Arrived & Now Sold A Singularly Fine 17th Century Asano Clan Wakazashi Signed Bizen no Kami Ujifusa Mounted in Its Bespoke Shira Saya. The Asano Were The Famed & Historical Clan of the 47 Ronin Fame

The blade is superb with a beautiful hamon. Bizen no kami Ujifusa is the son of Hida no kami Ujifusa
and is the second generation Ujifusa. Made a few decades before and thus used by a samurai retainer of rank during the time of the world famous Asano clan 47 Ronin, and their revenge taken against their master’s enemy, who had enforced his ritual seppuku. However slim the possibility, it is just possible this sword might have been used by one of the Asano samurai that became one of their legendary Ronin, and one of the great heroes of loyalty and honour representing the most notable and famous warriors of samurai history

The 'taka no ha' hawkfeather mon of Asano Naganori, who was the daimyo of the Ako Domain in Japan (1675 - 1701). His title was Takumi no Kami. He is known as the person who triggered a series of incidents retold in a story known as Chushingura, or the 47 Ronin, one of the favourite themes of kabuki, joruri, and Japanese books and films. Described by Japanese historians as a "National Legend", the revenge of the 47 Ronin took place in Japan and is the ultimate expression of the samurai code of honour, Bushido.

The story began on April 21st, 1701, when lord Asano Naganori, the Daimyo of the Ako Domain was forced to commit ritual suicide for attacking Kira Yoshinaka, a rude and arrogant Master of Ceremony under the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The loyal 47 Ronin took over a year to planned their raid on Kira's mansion. On a snowy December night, they strike on Kira's home, taking everyone by surprise.

After killing Kira, they went to their Master's Grave and turned themselves into the authorities. For committing such a vendetta, the 47 Ronin were requested by the Shogun to commit seppuku, ritual self-disembowelment, in honour of their lord, they willingly complied.

On the day of Asano Naganori's death, he had drawn his sword and attempted to kill Kira, in the Corridor of the Pines at Edo Castle in what is now Tokyo. He was wounded and failed to kill Kira. This resulted, on the same day, in the ultimate penalty, the fifth Tokugawa shogun, Tsunayoshi, sentenced him to commit seppuku, ritual suicide which he did after writing this death poem:

"kaze sasofu hana yori mo
naho ware ha mata
haru no nagori wo
ika ni yatosen."

"More than the cherry blossoms,
Inviting a wind to blow them away,
I am wondering what to do,
With the remaining springtime."

He was buried in the graveyard of Sengaku-ji.

His retainers became ronin when the Shogunate confiscated his fief. Under the leadership of Oishi Kuranosuke, however, they avenged the death of their lord by killing Kira at his mansion in Edo on December 15, 1702. These former retainers became famous as the Forty-seven Ronin, and their vendetta ranks as one of the most renowned in Japan. Print in the gallery of Ukiyo-e depicting the assault of Asano Naganori on Kira Yoshinaka in the Matsu no Oroka of Edo Castle.

Woodblock Print in the gallery {just for historical interest only}
Oribe Yasubei Taketsune, from the series Stories of the True Loyalty of the Faithful Samurai (Seichû gishi den)
by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)

Oribe Yasubei Taketsune (堀部 安兵衛 武庸, 1670–March 20, 1703) was a warrior in Japan. Yasubei was born to Nakayama Yajiemon (中山 弥次右衛門), a samurai of the Shibata Domain (a han in present-day Niigata Prefecture) . When Yasubei was 13, his father lost his position and became a rōnin. Soon afterwards, Yajiemon died, and as Yasubei's mother had died shortly after giving birth to him, Yasubei was thus orphaned. Eventually, Yasubei ended up in Edo and became successful as a master swordsman at the dōjō.

In 1694, Yasubei came to the aid of his dōjō mate and pledged uncle in a duel at Takadanobaba in Edo, killing three opponents. He received acclaim for his role, and Horibe Yahei of the Akō Domain asked Yasubei to marry his daughter and become the heir to Yahei's family. Yahei was so impressed with Yasubei that he pleaded to his liege, Asano Naganori, to allow Yasubei to keep his Nakayama surname while marrying into the Horibe family. Yasubei eventually took on the Horibe surname and became a successful retainer of the Akō Domain.

In 1701, Asano Naganori was sentenced to commit seppuku as a result of an attack on Kira Yoshinaka. The Akō Domain was disbanded, and Yasubei once again became a rōnin. In 1702, Yasubei and Yahei were among the Forty-seven Rōnin who attacked and killed Kira, avenging their late lord's death. Yasubei surrendered to the authorities and was placed in the custody of Matsudaira Oki no Kami Sadanao. On March 20, 1703 (according to the Gregorian calendar), he was sentenced to commit seppuku. Superb shirasaya, excellent silver Asano clan habaki, stunning hamon to the signed flawless blade just light surface aged cleaning marks

There is certainly no way to prove that this fine sword might have been used by such as Yasubei, but its potential to be so, is certainly intriguing  read more

Code: 25530

Another Fabulous Christmas Gift Idea. A Superb Pair of Regency Silhouette Portraits of a Scottish Lady and Gentleman, Possibly by George Atkins

Circa 1815 to 1830 British School. The gentleman is holding his fouling piece, and wearing a kilt. The lady is holding what appears to be her prayer book. Both silhouettes are hand cut black paper aplied to an off-white card backing, emphasized with gold shadow highlights. Original Regency rosewood frames. A silhouette is the image of a person, animal, object or scene represented as a solid shape of a single colour, usually black, with its edges matching the outline of the subject. The interior of a silhouette is featureless, and the silhouette is usually presented on a light background, usually white, or none at all. The more expensive versions could have a gold highlight such as these have. The silhouette differs from an outline, which depicts the edge of an object in a linear form, while a silhouette appears as a solid shape. Silhouette images may be created in any visual artistic media, but were first used to describe pieces of cut paper, which were then stuck to a backing in a contrasting colour, and often framed.

Cutting portraits, generally in profile, from black card became popular in the mid-18th century, though the term silhouette was seldom used until the early decades of the 19th century, and the tradition has continued under this name into the 21st century. They represented an effective alternative to the portrait miniature, and skilled specialist artists could cut a high-quality bust portrait, by far the most common style, in a matter of minutes, working purely by eye. Other artists, especially from about 1790, drew an outline on paper, then painted it in, which could be equally quick.

From its original graphic meaning, the term silhouette has been extended to describe the sight or representation of a person, object or scene that is backlit, and appears dark against a lighter background. Anything that appears this way, for example, a figure standing backlit in a doorway, may be described as "in silhouette". Because a silhouette emphasises the outline, the word has also been used in the fields of fashion and fitness to describe the shape of a person's body or the shape created by wearing clothing of a particular style or period. 10.5 x 12.5 inches framed. Picture in the gallery of a drawing a Silhouette by Johann Rudolph Schellenberg (1740?1806). Light staining to the gentlemans white backing paper.  read more

Code: 23078

What a Superb Antique Christmas Gift Idea. A Pair of Simply Delightful Original Victorian Royal Mail Coaching Prints in Fine Rosewood Veneer Frames

With their original and super old retailer's labels of the most distinguished Arthur Ackerman Gallery of Fine Arts, 191 Regent St. London, W. A charming pair of original Victorian coloured prints in fine quality frames. 6.75 inches x 8.75 inches framed In the 18th century travel was hazardous to all. Highwaymen stalked the roads and those leading into London were said to be ‘infested’ with robbers. Romantic tales of masked, gallant gentleman were far from the truth: highwaymen were ruthless and deadly.
On 4 December 1775, a Norwich stagecoach was attacked by a gang of seven highwaymen. The guard shot three robbers before being killed and the coach robbed. Richard ‘Dick’ Turpin, a famous highwayman of the time, was known to torture his victims and would even kill one of his companions to aid his own escape.

‘… recommending the Guarding of all the Horse Mails, as a measure of national importance to which the Public in some degree conceived themselves entitled…’

Francis Freeling, Resident Surveyor, 14th March 1796
A plan was written to guard all horse mails, which included the arming of all guards. In doing so the Post Office would not only secure the vast property conveyed by horse, but also save the expenses incurred in prosecuting a robber. Furthermore, it would maintain regularity of service and eliminate what was seen as a disgrace to both the Office and to the nation.

Surveyors observed that the revenue lost to robbery was twice the sum it would cost to guard the mail: it was the obvious choice. In 1784, John Palmer introduced the first mail coach from Bristol to London. This faster and well-armed postal service proved to be a great deterrent to robbers, as they risked being shot or, if caught, tried and hanged. The first recorded robbery of a mail coach did not occur until 25 July 1786.

A letter to joint Postmaster Generals asking for the establishment of a regional mail coach was signed by over 100 people, whose businesses had been damaged due to the frequency of robberies. Mail coaches were a better way of securing the post’s safe passage, though there are a few recorded instances of attempted robberies even of them.

In January 1816, an Enniskillen coach was attacked and robbed by a gang of 14 men who had barricaded the road. The guards fired off all of their ammunition but the mail bags and weapons were all stolen. the Mail Guard was issued with a a pair of flintlock pistols  read more

Code: 16969

A Superb, Original, Iron 18th Century Signalling & Saluting Cannon, a 1724 Armstrong Pattern Cannon, Probably From Port Royal, The Infamous Centre of Piracy in the Caribbean.

Probably the best form of original, English, Georgian period artillery cannon that would be a fabulous display piece and yet easily mobile within any home. An amazing statement and conversation piece that is also an original antique military cannon from the Anglo-French wars. Part of a stunning original selection of artefacts used in the golden age of piracy and privateers from the 1660’s to the 1740’s. Set on very finely crafted iron bound carriage partly of later date. The ironwork trunion locks and wheels are original. This wonderful cannon is of the sort were often used on ships of the line and in Royal Naval ports, to signal the fleet or the harbour if in the port, and for an official salute. The barrel bears a monogram of PR. We believe this may represent the Caribbean Royal Naval port, Port Royal, Jamaica, the centre of the Royal Navy in the Carribean from 1713 to 1905. Young King Charles IInd when Prince of Wales had around fifteen of such pieces of armament. It would look astounding on a desk, or as an embellishment to a fine and stately gentleman's library or office or indeed conference room. No better statement of power, grandeur and distinction can be reflected by this finest, original King George IIIrd period, working signal cannon based, on the great Royal Naval Cannon,The evolution of the design from 1720s, culminating in the final 1760 pattern through the later years of the 18th century. The Armstrong pattern guns became the standard issue for the Royal Navy that bestrode the great 18th century 100 gunner warships, the leviathans of the seven seas. Colonel John Armstrong took over as Surveyor General of Ordnance in 1722. Armstrong immediately set about redesigning the Borgard cannon system called culverin with modified designs in 1722 and 1724. Picture in the gallery of the firing of a similar signal cannon at sea around the time this was made, plus another original that is still fired regularly at the Cape of Good Hope.
It used to be the custom to fire salutes with the gun “shotted”, i.e. using powder and shot. When the news of the restoration of Charles II reached the fleet, which was then anchored in the Downs, Samuel Pepys recounted: "The General began to fire his guns, which he did, all that he had in the ship, and so did the rest of the commanders, which was very gallant, and to hear the bullets go hissing over our heads as we were in the boat." The Admiralty prohibition against firing salutes above Gravesend, Kent, is said to date from an occasion when a shot fired during a salute went uncomfortably close to Greenwich Palace where Queen Elizabeth I was then residing. Port Royal has one of the most interesting histories of any ports in the world. There is even speculation in pirate folklore that the infamous Blackbeard (Edward Teach) met a howler monkey, while at leisure in a Port Royal alehouse, whom he named Jefferson and formed a strong bond with during the expedition to the island of New Providence. Recent genealogical research indicates that Blackbeard and his family moved to Jamaica where Edward Teach, Jr. is listed as being a mariner in the Royal Navy aboard HMS Windsor in 1706. Port Royal benefited from this lively, glamorous infamy and grew to be one of the two largest towns and the most economically important port in the English colonies. At the height of its popularity, the city had one drinking house for every 10 residents. In July 1661 alone, 40 new licenses were granted to taverns. During a 20-year period that ended in 1692, nearly 6,500 people lived in Port Royal. In addition to prostitutes and buccaneers, there were four goldsmiths, 44 tavern keepers, and a variety of artisans and merchants who lived in 2,000 buildings crammed into 51 acres (21 ha) of real estate. 213 ships visited the seaport in 1688. The city's wealth was so great that coins were preferred for payment over the more common system of bartering goods for services.

Following Henry Morgan's appointment as lieutenant governor, Port Royal began to change. Pirates were no longer needed to defend the city. The selling of slaves took on greater importance. Upstanding citizens disliked the reputation the city had acquired. In 1687, Jamaica passed anti-piracy laws. Consequently, instead of being a safe haven for pirates, Port Royal became noted as their place of execution. Gallows Point welcomed many to their death, including Charles Vane and Calico Jack, who were hanged in 1720. About five months later, the famous woman pirate Mary Read died in the Jamaican prison in Port Royal. Two years later, 41 pirates met their death in one month.


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

It is around 21 inches long overall on the carriage, 1inch bore. Weighing approx 15.8 kilos.  read more

Code: 23350

A Very Good WW2 1942 German Infantry Fur Backed Tornistor Back-Pack

In very good condition overall, maker stamped and dated 1942 by Lunschloss. This cowhide-covered rucksack was known as the Tornister 34 (developed in 1934) and was later fitted with new style straps in 1939. As the war progressed the design was simplified for economical and practical reasons so the cowhide cover was eliminated making these packs especially scarce on today's collector market.

The M39 has one vertical loop with quick release sewn at the bottom of the front flap for retaining the A-frame and comes with or without carrying straps. Troops that were isssued infantry Y-straps received the version without carrying straps (replaced by two hooks), while troops with no Y-straps received the version with carrying straps.
All of them were produced with a fur front flap (and some without fur) and it was called "Affe" in the German Army  read more

Code: 22105

A Beautiful Ancient Original Viking Broadsword, From The Era Of The Norsemen’s Raids in Northern France, Around 1150 Years Ago & Their Raids Upon England & Ireland Up To The 11th Century.

A fabulous new addition to our gallery of amazing original ancient artefacts, with an incredible cache of arms and artefacts that have just arrived, from the past 3400 years of warring history, from the Ancient empires of Greece, Macedonia and Rome period, and up to the Viking age of over 1000 years past.
A wonderful example piece, from the ancient Viking Norsemen age. It is said that the Viking sword occupied the highest rank of esteem in the forms of weaponry during the entire Viking age. It was certainly not a common weapon for the regular Viking warrior. Only the Viking's of superior rank, power or status could afford the finest craftsmanship as was found in the sword. The more usual weapons in the Viking warrior community, especially for the regular warrior were axes and spears.
This sword, that is codified as a Petersen type X, was popular and used predominantly from the mid to late 800's to the 11th century. The D shaped pommel, which acted as a counterweight to the blade, so that the sword balanced, could display inlays of precious metals or intricate patterns. The blade itself often had so called “blood grooves” or fullers, and this sword has a single fuller running along its middle. These fullers saved valuable metal and made the sword lighter. A sword might be the most expensive item that a man owned. The one sword whose value is given in the sagas (given by King Hákon to Höskuldur in chapter 13 of Laxdæla saga) was said to be worth a half mark of gold.

There is a near pair to this sword in the Paris Museum collection, as Northern France, Brittany and Normandy were some of the great areas of battle and conflict for the Viking Norsemen, with thousands eventually settling in Normandy to become what today is known as the Normans. The great seiges of Paris, and where the formidable Vikings looted and plundered the north of France are legendary, and from whence they gained massive tribute from the resident Kings of the Franks to bribe them to cease their sieges and destruction.
There were two famed Norse sieges of Paris. The first was in 845; and though a fairly minor affair in terms of battle, it had great symbolic significance. The second was roughly two generations later, in 885-886; was much larger (and deadlier); and had greater direct ramifications. Before the first siege, Viking raids were a new and growing problem for the peoples of Western Europe; but hitherto raids had been made by relatively small war bands bent on plunder. The Scandinavian adventurers might sack monasteries or villages, but would usually shun larger, better defended targets. However, success was making the Norsemen bolder.

Aware of this growing threat, the ageing emperor, Charlemagne, built a series of maritime defences to protect his coasts and rivers from these new dragon ships. For the first few decades, the defences worked; but the Vikings were growing in number, ability, and ambition and a new breed of leaders was coming to the fore. One of these leaders was a man the Frankish chroniclers call Reginheri; but who has since been widely equated with the semi-legendary figure Ragnar Lothbrok. Under Ragnar, Vikings were ready to step foot on the world stage. They were ready to capture the jewel of Western Europe, the city of Paris.


So, in Spring of 845, 120 dragon ships carrying about 5000 Scandinavian warriors, broke through the late emperor’s defenses and surrounded the walled city of Paris. In the ninth century, Paris was already more than a thousand years old. It was wealthy from its position as a trading centre, and was the seat of one of Charlemagne’s three competing heirs, Charles the Bald. At this time, the heart of the city was confined to the islands in the centre of the Seine, the Île de la Cité where the cathedral of Notre Dame stands today. This position made Paris eminently defensible in the eyes of the Frankish elite that ruled there; but it made it easily surrounded by the ship-born Vikings.
Not a very good tactician at this time, Charles the Bald (Charlemagne’s grandson, who in all fairness, was only about 22 and new to his position as king) split his forces between the two banks of the Seine in order to better defend the nearby Abbey of Saint Denis. Ragnar’s Danes concentrated their attack on the forces on one bank of the Seine and easily defeated the Franks. They took 111 Frankish prisoners in the battle (this relatively small number further emphasises the Frank’s level of surprise and unpreparedness). In full view of the city and the army on the opposite river bank, the Vikings further terrified their foes by hanging all 111 prisoners as a sacrifice to Odin. The Vikings then moved on Paris and captured it with equal efficiency .

Faced with these appalling developments, Charles took a course of action that was as practical as it was controversial (both at that time and ever after). He offered Ragnar 7000 livres (more than 5600 pounds) in gold and silver to take his men and leave. This cash pay-out became the first of many, many Danegelds (roughly translated, “gold to the Danes” that the princes of Europe would offer Viking armies to leave them alone ). To pay such a tremendous sum to “heathen savages” must have been a brutal humiliation for the grandson of the man who united most of Western Europe under his implacable will; but Charles was already facing rebellion in Aquitaine and Brittany, and had no wish to risk his troops, the citizens of Paris, or the religious and cultural treasures of the several nearby abbeys in a prolonged battle he would likely lose. His hands were tied, and so he paid.

Swords were heirlooms. They were given names and passed from father to son for generations. The loss of a sword was a catastrophe. Laxdæla saga (chapter 30) tells how Geirmundr planned to abandon his wife Þuríðr and their baby daughter in Iceland. Þuríðr boarded Geirmund's ship at night while he slept. She took his sword, Fótbítr (Leg Biter) and left behind their daughter. Þuríðr rowed away in her boat, but not before the baby's cries woke Geirmundr. He called across the water to Þuríðr, begging her to return with the sword.

He told her, "Take your daughter and whatever wealth you want."
She asked, "Do you mind the loss of your sword so much?"
"I'd have to lose a great deal of money before I minded as much the loss of that sword."
"Then you shall never have it, since you have treated me dishonourably The Vikings placed such status on to their swords they often named them, due to the belief of their supposed magical qualities, heritage, and creator of remarkable events. Such evocative names as;

Gramr: Fierce. This was the name of the sword that hero Sigurd used to kill the dragon Fafnir
Gunnlogi: Battle Flame, War Flame
Leggbir: Leg bitter
Skrofnung: Gnawer
Keurnbut: Millstone-breaker
Naegling: Hole-maker
Fotbitr: Foot-biter.

Swords that had names were a treasure not only for their monetary value but also for the honour for the family and the clan.

This is in very good condition for age, and feels just as a fine top quality sword should, even today. It was likely used up to, and into, the 11th century British 'Battle of Hastings' era of 1066, known as the the Norman invasion period. Swords from the 10th to the 12th century of British history, used in the Battle of Hastings invasion period and into the earliest part of the new British Norman age, and it was used by the invading Norman knights who were settled Vikings, that ruled England after conquering the Anglo Saxon King Harold.
This fabulous, historical Viking sword, has the highly iconic, and typical fashion, double-edged broad sword, and hilt of Petersen Type X, with a tapering blade, shallow fullers, possible traces of pattern-welding to the blade, it has superb battle nicks to both cutting edges; an a. rectangular crossguard

See Petersen, J., De Norske Vikingsverd, Oslo, 1919; Peirce, I., Swords of the Viking Age, Suffolk, 2002; Hiardar K. and Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016; the sword has good parallels with similar Viking age specimens published by Peirce (2002, pp.102-105), one in the British Museum and the other at the Universitetets Oldsaksamling, Oslo.
Footnotes
Viking swords of Type X are commonly found in Nordic countries and Europe, with a number found in Western Europe, France England and Ireland. In the gallery we show an original medieval painting of 11th century King Harald in combat at Stamford Bridge in 1066.

In the Church of Rønninge stands a rune stone bearing the text: “Sóti placed this stone in memory or Eileifr, his brother, Ásgautr Red-shield’s son”. Nearby lies the Rosenlund grave containing weapons and riding equipment, perhaps it was Ásgautr’s grave. We are familiar with Viking swords from various burials, which mainly date to the early Viking period. It was most often people of high status who were buried with swords in the Viking Age. Not all Viking warriors had a sword; they were prestige weapons. Swords were highly valued objects and could be handed down from generation to generation. They were also given as gifts to people of high status in order to stay on good terms with them.

Viking swords were also used in another way. This was the tradition of sacrificing the valuable swords in lakes and bogs. Many swords, spears and lances from the Viking and early medieval periods have also been found near fords crossing rivers and in wetlands. Perhaps the weapons were left at such locations as an offering, or else they were simply dropped and lost during the attempt to cross the water. Almost every weapon that has survived today from this era is now in a fully russetted condition, as is this one, because only very very few of the swords of kings, that have been preserved in national or Royal collections are today still in a relatively good state and condition We will include for the new owner a complimentary wooden display stand, but this amazing ancient artefact of antiquity would also look spectacular mounted within a bespoke case frame, or, on a fine cabinet maker constructed display panel. Extremely similar to a pattern-welded sword found with a large number of other objects, at Camp de Péran, Côtes-d'Armor, France, in a 10th century context, probably linked with the early Norman settlers in Normandy or Norman raids in Brittany (Roesdhal, Wilson, 1992, p.321, cat. n.359; Renaud, 2000, p.100)

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

Code: 24770

Roman Key Ring, A Bronze Amulet-Ring Key. 1st to 3rd Century A.D.Around 1900 to 1800 Years Old. Worn From The Period of Emperors Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus, & Commodus

Ancient Roman bronze key ring, an intriguing piece of functional jewellery.

For lack of pockets in their togas, the ancient Romans often wore keys to important boxes, etc on their fingers. The most intriguing items of Roman security hardware seem to be keys and lock bolts. Keys were used mainly for doors, chests, boxes, caskets, cupboards and padlocks. Less often they were used for ceremonial or decorative purposes, such as matron keys, jewelry items and votive offerings.

It is alleged that some ring keys were worn by women as symbols of household authority, as "keeper of the keys". This is probably true, but such are difficult to identify as having served that purpose. The wooden Egyptian pin tumbler locks were over two thousand years old by this time. Roman engineers modernized them and other lock constructions by replacing the wooden parts with corresponding parts made of metal.

The clumsy Egyptian pin tumbler locks were transformed into elegant Roman pin tumbler locks of steel, fitted with an ingenious Roman invention, steel springs. The locks were often tiny masterpieces in terms of both precision and design. All Roman door locks can only be opened from one side. There were illustrations in Le case e monumenti di Pompeii, four volumes by Fausto and Felice Niccolini, printed in Naples in 1854–96. Another author, Albert Neuburger, used the same images in his book on ancient technology, Die Technik des Altertums, printed in Leipzig in 1921. The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried in ash when the nearby volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, and were eventually forgotten.
Likely worn over the first knuckle before the second, knuckle position, or around the neck as an amulet

Illustrations in Technik des Altertums. Reconstruction of a Roman pin tumbler door lock of metal, inside and outside, and an example of a key. Deutsches Museum, Munich. The first reconstruction of this lock was made by Louis Jacobi (1836–1910) for the Saalburg Museum north of Frankfurt.

For example; With regards to some expert conservation methods of bronze objects {and some other materials} The dirt from the surface of the object could be removed manually using a scalpel under magnification. Care would be taken not to dislodge the powdery, corroding surface. Where the surface was in particualrly bad condition the dirt will be left in situ and small areas might be locally consolidated using 2.5% HMG Paraloid B72 (methyl ethyl methacrlylate) in 50:50 Acetone (propan-1-one/dimethyl ketone) and Industrial methylated spirits (ethanol,methanol).  read more

Code: 25466

Superb, 1908 Pattern, Historical, British Cavalry Trooper's Sword by Mole & Wilkinson Sword Co. Issue of 1909. British Front Line Cavalry Issue, & 1918 Australian Light Horse Issue, Original 1918 Australian Light Horse Service Issue Buff Hide Sword Knot

Just returned from the workshop after 40 hours of expert hand polishing and conservation in order to return it, as close as possible, to its original issue bright polish finish. It revealed after all that expert effort it has just natural age wear and surface patination, and with no damage signs at all. It is now transformed back into its excellent condition for its age. We pride ourselves for the use of our expert conservation and restoration artisans, that are some of the very best available in the country, some expertly trained for over 40 years. Many types of conservation skills are now sadly lost, but some are still maintained, with no expense spared attitude in order to preserve historical artefacts for generations to come.

With many original ordnance inspection stamps still present, an the earliest is {'09} 1909, with several others, {'14} 1914, {'17} 1917, {'24} 1924, {'36}1936. It still has its original WW1 Australian issue buff hide sword knot still attached, by Hepburn, Gale & Ross Ltd. The knot also shows over 100 years of completely natural aging and darkening, yet still retains its great condition. The Australian service pattern issue knot differed somewhat from the standard British service issue leather knot.

Early British army regimental markings on the inner bowl, for the British front line regiments to which it was issued in 1909, and thus used at the outbreak of the war and through to the end of 1917, but its early war regimental markings were later struck out for its later war re-issue to the Australian Light Horse in 1918. No Australian Light Horse issue swords ever bore any Australian issue markings {certainly none that been found so far}. Likely as they were issued straight to the regiments direct at the front line in Turkey, and never went to the Australian ordnance until after the war.

One of the earliest issued examples of the 1908 trooper's sword, issued and used by British front rank cavalry, lancers and hussars from 1914, right through 1914,15,16,17, until it was re-issued and sent to Australian forces in 1918, as a WW1 Australian service, Australian Light Horse 1908 trooper's sword.
All the Australian issued swords came in 1918 to units in the Middle East and came from most British and Canadian cavalry units who were eventually dismounted in the trenches and had no further need for swords. The Australian regiment mostly used the 1908's in 1918 for routing entrenched Turkish forces positions. Before the availability of the swords the cavalry famously used their 1907 pattern hook quillon bayonets.

In its earliest service, it would have seen service with, for example, such as the 6th Dragoon Guards. In August 1914, the 6th D.G, deployed to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. It served throughout the First World War (1914-18) on the Western Front, fighting in many engagements in both a mounted and infantry role. These included Mons (1914), the Marne (1914), the first two battles of Ypres (1914 and 1915), the Somme (1916), Arras (1917), Cambrai (1917) and Amiens (1918). 6 DG remained as mounted cavalry throughout the war, but there were occasions, notably during March/April 1918, when they did duty in the trenches or helped stem an attack. For these occasions they were dismounted temporarily. An original sword as can be seen used to incredible effect in the magnificent epic, by Steven Spielberg, 'Warhorse'. An antique original issue trooper's sword with full ordnance markings, used in the frontline British cavalry regiments during WW1. A current Cavalry pattern still used today by all forms of the current British Cavalry. Considered to be the best designed cavalry sword ever made. In exceptionally good condition, a superb collector's item from the finest cavalry in the world. Steel bowl with inner part still with original darkening present. Its steel scabbard is superb, as is its traditional service issue hardened rubber grip with crosshatching. Early in WW1, cavalry skirmishes occurred on several fronts, and horse-mounted troops were widely used for reconnaissance. Britain's cavalry were trained to fight both on foot and mounted, but most other European cavalry still relied on the shock tactic of mounted charges. There were isolated instances of successful shock combat on the Western Front, where cavalry divisions also provided important mobile fire-power. Beginning in 1917, cavalry was deployed alongside tanks and aircraft, notably at the Battle of Cambrai, where cavalry was expected to exploit breakthroughs in the lines that the slower tanks could not. At Cambrai, troops from Great Britain, Canada, India and Germany participated in mounted actions. Cavalry was still deployed late in the war, with Allied cavalry troops harassing retreating German forces in 1918 during the Hundred Days Offensive, when horses and tanks continued to be used in the same battles. In comparison to their limited usefulness on the Western Front, "cavalry was literally indispensable" on the Eastern front and, in the Middle East, & Turkey.  read more

Code: 25527

A Very Fine Superior, Very Likely Gendaito, Traditional Hand Made Japanese Officer's Sword. Signed Tanigawa Ichishin Saku In Fabulous Condition

The blade tang is signed by the maker, and appears to be handmade in the traditional fashion from the 1930's.

The blade on this example was hand forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 谷 川 一 心, that read as Tanigawa Ichishin saku {Tanigawa Ichishin made this}
Research indicates that this smith's real name was 谷川 慶治 - Tanigawa Keiji, so in this case "Tanigawa" was his family name, and "Ichishin" his "swordsmith name." We have seen many other smiths sign their swords in this fashion. His name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Book printed in 1939. Ichishin was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, with that stamp on the nakago, Mino Province (美濃国), and look to have made both arsenal forged and traditional blades. The signature is his tradtional type.

The stunning blade appears handmade and was expertly crafted by the sword smith. The mekugi-ana hole in the tang is punched and not drilled, {typical for handmade blades for ichishin}. it has a beautifully visible temper line {hamon} on the fabulous blade.

The blade is is stunning condition, and signed on the tang by the maker "the Mei".the Blade has a fine yokote at the tip, kissaki, with a boshi (tip temper line).

It has a traditional lacquered saya bound in field service combat leather. The tsuka is a traditional katana type with fine patinated Higo school iron fuchi kashira engraved with crashing waves in turbulant seas. the tsuba is a plain Higo School mokko form tettsu {iron} plate with five hammered Kiri mon, the Imperial mon of Japan.
Under the original silk tsuka-ito are tettsu menuki of tageha {arrow} in a yabira yazutsu {quiver}.

This is a superior quality sword for likely a higher ranked officer of the IJN due to its mounting that is of completely traditional samurai form, with simply a leather field service protective combat cover on its saya that still has its kurigata.

The IJN launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, killing 2,403 Americans and crippling the US Pacific Fleet. During the first six months of the Pacific War, the IJN enjoyed spectacular success inflicting heavy defeats on Allied forces. Allied navies were devastated during the Japanese conquest of Southeast Asia. Japanese naval aircraft were also responsible for the sinkings of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse which was the first time that capital ships were sunk by aerial attack while underway. In April 1942, the Indian Ocean raid drove the Royal Navy from South East Asia.

In 1943, the Japanese also turned their attention to the defensive perimeters of their previous conquests. Forces on Japanese held islands in Micronesia were to absorb and wear down an expected American counteroffensive. However, American industrial power become apparent and the military forces that faced the Japanese in 1943 were overwhelming in firepower and equipment. From the end of 1943 to 1944 Japan's defensive perimeter failed to hold.

The defeat at the Philippine Sea was a disaster for Japanese naval air power with American pilots terming the slanted air/sea battle the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot, mostly going in the favour of the US,126 while the battle of Leyte Gulf led to the destruction of a large part of the surface fleet. During the last phase of the war, the Imperial Japanese Navy resorted to a series of desperate measures, including a variety of Special Attack Units which were popularly called kamikaze. By May 1945, most of the Imperial Japanese Navy had been sunk and the remnants had taken refuge in Japan's harbours. By July 1945, Nagato was the only remaining ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy's capital ships that had not been sunk in raids by the United States Navy.

The blade is in excellent plus condition, overall 37.5 inches long in saya, blade tsuba to tip 26.5 inches long. the saya also excellent, the tsuba, fuchi kashira are similarly excellent plus. The original blue tsuka ito silk wrap is aged and with small frays as usual for age.  read more

Code: 25528

The Lanes Armoury, Britain’s Favourite & Best Arms and Armour Gallery and Website. Its Been Over A Hundred Years In The Making. Whether You View Us Online Or Join The Hundreds & Thousands of People That Personally Visit Us Every Day {Except Sunday}

Over 3225 visitors came through our door last Saturday !! That is more, apparently, than the daily visitors to the LAPADA Art and Antiques Fair in Grosvenor Square London, and that has over 100 of the UK’s finest and best art and antique dealer's exhibiting (and we are free!). Of course a £27 a head entry ticket might have something to do with it.🤔

Another part of our original Japanese katana acquisitions will arrive to our site next week, and as usual many are stunning beauties

A most rare late 17th early 18th century Japanese-Dutch ‘Black Ship’ captain’s sword was added, made by Japanese emigre sword koshirae makers from Nagasaki. A sawasa technique of gilded copper alloy with black shakudo detailing, a European style naval captain’s sword, made by Japanese samurai sword artisans, from Nagasaki, a sword of incredible beauty and rarity. Plus, a hanger sword, the same type as used by the notorious pirate, Blackbeard, and a most historical SA district leader signed presentation copy of Mein Kampf, a wedding gift to an SS nco, later, {and deservedly} executed by the DDR apparently, in East Germany.

Another collection has just arrived the other day and other pieces are arriving every day, including, a Zulu War iklwa spear {just sold, to one of our lucky regulars, before we even had time to photograph it for our website}., Plus a stunning samurai tanto, more Japanese swords {two now just sold}, superb Viking axes, and some amazing ancient rings, and armilla, Roman, & Crusaders, etc.

Some seriously interesting and historical pieces, as usual are added every single day. Last week, Mark, one of the partners, just helped to narrate a new documentary for the History Channel. Filming has been taking place for about three months, with Mark and all the various presenters, but once it is edited and ready for viewing, hopefully next year, we will let you know! The difficulty has been the logistics of filming, while simultaneously running our business here in The Lanes of Brighton. We have had the great pleasure to be involved directly, and indirectly, with dozens, if not hundreds of film and tv projects based here in Brighton. In fact since the 1930’s, although only for a brief period, we owned the Brighton film studios, that once it closed down production, became an auction house, Meads. We were involved in both productions of Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock movie, the first in 1947, with a very juvenile looking Dickie Attenborough, and the second re-make just 15 years ago, starring Sam Riley and Helen Mirren, involved us letting our shop be completely taken over for a week as a location film set. Ironically, almost all the Brighton location filming was cut from the movie as Brighton didn’t appear ‘Brighton’ enough, as it lacked the ‘1950’s seedy vibe’, so almost all the scenes in the film were re-created in Eastbourne around 15 miles east of Brighton.

Plus, to our new additions added recently, is a fine Japanese Koto era Chisa Katana signed Bishu Osafune Kiyomitsu 備州長船清光, also, a stunning, museum grade English Civil War 'Mortuary Basket Hilted' sword, and that beauty that was also sold within a day of it being added to our website, and amongst over 120 new arrivals, there was another wonderful two handed, very early Viking, axe-hammer

Some other pieces that arrived were beautiful, and rare, superb Napoleonic period British French and American swords, wonderful antique pistols, stunning ancient rings, Roman and Crusaders, an ancient original Saxon Thegn’s war axe from the time of Alfred the Great and the Viking invasions of the Kingdom of Wessex, a wonderful Viking axe-hammer, ancient Roman silver and bronze armlets {bracelets} and, as usual, you can be confident everything is original, and they are all superb examples.

One of the rings that recently arrived is a fabulous knight’s ring, from Agincourt to the Wars of the Roses period, a 15th century ring with an intaglio naïve engraving of a knight on horseback holding aloft his knightly sword, a fabulous and beautiful piece. Another is a wonderful and superb status Roman seal ring, of senator to equites quality, from the time of the Emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Cladius to Nero, it is a beautiful carved gemstone intaglio ring of an ancient portrait bust of Roman goddess {Now Sold}. Plus, one of the very rare ancient Roman talismanic rings, around 1900 years old, that were sought out by Heinrich Himmler’s team of archeological hunters to prove the ancient Roman source of the Germanic Aryan ancestry {also Sold}. As was interestingly featured as the basis of the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark, with the Third Reich artefact hunters seeking by any means the Ark of The Covenant, The ring displays upon the ring a carved, engraved fylfot, the ancient and most important symbol of the Aryans {according to Himmler’s obedient historians} that was adopted by the national socialists in the early 30’s, and every proved ancient art treasure or jewel that featured this symbol was eagerly hunted down at any cost.

If you are a first time visitor, or one of our 40,000 online viewing regular customers, welcome {or welcome back} to our online shop. We hope you enjoy it as much as the many millions of past visitors have already, since we first went online in 1996. It was designed to accompany, and operate hand-in-hand, with our gallery-shop, that has been located in the Brighton Lanes since the reign of King George Vth. According to our statisticians our website has been {conservatively} viewed over 54 million 750 thousand times, since it launched in the 90’s. And in the same period, our shop has likely been personally visited {also conservatively} by over 5 1/2 million people since 1996. Of course, in the case of our shop, another 77 years of visitors could be added to that figure..

Every single day, due to our most fortunate status as one of Europe’s, and certainly Britain’s, oldest and favourite original specialist collector’s galleries, amazing historical, pieces, from all the major {and minor} civilisations, from the past 4000 years, arrive at our doorstep. Just three weeks ago another huge collection of 425 cloth bound hardback vintage books arrived, many based around historical artefact collecting themes, and 19th Century ornithological tomes. Including an incredible six ‘pair’ sets of ‘The Descent Of Man’ by Charles Darwin London all the 1871 printing, English Volumes 1 & 2- They were all delivered here at our store, and our regular ‘collector book hunters’ eagerly devoured them. Some were very scarce limited print run examples from the Early Victorian to 1920’s period. The Charles Darwin books were a joy to own, even for just one day, in Mark’s 54 years here he can never remember having six twin volume Darwin sets from one years publication before, and even at almost a £1,000 a pair they were gone in less than an hour.

Such as, in this month alone, new arrivals included, a collection of museum grade original swords and French Napoleonic arms, and a Royal Navy ship’s cannon, Brown Bess muskets, and a sword of an Indian Maharajah Prince, plus several samurai swords, antique and WW2 as usual. Always online is a unique selection of original ancient Greek, Chinese and Viking antiquities, including rings, helmets, swords, spears and battle axes, plus, various dozens of rare, superb and intriguing original Roman antiquities. Most of our antiquities were acquired around 200 years ago by members of the British nobility that were once buying pieces from locals while on their 'Grand Tour' of Europe.
This site also contains up to 17,000 photographs of our currently available offerings to view. Enjoy!

Our History;
The Lanes Armoury, are Brighton Family Traders since 1919. Thousand’s of worldwide visitors to the UK come to visit us practically every day, and their most consistent and much appreciated comment includes that they believe that we were the most amazing and interesting shop they had ever visited in Britain, or even the whole of Europe. We are like a museum, as they consistently say, but, everything is for sale! One must say that if we were a museum, we would likely be the smallest in the UK, but, we contain thousands upon thousands of collectables, militaria and books, prehistoric, ancient, antique and vintage pieces, from an incredibly rare Zulu War artefact, the Zulu King's, carved horn sceptre knopkerrie, to a 66 million year old shark's tooth, to a samurai sword made around 800 years ago, with many hundreds of other fabulous swords, also from ancient Japan, to a section of a Roman Legionary’s armour, a Roman Tribune’s ring of victory, to a sporting gun made for a prince, or a 14 million year old impactite fragment from a meteor strike in Germany, a signal cannon from Admiral Nelson's navy, to a copy {now sold} of 'The Great Gatsby', an incredibly rare Ist Edition novel.

We offer magical and wondrous artefacts, each with a history beyond compare. We were honoured to be described by Victor Harris, England’s foremost & respected Japanese Sword expert, based at the British Museum, as the most unique and remarkable shop he has ever visited.

In the previous 100 plus years our past and present clients include; Hollywood movie star legends such as Edward G.Robinson, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Bette Davis, the British aristocracy from the late Queen Mary onwards, famous academics in all known fields, curators of many British museums, and politicians of all colours from numerous countries around the world, and last, yet most importantly, private collectors from all walks of life and nations.
Mark was once personally thanked, by one of our more universally recognisable clients, in the 1980’s, by President Ronald Reagan, for his pair of Roman glass vases bought from our gallery, and he then, most generously, gave Mark an autographed photo of himself in the Oval Office.

We have had the greatest of privileges to have had pass through our hands some quite remarkable pieces, such as one incredible 'Royal Family' piece that springs to mind. Around 35 years ago, we acquired a fabulous ‘royal’ gentleman’s desk set, in magnificent cloisonné enamel, gifted by one British 20th century King, to another, King George VIth and King Edward VIIIth. Each piece was signed, within the intricate enamels design, personally, for the king, in King George VIth’s ‘family name’, ‘Bertie’, with a personal engraved dedication.
‘There, but for the grace of God’. We presumed it was given away by a member of the family during the period of enmity between the former royal princes. King George VIth, and certainly his well beloved wife, Queen Elizabeth, {the parents of our adored, late Queen Elizabeth} well deservedly, never truly forgave his weak and manipulated brother, for the betrayal to his duty, to his family and his nation. One might say ‘plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.’. What a piece of history, and ironically, somewhat pertinent to today's unfolding events. We wish we had it now!

Our oldest regular collector was over 100 years old, and another client, our most regular customer, has been coming to us for over 77 years! Every month over 40,000 of our regular followers around the world request our weekly stock updates by email, and it is so easy to join them, on our home page, just enter your regular email address, and click go!

The photos we show in this gallery are of just a hint of the type of items we have bought and then sold online within the recent past, on just one day, and every item was accompanied with our unique, Certificate of Authenticity. Of course any certificate of authenticity, given by even the best specialist dealers, in any field, all around the world, is simply a piece of paper, however, ours is backed up with the fact we are the largest dealers of our kind in the world, with over 100 years and four generation’s of professional trading experience behind us,  read more

Code: 23219