, 'The Rifles'.

This sabre has a few hand to hand combat cuts in its edge likely from Quatre Bras or Waterloo, and as it still remains sharp. These impacts are highly respected as indicative of the sword's combat pedigree against Napoleons forces.

The standard British infantry and light infantry regiments fought in all campaigns during the Napoleonic Wars, seeing sea-service at the Battle of Copenhagen, engaging in most major battles during the Peninsular War in Spain, forming the rearguard for the British armies retreat to Corunna, serving as an expeditionary force to America in the War of 1812, With the return of Napoleon from exile, all of the companies in England crossed the channel and landed in Belgium in May 1815, joining with those already present, so that the entire regiment, bar the five companies still in America, became part of Wellington's Anglo-Dutch army. The first battalion went on to fight at the Battle of Quatre Bras on 16 June 1815, while all three battalions would fight at the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815

During the battle of Waterloo the 95th Rifles held "The Sandpit" near La Haie Sainte, near the centre of the fighting. From this covered position they could target the French columns marching to both sides & the attackers on the chateau.

In 'Burke at Waterloo', by Tom Williams, Burke’s sergeant, William Brown, is fighting alongside the riflemen, and the account accords well with real accounts of the battle for the farm.

"At last the drummers started to beat amongst the ranks of blue-uniformed warriors and the columns began to bear down on La Haye Sainte. They advanced at a quick step with loud cries of ‘Vive l’Empereur!’ From the heights behind William came a murderous artillery fire that struck down dozens of the advancing soldiers, but they came on regardless.

Now they had reached the beginning of the slope. As they approached La Haye Sainte, skirmishers broke out from the head of each of the columns. Finally, the 95th had something to shoot at. The sound of their rifles was almost lost in the din of artillery as French and British guns duelled across the battlefield.

The farm ahead of them was now the scene of desperate fighting. The French had the place surrounded on three sides, pouring fire into the farmyard. A French brigade moved towards the north of the farm to complete its encirclement. As they did so, they came within range of the sandpit and the Rifles opened up on them. William fired, reloaded and fired again. There was no careful wrapping of the balls now. He rammed home his ammunition as fast as he could. With the enemy so close, it was speed, not accuracy, that was needed. There were so many that it seemed almost impossible not to hit them. The French dropped by the score, but as fast as the men of the 95th killed them, more blue-coated figures moved to replace the dead. Outnumbered as they were, it could only be a matter of time before the Rifles were overrun.

Then, to William’s amazement, the brigade swung away, as if unwilling to face the men in the sandpit. If they were trying to escape the Green Jackets, though, this manoeuvre went horribly wrong, for their change in direction took them straight towards the company that were hidden in the hedge. Once again, their ranks were decimated by British rifle fire.

For a moment, William thought that their three companies of Rifles might achieve the impossible and beat back the French brigade, but, even as the French hesitated, an outburst of firing and cheers drew everyone’s attention to the east. There, through the chaos of smoke, he could see men in the dark blue of the Belgian infantry breaking back towards the main Allied lines while the lighter blue of the French pursued them.

Their captain saw it too, cursed, briefly but fluently, and then turned to his sergeant. ‘The Belgians have broken. We’re too exposed. We have to withdraw.’

William already had his rifle at his shoulder, so he pulled the trigger and took down one more Frenchman. Then, with the rest of the men of the 95th, he started heading back to their own lines.
and holding their positions against tremendous odds at the Battle of Waterloo."

The 1803 Sabre has frequently described as one of the most beautiful swords ever carried, and it was used, in combat, in some of the greatest and most formidable battles ever fought by the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe the Peninsular Campaign and Waterloo. This is a very attractive sword indeed and highly desirable, especially for devotees of the earliest era of the British Rifle Regiments, such as the 95th and the 60th. As a footnote, in Bernard Cornwall's books of 'Sharpe of the 95th', this is the Sabre Major Sharpe would and should have carried if he hadn't used the heavy cavalry pattern troopers sword, given to him in the story in the first Bernard Cornwall novel.

Overall this battle cum dress sword is in very good order and quite stunning. Near mint mercurial gilt hilt, and fine sharkskin and original triple wire binding to the grip,the scabbard leather is good with two effective contemporary field service leather repairs and very good scabbard mounts, with twin hanging rings, and a top fitting frog mount. The blade is finely engraved, with gilt within the engraving, of Britannia with her Union Flag shield, the Kings Royal Cypher, scrolls, maker mark of Osborne, and in combat service condition, with all its deluxe engraving, mostly clear, but with numerous areas of old russetting and pitting.  read more

Code: 26335

An Original & Historical 1796 Pattern Napoleonic Wars British Light Dragoon Trooper's Sword. A Regiment of the Line Issue Combat Sabre, For An NCO Or Other Rank Trooper Used In The Peninsular War and Battle of Waterloo era.

All steel scabbard, with steel P hilt and wooden grip. The blade is in excellent plus condition, and superbly bright overall, made circa 1802 to 1803. Average condition for age, obviously seen combat service .
Maker stamped by Osborne, ordnance contract maker of 1796 pattern light and heavy dragoon trooper's swords, a maker in Birmingham, 1797 to 1803, & ordnance inspector stamped on the blade face, Crown over 1.

This sword would have been used by a Light Dragoon trooper in any of the light cavalry regiments of the line, of the Napoleonic Wars, such as one who served, just for example, in the 11th Light Dragoons.

The 11th Light Dragoons later became the 11th Hussars. The 11th fought at both the Peninsular War and at the Battle of Waterloo, and were awarded almost 500 medals for Waterloo. After a spell in Ireland the 11th were sent to Spain and Portugal to reinforce Wellington's army. Their strength, normally around 300 in peacetime was raised to 725. They arrived in June 1811 and, as in Egypt, they had a bad start. A dawn attack by the French in woods between Elvas and the Guadiana forced the 11th to retire on to what they thought were friendly Portugese lines. When they realised they were French, their commander Capt Lutyens ordered the charge. The shock tactic worked and they were able to drive their way through, but a second line of enemy troops was able to resist them. They lost 8 killed, 22 wounded and 77 taken prisoner.
The regiment had more success at El Bodon near Cuidad Rodrigo on 25th September. By this time they were commanded by Lt Col Cumming, a brave and efficient cavalry officer. A large force of French cavalry was threatening Allied infantry and artillery on the plain in front of the 11th and a squadron of the King's German Legion who were well placed on high ground. Although they were vastly outnumbered the 11th and KGL charged at the enemy again and again, 20 times in all.

The 11th were part of Wellington's great victory over Marmont at Salamanca on 22nd July 1812 but by 3rd April 1813 they had to give up their horses and embark for England much to the regret of Sir Stapleton Cotton who was in command of the cavalry in the Peninsula. It had been a hard two years for them having lost 417 men and 555 horses.

During their time in the Peninsula many changes had been made to the uniforms of the British Army. The Prince Regent had a keen eye for dress and with his newly acquired position of supreme power was determined to push through his ideas based on continental military trends. The 11th exchanged it's light dragoon Tarleton helmet for a shako. The new jacket was still dark blue but had a buff plastron covering the chest, and white epaulettes, silver for officers. With the return of Napoleon in March 1815 the war with France resumed and the 11th arrived at Ostend on 2nd April. They were in Vandeleur's brigade with the 12th and 16th and had an unprecedented strength of 947 men. They came under heavy attack at Quatre Bras but did not suffer badly. On the 18th June 1815 the Battle of Waterloo began after a terrible night of torrential rain. It was a frustrating morning for the British cavalry who had to stand and watch an infantry battle. Against Wellington's wishes, the heavy cavalry made a brilliant charge that was spoiled by it's failure to re-form. The 11th under the command of Lt Col Money were sent into action when it looked as if the enemy were breaking up. They broke a French infantry square and carried on with the pursuit of Napoleon’s fleeing soldiers.
Wellington entered Paris in triumph on 7th July escorted by the 11th and others. The regiment bivouacked on the Champs Elysees and became part of the army of occupation in France and Belgium. On 20th November they eventually arrived home after 3 years on the continent

The mounted swordsmanship training of the British emphasised the cut, at the face for maiming or killing, or at the arms to disable. This left masses of mutilated or disabled troops; the French, in contrast, favoured the thrust, which gave cleaner kills. A cut with the 1796 LC sabre was, however, perfectly capable of killing outright, as was recorded by George Farmer of the 11th Regiment of Light Dragoons, who was involved in a skirmish on the Guadiana River in 1811, during the Peninsular War:
"Just then a French officer stooping over the body of one of his countrymen, who dropped the instant on his horse's neck, delivered a thrust at poor Harry Wilson's body; and delivered it effectually. I firmly believe that Wilson died on the instant yet, though he felt the sword in its progress, he, with characteristic self-command, kept his eye on the enemy in his front; and, raising himself in his stirrups, let fall upon the Frenchman's head such a blow, that brass and skull parted before it, and the man's head was cloven asunder to the chin. It was the most tremendous blow I ever beheld struck; and both he who gave, and his opponent who received it, dropped dead together. The brass helmet was afterwards examined by order of a French officer, who, as well as myself, was astonished at the exploit; and the cut was found to be as clean as if the sword had gone through a turnip, not so much as a dint being left on either side of it" The blade is remembered today as one of the best of its time and has been described as the finest cutting sword ever manufactured in quantity.

The steel hilt and scabbard has overall ols russetting, bright polished and with no denting.

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 trading  read more

Code: 26331