WW1 / WW2 / 20th Century

Probably The Rarest & Most Significant Artifact of WW2 Available in the World. A Superb 'Top Secret' 'Ball Race', A Spare Part of the World Famous 'Little Boy' Bomb , The Very First Atom Bomb Ever Made, and Used in WW2 To End The War in Japan

An amazing significant piece especially for this August, for the 80 year anniversary of the Victory Over Japan in August 1945.

This amazing piece of history has returned from use in a documentary on the Manhattan Project and Professor Oppenheimer, as can be seen in the current worldwide movie hit, 'Oppenheimer'

It is the second, 'back-up' spare part that we owned, the first spare part we sold previously to a private museum in Florida, and both were made for the world famous Manhatten Project at Los Alamos the create the 'Little Boy' bomb, the 1st ever Uranium Bomb, that ultimately led to the end of WW2 in Japan. Although obviously devastating to Japan, it saved many, many millions of lives, including the hundreds of thousands of allied WW2 POWs in Japanese slave and torture camps, who were to be instantly executed, under Imperial decree, the moment an allied soldier stepped foot on Japanese soil.
And, not forgetting the Japanese Imperial General Staff order that every man, woman, and child in Japan were instructed to kill an allied invading soldier, by whatever means, and every Japanese citizen was ordered to fight to the death, and never surrender.
Another most interesting and historical fact, not often known by most today, was that the emperor realised once the atom bombs were dropped, and their god like devastating power revealed, Japan was utterly lost, and what remained of his empire and his people must be saved at all costs, despite the likelyhood of an assassination attempt to kill their divine Emperor

Thus he decided to announce Japan's unconditional surrender, and thus the assassination conspiracy was enabled. Considerable elements of the general staff had other ideas to the Emperor's surrender order, and many passionately opposed this decision, so much so, despite him being regarded as a god, an assasination squad under command of Major Hatanaki, a fiery eyed zealot, was despatched to the imperial palace to kill thir emperor.
Fortunately for the world his most faithful and devoted aide hid him in a special protected room, and thus the emperor was able to escape and make his momentous surrender broadcast, and the rest, as they say, is history.

In the days that followed the emperor’s radio address, at least eight generals killed themselves. On one afternoon, Vice Admiral Matome Ugaki, commander of the Fifth Air Fleet on the island of Kyushu, drank a farewell cup of sake with his staff and drove to an airfield where 11 D4Y Suisei dive-bombers were lined up, engines roaring. Before him stood 22 young men, each wearing a white headband emblazoned with a red rising sun.

Ugaki climbed onto a platform and, gazing down on them, asked, “Will all of you go with me?”

“Yes, sir!” they all shouted, raising their right hands in the air.

“Many thanks to all of you,” he said. He climbed down from the stand, got into his plane, and took off. The other planes followed him into the sky.

Aloft, he sent back a message: “I am going to proceed to Okinawa, where our men lost their lives like cherry blossoms, and ram into the arrogant American ships, displaying the real spirit of a Japanese warrior.”

Ugaki’s kamikazes flew off toward the expected location of the American fleet. Fortunately they were never heard from again.

Although just 80 years old this year, it is probably one of the rarest items we are ever likely to offer, or will ever be seen again on the world market to buy.
A unique survivor of the most expensive and intense top secret project of WW2. A superb, micro engineered gyro ball race.
We had both spare part Gyro Ball Races, and the other one previously, that we had, we sold to an American private museum collector. This is the secondary spare part, that we acquired from the late collection of Professor Samuel Eilenberg, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Columbia University in WW2, that we are delighted to offer for sale. The first, 'principle' part, was used during the construction of 'Little Boy' Uranium Bomb, part of the ultra top secret 'Manhattan Project' and evaporated in the detonation. However, there were two spare parts made at Los Alamos, and we were delighted and most privileged to have acquired both of them. The 1st 'spare' part, we sold earlier, was engraved, this second back-up spare part, was not with it's Los Alamos part code; GYRO PT MK3 A. Code L.B.BOMB. That first spare part we sold recently to a private museum in Florida, USA, this, our second example another MK3 A, is plain and un-engraved, and the 'back-up' spare part.
Apparently most component parts of both bombs made at Los Alamos code names; 'Little Boy' and 'Fat Man' had spare parts, and 'back-up' spare parts, constructed. Importantly, if a main part was damaged in assembly they could not wait the many months it would take for a spare to be made, potentially at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, thus prudently, emergency spares, and secondary spares, were required. Souvenirs of the Manhattan Project were later officially gifted or presented to many of the consultants and scientists working on, or associated with, the greatest secret project of the 20th century, once the project was officially closed down by the lead physicist Dr. Oppenheimer. For information purposes the diameter of the ball race is 160mm which is within a small tolerance of the diameter of the gun barrel 165mm that barrel was central to the construction of 'Little Boy'. This measurement may indeed be a clue to the relevance to the ball races actual function or use within the project. Unfortunately due to the top secret nature of the whole event Prof Eilenberg did not reveal the ball races specific function, or, even his, no doubt significant, personal contribution, within the project, before his death in January 1998, only that he acquired them at Los Alamos in August 1945, apparently personally given by Oppenheimer. Much of the full schematics are still officially 'Top Secret'.
The first spare that we sold was accompanied by top secret Royal Naval photos, and the id plate of the projector used to show the professors, physicists and scientists working on the project, the film of the dropping of 'Little Boy' by the Enola Gay. We show for information only those photos and id plate, but they are not included with this back-up spare part. We also show the engraving, as was on the original spare part we sold, but it is not on this 'back-up' spare. The Manhattan Project was the project to develop the first nuclear weapon (atomic bomb) during World War II by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Formally designated as the Manhattan Engineer District (MED), it refers specifically to the period of the project from 1941–1946 under the control of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, under the administration of General Leslie R. Groves. The scientific research was directed by American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.

The project succeeded in developing and detonating three nuclear weapons in 1945: a test detonation of a plutonium implosion bomb on July 16 (the Trinity test) near Alamogordo, New Mexico; an enriched uranium bomb code-named "Little Boy" on August 6 over Hiroshima, Japan; and a second plutonium bomb, code-named "Fat Man" on August 9 over Nagasaki, Japan.

The project's roots lay in scientists' fears since the 1930s that Nazi Germany was also investigating nuclear weapons of its own. Born out of a small research program in 1939, the Manhattan Project eventually employed more than 130,000 people and cost nearly $2 billion USD ($23 billion in 2007 dollars based on CPI). It resulted in the creation of multiple production and research sites that operated in secret.

The three primary research and production sites of the project were the plutonium-production facility at what is now the Hanford Site, the uranium-enrichment facilities at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the weapons research and design laboratory, now known as Los Alamos National Laboratory. Project research took place at over thirty different sites across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The MED maintained control over U.S. weapons production until the formation of the Atomic Energy Commission in January 1947. We also have an original photo print taken from HMS Colossus, part of 11th Aircraft Carrier Squadron, that was based in the Pacific, commanded by Rear Admiral Harcourt. It was taken on 7th August 1945 the day after Little Boy was detonated. It is a picture of two I/d profiles of two Japanese T/E fighters that were originally observed in July 1945. These photographs were sent to the Manhattan Project HQ, but why, to us, this remains a mystery. Also, another souvenir, the serial tag from the Army Air Corps Bell and Howell sound projector, that apparently showed the original film of the detonation of 'Little Boy' to Professor Eilenberg and others from the project after the Enola Gay mission. Those souvenirs we had accompanied the sale of the first and engraved spare ball race, and not this one. We show in the gallery, for information only, a Paul R. Halmos's photograph of Samuel Eilenberg (1913-1998, shielding his face left, and Gordon T. Whyburn (1904-1969) in 1958 at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Edinburgh. For example, in relation to the desirability of original items connected to this monumentally historical mission, two other souvenirs from Little Boy, the green safety plugs, were sold around 23 years ago in the US.
The Little Boy was armed on the mission flight by removing the green safety plugs, and arming it with red arming plugs. This was undertaken by 23 year old Lt. Morris Richard Jeppson, who armed the bomb during the flight. For this perilous task he was awarded the Silver Star for his unique contribution to the mission. Jeppson, however, kept a few of the green plugs that signified his role in the bombing as souvenirs. He sold two of them in San Francisco for $167,500, at auction, in 2002, however, the US federal government claimed they were classified material and tried, but failed dismally, to block the sale in the courts, however the presiding Judge ruled that all of the Little Boy artefacts, details etc., are effectively, now, in the public domain and free to be sold at will.
We were very fortunate to acquire these fascinating pieces, from Prof Eilenberg's collection, from a doctor and lecturer of oriental studies in London, who acquired them himself some years ago from a dear colleague of Prof Eilenberg. This rare piece, the back-up gyro ball race spare part, is plain does not bear engraving, but it does have Eilenberg's label from his personal collection. It does not come with the camera plate or official photos they went to the museum in Florida, but we can supply copy photo images of the originals.

Plus, 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: 22797

An Original and Rare British 1944 Para's {Parachute Regiment} Combat Helmet. Made by Briggs Motor Bodies In 1944 For The Forthcoming Normandy Landings. Used From D-Day, the 6th of June 1944 & September 1944 Operation Market Garden At Arnham

You may have to go a long way and have an even longer wait to find an equally honest example such as this one, in this condition, in fact you may never see a better example.
WW2 British 1944 Dated Paratroopers Steel Combat Helmet, superb example of a classic WW2 British Airborne forces / paratroopers steel combat helmet with subdued combat paint finish to the exterior of the shell. Interior retains the original liner system with brown leather sweatband with BMB stamp and 1944 date. Helmet is complete with its airborne pattern webbing harness chinstrap dated 1943, with leather chin cup. The liner rubbers remain in good condition. Liner is size stamped 7 5/8 dated 1944.

The British Parachute Regiment, nicknamed "The Paras," played a crucial role in the Normandy landings during World War II. They were tasked with securing key bridges, disrupting German communication lines, and neutralizing enemy strongholds before the main amphibious assault on the beaches. Their actions were vital to the success of D-Day.

6th Airborne Division:
The 6th Airborne Division, which included the Parachute Regiment, spearheaded the British airborne assault.
Operation Tonga:
This operation involved the 6th Airborne's initial drop into Normandy, with the primary objective of securing the bridges over the Caen Canal and the River Dives.
Pegasus Bridge:
The 5th Parachute Brigade was specifically tasked with capturing and holding Pegasus Bridge (also known as the Bénouville Bridge), which was a crucial objective.
Merville Battery:
The 9th Parachute Battalion was assigned to neutralize the Merville Gun Battery, a formidable German artillery position threatening the landing beaches.

The Paras' objectives were strategically vital for preventing German reinforcements from reaching the landing zones and for ensuring the overall success of the D-Day landings.

The airborne operation was incredibly challenging, with troops facing strong enemy fire and unpredictable landing conditions. Despite these challenges, the Paras displayed exceptional courage and resilience, achieving their objectives and contributing significantly to the Allied victory.

The actions of the Parachute Regiment in Normandy are remembered with immense respect and gratitude, with annual commemorations taking place to honor their sacrifice and bravery.

Operation Market Garden, a large-scale Allied airborne operation during World War II, involved paratroopers (Paras) and aimed to secure key bridges in the Netherlands, including Arnhem, to create a corridor for a rapid advance into Germany. The operation, though ambitious, ultimately failed to achieve its primary objectives and resulted in heavy casualties.

Operation Market Garden was a plan devised by British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery to end the war in Europe by Christmas 1944.
It involved a two-part plan: "Market" (airborne landings) and "Garden" (ground advance).
The goal was to seize bridges over the Rhine River, including Arnhem, allowing a ground force to advance into Germany.

The 1st British Airborne Division, including paratroopers, was tasked with capturing the bridge at Arnhem.
The 1st British Airborne Division landed near Arnhem on September 17, 1944, but faced fierce resistance from German forces.
The paratroopers were to hold the bridge for 48 hours until relieved by ground forces.
The ground forces, however, were unable to reach Arnhem in time, and the paratroopers were caught in a prolonged and intense battle.

The airborne forces were dropped too far from the Arnhem bridge, losing the element of surprise.
German forces, including Panzer divisions, were stronger and better prepared than Allied intelligence had anticipated.
Ground forces struggled to advance, leaving the paratroopers isolated and under heavy attack.
The operation was ultimately a costly failure for the
Key points about the paratroopers' involvement:
The 1st British Airborne Division, including various parachute battalions, spearheaded the Arnhem attack.
The 2nd Parachute Battalion notably fought a prolonged and fierce battle at the Arnhem road bridge.
The paratroopers at Arnhem faced immense challenges and ultimately suffered heavy losses.

Overall a very good example of an original classic paratrooper steel helmet, used by one of the heroic paras from Normandy and to the close of WW2. It has been in storage for around 40 years, so its condition is exceptional.

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: 25884

Empire Goetz Medal 1915 - Great War Period, German, Sinking of the Lusitania Medal in Near Mint Condition

Originally made In August of 1915, several months after the sinking of the Lusitania, Karl Goetz produced the Lusitania medal in Germany and it was said to have been created to celebrate the sinking of the the Steam Ship RMS Lusitania, by the German U Boat U.20, in May 1915, and therefore the subsequent death of 1195 men women and children aboard, including 123 Americans. Unfortunately for Karl Goetz, he put the wrong date of sinking on the medal, an error he later attributed to an error in the newspaper account he had read. Instead of the correct date of 7 May, Goetz engraved 5 May, two days before the actual sinking of the Lusitania. This most reasonably allowed the British to claim that the Germans had waited for the ship to leave port and committed wholesale premeditated murder. Goetz later corrected the date but it was too late by then. This appalling event and the creation of a so-called celabratory medal in Germany was greeted with such outrage the medal was actually replicated in Britain, by Gordon Selfridge in April 1916, and distributed by sale for £1 Pound each for the benefit of widows and orphans in order to demonstrate to the people of Britain what callous fiends the Germans were, for them to plan and then celebrate the deaths of innocent civilians in such an extraordinary way. The original medal was actually apparently created to show the callousness of the Cunard Shipping Line in letting civilians travel upon a ship allegedly carrying arms, but it's production was entirely counter productive and without doubt an allied propaganda bonanza at the expense of the Central Powers. It is hardly surprising that this proved to be an extremely effective piece of British counter propaganda, and highlighted only too well the British cause against ruthless Imperial Germany. This is the British made version of the medal. Photo in the gallery of the Lusitania in New York Harbour.

In the gallery we show an original St. Dunstans leaflet, marked 'Please Do Not Destroy This', and all the proceeds for each of those medals sold, went to the St Dunstan's Hospital for Blind Ex-Servicemen
located in Brighton.
Ironically the Art Deco St Dunstans building is perched upon a Brighton secluded hill, high above the Brighton cliffs. It provides one of the most captivating and beautiful views of the English channel to be seen on the the entire UK coast, yet every patient was blind and thus would never see such a magnificent view.

This St Dunstans leaflet is an archive photo and not included, shown for historical interest only.

Over the decades we have had the honour greet and know many regular visitors from St Dunstans residents. Including, a few of the so-called 'McIndoe's Guinea Pigs' In the 1960's David senior's deep sea sailing ship moored at Newhaven used to take groups of blind veterans fishing off Brighton, and one resident we met many times was former Staff Sergeant Billy Baxter RHA, who became world famous as the blind world land speed record holder for a solo motorcycle at 167.84 mph. A record he held from 2003 until 2013. He now lives and works for charity in Llandudno, and became their Town Crier, the UK's only ever blind Town Crier.  read more

Code: 25879

A Beautiful, Original, Third Reich 1936 Graf Zeppelin Brittannia Metal Frame with Original 1936 Olympics Photo Card

A beautiful easel mounted picture frame in florid relief patterned Britannia metal, with a portrait bust in relief of Graf Zeppelin.

It displays a Berlin stamped photo card of the Olympic rings in Berlin in 1936. A fantastic piece of original 1936 German Olympic memorabilia.  read more

Code: 16562

A Good 1897 Pattern British Officer's Sword King Edward VIIth Period. Used in Both WW1 and WW2. The Pattern Still Used In Current Service Today

The blade is straight and symmetrical in shape about both its longitudinal axes. The thick blade has a deep central fuller on each side and is rounded on both its edge and back towards the hilt, giving a “dumbbell” or “girder” cross section. Through a gradual transition, the blade becomes double edged towards the tip, and the last 17 inches were sharpened when on active service. The blade ends in a sharp spear point.
The guard is a three-quarter basket of pressed, plated steel. It is decorated with a pierced scroll-work pattern and had the royal cypher of the reigning monarch set over the lower knuckle bow.

The 1897 pattern Infantry officer's sword has remained unchanged to the present day.
By the time of its introduction, the sword was of limited use on the battlefield against rapid-firing rifles, machine guns and long-range artillery. However, the new sword was regarded, when needed, as a very effective fighting weapon. Reports from the Sudan, where it was used in close-quarters fighting during the Reconquest of the Sudan 1896-99, were positive.
Field Marshal Montgomery advanced with his 1897 Pattern drawn during a counter offensive in the First World War. The actual sword he carried is exhibited in the Imperial War Museum, London.

One of the famous British officer's of WW2, who was a devoted exponent of hand to hand sword combat, using his sword in battle, was infantry officer 'Mad' Jack Churchill. After fighting at Dunkirk, he volunteered for the Commandos. On one occasion, a general who had commented on his weaponry, Churchill is said to have replied "Any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed."
Traces of old polished out light pitting throughout, the original leather bound field service scabbard is good but lacking the bottom chape.  read more

Code: 25869