Antique Arms & Militaria

A Most Rare, Original, Absolutely Glorious and Beautiful 2nd Dragoon Guards 1847 Heavy Cavalry Trooper's Helmet of ‘The Queen’s Bays’. A Victorian Beauty Made Before The Crimean War and Used In Combat and Full Dress In The Indian Mutiny

Whereas there are only a few officers helmets in existence of this vintage, other ranks' helmets are even rarer. This is a 2nd Dragoon Guards helmet with the correct black plume, and in overall good condition, the original plume has service wear.

The brass skull supports an ornate plume holder which has a brush of horsehair out of which sprouts a falling plume of the same hair. There is a rose shaped brass filial on top of the plume, similar in shape and size to the bosses that hold the chin chain. The badge on the front is similar to that on the officers' helmets except that the VR is not backed by red enamel. The star around the garter is of white metal, and placed on a Rococo shield, surrounded by a wreath of laurel and oak. The inscription on the garter is QUEENS DRAGOON GUARDS. The front and back peak are ornamented with applied acanthus leaves. Inside the helmet is a black leather sweatband.

The horse hair plume was worn during regular service and full dress, in combat the black horse hair plume was removed

The regiment next saw action when a squadron under Major Piercy Smith charged the rebels at the capture of Lucknow in March 1858 during the Indian Rebellion.

The Indian Mutiny 1857-59
Passage to India 1857

The Bays were in Dublin when the Mutiny broke out in India. They were ordered to Liverpool, then on to Canterbury where one Troop was left behind. They embarked 9 Troops under the command of Lt-Col Hylton Brisco, with a strength of 28 officers 47 sergeants and 635 other ranks. They sailed on 25 July on two transports, the Blenheim and the Monarch. The voyage was a long and arduous one for the officers and men on the overcrowded transports. The only land they sighted before reaching India, was Madeira, where they lay becalmed for 28 days. This increased their journey to 141 days. During that time they were daily rationed to 1 lb of very hard biscuit, 12 oz of salt meat, a small quantity of tea and sugar, and 5 pints of water. Washing had to be done in sea water. After 3 months at sea they were told that they were only half way there and rations had to be halved. One of the Bays described the lack of appetising food: 'On Sundays, boulle soup was given for a change, but it wasn't generally approved of, as one mess found a dead mouse in theirs, and another mess found a man's finger with a rag wrapped round it.' They reached Calcutta to find that the KDG had arrived a fortnight before, having set off a month later than them. All of them suffered sickness for 4 or 5 days after disembarkation.

Nusrutpore, 23 Jan 1858

The regiment had a difficult overland journey to Allahabad with new horses that had been purchased locally. The men suffered from cholera, and the sick men had to be carried. On 23 Jan two squadrons of the Bays, and a Troop of Horse Artillery were sent out and met up with the 97th regiment and some companies of Gurkhas. They encountered a body of mutineers at Nusrutpore in jungle country. One squadron under Captain Powell made a brilliant charge, and the fighting caused the enemy to lose 1,800 men and some of their guns. Five men of the Bays were wounded, along with 7 horses killed or wounded. These casualties were light considering the heavy fire they came under from the rebels.

Relief of Lucknow

2nd Queen's Bays Dragoon Guards
Charge at Lucknow
After the recapture of Delhi the focus of the conflict was on Lucknow, 150 miles northeast of Allahabad. Sir Colin Campbell had already rescued the beleaguered garrison there but had not prevented the rebels from capturing the city and holding it with 130,000 men. Campbell now had a force of 20,000 to march on Lucknow. The rebels made several sorties out of the town to engage with them. On 6 March two squadrons of the Bays made a charge under the command of Major Percy Smith. This got out of control over broken ground and three men were killed, including Major Smith. They were unable to retrieve his body. One corporal was unhorsed and unable to remount, so was cut to pieces. Six other men were wounded and many of the horses suffered terrible wounds from the mutineers' swords and bayonets. Lucknow was recaptured by 16 Mar 1858, but 20,000 rebels escaped. The cavalry units were already scattered around the countryside chasing small parties of rebels so were not in position to block the mass exodus on 16 Mar.
Nawabganj, 13 June 1858

In a battle at Nawabganj, east of Lucknow, 2 squadrons under Major Seymour were part of the cavalry element of Hope Grant's 3,500-strong column that attacked a force of 15,000 mutineers entrenched at a river crossing. They made a 12 mile night march to surprise the rebels. There was a three hour battle during which the British were surrounded but they turned the tables and drove the enemy off, having killed 600 and captured 9 guns. The British lost 67 killed or wounded in action, but 33 died of sunstroke and 250 ended up in hospital. All members of the regiment had suffered from fever or sunstroke, both proving fatal in many cases. The CO, William Campbell died on 6 July 1858, after being promoted to brigadier. The second lieutenant-colonel, Hylton Brisco had suffered with fever and retired in September. Because of the fatalities and sickness, officers were gaining promotion without purchase. Captain William Henry Seymour, whose letters home provide valuable information on the Bays in India, attained his majority and lieutenant-colonelcy so that within 8 months he had gone from captain to CO of the regiment.

Jamo, 8 Oct 1858

2nd Queen's Bays Dragoon Guards
Chasing Rebels
The regiment were transferred to another column led by Brigadier Sir George Barker in Oct 1858. On 8 Oct they were in action against 30 or 40 mutineers from the 42nd Bengal Native Infantry, concealed in a jungle of sugar cane at Jamo near Sundeela in Oudh. They opened fire on the Bays from a distance of a few yards. Lt-Col Seymour fought desperately with pistol and sword, but was cut down. Trumpeter Thomas Monaghan and Private Charles Anderson rushed to his rescue and fought them off so that Col Seymour was able to get up and carry on fighting. Monaghan and Anderson were awarded the VC for this action. While this was happening, boy Trumpeter John Smith engaged a sepoy in single combat and killed him.
Jowah Pass, April 1859

Colonel Seymour was in action again in the spring of 1859. There were two actions near Bungdon in Oudh, which were among the last battles fought by the Bays after their 20 consecutive months in the field. In another action mutineers had taken refuge in the mountains of Nepal and the Nepalise King asked the British to hunt them down. Two squadrons of the Bays under Major Hutchinson chased the rebels to the Jowah Pass where they charged and defeated them. They had one casualty, Cornet Torrens who was wounded. Following this they went into cantonments near Lucknow. The Queen's Bays remained in India until 1869, eleven years in all.

The regiment's most considerable 20th Century battle honours were as follows:

Early Wars: Warburg, Willems, Lucknow, South Africa 1901-02
The Great War: Mons, Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, Aisne 1914, Messines 1914, Armentières 1914, Ypres 1914 '15, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde, Somme 1916 '18, Flers-Courcelette, Arras 1917, Scarpe 1917, Cambrai 1917 '18, St. Quentin, Bapaume 1918, Rosières, Amiens, Albert 1918, Hindenburg Line, St. Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1914-18
The Second World War: Somme 1940, Withdrawal to Seine, North-West Europe 1940, Msus, Gazala, Bir el Aslagh, Cauldron, Knightsbridge, Via Balbia, Mersa Matruh, El Alamein, Tebaga Gap, El Hamma, El Kourzia, Djebel Kournine, Tunis, Creteville Pass, North Africa 1941–43, Coriano, Carpineta, Lamone Crossing, Defence of Lamone Bridgehead, Rimini Line, Ceriano Ridge, Cesena, Argenta Gap, Italy 1944-45

Photo in the gallery taken in the 1860’s of a Heavy Cavalry veteran wearing his very same form of helmet with its black plume {recoloured}

Painting in the gallery, Charge of The 2nd Dragoon Guards {The Queens Bays} by Simkin  read more

Code: 26017

A Simply Stunning Most Rare Napoleonic Wars Type of a 1796 Infantry Officer's Sword, Monogrammed With Its Owner's Title and Monogram, Plus His Patriotic Motto “The Love Of, My Country, & Freedom” Etched Upon The Acutely Tapering “Needle Point’ Blade.

A most rare blade type, modelled on a 15th-16th century needle point double edged broadsword form known as the type XVII.
The mercurial gilt hilt is near to mint as possible, and it has a folding guard, but with an extraordinarily rare form of blued steel hinge arrangement. The diamond section blade has overall salt and pepper pitting, and bears, in fine etching, the owners title initial, H above his monogram, A. A., and below the monogram, is a Tarlton helmet, and below that a patriotic motto, within three scrolls, The Love Of, My Country, & Freedom. A most unusual form of bespoke blade for the 1796 infantry pattern sword, far better for combat than the standard single edged straight blade, perfect if one is a trained swordsman in the art of hand to hand rapier combat. Perfect for the thrust due to its strength and rigidity, ideal for the cut being double edged. And superb for the parry being quatrefoil, which gives it extra strength. An officer trained to use such a sword would be a formidable foe indeed. One can easily see this by simply by looking at its full length profile in the photographs. It’s appearance of a rigid reinforced needle is incredibly impressive.

After considerable research this incredible sword may indeed have been most likely commissioned for the Hon Alexander Abercromby, we can find no other British army serving officer with this rank and initials. He first served in the Gordon Highlanders, then he transferred to command the 29th Foot, the North Gloucestershires, in Busaco in the Peninsular War, then in 1815 he served under Wellington as Wellington's Assistant Quartermaster General for the 2nd Foot Guards, at Quatre Bras and Waterloo, in the War of 100 Days, Napoleon's last battles and his final foiled attempt to regain his empire.

Born on 4 March 1784, Abercromby entered the army at an early age, and served as a volunteer with the 92nd Regiment, the Gordon Highlanders, in the expedition to the Helder in 1799. He soon obtained a commission, and saw service with his regiment in Egypt. He was appointed aide-de-camp to his father's old lieutenant and friend, Sir John Moore, during his command in Sicily in 1806, but was not with him in Spain.

Like his brother, Sir John, he was rapidly promoted, and in 1808, when only twenty-four, became lieutenant-colonel of the 28th Regiment. He accompanied his regiment when it was sent to Portugal to reinforce Lord Wellesley after the battle of Talavera. He commanded it at the battle of Busaco, and in the lines of Torres Vedras, and as senior colonel had the good fortune to command his brigade at the battle of Albuera. His services there were very conspicuous, and his brigade has been immortalised by Napier. He was soon superseded, but commanded his regiment at the surprise of Arroyo de Molinos and the storming of the forts at Almaraz.

In 1812 he was removed to the staff of the army, and was present as assistant-quartermaster-general at the battles of Vittoria, the Pyrenees, and Orthes. He served in the same capacity in 1815, and was present at Quatre-Bras, Waterloo, and the storming of Péronne. Péronne, on the banks of the Somme, was captured on 26 June during the Allied advance on Paris following the victory at Waterloo

He was the son of Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Abercromby KB (7 October 1734 – 28 March 1801) who was a British soldier and politician. He rose to the rank of lieutenant-general in the British Army, was appointed Governor of Trinidad, served as Commander-in-Chief, Ireland, and was noted for his services during the French Revolutionary Wars, ultimately in the Egyptian campaign. His strategies are ranked amongst the most daring and brilliant exploits of the British army. No doubt Alexander gained his considerable combat tactical skills from his father. To be Colonel of a regiment at 24 and to be in command of a battle was no mean feat based entirely on merit.

For his active services he was promoted to a colonelcy in the 2nd or Coldstream Guards,

The last photo in the gallery of the other 10th hussars sword shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo.  read more

Code: 24749

A Fabulous & Rare US Civil War General's Sabre With Its Original Civil War General Officer's Pattern 'Acorn' Sword Knot, & Steel Combat Scabbard. Superb Deluxe Etched Blade

A near pair to three other Civil War General's swords, currently in American museums or in private ownership, of, General W.T.Sherman, Major General J.E.B. Stuart, and Lt General John Bell Hood. The sword knot is also a near pair to one {with its sword} of Civil War Brigadier General Champlin. We also show in the gallery General JEB Stuarts hat, that has a pair of interlinked Civil War General's pattern acorn sword knots around the brim. General Sherman's sword is currently offered at auction with a suggested price of $60,000

Our sword has superb quality elaborate hilt embellished decor for a general, and a stunning, deluxe etched blade with maker's name, and the original wirebound sharkskin grip. In its steel, blackened, combat scabbard. All in superb condition. the General’s knot is also in very good condition for age.

An American Civil War import, commissioned from either French or German swordsmiths, and interestingly, almost all the other General's swords within the various US museums were either commissioned in France or Germany, and not domestically produced.
One of the most famous Colonel’s of the Civil War was Robert Gould Shaw of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Robert Gould Shaw (1837-1863) carried his British import sword at the assault on Fort Wagner, Folly Island, S.C. on 18 July 1863. Where sadly he was KIA. The sword was a gift from his uncle George R. Russell, and in a letter to his father, dated 1 July 1863, Shaw acknowledges receiving “a box of Uncle George’s containing a beautiful English sword...” With sword in-hand, Colonel Shaw, of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, was shot in the chest and killed while mounting the parapet of Ft. Wagner. The sword and other personal effects were taken from his body during the night and presumed lost. In June of 1865, the U.S. Colored Troops, under the command of Gen. Charles Jackson Paine, U.S.V., found the sword "in the possession of a rebel officer" near Goldsboro, N.C. The sword was returned to the Shaw family in 1865 by Capt. Solon A. Carter, U.S.V. but was misplaced after 1900 until it's recent discovery in 2017. That sword is now within the collections of the Massachuetts Historical Society, donated to them by the Shaw family.

James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart (February 6, 1833 – May 12, 1864) was a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil War. He was known to his friends as "Jeb,” from the initials of his given names. Stuart was a cavalry commander known for his mastery of reconnaissance and the use of cavalry in support of offensive operations. While he cultivated a cavalier image (red-lined gray cape, the yellow waist sash of a regular cavalry officer, hat cocked to the side with an ostrich plume, red flower in his lapel, often sporting cologne), his serious work made him the trusted eyes and ears of Robert E. Lee's army and inspired Southern morale.3

Stuart graduated from West Point in 1854 and served in Texas and Kansas with the U.S. Army. Stuart was a veteran of the frontier conflicts with Native Americans and the violence of Bleeding Kansas, and he participated in the capture of John Brown at Harpers Ferry. He resigned his commission when his home state of Virginia seceded, to serve in the Confederate Army, first under Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, but then in increasingly important cavalry commands of the Army of Northern Virginia, playing a role in all of that army's campaigns until his death.

He established a reputation as an audacious cavalry commander and on two occasions (during the Peninsula Campaign and the Maryland Campaign) circumnavigated the Union Army of the Potomac, bringing fame to himself and embarrassment to the North. At the Battle of Chancellorsville, he distinguished himself as a temporary commander of the wounded Stonewall Jackson's infantry corps.

Stuart's most famous campaign, the Gettysburg Campaign, was flawed when his long separation from Lee's army left Lee unaware of Union troop movements so that Lee was surprised and almost trapped at the Battle of Gettysburg. Stuart received criticism from the Southern press as well as the proponents of the Lost Cause movement after the war. During the 1864 Overland Campaign, Union Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan's cavalry launched an offensive to defeat Stuart, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Yellow Tavern.

J.E.B Stuart’s sword was made in Paris. U.S. Army officers were responsible for providing their own side arms, so Stuart either ordered it himself or was given it as a gift. It now resides with his hat, in the American Civil War Museum

John Bell Hood (June 12 or June 29,3 1831 – August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Hood's impetuosity led to high losses among his troops as he moved up in rank. Bruce Catton wrote that "the decision to replace Johnston with Hood was probably the single largest mistake that either government made during the war." Hood's education at the United States Military Academy led to a career as a junior officer in the infantry and cavalry of the antebellum U.S. Army in California and Texas. At the start of the Civil War, he offered his services to his adopted state of Texas. He achieved his reputation for aggressive leadership as a brigade commander in the army of Robert E. Lee during the Seven Days Battles in 1862, after which he was promoted to division command. He led a division under James Longstreet in the campaigns of 1862–63. At the Battle of Gettysburg, he was severely wounded, rendering his left arm mostly useless for the rest of his life.4 Transferred with many of Longstreet's troops to the Western Theater, Hood led a massive assault into a gap in the U.S. line at the Battle of Chickamauga but was wounded again, requiring the amputation of his right leg.

Hood returned to field service during the Atlanta Campaign of 1864 and, at the age of 33, was promoted to temporary full general and command of the Army of Tennessee at the outskirts of Atlanta, making him the youngest soldier on either side of the war to be given command of an army. There, he dissipated his army in a series of unsuccessful assaults and was forced to evacuate the besieged city. Leading his men through Alabama and into Tennessee, his army was severely damaged in a massive frontal assault at the Battle of Franklin. The Battle of Franklin was fought on November 30, 1864 in Franklin, Tennessee; in Williamson County. John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee (around 33,000 men) faced off with John M. Schofield's Army of the Ohio and the Cumberland (around 30,000 men). Often cited as "the bloodiest five hours" during the American Civil War, the Confederates lost between 6,500 - 7,500 men, with 1,750 dead. The Federals lost around 2,000 - 2,500 men, with just 250 or less killed. Hood lost 30,000 men in just six months (from July 1864 until December 15). The Battle of Franklin was fought mostly at night. Several Confederate Generals were killed, including Patrick Cleburne, and the Rebels also lost 50% of their field commanders. Hood would limp into Nashville two weeks later before suffering his final defeat before retreating to Pulaski in mid December. Hundreds of wounded Confederate soldiers were taken to the John and Carrie McGavock home - Carnton - after the battle. She became known as the Widow of the South. The McGavock's eventually donated two acres to inter the Confederate dead. Almost 1,500 Rebel soldiers are buried in McGavock Confederate Cemetery, just in view of the Carnton house.

Hood’s sword was purchased from Coulaux & Cie, Klingenthal, France. Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood used his cavalry saber during his service in the Confederate Army. It now resides in the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond Va. Hood also had another sword an infantry Militia pattern dress sword, imported from Germany made by P.D.Lunschloss & Companie, that now resides in the American Civil War Museum.

Sadly, we do not know the name of the general officer to whom our sabre once originally belonged.  read more

Code: 25224

What A Unique And Incredible Christmas Gift This Could Be, A Stunning Mid Victorian Antique Gadget Rifle Gun Stick Fully Set Within Its Original Hard Canvas Travelling Gun Case With All Accompanying Tools. Unique Collectors Piece From Victorian England

Circa 1850. With twin, sleeved barrels, one rifled for a rifle bullet of around .36 cal, the other for lead shot. The rifle barrel sleeve, is, say, for the assassin's bullet, the lead shot barrel, for personal defence {or wildfowl}

What a remarkable original antique collectors item, made by a fine Victorian Suffolk gunsmith, that is, without question one of the greatest conversation pieces of the antique ‘gadget weapon’ world.

Photos to be added later today.

Straight out of a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes mystery. One could easily imagine, one such as Holmes’ arch nemesis, the diabolically fiendish and most inscrutable villain of Victorian England, Professor Moriarty, being armed with such a remarkable, concealed, rifled assassin’s piece.

A stout lacquered walking stick that belies its hidden purpose as a hidden rifle. That could be fired dozens of times from a single charge of its pneumatic pump system.

The "hidden gun stick" originated from a desire for discreet self-defense, emerging around the 18th and 19th centuries as a way to conceal a firearm within a walking stick. While sword canes with hidden blades have a longer history, the walking stick gun is a more early modern invention, a costly curio for gentlemen who wanted to be armed without drawing attention. Especially useful as a poachers arm.

In the mid Victorian era, from whence this came, the walking stick was a common accessory for wealthy men. Yet the concealed weapon stick combined this fashion staple with the element of surprise for self-defense.

Sometime around the late 1840s to early 1850s, a new pneumatic gun appeared: The walking stic gun. For at least two centuries prior to the air version’s appearance, normal walking sticks had been principal accessories for gentlemen. In the uncertain streets and avenues of 18th- and 19th-century towns and cities, as well as being a fashion statement, a iron stick could serve as a handy self-defense weapon, either as a bludgeon or, in specialized pieces, by the implementation of concealed blades or bullet-firing mechanisms.

In the 18th and 19th centuries as carrying swords became less socially acceptable, people began hiding weapons in plain sight, with the gun stick being one such evolution.
Gun sticks were expensive to produce, and they were not as practical as conventional weapons. They were often seen as a luxury item, a talking point, or a concealed weapon for gentlemen, and as the century passed the evolved with disguised percussion black powder actions, or as this beauty, with an air powered system that required a pumped air pressure action.
Similar to the gun stick, the sword stick was instead of a firearm, a blade is concealed inside the walking stick.
Poacher's guns was a more practical and easily concealed version of a sporting gun, but intended for a different purpose.
Other disguised hidden weapons thuat utilised the concept of hiding weapons in common objects is an ancient one. Examples include early Japanese
Shikomizue: A Japanese walking stick that conceals a blade, or a Gupta: A straight sword concealed within a wooden cane, used in India.

This beauty has a stunning quality Damascus steel stirrup pump with detachable T section handle in order to hand charge the top section air reservoir. The stick was then assembled to resemble an innocuous gentleman’s walking aid, complete with key, folding cleaning-ram rod, rifle insert.

In purely practical terms, the distinction is that cane guns, far more costly to produce and, generally speaking, an affectation, ostensibly carried by gentlemen who wished, at all times, to be able to take "targets of opportunity", were a curio, a talking point, or a concealed offensive weapon, one that might easily escape detection unless closely examined. In addition to gentleman's canes, guns have also been concealed in other common items such as umbrellas and walking sticks.

In the picture gallery we show a photo from the Presidential Centre Library collection, a historic sword stick that is part of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Centre Library collection in Fremont, Ohio, gifted from the Waggoner family, the sword-cane was said to have been presented to Mr Waggoner by General George Washington in honour of Waggoner's service in Washington's Life Guard during the American Revolutionary War.

The method of loading and discharging an air cane, while economical and reliable, also put some constraints on portability and spontaneity. Most operated thusly: First, two halves were unscrewed, and a hand pump fitted onto the rear reservoir section. One then stood on the pump’s handle and, using full-body force, gave the pump 350 to 400 hard strokes. The pump was then removed, and the two halves rejoined. A brass tip with attached ramrod was then unscrewed from the muzzle. Next, a round ball was rammed down the rifle barrel or lead shot for the smooth bore barrel, and seated at the base of either barrel. The shooter then took a key, inserted it in a square hole at the rear part of the forward section, and turned it to cock the piece. This also allowed a small button “trigger” to pop out of the side of the cane at the proper position where it could be naturally accessed by the thumb of the left hand when the cane was aimed. On full charge, a normal air gun stick could fire around 30 to ­40 times before having to be re-pumped. The first 15 to ­20 rounds would experience no decrease in velocity or accuracy. However, afterwards, power would drop dramatically. Depending on the gun, shooting ranges with bullets ran from 10 to 50 yards, with 20 to 25 not being uncommon. Shot was normally fired at closer distances, the rifle at longer.

One of other rare examples we once had, also a fully fitted and cased example, with twin sleeved barrels, Mark sold to Charlton (Chuck) Heston back in 1971. Chuck was the 26th president of the NRA, as well as a world famous movie star, and winner of the US Medal of Freedom. Charlton Heston once proclaimed to gun control advocates that they could only have his firearm after taking it "from my cold, dead hands."

Naturally this walking stick rifle cum shotgun is now solely, a superb, original antique collector’s item, an antique curio only, no longer to be used for its original purpose.  read more

Code: 26026

An Incredibly Rare, Superb 3rd to 2nd Century B.C. Falcata {Machaira Sword} From the Invasion of Rome Era of the Punic Wars, by The Great General Hannibal. It Is Also The Very Same Design of Sword Used by Alexander The Great & His Generals 335 BC

A fabulous original historical artefact of ancient Romano Greek weaponry. Used by a high ranked warrior in the ancient Roman Republic period in Carthage. A design so efficient and effective in combat it was as popular in Ancient Rome as it was in the same period in Ancient Greece.
You simply do not often see such a rare and iconic original ancient sword, used by the most famed protagonists of the Carthaginian Wars, against the might of Rome, such as the Battle on Cannae, during the period of one of the greatest eras in classical history, let alone have the opportunity to own one.
Also a style of sword used by the Ancient Greeks in the time of Alexander the Great. The falcata or machaira is one of the most distinctive swords of classical history, and the machaira's design enabled a warrior to deliver a sharp blow from above, with its inverted curve and powerful blade it can be seen depicted in the earliest decoration of Hellenistic attic vases and early pottery from ancient Greece, paintings from great historical battles in early art work of the medieval period

Two similar examples are in the Metropolitan in New York see photo 10 in the gallery

In 219 B.C., Hannibal of Carthage led an attack on Saguntum, an independent city allied with Rome, which sparked the outbreak of the Second Punic War. He then marched his massive army across the Pyrenees and Alps into central Italy in what would be remembered as one of the most famous campaigns in history. After a string of victories, the most notable coming at Cannae in 216 B.C., Hannibal had gained a foothold in southern Italy, but declined to mount an attack on Rome itself. The Romans rebounded, however, driving the Carthaginians out of Spain and launching an invasion of North Africa. In 203 B.C., Hannibal abandoned the struggle in Italy to defend North Africa, and he suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of Publius Cornelius Scipio at Zama the following year. Though the treaty concluding the Second Punic War put an end to Carthage’s status as an imperial power, Hannibal continued to pursue his lifelong dream of destroying Rome up until his death in 183 B.C. This is simply a stunning and rare original Iberian single -edged Falcata of the 3rd-2nd century BC and later. A single-edged machaira sword of falcata type, with curved hilt of regular geometric shape, lateral iron guard (later addition); grooves on one side of the upper part of blade; three circular rivets of circular section which fastened the organic handle to the hilt. Weighing approx 630 grams , almost 22 inches long, and in nice condition for age.

A fine example piece, from the ancient Roman period over 2000 years old. Although this sword is now in an obvious ancient, and historical, russetted condition, with some elements lacking, every item made of iron from this era, such as the rarest of swords and daggers, even in the Royal Collection, are in this very same state of preservation.

See Quesada Sanz, F.,El armamento Ibérico, Madrid, 1991; Quesada Sanz, F., Arma y símbolo: la falcata Ibérica, Alicante, 1992; Quesada Sanz, F., ‘Patterns of interaction, Celtic and Iberian weapons in Iron Age Spain’ in Celtic connections, volume 2, papers from the Tenth International Congress of Celtic Studies, Edinburgh, 1995, Edinburgh, 2005; a similar specimen with a near identical hilt is the Iberian Falcata from Cerro Muriano (Córdoba, Spain) which is preserved in the Copper Museum of Córdoba (III-II century BC).
Since the 5th-4th century BC, the Iberian warriors armed themselves with round shields and single edged swords (falcatas) that were the Etruscan version of the Greek machaira. The latter type of sword was duly transformed into a completely new type, with a different size, shape and function, the falcata, already in use in the Iberian area by c. 490 BC. This type of curved, slashing, single-edged sword is generally accepted by the scholars as the 'national' weapon of the Iberians, and was commonly used in the Iberian Peninsula, worn by the warriors usually suspended on the left side in a scabbard to which was often attached a short knife. It was a terrifying cut-and-thrust sword, with an average blade length of 45cm. General Commander-in-Chief of the Carthaginian army, Hannibal was a Carthaginian general and statesman who commanded Carthage's main forces against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. He is widely considered one of the greatest military commanders in human history. His father, Hamilcar Barca, was a leading Carthaginian commander during the First Punic War. His younger brothers were Mago and Hasdrubal, and he was brother-in-law to Hasdrubal the Fair, who also commanded Carthaginian armies. Hannibal lived during a period of great tension in the western Mediterranean Basin, triggered by the emergence of the Roman Republic as a great power after it had established its supremacy over Italy. Although Rome had won the First Punic War, revanchism prevailed in Carthage, symbolised by the alleged pledge that Hannibal made to his father never to be a friend of Rome. The Second Punic War broke out in 218 BC after Hannibal's attack on Saguntum, an ally of Rome in Hispania. He then made his famous military exploit of carrying war to Italy by crossing the Alps with his North African war elephants. In his first few years in Italy, he won a succession of dramatic victories at the Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae. He distinguished himself for his ability to determine his and his opponent's respective strengths and weaknesses, and to plan battles accordingly. Hannibal's well-planned strategies allowed him to conquer several Italian cities allied to Rome. Hannibal occupied most of southern Italy for 15 years, but could not win a decisive victory, as the Romans led by Fabius Maximus avoided confrontation with him, instead waging a war of attrition. A counter-invasion of North Africa led by Scipio Africanus forced him to return to Carthage. Scipio eventually defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama, having previously driven Hannibal's brother Hasdrubal out of the Iberian Peninsula. As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity.  read more

Code: 23521

A Superb, Original, 15th Century Tanged Lance Head From the Battle Of Agincourt of 1415 . Acquired in the 1820's at a ‘Grand Tour’ Battle Site

We were most delighted to have acquired a stunning collection of ancient bronze age weaponry, Medieval weaponry and a few other artefacts, including this stunning, and rare, steel pole-arm. Items such as this were oft acquired in the 18th century by touring famous battle sites in Northern France, Italy and the Ottoman Empire on their 1820’s Grand Tour. Originally placed on display in the family 'cabinet of curiosities', within their family estate country home upon their return to Britain. A popular pastime in the 18th and 19th century, comprised of English ladies and gentlemen traveling for many months, or even years, througout classical Europe and the Middle East, acquiring antiquities and antiques from ancient battle sites, such as the French sites at Agincourt, Crecy and Poitiers, for their private collections at home. One such family’s descendants have been allowing us to purchase such wonderful pieces from their family collection for around the past 30 years. These pole-arms were used at Agincourt by both English and French knights on horseback as a lance, and by the English and French men-at-arms on foot as a pole-arm or pike. However the French men at arms shortened their original long woodened hafts further which gave them a huge disadvantage in the battle's melee against the longer reach of the English. In superb condition for age, and a very fine quality piece, much superior than a regular lance or spearhead of the time. Armour-protected knights charged on horseback wielding lances ten to eleven feet long (cut down to as short as five feet by both the French and English at the Battle of Agincourt). The age ended with the rise of the bowmen in the fourteenth century. While the devastating volleys of English longbow men had initiated the change at Crecy on August 26, 1346, it was massed bodies of pikemen that really thwarted cavalry charges, as they did at the Battle of Pavia in 1525. Large quantities of lances would also have been used at Agincourt by men-at-arms. The small mounted French force at the battle tasked with driving off the English archers would have been equipped with this weapon. The vast majority of the French men-at-arms, and all of the English, were dismounted but still used lances at Agincourt. The English had an advantage over the French at the battle however, because the latter had decided to shorten their lances to give them greater control over their weapons prior to the battle. This proved to be a mistake during the melee as the longer English lances meant that they had a greater reach and were able to push over the French. One account of the lance used at Agincourt involved an assault on King Henry himself." under the banner of the Lord of Croy, eighteen gentlemen banded themselves together of their own choice, and swore that when the two parties should come to meet they would strive with all their might to get so near the King of England that they would beat down the crown from his head, or they would die, as they did; but before this they got so near the said King that one of them with the lance which he held struck him such a blow on his helmet that he knocked off one of the ornaments of his crown. But not long afterwards it only remained that the eighteen gentlemen were all dead and cut to pieces; which was a great pity; for if every one of the French had been willing thus to exert himself, it is to be believed that their affairs would have gone better on this day. And the leaders of these gentlemen were Louvelet de Massinguehem and Garnot de Bornouille" King Henry V of England led his troops into battle and participated in hand-to-hand fighting. The French king of the time, Charles VI, did not command the French army himself, as he suffered from severe psychotic illnesses with moderate mental incapacitation. Instead, the French were commanded by Constable Charles d'Albret and various prominent French noblemen of the Armagnac party.

This battle is notable for the use of the English longbow in very large numbers, with the English and Welsh archers forming up to 80 percent of Henry's army. The decimation of the French cavalry at their hands is regarded as an indicator of the decline of cavalry and the beginning of the dominance of ranged weapons on the battlefield.

Agincourt is one of England's most celebrated victories. The battle is the centrepiece of the play Henry V by Shakespeare. Juliet Barker in her book Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle ( published in 2005) argues the English and Welsh were outnumbered "at least four to one and possibly as much as six to one". She suggests figures of about 6,000 for the English and 36,000 for the French, based on the Gesta Henrici's figures of 5,000 archers and 900 men-at-arms for the English, and Jean de Wavrin's statement "that the French were six times more numerous than the English". The 2009 Encyclop?dia Britannica uses the figures of about 6,000 for the English and 20,000 to 30,000 for the French. Overall 20.5 inches long in very sound and nice condition for age. There are very few such surviving lances from this era, and just a few are part of the Royal Collection. As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity. Almost every iron weapon that has survived today from this era is now in a russeted condition, however this one, is relatively lightly russeted. Usually only the swords of kings, that have been preserved in national or Royal collections are today still in a reasonable state and condition. The wooden hafts simply never survive from being lost in the ground for so many centuries  read more

Code: 23022

A Most Rare Pair of Early Antique Imperial Chinese Ming Dynasty Iron Stirrups 1368–1644. All The Emperors In The Ming Period Were Known As the Emperor of the Great Ming, "Son of Heaven" He was viewed As The Intermediary Between Humans and Heaven

A pair of fine Ming Dynasty horse stirrups characteristic form, with broad arch treads. All steel construction in the the style that goes back to the medieval Mongol invasion period, after 1211 ad.

Could you ever imagine owning original artefacts {yet being affordable} from the era of the great Ming Dynasty. These stirrups are simply superb as collectors items, for decor display, and, also being magnificent conversation pieces. And, from one of the most famous eras of ancient China.

They {Ming antiquities} are even referred to in Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

‘He opened the lid and took out a small object most carefully wrapped in some fine Eastern silk. This he unfolded, and disclosed a delicate little saucer of the most beautiful deep-blue colour.
“This is the real egg-shell pottery of the Ming dynasty. No finer piece ever passed through Christie’s. A complete set of this would be worth a king‘s ransom — in fact, it is doubtful if there is a complete set outside the imperial palace of Peking. The sight of this would drive a real connoisseur wild.” Sherlock Holmes conversing with Baron Gruner

The emperors of the Ming dynasty ruled over China proper from 1368 to 1644 during the late imperial era of China (960–1912). Members of the Ming dynasty continued to rule a series of rump states in southern China, commonly known as the Southern Ming, until 1662; the Ming dynasty succeeded the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty and preceded the Manchu-led Qing dynasty.

The Ming dynasty was founded by the peasant rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang, known as the Hongwu Emperor. All Ming emperors were of the House of Zhu. The longest-reigning emperor of the dynasty was the Wanli Emperor (r. 1572–1620), who ruled for 48 years; the shortest was his successor, the Taichang Emperor, who ruled for only 29 days in 1620. The youngest ruler at the time of his ascension was Emperor Yingzong, who was only 9 years old, while the oldest ruler was the Hongwu Emperor, who died at the age of 71

The saddle itself was a relative latecomer in the history of riding Alexander the Great, for example, conquered his empire astride some simple pieces of cloth. Saddles with saddle trees, which made stirrups possible, are said to have first appeared in Central Asia around the time of Jesus birth. And after having initially taken the form of a buckle, notably in India, the first stirrups for both feet reinforcing the rider's balance seem to have arisen around the year 100 in the Kushan Empire (encompassing parts of Afghanistan, modern-day Pakistan and northern India) before spreading to northern China in the 3rd century and the western steppes of Iran in the 6th century.

In the Far East the Mongols were famed for their prowess as bowmen on galloping horseback simply due to their use of the stirrup that enable the rider to stand in the saddle to enable greater height and stability, this of course was adopted by the Chinese.

In the gallery we show a near identical pair of Ming dynasty stirrups {in form, though not decor} from the same period, it in the Met Collection in the US. Although their pair are decorated with inlaid gold likely for a Prince.

Overall in very good condition for age, just the usual surface russeting.  read more

Code: 22614

A Beautiful & Most Rare Harlequin Pair of Bronze Armour Imperial Chinese Ching Dynasty 18th Cent. 'Shoe Style' Horse Stirrups. The Qing or Ching Dynasty, Officially the Great Qing, Was Also Called The Qing Empire by Itself or The Manchu Dynasty

Shaped like chinese shoes and worn as protective armour for the feet when a court official of the emperor, known as a mandarin, or Imperial officer of the Imperial Army, travelled around or into combat for the Ching Empire while on horseback.

The more regular type we are used to seeing today were used, but this most scarce high quality bronze 'shoe-form' type is very rarely seen to survive. Peasants in Qing China were not permitted to travel and certainly never on horseback. The stirrup was invented in China in the first few centuries AD and spread westward through the nomadic peoples of Central Eurasia. The use of paired stirrups is credited to the Chinese Jin Dynasty and came to Europe during the Middle Ages. Some argue that the stirrup was one of the basic tools used to create and spread modern civilization, possibly as important as the wheel or printing press.

The stirrup, which gives greater stability to a rider, has been described as one of the most significant inventions in the history of warfare, prior to gunpowder. As a tool allowing expanded use of horses in warfare, the stirrup is often called the third revolutionary step in equipment, after the chariot and the saddle. The basic tactics of mounted warfare were significantly altered by the stirrup. A rider supported by stirrups was less likely to fall off while fighting, and could deliver a blow with a weapon that more fully employed the weight and momentum of horse and rider. Among other advantages, stirrups provided greater balance and support to the rider, which allowed the knight to use a sword more efficiently without falling, especially against infantry adversaries. The Qing or Ching dynasty, officially the Great Qing, also called the Qing Empire by itself or the Manchu dynasty by foreigners, was the last imperial dynasty of China, established in 1636 and ruling China from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming dynasty and succeeded by the Republic of China. The Qing multi-cultural empire lasted almost three centuries and formed the territorial base for the modern Chinese state. After conquering "China proper", the Manchus identified their state as "China", and referred to it as Dulimbai Gurun in Manchu (Dulimbai means "central" or "middle," gurun means "nation" or "state"). The emperors equated the lands of the Qing state (including present-day Northeast China, Xinjiang, Mongolia, Tibet and other areas) as "China" in both the Chinese and Manchu languages, defining China as a multi-ethnic state, and rejecting the idea that "China" only meant Han areas. The Qing emperors proclaimed that both Han and non-Han peoples were part of "China". They used both "China" and "Qing" to refer to their state in official documents, international treaties (as the Qing was known internationally as "China" or the "Chinese Empire") and foreign affairs, and "Chinese language" (Dulimbai gurun I bithe) included Chinese, Manchu, and Mongol languages, and "Chinese people" referred to all subjects of the empire. In the Chinese-language versions of its treaties and its maps of the world, the Qing government used "Qing" and "China" interchangeably.

This harlequin pair, is so called, as the left stirrup is very slightly different than the right, likely to identify which is which when removed from the saddle. The right stirrup iron hanging bar is lacking the mid section due to age loss. Iron perishes over the centuries whereas bronze does not. Small rear combat damage to the bronze on the left stirrup  read more

Code: 20698

A Most Scarce, Original, Early 17th Century English Civil War Infantry Musketeer's or Pikeman's Comb Morion Helmet. Used From The 30 Years War And Into The English Civil War.

Used as the pattern used by both musketeers and pikemen during both wars.

The musket soon became the dominant infantry weapon during the Civil War, likely due their ease at rapid deployment. Musketeers could move and react faster than the Pikeman in their heavy armour. They were easier to train and the musket could kill and maim the enemy up to 200 paces away. If you could keep your enemy at this distance you didn't have to close to hand to hand combat.
The role of musketeer is more technical than that of the pikeman. As a musketeer within the regiment, you will be using a replica period matchlock musket, and when appropriate, carrying a set of bandoliers, holding the required amount of gunpowder to fire it.

The pikeman of the English Civil War. A pike was a wooden pole up to 18 feet long with a sharp metal spike. Its name comes from the French piquer, meaning ‘pierce’. Although the pike evolved in the Middle Ages, pike blocks more closely resembled Ancient Greek phalanxes.

It was considered to be a more noble and traditional weapon than the musket – a weapon for gentlemen that needed strength, skill, and training to master and nerves of steel to fight with. Pike blocks could consist of up to 200 men and would form up in the centre of the line of battle; they could either protect musketeers from cavalry attack or be used as huge offensive infantry formations that would edge towards each other, their pikes levelled at ‘the charge’ before engaging in ‘push of pike’, where they would try and break the enemy’s formation.

At the beginning of the English Civil Wars, armies would have roughly one pikeman for every two musketeers. By the 1650s, this was closer to one to four or five and, as muskets became more effective and use of the bayonette became widespread, the pike become obsolete and the regular use of pikes ended with the beginning of the 18th Century.  read more

Code: 24006

A Stunning Condition & Very Fine Original & Historical Antique Bowie Knife Made by Manson of Sheffield, An Absolute Delightful Piece of Iconic American Civil War History

19th century, a British import from the US Civil War period into the Wild West period, as almost all the Bowie knives used in America from the 1830’s to 80’s were British made. With almost all its original bright polish finish on the blade. Frosted etched motto "Never Draw Me Without Reason Nor Sheath Me Without Honour". Original nickel mounted scabbard in tooled red leather. Embossed grave vine pattern handle

The term "Bowie knife" appeared in advertising by 1835, about 8 years after the Bowie's famous sandbar knife brawl, while James Bowie was still alive. The first knife, with which Bowie became famous, allegedly was designed by Jim Bowie's brother Rezin in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana and smithed by blacksmith Jesse Clift out of an old file. Period court documents indicate that Rezin Bowie and Clifft were well acquainted with one another. Rezin's granddaughter claimed in an 1885 letter to Louisiana State University that she personally witnessed Clift make the knife for her grandfather.
This knife became famous as the knife used by Bowie at the Sandbar Fight, a famous 1827 duel between Bowie and several men including a Major Norris Wright of Alexandria, Louisiana. The fight took place on a sandbar in the Mississippi River across from Natchez, Mississippi, and is the only documented fight in which Bowie was known to have employed his Bowie knife design. In this battle Bowie was stabbed, shot, and beaten half to death but managed to win the fight using the large knife.
From context, "Bowie knife" needed no description then, but the spelling was variable. Among the first mentions was a plan to combine a Bowie knife and pistol. Cutlers were shipping sheath knives from Sheffield England by the early 1830s. By 1838 a writer in a Baltimore newspaper (posted from New Orleans) suggested that every reader had seen a Bowie knife.

The Bowie knife found its greatest popularity in the Old Southwest of the mid-19th century, where several knife fighting schools were established to teach students the art of fighting with the Bowie knife pattern.

Bowie knives had a role in the American conflicts of the nineteenth century. They are historically mentioned in the independence of Texas, in the Mexican War, the California gold rush, the civil strife in Kansas, the Civil War and later conflicts with the American Indians. John Brown (the abolitionist) carried a Bowie (which was taken by J. E. B. Stuart). John Wilkes Booth (assassin of Abraham Lincoln) dropped a large Bowie knife as he escaped. "Buffalo Bill" Cody reportedly scalped a sub-chief in 1876 in revenge for Custer (the Battle of War bonnet Creek).

The popularity of the Bowie knife declined late in the nineteenth century. Large calibre reliable revolvers were available by the mid-1870s, reducing a knife advantage. The frontier rapidly vanished, reducing the number of hunters and trappers. Large knives had limited utility, so Bowies shrunk.
This is a superb small example that when made was just perfect for a boot, or even a ladies garter concealment.

9.75 inches overall, 5 inch blade. Only the scabbard throat button is lacking, very small grey finger print staining to small areas of the blade  read more

Code: 22760