A Fabulous, French, Napoleonic Wars, ‘Year 13’ Cuirassier Sword, Manufactured at Versailles in the Grand Armee Period, Circa 1805. AP, Blade Stamped With L'Atelier Precision Paris, & Fasces, Paris Blade Workshop. Battle of Austerlitz Up To Waterloo

This is a truly out standing example, despite being used for around 10 years in combat service, including surviving the Russian campaign in 1812 to Moscow, that saw the decimation of Napoleon’s entire Grande Armee, it is in superb condition and truly a museum grade example, as good as any sword in Les Invalides Musee de L’Armee in Paris.

Manufactured at Boutet’s Versailles workshop and issued to Napoleon’s early Empire period Grand Armee, to his elite cuirassiers.

Blade stamped with the mark of the Fasces for the 'Petit Garantie' 1798 to 1809, plus AP for L'Atelier Precision Paris, the Paris Workshop. Hilt stamped Versailles and inspectors mark.

Versailles was the premier hilt manufactury and assembly workshop for the Republic and Empire, and only the very finest would pass acceptance. All of the Elite Imperial Guard sword hilts were supplied from here. The Versailles Director was Boutet, probably the greatest & most respected Arms maker that ever lived, his pistols and guns, made for the King and Napoleon, are some of the most beautiful objects ever created by man.

This would have seen service in the Elite Cuirassiers of Napoleon's great heavy cavalry regiments of the Grande Armee such as in
the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, French cuirassiers played a crucial role as the heavy cavalry, engaging in powerful charges and contributing significantly to the French victory. They were the backbone of the Grande Armée's cavalry, known for their shiny breastplates, "Minerva" helmets, and heavy sabers. Then in 1807 at Friedland. And in the French invasion of Russia ( Campagne de Russie) that began on 24 June 1812 when Napoleon's Grande Armee crossed the Neman River in an attempt to engage and defeat the Russian army. Napoleon hoped to compel Tsar Alexander I of Russia to cease trading with British merchants through proxies in an effort to pressure the United Kingdom to sue for peace. The official political aim of the campaign was to liberate Poland from the threat of Russia. Napoleon named the campaign the Second Polish War to curry favour with the Poles and provide a political pretence for his actions. The Grande Armee was a very large force, numbering nearly half a million men from several different nations. Through a series of long marches Napoleon pushed the army rapidly through Western Russia in an attempt to bring the Russian army to battle, winning a number of minor engagements and a major battle at Smolensk in August. Napoleon hoped the battle would mean an end of the march into Russia, but the Russian army slipped away from the engagement and continued to retreat into Russia, while leaving Smolensk to burn. Plans Napoleon had made to quarter at Smolensk were abandoned, and he pressed his army on after the Russians. The battles continued, but once the winter set in Napoleon's army was facing insurmountable odds that left it effectively shattered beyond repair. Napoleon fled, it is said, dressed as a woman, and the army left to it's sad and miserable fate. Only around 27,000 were able to return after a mere six months of the Russian campaign. The campaign was a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. The reputation of Napoleon was severely shaken, and French hegemony in Europe was dramatically weakened.
The Grande Armee, made up of French and allied invasion forces, was reduced to a fraction of its initial strength. These events triggered a major shift in European politics. France's ally Prussia, soon followed by Austria, broke their alliance with France and switched camps. This triggered the War of the Sixth Coalition. The Cuirassiers Heavy Cavalry Regiments used the largest men in France, recruited to serve in the greatest and noblest cavalry France has ever had. They fought with distinction at their last great conflict at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and most of the Cuirassiers swords in England very likely came from that field of conflict, after the battle, as trophies of war. However, this sword was one of the few that were allowed to remain in the elite cuirassier corps after Waterloo, serving King Loius XVIIIth both before Napoleon's 100 days, and after his crushing defeat by Wellington at Waterloo. In fact one can see it has been issued, re-issued and even re-inspected by Capt. Louis Balaran, at least twice times with numerous serial numbers and inspection stamps stamped and struck out in its working life from 1806.

Every warrior that has ever entered service for his country sought trophies. The Mycenae from a fallen Trojan, the Roman from a fallen Gaul, the GI from a fallen Japanese, the tradition stretches back thousands of years, and will continue as long as man serves his country in battle. In the 1st century AD the Roman Poet Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis Juvenal
wrote; "Man thirsts more for glory than virtue. The armour of an enemy, his broken helmet, the flag ripped from a conquered trireme, are treasures valued beyond all human riches. It is to obtain these tokens of glory that Generals, be they Roman, Greek or barbarian, brave a thousand perils
and endure a thousand exertions". A truly magnificent Napoleonic sword in superb condition for it's age.
The largest sword of it's kind that was ever made or used by the world's greatest cavalry regiments. The cuirassiers were the greatest of all France's cavalry, allowing only the strongest men of over 6 feet in height into it's ranks. The French Cuirassiers were at their very peak in 1815, and never again regained the wonder and glory that they truly deserved at that time. To face a regiment of, say, 600 charging steeds bearing down upon you mounted with armoured giants, brandishing the mightiest of swords that could pierce the strongest breast armour, much have been, quite simply, terrifying. The brass basket guard on this sword is first class, the grip is totally original leather and a great colour only shows expected combat wear, the blade is double fullered and absolutely as crisp as one could hope for. Made in the Napoleonic Wars period.

The French Elite Cuirassier Sword is surely one of the most impressive Heavy Cavalry swords ever made, being of incredible size quality and stature. Used in the great campaigns of Napoleon by the Elite Grande Armee Cavalry, from Austria through the Russian Campaign, into the Peninsular War and finally the The Battle of Waterloo. All the Cuirassier were front line regiments, none ever utilized as Militia. With steel combat scabbard, multi fullered blade, brass 4 bar hilt with wire bound leather grip. Circa 1806. The blade is exactly as it should be, and bearing the matching Atelier Paris and Versailles stamp of 1806,

Overall 45.75 inches long in its scabbard, the spear pointed blade is 37.5 inches long. Just old aged patination to the blackened scabbard steel.

Likely used in all the battles below;

Austerlitz 1805
Friedland in 1807,
And in 1812 and beyond Borodino and
Moscow,
Ostrowno, and
Winkowo 1813: Reichenbach and Dresden, Leipzig and Hanau
1814: La Rothiere,
Rosnay,
Champaubert,
Vauchamps,
Athies,
La Fere-Champenoise and
Paris
1815: Quatre-Bras and Waterloo.

Photo 8 in the gallery is another blade, that we sold in the past, showing the AP and Fasces marks struck upon it, but just slightly deeper than this swords marks. For comparison, see the stamps shown in close up on photo 6 in the gallery, that are upon this sword offered now.  read more

Code: 25720

An 18th Century Highly Decorated North West Frontier Jazail, With The Iconic Recurved Butt Stock & Elaborate Inlaid Decor

With a long Damascus twist barrel and a captured British EIC flintlock. Formerly this type of elaborately decorated long gun were the weapons of regional tribal warlords in the 18th and early 19th century.

A very fine, attractive and incredibly significant historical example of a North West Frontier Afghan War long gun known as a Jazail. With a highly distinctive recurved butt. Likely Damascus steel twist barrel. The ordnance inspected lock was captured from an East India Co. musket. It has the EIC mark of the lion, plus probably traces of an ordnance inspector stamp number. The gunlock and it's maker is a most interesting historical aspect of this intriguing gun, it appears by the remaining surface it may have been made by Hirst of London. Hirst had his business based in Little Tower Hill, London, and he was a contractor to the Ordnance and the East India Co. His specialism was rare breech loading rifles, with screw mounted breeches, and wall mounted pivot guns with large flintlock mechanisms, just as this one is.

Jazails very often had captured British made locks, as their domestically made locks were often very basic matchlock types. The Jazail was used by the notorious North West Frontier tribesmen, in the 18th century, during the era of what was called The Great Game. The period when the British control of India was expanding, yet under considerable and constant threat by Russia, and it's attempted conspiracies in order to influence discord among the Indian populace for their own advantages, ‘plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose’ .

Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim was based around this very geo political situation, and a most informative, accurate, and yet ripping tale that it is too. It would have also been used in the Ist Afghan War in the 1830's, in many ways the first major conflict of what became known as " The Great Game". The reasons for the British invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in the late 1830s are many and varied. They mainly revolve around what one of the 'victims' of the event referred to as 'the Great Game'. This was the name given by Arthur Conolly to denote the shadow boxing between Russia and Britain for influence in Central Asia for much of the 19th Century. Relations between Russia and Britain were strained in the 1830s as the British feared the expansionist and strong armed tactics of Tsar Nicholas I who came to the throne in 1825. He sought a policy that expanded Russian influence southwards and eastwards. This was bringing Russian influence towards Britain's own 'Jewel in the Crown' India.
India was still ruled by the East India Company, although the British government had constrained much of the company's freedom to act by this time and was ultimately guiding its policy on the wider international scene. The British were particularly concerned at Russian influence in Persia. They had heard reports that the Russians were helping the Shah of Persia beseige Herat on the western side of Afghanistan. If successful in taking this city, Russian influence would advance along the route that they would take if they were to invade India at any point in the future. But British alarm bells really began to ring when a rumour circulated that a Russian had arrived at the court of Dost Mohammed in Kabul. If this was true, then it was believed that Russian influence might extend to the borders of India itself. Steeped in classical education, most British decision makers knew the invasion route of India taken by Alexander the Great and assumed that the Russians would soon have the capability to make a similar incursion. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables Rudyard Kipling's poem of the Afghan War refers to the feared deadly accuracy of the Jazail, and it goes;

"A scrimmage in a Border Station
A canter down some dark defile
Two thousand pounds of education
Drops to a ten-rupee jezail".

Frizzen lacking on the lock, action weak. As with all our antique guns, no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 22931

A Superb Samurai, Shinto Period, 350 Year Old, Ryo-Shinogi Yari Polearm Spear, Signed Bushu ju Shimosaka Fujiwara Kazunori, In Incredible Polish, Showing Fine Grain in the Hada and Wide Fine Suguha Hamon, With 12 'Notch' Tang

An Edo Period Samurai Horseman Ryo-Shinogi Yari Polearm on original haft, circa 1680. Fantastic polish showing amazing grain and deep hamon.

The blade is signed Bushu ju Shimosaka Fujiwara Kazunori, and bears 12 hand cut notches to the tang, which often represented the number of vanquished samurai by the yari weilding samurai, likely in a single battle

With original pole and iron foot mount ishizuki. Four sided double edged head. The mochi-yari, or "held spear", is a rather generic term for the shorter Japanese spear. It was especially useful to mounted Samurai. In mounted use, the spear was generally held with the right hand and the spear was pointed across the saddle to the soldiers left front corner.

The warrior's saddle was often specially designed with a hinged spear rest (yari-hasami) to help steady and control the spear's motion. The mochi-yari could also easily be used on foot and is known to have been used in castle defense. The martial art of wielding the yari is called sojutsu. A yari on it's pole can range in length from one metre to upwards of six metres (3.3 to 20 feet). The longer hafted versions were called omi no yari while shorter ones were known as mochi yari or tae yari. The longest hafted versions were carried by foot troops (ashigaru), while samurai usually carried a shorter hafted yari. Yari are believed to have been derived from Chinese spears, and while they were present in early Japan's history they did not become popular until the thirteenth century.The original warfare of the bushi was not a thing for "commoners"; it was a ritualized combat usually between two warriors who may challenge each other via horseback archery and sword duels. However, the attempted Mongol invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281 changed Japanese weaponry and warfare. The Mongol-employed Chinese and Korean footmen wielded long pikes, fought in tight formation, and moved in large units to stave off cavalry. Polearms (including naginata and yari) were of much greater military use than swords, due to their much greater range, their lesser weight per unit length (though overall a polearm would be fairly hefty), and their great piercing ability.
Swords in a full battle situation were therefore relegated to emergency sidearm status from the Heian through the Muromachi periods.

70.5 inches long overall,5.5 inches long blade, blade with tang overall 15 inches long  read more

Code: 25131

A Fascinating Original Bronze Age Spear or Lance Around 3400 Years Old From The Ancient Heroic Age, the Era of the Trojan War of Achilles and Hector. Old Oak Re-Hafted Likely a Century Or More Ago and Wire Bound

It is mounted on an early haft, but added much later, in the early wire bound manner. Used, for example by any of the great bronze age warring peoples such as the ancient Spartans, Minioans, Greeks,Thracians, or the Mycenaea.

Spearheads were mostly made in two-piece moulds which have been found in Ireland and the Highlands. During the Early Bronze Age soft stone moulds were used but in the late Bronze Age clay moulds became more popular. There is no evidence to indicate that bronze moulds were used to cast spearheads. After casting a spearhead would have been finished, hammered and occasionally decorated. The remains of hafts are occasionally recovered inside spearheads and they indicate that hafts were mostly made of ash and pinewood. Looped spearheads were probably secured by a cord, copper or leather thong. Pegged spearheads would have been pegged to the spear haft by bronze or wooden pegs. The variation of spearhead size indicates they may have been used for different purposes. For example smaller spearheads may have been thrown while larger ones may have been used as thrusting lance type weapons. Evidence suggests that they were mostly used in warfare and hunting. Some large decorative and barbed spearheads may have been used in ceremonies as they appear to be too large and valuable for fighting or hunting. Like many weapons, a spear may also be a symbol of power. In the Chinese martial arts community, the Chinese spear is popularly known as the "king of weapons".

The Celts would symbolically destroy a dead warrior's spear either to prevent its use by another or as a sacrificial offering.

In classical Greek mythology Zeus' bolts of lightning may be interpreted as a symbolic spear. Some would carry that interpretation to the spear that frequently is associated with Athena, interpreting her spear as a symbolic connection to some of Zeus' power beyond the Aegis once he rose to replacing other deities in the pantheon. Athena was depicted with a spear prior to that change in myths, however. Chiron's wedding-gift to Peleus when he married the nymph Thetis in classical Greek mythology, was an ashen spear as the nature of ashwood with its straight grain made it an ideal choice of wood for a spear.

The Romans and their early enemies would force prisoners to walk underneath a 'yoke of spears', which humiliated them. The yoke would consist of three spears, two upright with a third tied between them at a height which made the prisoners stoop. It has been surmised that this was because such a ritual involved the prisoners' warrior status being taken away. Alternatively, it has been suggested that the arrangement has a magical origin, a way to trap evil spirits.The word subjugate has its origins in this practice

In Norse Mythology, the God Odin's spear (named Gungnir) was made by the sons of Ivaldi. It had the special property that it never missed its mark. During the War with the Vanir, Odin symbolically threw Gungnir into the Vanir host. This practice of symbolically casting a spear into the enemy ranks at the start of a fight was sometimes used in historic clashes, to seek Odin's support in the coming battle. In Wagner's opera Siegfried, the haft of Gungnir is said to be from the "World-Tree" Yggdrasil.

Other spears of religious significance are the Holy Lance and the Lúin of Celtchar, believed by some to have vast mystical powers. The Lúin of Celtchar (Irish: Lúin Celtchair) is the name of a long, fiery lance or spear belonging to Celtchar mac Uthechar and wielded by other heroes.

Also known is Birgha (Spit-Spear) the Spear of Fiacha (or Fiacail), Birgha that was an Irish enchanted, venomous spear. The warrior Fiacha, a follower of Cumal (a leader of the Fianna), gave the spear to Cumal’s son Fionn mac Cumhail so that he might defeat Aillén, an evil creature/former member of the Tuath Dé Danann who resided, three-hundred-and-sixty-four days a year, in the Otherworld. Each and every Samhain the monster—nicknamed “the burner”—would wreak havoc on the royal residence of Tara (also: Teamhair) with his fire-breath after lulling its defenders to sleep with enchanted music. Specifically, Aillén plays—or weaponizes, I should say—the suantraí (lullaby) strain of ancient Irish music, which is frequently deployed by gods, druids, and other musicians in the myths in order to incapacitate opponents.

That’s where Birgha comes into play.

In Lady Gregory’s version of events, Fiacha teaches Fionn how to unlock the power of the spear, instructing his pupil as follows:

“When you will hear the music of the Sidhe, let you strip the covering off the head of the spear and put it to your forehead, and the power of the spear will not let sleep come upon you.”
Sir James George Frazer in The Golden Bough noted the phallic nature of the spear and suggested that in the Arthurian Legends the spear or lance functioned as a symbol of male fertility, paired with the Grail (as a symbol of female fertility). The picture in the gallery is of the Norse god Odin, carrying the spear Gungnir on his ride to Hel, note the thickness of the haft and the binding of the tang.

Cú Chulainn, also called Cuchulain, Cuchulinn, or Cuchullin is the central character of the Ulster (Ulaid) cycle in the in medieval Irish mythology and literature. He was the greatest of the Knights of the Red Branch and had magical powers. His name means 'Culann's Hound'.
See photo 7 in the gallery.

Blade 15.5 inches long not including tang Overall 75 inches long. Due to excessive length we offer it for sale only within UK mainland. The spears central rib has had an old repair on the blade.  read more

Code: 22602

LA CAMPAGNE D'ITALIE DE 1859. CHRONIQUES DE LA GUERRE. Par le Baron de BAZANCOURT, appele par ordre de L'Empereur a la armee d'Italie. avec le plan du champ de bataille Magenta Vol 1

From the Library of the Royal Artillery Shoeburyness

French book with fine leather binding with gilt tooling. With page foxing throughout, and a fold out map of the battle [photo of map to be added].

The Battle of Magenta was fought on 4 June 1859 during the Second Italian War of Independence, resulting in a French-Sardinian victory under Napoleon III against the Austrians under Marshal Ferencz Gyulai.

It took place near the town of Magenta in the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, a crown land of the Austrian Empire, on 4 June 1859. Napoleon III's army crossed the Ticino River and outflanked the Austrian right forcing the Austrian army under Gyulai to retreat. The confined nature of the country, a vast spread of orchards cut up by streams and irrigation canals, precluded elaborate manoeuvre. The Austrians turned every house into a miniature fortress. The brunt of the fighting was borne by 5,000 grenadiers of the French Imperial Guard, still mostly in their First Empire style of uniforms. The battle of Magenta was not a particularly large battle, but it was a decisive victory for the Franco-Sardinian alliance. Patrice de MacMahon was created Duc de Magenta for his role in this battle, and would later go on to serve as President of the French Third Republic.
LA CAMPAGNE D'ITALIE DE 1859. CHRONIQUES DE LA GUERRE. Par le Baron de BAZANCOURT, appele par ordre de L'Empereur a la armee d'Italie. avec le plan du champ de bataille Magenta

Review published by the New York times on April 17, 1860
This work has just been completed It is a complete, clear, and admirable history of the Italian campaign of last year, -- written with special regard to military accuracy, and yet with great spirit and literary ability. It is by far the best history of this remarkable chapter of current events which has yet been written. The author in his preface disavows all pretensions to write a history, -- and professes to give merely a report of events, leaving the estimate of their importance, and their bearings upon the fortunes of the several countries most directly interested, to be made by others. He aims solely to rehearse incidents, -- to "present those great military exploits still fresh and alive with the noble emotion of the engagement, -- to trace the living drama on the fields of battle, -- to accompany, day by day, hour by hour, step by step, those intrepid battalions thrown so suddenly upon the field of battle in the name of the holiest of causes." He has performed his task with fidelity and ability, and claims as its special merit that he has not made a single statement without having for it the most unquestionable authority. Indeed, he has introduced throughout citations from official documents, and has collected in the appendix all the dispatches relating to the war.
New York Times April 17, 1860
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Battle; An overwhelming majority of the French-Piedmontese coalition soldiers were French (1,100 were Piedmontese and 58,000 were French).

The Battle of Magenta was fought on 4 June 1859 during the Second Italian War of Independence, resulting in a French-Sardinian victory under Napoleon III against the Austrians under Marshal Ferencz Gyulai.

It took place near the town of Magenta in the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, a crown land of the Austrian Empire, on 4 June 1859. Napoleon III's army crossed the Ticino River and outflanked the Austrian right forcing the Austrian army under Gyulai to retreat. The confined nature of the country, a vast spread of orchards cut up by streams and irrigation canals, precluded elaborate manoeuvre. The Austrians turned every house into a miniature fortress. The brunt of the fighting was borne by 5,000 grenadiers of the French Imperial Guard, still mostly in their First Empire style of uniforms. The battle of Magenta was not a particularly large battle, but it was a decisive victory for the Franco-Sardinian alliance. Patrice de MacMahon was created Duc de Magenta for his role in this battle, and would later go on to serve as President of the French Third Republic.
 read more

Code: 24591

A Superbly Attractive, Native American Indian 'Spontoon Head' Style Tomahawk with Studded Haft, Glass Beads, and Eagle Feathers.

Great Lakes style. Rarely seen in Europe, a large spontoon trade style tomahawk axe head, with 2 large hook quillons on either side of the head. The head itself is a work of art, engraved with four spontoon heads at north south east and west, and nail point stamped create a circle. Possibly forged by an unknown blacksmith. The blade and head show a nice natural patina, and old brass tacks along the handle. They are domed head brass tacks set in an ash wood haft. The haft has a hole drilled for attaching an old beaded drop and eagle feathers with a piece of thin buckskin cord, the eagle feathers have been cut across the top, this is an old Lakota symbol of 'cutting an enemy's throat'. In excellent condition, It somewhat reminds us of the late 19th century spontoon head tomahawk of Chief Iron Tail of the Oglala Lakota Nation. He was a famed late 19th century celebrity Sioux, but it was as a star performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West in the 1880s that brought this Sioux to the attention of world leaders and American audiences; as many as 12,000 people attended the live shows each day. It was the quintessential last vestige of the American West and passing century of discovery. When performances went overseas, Iron Tail was still Buffalo Bill's lead performer, and also his avowed best friend. He nicknamed Bill "Pahaska" or "Long Hair." In the West they hunted; in Europe, they toured historic sites, often hosted by royal aristocracy, traveling together until 1913.The spiked tomahawk, made along the lines of medieval European battle axes, had either a straight or curved spike projection at the top of the hatchet’s head.

The Missouri war axe, a large, thin-bladed hatchet with a short handle, was favoured by tribes along the great bend of the Missouri River.

The spontoon tomahawk, with its dagger-like blade and curled or winged-like appendages, suggested a fleur-de-lis-shaped battle axe.

Although least practical as a cutting or chopping tool, each one of these tomahawks made formidable hand weapons and held some favour with Indians because of their graceful and artistic shapes.

Regardless of style or shape, like the Indian’s bow and lance or the white man’s rifle and revolver, the tomahawk was as important a practical tool as it was a weapon of combat. Whether left plain or adorned with tacks, beads, coloured cloth, feathers, animal parts or even human appendages, the tomahawk also served as a symbol, representing the choice between peace or war, when white and red men met. While the first iron hatchets and tomahawks in America came from British and French sources in the northwestern territories and the Spaniards and French in the south and southwestern regions of the frontier, the first American tomahawks probably appeared in the Far West during Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s 1804-1806 expedition. Nevertheless, by the early to mid-19th century, the iron tomahawk had become a standard trade item and fighting implement of frontier Indians. This tomahawk is not an 18th century or early 19th century example, today those examples are now valued in the tens of thousands of pounds, and furthermore may now never leave American shores. This axe is likely 19th century or later. Surface pitting to the iron and small blackened staining to the iron on one side. We cannot ship this item to the US, because Native American items are not permitted imports into America  read more

Code: 23398

A Beauty! Scottish Regt. Issue 'Tower Of London' GR Crown 'Brown Bess' Musket of the Napoleonic Wars, Peninsular War & Waterloo With Bayonet. Scottish Regimental Markings for Renfrewshire Regt. Then Transferred To The 42nd Foot the 'Black Watch'

Probably the only Scottish infantryman’s regulation issue regimentally marked Napoleonic Wars 'Brown Bess' available on the open market today, and certainly the first we have seen in over 20 years. Officers private purchase versions regimentally marked are unusual but they do appear No and again, but other ranks regulation issue regimental marked muskets are another thing entirely. Thus, it is such a rarity, that another may not appear again for decades. Made for the Renfrewshire Regiment as a defence against a feared French invasion of Scotland, then transferred after the Peace of Amiens treaty in 1802, to the Scottish line regiment, the Black Watch, for service use, including, from 1808 to 1814, in Portugal & Spain for the Peninsular Campaign, and later at Quatre Bras and Waterloo in 1815.

Renfrewshire, in Scotland, resolved to tender an offer to the Government in October 1794, to raise a corps of infantry consisting of 400 men for the defence of their part of Scotland in case of a French invasion. The offer was accepted, and on October 25 following, the men marched to the Cross of Paisley, gave four volleys in honour of the King, and were presented with a stand of colours by the Magistrates. On November 25, they were reviewed by Major-General Hamilton, the field being kept by the Renfrewshire Cavalry, who were themselves reviewed in the following August by the same officer. This musket was issued to the Renfrewshire Regiment and the barrel engraved by the regimental armourer for the Ist Renfrewshire, rack numbered gun, 106. The regiment were under the command of the Earl of Glasgow, their Colonel. In August 31, 1799, the whole of the men in the shire were reviewed at Barnsford by General Drummond. The number of officers and men put upon the field is given at over 1,500. The Regiment was disbanded in 1802 {in Glasgow} at the Peace of Amiens, and their arms transferred to a local Scottish line regiment, also in Glasgow, the 42nd Foot the 'Black Watch', which was in Glasgow at the time. The Treaty of Amiens, (March 27, 1802), was an agreement signed at Amiens, France, by Britain, France, Spain, and the Batavian Republic (the Netherlands), achieving a peace in Europe for 14 months during the Napoleonic Wars. After Waterloo the regiment spent many years based in Ireland, and 1842 this musket was left in Ireland, as the regiment were issued with the new percussion action 1842 muskets, prior to the regiment moving to Malta. At that point, the musket, now likely within an Irish volunteer militia, was stamped for the gun census in County Antrim {A.N} in August 1843

Probably the most famous military flintlock musket in the world today, and certainly one of the most historically important and desirable long guns of its type from the Napoleonic wars.

A typical regulation example, made and issued to a Scottish Regiment, in around 1797, and in very good and in very sound combat service condition, with a stunning natural patination colour. A very good British Napoleonic Wars regulation, regiment-of-the-line issue musket, Crown GR and made at the Tower of London, with swan neck cock lock with government GR Crown stamp, regulation brass mounts, iron ramrod, sling swivels and triangular socket bayonet {pitted}. Fabulous walnut stock with signs of Napoleonic Wars combat use, yet still exceptionally fine. A musket that it would be highly unlikely ever to improve upon historically, to find a better example.

On 8 March 1801, The 42nd took part in the Battle of Aboukir, a decisive victory by the British expeditionary force. At 9 am the troops beached their craft under a rainstorm of a French cannonade and musket fire from 2,500 French positioned on the high dunes. The troops disembarked, formed a line, fixed bayonets and advanced, undaunted by the enemy fire. With General Moore leading the landing force. The 42nd, located in the centre of the landing force, struggled up the steep soft sandy ground. The French appeared at the summit and poured a destructive musket volley at the advancing soldiers. The lead troops of the 42nd reached the summit before the French could reload and launched a bayonet charge, hurling them back in confusion. The French counter attacked with a squadron of cavalry, a second bayonet charge by the 42nd caused them to flee. The British losses were 102 all ranks killed and 515 wounded; of these the 42nd Highlanders had 31 killed. The commanding officer, Lt Colonel James Stewart, 6 officers, 7 sergeants, 4 Drummers, and 140 rank and file were wounded. James Stewart had been wounded along with a few soldiers as the boats came into shore. The leadership by the company commanders and subsequent success against an enemy of double the British numbers was noteworthy.

The Battle of Aboukir allowed a bridgehead to be created as a prelude to the Battle of Alexandria thirteen days later on the 21st March 1801. The 42nd was commanded by Lt Colonel Alexander Stewart after the wounding of Lt Col James Stewart at Aboukir. During the Battle Major Stirling captured a standard from the French which he handed to Sergeant Sinclair who was later wounded and subsequently the standard was lost.

They went on to besiege Cairo and then Alexandria in which the French forces were expelled from Egypt.

Peninsular War

The 1st battalion embarked for Portugal in August 1808 for service in the Peninsular War. At the Battle of Corunna in January 1809 it was a soldier of the 42nd Highlanders who carried the mortally wounded General Sir John Moore to cover, and six more who carried him to the rear, but only after he had witnessed the victory in which the stout defence of the Black Watch played a major part. Moore's army was evacuated from Spain and the 1st Battalion of the 42nd Highlanders went with them.

As the 1st battalion left, the 2nd battalion was dispatched from Ireland to Spain for their service in the Peninsular War. The 2nd battalion fought at the Battle of Bussaco in September 1810 before falling back to the Lines of Torres Vedras. The 2nd battalion fought with great distinction at the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro in May 1811, the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo in January 1812 and the bloody siege of Badajoz in March 1812 before returning home to recruit. The 1st battalion returned to the Peninsula in time to fight in the Battle of Salamanca in July 1812, the siege of Burgos in September 1812 and the Battle of Vitoria in June 1813. It then pursued the French Army into France and fought at the Battle of the Pyrenees in July 1813, the Battle of Nivelle in November 1813 and the Battle of the Nive in December 1813 before seeing action at the Battle of Orthez in February 1814 and the Battle of Toulouse in April 1814

With the war with France now apparently over, the 2nd battalion was disbanded in 1814 and some of its number transferred to the permanent 1st battalion. The now single battalion 42nd fought at the chaotic Battle of Quatre Bras on 16 June 1815 under Lieutenant-colonel Sir Robert Macara, who was killed by French lancers. The 42nd was one of four battalions mentioned by Wellington in dispatches after the battle. Two days later at the Battle of Waterloo, the 42nd and also the 2nd/73rd Highlanders, which was later to become the new 2nd Battalion, Black Watch, were both in some of the most intense fighting in the battle

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.

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. This musket has the earlier 18th century swan necked cock

Barrel 39 inch, overall 55.5 inches long.
Action has a very good and strong mainspring. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 25721

An Ancient Koto Period Samurai Sword, Almost 600 Years old, From The Sengoku Jidai. A Handachi Mounted Katana, With Beautiful Deep Red Ishime Urushi Lacquer Saya, Contrasted With Spectacular Green-Blue Silk Tsuka-ito, Set With Hammered Silver Onlaid Mount

Han-dachi mounted samurai swords originally appeared during the Muromachi period when there was a transition taking place from tachi to katana. The sword was being worn more and more edge up when on foot, but edge down on horseback as it had always been.

From the Muramachi and Sengoku period. The blade was made almost 600 years ago, in or around 1450, and it is fully mounted in a fine suite of Edo period, all matching handachi koshirae sword mounts, fitted upon the saya and tsuka, with a very scarce highly decorative hand finish, of hammered silver over copper, to represent reflections of moonlight in silvery puddles of water. A most impressive, beautiful and statuesque sword. The blade shows a most stunning and active hamon. The tsuka has its traditional, stunning, blue-green silk wrap, over black samegawa {giant ray-skin}, with two takebori iron dragon menuki.

The Sengoku period was initiated by the Ōnin War in 1467 which collapsed the feudal system of Japan under the Ashikaga Shogunate. The Sengoku period was named by Japanese historians after the similar but otherwise unrelated Warring States period of China. The era is beautifully depicted in Akira Kurowsawa’s films called Jidaigeki. The Sengoku Period (1467-1568 CE) was a lawless century-long era characterized by rising political instability, turmoil, and warlordism in Japan. During this period, field armies and soldiers rapidly rose in number, reaching tens of thousands of warriors. Many castles in Japan were built during the Sengoku Period as regional leaders and aristocrats alike competed for power and strong regional influence to win the favours of the higher-class Japanese at the time. Kurosawa’s film depiction of Macbeth, Throne of Blood, is set in this era of Japan’s feudal period. Original title 蜘蛛巣城, Kumonosu-jō, lit. 'The Castle of Spider's Web'

This then led to the creation of a more complex system within the military, the armoured infantry known as the ashigaru. Initiated by the collapse of the country’s feudal system during the 1467 Onin War, rival warlords or daimyō, continued to struggle to gain control of Japan until its reunification under Japan’s three “Great Unifiers” –– Nagoya Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu Tokugawa –– thus, bringing the war-stricken era to an end in the siege of Osaka
The handachi is a response to the need to be worn in either style. The samurai were roughly the equivalent of feudal knights. Employed by the shogun or daimyo, they were members of hereditary warrior class that followed a strict "code" that defined their clothes, armour and behaviour on the battlefield. But unlike most medieval knights, samurai warriors could read and they were well versed in Japanese art, literature and poetry.
Samurai endured for almost 700 years, from 1185 to 1867. Samurai families were considered the elite. They made up only about six percent of the population and included daimyo and the loyal soldiers who fought under them. Samurai means one who serves."

Samurai were expected to be both fierce warriors and lovers of art, a dichotomy summed up by the Japanese concepts of bu, to stop the spear, expanding into bushido (the way of life of the warrior) and bun (the artistic, intellectual and spiritual side of the samurai). Originally conceived as away of dignifying raw military power, the two concepts were synthesized in feudal Japan and later became a key feature of Japanese culture and morality.

The quintessential samurai was Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary early Edo-period swordsman who reportedly killed 60 men before his 30th birthday and was also a painting master.

The name katana derives from two old Japanese written characters or symbols: kata, meaning side, and na, or edge. Thus a katana is a single-edged sword that has had few rivals in the annals of war, either in the East or the West. Because the sword was the main battle weapon of Japan's knightly man-at-arms (although spears and bows were also carried), an entire martial art grew up around learning how to use it. This was kenjutsu, the art of sword fighting, or kendo in its modern, non-warlike incarnation. The importance of studying kenjutsu and the other martial arts such as kyujutsu, the art of the bow, was so critical to the samurai a very real matter of life or death that Miyamoto Musashi, most renowned of all swordsmen, warned in his classic The Book of Five Rings: The science of martial arts for warriors requires construction of various weapons and understanding the properties of the weapons. A member of a warrior family who does not learn to use weapons and understand the specific advantages of each weapon would seem to be somewhat uncultivated. European knights and Japanese samurai have some interesting similarities. Both groups rode horses and wore armour. Both came from a wealthy upper class. And both were trained to follow strict codes of moral behaviour. In Europe, these ideals were called chivalry; the samurai code was called Bushido, "the way of the warrior." The rules of chivalry and Bushido both emphasize honour, self-control, loyalty, bravery, and military training.

Samurai have been describes as "the most strictly trained human instruments of war to have existed." They were expected to be proficient in the martial arts of aikido and kendo as well as swordsmanship and archery---the traditional methods of samurai warfare---which were viewed not so much as skills but as art forms that flowed from natural forces that harmonized with nature.
Some samurai, it has been claimed, didn't become a full-fledged samurai until he wandered around the countryside as begging pilgrim for a couple of years to learn humility. When this was completed they achieved samurai status and receives a salary from his daimyo paid from taxes (usually rice) raised from the local populace.


40.5 inches long overall, blade 24.25 inches long  read more

Code: 25722

A Very Rare WW1 German Airship Bataillon 'Luftschiffer' Regt. Nr.1 Officer’s Sword, of the Elite Imperial German Kaiser's Zeppelin and Airship Guarde Infantry, Only The Second We Have Seen in 30 Years

Probably one of the rarest German swords available, from the iconic German Zeppelin force of WW1. A duluxe quality blade bearing the Luftschiffer Battalion no 1, a Luftschiffer observation balloon and the Imperial German Kaiser's Garter Star symbol, plus a troop of horses pulling the balloon limber. Airship Battalion officer's swords are so rare as to be virtually unavailable, we have only seen one other in the past 40 years or so. We have not even heard or seen of another example in over 30 years. The German Airship Battalions were a small yet vital part of the Kaiser's Imperial German war machine. It was a mix of old and new technology that created the amazing new air services which in turn resulted in the iconic and hugely successful psychological warfare, of the highly feared and indomitable, so called, Hun in the Sky. The very beginning of true aerial warfare as we know it today. Some of the most famous stories of the war were based around the German Airships Zeppelins and the like and their continued use by Hitler's Third Reich right up to the late 1930's as can be seen, impressively and incredibly depicted, in the third of the Indiana Jones movies shows just how important they were considered. Any souvenirs or militaria from those early services are incredibly sought after, and very scarce indeed. All the weaponry connected with those services are particularly rare and very highly prized. At the start of World War I the Imperial German Army had five Luftschiffer (airship) battalions and one airship company. They were used as frontline observation posts and the larger ships as long range bombers. Fatalities of the crews were very high indeed due to their vulnerability. This sword is the best you could possibly hope for, as, not only does it have a deluxe etched blade, with two blued panels regimentally marked for the Luftschiffer Battalion No1, It also bears the Imperial Garter Star to represent this battalion was part of the Guard Infantry. The most elite part of the Imperial German armed forces, based in Berlin and assigned to the front lines in France and Belgium. The Luftschiffer became the backbone of German aerial warfare in the first years of the War, conducting reconnaissance flights as well as the first bombings of cities, including Paris and London.

Upon the outbreak of World War I, the Luftschifftruppe numbered around 20–25 zeppelins in service. The Luftschifftruppe began aerial surveillance early on in Belgium and France, but often came under fire by anti-aircraft guns. Because of their slow speed, they were very vulnerable. After three Zeppelins were shot down in the first month alone, the Luftschiffer were switched to naval surveillance, observing British ship movements, in which capacity they played a decisive role in the Battle of Jutland. Tests were done of dropping bombs from Zeppelins in order to increase their potential. Zeppelins had a typical carrying capacity of almost 9 metric tons, making them useful enough for this operation. Following the Christmas truce, Kaiser Wilhelm II approved of the Luftschifftruppe's bombing of England. On January 19, 1915, the first bombs fell over Britain, when two Zeppelins dropped 50 kg explosives on villages outside Great Yarmouth. Five people died in the first raid; 18 more raids that year would end in almost 900 casualties. Following the terror, the British government began taking measures to stop the bombings. Anti-aircraft guns were set up all over south-eastern England, as well as spotlights for night time.

The bombings in 1916 were more intense than in 1915. After an accidental bomb-dropping on London, the Kaiser approved of raids directly against the city's urban center. Twenty-three raids on London resulted in around 1,800 casualties. Despite safety precautions, civilians were still unprepared for the raids and zeppelins were still able to avoid defenses. By 1917 and 1918 the threat the Luftschifftruppe posed to London was diminished. Large-scale introduction of fighter planes caused nearly half of the planned bombings to end in failure. Only eleven successful raids occurred in the last year of the war. Nearly 80 zeppelins had been built for the Luftschifftruppe during the war; around 60 of them were shot down, including Peter Strasser's own zeppelin, with himself on board. The hilt is plated steel with wire bound fishskin grip. A blackened steel scabbard with slight denting.  read more

Code: 23637

A Magnificent 18th Century Anglo French Indian War To Revolution Period All Silver Hilted Small Sword with Colichmarde Blade. Probably By William Kinman. A Stunning Museum Piece, A Near Pair to General George Washington's Sword in Amazing Condition

A combination of the finest 18th century artisan's skill of both a silversmith and bespoke swordsmith. Circa 1759 possibly by William Kinman of London. no silver hallmark was required due to The 'Act of 1738' the Plate Offences Act 1738, & the 1738 exemptions, which exempted the requirement of an assay mark for gold and silver mounts of swords, daggers, pistols and guns

General George Washington, later the first President of the United States, had a near identical sword that he used during his service as commander of the new American Army in the American War of Independance from 1776 onwards. Born in the Colony of Virginia, Washington became the commander of the Virginia Regiment during the French and Indian War (1754–1763). He was later elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, and opposed the perceived oppression of the American colonists by the British Crown. When the American Revolutionary War against the British began in 1775, Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. He directed a poorly organized and equipped force against disciplined British troops. Washington and his army achieved an early victory at the Siege of Boston in March 1776 but were forced to retreat from New York City in November. Washington crossed the Delaware River and won the battles of Trenton in late 1776 and Princeton in early 1777, then lost the battles of Brandywine and Germantown later that year. He faced criticism of his command, low troop morale, and a lack of provisions for his forces as the war continued. Ultimately Washington led a combined French and American force to a decisive victory over the British at Yorktown in 1781. In the resulting Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British acknowledged the sovereign independence of the United States. Washington then served as president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which drafted the current Constitution of the United States.

Ideal in its day for duelling or close quarter combat, as well as being a simply fabulous, finest quality sword of immense beauty.

Fine cast and chased silver hilt in the elegant rococo style with double shell guard single knucklebow and pas dans. The grip has silver banding interspersed with herringbone pattern twisted silver wire.

The guard has enchanting workmanship with a scrolling, pierced, rococo Arabesque pattern. Colishmarde blade with part bright steel finish.
The highly distinctive colishmarde blades appeared in 1680 and were popular during the next 40 years at the royal European courts. The colichemarde bladed swords had a special popularity with the officers of the French and Indian War period. Even George Washington had a very fine one just as this example.

The colichemarde sword descended from the so-called "transition rapier", which appeared because of a need for a lighter sword, better suited to parrying. It was not so heavy at its point; it was shorter and allowed a limited range of double time moves.The colichemarde in turn appeared as a thrusting blade too and also with a good parrying level, hence the strange, yet successful shape of the blade.

This sword appeared at about the same time as the foil. However the foil was created for practicing fencing at court, while the colichemarde was created for dueling. With the appearance of pocket pistols as a self-defense weapon, the colichemardes found an even more extensive use in dueling.
This was achieved thanks to a wide forte (often with several fullers), which then stepped down in width after the fullers ended. The result of this strange shape was a higher maneuverability of the sword: with the weight of the blade concentrated in one's hand it became possible to maneuver the blade at a greater speed and with a higher degree of control, allowing the fencer to place a precise thrust at his/her adversary. This sword is a true work of art, in it's beauty form, quality and balance. One photo in the gallery is of General Burgoyne surrendering his similar gilt sword after the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777. Another portrait of George Washington with his very similar solid silver sword sword. The 1767 Silver-Hilted Smallsword
One of Washington's most beautiful swords, this sword appears in many famous Washington paintings.  read more

Code: 24960