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A Most Beautiful Original Edo Period Shinto Samurai Wakazashi by Kanesada

Signed over two sides, Echizen ju Kozuke no Kami Fujiwara Kanesada 1680. A good and rated sword smith. A swordsmith, Kozuke no Kami Fujiwara Kanesada is listed as one of just 65 Swordmakers that produced a swords of three of the high grades of quality blades, ōwazamono, ryōwazamono, or wazamono. Excellent, very good and good. Wazamono is a classification of Japanese swords and swordsmiths used in Japan to identify historic blades of exceptional quality. According to the first edition of Kaiho Kenjaku (懐宝剣尺) published in 1797, There are 163 Wazamono swords in total, grouped into four categories based on their quality. Twelve swords are classified as Saijō Ō Wazamono (Supreme Grade), twenty-one swords are classified as Ō Wazamono (Excellent), fifty swords are classified as Yoki (Ryō) Wazamono (Very Good), and eighty swords are classified as Wazamono (Good).

This rating is based on a book compiled by Yamada Asaemon V (山田浅右衛門吉睦), an official sword cutting ability examiner and executioner of the Tokugawa shogunate, and is an authoritative index of cutting ability of Japanese swords. The list of ratings concerning swordsmithing differs between Kaiho Kenjaku (懐宝剣尺) published in 1797 and the reprinted edition published in 1805, and the major revised edition of Kokon Kajibiko (古今鍛冶備考) published in 1830. Add up the number of sword smiths in each edition: Saijo Ō Wazamono 15, Ō Wazamono 21, Yoki Wazamono 58, Wazamono 93, and 3 grades mixed 65. The list of swordsmiths described below is the swordsmiths described in the first edition of Kaiho Kenjaku. The blade of shinogi-zukuri form, slightly undulating suguba of nioi with pronounced nie, indistinct tight mokumehada, the ubu nakago with kiri yasurime and one mekugi-ana, signed Echizen no ju Kozuke no kami Fujiwara Kanesada; koshira-e: the saya (scabbard) of roiro lacquer; ovoid iron stuba , shakudo fuchigashira with geese and reeds in gilt metal relief. The blade is in very good polish, the lacquer on the saya also very good and the original Edo period tsukaito [hilt binding] shows areas of wear as to be expected. 48.5cm (19 1/8in) long.

Code: 23481

4950.00 GBP

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Original Thomson 'Tommy' Sub Machine Gun Box Magazines WW2 Issue, Recently Uncovered In our Gun Store

We bought these magazines around 60 years ago, and they have just been recently uncovered in our gun storage room. A box of 15 original WW2 'Tommy Gun' Thomson Sub Machine Gun magazines. Most made by Auto Ordnance, some by Seymour. The are for sale separately for £25 each inc UK mainland delivery, on a first come first served basis. The buyer can choose a preference to manufacturers, Auto Ordnance or Seymour, until our Seymours run out. In 1938, the Thompson submachine gun was adopted by the U.S. military, serving during World War II and beyond.

There were two military types of Thompson SMG.

The M1928A1 had provisions for box and drum magazines. It had a Cutts compensator, cooling fins on the barrel, employed a delayed blowback action and its charging handle was on the top of the receiver.
The M1 and M1A1 had a barrel without cooling fins, a simplified rear sight, provisions only for box magazines, employed a straight blowback action and the charging handle was on the side of the receiver.
Magazine developments
Military users of the M1928A1 had complaints about the "L" fifty-round drum magazine; the British Army officially criticised "their excessive weight, the rattling sound they made" and shipped thousands back to the U.S. in exchange for box magazines. The Thompson had to be cocked, bolt retracted ready to fire, to attach the drum. It attached and detached by sliding sideways, which made magazine changes slow and also created difficulty in clearing a cartridge malfunction ("jam"). Reloading an empty drum with cartridges was an involved process.

In contrast, the "XX" twenty-round box magazine was light and compact, it tended not to rattle, and could be inserted with the bolt safely closed. It was quickly attached and detached and was removed downward, making clearing jams easier. The box tripped the bolt open lock when empty, facilitating magazine changes. An empty box was easily reloaded with loose rounds. However, users complained it was limited in capacity. In the field, some soldiers would tape two "XX" magazines together in what would be known as "jungle style" to quicken magazine changes 6.25 inches long. Excellent to very good condition overall, good springs, slight tarnishes here and there. Not available outside of mainland UK.

Code: 23480

25.00 GBP

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A Good Antique Meiji Period Japanese Sword Stick 'Shikome Zue' In Bamboo

This is an antique Japanese sword stick called a shikomi-zue [hidden sword]. In the 1870's the Meiji Emperor disbanded the fuedal samurai order and banned the wearing of the sword. This created much unrest between the samurai and the government and some samurai moved to carrying shikome-zue hidden sword. Therefore, via a circuitous route, they still remain armed, but with their sword hidden from view. But by that way they felt, least in part, their honour remained intact. With a long and powerful blade. In ninjutsu shikomizue became quite popular, as it provided the night warriors with what they needed most – versatility, secrecy and mortality. The walking sticks were popular among all the classes and carrying it caused no suspicion. Combined with the impersonation skills, shikomizue was really a dangerous weapon attacking the enemy most suddenly. This is a good robust example, and would have been highly effective in its day. The blade is a long thrusting and parrying blade, without a dominant edge. The stick is fully bamboo with a bamboo root-ball handle. We show an 1817 Japanese print by Hokusai of his depiction of an all black clad warrior [so called ninja] climbing a rope, with what appears to be his shikome-zue hidden sword stick. Some shikome-zue have early smith made antique adapted blades from swords, this is a standard sword blade that was custom made for this cane when it was created in the 19th century. Overall grey steel with areas of pitting.

Code: 23479

775.00 GBP

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An 18th Century Flintlock Long Barrel Sporting Musket

Nice stock, flintlock action [not actionable] 52.5 inches long overall. This would make a delightful original display piece for any suitable location. Under barrel brass plate strengthening supports.The royal forest was an area of land designated to the king for hunting and forestry; it included woodland, heathland, and agricultural land. As of the 12th century nearly a third of England's territory was assigned as royal forest. Only the king and other permitted members of the nobility were allowed to hunt game in the assigned area. To maintain this restriction, forest law was introduced to enforce the boundaries. Special officials known as foresters were in charge of overseeing forest law. The foresters were among the most hated of royal officials as they were often corrupt, having a reputation for making illegal side profits on royal forest property by farming, extracting natural resources, and poaching game. They exacted many punishments for poaching game, farming, and other illegal activities on the royal forest. Heavy fines and imprisonment were the common discipline. While foresters were in charge of the upkeep of forest law, sometimes the king would employ the local sheriff to get involved. Hunting, however, was not the only function for the royal forest. Kings would also use these territories for cattle upbringing, farming, and extracting the land's resources. They also notably served as reserves for all kinds of wildlife. King Henry I of England was known for having a fascination with pet animals. His parks included wild animals like lions and leopards. Forest laws in regards to hunting created class distinctions. King Richard II of England issued the first game law in 1390. It constituted a property requirement of certain value to have hunting dogs or other hunting equipment. During the Regency period, game birds were shot in different ways, though Driven Game shooting was popular on larger estates. Here, where beaters are employed to drive game towards a line of standing guns through woods and over moors or fields, dependent on the quarry and time of year. The total bag (number of birds shot) will be anywhere between 80 and 300, again dependent on quarry etc. The day will be very formal, and gamekeepers or a shoot captain will oversee proceedings. Pickers-up are also employed to make sure all shot game is collected. On such estates, large numbers of pheasants, partridge and duck, but not grouse, may be released to maintain numbers. Shotguns (also known as a fowling piece or scattergun) were improved during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and game shooting became more popular. To protect the pheasants for the shooters, gamekeepers culled vermin such as foxes, magpies and birds of prey almost to extirpation in popular areas, and landowners improved their coverts and other habitats for game. Game Laws were relaxed in 1831 which meant anyone could obtain a permit to take rabbits, hares and gamebirds.

Code: 23478

675.00 GBP

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An Original American Civil War Sergeant's Sword

Cast brass hilt shell guard and single edged blade. A good example of the swords used by the Union infantry in the American Civil War. M1840 NCO swords. The sword replaced a weapon more commonly known as the Model 1832 foot artillery sword which was used by both the infantry and the artillery regiments from 1832 to 1840. Its wearing was granted to all sergeant ranks until it came out of use in 1875. Additionally first sergeants and above would wear a waist sash from 1821 to 1872. The sword was worn either on a white or black baldric or with an Enfield bayonet frog. A shorter version with a 26-inch blade was carried by musicians, this was called the Model 1840 musicians' sword.

The M1840 has had a long service life, seeing frontline service from the Mexican–American War to the American Civil War until the Spanish–American War. During the Civil War it wasn't always issued to volunteer regiments.

The primary contractor for the production of the M1840 NCO sword seems to have been the Ames Manufacturing Company. The weapon was made with a blunt edge as it was intended for stabbing rather than slashing (as in the case of a curved cavalry sabre). It was the main weapon of standard bearers (along with the Colt Army Model 1860 and Colt 1851 navy revolver) and hospital stewards, as well as a secondary weapon for infantry NCOs. The sword was also used by the Confederates who captured many after seizing state arsenals. 32.5 inch blade no scabbard

Code: 23477

395.00 GBP

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SOLD. A Very Good Early WW1 Issue 1908 Pattern British Cavalry Trooper's Sword With Original Camouflage Paint

Made by Wilkinson Sword. With its latest inspection ordnance stamp, Enfield 1915. Excellent bright blade in superb condition. Hilt with traces of original regimental stampings on the inner guard. We believe they are for the 6th Dragoon Guards, 'the Carabiniers' but they are partially obscured beneath camouflage paint and we are loathe to remove it. First World War
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. With original camouflage. The current Cavalry pattern used 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. Painted steel basket, excellent steel blade and original Wilkinson Sword combat service camouflage painted steel scabbard, 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. It had a considerable amount of long term storage gloop covering all its metal surface but it has spent 3 weeks in the conservation workshop to gently remove the outer detritus but leave the original hand applied WW1 trench warfare camouflage paint [now slightly darker with age]. AYO

Code: 23475

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An Ancient 460 Year Old Koto Period Samurai Tanto with Engraved Dragon Horimono

An ancient samurai dagger almost 500 years old. A beautiful aikuchi tanto with a stunning carved dragon horimono blade
Late Koto era circa 1560. Carved dragon horimono blade of jolly nice quality. And a most fine hamon. Black lacquer saya, same giant rayskin covered tsuka with copper fittings and copper menuki of birds and flowers. Black lacquer saya with two pockets for an optional kozuka utilty knife and kogai hair retainer. The tanto was invented partway through the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon. With the beginning of the Kamakura period, tanto were forged to be more aesthetically pleasing, and hira and uchi-sori tanto were the most popular styles for wars in the kamakura period. Near the middle of the Kamakura period, more tanto artisans were seen, increasing the abundance of the weapon, and the kanmuri-otoshi style became prevalent in the cities of Kyoto and Yamato. Because of the style introduced by the tachi in the late Kamakura period, tanto Began to be forged longer and wider. The introduction of the Hachiman faith became visible in the carvings in the tanto hilts around this time. The hamon (line of temper) is similar to that of the tachi, except for the absence of choji-midare, which is nioi and utsuri. Gunomi-midare and suguha are found to have taken its place. In Nambokucho, the tanto were forged to be up to forty centimetres as opposed to the normal one shaku (about thirty centimetres) length. The tanto blades became thinner between the uri and the omote, and wider between the ha and mune. At this point in time, two styles of hamon were prevalent: the older style, which was subtle and artistic, and the newer, more popular style. Blades could be of exceptional quality. As the end of the period neared, the average blade narrowed and the sori became shallow. The aikuchi is a tanto koshirae where the fushi is flush with the mouth of the saya. This form of tanto is designed without a tsuba. Aikuchi normally have plain wood tsuka, the better types covered in same rayskin, and many forms of aikuchi have kashira that are made from animal horns, iron or copper. Tanto were sometimes worn as the shoto in place of a wakizashi in a daisho, especially on the battlefield. Before the advent of the wakizashi/tanto combination, it was common for a samurai to carry a tachi and a tanto as opposed to a katana and a wakizashi. Old lacquer to the saya with as to be expected age wear marks. The hairline crack in the rayskin on the reverse side of the hilt tsuka under the menuki is not damage at all, but its natural join seam. Overall 11.5 inches long overall, blade 8 inches long

Code: 23476

2850.00 GBP

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A Russian WW1 Poster Showing the Eastern Front, Published Moscow,

Showing a huge battle across a river pontoon bridge assault, between Imperial German and Imperial Russian infantry with cannon, and planes and zeppelin at the Neman river. The Eastern Front, 1914-17
Russia's decision to embark prematurely on military operations on the Eastern Front in mid-August 1914 bought its Western allies welcome breathing space in Belgium and France. But it produced mixed results on the battlefield.
Tannenberg
In Eastern Prussia, the northern Russian armies were crushed by German forces at the Battles of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes in late August and early September. Tannenberg, in particular, became an early symbol of Great War carnage: almost 70,000 Russian soldiers were killed and wounded during the five days of fighting, with a further 100,000 taken prisoner.

Further south, in the Habsburg province of Galicia, Russian forces fared much better, winning an important victory at the Battle of Lemberg (23 August-1 September 1914) and forcing Germany to send reinforcements to support its stumbling Austrian ally. 28 x 21.75 inches

Code: 16903

585.00 GBP

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A Russian WW1 Poster Showing the Eastern Front, Published Moscow, 1914

Showing a huge battle between Imperial German and Imperial Russian cavalry with cannon, and aerial dogfights, with bi-planes monoplanes and zeppelins. The Eastern Front, 1914-17
Russia's decision to embark prematurely on military operations on the Eastern Front in mid-August 1914 bought its Western allies welcome breathing space in Belgium and France. But it produced mixed results on the battlefield.
Tannenberg
In Eastern Prussia, the northern Russian armies were crushed by German forces at the Battles of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes in late August and early September. Tannenberg, in particular, became an early symbol of Great War carnage: almost 70,000 Russian soldiers were killed and wounded during the five days of fighting, with a further 100,000 taken prisoner.

Further south, in the Habsburg province of Galicia, Russian forces fared much better, winning an important victory at the Battle of Lemberg (23 August-1 September 1914) and forcing Germany to send reinforcements to support its stumbling Austrian ally. 34 inches x 24.75 inches

Code: 16910

585.00 GBP

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A Fabulous Huge 1909 Poster For Schichtl's Marine-Theater

Schichtl's Puppet Theater - The Original Marine Spectacles. Museum:Author: Adolph Friedländer. variety theatre that put on a production depicting Imperial Germany's Maritime and Aeronautical might for the amazement of the viewing public. Set's and artists provided a theatrical view of Germany's Grand Fleet and Airships using clever sets, backdrops and marionettes. A little like America's P.T.Barnum's circus and curiosity side shows, but more typically Germanic, having a greater militaristic perspective. Schichtl's Marine-Theater
Werbeplakat, feine Farblithographie, Hamburg 1909, 71 x 95 cm, gemarkt "Lith. Adolph Friedl?nder, Hamburg", selten.

Code: 16905

645.00 GBP

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