Antique Arms & Militaria

An Original & Historical 1796 Pattern Napoleonic Wars British Light Dragoon Trooper's Sword. A Regiment of the Line Issue Combat Sabre, For An NCO Or Other Rank Trooper Used In The Peninsular War and Battle of Waterloo era.

All steel scabbard, with steel P hilt and wooden grip. The blade is in excellent plus condition, and superbly bright overall, made circa 1802 to 1803. Average condition for age, obviously seen combat service .
Maker stamped by Osborne, ordnance contract maker of 1796 pattern light and heavy dragoon trooper's swords, a maker in Birmingham, 1797 to 1803, & ordnance inspector stamped on the blade face, Crown over 1.

This sword would have been used by a Light Dragoon trooper in any of the light cavalry regiments of the line, of the Napoleonic Wars, such as one who served, just for example, in the 11th Light Dragoons.

The 11th Light Dragoons later became the 11th Hussars. The 11th fought at both the Peninsular War and at the Battle of Waterloo, and were awarded almost 500 medals for Waterloo. After a spell in Ireland the 11th were sent to Spain and Portugal to reinforce Wellington's army. Their strength, normally around 300 in peacetime was raised to 725. They arrived in June 1811 and, as in Egypt, they had a bad start. A dawn attack by the French in woods between Elvas and the Guadiana forced the 11th to retire on to what they thought were friendly Portugese lines. When they realised they were French, their commander Capt Lutyens ordered the charge. The shock tactic worked and they were able to drive their way through, but a second line of enemy troops was able to resist them. They lost 8 killed, 22 wounded and 77 taken prisoner.
The regiment had more success at El Bodon near Cuidad Rodrigo on 25th September. By this time they were commanded by Lt Col Cumming, a brave and efficient cavalry officer. A large force of French cavalry was threatening Allied infantry and artillery on the plain in front of the 11th and a squadron of the King's German Legion who were well placed on high ground. Although they were vastly outnumbered the 11th and KGL charged at the enemy again and again, 20 times in all.

The 11th were part of Wellington's great victory over Marmont at Salamanca on 22nd July 1812 but by 3rd April 1813 they had to give up their horses and embark for England much to the regret of Sir Stapleton Cotton who was in command of the cavalry in the Peninsula. It had been a hard two years for them having lost 417 men and 555 horses.

During their time in the Peninsula many changes had been made to the uniforms of the British Army. The Prince Regent had a keen eye for dress and with his newly acquired position of supreme power was determined to push through his ideas based on continental military trends. The 11th exchanged it's light dragoon Tarleton helmet for a shako. The new jacket was still dark blue but had a buff plastron covering the chest, and white epaulettes, silver for officers. With the return of Napoleon in March 1815 the war with France resumed and the 11th arrived at Ostend on 2nd April. They were in Vandeleur's brigade with the 12th and 16th and had an unprecedented strength of 947 men. They came under heavy attack at Quatre Bras but did not suffer badly. On the 18th June 1815 the Battle of Waterloo began after a terrible night of torrential rain. It was a frustrating morning for the British cavalry who had to stand and watch an infantry battle. Against Wellington's wishes, the heavy cavalry made a brilliant charge that was spoiled by it's failure to re-form. The 11th under the command of Lt Col Money were sent into action when it looked as if the enemy were breaking up. They broke a French infantry square and carried on with the pursuit of Napoleon’s fleeing soldiers.
Wellington entered Paris in triumph on 7th July escorted by the 11th and others. The regiment bivouacked on the Champs Elysees and became part of the army of occupation in France and Belgium. On 20th November they eventually arrived home after 3 years on the continent

The mounted swordsmanship training of the British emphasised the cut, at the face for maiming or killing, or at the arms to disable. This left masses of mutilated or disabled troops; the French, in contrast, favoured the thrust, which gave cleaner kills. A cut with the 1796 LC sabre was, however, perfectly capable of killing outright, as was recorded by George Farmer of the 11th Regiment of Light Dragoons, who was involved in a skirmish on the Guadiana River in 1811, during the Peninsular War:
"Just then a French officer stooping over the body of one of his countrymen, who dropped the instant on his horse's neck, delivered a thrust at poor Harry Wilson's body; and delivered it effectually. I firmly believe that Wilson died on the instant yet, though he felt the sword in its progress, he, with characteristic self-command, kept his eye on the enemy in his front; and, raising himself in his stirrups, let fall upon the Frenchman's head such a blow, that brass and skull parted before it, and the man's head was cloven asunder to the chin. It was the most tremendous blow I ever beheld struck; and both he who gave, and his opponent who received it, dropped dead together. The brass helmet was afterwards examined by order of a French officer, who, as well as myself, was astonished at the exploit; and the cut was found to be as clean as if the sword had gone through a turnip, not so much as a dint being left on either side of it" The blade is remembered today as one of the best of its time and has been described as the finest cutting sword ever manufactured in quantity.

The steel hilt and scabbard has overall ols russetting, bright polished and with no denting.

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 trading  read more

Code: 26331

An Excellent, Victorian, Zulu War Service Royal Artillery Officers Combat Weight Sword Commissioned From Jones & Company, 6 Regent Street London of 1875 For A RA Officer That Served in The Zulu War Commanding A Gatling Gun Unit In 1879

The officer of this sword apparently served under Major Owen, of the Royal Artillery Gatling Battery.
Good traditional three bar hilt with wire bound sharkskin grip, and a nicely bright combat weight blade, deluxe etched throughout, with Royal VR crest and Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense, Royal Artillery crest of the canon with motto, Ubique. Plus the Royal Artillery badge of the winged lightning flashes between 'Royal' and 'Artillery'. In superb condition for age. Steel combat weight scabbard.

The British forces of the Royal Artillery used Gatling guns during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Though relatively few in number, these early hand-cranked rapid-fire machine guns were deployed in key engagements like the Battle of Gingindlovu and the decisive Battle of Ulundi.

A Gatling gun saw early operational land use during the campaign at the Battle of Inyezane in January 1879.
Gatling guns were placed at the corners of defensive infantry squares and wagon laagers.
Issued to support British columns as rapid-fire supplements to standard artillery (such as 7-pounder and 9-pounder guns) and Martini-Henry rifles.

However they were prone to jam with the black powder cartridges of the era and cumbersome to move rapidly across rough Zululand terrain, meaning standard rifles and field cannons still carried the brunt of the combat weight.

Army Gatlings were on carriages similar to those of field guns, and were manned by a Royal Artillery battery under Major J.F. Owen, in the Zulu War. Naval Gatlings were on smaller carriages, but accounts of the war do not mention the calibre of these guns.

Gatlings for British service were destined to take the Boxer cartridge of 1866. These were not suitable, and early trials invariably led to the guns jamming as the empty case stuck in the chamber, and the extractor tore through the rim. Changes were made, but ammunition problems remained.

The nature of the war in Zululand meant that Gatlings were used against massed Zulu charges at close ranges, and they were very effective. Their part in the Battle of Ulundi illustrates this fact.

Combined with heavy 9-pounder field artillery and rapid Martini-Henry rifle fire, the Gatling guns helped break massed Zulu charges by sweeping open ground.

Heavy guns certainly played an important part in the Zulu War, but, as in many colonial wars, their use was one-sided. The Zulus had no artillery, and they made no use of the two guns they captured at Isandlwana.

All the main British columns had their guns, and they played a prominent part in the battles and sieges of the war. Some of the guns were obsolete by British Army standards. Nevertheless, the artillery used in the Zulu War tells an interesting story of the changes then under way from breech to muzzle loading, in the use of rockets, and of rapid fire weapons as illustrated by the Gatling gun used by the officer that owned this sword.

In 1879, the Royal Artillery was divided into horse, field and garrison batteries. Batteries were organised in brigades, and it was possible to identify the type of battery by its letter or number designation, or both.

For example, horse artillery had lettered batteries and brigades. Field artillery batteries were lettered whereas their brigades were numbered. Garrison batteries and brigades were both numbered.
N/5 Battery (or N Battery 5th Brigade) was therefore a field battery. 11/7 Battery (or 11th Battery 7th Brigade) was a garrison battery.

The Royal Artillery manned guns in Zululand but the Naval Brigades were also prominent in this respect.
Apart from the guns, all batteries carried rockets - one 9 pr trough per section of two guns. The Naval rockets were 24 pr tubes. Finally, there were the Gatlings - once again, Army and Naval versions. Isandlwana - 22nd January, 1879
Section N/5 Battery Two 7 prs, Rocket Battery Three rocket troughs
N/5 Battery (less one section) accompanied Lord Chelmsford on his abortive reconnaissance in force, and took no part in the battle. The Rocket Battery, with its equipment carried on mules, then accompanied Col Durnford's force when it also moved out of camp; but the battery was unable to keep up with the remainder.
When firing was heard to their left, the Rocket Battery and its escort turned in that direction, but they were almost immediately engulfed by the Zulus. There was only time to get off one rocket before the enemy was upon them.
Maj Stuart Smith, the Captain (or second in command) of N/5 Battery, returned from Lord Chelmsford's force before the Zulus attacked, and took command of the artillery left behind. This only amounted to one section of two guns-and fifty men left in camp.

The Zulus advanced very rapidly when they attacked. The guns opened fire, but it was soon necessary to change to case shot, which is not normally used at ranges greater than 300 m. The two guns were quite incapable of stopping the Zulu masses. After a round or two, the order was given to retire. Maj Stuart Smith was wounded, and there were other casualties as well. There was no time for the men to take their seats on the guns and limbers when the guns moved off, and they had to run alongside the guns.

The intention was to take up another position at the camp, but the Zulus were there first. The guns went straight through the camp, losing more men on the way. Eventually, they became stuck in a ravine, and the drivers, who now alone remained, were pulled off their horses and killed. There was no time to spike* the guns.
{*To spike a gun, a spike (like a nail) was hammered into the vent, thus preventing the firing of the gun.}
N/5 Battery had lost Maj Stuart Smith, 61 NCOs and men, two guns, 24 horses, 30 mules and 534 rounds of ammunition. The Rocket Battery lost Maj Russell, six men and all its equipment. Kambula - 29th March, 1879
11/7 Battery (less one section),Four 7 prs, Rocket Section, Two rocket troughs, Section 7 prs Two 7 prs. Lt Nicolson's 7 pr section was in the redoubt, while the four guns of 11/7 were in action outside. Nicolson was mortally wounded early in the action.
With a muzzle loading gun, it was necessary for one of the men to 'serve the breech' by placing his thumb on the vent during the sponging out after each round was fired. This prevented a draught which could cause the smouldering fragments of the previous cartridge to burst into flame. The Zulu attack at Kambula was so fierce and the guns, as they poured forth shrapnel and case, became so hot that water had to be poured over them to allow the breeches to be served.
After his capture, Cetewayo said that it was only with the greatest difficulty that his men could be forced to face the guns. One round of case killed ten headmen of his own regiment, in addition to wounding others.
Ulundi - 4th July, 1879
N/5 Battery Two 7 prs,
N/6 Battery, Six 9 prs,
Half O/6 Battery. Ammunition Column,
11/7 Battery (less one section), Four 7 prs

This was the artillery of the 2nd Division and the Flying Column, less four guns of N/5 Battery, and two of the Gatlings.
One section of two 7 prs was at Fort Marshall, and the other section was at Fort Evelyn. The Gatlings were left at Fort Newdigate.
For the battle, the guns were placed on all sides of the British square, in order to meet the Zulu attack, from whatever direction it might come. They were in action just outside the infantry line, or in gaps left for them. When the Zulus attacked, the cavalry moved clear, and fire was opened at a range of over 2000m.
Although the action was short, and ammunition expenditure was low, some guns used all their case and had to fall back on reversed shrapnel, which had a similar effect. Later, Zulu dead were counted in groups at less than 30m from N/6 Battery's guns.
The Gatlings achieved considerable success, although they jammed several times. The London Standard reported: 'When all was over and we counted the dead, there lay, within a radius of five hundred yards, 473 Zulus. They lay in groups, in some places, of fourteen to thirty dead, mowed down by the fire of the Gatlings, which tells upon them more than the fire of rifles.'
The battle was over in half an hour. The mounted troops were sent out in pursuit and, when there were signs of a rally, a section of N/6 soon dispersed the gathering.

Overall hilt and scabbard with service grey finish, with superb bright blade. Scabbard bottom section with edge defensive spear cuts, and small denting

A photograph in the gallery is of a Zulu War Gatling battery and one officer bearing his same three bar RA sword held in his left hand.  read more

Code: 26339

A Fine Regimental Victorian 60th Rifles Officer's Sword of the Rifle Brigade Signed Blade by Kemp, Leddell & Co. Armourers, 41 London Wall, London, Used In The Zulu War and in The Boer War As The Later Regiments Name The Kings Royal Rifle Corps

Etched with foliate scrolls, crowned VR cypher, regimental title device of the strung bugle blade in superb bright polish. Regulation grey steel gothic hilt, also incorporating a slung bugle horn, wire bound fish skin covered grip, in its good steel combat weight scabbard with two suspension rings. Sword bespoke commisioned from Kemp, Leddell & Co in London, circa 1870

3rd Battalion, 60th or The King’s Royal Rifle Corps (1755-1958)

The 60th Rifles in 1879 were part of No. 1 Column (the Main Force) under Colonel Glyn and Lord Chelmsford.
Fought in key engagements, including the decisive Battle of Ulundi on July 4, 1879, which effectively broke Zulu military power. After the Zulu war the regiments name was changed to the KRRC, the Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

The 60th Rifles (The King's Royal Rifle Corps) served actively during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, (with individual officers like Major Charles Walter Robinson served on staff).

The 3rd Battalion arrived in South Africa as part of the vital wave of British reinforcements sent after the initial disaster at Isandlwana. Before reaching Ulundi, they took heavy part in relieving the siege of Eshowe and fought at the Battle of Gingindlovu on April 2, 1879.
The British fought in their traditional square formation at the battle of Gingindlovu, with the 60th Rifles taking position on the northern face of the square. According to Castle and Knight, “the main Zulu body split into columns, then crossed the Nyezane (River) at two drifts a mile apart; and, as it advanced up the slopes towards the laager, it fanned out into the traditional chest and horns attack formation. The order to hold fire until the enemy were within 300 yards condemned the troops at the front of the square to the nerve wracking spectacle of the Zulus deploying to attack without a shot being fired to stop them. It was a sight that was to strain the nerves of the untried men of the 60th. The British fought in their traditional square formation at the battle of Gingindlovu, with the 60th Rifles taking position on the northern face of the square. According to Castle and Knight, “the main Zulu body split into columns, then crossed the Nyezane (River) at two drifts a mile apart; and, as it advanced up the slopes towards the laager, it fanned out into the traditional chest and horns attack formation. The order to hold fire until the enemy were within 300 yards condemned the troops at the front of the square to the nerve wracking spectacle of the Zulus deploying to attack without a shot being fired to stop them. It was a sight that was to strain the nerves of the untried men of the 60th.

At Ulundi: The battalion marched into the heart of Zululand with Chelmsford's advancing field force. At the decisive Battle of Ulundi, the British formed a massive, mobile hollow square (or rectangle) out on the Mahlabatini plain to repel an estimated 20,000 Zulu warriors.

During the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), the King's Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC)—originally the 60th Regiment of Foot—served with distinction in South Africa. Their actions inspired several notable historical paintings, commemorative prints, and portrait commissions.

The Battle of Talana Hill (20 October 1899): The 1st Battalion KRRC played a pivotal role in this early clash, successfully storming the heights alongside the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Famous period illustrations and paintings capture the intense infantry assault up the boulder-strewn slopes where the KRRC's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Gunning, was killed.

The Battle of Colenso (15 December 1899): The 3rd Battalion KRRC was deployed just 700 yards behind Colonel Long's exposed artillery batteries to prevent the Boers from capturing the guns. This chaotic scene is immortalised in multiple famous paintings depicting the desperate struggle to rescue the artillery pieces under heavy fire.  read more

Code: 26344

A Cased Very Fine English Transitional Percussion Rifled Revolver. This Fine Cased Revolver Set is An Absolute Beauty To Behold.

Decorative engraving to the side plate, bar hammer and butt-cap. Finely chequered grips. Complete in it's original wooden carrying case containing a copper powder flask, steel bullet mold. Cap box and brass tipped wooden clearing rod. Overall length of the pistol inches. The blue baize lined case measures inches with a brass plaque to the lid. The action in very good working order and in excellent condition retaining some of it's original blued finish. A development from the pepper-box was the transitional revolver. This weapon uses the same action but with one barrel attached to the front of a pepper-box cylinder. James Ewell Brown “Jeb” Stuart (1833-1864) was a U.S. Army officer and later a Major General and cavalry commander for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War (1861-65). In 1857 he was shot in the chest at point blank range with a pepper-box by a Cheyenne warrior, Stuart survived probably due rumour has it, to a very weak powder charge. Guns of this type also saw use in the Mexican War as an alternative to the Colt revolver, most notably by General Winfield Scott. During the Mexican-American War (April 25, 1846 – February 3, 1848) U.S. forces under General Winfield Scott entered Mexico City and raise the American flag over the Hall of Montezuma, concluding a devastating advance that began with an amphibious landing at Vera Cruz six months earlier.

A most fine example of an English percussion transitional revolver in its original case retaining much of its original finish.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury, Britain's most famous, favourite, and oldest original Armoury Antique store, 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, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.  read more

Code: 25205

A Very Good 5 Shot Revolver of The United States Civil War, By E.Whitney of New Haven Connecticut

A scarce American Civil War era 5 shot Percussion revolver made by E. Whitney. Circa 1860. The 6 inch barrel marked on top E. WHITNEY N. HAVEN. Two piece walnut grips and brass trigger guard. With nice overall aged patination, serial numbered under the grip 26941. Good tight spring action and rotation of the cylinder.

Eli Whitney Sr. established his Whitneyville Armory in 1798 and produced firearms (among other things) by contract for the United states government. Just prior to this in 1793, Whitney invented the mechanical cotton gin, which dramatically changed the economic landscape in the United States, namely in the South. His labour saving device made the processing of harvested cotton extremely efficient and requiring fewer labourer's. This machine caused the market for cotton to explode and more labourer's were needed to plant, grow and harvest the crop. This resulted in a corresponding boom in the Southern slave trade. Great fortunes were created, and the population of the South became such that one in three Southerners were slaves. All this provided the fuel that would become the American Civil War. Eli Whitney died in 1825, and his son, Eli Whitney Jr began running the family business in 1841. In 1847 Whitney Jr. began to manufacture 1,000 of Samuel Colt’s latest revolver the Colt Walker revolver. Production of this revolver helped both parties immensely as it kept Colt in business and it allowed Whitney Jr. to gain experience making revolvers. With the expiration of Colt’s patents in 1857, Whitney began production of percussion revolvers based on Colt’s patents, some of them very closely copied. The Whitney Revolver were produced at the Whitneyville Armory manufacturing centre in the Whitneyville section of New Haven, Connecticut from the late 1850's through to the early 1860's. Many of these were purchased by individual soldiers for use when they were going off to the American Civil War.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury, Britain's most famous, favourite, and oldest original Armoury Antique store, 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, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.

Overall length 11 inches. In good overall condition, showing commensurate signs of use and wear. A super Civil War era percussion revolver.  read more

Code: 25256

A Fabulous, Original, Museum Piece, A Medieval Knight's 13th to 15th Century Long Dagger From the Time of the Plantagenet & Lancastrian Kings, From Henry IIIrd, Edwards I/II/III, Richard IInd to King Henry IVth, & King Henry Vth's Battle of Agincourt

Worthy of a world class collection of fine and early arms and armour, or a single statement piece as a compliment to any form of home decor from traditional to ultra contemporary. A piece that would be the centre of conversation and attraction in any location. A most rarely seen, original, complete, & intact, long dagger or short sword of the medieval period, used from the reigns of King Henry IIIrd to King Henry Vth, from the era of the Crusades and the Templar Knights, right through to the Anglo French Battles, the Victories of England against France, at the Battle of Crecy, in 1346, by King Edward IInd and His son the Black Prince, and later at the Battle of Poitiers, in 1356, the victory of King Edward IInd's son, the Black Prince, and King Henry Vth's victory at Agincourt, in 1415.

Daggers surviving from this ancient era are most rare, substantially more rare in fact than the swords themselves. Items such as this were oft acquired in the 18th century by British noblemen touring Northern France and Italy on their Grand Tour. Originally placed on display in the family 'cabinet of curiosities', within his country house upon his return home. 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, acquiring antiquities and antiques for their private collections. This dagger's history travels from the English Plantagenet Kings Henry IIIrd, Edward 1st, Edward IInd, Edward IIIrd, & Richard IInd, to the Lancastrian Kings Henry IVth & Henry Vth including use at The Battle of Agincourt, where King Henry carried a near identical dagger and his longer version matched sword that are part of his achievements, hanging above his tomb at Westminster Abbey.
A very fine and very rare museum grade medieval knight's long dagger, with large segmented circular pommel, used for a period of around three centuries from the 13th to 15th century.
An iron double edged dagger with lentoid section tapering blade, curved quillon crossguard and scrolled ends, with narrow tang and with an impressive large segmented wheel pommel.
The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory in the Hundred Years' War. The battle took place on 25 October 1415 (Saint Crispin's Day) in the County of Saint-Pol, Artois, some 40 km south of Calais. Along with the battles of Crecy (1346) and Poitiers (1356), it was one of the most important English triumphs in the conflict. England's victory at Agincourt against a numerically superior French army crippled France, and started a new period in the war during which the English began enjoying great military successes.

After several decades of relative peace, the English had renewed their war effort in 1415 amid the failure of negotiations with the French. In the ensuing campaign, many soldiers perished due to disease and the English numbers dwindled, but as they tried to withdraw to English-held Calais they found their path blocked by a considerably larger French army. Despite the disadvantage, the following battle ended in an overwhelming tactical victory for the English.

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 centre-piece of the play Henry V by William 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 Encyclopaedia 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 long daggers from this era, and just a few are part of the Royal Collection. As with almost all surviving daggers and swords of this age, none have their wooden grips remaining, and as such the surviving crossguards are somewhat mobile.

A fine example piece, from the ancient knightly age, from almost a thousand years past. Although this dagger is now in an obvious ancient, and historical, russetted condition, 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.

This piece will come with a complimentary display stand, but could also look spectacular suitably framed. We are delighted to offer such a service if required.  read more

Code: 23016

A Superb Napoleonic French 'Prisoner-of-War' Portable Travelling Dressing Case, Shaped in the Form of a Book

In wood covered in straw-work parquetry. crafted by a prisoner of war during the1793 - 1815 War between Napoleon's French Navy and the Naval forces of King George III of England. This piece was hand crafted by a captive, French, master artisan who created this unbelievably detailed box with nothing but coloured pieces of straw, paper and scraps of wood, {often taken from their bunks} for a frame, and boiled glue. This piece would have taken weeks to hand create, and the tiny pieces of straw are somehow cut into thousands of minuscule pieces and assembled in tiny multicoloured geometric patterns. A very similar example to one that is on display in the Burghley House Collection. Made by the captured Napoleonic and French wars French Prisoners-of-War in the early 1800's in order to subsidise their meagre prison rations, and this fine piece is made to give the impression it is a sizeable book when closed. The interior bears two small sections, lidded compartments with interior mirror in Georgian Vauxhall plate, and a geometric parquetry All of the interior straw-work is pristine in colour and unfaded showing wonderful contrasts.

Great Britain was at war with France continuously from 1793 to 1802. Hostilities ceased briefly in 1802, but conflict soon recommenced. The Napoleonic Wars continued until 1815, when Napoleon?s forces were finally defeated at Waterloo.

For example,iIn 1796 the first prison to house French prisoners was built at Norman Cross, some 5 miles north of Peterborough. Conditions must have been both harsh and crowded; disease killed more that 1,700 inmates between 1797 and 1814.

To supplement their rations and to provide small income, some prisoners made ornaments, models and toys, which they were allowed to sell. The materials used included straw, wood, bone and even human hair. Many of the items made were extraordinary in their complexity and design and were always very desirable to collectors. The proximity of Burghley House to the camp meant that members of the Cecil family acquired many fine examples.

Those displayed at Burghley include a number of containers made of wood with applied decoration of coloured straw, a stationery box, a set of bone spillikins in a pocket case, a framed straw-work picture of the house built for Napoleon Bonaparte on St Helena, to where he was exiled, a bone set of dominoes and playing cards and a detailed model of an 80-gun ship-of-the-line with hair rigging..

Two photos in the gallery are of New Cross market for the French POWs to sell their wears and hand made pieces to the locals and nobility who used to travel to such markets to buy these pieces that were incredibly popular with members of the aristocracy and high society. a a painting of a prison hulk in Sheerness, often made from the hulks of a scrapped old British man o'war, or a captured, damaged French or Spanish frigate,  read more

Code: 24739

A Wonderful Victorian Dandy Cane, With the Head of an Expressive Monkey

The monkey's head is made of simulated amber, with decorated highlights. It conveys a somewhat wry expression. Monkeys have created a fascination in British art, design sculpture for over two centuries and their depiction in walking or dandy canes is nothing but a delight. This is an especially endearing large example. The cane haft is dark brown with a nickel collar beneath the head. Every other portrait of a Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian gentleman, shows some nattily dressed fellow with a walking stick pegged jauntily into the ground or a slim baton negligently tucked under the elbow. The dress cane was the quintessential mark of the dandy for three centuries, part fashion accessory, part aid to communication, part weapon, and of course, a walking aid. A dandy, historically, is a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance in a cult of self. A dandy could be a self-made man who strove to imitate an aristocratic lifestyle despite coming from a middle-class background, especially in late 18th- and early 19th-century Britain.

Previous manifestations of the petit-maitre (French for "small master") and the Muscadin have been noted by John C. Prevost, but the modern practice of dandyism first appeared in the revolutionary 1790s, both in London and in Paris. The dandy cultivated cynical reserve, yet to such extremes that novelist George Meredith, himself no dandy, once defined cynicism as "intellectual dandyism". Some took a more benign view; Thomas Carlyle wrote in Sartor Resartus that a dandy was no more than "a clothes-wearing man". Honore De Balzac introduced the perfectly worldly and unmoved Henri de Marsay in La fille aux yeux d'or (1835), a part of La Comedie Humaine, who fulfils at first the model of a perfect dandy, until an obsessive love-pursuit unravels him in passionate and murderous jealousy.

Charles Baudelaire defined the dandy, in the later "metaphysical" phase of dandyism, as one who elevates esthetics to a living religion, that the dandy's mere existence reproaches the responsible citizen of the middle class: "Dandyism in certain respects comes close to spirituality and to stoicism" and "These beings have no other status, but that of cultivating the idea of beauty in their own persons, of satisfying their passions, of feeling and thinking Dandyism is a form of Romanticism. Contrary to what many thoughtless people seem to believe, dandyism is not even an excessive delight in clothes and material elegance. For the perfect dandy, these things are no more than the symbol of the aristocratic superiority of mind."

The linkage of clothing with political protest had become a particularly English characteristic during the 18th century. Given these connotations, dandyism can be seen as a political protest against the levelling effect of egalitarian principles, often including nostalgic adherence to feudal or pre-industrial values, such as the ideals of "the perfect gentleman" or "the autonomous aristocrat". Paradoxically, the dandy required an audience, as Susann Schmid observed in examining the "successfully marketed lives" of Oscar Wilde and Lord Byron, who exemplify the dandy's roles in the public sphere, both as writers and as personae providing sources of gossip and scandal. Nigel Rodgers in The Dandy: Peacock or Enigma? Questions Wilde's status as a genuine dandy, seeing him as someone who only assumed a dandified stance in passing, not a man dedicated to the exacting ideals of dandyism. Inches long, the ears appear to have had some old restoration. Inches long, the ears appear to have had some old restoration.  read more

Code: 23190

Rare & Highly Desirable Prussian M1860-98 Fusilier Sword-Bayonet, Originally Made For the Dreyse Needle Fire Rifle, Used in the Franco Prussian War Service. Then Upgraded By The Prussian Ordnance For A Mauser Gew98 Guard Reserve Fusiliers Regiment For WW1

This rare recognised service pattern issued bayonet is an absolute corker! After a detailed appraisal we have determined it would be near impossible to find a better example, anywhere, including museum collections, of this highly rare bayonet. Especially so as it is stamped and marked with so many details of its past service history in both iconic Imperial Prussian German wars.

In fabulous condition, regimentally marked and German inspection proofed throughout its service life, from 1860 up to 1918. a rare beauty made even rarer still due to its condition. The blade ricasso is first issue date stamped, {61} for 1861 with Prussian inspection stamp. The regimental stamping on the scabbard throat mount is for a WW1 Guards Fusilier regiment, with regiment numbering 3, and sword-bayonet number 146, and above them, the deleted previous 1860’s stampings for its service in the Guard Fusiliers Regt. 2? {now difficult to decipher} in the Franco Prussian War from 1869. The hilt pommel is WW1 inspection stamped. The brass scabbard throat opening is further marked with Franco Prussian War inspection stamps

The Prussian M1860-98 designation refers to the extended service use life of the Model 1860 Fusilier Sword Bayonet, which was originally issued for the Dreyse needle-fire rifle, and later updated through successive rifle eras up to 1898 and World War I.
Initial Adoption and authorized on August 4, 1860, the M1860 sword bayonet was custom-built for the new Dreyse Zündnadel-Füsiliergewehr (Model 1860 Fusilier Needle-Fire Rifle).

During the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871), the Guards Fusilier Regiment (Garde-Füsilier-Regiment) served as an elite light infantry unit within the Prussian Guards Corps, participating in major campaigns including the battles of Gravelotte and Sedan, as well as the Siege of Paris.

At the Battle of Gravelotte (August 18, 1870): Fusiliers fought fiercely in one of the bloodiest engagements of the war, helping secure a strategic victory against the French.

At the Battle of Sedan (September 1, 1870): They Participated in the encirclement and decisive defeat of the French Imperial Army.

In the Siege of Paris (1870–1871): They Maintained operational lines and containment during the prolonged investment of the French capital.

Their service In WW1
The Guards Fusilier Regiment (Garde-Füsilier-Regiment) and reserve, were an elite infantry unit of the Prussian Army's Guard Corps (Gardekorps), garrisoned in Berlin.
During World War I, it fought as a premier frontline formation on both the Western and Eastern Fronts, suffering heavy casualties as part of the German Imperial elite forces.

1914 (Western & Eastern Fronts): They Fought in the initial invasion of France and Belgium (including the Battle of the Marne), then shifted east to counter Russian offensives (including operations in Poland and East Prussia).
1915–1917: Engaged in intense trench warfare and major defensive/offensive battles on the Western Front, including the Somme and operations in Flanders.
1918: Participated in the German Spring Offensive (Kaiserschlacht) before facing the final Allied Hundred Days Offensive.

It originally featured a distinctive cast-brass hilt with a T-shaped slot, a leaf-spring locking button, a steel crossguard with an "S"-shaped quillon, and a 21mm muzzle ring.

It uses a powerful and robust, roughly 500mm "quill-back" or pipe-backed blade designed to double as both a sidearm and a heavy cutting tool for light elite infantry.
Conversions and the Model 1898 Transition
Mauser 1871 Adaptations: Following the introduction of the single-shot Mauser Model 1871 rifle, surplus M1860 fusilier blades and modified variants were reissued, often resized or repurposed for foot artillery units (Artillerie-Seitengewehr) by altering muzzle ring dimensions.

The 1898 upgrades as the German military transitioned to the bolt-action Gewehr 98 (Model 1898) rifle, older high-quality blades like the M1860 and M1871 were recycled.

By 1913 (culminating in configurations like the 71/98 and related patterns), armourers mated these trusted, long fusilier blades onto modern {at the time} 98-style handles and pommels.

These hybrids allowed artillery, and reserve troops (Landwehr/Landsturm) to maintain effective sidearms well into the First World War.

The blade is near mint, the scabbard also near mint, the hilt is excellent, with the ventilation oiling holes, at the bottom of each wooden grip side, now no longer round but slightly misshapen with light cracking {but still perfectly sound} due to age and service use.  read more

Code: 26336

A Very Rare Antiquity of Ancient Roman Empire. The 1st Roman Legion, Late 1st century AD, Rectangular Building Block With Stamped Text 'LEG I ITAL' for 1st Legion 'Italica';

A notable and substantial piece formerly from the renown Scammell Collection of ancient artifacts. Its original mortar is still attached to the reverse. LEG I ITAL was the first legion raised by Emperor Nero in September 66 AD. In 181 AD, Marcus Valerius Maximianus, an important Roman general, was the general of the 1st Legion Italica, and he was a confident of Emperor Marcus Aurelias, during the period of the Marcomannic Wars. It is said he inspired the composite fictional general Maximus Decimus Meridius, the main character and Roman General in Gladiator played by Russell Crowe, and it was the Marcomannic wars that are depicted in the earliest scenes in Gladiator in which the fictional Marcus Valerius Maximis was a commanding general. Marcus Valerius Maximianus was placed in charge of detachments of the praetorian fleets of Misenum and Ravenna and also of African and Moorish cavalry used for scouting duties in Pannonia. While on active service with the cavalry Maximianus killed a Germanic chieftain named as "Valao, chief of the Naristi" with his own hand and was publicly praised by the Emperor, who granted him the chieftain's "horse, decorations and weapons". He was appointed prefect of the lance-bearing cavalry and was in charge of the cavalry. The Ist Legion was still based on the Danube in the 5th century. We show a Roman marble bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius who was played by Richard Harris in Gladiator. The main fighting unit of the Roman army was the legion. During the first three centuries of the empire the army contained between 25 and 34 legions. Each legion was made up of about 5000 men recruited from the citizens. Although the soldiers of the legion were Roman citizens, they were drawn from all walks of life and legions often consisted of natives from conquered countries.

The legion contained within its ranks troops trained and equipped to perform many duties in wartime and peace. Although the vast majority of soldiers served as heavy infantry, other legionaries fought as cavalry, archers or light infantry. Other troops operated artillery such as the ballista, onagar and scorpio The troops were however not solely prepared for combat. Legionaries regularly served as engineers constructing fortifications, roads and bridges. As the legion counted among its complement a vast number of men with special skills, it was in many ways self-supporting. A large part of its military equipment could be produced by craftsmen drawn from the ranks. Soldiers trained as surveyors, engineers and architects ensured that the legion needed little outside help for its building requirements. As far as a Legion travelled it built buildings, bridges, even sewer systems. And their efforts were stamped upon some of their building bricks to show which legion had constructed them. There are some parts of London that still bear bricks stamped by their engineers of the Roman Legions. Bricks, blocks and tiles stamped P.P.BR.LON or some variant of this has been found associated with the traces of the old Roman palace off Cannon St. Whatever the meaning of the first P, it is clear that the P.BR.LON or PR.BR., as it sometimes appears, is an abbreviation for PROVINCIAE BRITANNIAE LONDINII. At the site of a Roman bath house in Jerusalem, three of the bricks recovered bore the same style of rectangular stamped impression of the Roman Legio X Fretensis – stamped thus LE X FR. Legio X Fretensis ("Tenth legion of the Strait") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army. It was founded by the young Gaius Octavius (later to become Augustus Caesar) in 41/40 BC to fight during the period of civil war that started the dissolution of the Roman Republic. X Fretensis is then recorded to have existed at least until the 410s. This Roman block is from the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019); acquired on the UK art market from 1960. Antony John Scammell (1937-2019) was born, and lived his entire life, in the city of Bristol, England. Already from an early age he was enthralled by history and the heroes that it created. While serving overseas with the British Army, Antony began collecting coins and banknotes and this led to collecting a variety of different items throughout his life. From the early 1960s onward, Antony invested in acquiring ancient artefacts. Antony's vast collections started with Egyptian antiquities, but soon branched into Greek and Roman civilisations. The Roman civilisation fascinated him most and, when family commitments allowed, archaeological digs were coordinated in the west of England. These digs uncovered numerous artefacts, many of which were donated to local museums. In retirement, the collecting continued apace, branching into UK coins, British Empire banknotes and fossils. It weighs 4.6 kg, and is 19 x 19cm (7 1/2 x 7 1/2").  read more

Code: 23424