A Museum Grade Samurai Shinto Period Wakazashi

o-suriage blade with one mekugi-ana and midare hamon, fully bound tsuka with iron Higo fuchi and kabuto-gane decorated in gold with scrolls, shakudo and gilt Tomoe mon, of the Kobayakawa clan, and the mon of Kobayakawa Takakage, iron sukashi tsuba chiselled and pierced with gilded and silvered dragons, contained in its textured red lacquer saya with iron mounts ensuite with the tsuka.Kobayakawa Takakage (小早川 隆景, 1533 – July 26, 1597) was a samurai and daimyō (feudal lord) during the Sengoku period and Azuchi–Momoyama period. He was the third son of Mōri Motonari who was adopted by the Kobayakawa clan and became its 14th clan head. He merged the two branches of the Kobayakawa, the Takehara-Kobayakawa clan (竹原小早川氏) and Numata-Kobayakawa clan (沼田小早川氏). He became an active commander of the Mōri army and he with his brother Kikkawa Motoharu became known as the “Mōri Ryōkawa", or “Mōri's Two Rivers" (毛利両川). As head of the Kobayakawa clan, he expanded the clan's territory in the Chūgoku region (western Honshū), and fought for the Mōri clan in all their campaigns

At first he opposed Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi but later swore loyalty and became a retainer of Hideyoshi who awarded him domains in Iyo Province on Shikoku and Chikuzen Province on Kyūshū, totalling 350,000 koku. Hideyoshi gave him the title Chûnagon also appointed him to the Council of Five Elders but died before Hideyoshi himself  read more

Code: 23550

13th Century, Signet Ring, With Motif & Heraldic Dragon Henry IIIrd & Simon de Montfort Period, Made And Used By a Noble, IInd Baron's War Era, at the Battle of Lewes in 1264. Recovered From a Dig at Offham Hill Near Lewes in the 1820's

Recovered from a dig at Offham Hill outside of Lewes in the 1820's .

A well-preserved Medieval cast bronze signet ring featuring a round hoop, and a pronounced oval bezel engraved with a symmetrical geometric motif. The sides of the hoop are enriched with a carved salamander dragon type creature, probably a noble family 'supporter' and other small geometric motifs. The ring displays an olive-green patina across the surface. UK size W. A very good and wearable size.

A Fabulous, Original, High Middle Ages, Museum Piece. A 13th Century signet ring from the Henry IIIrd and Simon de Montfort Period, Made And Used By a noble of The IInd Baron's War Era, the Battle of Lewes in 1264.

A wonderful example piece, from the ancient knightly age, of the IInd Baron’s War era between Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and King Henry IIIrd.

The battle site is still not completely agreed upon, but part of the conflict was recorded at Offham Hill, and this is was just 4 miles south of our farm, Thousands of the protagonists soldiers were supposedly camped within our grounds, but at present it is not certain for which side they fought. Our farm was originally part of Earl Godwin’s estate, later more famously known as King Harold, who also supposedly camped here on our land immediately before his disastrous Battle of Hastings in 1066 {actually fought inland in the town, that is now called Battle, and not at Hastings at all}. A Canadian funded documentary was filmed here recently.

The Battle of Lewes was one of two main battles of the conflict known as the Second Barons' War. It took place at Lewes in Sussex, on 14 May 1264. It marked the high point of the career of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, and made him the "uncrowned King of England". Henry III left the safety of Lewes Castle and St. Pancras Priory to engage the Barons in battle and was initially successful, his son Prince Edward routing part of the baronial army with a cavalry charge. However Edward pursued his quarry off the battlefield and left Henry's men exposed. Henry was forced to launch an infantry attack up Offham Hill where he was defeated by the barons' men defending the hilltop. The royalists fled back to the castle and priory and the King was forced to sign the Mise of Lewes, ceding many of his powers to Montfort. After a rule of just over a year, Montfort was killed by forces loyal to the King in the Battle of Evesham.  read more

Code: 26400

Rare 1780 Pattern, French Pistolet Maritime, An Officer's Naval 'Sea Service' Belt Pistol. Used By A French Naval Officer From the Battle of the Nile Through to Battle of Trafalgar Era. Especially Rare Survivor as The French Lost 712 Ships to Britain

Very probably by Grosselin a Charleville.

During the Napoleonic war period the Royal Navy lost 166 warships to enemy action, but in return captured or destroyed 712 French, 196 Spanish, 172 Dutch, 85 Danish, 17 American, 15 Turkish and 4 Russian ships amounting to a grand total of 1,201 enemy warships.

By 1815 the Royal Navy was at its zenith in terms of strength and power with 884 warships, possessing in tonnage 609,300 tons more than the rest of the world's warship tonnage put together.

Steel barrel, walnut half stock, steel bird's head butt and steel furniture. Flintlock action with pierced heart shaped cock.

French sea service pistols are far more rare than their British equivalents, especially the slightly smaller officer's versions, due to the fact there were fewer French ships, and that so many French ships-of-the-line being captured or sunk by the British Royal Navy, between the 1790's to 1805 Such as when the French Fleet was soundly thrashed in the Egypt campaign at the Nile in 1798, and a little later the French and Spanish fleet, in 1805, were once again soundly thrashed and captured by Admiral Nelson at Cape Trafalgar.

The Battle of the Nile, was a battle that was one of the greatest victories of the British admiral Horatio Nelson. It was fought on August 1, 1798, between the British and French fleets in Abū Qīr Bay, near Alexandria, Egypt.

The French Revolutionary general Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798 made planned for an invasion of Egypt in order to constrict Britain’s trade routes and threaten its possession of India. The British government heard that a large French naval expedition was to sail from a French Mediterranean port under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte

Determined to find the French fleet, he sailed to Egypt once more, and on August 1 1798 he sighted the main French fleet of 13 ships of the line and 4 frigates under Admiral François-Paul Brueys d’Aigailliers at anchor in Abū Qīr Bay.

Although there were but a few hours left until nightfall and Brueys’s ships were in a strong defensive position, being securely ranged in a sandy bay that was flanked on one side by a shore battery on Abū Qīr Island, Nelson gave orders to attack at once. Several of the British warships were able to maneuver around the head of the French line of battle and thus got inside and behind their position. Fierce fighting ensued, during which Nelson himself was wounded in the head. The climax came at about 10:00 PM, when Brueys’s 120-gun flagship, L’Orient, which was by far the largest ship in the bay, blew up with most of the ship’s company, including the admiral. The fighting continued for the rest of the night; just two of Brueys’s ships of the line and a pair of French frigates escaped destruction or capture by the British. The British suffered about 900 casualties, the French about 9,000.

The Battle of the Nile had several important effects. It isolated Napoleon’s army in Egypt, thus ensuring its ultimate disintegration. It ensured that in due time Malta would be retaken from the French, and it both heightened British prestige and secured British control of the Mediterranean.

The Battle of Trafalgar, (October 21, 1805), was a naval engagement of the Napoleonic Wars, which established British naval supremacy for more than 100 years; it was fought west of Cape Trafalgar, Spain, between Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar. A fleet of 33 ships (18 French and 15 Spanish) under Admiral Pierre de Villeneuve fought a British fleet of 27 ships under Admiral Horatio Nelson.

Nelson was outnumbered, with 27 British ships of the line to 33 allied ships including the largest warship in either fleet, the Spanish Santísima Trinidad. To address this imbalance, Nelson sailed his fleet directly at the allied battle line's flank, hoping to break the line into pieces. Villeneuve had worried that Nelson might attempt this tactic but, for various reasons, had made no plans for this eventuality. The plan worked almost perfectly; Nelson's columns split the Franco-Spanish fleet in three, isolating the rear half from Villeneuve's flag aboard Bucentaure. The allied vanguard sailed off while it attempted to turn around, giving the British temporary superiority over the remainder of their fleet. In the ensuing fierce battle 20 allied ships were lost, while the British lost none.

Nelson's own HMS Victory led the front column and was almost knocked out of action. Nelson was shot by a French musketeer during the battle, and died shortly before it ended. Villeneuve was captured along with his flagship Bucentaure. He attended Nelson's funeral while a captive on parole in Britain. The senior Spanish fleet officer, Admiral Federico Gravina, escaped with the remnant of the Franco-Spanish fleet (a third of the original number of ships); he died five months later of wounds sustained during the battle.

The victory confirmed the naval supremacy Britain had established during the course of the eighteenth century, and was achieved in part through Nelson's departure from prevailing naval tactical orthodoxy.

At the same time this pistol was made there was another version, same form and size, called the 1779 pattern so called 'sea-dog's head' pistol, however, it had instead of the steel bird's head butt that this has, it had a carved dog's head.

A photo in the gallery from around 35 years ago of an article about these very form of pistols by Grosselin of Charleville, an identical pair, yet also, one of them, like this one was un-named.

The condition is jolly good, excellent tight spring and action. Its wooden rammer is lacking in place in the photograph gallery.  read more

Code: 25253

A Most Beautiful All Brass Large Boxlock King George IIIrd Napoleonic Wars Flintlock Pistol. By Master Gunsmith Philip Bond of London

Just one example of the many dozens of finest quality pistols we have from the 18th and 19th century, we have the privilege to currently offer. Finest London maker Philip Bond of Cornhill. Very good tight and crisp action. Boxlock pistols were pocket pistols popular in the late 1700's and early 1800’s. The most unique feature of their design was the boxlock mechanism. Unlike most firearms which have the cock located off to the side of the pistol, a boxlock pistol had the cock located directly on top of the pistol. They were called a boxlocks because all of the working mechanisms for the cock and the trigger was located in a box or receiver directly below the top mounted hammer. While the cock obstructed the aim of the user, this system had the advantage of making the gun more compact and concealable than other pistols. The first boxlock pistols were flintlock and where later made in percussion lock. Unlike modern firearms, these pistols were not mass produced, but were meticulously hand made by the most highly skilled specialist gunsmith artisans, in their bespoke gunsmith's workshops. In their day there were thousands of such artisans based in workshops around the entire country, today there are just a handful left remaining with the skill to create such masterpieces of the gunmakers art. Finest English bespoke guns today can start from £100,000 each, and it is not unusual to approach £200,000 for a top grade example.
Gun collecting attracts those from all walks of life who appreciate the joy and satisfaction such historical and beautiful pieces bring.
For example, one of the greatest and most famous, senior, late cinematic and stage actors in the world, admired and respected by millions, young and old alike, who played Albus Dumbledore in most of the Harry Potter films, was also a highly talented amateur gunsmith, restorer and collector of the finest antique pistols. The possessor of a unique and remarkable additional skill, equal to that of his acting ability, a talent and passion, that during his life he most discreetly kept very close to his chest. We knew him well, through our late gunsmith of 50 years, Dennis Ottery. And there was many a most enjoyable breakfast we would enjoy with Dennis and Michael in dozens of early mornings in Lewes together, chatting about the joys of gun researching and ownership.

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

Code: 23629

A Very Fine Pair of Cased 1800's English, Historical, Rifled Duelling Pistols, of Capt Robert Lloyd RN, Outstanding Hero of the War of 1812, Capturing 25 American Vessels, With Finest Silver Inlaid Barrels by Johann Christoph Kuchenreiter.

King George IIIrd, Napoleonic Wars and War of 1812 period. An absolutely stunning pair of original and finest, English cased duelling pistols, made for the British naval hero, Capt. {later admiral} Robert Lloyd, famed for his dozens of successful and incredible naval engagements achieved during the Anglo-American War of 1812 alone. Each pistol bears his engraved, personal monogram on their trigger guards, and his family crest engraved within the pistols silver escutcheons.
His heroic service in His Majesty’s Royal Navy included the Quiberon Expedition, the invasion of France in 1795, aka the Battle of Quiberon which was a major landing on the Quiberon peninsula by émigré, counter-revolutionary troops and the royal navy, in support of the Chouannerie and Vendée Revolt, beginning on 23 June and finally definitively repulsed on 21 July.

He was most famed as a hero of the Anglo-US War of 1812, capturing an incredible 25 US naval vessels and their crews in just 4 months up to December 1813. He was also the one of the first naval captains to be attacked by a torpedo, under the new US Torpedo act. ‘Fulton’s torpedo’ was designed to sink Capt Lloyds ship HMS Plantagenet in the Chesapeake under the personal instruction of the US Secretary of the Navy William Jones. Fortunately it exploded too soon without harming Lloyds ship.

During his war service in the Royal Navy, Captain Lloyd captured many warships, and well deserved his reputation as a British naval hero and a captain of immense success in combat against the enemies of King George.
We are proud to offer and present Captain R Lloyd's {later Admiral of the White}, cased set of finest, bespoke, English duelling pistols, fitted with a pair of fabulous, unique, silver inlaid rifled barrels, made by one of Europe's finest and revered barrel makers, the great J. Christoph Kuchenreiter of Bavaria, bearing his gold, stamped poincons at the top of the breech.
The duelling pistols are set in it's stunning, baize lined mahogany case, complete with a two way powder flask, a ball mould, coconut wadding, chamois polishing cloth and an oil bottle. It was often the case that an officer and a gentleman, when commissioning a pair of finest pistols, would specify, if they had considerable means, the fitting of a pair of finest imported barrels. German rifled barrel maker's were, with good reason, considered to be some of the finest rifled barrel makers in the world.
The stocks are finest Juglans Regia walnut, and the steel mounts and lock bear some of the very best craftsmanship England’s gunsmiths had to offer. After very considerable, and diligent family research the intriguing potential history of these finest duelling pistols is detailed herein. Apparently, research shows, they were originally from the estate, over some 150 years past, of the late Admiral Robert Lloyd RN 'Admiral of the White'. Originally, and most likely, they were either commissioned by him direct, or, presented to him during his most distinguished career. They are simply a pair of the some of the most beautiful duelling pistols we have had the privilege to offer during the past 50 years.

He was a Royal naval flag rank officer of distinction who served at the Glorious Ist of June, in the Anglo French War, the Quiberon Invasion, the Napoleonic Wars against Napoleon, and, later, in the middle of the Napoleonic Wars, he served in the War of 1812 in America.

During the War of 1812 the US government approved the innovative and experimental use of a torpedo in order to sink his ship, HMS Plantagenet, and thus sabotage its blockade of New London.

The pistols bear his personal engraved monogram upon the trigger guard, and his Lloyd's family silver crest, of a lion argent, engraved within two silver cartouches at the pistols wrists. It would intriguing and reasonable to assume these fabulous cased pistols accompanied Captain Lloyd aboard his vessels during some of his incredible and eventful times during his heroic career. They were made by the Calvert brothers, who were fine English gunsmith's who worked from premises together at 73 Briggate, Yorkshire, between 1804-1822. The barrels are by one of the greatest Bavarian rifled barrel makers in Europe, Johann Christoph Kuchenreiter, and are thus inlaid with his name in gold. These are simply outstanding examples of the highest-grade flintlock pistol barrels, produced by the world renowned and famous Bavarian gunsmith Johann Christoph Kuchenreiter. Kuchenreiter was part of a dynasty of Bavarian gunsmiths that produced highest quality arms for many of the royal houses of the various Germanic states and Austria. His pistols and barrels are in the British Royal Collection, and examples of his work are in all of the finest museum arms collections in the world. If the barrels alone could be replicated today, inch by inch, which would be extremely unlikely, by such as the finest bespoke gun makers in the world has to offer, such as Purdey of London, they would likely cost £150,000 or more. The duelling pistols bespoke, finest English case, showed considerable and unattractive salt water staining upon its surface, which is why it deservedly required its recent expert conservation and restoration, in order to return it to how it would have originally looked, some 220 odd years ago. However, the pistols themselves have been completely untouched, as their condition remained so good, so they retain all their original natural age and use patina as they have acquired over the past 220 years.

Their beauty and quality, combined with the unique history of their original most distinguished owner, makes them an historical pair of finest English duellers beyond compare. One can venture to say these are an example of a pair of the finest English duellers still in existence today.

Robert H Lloyd. Vice-Admiral of the White, was born 24 March, 1765, and died 17 Jan. 1846, at his family seat, at Tregayan, county Anglesey.

Young master Lloyd entered the Navy, on the 31 March, 1779, as a Captain's Servant, on board the HMS Valiant a 74 gunner, then as a Midshipman berth in HMS Fairy under Capts. Berkeley, Keppel, and Brown, he was wounded in a sharp action which preceded the capture of that sloop by the French frigate Madame. After a captivity of some time in France, he was prisoner-exchanged around March, 1781, and on his return to England was received on board the Medway a 74 gunner, under Capts. Harwood and Edgar. He next, between May, 1782, and July, 1787, served on the Channel station in HMS Hebe a frigate, under Capts. Keppel and Edw. Thornbrough, and on 22 Nov. 1790, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Obtaining an appointment, in Dec. 1792, to the Latona 38, Capts. Thornbrough and Hon. Arthur Kaye Legge, Mr. Lloyd fought under the former of those officers in the action of 1 June, 1794; and on rejoining him as Senior Lieutenant in HMS Robust, he served in Lord Bridport's action, and was severely wounded in the expedition to Quiberon. On 6 Dec. 1796 he was promoted to the command of HMS Racoon in the North Sea; where, after a short running fight, in which the Racoon had 1 person, the Master, killed, and 4 wounded, he succeeded in taking, on 11 Jan. 1798, Le Policrate a French privateer, of 16 guns and 72 men;and, on 22 of the same month, La Pensee, of 2 guns, 9 swivels, and 32 men. Capt. Lloyd, who had previously captured Les Amis, of 2 guns, 6 swivels, and 31 men, made further prize, 20 Oct. following, at the end of a running action of two hours, of La Vigilante, of 14 guns and 50 men. Prior to his attainment of Post-rank 6 Dec. 1799, he had the increased good fortune to sink a French lugger, and to eifect the capture of the privateers Le Vrai Decide, of 14 guns, 4 swivels, and 41 men, and L'Intrepide, of 16 guns and 60 men, 13 of whom were killed and wounded. On the latter occasion he unfortunately received a wound in the head from a half-Pike. His last appointments were ? 12 Jan. 1801, to the Mars 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Thornbrough in the Channel, where he remained until April, 1802 to 25 March, 1807, to the Hussar 38, in which ship, after assisting at the reduction of Copenhagen, he visited North America and the West Indies 31 May, 1809, and 25 Sept. 1810, to the Guerriere 40, and Swiftsure 74, flagship of Sir John Borlase Warren, both on the North American station and, 11 Feb. 1812 (after ten months of half-pay), to the Plantagenet 74. Continuing in the latter vessel until paid off in April, 1815, Capt. Lloyd was at first employed in the Baltic, and afterwards again in North America, where he captured a large number of coasters, and accompanied the expeditions against Washington and New Orleans. He commanded HMS Plantagenet in the Chesapeake campaigns 1813-15 in the War of 1812. In Spring 1813, the US Congress passed the Torpedo Act, offering rewards to any private citizen who succeeded in blowing up a British vessel. During the British blockade of New London, Connecticut, on June 25, 1813, a schooner loaded with explosives blew up next to the 74-gun ship of the line HMS Ramillies killing one British naval officer and ten Royal Navy seamen. While not exactly a torpedo attack, the incident sent a clear message that open warfare was declared on enemy war vessels while in United States waters. Adm. Sir John Borlase Warren, chief of the North American naval station blustered, "the Enemy are disposed to make use of every unfair and Cowardly mode of warfare." Another British naval officer labelled the use of torpedoes "a most dastardly method of carrying on the war."
On the 26th of September, 1814, the General Armstrong was lying at anchor in the road of Fayal. Her master was Samuel Chester Reid, and she had a crew of ninety men on board. A British squadron, composed of HMS Plantagenet, 74 gunner Captain Robert Lloyd, HMS Rota, 38, Captain Philip Somerville; HMS Carnation, 18, Commander George Bentham, hove in sight towards sundown. Experience had wisely taught the Americans not to trust to the neutrality of a weak Power for protection; and Reid warped his brig near shore, and made ready to repel any attempt to cut her out. Soon after dark Captain Lloyd sent in four boats. He asserted that they were only sent to find out what the strange brig was; but of course no such excuse was tenable. Four boats, filled with armed men, would not approach a strange vessel after nightfall merely to reconnoitre her. At any rate, after repeatedly warning them off, Reid fired into them, and they withdrew. He then anchored, with springs on his cables, nearer shore, and made every preparation for the desperate struggle which he knew awaited him. Lloyd did not keep him long in suspense. Angered at the check he had received, he ordered seven boats of the squadron, manned by about a hundred and eighty picked men, to attack the privateer. He intended the Carnation to accompany them, to take part in the attack; but the winds proved too light and baffling, and the boats made the attempt alone. Under the command of Lieutenant William Matterface, first officer of HMS Rota, they pulled in under cover of a small reef of rocks, .where they lay for some time; and, at about midnight, they advanced to the attack.

The Americans were on the alert, and, as soon as they saw the boats rowing in through the night, they opened with the pivot-gun, and immediately afterwards with their long 9 pounders. The British replied with their boat carronades, and, pulling spiritedly on amidst a terrific fire of musketry from both sides, laid the schooner aboard on her bow and starboard quarter. A murderous struggle followed. The men-of-wars' men slashed at the nettings and tried to clamber up on the decks, while the privateersmen shot down the assailants, hacked at them with cutlass and tomahawk, and thrust them through with their long pikes. The boats on the quarter were driven off; but on the forecastle the British cut away the nettings, and gained the deck. All three of the American mates were killed or disabled, and their men were beaten back; but Reid went forward on the run, with the men of the after division, and tumbled the boarders back into their boats. This put an end to the assault. Two boats were sunk, most of the wounded being saved as the shore was so near; two others were captured; and the others, crippled from their losses, and loaded with dead and disabled men, crawled back towards the squadron. The loss of the Americans was slight. Two were killed and seven wounded. The fearful slaughter in the British boats proved that they had done all that the most determined courage could do. Two-thirds of the assailants were killed or wounded. The number killed was 34, including Lieutenants William Matterface and Charles E. Norman. The number wounded was 86, including Lieutenant Richard Rawle, Lieutenant Thomas Park, R.M., Purser William Benge Basden, and two Midshipmen.

The brig's long 24 pounder had been knocked off its carriage by a carronade shot, but it was replaced and the deck again cleared for action. Next day HMS Carnation came in to destroy the privateer, but was driven off by the judicious use of the long-gun. However, as soon as the wind became favourable, the Carnation again advanced. Further resistance being hopeless, the General Armstrong was scuttled and burned, and the Americans retreated to the land.
There is no doubt the Master of the General Armstrong was extremely skilled, capable and worthy of the best that the Royal offered against him. A most admirable adversary, who should have received all due praise at the time, whether it was even offered is another matter entirely.

Use of Fulton's torpedo in the Chesapeake Bay was sanctioned by Secretary of the Navy William Jones who told Capt. Charles Gordon of the Baltimore U.S. Navy station to give every aid to a Mr. Elijah Mix. In a secret memo of May 7, Jones instructed Gordon to furnish Mix with 500 lbs of powder, a Boat, or Boats, and Six men. Mix made several attempts to blow up the ship of the line HMS Plantagenet on blockade duty off the Virginia capes. On July 24, Mix almost succeeded in his plans but the torpedo exploded prematurely, deluging the decks of the British vessel with seawater. It appears from Elijah Mix's April 27, 1815 letter to Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Crowninshield requesting his furlough from the Navy that Mix had been kicking his heels waiting for new employment after his efforts to sink Plantagenet, because Crowninshield's predecessor, Secretary William Jones, suspended the torpedo program:

"Permit me. . . To remark that I have awaited orders at this port New York City since October 1814 when I was released from the torpedo service from the compliment that I had the Honor to receive from the President, after my expedition against the Plantagenet, I had no doubt but I should resume my Command again, in the Chesapeake; but unfortunate for me and my country Mr. Jones was Opposed to torpedoes. I have spent independent of my pay upwards of two thousand Dollars and one years hard service to acquire a perfect knowledge of the use and certainty using those formidable Engines with Effect, but to my mortification all aid has been withdrawn. . . ."

While it possible that Secretary of the Navy Jones caved into British pressure against the use of such a dastardly method of warfare, Hamlin mentions a letter from Jones in which the Secretary gave Elijah Mix a sharp reprimand for not continuing with his efforts to sink the Plantagenet. Thus, the suspension of the program may have had more to do with Jones?s distrust of Elijah Mix's diligence than any submission to British pressure. On the 29th December 1813, HMS Plantagenet was off Bermuda and her commander, Captain Robert Lloyd wrote to his Admiral with a list of his successes against America so far. It was very long:

Sloop Jolly Robin of 4 men and 50 tons, from Boston bound to Charleston, captured September 8 1813.
Schooner Torpedo of 40 tons from New York bound to New Orleans, captured September 11 1813.
Sloop Olive Branch of 50 tons captured same date.
Schooner Delight of 50 tons captured September 15 1813.
Schooner name unknown captured same date.
Schooner Jacks Delight of one gun from New Orleans bound to New York captured October 12 1813.
Schooner Sparrow of 1 gun and 100 tons from New Orleans bound to New York captured November 3 1813.
Sloop Elizabeth of 30 tons captured November 5 1813.
Sloop James Madison of 1 man and 25 tons from New Orleans bound to New York captured November 7 1813.
Sloop Active of 5 men and 57 tons from New York bound to Savannah captured November 12 1813
Sloop Lady Washington of 15 men and 70 tons from Savannah bound to New York captured November 15 1813.
Schooner Betsy of 5 men and 60 tons from Savannah bound to New York, captured November 21 1813.
Schooner Margaret and Mary of 5 men and 37 tons from Philadelphia boudn to New York captured November 27 1813.
Sloop Anna Maria of 7 men and 60 tons from Philadelphia bound to New York captured same date.
Schooner John and Mary of 60 tons from New Orleans bound to New York captured November 29 1813.
Sloop Five Sisters of 5 men and 60 tons from New York bound to Philadelphia captured December 2 1813.
Sloop New Jersey of 42 tons from Barnygatebound to New York captured same date.
Sloop Two Peters of 3 men and 38 tons from Little Egg bound to New York captured same date.
Schooner Batsch of 3 men and 61 tons from New York bound to Little Eggcaptured December 4 1813.
Schooner Unicorn of 6 men and 30 tons from Savannah bound to New York captured December 5 1813.
Schooner Margaret of 2 men and 36 tons from New York bound to Barnygate captured December 8 1813
Sloop Victory of 60 tons from Savannah bound to New York captured December 10 1813.
Schooner Little Mary of 3 men and 26 tons from New York bound to Charleston captured December 12 1813.
Schooner Rapid of 21 men, 1 gun and 115 tons from Havannah bound to New York captured December 16 1813.
Schooner Mary of 4 men and 34 tons from Philadelphia bound to Salem captured December 17 1813.

All of the above American vessels and crews were captured by his exemplary bravery, talent, skill and superior mastery of command.

These magnificent duelling pistols have sighted octagonal polygroove rifled barrels fitted with rear leaf sights, they are inlaid in silver with scrolls, and the makers name, I Christoph Kuchenreiter, the breeches are set with the maker's pure gold tablet embossed with tha horse and rider and the initials of J Christoph Kuchenreiter, I C K. In the Georgian and earlier periods, the name initial J was often represented by the capital letter I when used in block text. With border engraved stepped locks, signed by the English maker, incorporating an automatic safety on half cock, French style cocks, rainproof pans, roller frizzens, full stocked with steel mounts, the trigger guards are engraved with the owner's initials of Capt. Robert Lloyd, later Admiral and with pineapple finials, and circular silver escutcheons engraved with the owner's family crest of a demi-lion. They have slab-sided butts, chequered to the fore and rear, and brass capped wooden ramrods. Small stock field repair at the lock area during its working life.
The case has in the recent past been superbly repolished and restored throughout. It is lacking its lock key to the case’s lock.  read more

Code: 23938

Soviet, USSR (CCCP) WW2 1945, Liberation Of Warsaw Medal "ЗА ОСВОБОЖДЕНИЕ ВАРШАВЫ" (For the Liberation of Warsaw)

Awarded to Soviet military personnel and partisans who directly participated in the capture and liberation of Warsaw between January 14 and January 17, 1945.

Made of brass, featuring the inscription "ЗА ОСВОБОЖДЕНИЕ ВАРШАВЫ" (For the Liberation of Warsaw) encircling a radiating starburst and laurel wreath at the bottom.

From a small former intelligence officer's collection of original surviving WW2 psychological warfare propaganda leaflets and post war, Cold War period Soviet medals we were delighted to acquire.

A blue silk moiré ribbon with a wide red stripe down the centre, flanked by narrow yellow edge stripes

Vistula–Oder Breakthrough: Marking Warsaw’s Liberation, January 1945
Instituted in the first weeks after victory in Europe, the Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw honoured Red Army, Navy, Air Force, NKVD, and Polish People’s Army personnel who took part in the operation that freed Poland’s capital on 17 January 1945.

Fought as part of the Vistula–Oder Offensive, the campaign combined river crossings, armor thrusts, and urban clearance. For collectors, this liberation medal pairs classic late-war Soviet design with substantial documentation potential and award numbers that sit between the largest victory issues and the scarcer city medals.

The Red Army liberated Warsaw on January 17, 1945, during the Soviet Vistula–Oder Strategic Offensive.
However, there is an important and vital historical backstory.
On August 1, 1944, the Polish underground Home Army (Armia Krajowa) launched the Warsaw Uprising to liberate the city from Nazi occupation before Soviet forces arrived.

The Warsaw Uprising triggered another stage of destruction. The Germans introduced artillery (including rocket artillery) and aviation into the fight. The insurgents did not have the strength to counteract these attacks. In turn, the German forces aimed to demolish as many houses as possible in order to destroy the insurgent resistance points. The Wehrmacht organized special units whose task was to set fire to Warsaw tenement houses.

After the uprising was suppressed, the Germans began systematic demolition of the remained buildings. Valuable home furnishings were transported inside Germany. It is estimated that the Germans used about 45,000 train wagons to move the goods stolen in Warsaw.

The Soviet Red Army halted its advance on the eastern bank of the Vistula River (in the Praga suburb) and remained idle for months while German forces brutally crushed the 63-day uprising, literally within view of the USSR armed forces

After the Polish resistance surrendered on October 2, 1944, German forces systematically razed and destroyed most of Warsaw

The losses caused by the uprising were not prevented in any way by the Red Army although its artillery and air force were stationed at hand. Stalin, for purely political reasons, allowed the destruction of the Poland’s capital city. According to propaganda messages, the Soviet forces did not have the necessary strength to counteract from the left-bank of Vistula. But meanwhile the Soviets found time and resources to create a terror apparatus to capture Polish soldiers from the Home Army who were tortured in the NKVD headquarters in Strzelecka or Władysław IV streets.

On January 12–14, 1945, Soviet and Polish allied forces resumed a massive offensive Troops from the 1st Belorussian Front and the 1st Polish Army entered the ruined city and took full control within three days on January 17, 1945 Years of occupation and final demolition reduced Warsaw's population from roughly 1.3 million before the war to a mere 150,000–162,000 survivors.
The capture, after the Germans were left undisturbed in order to destroy much of Warsaw, which allowed the Soviet Union to install a pro-communist Polish administration rather than restore the London-based Polish government-in-exile, leading to decades of communist rule.

Warsaw was ruined in 84% when the Red Army troops entered on 17 January 1945. The destruction was also a result of the Soviet’s indifference. Throughout the years of the People's Republic of Poland, this information was carefully censored. After the World War II, Warsaw had to put its homes on the altar of the Polish-Soviet friendship. In order to build the Stalin’s Palace of Culture and Science, 170 tenement houses were further demolished, and their inhabitants were relocated to the district of Muranów.  read more

Code: 26397

Original Soviet USSR Medal For The Capture of Berlin 1945. Original Ribbon {Wear Faded} & Brass Suspension Plate With Original Order of Glory Moiré Ribbon

The image shows a Soviet World War II Medal "For the Capture of Berlin" (Медаль «За взятие Берлина») attached to a standard pentagonal suspension ribbon• Inscription: The front features a five-pointed star at the top and the Russian text «ЗА ВЗЯТИЕ БЕРЛИНА» ("For the Capture of Berlin"), framed by an oak wreath at the bottom.
It is mounted on a pentagonal brass suspension ring wrapped in the red and black striped Order of Glory (St. George) ribbon.

From a small former intelligence officer's collection of original surviving WW2 psychological warfare propaganda leaflets and post war, Cold War period Soviet medals we were delighted to acquire.

Established by the Soviet Union on June 9, 1945, this campaign medal was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and NKVD who directly participated in the assault and capture of Berlin between April 22 and May 2, 1945.

Final Assault on the Reich: Commemorating the Fall of Berlin, May 1945
Created in the first weeks after victory in Europe, the Medal for the Capture of Berlin honored Red Army, Navy, Air Force, and NKVD personnel who directly participated in the city’s storming and surrender in April–May 1945. As the signature commemorative of the final offensive on the Eastern Front, it carries powerful historical resonance. For collectors, it offers classic late-war Soviet design, strong documentation potential, and award numbers that, while large, are far lower than the ubiquitous Victory medal.

A circular brass campaign medal on the standard pentagonal suspension, the Berlin medal combines a bold text obverse with a historically precise reverse date—marking the city’s capitulation. Period pieces exhibit clean lettering and even, well-struck fields.
Soviet pentagonal mount with moiré ribbon.

Obverse Details
Legend “ЗА ВЗЯТИЕ БЕРЛИНА” (“For the Capture of Berlin”).
Star and laurel elements framing the inscription; “2 МАЯ 1945” (2 May 1945), marking the city’s fall.

Commemorates the climactic operation of April–May 1945 culminating in the capitulation of Berlin and the end of the war in Europe.
Issued to a broad spectrum of combat and support arms—assault infantry, armour, artillery, sappers, medics, signals, and aviation units tied to the operation.

The military defence of the German capital took place between 16 April and 2 May 1945, serving as the final cataclysmic chapter of World War II in Europe. An overwhelming Soviet force of 2.5 million troops, 6,250 tanks, and over 41,000 artillery pieces advanced on the city. Facing them was a depleted, ad-hoc German force consisting of exhausted regular soldiers, elderly Volkssturm militia, and heavily indoctrinated Hitler Youth children.General Gotthard Heinrici attempted to stop the Soviets 90 kilometres east of the city at the Seelow Heights. Using clever tactical retreats to evade the opening Soviet bombardment, German forces delayed Marshal Georgy Zhukov's forces for four days before being entirely bypassed and encircled.Once the Red Army broke into the city, General Helmuth Weidling divided Berlin into eight defensive zones. Fighting became brutally claustrophobic; Germans hid in apartment basements using Panzerfaust anti-tank rockets to ambush Soviet armor, while the Soviets adapted by using heavy anti-aircraft guns to level upper floors street by street.The defence collapsed rapidly following Adolf Hitler's suicide in the Führerbunker on 30 April. General Weidling officially surrendered the city garrison to the Soviets on 2 May 1945  read more

Code: 26398

A Singularly Magnificent Original Antique Presentation Daimyo Samurai Daisho. A Signed Original Edo Period Daito By Muneyoshi Presented to Yoshifuji, In the Fortuitous Time of The Midwinter, In The Year of the Rabbit, in The Reign of Emperor Keio

The fantastic shoto {short sword} is Sukesada school, koto to shinto period, the stunning daito {long sword} is a shinshinto sword signed Muneyoshi.

The shoto blade has just returned from its traditional polish and conservation that took almost a year to complete, and looks amazing.

An incredibly Beautiful original antique Edo period (1596-1871) Daisho mounted with beautifully patinated copper koshirae based on hand carved botanical designs of incredible miniscule detail, gold tsukaito, with very finest, original Edo period, decoratively embossed two tone black urushi lacquer saya.
The kodzuka is gold to match the ito and decorated with cranes. The daito has a superb midare hamon of wondrous activity. The daito is, signed Muneyoshi, the shoto is mumei {unsigned}.
The shoto has a very fine and elegant suguha hamon and now looks absolutely amazing, and was well worth the wait.

The tsuka bore an inscription, signed on a parchment see photo under the tsukaito, to date the occasion when and to whom they were presented, during the Keio Emperor's reign in 1867. the daisho was already antique when it was presented to Yoshifuji san, no doubt a daimyo of great standing.

The presentation inscription reads;
“Keio san nen usagi Yoshi Chuto Kichi no tatsu Izumi ryu Koi, Koi Kawa Yoshifuji.’

Effectively, it translates to;

Presented to Yoshifuji, In the fortuitous time of the midwinter, in the year of the rabbit, the third year in the reign of Emperor Keio. Emperor Keio died in 1868, succeeded by the Meiji Emperor..

This form of parchment inscription, concealed under the tsuka-ito, is very rare indeed and we have never seen a complete inscription such as this to survive before.

The daisho has a pair of very fine kikubana sukashi daisho tsuba with a tetsumigakiji, possibly Sunagawa Masayoshi school, Edo period.

The Sunagawa tsuba school derived from the artists trained by teachers from within the Yokoya school founded by Yokoya Somin. The Ishiguro (by way of the Sunagawa school) and Iwamoto schools had the same antecedents. The botan (peony) was a common theme in this school.

The daisho is a Japanese term referring to the traditional weapons of the samurai. The daisho is composed of a katana daito and wakizashi shoto. The daito, meaning big sword, and shoto, meaning small sword, The katana, the longer of the two swords, was typically employed in man-to-man combat. The wakizashi made an effective main-gauche or close-combat weapon. A daisho allows for defense while fighting or the fighting of two enemies. Also, the daisho allows the fighter to have a longer or more widespread fighting range. The concept of the daisho originated with the pairing of a short sword with whatever long sword was being worn during a particular time period. It has been noted that the tachi would be paired with a tantō, and later the uchigatana would be paired with another shorter uchigatana. With the advent of the katana, the wakizashi eventually was chosen by samurai as the short sword over the tantō. The ancient custom of leaving the katana at the door of a castle or palace when entering facilitated the continuing to wear the wakizashi within the host's castle.

The wearing of daishō was strictly limited to the samurai class, and became a symbol or badge of their rank. Daishō may have became popular around the end of the Muromachi period (1336 to 1573) as several early examples date from the late sixteenth century. An edict in 1629 defining the duties of a samurai required the wearing of a daishō when on official duty. During the Meiji period an edict was passed in 1871 abolishing the requirement of the wearing of daishō by samurai, and in 1876 the wearing of swords in public by most of Japan's population was banned; this ended the use of the daishō as the symbol of the samurai, and the samurai class was abolished soon after the sword ban. Picture of Last Fight of the Soga Brothers, 1858 by Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861). Both saya have small areas of natural wear and use. The stand shown is for illustration only and not included. however it will come with another complimentary daisho stand. The shoto blade is being carefully cleaned so can be photographed later.

Special offer item, part one of a personal private collection, sourced from a former Far Eastern specialist fine samurai sword collector  read more

Code: 24245

Fascinating German WW2 Public Notice Poster Regarding Two Luftwaffe Flyers. Public Metaphorical Crucifixion of Former Luftwaffe Fighting Aces. Blamed For The Loss of The Battleship Tirpitz

Der flieger flyer Stefan Egidy hat sich vorsatzlich auf wache einen schuss in den oberschenkel beigebracht, um seine zeitweise versetzung in das helmatgeblet zu erreichen .er hat dabel einen ueberfall seitens franzosen vorgetauscht durch urtell des feldkriegsgerichts ist er wegen zerstzung der wehrkraft durch selbstverstummelung und wegen wachvergehen zu 5 jahren zucthaus und verlust der wehrwurdigkeit verurteilt worden. Roughly it translates that Flyer Stefan Egidy was court martialled for a self inflicted wounding and sentence to 5 years and loss of privileges. Also Flieger flyer Niklaus Nels was similar court-martialled and sentenced to 3 years 6 months. German pilots were occasionally court-martialled for all manner of reasons, another one at the time was Born in Oberbalbach, Heinrich Ehrler, he grew up in the Weimar Republic and Third Reich as one of 12 children. He joined the military service in the Wehrmacht in 1935, initially service with the artillery and anti-aircraft artillery. He participated in the Spanish Civil War and following the outbreak of World War II transferred to the Jagdwaffe (fighter force). Following flight training, he was posted to the 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77?77th Fighter Wing), which was later redesignated to 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5?5th Fighter Wing).

Scapegoated for the loss of the German battleship Tirpitz, Ehrler - who had been nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords prior to the disaster - was court-martialled, stripped of his command and sentenced to three years and two months Festungshaft (honorable imprisonment). Ehrler's sentence was later commuted and his loss of rank rescinded, and in February 1945 he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 7. According to his fellow pilots, Ehrler thereafter flew in the increasingly desperate air battles without the purpose and dedication that had made him one of the Luftwaffe's most successful aces. On 4 April 1945, he shot down two Allied bombers for his final two victories, before destroying a third by ramming with his damaged aircraft after having run out of ammunition. His last recorded statement was "Theo, I have run out of ammunition. I'm going to ram this one. Good bye. We'll see each other in Valhalla." - Heinrich Ehrler's last transmission over the Squadron Radio Network before he rammed the B-24 bomber "Trouble in Mind," piloted by Captain John Ray, destroying both aircraft and killing himself. Central tear through middle can't be seen in photo

Intriguing ephemera from the 3rd Reich would look very fine if framed, obviously not in good condition but as direct examples of WW2 aeronautical history absolutely fascinating. Remarkable to survive and probably unique examples.  read more

Code: 19675

British WW2 Anti Hitler Propaganda Pamphlet "Ein Peinliches Versprechen" An Embarrassing Promise

From a small former intelligence officer's collection of original surviving WW2 psychological warfare propaganda leaflets we were delighted to acquire.

"ein peinliches versprechen". An air dropped propaganda leaflet pointing out that Hitler prophesied a German victory in 1941, as the Year of Final Victory. Undermining the Fuhrer Myth through Black Propaganda and clandestine means became the stated objective of the OSS.

Leaflets for propaganda, could be dropped by balloons and planes over enemy territory, or, distributed by hand when in occupied or allied territory. They was used heavily in both world wars by all sides. In World War II, special bombs were developed to disperse airborne leaflets. Used as a form of psychological warfare, these leaflets were dropped in enemy-controlled territory to incite fear, coerce surrender, or turn the populace against their leadership. This tactic proved to be largely ineffective, except when morale among troops was extremely low. Leaflet bombs are still used today in military warfare, as well as by radical political and ideological groups.

Toward the end of World War II, Germany dropped millions of propaganda leaflets on enemy lines to encourage troops to surrender. Some of these leaflets were tailored to African American soldiers and suggested they would be treated better as German prisoners of war than as citizens in their own country.

Nazi Germany was not known for its fair treatment of people of African descent, or any persons who weren’t Aryan. Black people were frequently vilified and deemed uncivilised in Nazi propaganda. Yet, Germany was willing to use any tactics necessary to avoid defeat, including highlighting American racism, to exploit existing tensions within the U.S. military..

Although these pamphlets were made in their tens of thousands almost all were destroyed either immediately or at the wars cessation, so few survive and mostly survive today in national archives or museums.

8.25 inches x 5.25 inches  read more

Code: 24498