Antique Arms & Militaria

A Fine Antique Indo-Persian Ceromonial 'Mace of Rostam' the Bull's Head Mace

Just returned from our conservation workshop after two weeks hand cleaning etc. A Persian all iron 'Mace of Rostam' the mighty Paladin of Persia. The mace's head is a full bull's head, after Rostam's fabulous Mace, with applied horns and ears, with iron haft with engraved decoration throughout the whole mace decoration and all three sides of the bull's head. Good overall condition for age.

See Allan and Gilmour fig.26 for a closely related example, and p.189 and 315 for a discussion of these maces. Rostam, sometimes spelled Rustam, was the son of Zal and Rudaba, and the most celebrated legendary hero in Shahnameh and Persian mythology. In Shahnameh, Rostam and his predecessors are Marzbans of Sistan (present-day Iran and Afghanistan). Rostam is best known for his tragic fight with Esfandiar; the other legendary Persian hero, for his expedition to Mazandaran (not to be confused with the modern Mazandaran province); and for tragically fighting and killing his son, Sohrab, without knowing who his opponent was. Rostam was eventually killed by Shaghad, his half-brother.

Rostam was always represented as the mightiest of Iranian paladins (holy warriors), and the atmosphere of the episodes in which he features is strongly reminiscent of the Parthian period. He was immortalized by the 10th-century Persian poet Ferdowsi in the Shahnameh, or Epic of Kings, which contains pre-Islamic Iranian folklore and history.

He rode the legendary stallion Rakhsh and wore a special suit named Babr-e Bayan in battles. While out hunting Rostam awoke from his sleep to find Rakhsh had gone missing. He was distraught at losing his beloved horse and he tracked him as far as the city of Samangan. Here he greeted the King and asked for his help to find Rakhsh.

While in Samangan, Rostam met the king's lovely daughter Tahmina. The Shahname describes her as elegant as a cypress tree. One night she came to his room:

' My name is Tahmineh; longing has torn

My wretched life in two, though I was born

The daughter of the king of Samangan,

And am descended from a warrior clan.

But like a legend I have heard the story

Of your heroic battles and your glory,

Of how you have no fear, and face alone

dragons and demons and dark unknown

Of how you sneak into Turan at night

And prowl the borders to provoke a fight,

Of how, when warriors see your mace, they quail

And feel their lionhearts within them fail.

I bit my lip to hear such talk, and knew

I longed to see you, to catch sight of you,

To glimpse your martial chest and mighty face-

And now God brings you to this lowly place.

If you desire me, I am yours, and none

Shall see or hear of me from this day on.'

But their time together was brief, because once Rakhsh was found, Rostam departed for his homeland. Nine months later Tahmina gave birth to a son Sohrab, who grew up to be a warrior like his father Rostam. Scene from the Shahnama: Garsivaz prostrating himself before Siyavush in the presence of Rustam. 14th century, 54cms  read more

Code: 25933

A Fabulous Piece Of Napoleonic Wars Maritime History. Hand Written Napoleonic Wars Royal Naval 'Secret Intelligence' Report 1809

A secret intelligence report regarding Capt Beresford's observations of the enemy ship numbers off L'Orient and the Rochefort ships. Hand written and triple folded on laid paper bearing the watermark of the Prince of Wales Feathers, a monogram, MJL, and dated 1806. Paper makers Molineux Johnston and Lee of Lewes Sussex, cut and gilt edges.
This is the very same laid paper, by MJL, that was used in personal correspondence by Percy Bysshe Shelley, whose family home was near Lewes, and is duly recorded in the Bodlean at Oxford. Naturally, for a Naval Intelligence secret report it is unsigned, but one must sumise it would have been composed by an naval intelligence agent, such as the fictional ship's surgeon, Stephen Maturin, a physician, and intelligence agent in the nautical and historical novels by Patrick O'brian.

The Battle of the Basque Roads, also Battle of Aix Roads was a naval battle during the Napoleonic Wars off the Island of Aix. On the night of 11 April 1809 Captain Lord Cochrane led a British fireship attack against a powerful French force anchored in the Basque Roads. In the attack all but two of the French ships were driven ashore. The subsequent engagement lasted three days but failed to destroy the entire French fleet. Capt Beresford was part of the British squdron on HMS Theseus.

Cochrane accused the British commanding officer, Admiral James Gambier, of being reluctant to press the attack. Gambier demanded a court-martial, and was duly exonerated; Cochrane's career in the Royal Navy ended. The French Navy continued to operate against the British from the Basque Roads until the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Written side only 7 x 4.5 inches, opens to 9 x 4.5, fully folded 3 x 4.5 inches.

This fine original historical piece of Royal naval history would look absolutely superb suitably mounted and bespoke framed.  read more

Code: 20235

A Despatch From Commodore James Poo Beresford HMS Theseus 2 Feb 1809, The Former Flagship of Admiral Nelson in 1797 at The Battle of Santa Cruz. The Engagement Where Nelson Lost His Arm Aboard This Flagship, The Theseus

Sent shortly before the ‘Battle of the Basque Roads’. Written and signed by Commodore Later Admiral Beresford aboard and in command of HMS Theseus.

Some few years earlier Theseus was the flagship of Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson's fleet for the 1797 Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Day to day command at that time was vested in her flag captain Ralph Willett Miller. Unfortunately on this occasion the navy was defeated and Nelson was wounded by a musket ball while aboard the Theseus, precipitating the amputation of his right arm. In 1798, Theseus took part in the decisive and hugely successful Battle of the Nile, under the command of Captain Ralph Willett Miller. The Royal Navy fleet was outnumbered, at least in firepower, by the French fleet, which boasted the 118-gun ship-of-the-line L'Orient, three 80-gun warships and nine of the popular 74-gun ships. The Royal Navy fleet in comparison had just thirteen 74-gun ships and one 50-gun fourth-rate.

During the battle Theseus, along with Goliath, assisted Alexander and Majestic, who were being attacked by a number of French warships. The French frigate Artemise surrendered to the British, with the crew setting fire to their ship to prevent it falling into the hands of the British. Two other French ships Heureux and Mercure ran aground and soon surrendered after a brief encounter with three British warships, one of which was Theseus. L'Orient was destroyed in the battle by what was said to be the greatest man made explosion ever to have been witnessed. It was heard and felt over 15 miles distant.

The battle was a success for the Royal Navy, as well as for the career of Admiral Nelson. It cut supply lines to the French army in Egypt, whose wider objective was to threaten British India. The casualties were heavy; the French suffered over 1,700 killed, over 600 wounded and 3,000 captured. The British suffered 218 dead and 677 wounded. Nine French warships were captured and two destroyed. Two other French warships managed to escape. Theseus had five sailors killed and thirty wounded, included one officer and five Royal Marines. A painting in the gallery of Commodore Beresford leading his squadron of ships from 'The Naval Chronology of Great Britain', by J. Ralfe, leading a British squadron of 4 sail of the line near the Isle of Grouais in the face of the French Brest fleet of 8 of the line obliging the French to haul their wind and preventing them from joining the L'Orient squadron. The three ships alongside Beresford were HMS Revenge, Valiant and Triumph, and the Triumph was commanded by none other than Capt. Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy.

Beresford was a natural son of Lord de la Poer the Marquess of Waterford. He joined the Royal Navy and he served in HMS Alexander in 1782. He was appointed as a Lieutenant RN serving on H.M.S. Lapwing 1790. He served in H.M.S. Resolution 1794. He served in H.M.S. Lynx (In command) in 1794. He was appointed as Acting Captain RN in 1794 serving in H.M.S. Hussar (In command). He was appointed as a Captain RN (With seniority dated 25/06/1795). He served in H.M.S. Raison (In command) 1795. He served in H.M.S. Unite (In command) 1798. He served in H.M.S. Diana (In command). He served in H.M.S. Virginie (In command) 1803. He served in H.M.S. Cambrian (In command) 1803. He was appointed as a Commodore RN 1806. He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief in the River St. Lawrence, along the Coast of Nova Scotia, the islands of St. John and Cape Breton and in the Bay of Fundy and the Islands of Bermuda. He served in H.M.S. Theseus (In command) 1808. He served in H.M.S. Poitiers (In command) 1810. He served on to the staff of Lord Wellington at Lisbon Portugal 1810. During the War of 1812, he served as captain of HMS Poictiers, during which time he ineffectually bombarded the town of Lewes in Delaware. More importantly, Poictiers participated in an action where, four hours after USS Wasp, commanded by Jacob Jones, captured HMS Frolic, Capt Beresford captured Wasp and recaptured Frolic, and brought both to Bermuda. He was appointed as a Commodore RN in 1813. He served in HMS Royal Sovereign (In command) 1814. He was appointed as a Rear Admiral of the Blue (With seniority dated 04/06/1814). He was appointed as Commander-in-Chief at Leith 1820-23. He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief at The Nore 1830-33. He was appointed as a Vice Admiral RN (With seniority dated 27/05/1825). He was appointed as a Junior Lord of the Admiralty in 1835. He was finally appointed as a Admiral RN (With seniority dated 28/06/1838). The typed transcript shown in the gallery states 'mediant servant' of course it should be 'obedient servant'  read more

Code: 19654

Rarely Seen Original WW1 Line Infantry Belgian Shako Helmet Plates. A Complete Set. Used In 1914 At The Early Part of WW1. The Combined Dress and Combat Helmet Before the Adrian Steel Helmet Was Produced. Maker Marked by Fonson & Fils

Many made by Fonson & Fils or Lambermont. Maker marked on the plate front. A complete set of 14 helmet plates for the 14 Regiments-of-The line of WW1 Belgium {plus a spare 9th}

In the first year of the war, in the period that resulted in the infamous trench warfare era, all the combatant nations wore their regular service caps and helmets, such as shakos, forage caps, pickelhauben etc. in combat until the obvious need for superior head protection and thus the steel combat helmet was born.

This is a fabulous collection of a complete set of the main combatant Belgian Regiments-of-the-Line that fought to protect 'Little Belgium' from the vastly greater forces that numbered their Prussian, German invaders.

Belgian line infantry in WWI were organized into 14 regiments and formed the backbone of the Belgian army, bearing the initial brunt of the German invasion. They fought bravely in early 1914 during the defense of Liège and later at the Battle of the Yser. Their uniforms were often considered outdated for modern warfare, leading to modifications and changes throughout the war.

The infantry was divided into line, rifle, carabinier, and grenadier regiments, with the line infantry forming the largest component.

Belgian infantry was the first to meet the German attack, fighting in fortifications around Liège.

The initial Belgian uniform was not ideal for modern combat and was later adapted.

The infantry played a vital role in defending key sectors, including the Albert Canal, the K-W line, and eventually the Yser Front, where the landscape was even flooded to slow the German advance.
Mobility: Due to their insufficient numbers and equipment, they were forced to make strategic withdrawals, such as the abandonment of the K-W line, and were sometimes reinforced by other allied units.

Belgian infantry participated in the final offensive of the war, fighting in battles like Courtrai, the Lys, and the Escaut, helping to liberate Bruges and Ostend


Interestingly despite being the population of 'neutral' Belgium {7.6 million} in 1914, being just around 10% of the size of the UK today {70+ million}, their army was 220,000 which was still three times that of the UK army is today, despite being 'completely unprepared for war' in 1914. It managed a plucky resistance, but was fully occupied by the Kaiser after just three months.

In 1940, early WW2, 'neutral' Norway fell after just 120,000 Germans invaded, {this number was the eventual number of German force of invasion, but the actual initial 'landed' force in Norway was much smaller} and the capitol Oslo was captured by just 1,500 German falshirmjager.
Other 'neutral' countries, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands were all invaded and occupied by Germany. Yes, incredible as it may seem, despots ignore neutrality, if and when it suits them.

Complete set of 14 plus av complimentary spare 9th Line Infantry helmet plate  read more

Code: 25929

A Magnificent 18th Century Silver Hilted Small Sword with Colichmarde Blade. This Is One Of The Most Beautiful We Have Seen in Several years

A combination of the finest 18th century artisan's skill of both a silversmith and bespoke swordsmith. Circa 1759 possibly by William Kinman of London. no silver hallmark was required due to The 'Act of 1738' the Plate Offences Act 1738, & the 1738 exemptions, which exempted the requirement of an assay mark for gold and silver mounts of swords, daggers, pistols and guns

General George Washington, later the first President of the United States, had a near identical sword that he used during his service as commander of the new American Army in the American War of Independance from 1776 onwards

Ideal in its day for duelling or close quarter combat, as well as being a simply fabulous, finest quality sword of immense beauty. Fine cast and chased silver hilt in the elegant rococo style with double shell guard single knucklebow and pas dans. The grip has silver banding interspersed with herringbone pattern twisted silver wire. The guard has enchanting workmanship with a scrolling, pierced, rococo Arabesque pattern. Colishmarde blade with blackened steel finish. The highly distinctive colishmarde blades appeared in 1680 and were popular during the next 40 years at the royal European courts. The colichemarde bladed swords had a special popularity with the officers of the French and Indian War period. Even George Washington had a very fine one just as this example.

The colichemarde descended from the so-called "transition rapier", which appeared because of a need for a lighter sword, better suited to parrying. It was not so heavy at its point; it was shorter and allowed a limited range of double time moves.The colichemarde in turn appeared as a thrusting blade too and also with a good parrying level, hence the strange, yet successful shape of the blade.

This sword appeared at about the same time as the foil. However the foil was created for practising fencing at court, while the colichemarde was created for dueling. With the appearance of pocket pistols as a self-defense weapon, the colichemardes found an even more extensive use in dueling.
This was achieved thanks to a wide forte (often with several fullers), which then stepped down in width after the fullers ended.The result of this strange shape was a higher maneuverability of the sword: with the weight of the blade concentrated in one's hand it became possible to maneuver the blade at a greater speed and with a higher degree of control, allowing the fencer to place a precise thrust at his/her adversary. This sword is a true work of art, in it's beauty form, quality and balance. One photo in the gallery is of General Burgoyne surrendering his similar gilt sword after the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777. Another portrait of George Washington with his very similar solid silver sword sword.

The blade is age blackened steel with original untouched centuries old old patina  read more

Code: 23170

Reserved An Original Greek Set of Four Arrowheads From Alexander The Great's 334BC Battle Of the Granicus River Against the Might of the Persian Empire. Resulting in His Conquest of Asia Minor. Acquired on A grand Tour in 1820

An original small group of four varied types of original ancient Greek arrow heads, socket type, in delightful condition showing good and beautiful natural aged ancient patina. We show and are selling them as a set as examples of the slightly varied types used at the battle.

They were all small heads at that time, as the arrow haft and flight was long and naturally did the major part of the action, but that was the organic part of the complete arrow, that simply rot away within a century in the ground, just leaving the remarkable bronze age head remaining.

Acquired originally in the 1820's while on a Grand Tour of Northern France and the Ottoman Empire. From part three of our ancient arrow heads, spears, lead sling bullets, antiquities and rings from an 1820 Grand Tour Collection. Discovered around 180 years ago in the region of The Battle of the Granicus River during what was known at the time as 'The Grand Tour'. And then acquired by us from the same family of Hamiltons, from their ancestral home's "cabinet of curiosities".

Fought in May 334 BC it was the first of three major battles fought between Alexander the Great and the Persian Empire. Fought in Northwestern Asia Minor, near the site of Troy, it was here that Alexander defeated the forces of the Persian satraps of Asia Minor, including a large force of Greek mercenaries led by Memnon of Rhodes.

The battle took place on the road from Abydos to Dascylium (near modern-day Ergili, Turkey), at the crossing of the Granicus River. Where the ancient Greeks best perceived the need for archers was
when an expeditionary force came to them: if an ancient city knew a siege was facing them, what preparations would they make As Mitylene prepares to secede from the Athenian Empire (428) we see the city taking three preparations to undergo a siege: one was to buy
grain, second was to raise the height of the walls, and the third was to bring in archers from Thrace.
In a siege, the defenders always have the height advantage. They are throwing or shooting from the city walls, the offense is shooting from the ground. Mathematically, the height advantage goes with the square root of two. If, for instance, you are shooting from twice as high, your arrow goes 1.414 times as far. If you are on a battlement
50 feet high, and your opponent is shooting from five feet high, your arrow goes seven times farther than his. (This is purely mechanical, ignoring aerodynamics.)
The bow, among the Greeks, was the principal weapon for the city besieged. The bow being so effective in this situation explains why the first advance in ancient siege machinery was the movable tower. This
is the invention of Dionysius of Syracuse. You build it out of range, as high as the city walls, or even higher, armour the front with hides, move it up and give your archers a fair chance to clear the city walls.
Here, for once, is a situation where archers are fi ghting archers as the main event in ancient Greece. Though siege-towers were constructed out of range, their could always be over-achievers: Philip II, king of Macedon (359-336) and father of Alexander the Great, was inspecting
siege-works when he got his most famous wound an arrow from the city walls knocked his eye out.
Archers on city walls turned many a tide, as victorious besiegers routed a city’s land forces, and, in the excitement of pursuit, got too close to the city walls!

From around 33mm to 35mm long, generic photos  read more

Code: 23854

A Superb Collection of 10 Original Byzantine Roman Trade, Scale, Jewellery Weights Circa 8th Century. Acquired During a 'Grand Tour' In The 1820's

A barrel weight, 4 polyhedron weights stamped with concentric circles, the largest one weighing around 95 grams, 1 cylindrical weight and 4 square. Including I uncia Literally, “a twelfth part.” The word is the source of the English words “ounce” and “inch, Plus a ”half an uncia called a semiuncia All in good well preserved condition with nice patina. One inlaid with silver


Richard Lassels, an expatriate Roman Catholic priest, first used the phrase “Grand Tour” in his 1670 book Voyage to Italy, published posthumously in Paris in 1670. In its introduction, Lassels listed four areas in which travel furnished "an accomplished, consummate traveler" with opportunities to experience first hand the intellectual, the social, the ethical, and the political life of the Continent.

The English gentry of the 17th century believed that what a person knew came from the physical stimuli to which he or she has been exposed. Thus, being on-site and seeing famous works of art and history was an all important part of the Grand Tour. So most Grand Tourists spent the majority of their time visiting museums and historic sites.

Once young men began embarking on these journeys, additional guidebooks and tour guides began to appear to meet the needs of the 20-something male and female travelers and their tutors traveling a standard European itinerary. They carried letters of reference and introduction with them as they departed from southern England, enabling them to access money and invitations along the way.

With nearly unlimited funds, aristocratic connections and months or years to roam, these wealthy young tourists commissioned paintings, perfected their language skills and mingled with the upper crust of the Continent.

The wealthy believed the primary value of the Grand Tour lay in the exposure both to classical antiquity and the Renaissance, and to the aristocratic and fashionably polite society of the European continent. In addition, it provided the only opportunity to view specific works of art, and possibly the only chance to hear certain music. A Grand Tour could last from several months to several years. The youthful Grand Tourists usually traveled in the company of a Cicerone, a knowledgeable guide or tutor.

The ‘Grand Tour’ era of classical acquisitions from history existed up to around the 1850’s, and extended around the whole of Europe, Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and the Holy Land.  read more

Code: 23735

Italian Hunting Dagger, Republic of Genoa, Ligurian 17th - 18th Century. Spiral Twist Carved Multi Coloured Horn with Silver Inserts. Blade with Baluster Shaped Forte Of A Finely Engraved Ricasso, Two Symmetrical Edges To The Tip.

Just returned from a no expense spared museum grade expert hand polishing and cleaning conservation in the workshop.

This Italian hunting dagger has a long history. Its shape and engraved blade type is typical of the Genoa region, and it can be dated to the 17th and 18th century. This dagger was likely used for more than a century

This is the typical blade of Ligurian daggers. It begins with a baluster-shaped part, ricasso, and continues by two symmetrical cutting edges up to the tip.
On the ricasso, there is a deeply engraved bird of paradise decoration, the central spine has fine line ribbon form engraving which continues up to around half of the blade.

These intriguing and most attractive daggers were produced in Italy, Sardinia and Spain from the late 17th to the 18th century.

17th-century Ligurian daggers, often stilettos or parrying daggers (like the main-gauche), were used by civilians for self-defense and by gentlemen as a fashion accessory and tool, while specific types like the swordbreaker were for dueling and others were favored by the lower classes. The exact usage and user depended on the dagger's specific style and design, such as its lethality, ornamentation, or utility. Daggers were an important part of everyday dress and could enhance apparel, with more lavishly decorated daggers carried by the gentry and aristocracy.

The blade has a few minuscule edge to edge combat contact marks, and tip has a very slight inward curve.

9 inches long overall.  read more

Code: 25928

A Superb, Victorian, Scottish Lord Lieutenant's Belt Plate and Silver Bullion, Belt and Sword Straps. Queen Victoria's Personal Representative in Scotland When She Was Not Available

Belt. Silver bullion belt backed with morocco leather, silver scrolling thistle pattern to the silver lace brocade belt. Since 1831 this has been analogous to the uniform worn by a General Staff Officer, but with silver lace in place of the gold worn by Regular General officers. The Lord-Lieutenant is the British monarch's personal representative in each county of the United Kingdom. Historically, the Lord-Lieutenant was responsible for organising the county's militia. Lieutenants were first appointed to a number of English counties by King Henry VIII in the 1540s, when the military functions of the sheriff were handed over to him. He raised and was responsible for the efficiency of the local militia units of the county, and afterwards of the yeomanry, and volunteers. He was commander of these forces, whose officers he appointed. These commissions were originally of temporary duration, and only when the situation required the local militia to be specially supervised and well prepared; often where invasion by Scotland or France might be expected.

Lieutenancies soon became more organised, probably in the reign of his successor King Edward VI, their establishment being approved by the English parliament in 1550. However, it was not until the threat of invasion by the forces of Spain in 1585 that lieutenants were appointed to all counties and counties corporate and became in effect permanent. Although some counties were left without lieutenants during the 1590s, following the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the office continued to exist, and was retained by King James I even after the end of the Anglo-Spanish War.

The office was abolished under the Commonwealth, but was re-established following the Restoration under the City of London Militia Act 1662, which declared that:


The King's most Excellent Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, shall and may from Time to Time, as Occasion shall require, issue forth several Commissions of Lieutenancy to such Persons as his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, shall think fit to be his Majesty's Lieutenants for the several and respective Counties, Cities and Places of England and Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed.

Although not explicitly stated, from that date lieutenants were appointed to "counties at large", with their jurisdiction including the counties corporate within the parent county. For example, lieutenants of Devon in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries appointed deputy lieutenants to the City of Exeter, and were sometimes described as the "Lieutenant of Devon and Exeter" The origin of this anomaly may have lain in the former palatine status of Pembrokeshire.

The City of London was uniquely given a commission of lieutenancy, and was exempt from the authority of the lieutenant of Middlesex. The Constable of the Tower of London and the Warden of the Cinque Ports were ex-officio lieutenants for the Tower Hamlets and Cinque Ports respectively, which were treated as counties in legislation regarding lieutenancy and militia affairs.

The official title of the office at this time was His or Her Majesty's "Lieutenant for the county of ..", but as almost all office-holders were Peers of the realm, they were referred to as "Lord-Lieutenant".  read more

Code: 21339

A Very Rare, Solid Silver, Long Distance Flight, Aeronautical Medal, Major von Parseval 1909, awarded For the Flight of The Parseval Dirigible Airship In October 1909

Designed by world renown medalist Karl Goetz 1875 - 1950
Very Rare silver medal, for the flight of 12th to 19th October, 1909. Long-distance voyages of the Parseval airships. Half-length portrait of the airship designer A. Parseval to the left / eagle stands with outstretched wings on the bow of the airship, below water surface, above right inscription. Hallmark: 'feinsilber' BAYER. MAIN MINT OFFICE. a medal that was awarded in two grades, silver and bronze, this, the silver is an incredibly rare antique aviation medal from the earliest days of airships. August von Parseval (5 February 1861, in Frankenthal (Pfalz) – 22 February 1942, in Berlin) was a German airship designer.

As a boy, Von Parseval attended the Royal Bavarian Pagenkorps in Munich from 1873 to 1878, where he took the Fähnrichexamen (cadet exams). He then joined the Royal Bavarian 3rd Infantry Regiment Prinz Carl von Bayern. An autodidact, he busied himself with the problems of aeronautics. In the garrison town of Augsburg he came into contact with August Riedinger and also came to know his later partner Rudolf Hans Bartsch von Sigsfeld, with whom he developed Drachenballons: balloons used by the military for observation.

In 1901 Parseval and Sigsfeld began building a dirigible airship. After Sigsfeld's death during a free balloon landing in 1902, the work was interrupted until 1905.

By 1905, thanks to improvements in motor design, an appropriate engine was now available. His designs were licensed to the British Vickers company. Up to the end of the First World War, 22 Parseval airships (both non-rigid (blimps) and semi-rigid (with keels)) were built. In the late twenties and early thirties, four more semi-rigid airships were built in accordance with the "Parseval-Naatz principle".  read more

Code: 23836