Antique Arms & Militaria

A Fabulous, Rare Early 19th Cent. British Explosive 10" Mortar Bomb From the War of 1812 In America. Likely, Fomerly Part of The Armament of HMS Terror, During The Bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. The Battle Site of “The Star Spangled Banner”

One of four exceptionally rare 10" Royal Naval mortar balls we are delighted to have acquired from our private historical Royal Naval collector in Plymouth, the same city where Admiral Cochrane, fleet commander at the attack on Fort McHenry, became Commander-in-Chief of the naval base in Plymouth, England, after the war of 1812.

They were apparently unloaded from ships of the line from Admiral Cochrane's returning fleet, with Commander John Sheridan of HMS Terror, supposedly in Plymouth, during the war of 1812 and the 90 pound bronze mortars were removed from his fleet. They are all in a very good state of preservation but with differing amounts of surface russetting. It is said the Admiral and his crew loathed and feared these particular huge mortars due to their likely hood of miss-fire. The 90 pounder shell had to be first primed, and then lit, before it entered the muzzle of the bronze cannon, that had previously been loaded with pounds of gunpowder, the cannon mortar was then lit and fired which thus ejected, with a massive force explosion, the explosive ball high into the sky to the centre of the enemy's ranks. However, the shell might have accidentally exploded while it was being manouvered, it might also have ignited the powder within the breech of the cannon, or, the fizzing mortar might have not have been ejected at all due to a cannon miss-fire. Any one of these horrifying events would be catastrophic, and the resulting explosion would be of of such magnitude it would likely have killed most on board, and probably sunk the vessel entirely with all hands. This a series of events that any ships captain or admiral would not consider to be entirely advantageous

The previous two 10” mortar bombs, that we had two years ago, were the very first we had had in 50 years. The first of those two we sold to an esteemed private museum in Florida USA, the other to an American private collector

We are not expecting ever to see any more of their like again. It would make a fabulous and impressive historical display piece of significant and particular Royal Naval and early American history interest

These 10" mortars explosive balls were fired by the 10" mortars used by Admiral Cochrane's fleet {with Commander John Sheridan aboard HMS Terror} against Fort McHenry, Baltimore Harbour, September 12–14, 1814, and the resulting 10" mortar bomb shell's mid air explosions, against the backdrop of the US flag flying at Fort McHenry, Baltimore Harbour, inspired the patriotic anthem, the
"Star Spangled Banner".

It was the sight of these very 10" mortar bombshells, that originally weighed around 90 pounds each, including powder therein, that when they exploded over Fort McHenry in Harbour, it inspired Francis Scott Key to write his poem that became the US anthem.
Naturally, this is a perfectly intact surviving example, and one of the 10" mortar shells that either wasn't fired, or, failed to explode.

With Washington in ruins, the British next set their sights on Baltimore, then America’s third-largest city. Moving up the Chesapeake Bay to the mouth of the Patapsco River, they plotted a joint attack on Baltimore by land and water. On the morning of September 12, General Ross’s troops landed at North Point, Maryland, and progressed towards the city. They soon encountered the American forward line, part of an extensive network of defences established around Baltimore in anticipation of the British assault. During the skirmish with American troops, General Ross, so successful in the attack on Washington, was killed by a sharpshooter. Surprised by the strength of the American defences, British forces camped on the battlefield and waited for nightfall on September 13, 1814, planning to attempt another attack under cover of darkness.

Meanwhile, Britain’s naval force, buoyed by its earlier successful attack on Alexandria, Virginia, was poised to strike Fort McHenry and enter Baltimore Harbour. At 6:30 AM on September 13, 1814, Admiral Cochrane’s ships began a 25-hour bombardment of the fort. Rockets whistled through the air and burst into flame wherever they struck. Mortars fired 10- and 13-inch bombshells that exploded overhead in showers of fiery shrapnel. It is said many exploded too soon as the fuses were set too short, which created the firework effect. Major Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry and its defending force of one thousand troops, ordered his men to return fire, but their guns couldn’t reach the enemy’s ships. When British ships advanced on the afternoon of the 13th, however, American gunners badly damaged them, forcing them to pull back out of range. All through the night, Armistead’s men continued to hold the fort, refusing to surrender. That night British attempts at a diversionary attack also failed, and by dawn they had given up hope of taking the city. At 7:30 on the morning of September 14, Admiral Cochrane called an end to the bombardment, and the British fleet withdrew. The successful defense of Baltimore marked a turning point in the War of 1812. Three months later, on December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent formally ended the war. "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbour during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory. During the bombardment, HMS Terror and HMS Meteor provided some of the "bombs bursting in air".

The 15-star, 15-stripe "Star-Spangled Banner" that inspired the poem
Key was inspired by the U.S. victory and the sight of the large U.S. flag flying triumphantly above the fort. This flag, with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, had been made by Mary Young Pickersgill together with other workers in her home on Baltimore's Pratt Street. The flag later came to be known as the Star-Spangled Banner, and is today on display in the National Museum of American History, a treasure of the Smithsonian Institution. It was restored in 1914 by Amelia Fowler, and again in 1998 as part of an ongoing conservation program. Pictures in the gallery of the siege from contemporary paintings and engravings, a commemorative stamp issued in 2014, and an original War of 1812 bronze British mortar now kept at Yorktown Visitor Centre, and a photo of the flag in the National Museum of American History, 1989. The original flag that was illuminated by these very 10" mortar shells.

Sir Alexander Cochrane was born into a Scottish aristocratic family as a younger son, and like many in this position made a career out of military service. Cochrane joined the Royal Navy as a boy and fought in the American Revolution. Following this war he rose quickly in the Napoleonic Wars, earning renown in the Battle of San Domingo and the Conquest of Martinique in 1809.

By the beginning of the War of 1812, Cochrane was a well-seasoned and high-ranking officer. As a vice admiral, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the new North American naval station in Bermuda. He devised a clever plan to weaken the American defenses and turn America’s slaves against the country by inviting any American – slave or free – to join the British Navy. Many slaves took this offer, escaping to British lines for military service in exchange for their freedom.

By the summer of 1814, Cochrane had returned to the waters of the United States, overseeing the raids of the Chesapeake. Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost, governor of Upper Canada, suggested launching an invasion somewhere in the United States in retaliation against the sack of York and to weaken the American forces, relieving pressure on Canada. Cochrane landed the ground troops to invade Washington, and presided over the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the Battle of Baltimore.

After only moderate success in the Chesapeake, Cochrane wanted to push toward New Orleans in order to cement the British position in the United States. He orchestrated an amphibious attack on the city via Lake Borgne, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico that could bring troops close to the city.

Although Cochrane was successful in the Battle of Lake Borgne, allowing the British Army to advance toward New Orleans, the disastrous defeat at the Battle of New Orleans damaged his reputation. The influential Napoleonic War hero the Duke of Wellington in particular blamed Cochrane of the death of his brother-in-law, Sir Edward Michael Pakenham, the British general overseeing land troops at the Battle of New Orleans.

However, despite the criticisms and ultimate failure to get a foothold in the United States, Cochrane was promoted to admiral after the war, and served out the rest of his military career as Commander-in-Chief of the naval base in Plymouth, England.

The fictional nautical adventures of Captain Horatio Hornblower were supposedly based on Cochrane’s notable maritime achievements.

HMS Terror had a most remarkable later history, alongside HMS Erebus
Franklin's lost expedition was a failed British voyage of Arctic exploration led by Captain Sir John Franklin that departed England in 1845 aboard two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, and was assigned to traverse the last un-navigated sections of the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic and to record magnetic data to help determine whether a better understanding could aid navigation.The expedition met with disaster after both ships and their crews, a total of 129 officers and men, became icebound in Victoria Strait near King William Island in what is today the Canadian territory of Nunavut. After being icebound for more than a year, Erebus and Terror were abandoned in April 1848, by which point two dozen men, including Franklin, had died. The survivors, now led by Franklin's second-in-command, Francis Crozier, and Erebus's captain, James Fitzjames, set out for the Canadian mainland and disappeared, presumably having perished

The mortar is empty, inert and completely safe.

The mortar is empty, inert and completely safe. Seated on an old iron ring for the photograph, not included with the mortar  read more

Code: 25058

A French Four Pounder Cannon Ball Fired at Waterloo Recovered at La Haye Sainte, the Battle of Waterloo. Approx 3 inches Diameter

The surface is very russetted by is nicely preserved overall, and it is a fabulous, historical, conversation piece.

Recovered alongside some relic items of combat, soldiers thimbles plus another cannon balls etc. discovered around La Haye Sainte (named either after Jesus Christ's crown of thorns or a bramble hedge round a field nearby).

It is a walled farmhouse compound at the foot of an escarpment on the Charleroi-Brussels road in Belgium. It has changed very little since it played a crucial part in the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815.

La Haye Sainte was defended by about 400 King's German Legion troops during the Battle of Waterloo. They were hopelessly outnumbered by attacking French troops but held out until the late afternoon when they retired because their ammunition had run out. If Napoleon Bonaparte's army had captured La Haye Sainte earlier in the day, almost certainly he would have broken through the allied centre and defeated the Duke of Wellington's army.

The capture of La Haye Sainte in the early evening then gave the French the advantage of a defensible position from which to launch a potentially decisive attack on the Allied centre. However, Napoleon was too late—by this time, Blücher and the Prussian army had arrived on the battlefield and the outnumbered French army was defeated.

Strategic importance

A view of the battlefield from the Lion's mound. On the top right are the buildings of La Haye Sainte. This view looks east, with Allied forces behind the road to the left (north) and French forces out of shot to the right(south)
The road leads from La Belle Alliance, where Napoleon had his headquarters on the morning of the battle, through where the centre of the French front line was located, to a crossroads on the ridge which is at the top of the escarpment and then on to Brussels. The Duke of Wellington placed the majority of his forces on either side of the Brussels road behind the ridge on the Brussels side. This kept most of his forces out of sight of the French artillery.

During the night from the 17th to the 18th, the main door to the courtyard of the farm was used as firewood by the occupying troops. Therefore, when the King's German Legion (KGL) was stationed in the farm at the morning of the battle they had to hastily fortify La Haye Sainte.

The troops were the 2nd Light Battalion KGL commanded by Major Georg Baring, and part of the 1st Light Battalion KGL. During the battle, they were supported by the 1/2 Nassau Regiment and the light company of the 5th Line Battalion KGL. The majority of these troops were armed with the Baker rifle with grooved barrels, as opposed to the normal Brown Bess musket of the British Army. The French troops also used muskets which were quicker to load than the Baker rifle but the latter was more accurate and had about twice the range of a musket.

Both Napoleon and Wellington made crucial mistakes about La Haye Sainte as it was fought over and around during most of the day. Napoleon failed to allocate enough forces to take the farm earlier in the day while Wellington only realised the strategic value of the position when it was almost too late.

By 1812 the French had cannon operating on several organizational levels. Most infantry regiments had their own guns, each division would likely have a battery or two of artillery, and on top of that there would be several batteries in the reserve artillery of each Corps. It can get a bit confusing, so I decided to organize what I have and also plan ahead to make sure that I don't make too many mistakes when buying these impressive pieces.
Regimental Guns
Napoleon experimented with regimental guns already in 1809. To bolster both the impact and morale of his regiments he sprinkled out light cannon to give them some extra local firepower. This unfortunately had tactical disadvantages, since the guns could hinder the troops both when moving on the battlefield and during marches.

These were mostly smaller guns, by now completely outmatched in regular batteries. The regular infantry in 1812 were, according to research, largely equipped with 3-pounder cannon captured from Austria's impressive record of military misfortune. As far as I know these cannon came with or without a strange kind of fork-like attachment at the front.

The 9lb British “Blomfield” cannon used at the Battle of Waterloo. The heaviest type of artillery used by the British Army at Waterloo, {apart from the howitzers} it fired a solid cannonball weighing around nine pounds (about four kilos). Cannons were a vital part of warfare at the time of Waterloo, with the ability to rip through massed ranks of troops and inflict terrible casualties.

In 1780 Captain Thomas Blomfield RA was appointed Inspector of Artillery and Superintendent of the Royal Brass Foundry. Three years later he was given responsibility for re-organising the Ordnance Department. At the same time he was experimenting with new forms of ordnance. The resultant Blomfield guns had thicker breeches, thinner chases and a cascabel ring to control recoil, making them stronger without increasing their weight.

The Blomfield 9-pounder cannon, fired a round shot ball around 4 inches in diameter, was introduced to the Royal Artillery (RA) in 1805 as a response to the heavier French calibre guns. At Waterloo Wellington had 157 pieces but only 60 were 9-pdrs, in 12 batteries. The remaining 13 batteries had 6-pdrs and howitzers. Interestingly, the Dutch-Belgian and Brunswick Artillery, who fought alongside the British at Waterloo, used French cannons (known as An. XI Ordnance). Wellington employed his Royal Horse Artillery very effectively during the battle as a mobile reserve to plug holes in his line. For example, with Hougoumont under attack, Major Bull’s troop was brought forward in support from its original position towards the rear of the allied position.

The allied artillery faced 246 pieces in 34 French batteries. As was his usual tactic, Napoleon started the battle with a heavy artillery bombardment on the Allied line to soften up the enemy.

Cannons on both sides used round-shot of six nine or twelve pounds but the French also had four pounders, as is this ball. They were all lethal against columns of infantry, knocking down several men at once for as long as the ball continued to travel. Case shot or canister (tin coated iron cans) packed with smaller iron balls was devastating at close range. Only the British used spherical case (Shrapnel) where a shell was filled with small iron balls. A specially cut wooden fuse detonated a bursting charge.

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: 26165

Original, Antique, Victorian Household Cavalry Armour Breastplate Cuirass of the LifeGuards, The Blues &The Royals. the Mounted Personal Bodyguard Regiments of the British Monarch, Part of The Household Division

With With brass edge trim & rivets. It bears the ordnance inspection stamps. Used by all of H.M.Queen Victoria's Household Cavalry regiments.

We have a pair of these original Victorian Horse Guards cuirass breastplates, but they are for sale separately.

During a visit to the Tower several decades ago, thanks to an invitation by our friend Howard Blackmore {historian and assistant curator at the Tower} we had a discussion, amongst many other subjects, of the conversion of the Life Guards and Horseguards back to armoured heavy cavalry, after around 150 years of un-armoured service as the monarch's mounted guard since the 17th century.

This is one of those early cuirass breast plates created for the newly armoured horse guards regiments.

From 1661 to 1778, the Life Guards Troops saw action in the Jacobite Wars, the Second Dutch War
(when they served as sailors) ant the War of the Austrian Succession. In 1778 the four Horse
Guard Troops and Horse Grenadiers re-formed as the 1st Life Guards. Both Regiments fought
with distinction in the Waterloo campaign.
For the Egyptian War of 1882, Life Guards formed a Composite Household Cavalry
Regiment with the Royal Horse Guards, making Royal Horse Guards, making the famous
moonlight charge at Kassain. In 1894, for the relief of Khartoum, both Regiments contributed
soldiers to the Heavy Camel Regiment and were again formed as a Composite Household
Cavalry Regiment for the 2nd Boer War in 1900

The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons), initially known as The Tangier Horse, were raised by
King Charles II to form part of the garrison at Tangier, which had been acquired on his
marriage to Catherine of Braganza as part of her dowry. Known as The Royals, during the
18th century the Regiment saw service in most of the same wars as The Blues, including the
Peninsula campaign and Waterloo, where the Regiment famously captured the Eagle of the
French 105th Infantry Regiment. However, in the 19th century, unlike The Blues, The Royals
saw service in the Crimea and in India.  read more

Code: 25578

A Most Scarce Antique Ching Dynasty Chinese Shuāngjiàn (雙劍). A Twin-Sword Jian, Late 18th Early 19th century. Near Identical to Admiral Sir James Hanway Plumbridge's Sword in the National Maritime Museum Collection. His Sword Was a Single Blade Version

A 19th century Chinese double sword (Shuang Jian) with tortoise shell and brass mounts, engraved with shou characters and bats. A most rare sword arrangement where each sword has a rounded outer and a flat inner side hilt system, of two swords that fit back to back and parallel together, and are simultaneously worn in a single scabbard. The blades were designed to be used in pairs, one in each hand. During the Qing Dynasty, these were not just combat weapons but also popular symbols of high status. Many Jian were brought back to England by the earliest visitors to China, both before and after the Boxer rebellion.

A similar piece was exhibited in the British Museum, Chinese weapons and armour, 15th of December 1994 to the 15th of January 1995.

A Chinese jian double or twin sword, with two double edged blades retained in a single scabbard. Principle sword with a engraved brass mounts, the bats and longevity symbols on the brass mounts form the pun fúshòu (福壽), meaning a long and happy life, and a lined darkwood grip, the inner sword, is a mirror image of the outer, and both are simultaneously retained in a superb tortoishell covered scabbard, with two interior slots, one for each blade, with typical stylized brass mounts, typically decorated with a traditional, intricate, bat and seal design, fúshòu (福壽). The stylized longevity symbol called shòu (壽) surrounded by bats, fú (蝠)
Each sword has a double edged blade.

Overall with stunning original patination that has been now revealed.It has just returned from ten hours of museum grade hand conservation and polishing.Thanks to such extraordinarily successful efforts, that required no repairs at all due, to its condition, this would be a Chinese antique sword that would likely be impossible to improve upon.

Likely brought back to England as a souvenir of the Opium War period to the Boxer Rebellion. Truly original, antique, Chinese weapons are very scarce indeed, as historically, few swords were ever brought back from China. Porcelain and silk were far more popular and preferable souvenirs and exports for Europeans, and in China, in the mid 20th century, nearly all the surviving antique edged weapons were melted down and destroyed in the era of Mao, under Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolutionary instructions, in order to create new steel.

A fabulous example that has breathtaking natural age patina. Effectively, in wondrous condition for its age.

A near identical sword {but withy a single blade} was once belonging to Admiral Sir James Hanway. His family believed he wore it as a midshipman at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It is on display in the National Maritime Museum, exhibit number; WPN1157. Described as follows
Chinese sword, which belonged to Admiral Sir James Hanway Plumbridge (1787-1863). The hilt of the sword consists of a gilt pommel and crosspiece with very short down-turned quillons, and a fluted brown grip. The hilt is ornamented with a design of bats, which are a symbol of good luck. The steel blade is straight and double-edged. The point of the blade has evidently been broken off; it is about an inch too short for the scabbard and is rather roughly ground. The wooden scabbard is covered with lacquered paper actually tortoishell, and has four gilt lockets and a chape, which is ornamented with a design of bats. The two middle lockets are fitted with loops. This sword was offered to the National Maritime Museum as the sword which was worn by Admiral Sir James Hanway Plumbridge when he was a Midshipman at Trafalgar. It is inconceivable that he wore a Chinese weapon at Trafalgar. He probably obtained the sword during one of his three commissions in the East Indies. Admiral Sir James Hanway Plumbridge (1787-1863) entered the Royal Navy on the 6th September 1799 and was a Midshipman in HMS 'Leda' in the expedition to Egypt in 1801. At Trafalgar he was acting 6th Lieutenant in HMS 'Defence', and on the 20th August 1806 he was confirmed in rank. See photo 10 in the gallery, it shows the admiral's identical Jian sword on display in the National Maritime Museum, the photo is sadly of poor quality

The two paintings in the gallery are original Chinese gouache of a seated Ching Emperor, and his sword bearer, holding the same type of Jian sword, but with a green tortoiseshell scabbard.

The antique Chinese jian is a straight, double-edged sword used in China for over 2,500 years, with the earliest examples dating to the 7th century BC. We actually have some original, ancient jian museum pieces, from this era, acquired by us from the world renown Dove Collection. See them offered for sale within our website.
It was a multi-purpose weapon, optimized for thrusting but also capable of cutting and slashing, and was a symbol of status. The design was effective and remained relatively consistent over long periods, with minor variations in length, weight, and balance.
The jian's most defining feature is its straight, double-edged blade. While it could be used for both cutting and thrusting, it was often considered more optimized for thrusting than the single-edged dao (sabre).
The jian was a symbol of power and status, wielded by the elite and sometimes carried as a symbol of authority.
Its use dates back to the Spring and Autumn period, with some of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian.
Design variations: The length, balance, and weight of the jian varied significantly across different periods and purposes.
It is a crucial tool in traditional Chinese martial arts training.
Military use: It was a formidable weapon on the battlefield and, due to its length and reach, was sometimes used like a long spear to favour thrusting techniques.
The jian is a significant symbol in Chinese culture and history, frequently appearing in films, historical reenactments, and museum exhibits.
Antique jian are valuable as historical artifacts, collectibles, and striking decorative pieces.  read more

Code: 26100

A Most Rarely Seen Prussian-Danish War Medal, 1864, Made From Captured Danish Guns

Prussian, Denmark Campaign Medal. 1864 - Engraved Edge.

Since the London accords of 1852 the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg were attached by personal union to Denmark. Following the new constitution of 1863 Denmark integrated these areas into the state which caused a protest from the Deutsche Bund. After a resolution of the German Bundestag the German states send "Execution" troops into the duchies which belonged to the German Federation (Holstein and Lauenburg) under the command of Generalleutnant Heinrich von Hake formed by a Saxon brigade under Generalmajor von Schimpff as the operational-force, a Hanoverian brigade under Generalleutnant Gebser as a supporting force and a Prussian and an Austrian brigade in reserve.
The Austrians took part in this Bundesexekutionscorps by sending a brigade under the command of Generalmajor Leopold Graf Gondrecourt. But in addition to this, the two German major powers, Prussia and Austria, decided to declare war on Denmark and sent an army consisting of three corps under the command of the Prussian Feldmarschall Friedrich Graf Wrangel, whose Chief of the General staff was Generalleutnant Eduard Vogel von Falkenstein.
The 1st corps was commanded by the Prussian Prince Friedrich Karl, the 2nd corps by Feldmarschall-Leutnant Ludwig Freiherr von Gablenz and the 3rd corps by Generalleutnant von der Malbe. The 2nd (Austrian) corps was formed by the 6th army corps, enlarged by a cavalry brigade and 2 heavy batteries. Additionally Graf Gondrecourt's brigade also joined the 2nd corps after leaving the surprised federal troops. On the 1st of February 1864 58,000 Prussian and 21.000 Austrian soldiers crossed the Eider and commenced operations against the Danish land forces. On the 2nd and 6th of February the Austrians were victorious at Vejle and Oeversee whilst the Prussians were successful at the Deppeler Schanzen near Sondersburg on the 18th of April 1864. On the 9th of May a naval squadron commanded by Contre-Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff successfully engaged superior Danish forces near the island of Helgoland. The Danish forces retreated to Northern Jutland and the islands of Alsen and Funen and an armistice for 6 weeks was agreed for a new peace treaty of London. After the failure of these negotiations the hostilities again resumed on the 25th of June 1864 and the Austrian forces reached the Northern part of Jutland and finally Cape Skagen.
The Danish Captain Hammer, who had caused the most trouble for the Austro-Prussian naval forces was captured between the islands of Fohr and Sylt and a new armistice was implemented on the 20th of July 1864 which finally lead to the peace agreement of Vienna on the 30th of October 1864. Denmark was forced to hand over the contested duchies to Prussia and Austria. However disagreement over the administration of these duchies soon became one of the primary reasons, especially promoted by the Prussian prime minister Otto von Bismarck, for the coming conflict between the two German major powers in the war of 1866. Franz Joseph I, Kaiser of Austria, and Wilhelm I, King of Prussia, agreed to institute a commemorative medal for their successful army. The great number of captured guns, especially from the fortress of Frederica, made it possible to decide that the medals should be minted from the brass of the enemy's guns. Kaiser Franz Joseph signed the institution of the medal on the 10th of November 1864 and the regulations (Statuten) dated the 11th of November and both were published in the Armeeverordnungsblatt on the 20th of November 1864.

The official name was: "Erinnerungs-Medaille an den Feldzug 1864 gegen Danemark" (commemorative medal for the 1864 campaign against Denmark) Along the rim of the medal the words: "AUS EROBERTEM GESCHUETZ" (from captured guns)  read more

Code: 19933

A Most Rare, Historic, British, Pattern of 1859 Naval Cutlass Bayonet With Scabbard By Reeves. One of Only 800 Made. An Absolute Beauty with a Stunning Blade & Scabbard and Original, Blackened Japanned Finish, Steel Bowl Guard

Without doubt a superb and excellent example that would be nigh on impossible to improve upon.

British forces widely used the Pattern 1858 Enfield Naval Rifle (often paired with the 1859 Pattern cutlass bayonet) during the Second Opium War (1856–1860).
The Royal Navy and British Army infantry used the P1858 during joint operations, including the capture of the Taku Forts and the advance on Beijing. During the Boxer Rebellion at the end of the 19th century, older muzzle-loaders and Enfields could occasionally be found in auxiliary and reserve roles within the international expeditionary force.

The Enfield Rifle Pattern 1859 Cutlass Bayonet was imported during the Civil War by both the North and South for the both their Navy and Coastal Artillery units.
The rifle and cutlass bayonet were employed by British colonial forces and British regiments stationed in New Zealand.
Used by European mercenary forces and foreign powers involved in suppressing the rebellion in China.
Used by various factions during the Boshin War and Satsuma Rebellion as the Tokugawa Shogunate and imperial forces rapidly modernized their arsenals

The British Pattern 1859 Naval Cutlass Bayonet was designed for the Royal Navy to pair with the Pattern 1858 Enfield Naval Rifle. Manufactured by Charles Reeves & Co. of Birmingham, genuine Reeves-stamped examples are exceptionally scarce, as Reeves produced fewer than 800 pieces. The vast majority of Pattern 1859 bayonets were outsourced to Solingen, Germany
This 1859 cutlass bayonet scabbard, is stamped "SG". The "SG" mark stands for Simmons & Ginder ordnance scabbard makers. Scabbards were made of black leather with steel or brass mounts, this example has the steel mounts

This is a very fine example of the scarce British Pattern 1859 Type II Naval Cutlass Bayonet & Scabbard for use on the Pattern 1858 “Enfield” Naval Rifle. These rifles had thicker barrels than the standard Pattern 1856 rifle and were rifled with 5 grooves instead of the normal 3 grooves. The British military wanted to create a dual-purpose bayonet for the rifle, much like Admiral Dahlgren did with his Bowie Knife/Bayonet for the US Model 1861 Naval Rifle and settled on a combination naval cutlass and bayonet as the most practical design. However, the length and weight of the bayonet must have made its use on the end of a rifle very awkward. The British military contracted for about 80,000 of these cutlass bayonets, and it is interesting to note that aside from a small contract of less than 800 delivered by Reeves of Birmingham, all of the other contractors involved used Solingen made blades in the fabrication of their bayonets.

In fact, established Solingen sword maker and cutler Carl Reinhardt Kirschbaum of Solingen, working under the business name of C.R. Kirschbaum, established a new business venture for the specific purpose of producing Pattern 1859 Naval Cutlass Bayonet blades.

This cutlass is one of those 800 very rare examples made by Reeves of Birmingham.

The Pattern 1859 Type II Naval Cutlass Bayonet offered here is in FINE condition overall and is accompanied by a very hard to find original scabbard, that is in very good condition. The blade is full-length at 27” and is clearly marked with the maker mark of Reeves on the ricasso. The muzzle ring measures .830”. The blade has its original high polished steel appearance. The blade is almost entirely smooth, along its entire length. The solid iron basket hilt has a fine appearance. The interior of the guard retains about 90%+ of its original black jappaning with only some scattered scratching, light wear and surface scuffing. The original locking spring is present in the grip and functions exactly as it should. The two-piece pressed leather grip panels are in about fine condition and show only minimal shrinkage and retain about 80%+ of their original finish. The grips retain the majority of their roll embossed knurling (while the pattern is “checkered” it is not actual checkering but embossing with a roll die) and show only some light wear, minor scuffmarks and some light rounding to the sharp checking tips. The grips are much nicer than they are normally encountered on a bayonet of this pattern and are really attractive. The balance of the iron hilt has thinly oxidized brown patina that is almost entirely smooth, over the duller gray base metal. The original scabbard accompanies the bayonet, which is an extremely difficult item to come by. The scabbard is in complete and solid condition with both original iron mounts in good condition and well secured to the leather scabbard body. The scabbard body is solid and complete with the original stitching securely in place along the seam in the rear. These cutlasses in their original scabbards are very hard to find, especially by Reeves, and this is a solid, very good looking example.

Overall this is a really attractive example of one of the rarer British bayonets to be found. While there is no way to be sure, the lack of British acceptance marks raises the possibility that this cutlass bayonet may have been purchased by US or CS agents for use on one of the Enfield Pattern 1858 Naval rifles that were imported by both sides during the war. Of all the Enfield “short rifles”, the Naval Rifle was one that was imported in very small quantities, making the bayonets even more uncommon in America today. The bayonet is in really fine condition and is accompanied by a very scarce original scabbard.
This is a great example of a rare bayonet, complete with scabbard, and would be a great addition to display with any bayonet, cutlass or sword collection, especially a Pattern 1858 Naval rifle, and to add to any collection of Civil War era bayonets.

The slashing attack with the cutlass at sea wasn't practical. One must remember that ship's decks were extremely tight quarters and overcrowded. Although some longer swords made it to sea, the primary edged weapons were short hangers, cutlasses, dirks, etc. Thrusting weapons were the item of choice, evidenced by the reemergence of the ancient pike, much shortened to fit on a crowded ship's deck. The point is that it makes sense that the cutlass could be used as a sharpened bludgeon, but worked better as a stabbing implement like the pikes and dirks.

A jab to the face or neck could obviously be lethal, penetrating the airway, severing the trachea, carotids and jugular. To the chest, there is penetration of the lungs, bronchus (all fatal), heart and great vessels (aortic arch), abdominal cavity with its vascular liver and pancreas.

Also consider the cutlass in the use for defense of the ship vs the aggressor boarding party. Netting was placed over the ship to discourage boarders, with the sailors stabbing through the netting as the enemy attempted to clamber onto the deck. Again, a cutlass would work far better here as a thrusting defensive weapon, stabbing through the tight ropes at those on the other side.  read more

Code: 26277

A Fine & Rare Medieval Short Sword, 15th Century, Used in the Battle of Agincourt 1415 Period, The Weapon of A Man-At Arms, Or Foot Knight of The Anglo French Wars Era of King Henry Vth

What a fabulous original ‘statement piece’ for any collector of fine early arms. In the world of collecting there is so little remaining in the world from this highly significant era in European and British history. And to be able to own and display such an iconic original representation from this time is nothing short of a remarkable privilege.

A man-at-arms was a soldier of the High Medieval to Renaissance periods who was typically well-versed in the use of arms and served as a fully-armoured heavy cavalryman.A man-at-arms could be a knight, or other nobleman, a member of a knight's or nobleman's retinue, or a mercenary in a company serving under a captain. Such men could serve for pay or through a feudal obligation. The terms knight and man-at-arms are often used interchangeably, but while all knights equipped for war were men-at-arms, not all men-at-arms were knights

A fine example piece, from the ancient knightly age, from around 620 to 700 years ago. an ancient and original historical sword in usual russetted condition for edged weapons of this era, with some elements lacking, the grip would have been made of organic material (such as wood or horn) and such natural materials cannot survive so many centuries without constant care . Furthermore, almost every item made of iron from this period, even the rarest of swords and daggers in the Royal Collection, will likely be in this very same state of preservation, with overall traces of surface russetting.

This sword is probably of Italian origin, from the earliest renaissance period. Swords and daggers from Germany and Italy were often imported all around Europe and certainly into Britain for the use of warrior knights and men-at-arms..

A straight short sword, likely shortened from longer, with wide double-edged blade, shallow central groove, battle nicks to the sides, iron hilt with cross-guard in unusual Oakshott style 4 with a raised quillon, pommel in the Oakshott B1 type. After several decades of relative peace, the English had renewed their war effort in 1415 amid the failure of negotiations with the French. In the ensuing campaign, many soldiers perished due to disease and the English numbers dwindled, but as they tried to withdraw to English-held Calais they found their path blocked by a considerably larger French army. Despite the disadvantage, the following battle ended in an overwhelming tactical victory for the English.

King Henry V of England led his troops into battle and participated in hand-to-hand fighting. The French king of the time, Charles VI, did not command the French army himself, as he suffered from severe psychotic illnesses with moderate mental incapacitation. Instead, the French were commanded by Constable Charles d'Albret and various prominent French noblemen of the Armagnac party.

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

Agincourt is one of England's most celebrated victories. The battle is the centrepiece of the play Henry V by Shakespeare. Juliet Barker in her book Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle ( published in 2005) argues the English and Welsh were outnumbered "at least four to one and possibly as much as six to one". She suggests figures of about 6,000 for the English and 36,000 for the French, based on the Gesta Henrici's figures of 5,000 archers and 900 men-at-arms for the English, and Jean de Wavrin's statement "that the French were six times more numerous than the English". The 2009 Encyclopædia Britannica uses the figures of about 6,000 for the English and 20,000 to 30,000 for the French. Weight 552 grams, 53cm (21”). Fine condition.

See Oakeshott, R.E., The Archaeology of the weapons, London, 1960; Oakeshott, E., The sword in the Age of the Chivalry, Woodbridge, 1964 (1994).

The word daga in Italy and the Venetian Empire indicated a double edged and pointed short sword, used for both war and hunting, usually 40 to 60 cm long. This medieval short sword was often used during duels. Swords like this were able to penetrate thin parts of full plated armour owing to their sharp point.

Ewert Oakshott , Ronald Ewart Oakeshott (25 May 1916 – 30 September 2002) was a British illustrator, collector, and amateur historian who wrote prodigiously on medieval arms and armour. He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a Founder Member of the Arms and Armour Society, and the Founder of the Oakeshott Institute. He created a classification system of the medieval sword, the Oakeshott typology, a systematic organization of medieval weaponry, a seminal work of world renown  read more

Code: 23523

A Beautiful Original Victorian Merryweather Pattern Brass Fire Brigade Service Helmet. Complete With Original Liner and Chinscales

An original British Victorian fire service helmet, with signs of service use, naturally, and with denting on the crest and skull as usual, but it is simply part of its character, to demonstrate this is not a piece that never saw service but was used as it should, but cared for, and beautifully preserved for posterity.

The traditional two-piece skull has the embossed raised dragon comb, rose bosses, crossed axe and hoses helmet plate, and original leather liner complete. Overall in every way fair to better condition for age.

The desirable standard pattern of Fire Service helmet used by all British county and city Fire Services in the Victorian era and just past WW1.

The earliest fire brigade was Roman and that is the first fire brigade of which we have any substantial history was created by Marcus Licinius Crassus. Marcus Licinius Crassus was born into a wealthy Roman family around the year 115 BC, and acquired an enormous fortune through (in the words of Plutarch) "fire and rapine." One of his most lucrative schemes took advantage of the fact that Rome had no fire department. Crassus filled this void by creating his own brigade?500 men strong?which rushed to burning buildings at the first cry of alarm. Upon arriving at the scene, however, the fire fighters did nothing while their employer bargained over the price of their services with the distressed property owner. If Crassus could not negotiate a satisfactory price, his men simply let the structure burn to the ground, after which he offered to purchase it for a fraction of its value. Emperor Nero took the basic idea from Crassus and then built on it to form the Vigiles in AD 60 to combat fires using bucket brigades and pumps, as well as poles, hooks and even ballistae to tear down buildings in advance of the flames. The Vigiles patrolled the streets of Rome to watch for fires and served as a police force. The later brigades consisted of hundreds of men, all ready for action. When there was a fire, the men would line up to the nearest water source and pass buckets hand in hand to the fire.

Rome suffered a number of serious fires, most notably the fire on 19 July AD 64 and eventually destroyed two thirds of Rome.
In the UK, the Great Fire of London in 1666 set in motion changes which laid the foundations for organised firefighting in the future. In the wake of the Great Fire, the City Council established the first fire insurance company, "The Fire Office", in 1667, which employed small teams of Thames watermen as firefighters and provided them with uniforms and arm badges showing the company to which they belonged.
However, the first organised municipal fire brigade in the world was established in Edinburgh, Scotland, when the Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment was formed in 1824, led by James Braidwood. London followed in 1832 with the London Fire Engine Establishment. Some small split perishing repairs on the skull above top right of the badge {facing the badge} and comb service denting.  read more

Code: 26275

An 1801 Pattern, Tower of London, Royal Navy Issue, Long ‘Sea Service Pistol’, With Original Belt Hook, Tower of London GR Crown Lock, Fine Stock & 'Skull Crusher' Butt Cap, From The Battle Of Trafalgar Historic Nelson Period, Stock Dated 1803

A very fine example indeed, profusely stamped.

Probably one of the best complete and original examples of a Royal Navy Sea Service pistol that we ever have seen for quite a while.
Profusely struck with numerous ordnance and inspectors marks, fairly clearly issue date stamped 1803 into the stock, with its original belt hook. Some hooks were removed in service. The 'Skull Crusher' butt cap was so called as once the shot was discharged at the enemy, in close hand-to-hand combat, there was no time to re-load, so the pistol was turned around, and firmly held in the left hand, by the barrel, and thus used as a stout club, and used for exactly the same purpose. The right hand, once free, could then hold a cutlass or sword, simultaneously.

Fantastic patina to the stock. The King George IIIrd issue British Royal Naval Sea Service pistol has always been the most desirable and valuable pistol sought by collectors, but this example, like our previous 1801 sea service pistol, {sold last year} is truly exceptional.

Exactly as issued and used by all the British Ship's-of-the-Line, at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Such as;
HMS Victory,
HMS Temeraire,
HMS Dreadnought,
HMS Revenge,
HMS Agamemnon,
HMS Colossus
HMS Leviathan &
HMS Achilles.
Some of the most magnificent ships, manned by the finest crews, that have ever sailed the seven seas.

Battle of Trafalgar, (October 21, 1805), naval engagement of the Napoleonic Wars, which established British naval supremacy for more than 100 years; it was fought west of Cape Trafalgar, Spain, between Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar. A fleet of 33 ships (18 French and 15 Spanish) under Admiral Pierre de Villeneuve fought a British fleet of 27 ships under Admiral Horatio Nelson.

At the end of September 1805, Villeneuve had received orders to leave Cádiz and land troops at Naples to support the French campaign in southern Italy. On October 19–20 his fleet slipped out of Cádiz, hoping to get into the Mediterranean Sea without giving battle. Nelson caught him off Cape Trafalgar on October 21.

Villeneuve ordered his fleet to form a single line heading north, and Nelson ordered his fleet to form two squadrons and attack Villeneuve’s line from the west, at right angles. By noon the larger squadron, led by Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood in the Royal Sovereign, had engaged the rear (south) 16 ships of the French-Spanish line. At 11:50 AM Nelson, in the Victory, signaled his famous message: “England expects that every man will do his duty.” Then his squadron, with 12 ships, attacked the van and centre of Villeneuve’s line, which included Villeneuve in the Bucentaure. The majority of Nelson’s squadron broke through and shattered Villeneuve’s lines in the pell-mell battle. Six of the leading French and Spanish ships, under Admiral Pierre Dumanoir, were ignored in the first attack and about 3:30 PM were able to turn about to aid those behind. But Dumanoir’s weak counterattack failed and was driven off. Collingwood completed the destruction of the rear, and the battle ended about 5:00 PM. Villeneuve himself was captured, and his fleet lost 19 or 20 ships—which were surrendered to the British—and 14,000 men, of whom half were prisoners of war. Nelson was mortally wounded by a sniper, but when he died at 4:30 PM he was certain of his complete victory. About 1,500 British seamen were killed or wounded, but no British ships were lost. Trafalgar shattered forever Napoleon’s plans to invade England.

Obviously this arm has signs of combat use and the stock has minor dings. But when taken into consideration its service use, it is of little consequence compared to it's condition, which is truly exceptional, with, incredibly, absolutely not a trace of rust or corrosion on the more usually heavily pitted, steel, lock and barrel.

It still has it's original 12" barrel, which is very scarce as the barrels were shortened by official order, to 9", before the Napoleonic wars. The rammer is present and in place, but swollen en situ, so we have not attempted to remove it.  read more

Code: 26266

A Most Impressive, Fearsome, & Effective, Combat Weapons Ever Created. A 1600's to Early 1700's Mughul Period Battle Mace Gurz or Shishpar With 8 Flanged Head and Khanda Sword Hilt. A Most Formidable Mace AKA The Sky Borne Splitter

In ancient Persian texts this has been the decisive weapon of choice by great warriors, used to kill the dragon Kasfud by Gev, in ancient Persian texts, and known as the ‘Thunderbolt of Indra’ in ancient Indian texts, and also the Sky Borne Splitter.

A style of battle mace that goes back to the earliest days of medieval knightly warfare. As popular in Europe as it was in the Indian Sub Continent. Being a fantastic Moghul period example it has the highly distinctive khanda sword hilt, which has a protective half basket guard for the hand, and the projecting pommel spike to enable both two handed combat and a counter point for reverse striking and blows.
It has its traditional iconic feature of a shaped flange head, common with all steel flanged head maces, with ring turned finial, ring turned haft with characteristic hilt with upturned guard and broad knuckle bow, dished disc pommel with elongated spike finial.

Rare 17th - 18th C. Indian shishpar battle mace with khanda sword Hilt. Rare early example of the Indian battle-mace weapon "Shishpar" used by skilled warrior for fighting through armoured troops, armed with a 8-flang steel head topped with an armour exhibiting heavy but smooth patina with occasional fine pitting, the edges of several flanges with dents indicating on period usage against armour. Mounted on the well balanced steel shaft with a large Khanda sword hilt of early type, some light chiselled art work around the broad guard and at the base of the large pommel spike designed to be used for two handed grip at the battle. Grip with original old ox chords still present and intact. Powerful and very battle-efficient weapon of early Hindu and Muslim warriors.

Probably from Rajasthan. Despite successive waves of Muslim conquest, Rajasthan remained predominately Hindu. It was divided into a number of small states centred around fortified cities such as Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur, all of which had their own armouries that a few of these survive within today. The Gorz is a weapon often mentioned and variously described in Iranian myths and epic. In classical Persian texts, particularly in Ferdowsi’s Šha-nama , it is characterised as the decisive weapon of choice in fateful battles, and to kill the dragon of Kasafrud; by Gev, in the expedition to Mazandaran. In Indian mythology, Indra owns a club/mace (vajra-) called the Thunderbolt of Indra and made of the bones of Risi Dadici, a sacred figure in the Vedic literature. It has been also referred to by many other names and descriptions, including sky-borne, splitter, destructive.

Overall length 80cm, a heavy grade piece of superb quality

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: 24186