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

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

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

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

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

Code: 20915

Superb WW1 Slouch Hat Badge of the 5th Mounted Rifle Ortago Hussars

A super original badge of one of the great and heroic New Zealand Horse Regiments. Probably for officers as it is gilded and manufactured with a separate silver central shield attached. Bears a small makers affixed label, Gaunt of London. The Otago Mounted Rifle Regiment was a New Zealand Mounted Regiment formed for service during the Great War. It was formed from units of the Territorial Force consisting of the 5th Mounted Rifles (Otago Hussars) the 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles and the 12th (Otago) Mounted Rifles. They saw service during the Battle of Gallipoli, with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade and was later withdrawn to Egypt. They later left the brigade and served in served in France with the New Zealand Division becoming the only New Zealand Mounted troops to serve in France. Battle of Gallipoli
Battle of Flers - Courcelette. 15-22 Sep 1916.
Battle of Morval. 25-28 Sep 1916.
Battle of Le Transloy. 1-18 Oct 1916.
Battle of Messines. 7-14 Jun 1917.
Battle of Polygon Wood. 26 Sep - 3 Oct 1917.
Battle of Broodseinde. 4 Oct 1917.
Battle of Passchendaele. 12 Oct 1917.
Battle of Arras. 28 Mar 1918.
Battle of the Ancre. 5 Apr 1918.
Battle of Albert. 21-23 Aug 1918.
Battle of Bapaume. 31 Aug - 3 Sep 1918.
Battle of Havrincourt. 12 Sep 1918.
Battle of the Canal du Nord. 27 Sep - 1 Oct 1918.
Battle of Cambrai. 8-9 Oct 1918.
Pursuit to the Selle. 9-12 Oct 1918.
Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct 1918.
Battle of the Sambre. 4 Nov 1918, including the Capture of Le Quesnoy.  read more

Code: 19167

A Cast Iron Plaque of Graf Von Zeppelin The Pioneer of German Airship Travel, & The First To Realise The Potential of Airship’s Ability of Bombing Combat Against Cities Far Behind Enemy Lines

Dated 1920. Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin (German: Ferdinand Adolf Heinrich August Graf von Zeppelin; 8 July 1838 – 8 March 1917) was a German general and later inventor of the Zeppelin rigid airships. His name soon became synonymous with airships and dominated long-distance flight until the 1930s. He founded the company Luftschiffbau Zeppelin.

Ferdinand von Zeppelin served as an official observer with the Union Army during the American Civil War. During the Peninsular Campaign, he visited the balloon camp of Thaddeus S. C. Lowe shortly after Lowe's services were terminated by the Army. Von Zeppelin then travelled to St. Paul, MN where the German-born former Army balloonist John Steiner offered tethered flights. His first ascent in a balloon, made at Saint Paul, Minnesota during this visit, is said to have been the inspiration of his later interest in aeronautics.


Russet finish overall. Approx 4 inches  read more

Code: 16535

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

Bourbon restoration
Main article: Bourbon Restoration in France

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

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

Code: 24758

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

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

Code: 23563

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

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

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

Code: 20833

A Set of Exceptionally Beautiful & Fine Edo Period Complete Suite of Samurai Tanto Mounts { Koshirae }. A So Called, Samurai Doctor's Sword, With a Wooden Blade Only

Although for many years samurai swords {all edged tanto are called swords by tradition} with such wooden blades, have often titled as a samurai Doctor's swords, as it has a wooden blade, it is actually incorrect, a suite of sword koshirae have always been revered as much as the blade, and when a blade is stored in its shirasaya storage mount, the sword is disassembled, and a wooden blade is hand carved to identically replicate its real blade, in order to correctly re-fit the mounts together, as if the real blade was present.
However, for centuries now, and especially in Europe, sword koshirae have be highly prized collector's pieces, being works of sublime art in their own right. Thus a set of fabulous antique sword mounts and fittings such this have long been collector's items, separate from the once fitted blade.

For example a very rare and fine tsuba alone could today fetch up to £40,000 by a master maker. and sword mounts, the fuchi kashira and menuki can now be worth many thousands of pounds. Superb quality Edo period tanto koshirae {sword fittings} with a blade formed wooden blade and habaki tsunagi. The full suite of matching, patinated, honey coloured copper, fushi, kashira, and tsuba bear a stunning kashira that depicts a carved figure of Fukurokuju, one of the Japanese seven deities, the tall headed god of happiness, wealth and long life one of the Shichi-fuku-jin (Seven Gods of Luck), particularly associated with longevity. He is supposed to have once lived on earth as a Chinese Taoist sage. He has a white beard, wears a scholar's headdress and he reads from a scroll containing the world's wisdom. The seven are drawn from various sources but have been grouped together from at least the 16th century. They are Bishamon, Daikoku, Ebisu, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, Hotei, and the only female in the group, Benten. He is sometimes confused with Jurojin, another of the Several Gods of Fortune, who by some accounts is Fukurokuju's grandson and by other accounts inhabits the same body as Fukurokuju. As such, the two are often confused.
The carving of the copper is beautifully executed and the figure has an most charming and jolly smile.

All the matching fittings are in beautiful condition. Only the lacquer of the saya has areas of wear and surface cracking. Overall 59 cm, saya 44cm, tsuka, 15cm  read more

Code: 20993

A 19th Century Indian Percussion Howdah Pistol, Double Over and Under Barrelled

With steel barrels and engraved decorative brass frame, and of overall utility quality. Tight mainspring action. Large .6 inch bore

A Formidable and singularly impressive double barrel large bore pistol, for use when seated in the Howdah, when riding on an Elephant, for protection against Tiger attack. The name "Howdah pistol" comes from the sedan chair- known as a Howdah which is mounted on the back of an elephant. Hunters, and officers, especially during the period of the British Raj in India, used howdahs as a platform for hunting wild animals and needed large-calibre side-arms to protect themselves, the elephant, and their passengers from animal attacks at close range. Even though Howdah pistols were designed for use in the “gravest extreme” against dangerous game (such as tigers), they were used in combat by some officers, for both offence and defence, as their effectiveness was simply unrivalled in close quarter action. Demand for these potent weapons outstripped supply, and many seen still surviving today are in fact converted shotguns, with shortened barrels and pistol grip restocking, and in later years gunmakers responded with revolvers, in calibres as large as .500, in order to fill the need. Firearms like these were one source of inspiration for the overtly powerful .44 magnum revolver. A 1996 movie, called 'The Ghost and the Darkness', starring Michael Douglas, featured the Douglas character, Charles Remington, using a near identical "howdah" pistol in several scenes.

Being of utility functional design this is not a fine quality English made equivalent from the same era, however, due to this, it is priced accordingly, and approximately less than a quarter of the price we sold our last two fine English made examples for. One nipple is only partially present

As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 24753

A Stunning Indian Mutiny Period Elite 2nd Dragoon Guards Officer's Silver Pouch

Hallmarked silver and dated to 1855. This was acquired from a museum grade collector of Waterloo artefacts and also 2nd Dragoon Guards artefacts, from the 19th century, see also the regimentally marked 2nd QDG 1796 Napoleonic Wars pistol code number 22648. Full dress officers silver pouch, in absolute pristine condition. Quite simply a wonderful artefact of British elite cavalry uniform regalia that is also an 'object d'art' from one of the most beautiful and finest quality military uniforms ever worn. Hallmarked London silver, dated 1855. Picture 10 in the gallery shows the pre 1885 2nd QDG full dress badge, when worn on their helmet the garter belt motto would change to the words Queen's Dragoon Guards, on the 1855 pouch it has "Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense" as with the full dress badge but surmounted by a crown. Rectangular curved box with silver lid, with cast silver supports and rings and lined with silver wire bullion bands. Box covered in tooled black leather lining with morocco red leather trim. The silver cover bears an engraved acanthus leaf border, bearing at its centre the elite royal cavalry badge, of a gold, crowned garter star, emblazoned with royal motto "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense", and the central relief VR cypher of Queen Victoria.
In 1857 the 2nd the Queen's Bays, were sent to India for the Indian Mutiny, and this pouch would have been worn in this conflict by its officer owner.
After the recapture of Delhi the focus of the conflict was on Lucknow, 150 miles northeast of Allahabad. Sir Colin Campbell had already rescued the beleaguered garrison there but had not prevented the rebels from capturing the city and holding it with 130,000 men. Campbell now had a force of 20,000 to march on Lucknow. The rebels made several sorties out of the town to engage with them. On 6 March two squadrons of the Bays made a charge under the command of Major Percy Smith. This got out of control over broken ground and three men were killed, including Major Smith. They were unable to retrieve his body. One corporal was unhorsed and unable to remount, so was cut to pieces. Six other men were wounded and many of the horses suffered terrible wounds from the mutineers' swords and bayonets. Lucknow was recaptured by 16 Mar 1858, but 20,000 rebels escaped. The cavalry units were already scattered around the countryside chasing small parties of rebels so were not in position to block the mass exodus on 16 Mar. "We came on bodies of Cavalry and Infantry of the enemy. Bays where ordered to the front to charge and pursue! Away we went as hard as possible, Major Smith and I leading. We did not stop for three miles, cutting down and pursuing the mutineers right up to Lucknow, and across the river. We are told the most gallant. Smartest, though somewhat rash thing that was done before Lucknow".

In a battle at Nawabganj, east of Lucknow, 2 squadrons under Major Seymour were part of the cavalry element of Hope Grant's 3,500-strong column that attacked a force of 15,000 mutineers entrenched at a river crossing. They made a 12 mile night march to surprise the rebels. There was a three hour battle during which the British were surrounded but they turned the tables and drove the enemy off, having killed 600 and captured 9 guns. The British lost 67 killed or wounded in action, but 33 died of sunstroke and 250 ended up in hospital. All members of the regiment had suffered from fever or sunstroke, both proving fatal in many cases. The CO, William Campbell died on 6 July 1858, after being promoted to brigadier. The second lieutenant-colonel, Hylton Brisco had suffered with fever and retired in September. Because of the fatalities and sickness, officers were gaining promotion without purchase. Captain William Henry Seymour, whose letters home provide valuable information on the Bays in India, attained his majority and lieutenant-colonelcy so that within 8 months he had gone from captain to CO of the regiment.
7.5 inches x 3.5 inches x 1.75 inches deep at the curve. 8.75 ounces weight total.  read more

Code: 22333

A Superb Napoleonic French 'Prisoner-of-War' Travelling Dressing Case

In wood covered in straw-work parquetry. A near identical example to one that is on display in the Burghley House Collection. Made by the captured Napoleonic and French wars French Prisoners-of-War in the early 1800's in order to subsidise their meagre prison rations, and this fine piece is made to give the impression it is a sizeable book when closed. The interior bears many small drawers and compartments and a fold away mirror in vauxhall plate, and a fine hand painted watercolour of Beaufort Castle in Invernesshire. All of the interior straw-work is pristine in colour and unfaded showing wonderful contrasts.
Great Britain was at war with France continuously from 1793 to 1802. Hostilities ceased briefly in 1802, but conflict soon recommenced. The Napoleonic Wars continued until 1815, when Napoleon?s forces were finally defeated at Waterloo.

In 1796 the first prison to house French prisoners was built at Norman Cross, some 5 miles north of Peterborough. Conditions must have been both harsh and crowded; disease killed more that 1,700 inmates between 1797 and 1814.
To supplement their rations and to provide small income, some prisoners made ornaments, models and toys, which they were allowed to sell. The materials used included straw, wood, bone and even human hair. Many of the items made were extraordinary in their complexity and design and were always very desirable to collectors. The proximity of Burghley House to the camp meant that members of the Cecil family acquired many fine examples.

Those displayed at Burghley include a number of containers made of wood with applied decoration of coloured straw, a stationery box, a set of bone spillikins in a pocket case, a framed straw-work picture of the house built for Napoleon Bonaparte on St Helena, to where he was exiled, a bone set of dominoes and playing cards and a detailed model of an 80-gun ship-of-the-line with hair rigging.

The last photo in the gallery shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo

12.75 inches wide, x 9.25 inches x 3 inches.  read more

Code: 20852