1st Edition Napoleon, by Hewiston W. B. The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. In Two Volumes Printed in 1814

London: Printed & Published by J. Wallis, and sold by S. A. Oddy, J. Goodwin, and Davies & Eldridge, Exeter, c. 1810
London: Wallis, 1814. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Two volume set. Good condition.

Illustrated with numerous b/w engraved plates. A popular British life of Napoleon. The two volumes are the first edition which ends with Napoleon's abdication to Elba. Photos to add of both books on Monday 23rd. Each volume is 8.25 inches x 5.25 inches x 1.25 inches
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), also known as Napoleon I, was a French military leader and emperor who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. Born on the island of Corsica, Napoleon rapidly rose through the ranks of the military during the French Revolution (1789-1799). After seizing political power in France in a 1799 coup d’état, he crowned himself emperor in 1804. Shrewd, ambitious and a skilled military strategist, Napoleon successfully waged war against various coalitions of European nations and expanded his empire. However, after a disastrous French invasion of Russia in 1812, Napoleon abdicated the throne two years later and was exiled to the island of Elba. In 1815, he briefly returned to power in his Hundred Days campaign. After a crushing defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, he abdicated once again and was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he died at 51. Napoleon was, and remains, famous for his battlefield victories, and historians have spent enormous attention in analysing them. In 2008, Donald Sutherland wrote:

The ideal Napoleonic battle was to manipulate the enemy into an unfavourable position through manoeuvre and deception, force him to commit his main forces and reserve to the main battle and then undertake an enveloping attack with uncommitted or reserve troops on the flank or rear. Such a surprise attack would either produce a devastating effect on morale, or force him to weaken his main battle line. Either way, the enemy's own impulsiveness began the process by which even a smaller French army could defeat the enemy's forces one by one.
After 1807, Napoleon's creation of a highly mobile, well-armed artillery force gave artillery usage increased tactical importance. Napoleon, rather than relying on infantry to wear away the enemy's defences, could now use massed artillery as a spearhead to pound a break in the enemy's line. Once that was achieved he sent in infantry and cavalry.  read more

Code: 23379

An Original And Beautifully Exotic North African or Arabian Heavily Decoratively Inlaid Snaphaunce Lock Kabyle Musket With Florid Engraved Silver Cappuchines (Barrel Bands) Circa 1790 to 1820 with Ivory Butt

Kabyle Flintlock Musket (Moukhala) with Sheet Silver and Bone Decoration, late 18th C.Steel, wood, sheet silver, bone, brass. Long North African flintlock musket of Moukhala type with smooth round barrel, secured by multiple capucines clad in sheet silver. Flintlock with fine engraving and sheet silver overlay. Straight wooden stock with ivory butt, and rich bone inlay decoration and sheet silver mounts in florid patterns. Ramrod present. Wedge-shaped shoulder rest with characteristic ribbed structure and bone appliqués. The stock and trumpet-shaped butt is enhanced with a carved ivory butt.
With a good Snaphaunce lock of 17th century style form, fine detailed engraving around the stock, distinctive deep flattened butt, and the stock is inlaid.

Two systems of gunlock prevailed in Kabyle guns, one, which derived from Dutch and English types of snaphance lock, usually with a thicker lockplate. Half cock was provided by a dog catch behind the cock. At full cock, the sear passing through the lockplate engaged the heel of the cock. The other mechanism was the so-called Arab toe-lock, a form of miquelet lock, closely allied to the agujeta lock (which required a back or dog catch for half cock) and the Italian romanlock. The term miquelet is used today to described a particular type of Snaplock. The miquelet lock, in all varieties, was common for several centuries in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean, particularly in Spain, Italy, the Balkans, and the Ottoman Empire domains including the coastal states of North Africa. The type of musket would be described as a Kabyle snaphance

The Moukhala is the traditional flintlock musket of the Berbers and Kabyles of North Africa, particularly the Algerian Kabylia region. The elaborate decoration with sheet silver mounts and bone inlays identifies this as a high-quality piece, possibly intended as a ceremonial or prestige weapon. The flintlock shows influences of the Miquelet type, which reached North Africa via the Spanish and Italian arms-making traditions. Comparable examples are held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Royal Armouries, Leeds.

This example is all locally made, and probably originates from anywhere from Morocco in the West to Saudi Arabia in the East. It features a very attractive snaphaunce style lock.

King Philip III of Spain signed an EDICT OF EXPULSION in 1609 to purge the nation of over half a million "Moors" who had arrived in Spain over the previous 500 years. These unfortunates were compelled to return to their ancestor's lands in North Africa. When leaving they took many "Western Skills" learned in Spain with them. Gunmaking was one such skill and a contingent of Muslim Gunsmiths set up in the City of Tetuan in what we now call Morocco.


They continued to make the latest style of firearms then dominant in Spain which was the Snaphaunce system, a forerunner of the traditional flintlock soon to be introduced in France.These Arab made long guns intended for use from the saddle of a Camel were smooth bored but surprisingly accurate and production of the same ignition system continued for over 200 years and more even through the late Victorian era.

What we offer here is a beautiful example of the snaphaunce muskets made between 1800 and 1820 using the finest materials available in the region, and enhanced in masses of Coin Silver most likely smelted from Spanish 16th and 17th century "Treasure" looted or mined in South America.
In Europe these most distinctive and elaborate Snaphaunce guns gained great favour in the Elizabethan era and their influence was greatly felt in Arabia, originally along the eastern trade routes, that were travelled and used by early Europeans in order to buy the finest eastern silks, gemstones & spices. They were continually used in the Middle East and the Maghrib long after they had become unfashionable in Europe. One of the most renown Berbers in history was Saint Augustine it is said of him "Of all the fathers of the church, St. Augustine was the most admired and the most influential during the Middle Ages ... Augustine was an outsider - a native North African whose family was not Roman but Berber ... He was a genius - an intellectual giant" Interestingly this gun would have been likely last used in the resistance battle against French colonial conquest of Algeria, and one of the most famous was a woman, a warrior leader called Lalla Fadhma n'Soumer (born Fadhma Nat Sid Hmed in Abi Youcef, Algeria c.1830) She was an important figure of the Algerian resistance movement during the first years of the French colonial conquest of Algeria. She was seen as the embodiment of the struggle. Lalla, the female equivalent of sidi, is an honorific reserved for women of high rank, or who are venerated as saints. Fadhma is the Berber/French spelling of the Arabic name Fatima, which is colloquially pronounced Fatma in most Arabic dialects as well as Berber

One of a Kind. The Kabyle (sometimes Jezzail from the Arabic) is a simple, cost-efficient and typically handmade muzzle-loading long arm commonly used in the Middle East region in the past. These were all highly personalized, so no two were alike.

Barrel 43.5 inches long, overall 58 inches

Not suitable for export. UK mainland sale only. Cites submission  read more

Code: 26425

An 1806 Napoleonic Wars Period 'Brown Bess' Musket By James Yeomans Of London with Bayonet Regimentally Marked For the 79th Foot The Cameron Highlanders. Later Used By Native Troops, Such As The Ghurkas, Alongside The 79th at Lucknow.

Overall in stunning condition, wonderous walnut stock patina, no pitting to the barrel, bayonet or lock, just an absolute stunning example of its kind.

Bayonet, maker stamped by ordnance contracter, G.Salter, with ordnance inspection marks, crown 4 , crown and broad arrow and company and regimental number, D & 79 {Regiment of foot}. George Salter was granted his first board of ordnance contract to supply the regiments bayonets in July 1812.

All the fittings are very good, a superb 36 inch length barrel, fine lock, trigger guard, butt plate, etc, ramrod, sling swivels and brass mounts, new land pattern flush fitting side plate with central screw to avoid recoil damage to the side nails. With a fine leather strap, very nice upgraded from flintlock to percussion action, good proof marks, clear inspection stamps and dating. Lock marked Yeoman's and dated 1806 with Tower ordnance inspector stamp of Richard Duce. {the number 2} plus the EIC heart. Bayonet maker marked by Salter, regimentaly marked 79th Foot.
The 79th Regiment of Foot (Cameron Highlanders) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army raised on August 17, 1793, by Sir Alan Cameron of Erracht.

"D Company" of the 79th Foot, this refers to the standard sub-unit (company) structure of the battalion during its operational history.

The Cameron Highlanders most notably fought through the Napoleonic Wars, & the Crimean War.

One of the 142,970 British contract made 'India Pattern' muskets turned over by the East India Co. army to the British Board of Ordnance for the Napoleonic wars, due to the urgent need for arms to counter Napoleon's massive armament reserve.

The lock is stamped by the primary, senior ordnance inspector, Richard Duce {his mark of Crown 2}. Who was also the controller of tempering & hardening of locks, after their arrival from the stores for fitting to the musket, and apparently he inspected all the EIC bess that were handed over to the British Ordnance for the Napoleonic Wars. An account that was confirmed to us by our friend and historic colleague, Howard Blackmore of the Tower of London armoury.

Originally made for the Honourable East India Co. and the muskets were co-opted by the British Board of Ordnance for the regular British infantry from the EIC contract guns about to depart for India.

In around 1830-40's the flintlock actions of muskets and pistols could, and would, be converted from flintlock to percussion action, often if they were still in government service. The all new {at the time} percussion action could extend the life of a gun and make it considerably more efficient, as flintlock arms were rendered incapable of action in the rain, or even damp conditions. At this time this newer Brown Bess bayonet socket type was adapted for the gun.

While this musket was perfect for service in the regiment up to the 1850's, when the 1853 Enfield rifle-musket was designed and issued to front line regiments, and then, the 79th was sent to India to fight in the Mutiny in 1857. However their older muskets were likely sent to accompany them to India with the regiment in order to arm the loyal Indian regiments that fought alongside the 79th in combat.

While the 79th Foot was a purely British regiment raised in Scotland, British military operations during the rebellion relied heavily on integrated forces. British "Queen's" regiments rarely fought in isolation; instead, they routinely operated in mixed brigades alongside loyal native Indian units

During the siege of Lucknow, and the subsequent operations in Rohilkhand, the 79th Highlanders fought shoulder-to-shoulder with loyal native units, which included Sikh regiments, Punjabi infantry, and loyal Gurkha battalions {such as those from the Kingdom of Nepal and the East India Company's own loyal remnants}

The 'Brown Bess' musket began its life almost 300 years ago, and it helped in creating one of the greatest trading empires the world has ever seen and, among other achievements, made the 'British Square' the almost undefeated form of infantry defence throughout the world. Made in four distinct patterns it originally started life as a 46 inch barrel musket called the Long Land or Ist pattern Brown Bess. Then in around 1768 the gun evolved and the barrel was shortened to 42 inches as 46 was deemed unwieldy and renamed the Short Land or 2nd pattern. Although the Long Land was made continually for another 20 years. With the onset of the Napoleonic Wars in the 1790s, the British Board of Ordnance found itself woefully short of the 250,000 muskets it would need to equip its forces. It managed to produce around 20,000 short land pattern muskets but this was simply not sufficient. At that time the British East India Company maintained it own troops and had contracted with makers to produce a simplified version of the Brown Bess musket with a 39-inch barrel and less ornate furniture and stock work. It was generally felt that the standard of these "India pattern" muskets was not up to the standard of the earlier Besses, but necessity required action so the authorities convinced Company officials to turn over their stores to the Crown. By 1797 the urgencies of war ultimately created the demise of the Short Pattern, and all manufacture was turned to building the more simple 'India' pattern. For the most part, the gun underwent few changes from its introduction until Waterloo, with the exception of the cock, which was altered from the traditional swan-neck style to a sturdier, reinforced ringed version in around 1808.

The Brown Bess musket was the standard weapon of the British for more than a century. soldiers marched into battle with this musket—nicknamed “Brown Bess”—for more than 100 years. British redcoats used the Brown Bess to fight the War of Independence in the colonies, and many of their opponents in the Americans’ Continental army used it as well.
British soldiers fighting in the Napoleonic wars carried it into battle, and it was the principal firearm used by the infantrymen who fought the War of 1812.

Because the weapon was slow to load and relatively inaccurate (experienced soldiers generally estimated its range between 50 and 100 yards), armies developed tactics that helped compensate for its shortcomings. The limitations of smoothbore muskets like the Brown Bess forced units employ “linear tactics,” in which a hundreds of soldiers stood in neat lines, shoulder-to-shoulder and out in the open. While such tactics appear decidedly unstealthy to twenty-first century eyes, they proved essential on the battlefields of all the conflicts which Britain was involved.
There, stealth was a low priority. Packing the men into blocks allowed officers to coordinate their troops’ fire into synchronized volleys. Firing a hundred guns in the same direction at once helped ensure that at least some, often most of the inaccurate musket balls found their targets. And grouping the men into neat lines out in the open helped commanders ensure that few of their troops gave in to the natural instinct to flee.

Of course, packing troops into blocks and fighting in the open required tremendous discipline from the individual soldiers. Infantrymen had to stand exposed to enemy fire as they loaded and fired their own muskets. And in some situations, soldiers learned the grisly dangers of fighting in lines—as at the Battle of New Orleans in the 1812 war, where American artillery attacked the exposed British formations with devastating effect.

Engagements for the infantry were traditionally at relatively close distances, often the result of closely controlled battlefield management. In 1811 a soldier of the 71st Regiment of Foot, writing of fighting the French at Fuentes de Onõro, recorded: “… during our first advance a bayonet went through between my side and clothes, to my knapsack, which stopped its progress. The Frenchman to whom the bayonet belonged fell, pierced by a musket ball from my rear-rank man. Whilst freeing myself from the bayonet, a ball took off part of my right shoulder wing and killed the rear-rank man, who fell upon me. We kept up our fire until long after dark. My shoulder was black as coal from the recoil of my musket; for this day I had fired 107 round of ball cartridge.”

This was not an uncommon account and it would have been just as true of Waterloo. If we were to take an average of 80 cartridges fired by about 50,000 allied infantry at Waterloo the expenditure of ammunition would have amounted to more than four million cartridges. Although not scientific, it does give a flavour of the ferocity of battle that Sunday in June 1815.

The 79th's combat history during the Penisular and Waterloo;
Peninsular War (1808–1814): Landing in Portugal in 1808, the 79th fought across numerous critical engagements:• Corunna (1809): Part of the grueling winter retreat and subsequent evacuation.
• Busaco (1810): Held a key position on the ridge where men like Captain Alexander Cameron engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat.
• Fuentes de Oñoro (1811)
• Salamanca (1812)
• Burgos (1812)
• Sorauren (1813)
• Nivelle & Nive (1813)
• Toulouse (1814)

The Waterloo Campaign (1815):• Fought at Quatre Bras and Waterloo (Mont St. Jean).
Displayed notable discipline and heroism—including Piper Kenneth McKay playing amidst the fighting—and earned a place as one of the select regiments specifically highlighted in the Duke of Wellington's official Waterloo Dispatch.

See Piper McKay's portrait in the gallery.


Former EIC armoury arsenal stamps to the barrel.  read more

Code: 26419

A Scarce and Original British Special Forces Designed Collector's Item, Cold War Period, Robert & John Wilkinson-Latham and Howard Evans 1960's MOD Contract Jungle Knife Made By Wilkinson Sword. Used In the Far East

This is a scarce survival / fighting knife produced by Wilkinson Sword Co in the 1960's. Intended for the M.O.D contract, of approximately 7,000 knives that were were made. But the MOD didn't pay the contract fee, so they were sold to Far East {special forces units} for jungle warfare.

The M.O.D. didn't officially adopt the knife so they were eventually sent to the Far East and sold to the military as private purchase weapons (see page 123 of Flook's book ‘British & Commonwealth Military Knives).

Our example has a beautiful polished 8” fullered Bowie blade and 1908 pattern Cavalry sword hilt which features chequered panels & thumb recess for grip.
The blade is etched ' WILKINSON SWORD LONDON ENGLAND' on one side & ' RJH JUNGLE KNIFE' on the reverse. The hilt has the correct short brass finger guard and large brass pommel nut. The knife comes with its original brown leather scabbard which has an integral belt loop and retaining strap with press stud fastener. The scabbard has the correct ‘lift the dot’ stamped press stud fastener.  read more

Code: 26417

A Breath Takingly Beautiful Chisa Katana Museum Piece, Signed Inshu Zumi Fujiwara Kanesaki (藤原兼先）Finest Silver Mon Mounts and Gold Inlaid iron Koshirae {Fittings} For a Retainer Of The Kamei Clan of Kamei Korenori (1557–1612) of the Tsuwano Domain

The blade is just amazing and its curvature is extraordinary. overall the sword is is superb plus condition. Japanese iron openwork sword guard (tsuba) from the Edo period (17th–19th century), likely attributed to the Kyo-Shoami or related provincial schools featuring a nature-inspired design with birds and river (sukashi)

Inshu Zumi Fujiwara Kanesaki(因州住藤原兼先) forged swords in the early Edo period. He first started his career in Mino province(Gifu prefecture), mastering MINO-DEN (one of the most famous Japanese sword styles). He is ranked in top-tier MINO-DEN swordsmiths in the early to mid-Edo period.

He moved from Mino province to Tottori province and served the Ikeda clan, who ruled the Tottori prefecture (Tottori domain) for about 240 years. Ikeda clan was one of the most powerful feudal lines in that region.It was a privilege to work for the feudal family, and only highly skilled swordsmiths were entitled to this honor.

Tottori prefecture is located in western Japan . He forged swords near Tottori castle. The swordsmith name’s Kanesaki (the total of 11th generations) lasted at the end of the Edo period when feudal society turned to modern society, and the Samurai government lost their authority.

MINO-DEN had its origin from YAMATO-DEN in the late KAMAKURA period(1280-1330). It flourished in the MUROMACHI period(1333-1573) and continued until the EDO period(1603-1868).

MINO-DEN especially prospered during Sengoku Jidai (Warring State period) due to the high demand for weapons. And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, and Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province, and Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas).

There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers. Furthermore, so many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area.

Mino is located in the middle, making feudal lords feel convenient to order swords from MINO-DEN. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had the reputation of its practical design and sharpness. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. The tradition of excellent sword forging skills had been passed to the Edo period, and Kanesaki is a good example.

The four-diamond mon (family crest) of the Kamei clan is historically classified under the Meyui (目結) category of Japanese heraldry, specifically known as Yotsumeyui (四つ目結 - "four eyes") or Sumitate Yotsume (隅立て四つ目) The Kamei clan, led by Kamei Korenori, became Daimyo of the Tsuwano Domain until the Meiji Restoration, using these types of geometric emblems to signify their family lineage.

Geometric designs like the Yotsumeyui were highly favored by samurai clans during the Sengoku and Edo periods because their bold, minimalist structures made them instantly recognizable on banners, armor, and helmets across chaotic battlefields.

Historical records detail the military life of Kamei Korenori (1557–1612), tracking his transition from a desperate resistance fighter trying to revive his fallen master's clan into a strategically flexible daimyō who served all three great unifiers of Japan: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Following the collapse of the Amago cause, Korenori transferred his allegiance directly to Toyotomi Hideyoshi For his combat distinction in subduing the San'in region, Hideyoshi granted Korenori Shikano Castle in Inaba Province

Korenori played an aggressive role in the subjugation of Tottori Castle. Records indicate that he joined Saimura Masahiro in a scorched-earth campaign, burning down the outer civilian settlements surrounding Tottori Castle to completely isolate the Mōri garrison, forcing its commander to commit seppuku to spare his starving men

Upon Hideyoshi's death, Korenori recognized the shifting political tides and sided with Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern Army during the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara.Korenori pleaded with Hideyoshi for coastal lands in Izumo. When diplomatic truces forced Hideyoshi to leave Izumo in Mōri hands, Korenori audaciously asked for the Ryukyu Islands (modern-day Okinawa) instead. Hideyoshi famously painted "Kamei, Lord of Ryukyu" onto a folding paper war fan as a symbolic grant. In 1590, Korenori assembled a fleet of 3,500 men at Nagoya Castle to invade the islands, but his fleet was physically blocked by the Shimazu clan of Satsuma, who claimed exclusive domain over the kingdom.

Korenori put his naval infrastructure to use during Hideyoshi's continental campaigns, commanding ships and troops under the Toyotomi banner. In a striking historical crossover, Korean records note that after a naval engagement, local warriors discovered Hideyoshi's signed "Lord of Ryukyu" war fan among the wreckage of a captured Japanese vessel
As a direct reward for his calculated realignment during the Sekigahara campaign, Tokugawa Ieyasu expanded Korenori's fiefdom from a minor 13,000 koku holding to a robust 43,000 koku domain. This established the financial power that secured his family's rule over the Tsuwano Domain for the next two and a half centuries.  read more

Code: 26416

A Beautiful, Handsome & Most Elegant Samurai Katana Around 600 Plus Years Old. Late Nanboku-chō period (南北朝時代, Nanboku-chō jidai) & Leading into the Sengoku Jidai, Warring States Era. A Beautiful, Handsome & Most Elegant Samurai Katana

Long elegant early wazamono blade with fine deep graduating curve Toriizori (鳥居反り) Uniform curve along the entire blade, with typical, early, ko-kissaki. The blade is jolly sharp {wazamono}, which is a great and positive indication of its quality, and fitted with a pure gold foiled copper habaki finely carved and with several sukashi pierced boars eyes.

The nakago may once have borne a signature by the smith but it is so ancient anything that was there is no longer visible.

It has always been traditional to never, under any circumstances to clean polish or preserve the nakago. It is entirely left to age naturally over the centuries, as opposed to the blade itself that is cared for with the utmost attention to preserve it as close to mint condition as possible.

The original lower mekugi-ana ( mounting circular peg aperture ) is low enough to suggest that in its earliest days it was once mounted as a longer tachi for combat. Ancient blades can as usual have two or more mekugi-ana to enable remounting, as the style of sword dress changed during its long use in combat.

Up until only a very few centuries ago it was a capitol offence, punishable by immediate execution, for a person of lesser station to touch a samurai’s sword without his express permission, even by accident.

Toriizori describes an even, graceful arc from tang to tip, named after the curved gates (torii) at Shinto shrines. This balanced curvature became standard during the mid to late Kamakura period (1200-1333) as fighting techniques evolved. The uniform curve optimizes both cutting and thrusting while maintaining excellent balance.
Versatile for multiple techniques, balanced feel, effective cutting geometry throughout blade length .

The saya is ishime lacquer in a beautifully rich, russet colour, with polished carved black buffalo horn fittings. The blade has just today returned from artisan cleaning and once more looks magnificent with new photos added.
Higo school fuchigashira, engraved with crashing waves in turbulant sea with low flying seabirds, large mokko gata iron plate tsuba, Edo period, chisselled with a small fishing boat with a mountain in the background. Signed. Menuki of deep takebori gilded copper carp in turbulant waves. green-blue tsukaito over traditional samegawa {giant rayskin}.

Picture 10 in the gallery is an original antique edo period Japanese woodblock print of a samurai bearing his sword in the very same livery as this sword. {For information only}

The Nanboku-chō era (1336–1392) in Japan was a tumultuous period of civil war between the Northern and Southern Imperial Courts, driven by rival claims to the throne after the Kamakura shogunate's fall, featuring significant shifts in warfare, art (increasing realism and warrior focus), and the rise of the Ashikaga shogunate, with key developments like extremely long swords no dachi also known as tachi, and guerrilla tactics amidst constant strife, culminating in the nominal reunification but underlying power struggles.

Key Aspects of Nanboku-chō Warfare & Era were the dual Imperial Courts: The imperial family split into a Northern Court (backed by Ashikaga) and a Southern Court (led by Emperor Go-Daigo and based in Yoshino).
The conflict facilitated the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate and the establishment of the Ashikaga (Muromachi) Shogunate, with Ashikaga Takauji emerging as a dominant figure.
The prolonged conflict saw the use of guerrilla warfare. Castles were built using suitable terrain, and ideal to survive sieges.
There was a move away from Heian-era courtly aesthetics towards more direct, virile, and realistic art reflecting the warrior class's values.
The era ended in 1392 when the Southern Court formally renounced its claim for the North, though this resolution left lingering questions of legitimacy.
Legacy: The period laid groundwork for the turbulent Muromachi era and the subsequent Sengoku period, shaping Japanese political identity and military. This led into the Ōnin War (1467–1477): A devastating civil war that shattered central authority and ushered in the Sengoku Jidai (Warring States).

There are many reasons why people enjoy collecting swords. Some people are drawn to the beauty and craftsmanship of swords, while others appreciate their historical and cultural significance. Swords can also be a symbol of power and strength, and some collectors find enjoyment in the challenge of acquiring rare or valuable swords.

One of the greatest joys of sword collecting is the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of different civilisations. Swords have been used by warriors for millennia, and each culture has developed its own unique sword designs and traditions. By studying swords, collectors can gain a deeper understanding of the people who made and used them.

Another joy of sword collecting is the sheer variety of swords that are available, and we are fortunate to have likely one of the most varied and largest selection of original swords, from all nations, in the world. There are swords in our gallery from all over the globe and from every period of history, going back almost 4000 years, Collectors can choose to specialize in a particular type of sword, such as Japanese katanas or medieval swords, or they can collect a variety of swords from different cultures and time periods. No matter what your reasons for collecting swords, it is a hobby that can provide many years of enjoyment. Swords are beautiful, fascinating, and historically significant objects.

This blades polish will be beautiful once more, with just the usual minuscule age surface marks, as all antique and ancient swords must always be expected to have at least some very small natural age appropriate flaws.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of trading  read more

Code: 26405

A Very Good King George IVth {The Former Prince Regent} Constable's and Bow Street Runner's 'Weighted' Tipstaff Bearing the King's Crest. With a Leaden End In-Fill.

The tipstaff was a short, ornate staff made of wood, brass, or silver, often topped with a crown and engraved with the royal crest.
Many tipstaves were hollow in the centre, allowing the Runners to roll up and store their official arrest warrants inside.
Because the Bow Street Runners did not wear a standardized police uniform, brandishing or showing the tipstaff—or tapping a suspect with it—served as immediate proof of their legal authority under Crown power


George IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover. He was born on the 12th of August 1762, at St. James’ Palace, the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte.

He ruled as Prince Regent from 1811 when his father's illness was judged to be permanent and acceded to the throne in 1820. He ruled for ten years until his death on the 26th June 1830.

The Bow Street Runners were the law enforcement officers of the Bow Street Magistrates' Court in the City of Westminster. They have been called London's first professional police force. The force originally numbered six men and was founded in 1749 by magistrate Henry Fielding, who was also well known as an author.1 His assistant, brother, and successor as magistrate, John Fielding, moulded the constables into a professional and effective force. Bow Street Runners was the public's nickname for the officers although the officers did not use the term themselves and considered it derogatory.2 The group was disbanded in 1839 and its personnel merged with the Metropolitan Police, which had been formed ten years earlier but the London metropolitan detective bureau trace their origins back from there. The brothers set up horse patrols in 1753 which made their group much more advanced.

In the new century, crime rates diminished in the metropolis, therefore the contribution of the Runners to the policing of property offences decreased considerably; they continued to investigate offences in London, but not as actively as they had before. Their incomes from London crime diminished as the position that Bow Street had once held in the commitment of felons to trial continued to erode with the expansion of the patrol and the creation of new police offices from 1792. By the early 1820s, Bow Street was responsible for just over 10% of the accused felons being committed to trial at the Old Bailey.30 After 1815, the Runners' most regular employment was to respond to help requests from prosecutors outside London. These were likely cases in which their skill and experience was thought to be useful in investigating offences in the provinces.31

After the Metropolitan Police Act 1829, which established the Metropolitan Police, the policing responsibilities of the Bow Street magistrates were very considerably diminished. The Bow Street patrol was gradually absorbed into the new police force and Bow Street was left with only the Runners.32 Even then, the Home Office held much of the authority over the activity of the Runners and was mainly concerned to bring Bow Street's finances under control. The Bow Street magistrates' effective loss of authority over the activity of the Runners and the government's concern to control costs meant that the funds for the office were much diminished in the 1830s  read more

Code: 26420

Attention To All Early Collectors of Original Japanese WW2 Officers Swords. An Incredible Bargain Just Arrived. A WW2 Japanese Officer's Sword Blade, Just in Today, Signed by Seki Ju Ishihara Kanenao Saku. This Sword Will Likely Not Be Available For long

A very special offer to our website viewers, that when similar examples have been offered for sale on our website in the past they have frequently sold within a few days!!
Absolutely perfect for a first time collector, keen to make the first step on the ladder of Japanese sword collecting, seeking a real, genuine and original Japanese WW2 officer's blade, but with a smaller ‘first sword’ budget.

The sword, is the signed blade, without any fittings {other than its original saya}, offered in its katana blade storage bag and also its WW2 officer's saya {that was once covered in field service leather} that is now its blade storage protector, but the price easily reflects this.

In fact this swords price is so low it is only to be a compared price to a basic, regular, machine made common NCO’s katana sword, {with its cast aluminium hilt} but, this blade is on a whole other level of quality, and, in beautiful polish.

"Seki ju Ishihara Kanenao saku" translates to "Made by Ishihara Kanenao, resident of Seki."Kanenao (family name Ishihara) was active during the Shōwa period (roughly 1926–1989), specifically producing blades during World War II.

Kanenao (兼直). His real name was Ishihara Kanenao and was born May 25th 1908, he studied under Amachi Suzuichi worked as a guntō smith.

Its condition is very good, but, does have some areas of past WW2 service use and very small areas tiny pitting, as one would expect.

This is not offered as a perfect condition, fully fitted WW2 officers sword {that could easily be twice to three times the price} but, as an original historical sword of the WW2 Pacific theatre that is still as beautiful as it was when surrendered or captured in 1945. In many respects just as important historically as an original, complete WW2 samurai sword, but without the greater cost.

However, there is also the option to seek out and find a suitable replacement shingunto tsuka habaki and tsuba. Thus return it to be a fully dressed Japanese WW2 officers sword

It will be accompanied by a display stand as can be seen in the photo gallery, and our usual Certificate of Authenticity.  read more

Code: 26403

A Beautiful Napoleonic Wars Swiss Mercenary Line Infantry, The 1ère Régiment Suisse, Officer's Blue and Gilt Epee. Some Officers & Men Of the Swiss Regt. Were Sent to The French Mediterranean Squadron's Ships at the Battle of Trafalgar

Maker marked by Jakob Girtanner, Degenschmied in St. Gallen, recorded from 1789.

Boat shaped original copper gilt hilt with French form Roman helmet pommel, single knucklebow, chequered carved ebony grip. Superb, duluxe 'Blue & Gilt' and engraved blade, with makers name engraved at the ricasso. In its original scabbard, that bears a good field service contemporary leather repair

From our recently acquired museum grade very rare collection of French Napoleonic swords.

The 1st Swiss Regiment (French: 1ère Régiment Suisse) was a Swiss mercenary line infantry regiment in the French Imperial Army during the Napoleonic Wars. During the expansion of the Imperial Army in 1803, Napoleon decreed the formation of four Swiss mercenary regiments, one of these later becoming the famed 1st Swiss. After a short time serving in Southern Italy, notably serving at the Battle of Maide, the 1st Swiss were sent to Poland for the impending Invasion of Russia. During the invasion, the regiment remained in the reserve, but served with honour, notably at the Battles of Polotsk and later the crossing of the Berezina. After retreating from Russia, elements of the regiment served during the minor campaigns until May 1814. The regiment was then reformed under the Bourbon restored monarchy, and continued into the Royal Guard until its final disbandment in 1830.

Interestingly, and historically, in 1805, according to regimental records, parts of the regiment was embarked on the Mediterranean Squadron's ships at the Battle of Trafalgar, where one officer was wounded.
By mid-1805, the regiment was consolidated within the new Kingdom of Italy with the Staff and 1st Battalion based at Bastia, the 2nd Battalion on Elba, the 3rd Battalion near Modena, and 4th Battalion in Genoa.

Napoleonic Wars campaigns and battles of the Swiss Regiments;

Battle of Trafalgar { regimental contingent}
Invasion of Naples
Battle of Castelfranco Veneto
Battle of Maida
Russian Campaign
First Battle of Polotsk
Second Battle of Polotsk
Battle of Berezina
War of the Sixth Coalition
Siege of Bremen
Siege of Maastricht
Battle of Wavre

On 27 November 1803, authorised articles were signed in which a new Swiss infantry regiment was to be created. However, it was not until March 1805, just before the Ulm Campaign, that the new French emperor, Napoleon, ordered the reorganisation of the Swiss troops by imperial decree. The remaining three Swiss Demi-brigades, which were the result of the merger of the original six Swiss demi-brigades of the Helvetic Legion. The men of these remaining small units were merged to form the new 1st Swiss Regiment, formed by imperial decree on 15 March 1805. The 1st Swiss Demi-Brigade was based in La Rochelle, where it was dissolved on 11 May 1805 to provide the 3rd Battalion of the new regiment. The 2nd Swiss Demi-Brigade formed the 4th Battalion a month later when it was based in Livorno. The 3rd Swiss Demi-Brigade was split, sourcing the personnel for the 1st and 2nd Battalions on 5 July 1805 while in Bastia, Corsica.

Following the disaster of the battle at Maida, the populace of Calabria (a fiercely pro-Bourbon province of the newly created Kingdom of Naples) rebelled against King Joseph Bonaparte. On 5 July 1806, the regiment and the remainder of Reynier's army were still retreating when it came upon the village of Marcellinara, desperate for food and water. To the amazement of the French, they were welcomed enthusiastically by the populace shouting "Long live the British" and "Death to the French", once again because they were mistaken for British soldiers. However, this comical situation ended tragically, when the Swiss opened fire on the populace, and the village was sacked.

As Napoleon's new Grande Armée assembled in the eastern parts of the Duchy of Warsaw, the need for Swiss troops became apparent. Napoleon even said, "We must pay serious attention to the Swiss regiments". He went on to call for a major effort to recruit the regiments up to strength and bring about their organisation. As a result, over the next year's course, the regiments were gradually reassembled, and each received a new regimental artillery company. Each artillery company composed of two 3-pounder mountain field cannon.

On most levels, Napoleon's campaign against Russia was a hugely complex series of events. For the Swiss regiments, it was much simpler – it consisted of three major engagements separated by long stretches of inactivity. The First Battle of Polotsk and Second Battle of Polotsk are amongst the least known actions of the campaign because they took place far from the watchful eye of Napoleon. However, the Battle of Berezina is better known, but the role played by the Swiss in that engagement is not always clearly described. Still, in all three instances, the Swiss covered themselves with glory and provided some of the most heroic episodes in the story of Napoleon's foreign troops.

On 17 August, at the First Battle of Polotsk, General Wittgenstein attacked the French in force, inflicting a sharp reserve on the II and VI Corps where Oudinot was wounded, and command was given to Marshal St Cyr, commanding VI Corps. The latter earned his Marshal's baton on the 18th when he counter-attacked and drove off the Russian Corps. During the engagement, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Swiss Regiments were initially not engaged, but the 18th St Cyr placed them in reserve as a precaution in case the action went against the French.

St Cyr is said to have noted:

"I know the Swiss. I had a battalion of the 1st Swiss Regiment under my orders at Castlefranco in Italy. The French are more impetuous in an advance, but if it comes to a retreat, we can count on the calm and courage of the Swiss"

— General de Division Laurent de Gouvion, Marquis de Gouvion-Saint-Cyr

The second fight for Polotsk was one of the campaign's most savage battles, conducted at night in a town full of blazing wooden buildings. Once the outer perimeters were breached, the fighting became hand-to-hand in the streets and houses, but the Swiss maintained their discipline and organisation throughout.

General Merle told Napoleon that he thought that every Swiss soldier deserved to be decorated for the Battle of Berezina, and he persuaded the Emperor to award the Swiss sixty-two crosses of the Legion of Honour. Unfortunately, the order to that effect was lost, and so the deserving officer and men of the Swiss regiments never received any officer recompense for their valour. However, their performance was accorded proper recognition by their countrymen, who viewed them as heroes whose actions were a source of national pride.

In 1813 On 10 October, the 1st Swiss along with fifty recruits of the 4th Swiss Regiment joined the Bremen garrison. The town had 30,000 inhabitants, which were of dubious loyalty to the Emperor. The forces' arrival was quite timely for the French commandant, Colonel Thuillier, as on 13 October, the town was assaulted by a mixed force of 4–5,000 Russian Cossacks and Prussian Freikorps under General Tettenborn. The voltigeur company under Captain Segesser was assigned to dispute the possession of the town's eastern suburb, and a French official who observed the combat noted that the Swiss "shot with such marvellous accuracy that any enemy soldier who showed himself was soon dead or wounded".

After Napoleon returned from Elba, during the 100 Days war, those that remained loyal to Napoleon, were formed into a regiment under the command of Colonel Christopher Stoeffel, who had been a captain in the 3rd Swiss in 1807 but had served exclusively in staff posts thereafter. A single battalion was formed in that regiment and served in General Vandamme's III Corps during the Waterloo Campaign, notably at the Battle of Wavre where it was wiped out. This regiment used the uniform and eagles of the 1st Swiss.

This is a very rare Napoleonic sword of Napoleon's early Consul to Empire period. Its scabbard had has long service repairs .  read more

Code: 25400

The Lanes Armoury..Everything You Can Imagine, and a Lot, Lot More!

Original pieces from the great ancient civilisations, Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Scythian, Persian, Roman, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, Norman, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, British, and beyond, in fact more antiquities, armoury, antiques, militaria, that you can imagine, plus leaves from illuminated manuscripts, rare and historical books, incunabula and Ist editions

We may not quite have everything that everyone might be seeking, but you can trust that we have spent over 100 years trying, and every day we do our utmost to scour the collecting world to find yet more, unique ancient or antique pieces.

We put in all the hard work, effort and expertise, so that you don't have to!, and remember, every purchase is accompanied with our Certificate of Authenticity, as our unique, lifetime guarantee, backed up by over 100 years of long established experience.

We are asked almost every day by many of our amazed and curious visitors about famous celebrities that have been customers past and present, so here goes, but just a snippet of a few mixed up names including those that Mark has personally assisted since 1971, and David since 1981, but of course there are many here of our past regulars listed below that our younger viewers will very likely have never even heard of.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, actors
Charlton 'Chuck' Heston, actor
Edward G. Robinson, actor,
HRH Princess Margaret, late sister of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth
'Fat Boy' Slim, aka Norman Cook, songwriter +
Ronald Reagan, Potus
John Osborne, author
Lord ‘Larry’ Olivier, the most well beloved Brighton resident, and actor director.
Tom Hardy, one of Englands great current actors
Barry Humphries, genius writer and actor of limitless talent
Edward G. Robinson, actor
Charlton ‘Chuck’ Heston actor, president of the NRA
Max Millar, comedian
Harold, Viscount Watkinson, Winston Churchill's Minister of Defence 1959/62
Garfield Garry Weston, proprietor of Fortnum and Mason, chairman Associated British Foods and of the Garfield Weston Foundation
Graham Greene author
Dame Flora Robson actress and Brighton resident
John Montgomery, author
Johnny Rotten {John Lydon}, singer, songwriter, and armed forces supporter
The Lord St John of Fawsley
The Tower Armouries, museum
The Higgins Museum, USA
Octav Botnar Chairman, &. Late Owner Nissan UK, formerly Datsun UK
The Metropolitan Museum, New York
The Smithsonian, Washington D.C.
Lord Hailsham, { Quentin Hogg} Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain
Katy Melua, singer songwriter
Will Young, singer
Douglas Bader, RAF legend
Mark Williams, character actor par excellence
Sir Ralph Richardson, actor
Jim Davidson major armed services charities benefactor and comedian
Warner Bros. UK,
Sir Henry Cecil One of the world's greatest horse trainers
Macy’s, New York Department Store
St Albans Museum + Gallery, providing their new centrepiece exhibit for their new ‘War of the Roses’ Battle of St. Albans gallery.
Rebekkah Brooks & Ross Kemp in their past to-gether days, journalist and actor
The Horniman Museum, UK.
Major General Lord Fitzalen Howard Life Guards GCVO, CB, CBE, MC.
Howard Blackmore Deputy Master of The Tower of London Armouries, Founder and President The Arms and Armour Society
Victor Harris curator of Japanese Arms at The British Museum
Steven Berkoff, actor, playwright, theatre director
Kaufhof GmbH German department store chain
Galeria D'Arte Adriana Papiri-Brignoni foremost gallery proprietor of Lugano Switzerland with her husband Gigi & Her friends and residents of Lugano, including;
Gina Lollobrigida, actress
Valentino, fashion designer
Eugene Faberge, in the 1950’s, the eldest son Carl Faberge of Moscow.
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche (Jigme Namgyel), renown Buddhist and author.....
Plus, many thousands more...  read more

Code: 23976