Battle Of Waterloo Recovered Near The Crossroads of La Haye Sainte, 3 Pounder Cannon Ball Used By The Kings German Legion at Waterloo Commanded by Cpt Andrew {Andreas}.Cleeves

The 3-pounder cannon were cast at the Royal Woolwich Brass Foundry, by I.H. King. Master General of the Ordnance, 1806-1807. Mounted on a field carriage for battle, together with a limber and other accoutrement

The Royal Armouries at the Tower of London, holds two 3 pounder guns see H.L. Blackmore’s book “The Armouries of the Tower of London” page 84. Original documents from 1807 located at The National Archives, London, and listed in the Order Book from The Board of Ordnance to the Royal Woolwich Brass Foundry, show that the cannon were commissioned either (as per entry on 12th January 1807) for The Royal Artillery (Field Train at Woolwich) – present at the Battle of Waterloo or (as per entry 11th June 1807) for the King’s German Legion – Hanoverian Regiment –using 3- pounders at the Battle of Waterloo. Capt Andreas {Andrew} Cleeves} KGL We also have his {Captain Andreas Clevees'} sword. For sale seperately.

The King’s German Legion (KGL) Artillery was a highly elite, veteran contingent within Wellington’s army at Waterloo. They were organized into two horse artillery troops and one foot artillery battery, fielding a total of about 543 men, and primarily utilized standard British 9-pounder cannons and 5.5-inch howitzers.The KGL Artillery units played pivotal roles in holding the center and right flank of the Allied line:1st Horse Artillery (Captain Augustus Sympher): Stationed near the critical crossroads of La Haye Sainte, this battery engaged in heavy counter-battery fire and helped repel aggressive French cavalry charges.2nd Horse Artillery (Captain Heinrich Jakob Kuhlmann): Placed with the Allied reserve, this unit moved into the frontline as casualties mounted, delivering devastating canister fire to break French infantry columns.2nd Foot Artillery (Captain Andreas Cleeves): Supported the right of the Allied line near Hougoumont, maintaining continuous artillery fire against French artillery and infantry throughout the day.The KGL artillerymen served with incredible distinction; their exceptional resilience resulted in approximately 130 casualties. For their bravery during the battle, Majors Kuhlmann, Sympher, and von Arentsschildt were knighted into the Order of the Bath.

The 4th Foot Battery saw action at Copenhagen and throughout the Peninsular War distinguishing themselves at Oporto, Talavera, Busaco, Albuera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca, Vittoria and Orthes. Then, final glorious action occurring at Quatre Bras and culminating in the battle of Waterloo, holding position behind La Haye Sainte in the centre-right of the Allied line on Mont St. Jean ridge. The regiment was commanded by Colonel Christian von Ompteda. Second-in-command was initially Major von Linsingen who was later succeeded by Majors Röttiger then Hartmann. The 4th foot battery was commanded initially by Captain Heise, then Sympher and finally Cleeve at the battle of Waterloo.

Normal more usual ordinance for this battery in the latter stages of the war were six nine-pounder guns and two 5.5-inch Howitzers. The 3 pounders were light artillery bronze cannon, known affectionately as British "Grasshopper" Guns: Famously used by the British Army as light field guns, these highly mobile 3-pounders were designed to be dragged by infantry or horses through rough terrain. Their lightweight split-trail mounts and propensity to jump backward upon firing earned them the nickname "grasshopper"  read more

Code: 26279

A Fabulous, Rare Early 19th Cent. British Explosive 10" Mortar Bomb From the War of 1812 In America. Likely, Fomerly Part of The Armament of HMS Terror, During The Bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. The Battle Site of “The Star Spangled Banner”

One of four exceptionally rare 10" Royal Naval mortar balls we are delighted to have acquired from our private historical Royal Naval collector in Plymouth, the same city where Admiral Cochrane, fleet commander at the attack on Fort McHenry, became Commander-in-Chief of the naval base in Plymouth, England, after the war of 1812.

They were apparently unloaded from ships of the line from Admiral Cochrane's returning fleet, with Commander John Sheridan of HMS Terror, supposedly in Plymouth, during the war of 1812 and the 90 pound bronze mortars were removed from his fleet. They are all in a very good state of preservation but with differing amounts of surface russetting. It is said the Admiral and his crew loathed and feared these particular huge mortars due to their likely hood of miss-fire. The 90 pounder shell had to be first primed, and then lit, before it entered the muzzle of the bronze cannon, that had previously been loaded with pounds of gunpowder, the cannon mortar was then lit and fired which thus ejected, with a massive force explosion, the explosive ball high into the sky to the centre of the enemy's ranks. However, the shell might have accidentally exploded while it was being manouvered, it might also have ignited the powder within the breech of the cannon, or, the fizzing mortar might have not have been ejected at all due to a cannon miss-fire. Any one of these horrifying events would be catastrophic, and the resulting explosion would be of of such magnitude it would likely have killed most on board, and probably sunk the vessel entirely with all hands. This a series of events that any ships captain or admiral would not consider to be entirely advantageous

The previous two 10” mortar bombs, that we had two years ago, were the very first we had had in 50 years. The first of those two we sold to an esteemed private museum in Florida USA, the other to an American private collector

We are not expecting ever to see any more of their like again. It would make a fabulous and impressive historical display piece of significant and particular Royal Naval and early American history interest

These 10" mortars explosive balls were fired by the 10" mortars used by Admiral Cochrane's fleet {with Commander John Sheridan aboard HMS Terror} against Fort McHenry, Baltimore Harbour, September 12–14, 1814, and the resulting 10" mortar bomb shell's mid air explosions, against the backdrop of the US flag flying at Fort McHenry, Baltimore Harbour, inspired the patriotic anthem, the
"Star Spangled Banner".

It was the sight of these very 10" mortar bombshells, that originally weighed around 90 pounds each, including powder therein, that when they exploded over Fort McHenry in Harbour, it inspired Francis Scott Key to write his poem that became the US anthem.
Naturally, this is a perfectly intact surviving example, and one of the 10" mortar shells that either wasn't fired, or, failed to explode.

With Washington in ruins, the British next set their sights on Baltimore, then America’s third-largest city. Moving up the Chesapeake Bay to the mouth of the Patapsco River, they plotted a joint attack on Baltimore by land and water. On the morning of September 12, General Ross’s troops landed at North Point, Maryland, and progressed towards the city. They soon encountered the American forward line, part of an extensive network of defences established around Baltimore in anticipation of the British assault. During the skirmish with American troops, General Ross, so successful in the attack on Washington, was killed by a sharpshooter. Surprised by the strength of the American defences, British forces camped on the battlefield and waited for nightfall on September 13, 1814, planning to attempt another attack under cover of darkness.

Meanwhile, Britain’s naval force, buoyed by its earlier successful attack on Alexandria, Virginia, was poised to strike Fort McHenry and enter Baltimore Harbour. At 6:30 AM on September 13, 1814, Admiral Cochrane’s ships began a 25-hour bombardment of the fort. Rockets whistled through the air and burst into flame wherever they struck. Mortars fired 10- and 13-inch bombshells that exploded overhead in showers of fiery shrapnel. It is said many exploded too soon as the fuses were set too short, which created the firework effect. Major Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry and its defending force of one thousand troops, ordered his men to return fire, but their guns couldn’t reach the enemy’s ships. When British ships advanced on the afternoon of the 13th, however, American gunners badly damaged them, forcing them to pull back out of range. All through the night, Armistead’s men continued to hold the fort, refusing to surrender. That night British attempts at a diversionary attack also failed, and by dawn they had given up hope of taking the city. At 7:30 on the morning of September 14, Admiral Cochrane called an end to the bombardment, and the British fleet withdrew. The successful defense of Baltimore marked a turning point in the War of 1812. Three months later, on December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent formally ended the war. "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbour during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory. During the bombardment, HMS Terror and HMS Meteor provided some of the "bombs bursting in air".

The 15-star, 15-stripe "Star-Spangled Banner" that inspired the poem
Key was inspired by the U.S. victory and the sight of the large U.S. flag flying triumphantly above the fort. This flag, with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, had been made by Mary Young Pickersgill together with other workers in her home on Baltimore's Pratt Street. The flag later came to be known as the Star-Spangled Banner, and is today on display in the National Museum of American History, a treasure of the Smithsonian Institution. It was restored in 1914 by Amelia Fowler, and again in 1998 as part of an ongoing conservation program. Pictures in the gallery of the siege from contemporary paintings and engravings, a commemorative stamp issued in 2014, and an original War of 1812 bronze British mortar now kept at Yorktown Visitor Centre, and a photo of the flag in the National Museum of American History, 1989. The original flag that was illuminated by these very 10" mortar shells.

Sir Alexander Cochrane was born into a Scottish aristocratic family as a younger son, and like many in this position made a career out of military service. Cochrane joined the Royal Navy as a boy and fought in the American Revolution. Following this war he rose quickly in the Napoleonic Wars, earning renown in the Battle of San Domingo and the Conquest of Martinique in 1809.

By the beginning of the War of 1812, Cochrane was a well-seasoned and high-ranking officer. As a vice admiral, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the new North American naval station in Bermuda. He devised a clever plan to weaken the American defenses and turn America’s slaves against the country by inviting any American – slave or free – to join the British Navy. Many slaves took this offer, escaping to British lines for military service in exchange for their freedom.

By the summer of 1814, Cochrane had returned to the waters of the United States, overseeing the raids of the Chesapeake. Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost, governor of Upper Canada, suggested launching an invasion somewhere in the United States in retaliation against the sack of York and to weaken the American forces, relieving pressure on Canada. Cochrane landed the ground troops to invade Washington, and presided over the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the Battle of Baltimore.

After only moderate success in the Chesapeake, Cochrane wanted to push toward New Orleans in order to cement the British position in the United States. He orchestrated an amphibious attack on the city via Lake Borgne, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico that could bring troops close to the city.

Although Cochrane was successful in the Battle of Lake Borgne, allowing the British Army to advance toward New Orleans, the disastrous defeat at the Battle of New Orleans damaged his reputation. The influential Napoleonic War hero the Duke of Wellington in particular blamed Cochrane of the death of his brother-in-law, Sir Edward Michael Pakenham, the British general overseeing land troops at the Battle of New Orleans.

However, despite the criticisms and ultimate failure to get a foothold in the United States, Cochrane was promoted to admiral after the war, and served out the rest of his military career as Commander-in-Chief of the naval base in Plymouth, England.

The fictional nautical adventures of Captain Horatio Hornblower were supposedly based on Cochrane’s notable maritime achievements.

HMS Terror had a most remarkable later history, alongside HMS Erebus
Franklin's lost expedition was a failed British voyage of Arctic exploration led by Captain Sir John Franklin that departed England in 1845 aboard two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, and was assigned to traverse the last un-navigated sections of the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic and to record magnetic data to help determine whether a better understanding could aid navigation.The expedition met with disaster after both ships and their crews, a total of 129 officers and men, became icebound in Victoria Strait near King William Island in what is today the Canadian territory of Nunavut. After being icebound for more than a year, Erebus and Terror were abandoned in April 1848, by which point two dozen men, including Franklin, had died. The survivors, now led by Franklin's second-in-command, Francis Crozier, and Erebus's captain, James Fitzjames, set out for the Canadian mainland and disappeared, presumably having perished

The mortar is empty, inert and completely safe.

The mortar is empty, inert and completely safe. Seated on an old iron ring for the photograph, not included with the mortar  read more

Code: 25058

A French Four Pounder Cannon Ball Fired at Waterloo Recovered at La Haye Sainte, the Battle of Waterloo. Approx 3 inches Diameter

The surface is very russetted by is nicely preserved overall, and it is a fabulous, historical, conversation piece.

Recovered alongside some relic items of combat, soldiers thimbles plus another cannon balls etc. discovered around La Haye Sainte (named either after Jesus Christ's crown of thorns or a bramble hedge round a field nearby).

It is a walled farmhouse compound at the foot of an escarpment on the Charleroi-Brussels road in Belgium. It has changed very little since it played a crucial part in the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815.

La Haye Sainte was defended by about 400 King's German Legion troops during the Battle of Waterloo. They were hopelessly outnumbered by attacking French troops but held out until the late afternoon when they retired because their ammunition had run out. If Napoleon Bonaparte's army had captured La Haye Sainte earlier in the day, almost certainly he would have broken through the allied centre and defeated the Duke of Wellington's army.

The capture of La Haye Sainte in the early evening then gave the French the advantage of a defensible position from which to launch a potentially decisive attack on the Allied centre. However, Napoleon was too late—by this time, Blücher and the Prussian army had arrived on the battlefield and the outnumbered French army was defeated.

Strategic importance

A view of the battlefield from the Lion's mound. On the top right are the buildings of La Haye Sainte. This view looks east, with Allied forces behind the road to the left (north) and French forces out of shot to the right(south)
The road leads from La Belle Alliance, where Napoleon had his headquarters on the morning of the battle, through where the centre of the French front line was located, to a crossroads on the ridge which is at the top of the escarpment and then on to Brussels. The Duke of Wellington placed the majority of his forces on either side of the Brussels road behind the ridge on the Brussels side. This kept most of his forces out of sight of the French artillery.

During the night from the 17th to the 18th, the main door to the courtyard of the farm was used as firewood by the occupying troops. Therefore, when the King's German Legion (KGL) was stationed in the farm at the morning of the battle they had to hastily fortify La Haye Sainte.

The troops were the 2nd Light Battalion KGL commanded by Major Georg Baring, and part of the 1st Light Battalion KGL. During the battle, they were supported by the 1/2 Nassau Regiment and the light company of the 5th Line Battalion KGL. The majority of these troops were armed with the Baker rifle with grooved barrels, as opposed to the normal Brown Bess musket of the British Army. The French troops also used muskets which were quicker to load than the Baker rifle but the latter was more accurate and had about twice the range of a musket.

Both Napoleon and Wellington made crucial mistakes about La Haye Sainte as it was fought over and around during most of the day. Napoleon failed to allocate enough forces to take the farm earlier in the day while Wellington only realised the strategic value of the position when it was almost too late.

By 1812 the French had cannon operating on several organizational levels. Most infantry regiments had their own guns, each division would likely have a battery or two of artillery, and on top of that there would be several batteries in the reserve artillery of each Corps. It can get a bit confusing, so I decided to organize what I have and also plan ahead to make sure that I don't make too many mistakes when buying these impressive pieces.
Regimental Guns
Napoleon experimented with regimental guns already in 1809. To bolster both the impact and morale of his regiments he sprinkled out light cannon to give them some extra local firepower. This unfortunately had tactical disadvantages, since the guns could hinder the troops both when moving on the battlefield and during marches.

These were mostly smaller guns, by now completely outmatched in regular batteries. The regular infantry in 1812 were, according to research, largely equipped with 3-pounder cannon captured from Austria's impressive record of military misfortune. As far as I know these cannon came with or without a strange kind of fork-like attachment at the front.

The 9lb British “Blomfield” cannon used at the Battle of Waterloo. The heaviest type of artillery used by the British Army at Waterloo, {apart from the howitzers} it fired a solid cannonball weighing around nine pounds (about four kilos). Cannons were a vital part of warfare at the time of Waterloo, with the ability to rip through massed ranks of troops and inflict terrible casualties.

In 1780 Captain Thomas Blomfield RA was appointed Inspector of Artillery and Superintendent of the Royal Brass Foundry. Three years later he was given responsibility for re-organising the Ordnance Department. At the same time he was experimenting with new forms of ordnance. The resultant Blomfield guns had thicker breeches, thinner chases and a cascabel ring to control recoil, making them stronger without increasing their weight.

The Blomfield 9-pounder cannon, fired a round shot ball around 4 inches in diameter, was introduced to the Royal Artillery (RA) in 1805 as a response to the heavier French calibre guns. At Waterloo Wellington had 157 pieces but only 60 were 9-pdrs, in 12 batteries. The remaining 13 batteries had 6-pdrs and howitzers. Interestingly, the Dutch-Belgian and Brunswick Artillery, who fought alongside the British at Waterloo, used French cannons (known as An. XI Ordnance). Wellington employed his Royal Horse Artillery very effectively during the battle as a mobile reserve to plug holes in his line. For example, with Hougoumont under attack, Major Bull’s troop was brought forward in support from its original position towards the rear of the allied position.

The allied artillery faced 246 pieces in 34 French batteries. As was his usual tactic, Napoleon started the battle with a heavy artillery bombardment on the Allied line to soften up the enemy.

Cannons on both sides used round-shot of six nine or twelve pounds but the French also had four pounders, as is this ball. They were all lethal against columns of infantry, knocking down several men at once for as long as the ball continued to travel. Case shot or canister (tin coated iron cans) packed with smaller iron balls was devastating at close range. Only the British used spherical case (Shrapnel) where a shell was filled with small iron balls. A specially cut wooden fuse detonated a bursting charge.

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

Code: 26165

Original, Antique, Victorian Household Cavalry Armour Breastplate Cuirass of the LifeGuards, The Blues &The Royals. the Mounted Personal Bodyguard Regiments of the British Monarch, Part of The Household Division

With With brass edge trim & rivets. It bears the ordnance inspection stamps. Used by all of H.M.Queen Victoria's Household Cavalry regiments.

We have a pair of these original Victorian Horse Guards cuirass breastplates, but they are for sale separately.

During a visit to the Tower several decades ago, thanks to an invitation by our friend Howard Blackmore {historian and assistant curator at the Tower} we had a discussion, amongst many other subjects, of the conversion of the Life Guards and Horseguards back to armoured heavy cavalry, after around 150 years of un-armoured service as the monarch's mounted guard since the 17th century.

This is one of those early cuirass breast plates created for the newly armoured horse guards regiments.

From 1661 to 1778, the Life Guards Troops saw action in the Jacobite Wars, the Second Dutch War
(when they served as sailors) ant the War of the Austrian Succession. In 1778 the four Horse
Guard Troops and Horse Grenadiers re-formed as the 1st Life Guards. Both Regiments fought
with distinction in the Waterloo campaign.
For the Egyptian War of 1882, Life Guards formed a Composite Household Cavalry
Regiment with the Royal Horse Guards, making Royal Horse Guards, making the famous
moonlight charge at Kassain. In 1894, for the relief of Khartoum, both Regiments contributed
soldiers to the Heavy Camel Regiment and were again formed as a Composite Household
Cavalry Regiment for the 2nd Boer War in 1900

The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons), initially known as The Tangier Horse, were raised by
King Charles II to form part of the garrison at Tangier, which had been acquired on his
marriage to Catherine of Braganza as part of her dowry. Known as The Royals, during the
18th century the Regiment saw service in most of the same wars as The Blues, including the
Peninsula campaign and Waterloo, where the Regiment famously captured the Eagle of the
French 105th Infantry Regiment. However, in the 19th century, unlike The Blues, The Royals
saw service in the Crimea and in India.  read more

Code: 25578

A Superb 17th Century Shinto Ryo Shinogi Yari Samurai Spear Head From the Roald Knutsen Collection. In Superb Condition With Impressive Nie-Deki (沸出来) {Martinzite Crystals} That Appear In The Rapid Quenching

Very nice blade in polish showing a good hamon temper line. Double edged four sided. A thick stout blade that would have been enormously effective in trained hands.
A Samurai ryo-shinogi yari polearm. Shinto period in nice order overall.

Yari is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. The martial art of wielding the yari is called sojutsu. A yari can range in length from one meter to upwards of six metres (3.3 to 20 feet). The longer versions were called omi no yari while shorter ones were known as mochi yari or tae yari. The longest versions were carried by foot troops (ashigaru), while samurai usually carried a shorter yari such as this example. 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. Around later half of sixteenth century, ashigaru holding pikes (naga yari) with length of 4.5 to 6.5 m (15 to 22 feet) or sometimes 10 m became main forces in armies. They formed lines, combined with harquebusiers and short spearmen. Pikemen formed two or three row of line, and were forced to move up and down their pikes in unison under the command.Yari overtook the popularity of the daikyu for the samurai, and foot troops (ashigaru) used them extensively as well
Various types of yari points or blades existed. The most common blade was a straight, flat, design that resembles a straight-bladed double edged dagger. This type of blade could cut but was designed to thrust. Though yari is a catchall for spear, it is usually distinguished between kama yari, which have additional horizontal blades, and simple su yari (choku-so) or straight spears. Yari can also be distinguished by the types of blade cross section: the triangular sections were called sankaku yari and the diamond sections were called ryo-shinogi yari.

It was formerly part of the collection of sensei Roald Knutsen, likely the worlds foremost expert and author on samurai polarms and their use in combat, with various pieces acquired with, or from, Henry Russell Robinson's private collection. (7 May 1920, Hackney, London - 15 January 1978) He became Keeper of Armour at The Tower Of London The Japanese armour exhibition in 1965, which featured samurai artefacts arranged to demonstrate evolving defensive technologies and cultural contexts, drawing thousands of visitors to the Tower.

He was a British military armourer and historian.He served in the RAF during the Second World War making models interpreting aerial photographs. This was when he met Sir James Mann, Master of the Armouries at the Tower of London. Robinson joined the staff of the Tower Armouries in 1946 as a Temporary Assistant, before rising to Assistant Keeper and finally, in 1970, Keeper of Armour.

Robinson was a founder member and president of the Arms and Armour Society. In 1965, he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. In 1977, he was awarded an honorary MA by the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Between 1967 and 1969, he (a practical armourer) worked with Charles Daniels to interpret and reconstruct the Roman armour nowadays known as 'lorica segmentata'. He produced a series of reconstructions of the two sub-types of armour from the Roman site at Corbridge and one from Newstead in time for them to be exhibited at the 1969 Congress of Roman Frontier Studies held in Cardiff.

His work on the armour featured in one of his best-known books, The Armour of Imperial Rome. Published in 1975 by Lionel Leventhal at the Arms and Armour Press, it included line illustrations by his friend, Peter Connolly. Robinson's system of categorizing Roman helmets has been widely adopted in the UK and USA but never really found favour in Europe.

Robinson was not only known for Roman armour, since he worked on an exhibition of Japanese armour at the Tower Armouries and subsequently wrote two books on the subject. He was also an authority on Native American artefacts and was responsible for the production of the replica of the revised reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo helmet and wrote a guide to the Stibbert Museum.

Nie (沸) literally means "seethe" or "boil." In Japanese sword connoisseurship, it is the name of larger martensite crystals that appear on the polished surface of some traditionally made Japanese swords, which sometimes look like bubbles of boiling water rising to the surface. Nie mostly forms along the temperline, but on some swords is also seen on the blade's surfaces.

In traditional Japanese bladesmithing, the hamon is achieved by applying clay to the blade, heating the blade, and then quenching it in water. The process is called yaki-ire (焼入れ). Those areas where clay is applied thicker will cool slower, while those coated with a thin layer or no clay at all will cool at a very fast rate, creating hard martensite and pearlite chrystals in the steel.  read more

Code: 26278

A Most Scarce Antique Ching Dynasty Chinese Shuāngjiàn (雙劍). A Twin-Sword Jian, Late 18th Early 19th century. Near Identical to Admiral Sir James Hanway Plumbridge's Sword in the National Maritime Museum Collection. His Sword Was a Single Blade Version

A 19th century Chinese double sword (Shuang Jian) with tortoise shell and brass mounts, engraved with shou characters and bats. A most rare sword arrangement where each sword has a rounded outer and a flat inner side hilt system, of two swords that fit back to back and parallel together, and are simultaneously worn in a single scabbard. The blades were designed to be used in pairs, one in each hand. During the Qing Dynasty, these were not just combat weapons but also popular symbols of high status. Many Jian were brought back to England by the earliest visitors to China, both before and after the Boxer rebellion.

A similar piece was exhibited in the British Museum, Chinese weapons and armour, 15th of December 1994 to the 15th of January 1995.

A Chinese jian double or twin sword, with two double edged blades retained in a single scabbard. Principle sword with a engraved brass mounts, the bats and longevity symbols on the brass mounts form the pun fúshòu (福壽), meaning a long and happy life, and a lined darkwood grip, the inner sword, is a mirror image of the outer, and both are simultaneously retained in a superb tortoishell covered scabbard, with two interior slots, one for each blade, with typical stylized brass mounts, typically decorated with a traditional, intricate, bat and seal design, fúshòu (福壽). The stylized longevity symbol called shòu (壽) surrounded by bats, fú (蝠)
Each sword has a double edged blade.

Overall with stunning original patination that has been now revealed.It has just returned from ten hours of museum grade hand conservation and polishing.Thanks to such extraordinarily successful efforts, that required no repairs at all due, to its condition, this would be a Chinese antique sword that would likely be impossible to improve upon.

Likely brought back to England as a souvenir of the Opium War period to the Boxer Rebellion. Truly original, antique, Chinese weapons are very scarce indeed, as historically, few swords were ever brought back from China. Porcelain and silk were far more popular and preferable souvenirs and exports for Europeans, and in China, in the mid 20th century, nearly all the surviving antique edged weapons were melted down and destroyed in the era of Mao, under Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolutionary instructions, in order to create new steel.

A fabulous example that has breathtaking natural age patina. Effectively, in wondrous condition for its age.

A near identical sword {but withy a single blade} was once belonging to Admiral Sir James Hanway. His family believed he wore it as a midshipman at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It is on display in the National Maritime Museum, exhibit number; WPN1157. Described as follows
Chinese sword, which belonged to Admiral Sir James Hanway Plumbridge (1787-1863). The hilt of the sword consists of a gilt pommel and crosspiece with very short down-turned quillons, and a fluted brown grip. The hilt is ornamented with a design of bats, which are a symbol of good luck. The steel blade is straight and double-edged. The point of the blade has evidently been broken off; it is about an inch too short for the scabbard and is rather roughly ground. The wooden scabbard is covered with lacquered paper actually tortoishell, and has four gilt lockets and a chape, which is ornamented with a design of bats. The two middle lockets are fitted with loops. This sword was offered to the National Maritime Museum as the sword which was worn by Admiral Sir James Hanway Plumbridge when he was a Midshipman at Trafalgar. It is inconceivable that he wore a Chinese weapon at Trafalgar. He probably obtained the sword during one of his three commissions in the East Indies. Admiral Sir James Hanway Plumbridge (1787-1863) entered the Royal Navy on the 6th September 1799 and was a Midshipman in HMS 'Leda' in the expedition to Egypt in 1801. At Trafalgar he was acting 6th Lieutenant in HMS 'Defence', and on the 20th August 1806 he was confirmed in rank. See photo 10 in the gallery, it shows the admiral's identical Jian sword on display in the National Maritime Museum, the photo is sadly of poor quality

The two paintings in the gallery are original Chinese gouache of a seated Ching Emperor, and his sword bearer, holding the same type of Jian sword, but with a green tortoiseshell scabbard.

The antique Chinese jian is a straight, double-edged sword used in China for over 2,500 years, with the earliest examples dating to the 7th century BC. We actually have some original, ancient jian museum pieces, from this era, acquired by us from the world renown Dove Collection. See them offered for sale within our website.
It was a multi-purpose weapon, optimized for thrusting but also capable of cutting and slashing, and was a symbol of status. The design was effective and remained relatively consistent over long periods, with minor variations in length, weight, and balance.
The jian's most defining feature is its straight, double-edged blade. While it could be used for both cutting and thrusting, it was often considered more optimized for thrusting than the single-edged dao (sabre).
The jian was a symbol of power and status, wielded by the elite and sometimes carried as a symbol of authority.
Its use dates back to the Spring and Autumn period, with some of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian.
Design variations: The length, balance, and weight of the jian varied significantly across different periods and purposes.
It is a crucial tool in traditional Chinese martial arts training.
Military use: It was a formidable weapon on the battlefield and, due to its length and reach, was sometimes used like a long spear to favour thrusting techniques.
The jian is a significant symbol in Chinese culture and history, frequently appearing in films, historical reenactments, and museum exhibits.
Antique jian are valuable as historical artifacts, collectibles, and striking decorative pieces.  read more

Code: 26100

A Stunning Prussian, 25 Year Gold Long Service Medal, In Gilt Bronze. Instituted by the King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm III on June 18, 1825. The Tenth Anniversary Of The Battle of Waterloo

With original silk ribbon.
In superb pristine condition awarded from and after June 18 1825.

The Prussian 25-Year Long Service Cross (or Medal) in gilt bronze was awarded to military officers for a quarter-century of faithful service. Instituted in 1825, this highly collectible imperial decoration typically features a Cross Pattée design with the recipient’s year designation on the reverse.

The award is a Cross Pattée. The obverse typically features a central royal crown or the royal cypher of King Friedrich Wilhelm III.

It generally bears a Roman numeral "XXV" (25) or the number "25" to denote the years of service.
It is hung from a period-original cornflower-blue ribbon.

Prussian Long Service Award for Officers for 25 Years' Service (Dienstauszeichnung für Offiziere) was instituted by the King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm III on June 18, 1825 in conjunction with the tenth jubilee of the Battle of Waterloo, known in Prussia as Schlacht bei Belle-Alliance after the inn “La Belle Alliance” that was used by Napoleon Bonaparte as his headquarters. It was also there that the Duke of Wellington and Generalfeldmarschall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher met after the allied victory. The Battle of Waterloo ended with a victory of the armies of the Seventh Coalition (comprising that of Prussia) over the French army under the command of Napoleon. Since its institution and until the beginning of the Great War, Dienstauszeichnung für Offiziere was issued to officers only, but according to 1915 regulations it was extended to senior NCOs (Feldwebel and above) as well as to military officials. However, as the WWI broke out, decorations with Long Service Awards were discontinued. Nevertheless, Dienstauszeichnungen were issued for quite a short period of time, from November 1918 until February 01, 1920.  read more

Code: 16558

A Most Rarely Seen Prussian-Danish War Medal, 1864, Made From Captured Danish Guns

Prussian, Denmark Campaign Medal. 1864 - Engraved Edge.

Since the London accords of 1852 the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg were attached by personal union to Denmark. Following the new constitution of 1863 Denmark integrated these areas into the state which caused a protest from the Deutsche Bund. After a resolution of the German Bundestag the German states send "Execution" troops into the duchies which belonged to the German Federation (Holstein and Lauenburg) under the command of Generalleutnant Heinrich von Hake formed by a Saxon brigade under Generalmajor von Schimpff as the operational-force, a Hanoverian brigade under Generalleutnant Gebser as a supporting force and a Prussian and an Austrian brigade in reserve.
The Austrians took part in this Bundesexekutionscorps by sending a brigade under the command of Generalmajor Leopold Graf Gondrecourt. But in addition to this, the two German major powers, Prussia and Austria, decided to declare war on Denmark and sent an army consisting of three corps under the command of the Prussian Feldmarschall Friedrich Graf Wrangel, whose Chief of the General staff was Generalleutnant Eduard Vogel von Falkenstein.
The 1st corps was commanded by the Prussian Prince Friedrich Karl, the 2nd corps by Feldmarschall-Leutnant Ludwig Freiherr von Gablenz and the 3rd corps by Generalleutnant von der Malbe. The 2nd (Austrian) corps was formed by the 6th army corps, enlarged by a cavalry brigade and 2 heavy batteries. Additionally Graf Gondrecourt's brigade also joined the 2nd corps after leaving the surprised federal troops. On the 1st of February 1864 58,000 Prussian and 21.000 Austrian soldiers crossed the Eider and commenced operations against the Danish land forces. On the 2nd and 6th of February the Austrians were victorious at Vejle and Oeversee whilst the Prussians were successful at the Deppeler Schanzen near Sondersburg on the 18th of April 1864. On the 9th of May a naval squadron commanded by Contre-Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff successfully engaged superior Danish forces near the island of Helgoland. The Danish forces retreated to Northern Jutland and the islands of Alsen and Funen and an armistice for 6 weeks was agreed for a new peace treaty of London. After the failure of these negotiations the hostilities again resumed on the 25th of June 1864 and the Austrian forces reached the Northern part of Jutland and finally Cape Skagen.
The Danish Captain Hammer, who had caused the most trouble for the Austro-Prussian naval forces was captured between the islands of Fohr and Sylt and a new armistice was implemented on the 20th of July 1864 which finally lead to the peace agreement of Vienna on the 30th of October 1864. Denmark was forced to hand over the contested duchies to Prussia and Austria. However disagreement over the administration of these duchies soon became one of the primary reasons, especially promoted by the Prussian prime minister Otto von Bismarck, for the coming conflict between the two German major powers in the war of 1866. Franz Joseph I, Kaiser of Austria, and Wilhelm I, King of Prussia, agreed to institute a commemorative medal for their successful army. The great number of captured guns, especially from the fortress of Frederica, made it possible to decide that the medals should be minted from the brass of the enemy's guns. Kaiser Franz Joseph signed the institution of the medal on the 10th of November 1864 and the regulations (Statuten) dated the 11th of November and both were published in the Armeeverordnungsblatt on the 20th of November 1864.

The official name was: "Erinnerungs-Medaille an den Feldzug 1864 gegen Danemark" (commemorative medal for the 1864 campaign against Denmark) Along the rim of the medal the words: "AUS EROBERTEM GESCHUETZ" (from captured guns)  read more

Code: 19933

A Most Rare, Historic, British, Pattern of 1859 Naval Cutlass Bayonet With Scabbard By Reeves. One of Only 800 Made. An Absolute Beauty with a Stunning Blade & Scabbard and Original, Blackened Japanned Finish, Steel Bowl Guard

Without doubt a superb and excellent example that would be nigh on impossible to improve upon.

British forces widely used the Pattern 1858 Enfield Naval Rifle (often paired with the 1859 Pattern cutlass bayonet) during the Second Opium War (1856–1860).
The Royal Navy and British Army infantry used the P1858 during joint operations, including the capture of the Taku Forts and the advance on Beijing. During the Boxer Rebellion at the end of the 19th century, older muzzle-loaders and Enfields could occasionally be found in auxiliary and reserve roles within the international expeditionary force.

The Enfield Rifle Pattern 1859 Cutlass Bayonet was imported during the Civil War by both the North and South for the both their Navy and Coastal Artillery units.
The rifle and cutlass bayonet were employed by British colonial forces and British regiments stationed in New Zealand.
Used by European mercenary forces and foreign powers involved in suppressing the rebellion in China.
Used by various factions during the Boshin War and Satsuma Rebellion as the Tokugawa Shogunate and imperial forces rapidly modernized their arsenals

The British Pattern 1859 Naval Cutlass Bayonet was designed for the Royal Navy to pair with the Pattern 1858 Enfield Naval Rifle. Manufactured by Charles Reeves & Co. of Birmingham, genuine Reeves-stamped examples are exceptionally scarce, as Reeves produced fewer than 800 pieces. The vast majority of Pattern 1859 bayonets were outsourced to Solingen, Germany
This 1859 cutlass bayonet scabbard, is stamped "SG". The "SG" mark stands for Simmons & Ginder ordnance scabbard makers. Scabbards were made of black leather with steel or brass mounts, this example has the steel mounts

This is a very fine example of the scarce British Pattern 1859 Type II Naval Cutlass Bayonet & Scabbard for use on the Pattern 1858 “Enfield” Naval Rifle. These rifles had thicker barrels than the standard Pattern 1856 rifle and were rifled with 5 grooves instead of the normal 3 grooves. The British military wanted to create a dual-purpose bayonet for the rifle, much like Admiral Dahlgren did with his Bowie Knife/Bayonet for the US Model 1861 Naval Rifle and settled on a combination naval cutlass and bayonet as the most practical design. However, the length and weight of the bayonet must have made its use on the end of a rifle very awkward. The British military contracted for about 80,000 of these cutlass bayonets, and it is interesting to note that aside from a small contract of less than 800 delivered by Reeves of Birmingham, all of the other contractors involved used Solingen made blades in the fabrication of their bayonets.

In fact, established Solingen sword maker and cutler Carl Reinhardt Kirschbaum of Solingen, working under the business name of C.R. Kirschbaum, established a new business venture for the specific purpose of producing Pattern 1859 Naval Cutlass Bayonet blades.

This cutlass is one of those 800 very rare examples made by Reeves of Birmingham.

The Pattern 1859 Type II Naval Cutlass Bayonet offered here is in FINE condition overall and is accompanied by a very hard to find original scabbard, that is in very good condition. The blade is full-length at 27” and is clearly marked with the maker mark of Reeves on the ricasso. The muzzle ring measures .830”. The blade has its original high polished steel appearance. The blade is almost entirely smooth, along its entire length. The solid iron basket hilt has a fine appearance. The interior of the guard retains about 90%+ of its original black jappaning with only some scattered scratching, light wear and surface scuffing. The original locking spring is present in the grip and functions exactly as it should. The two-piece pressed leather grip panels are in about fine condition and show only minimal shrinkage and retain about 80%+ of their original finish. The grips retain the majority of their roll embossed knurling (while the pattern is “checkered” it is not actual checkering but embossing with a roll die) and show only some light wear, minor scuffmarks and some light rounding to the sharp checking tips. The grips are much nicer than they are normally encountered on a bayonet of this pattern and are really attractive. The balance of the iron hilt has thinly oxidized brown patina that is almost entirely smooth, over the duller gray base metal. The original scabbard accompanies the bayonet, which is an extremely difficult item to come by. The scabbard is in complete and solid condition with both original iron mounts in good condition and well secured to the leather scabbard body. The scabbard body is solid and complete with the original stitching securely in place along the seam in the rear. These cutlasses in their original scabbards are very hard to find, especially by Reeves, and this is a solid, very good looking example.

Overall this is a really attractive example of one of the rarer British bayonets to be found. While there is no way to be sure, the lack of British acceptance marks raises the possibility that this cutlass bayonet may have been purchased by US or CS agents for use on one of the Enfield Pattern 1858 Naval rifles that were imported by both sides during the war. Of all the Enfield “short rifles”, the Naval Rifle was one that was imported in very small quantities, making the bayonets even more uncommon in America today. The bayonet is in really fine condition and is accompanied by a very scarce original scabbard.
This is a great example of a rare bayonet, complete with scabbard, and would be a great addition to display with any bayonet, cutlass or sword collection, especially a Pattern 1858 Naval rifle, and to add to any collection of Civil War era bayonets.

The slashing attack with the cutlass at sea wasn't practical. One must remember that ship's decks were extremely tight quarters and overcrowded. Although some longer swords made it to sea, the primary edged weapons were short hangers, cutlasses, dirks, etc. Thrusting weapons were the item of choice, evidenced by the reemergence of the ancient pike, much shortened to fit on a crowded ship's deck. The point is that it makes sense that the cutlass could be used as a sharpened bludgeon, but worked better as a stabbing implement like the pikes and dirks.

A jab to the face or neck could obviously be lethal, penetrating the airway, severing the trachea, carotids and jugular. To the chest, there is penetration of the lungs, bronchus (all fatal), heart and great vessels (aortic arch), abdominal cavity with its vascular liver and pancreas.

Also consider the cutlass in the use for defense of the ship vs the aggressor boarding party. Netting was placed over the ship to discourage boarders, with the sailors stabbing through the netting as the enemy attempted to clamber onto the deck. Again, a cutlass would work far better here as a thrusting defensive weapon, stabbing through the tight ropes at those on the other side.  read more

Code: 26277

A Fabulous, Original, 1930's Airship Zeppelin Photograph & Photograph Airship {Luftpost} Mail Postcard Collection From The Hindenberg. All Are Original & Third Reich Period, In The Collectors Album

89 total photograph and Luftpost photograph cards of the Hindenburg Zeppelin Airship. The airship that exploded in 1937 in America.
Including photograph souvenir postcards, bought from the Hindenberg by its passengers, then postal service stamped over German stamps, and ink stamped by DZR (Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei) The Nazi Airship company, was effectively controlled byFeldmarshall Herman Goring. One particularly interesting card is the stamped Zeppelin Luftpost airmail post card for the opening of the 1936 Berlin Olympics

This is an absolute beauty and one of the best we have seen outside of an Historical Aeronautical Museum. all are in fabulous condition, and there are some really rare beauties in the collection.

LZ 129 Hindenburg (Luftschiff Zeppelin 129; Registration: D-LZ 129) was a German commercial passenger-carrying rigid airship, the lead ship of the Hindenburg class, the longest class of flying machine and the largest airship by envelope volume.3 It was designed and built by the Zeppelin Company (Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH) on the shores of Lake Constance in Friedrichshafen, Germany, and was operated by the German Zeppelin Airline Company (Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei). It was named after Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, who was President of Germany from 1925 until his death in 1934.

The Hindenburg made ten trips to the United States in 1936.45 After opening its 1937 season by completing a single round-trip passage to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in late March, the Hindenburg departed from Frankfurt, Germany, on the evening of May 3, on the first of ten round trips between Europe and the United States that were scheduled for its second year of commercial service. American Airlines had contracted with the operators of the Hindenburg to shuttle passengers from Lakehurst to Newark for connections to airplane flights.

The Hindenburg disaster was an airship accident that occurred on May 6, 1937, in Manchester Township, New Jersey. The LZ 129 Hindenburg (Luftschiff Zeppelin 129; Registration: D-LZ 129) was a German commercial passenger-carrying rigid airship, the lead ship of the Hindenburg class, the longest class of flying machine and the largest airship by envelope volume.1 It was designed and built by the Zeppelin Company (Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH) and was operated by the German Zeppelin Airline Company (Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei). It was named after Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, who was President of Germany from 1925 until his death in 1934. It caught fire and was destroyed during its attempt to dock with its mooring mast at Naval Air Station Lakehurst. The accident caused 35 fatalities (13 passengers and 22 crewmen) from the 97 people on board (36 passengers and 61 crewmen), and an additional fatality on the ground.

A total of 89 period photographs, with period photograph post cards. The first 34 are period photographs, index listed, and then many post cards that are rubber stamped by the airline luftpost etc., and 8 others, with postage stamps, and airmail Luftpost stamped with text and addresses, including one to a British recipients address and one to an American recipients address in Kentucky. The American one, states in the handwritten letter to the recipient, the card photo was taken just half an hour before the explosion on board. The 8 postcard, airship Luftpost mail examples, are worth around £1,000 alone.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, as Britain’s oldest established, and favourite, armoury and gallery  read more

Code: 24934