Antique Arms & Militaria

Fabulous Museum Grade Sword 18th Century Damascus Wootz Steel, Mohammed's Ladder Pattern, & Stunning Solid Silver & Enamel Makara Hilt, The 'Palace of the Nawab of Lucknow’. Probably One of The Most Beautiful & Finest Indian Princely Royal Swords

This fabulous royal grade solid silver and enamel sword, with Lucknow distinctive enamel work of flowering plants interspersed with architectural vignettes, has just returned from a museum grade blade polish to reveal its obscured {through natural age} finest, crucible steel wootz Damascus blade, in the pattern of Mohammed's Ladder. Unsurprisingly, it now looks as fine and beautiful as it was when last used in the 18th & 19th century by such as the King of Oudh {Lucknow} Ghasi-ud-din, Haidar Shah

The ‘Mohammed’s Ladder’ Kirk Narduban Crucible ‘Wootz Damascus’ steel blade is truly breathtaking.
The Ladder of Mohammed is said to have enabled Mohammed to travel through the heavens, meeting various prophets and gaining access to the different levels of paradise. Muhammad's ladder thus symbolizes the connection between the terrestrial and spiritual worlds, representing spiritual elevation and proximity to God.
Which ultimately means, to many, this is the most desirable and likely rarest of all the early Indo-Persian crucible wootz Damascus steel blade designs, being of such a spiritual significance, as well as stunningly beautiful. Intriguingly it is still contentious, to specialist academics, as to how it was even made, as there is no clear agreed evidence or knowledge as to its extraordinary construction. There are two trains of thought but no undeniable agreement..

The museum grade conservation polish goes up to the gold cartouche, at the base of the hilt, and around the hilt langets. The small area of the gold cartouche has been left ‘as is’ intentionally. The potential very high risk of damage being created to the gold calligraphy by attempting to polish within the gold seal would be extremely dangerous to its integrity. It is only responsible to not take any even remote chance of damage to this fabulous and historical rare treasure.

A near identical pair to our sword, is another magnificent and rare example, Makara enamel hilted crucible steel bladed sword, is an exhibit in the world renown Getty Museum Collection in America {see a photo of the pair together side by side by comparison in the gallery}. Occasionally, surviving Lucknow swords of the silver and enamel Goat Head pattern can be found, used by lesser nobles of the Shah's court, but the mythical Makara silver and enamel hilted swords, apparently, were reserved for the Shah's sole and personal use, especially with the Mohommed's ladder blade.

A magnificent work of art, and the sword of a prince or king. It has a fabulous vibrant hues of brilliant blue and green through a painstaking champlevé and basse-taille enameling process. This process involves fusing coloured glass to metal at extraordinarily high temperatures to create a striking and durable outer layer that can withstand the test of time. This distinctive usage of blues and greens on the piece reinforces its origins in Lucknow, a renowned centre for the production of such sophisticated enamel artifacts. The fabulous wootz Mahommed's Ladder Kirk Narduban pattern Damascus blade, with a gold inscription and gold cartouches. In very good condition for age, the polychrome enamels are inlaid into the solid silver hilt, that is further decorated with three heads of the mythical beast, the Makara, including the pommel and both quillon ends, with just very minor enamel surface losses. One of the finest Lucknow Damascus swords you could find today, from the one time rulers of Lucknow, and most likely originated from the palace of the Nawab of Lucknow.
A Nawab was a Sovereign Prince and Governor of the Moghul Empire. An almost identical princely form of Lucknow Makara enamel silver hilted sword is in the Getty Research Institute, in LA, California. Centuries ago Lucknow emerged as one of the most important centres in the world for courtly crafts such as fine enamelling on silver.
It was the capital of the state of Oudh which was established in 1750. The flourishing arts scene was largely on account of the patronage of the local, supremely wealthy Nawabs of Oudh. By the mid-19th century, Lucknow was India's largest and wealthiest city. Lucknow Moghul daggers and swords, especially with Damascus blades, are considered to be some of the most valuable and desirable in the world of antique weaponry art. Representations of such are in the finest collections, such as the British Royal Collection, The British Museum and the Getty Museum.

The mythical Makara;
Dwelling in the Indian Ocean, the Makara is traditionally looked upon as a powerful deity, which was capable of harming or guarding seafarers, depending upon its whims. Many scholars naturally assume that the tales of the Makara are nothing more than myths based upon ancient eyewitness accounts of Indian elephants swimming off the coast of India, as they are sometimes known to do. Until 1719, the subah of Awadh was a province of the Mughal Empire administered by a Governor appointed by the Emperor. Persian adventurer Saadat Khan, also known as Burhan-ul-Mulk, was appointed Nizam of Awadh in 1722 and established his court in Faizabad, near Lucknow.

Many independent kingdoms, such as Awadh, were established as the Mughal Empire disintegrated. The third Nawab, Shuja-ud-Daula (r. 1753-1775), fell out with the British after aiding the fugitive Nawab of Bengal, Mir Qasim. Roundly defeated at the Battle of Buxar by the East India Company, he was forced to pay heavy penalties and surrender parts of his territory. Awadh's capital, Lucknow rose to prominence when Asaf-ud-Daula, the fourth Nawab, shifted his court to the city from Faizabad in 1775. The British East India Company appointed a resident (ambassador) in 1773 and by early 19th century gained control of more territory and authority in the state. They were, however, disinclined to capture Awadh outright and come face to face with the Maratha Empire and the remnants of the Mughal Empire. In 1798, the fifth Nawab Wazir Ali Khan alienated both his people and the British and was forced to abdicate. The British then helped Saadat Ali Khan take the throne. He became a puppet king, and in a treaty of 1801, yielded large part of Awadh to the East India Company while also agreeing to disband his own troops in favour of a hugely expensive, British-controlled army. This treaty effectively made the state of Awadh a vassal of the East India Company, although it continued to be part of the Mughal Empire in name until 1819. The treaty of 1801 proved a beneficial arrangement for the East India Company as they gained access to Awadh's vast treasuries, repeatedly digging into them for loans at reduced rates. In addition, the revenues from running Awadh's armed forces brought them useful returns while the territory acted as a buffer state. The Nawabs were ceremonial kings, busy with pomp and show. By the mid-nineteenth century, however, the British had grown impatient with the arrangement and demanded direct control over Awadh.

In 1856 the East India Company first moved its troops to the border, then annexed the state for alleged maladministration. Awadh was placed under a chief commissioner Sir Henry Lawrence. Wajid Ali Shah, the then Nawab, was imprisoned, then exiled by the East India Company to Calcutta. In the subsequent Indian Rebellion of 1857, his 14-year-old son Birjis Qadra, whose mother was Begum Hazrat Mahal, was crowned ruler. Following the rebellion's defeat, Begum Hazrat Mahal and other rebel leaders sought asylum in Nepal. Ghazi-ud-Din Haidar Shah became Nawab Wazir of Oudh on 11 July 1814 after the death of his father. In 1818, under the influence of Warren Hastings, the British Governor of the Presidency of Fort William (Bengal), he declared himself as the independent Padshah-i-Awadh (King of Oudh). This sword would likely have been part of his treasure.

The story of the the wonders of the creating of these blade goes back at least 2400 years. The possibly first indirect reference to crucible steel appears in the writing of Ctesias of Cnidu, a Greek physician at the court of the Persian King Artaxerxes II (404 BC - 398/397 BC) he wrote several (lost) books about Persia and India. St. Photios the Great (Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 858 to 867 and from 877 to 886) quoted from Ctesias books in the 9th century AD or about 1300 years later. From this we know of two wonderful if not magical swords of (maybe) Indian iron that Artaxerxes gave to Ctesias.
Going back 1700 years. Such as was written by Zosimos (a. 350 AD - ca. 420 AD) who was born in Panoplis (present-day Akhmim in the south of Egypt). He worked as an early alchemist in Alexandria and has written in fine detail. Some of his writings have survived. As far as crucible steel is concerned, he states:
"The tempering of Indian Iron: Take 4 pounds of soft iron, and the skins of myrobalans, called elileg, 15 parts; belileg, 4 parts; and two parts of glassmakers magnesia. Then place it into a crucible amd make it level. .... Put on the charcoal and blow the fire until the iron becomes molten and the ingredients become united with it. ... Such is the premier and royal operation, which is practiced today and by means of which they make marvellous swords. It was discovered by the Indians and exploited by the Persians".
Two paintings in the gallery {for historical information only};

1} Ghasi-ud-din, Haidar Shah Nawab of Oudh (in power from 1814 to 1818), and was subsequently made the first King of Oudh (1818-27). Its possible he may be holding this sword when he sat for this portrait in 1818

2} The Procession of Ghazi ud-Din Haider Shah through Lucknow
No scabbard.  read more

Code: 22605

The Lanes Armoury, Britain’s Favourite & Best Arms and Armour Gallery and Website. Its Been Over A Hundred Years In The Making. Whether You View Us Online Or Join The Hundreds & Thousands of People That Personally Visit Us Every Day {Except Sunday}

Over 3193 visitors came through our door last Saturday before Easter. That is more, apparently, than the daily visitors to the LAPADA Art and Antiques Fair in Grosvenor Square London, and that has over 100 of the UK’s finest and best art and antique dealer's exhibiting (and we are free!). Of course a £27 a head entry ticket to the Antiques Fair might have something to do with it.🤔

Another part of our original Japanese katana acquisitions will arrive to our site next week, and as usual many are stunning beauties

A fabulous Grande Armee sword of Napoleon’s cuirassiers just arrived. A truly out standing example, despite being used for around 10 years in combat service, including surviving the Russian campaign in 1812 to Moscow, that saw the decimation of Napoleon’s entire Grande Armee, it is in superb condition and truly a museum grade example, as good as any sword in Les Invalides Musee de L’Armee in Paris. Plus, Scottish Regt. Issue 'Tower Of London' GR Crown 'Brown Bess' Musket of the Napoleonic Wars, Peninsular War & Waterloo With Bayonet. Scottish Regimental Markings for Renfrewshire Regt. Then Transferred To The 42nd Foot the 'Black Watch' and An Incredibly Rare, 1000 Year Old, Original Viking-Norsemen Warrior’s, Four Plate Iron Helmet From the Late Viking Raids Era and The King Harold & William the Conquerer Battle of Hastings, & The Same Helmet Used By Knights Throughout The Early Crusades. Plus a collection of rare WW2 trophies, service combat badges, from one of the top secret 30 commando veterans, acquired while intelligence gathering for the Admiralty and James Bond author, Ian Fleming.

An Original Antique Edo Period Suit of Samurai Gesoku Armour With gilt Tomoe Mon, of the Kobayakawa Clan. With Dragon Cuirass & Momonari Kabuto With Hanbo, was just sold by us, and that was a stunning beauty, and another piece has now been added to a collection of wonderful pieces acquired from us by a most highly esteemed collector over the past decade.

A most rare late 17th early 18th century Japanese-Dutch ‘Black Ship’ captain’s sword we offer for sale was made by Japanese emigre sword koshirae makers from Nagasaki. A sawasa technique of gilded copper alloy with black shakudo detailing, a European style naval captain’s sword, made by Japanese samurai sword artisans, from Nagasaki, a sword of incredible beauty and rarity. Plus, a hanger sword, the same type as used by the notorious pirate, Blackbeard, and a most historical SA district leader signed presentation copy of Mein Kampf, a wedding gift to an SS nco, later, {and deservedly} executed by the DDR apparently, in East Germany.

Another collection has just arrived the other day and other pieces are arriving every day. Just two days ago an Indian Royal Princes museum grade sword just returned from curator polishing of the crucible steel Damascus blade of Mohammed’s Ladder pattern, one of the most beautiful we have ever seen. It’s near identical pair is in the Getty Collection Museum in LA.

Some seriously interesting and historical pieces, as usual are added every single day. Last week, Mark, one of the partners, helped last year to narrate a new documentary for the History Channel. Filming had been taking place for about three months, with Mark and all the various presenters, but once it is edited and ready for viewing, hopefully next year, we will let you know! The difficulty has been the logistics of filming, while simultaneously running our business here in The Lanes of Brighton. We have had the great pleasure to be involved directly, and indirectly, with dozens, if not hundreds of film and tv projects based here in Brighton. In fact since the 1930’s, although only for a brief period, we owned the Brighton film studios, that once it closed down production, became an auction house, Meads. We were involved in both productions of Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock movie, the first in 1947, with a very juvenile looking Dickie Attenborough, and the second re-make just 15 years ago, starring Sam Riley and Helen Mirren, involved us letting our shop be completely taken over for a week as a location film set. Ironically, almost all the Brighton location filming was cut from the movie as Brighton didn’t appear ‘Brighton’ enough, as it lacked the ‘1950’s seedy vibe’, so almost all the scenes in the film were re-created in Eastbourne around 15 miles east of Brighton.

Some other pieces that arrived were beautiful, and rare, superb Napoleonic period British French and American swords, wonderful antique pistols, stunning ancient rings, Roman and Crusaders, an ancient original Saxon Thegn’s war axe from the time of Alfred the Great and the Viking invasions of the Kingdom of Wessex, a wonderful Viking axe-hammer, ancient Roman silver and bronze armlets {bracelets} and, as usual, you can be confident everything is original, and they are all superb examples.

One of the rings that recently arrived is a fabulous knight’s ring, from Agincourt to the Wars of the Roses period, a 15th century ring with an intaglio naïve engraving of a knight on horseback holding aloft his knightly sword, a fabulous and beautiful piece. Another is a wonderful and superb status Roman seal ring, of senator to equites quality, from the time of the Emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Cladius to Nero, it is a beautiful carved gemstone intaglio ring of an ancient portrait bust of Roman goddess {Now Sold}. Plus, one of the very rare ancient Roman talismanic rings, around 1900 years old, that were sought out by Heinrich Himmler’s team of archeological hunters to prove the ancient Roman source of the Germanic Aryan ancestry {also Sold}. As was interestingly featured as the basis of the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark, with the Third Reich artefact hunters seeking by any means the Ark of The Covenant, The ring displaid upon the ring a carved, engraved fylfot, the ancient and most important symbol of the Aryans {according to Himmler’s obedient historians} that was adopted by the national socialists in the early 30’s, and every proved ancient art treasure or jewel that featured this symbol was eagerly hunted down at any cost.

If you are a first time visitor, or one of our 40,000 online viewing regular customers, welcome {or welcome back} to our online shop. We hope you enjoy it as much as the many millions of past visitors have already, since we first went online in 1996. It was designed to accompany, and operate hand-in-hand, with our gallery-shop, that has been located in the Brighton Lanes since the reign of King George Vth. According to our statisticians our website has been {conservatively} viewed over 54 million 750 thousand times, since it launched in the 90’s. And in the same period, our shop has likely been personally visited {also conservatively} by over 5 1/2 million people since 1996. Of course, in the case of our shop, another 77 years of visitors could be added to that figure..

Every single day, due to our most fortunate status as one of Europe’s, and certainly Britain’s, oldest and favourite original specialist collector’s galleries, amazing historical, pieces, from all the major {and minor} civilisations, from the past 4000 years, arrive at our doorstep. Just two weeks ago another huge collection of 320 cloth bound hardback vintage books arrived, many based around historical artefact collecting themes, and 19th Century ornithological tomes. Recently we acquired an incredible six ‘pair’ sets of ‘The Descent Of Man’ by Charles Darwin London all the 1871 printing, English Volumes 1 & 2- They were all delivered here at our store, and our regular ‘collector book hunters’ eagerly devoured them. Some were very scarce limited print run examples from the Early Victorian to 1920’s period. The Charles Darwin books were a joy to own, even for just one day, in Mark’s 54 years here he can never remember having six twin volume Darwin sets from one years publication before, and even at almost a £1,000 a pair they were gone in less than an hour.

Such as, in this month alone, new arrivals included, a collection of museum grade original swords and French Napoleonic arms, and a Royal Navy ship’s cannon, Brown Bess muskets, and a sword of an Indian Maharajah Prince, plus several samurai swords, antique and WW2 as usual. Always online is a unique selection of original ancient Greek, Chinese and Viking antiquities, including rings, helmets, swords, spears and battle axes, plus, various dozens of rare, superb and intriguing original Roman antiquities. Most of our antiquities were acquired around 200 years ago by members of the British nobility that were once buying pieces from locals while on their 'Grand Tour' of Europe.
This site also contains up to 17,000 photographs of our currently available offerings to view. Enjoy!

Our History;
The Lanes Armoury, are Brighton Family Traders since 1919. Thousand’s of worldwide visitors to the UK come to visit us practically every day, and their most consistent and much appreciated comment includes that they believe that we were the most amazing and interesting shop they had ever visited in Britain, or even the whole of Europe. We are like a museum, as they consistently say, but, everything is for sale! One must say that if we were a museum, we would likely be the smallest in the UK, but, we contain thousands upon thousands of collectables, militaria and books, prehistoric, ancient, antique and vintage pieces, from an incredibly rare Zulu War artefact, the Zulu King's, carved horn sceptre knopkerrie, to a 66 million year old shark's tooth, to a samurai sword made around 800 years ago, with many hundreds of other fabulous swords, also from ancient Japan, to a section of a Roman Legionary’s armour, a Roman Tribune’s ring of victory, to a sporting gun made for a prince, or a 14 million year old impactite fragment from a meteor strike in Germany, a signal cannon from Admiral Nelson's navy, to a copy {now sold} of 'The Great Gatsby', an incredibly rare Ist Edition novel.

We offer magical and wondrous artefacts, each with a history beyond compare. We were honoured to be described by Victor Harris, England’s foremost & respected Japanese Sword expert, based at the British Museum, as the most unique and remarkable shop he has ever visited.

In the previous 100 plus years our past and present clients include; Hollywood movie star legends such as Edward G.Robinson, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Bette Davis, the British aristocracy from the late Queen Mary onwards, famous academics in all known fields, curators of many British museums, and politicians of all colours from numerous countries around the world, and last, yet most importantly, private collectors from all walks of life and nations.
Mark was once personally thanked, by one of our more universally recognisable clients, in the 1980’s, by President Ronald Reagan, for his pair of Roman glass vases bought from our gallery, and he then, most generously, gave Mark an autographed photo of himself in the Oval Office.

We have had the greatest of privileges to have had pass through our hands some quite remarkable pieces, such as one incredible 'Royal Family' piece that springs to mind. Around 35 years ago, we acquired a fabulous ‘royal’ gentleman’s desk set, in magnificent cloisonné enamel, gifted by one British 20th century King, to another, King George VIth and King Edward VIIIth. Each piece was signed, within the intricate enamels design, personally, for the king, in King George VIth’s ‘family name’, ‘Bertie’, with a personal engraved dedication.
‘There, but for the grace of God’. We presumed it was given away by a member of the family during the period of enmity between the former royal princes. King George VIth, and certainly his well beloved wife, Queen Elizabeth, {the parents of our adored, late Queen Elizabeth} well deservedly, never truly forgave his weak and manipulated brother, for the betrayal to his duty, to his family and his nation. One might say ‘plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.’. What a piece of history, and ironically, somewhat pertinent to today's unfolding events. We wish we had it now!

Our oldest regular collector was over 100 years old, and another client, our most regular customer, has been coming to us for over 77 years! Every month over 40,000 of our regular followers around the world request our weekly stock updates by email, and it is so easy to join them, on our home page, just enter your regular email address, and click go!

The photos we show in this gallery are of just a hint of the type of items we have bought and then sold online within the recent past, on just one day, and every item was accompanied with our unique, Certificate of Authenticity. Of course any certificate of authenticity, given by even the best specialist dealers, in any field, all around the world, is simply a piece of paper, however, ours is backed up with the fact we are the largest dealers of our kind in the world, with over 100 years and four generation’s of professional trading experience behind us,  read more

Code: 23219

Magnificent Large Pair of Antique,19th Century French Napoleonic Bronzes of 'Old Guard' Soldiers, a Drummer & Grenadier.'Avant le Combat' & 'Apres le Combat' Henri Dumaige. French Soldiers Often Referred to Napoleon's Old Guard as "the Immortals"

A Fine Pair of Large Bronze Figures, Entitled 'Avant le Combat' and 'Apres le Combat', Cast from the models by Etienne-Henri Dumaige (1830 - 1888) (1830 - 1888) Signed H. Dumaige, with title plaquettes.

The Old Guard (French: Vieille garde) was a formation of the French Imperial Army's Imperial Guard. Consisting exclusively of revolutionary veteran troops, it was the most prestigious formation in Napoleon's Grande Armée. French regular soldiers often referred to Napoleon's Old Guard as "the Immortals".

Famously devoted to the Emperor, who even referred to them as "my children"; the members of his Old Guard were selected based on physical traits, most notably above-average height. Their imposing stature was likely impressive to foes and allies alike. Awards as well as veterancy were also taken into consideration when selecting troops for the Old Guard.

ON THE EVENING of April 11, 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte’s 20-year career as a conqueror was seemingly at an end.

The 44-year-old emperor had just surrendered France to a coalition of a dozen European powers. As part of the armistice, he also agreed to give up the throne and go into exile on the tiny Mediterranean island of Elba.

On the eve of his departure, a shattered Napoleon marched into the courtyard of his palace at Fontenbleu to deliver a heartfelt farewell to a very special group of soldiers – his Old Guard.

“For 20 years, I have accompanied you on the road to honour and glory,” he cried before departing. “I intend to write the history of the great achievements we have performed together. Adieu, my friends. If I could, I would press you all to my heart.”

According to legend, more than a few of the battle-hardened veterans broke down as the scene played out before them.

The Guard was made up of Napoleon’s finest. They were the most seasoned soldiers of the French army and the best of his elite Imperial Guard. All were hand-picked volunteers of above-average height, each one hardened by years of campaigning.

The emperor housed his fiercely loyal Old Guard in the best quarters, dressed them in the sharpest uniforms and lavished them with the finest rations. In return, he expected them to fight ferociously when called upon. And fight they did, with unflagging bravery in all of Napoleon’s most famous battles.

Disbanded in 1814, elements of the Old Guard would reform the following year as Bonaparte escaped from exile. Yet despite their final defeat at Waterloo 100 days later, the Old Guard would go down in history as one of the most famous fighting units to ever set foot on a battlefield.

The bronzes represent two separate moments in the French Revolution, the uprising against Louis XVI and the fall of the monarchy. Both the soldiers depicted here went on to become part of Napoleon's veteran Old Guard of the Grande Armee. The most fiercely loyal and the highest regarded French soldiers of the entire Napoleonic wars era.

One figure is entitled 'Avant le combat 1792' and depicted as a Drummer calling the the citizens to the barricades.

The second figure is entitled ‘Apres le Combat 1792’ and depicted as a Grenadier or infantryman; this figure is portrayed smoking a pipe and relaxing as he leans on his musket.

Dumaige studied sculpture under Féuchère and Dumont. He exhibited his sculptures depicting groups, statues, and busts at the Salon from 1863-1886
Henry Etienne Dumaige

Born in Paris in 1830, Henry Etienne Dumaige studied sculpture under Féuchère and Dumont. He exhibited his sculptures depicting groups, statues, and busts at the Salon from 1862-1877.

He sculpted a large number of busts, groups and statuettes in marble, plaster and bronze, including statuettes of Desmoulins and Rabelais. He died at St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vié in 1888

Dumaige was a French bronzier and sculptor born in Paris in 1830, where he worked during the mid-19th Century. Dumaige exhibited his sculptures at the Paris Salon and the Academie des Beaux-Arts from 1862-1877, where he was widely acclaimed for the variety of his oeuvre. He was adept in depicting groups, statues and busts in bronze, plaster and marble.
Reference;
Lami, Stanislas (1914), Dictionnaire des Sculpteurs de l'Ecole Francais.
Berman, Harold (1981), Bronzes- Sculptors and Founders 1800-1930, Abage, Chicago.
Forrest, Michael (1988), Art Bronzes, Schiffer Publications, Pennsylvania.
Kjellberg, Pierre (1987), Les bronzes du XIX siecle, dictionnaire des sculpteurs, L'Amateur, Paris.
Dimensions
Height : 64 cm 25.5 inches Width : 11 inches Depth : 11 inches  read more

Code: 25725

Fine Original English Civil War Cavalryman's Cuirass, Front Plate and Back Plate Armour, Formerly From the Fabulous 'Warwick Castle Collection', The Warwick Castle Armoury From The Time Of The Siege of The Castle During the English Civil War

A very fine original English Civil War New Model Army cavalry trooper's cuirass direct from the Armoury of Britain's greatest medieval castle, Warwick Castle. Possibly the very best full Civil War armour cuirass to come onto the market in 50 years. As good as the very best example in the British Royal Collection.

It was sold to assist the restoration of the great hall at the castle. This breast plate still has the Warwick castle armoury inventory metal tag still affixed to it. The breast plate has fine Civil War period armourer's marks of the London Armourers Company *see below of the 'A' mark for the Commonwealth, and also the helmet mark to the back plate. During the Civil War the Castle was besieged by the Royalists, they failed in their endeavours and they were captured and incarcerated within the castle dungeons. It most likely possible this armour was used in this conflict and placed in the armoury at the castle and remained there ever since until we bought it. William the Conqueror ordered the start of the building of Warwick in the 11th century, and by the 14th century the great Towers were completed. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have the opportunity to acquire some wonderful arms and weaponry from a small disposal from the Castle Armoury, in order to benefit the restoration of the Castle. In the year 1264, the castle was seized by the forces of Simon de Montfort, who consequently imprisoned the then current Earl, William Mauduit, and his Countess at Kenilworth (who were supporters of the king and loyals to the barons) until a ransom was paid. After the death of William Mauduit, the title and castle were passed to William de Beauchamp. Following the death of William de Beauchamp, Warwick Castle subsequently passed through seven generations of the Beauchamp family, who over the next 180 years were responsible for the majority of the additions made to Warwick Castle. After the death of the last direct-line Beauchamp, Anne, the title of Earl of Warwick, as well as the castle, passed to Richard Neville ("the Kingmaker"), who married the sister of the last Earl (Warwick was unusual in that the earldom could be inherited through the female line). Warwick Castle then passed from Neville to his son-in-law (and brother of Edward IV of England), George Plantagenet, and shortly before the Duke's death, to his son, Edward. Several Kings owned Warwick including King Henry VIIth, and Henry VIIIth, James Ist, and also Queen Elizabeth.* In 1322, in the reign of King Edward II, the Guild of St George of the Armourers was instituted, by ordinance of the City of London, which laid down regulations for the control of the trade. King Henry VI presented the Armourers with their first Royal Charter in May 1453. The New Model Army's elite troops were its Regiments of Horse. They were armed and equipped in the style known at the time as harquebusiers, rather than as heavily armoured cuirassiers. They wore a back-and-front breastplate over a buff leather coat, which itself gave some protection against sword cuts, and normally a "lobster-tailed pot" helmet with a movable three-barred visor, and a bridle gauntlet on the left hand. The sleeves of the buff coats were often decorated with strips of braid, which may have been arranged in a regimental pattern. Leather "bucket-topped" riding boots gave some protection to the legs.

Regiments were organised into six troops, of one hundred troopers plus officers, non-commissioned officers and specialists (drummers, farriers etc.). Each troop had its own standard, 2 feet (61 cm) square. On the battlefield, a regiment was normally formed as two "divisions" of three troops, one commanded by the regiment's Colonel (or the Major, if the Colonel was not present), the other by the Lieutenant Colonel.

Their discipline was markedly superior to that of their Royalist counterparts. Cromwell specifically forbade his men to gallop after a fleeing enemy, but demanded they hold the battlefield. This meant that the New Model cavalry could charge, break an enemy force, regroup and charge again at another objective. On the other hand, when required to pursue, they did so relentlessly, not breaking ranks to loot abandoned enemy baggage as Royalist horse often did
One picture in the gallery shows Warwick Castle today for information only, not included  read more

Code: 21825

A Rare & Huge, M1863 Single Action Starr Army 'Long Barrel' Revolver of the Civil War, .44 Calibre. Exactly As Can Be Seen Featured in Clint Eastwood’s Oscar Winning Movie, ‘The Unforgiven’

Single action 1863 model. Good external condition for age An impressive, big and powerful .44 cal revolver of the Civil War and early Wild West. Alongside the Colt Dragoon this was the biggest pistol of the Civil War, and it has amazing presence with an 8 inch barrel. Starr was the third largest producer of revolvers for the Union behind Colt and Remington.During the war the M-1863 Starr was issued to a number of US cavalry regiments, including the 1st Colorado Cavalry, the 6th & 7th Michigan Cavalry and the 11th New York Cavalry, just to name a few. While Starr double action revolver production started in 1858 they did not start production of the single action until 1863 finishing in 1865. Total Model 1863 S.A. production was approximately 25,000 revolvers making them rare finds today. The Model 1863 Single Action .44 calibre percussion Army Revolver was the third of the Starr revolvers produced for the military. Between September, 1863 and December 22, 1864, the Starr Arms Company delivered 25,002 Model 1863 Army revolvers to the Ordnance Department. The government's cost for this arm was $12.00 each. These arms and components were produced in Starr's plants in Yonkers, Binghamton and Moorisania. The grips on this gun are very good. The big long barrel Starr Army Revolver is the pistol that was chosen by the hero in Clint Eastwood's Academy Award winning movie 'The Unforgiven' played by Clint Eastwood, and the pistol was in fact featured as the main promotional part of the film in the 'Unforgiven' poster, see picture of the Starr Revolver, in the poster, in our gallery copyright Warner Bros.Single-action Army model of 1863 in .44 chambering with production numbers reaching 3,000, 21,454 and 23,000 respectively.
Design of the pistol fell to Ebanezar (Eban) Townsend Starr and all of the guns were manufactured out of the Starr Arms Company facility of Binghampton and Yonkers, New York for Federal service. The guns relied on a percussion cap system of operation with each chamber of the six-round cylinder loaded with a charge and a ball. Percussion caps were set upon the awaiting nipples found at each chamber. The hammer then fell on these caps to produce the needed ignition of the propellant charge within each chamber, the resultant forces propelling the ball out of the barrel. Externally, the revolver was of a conventional design arrangement. The handle was ergonomically curved for a good fit in the hand while being covered in useful grips. A solid frame was featured around the rotating six-shot cylinder which offered strength that open-frame revolvers of the period generally lacked. The hammer protruded from the rear of the frame within reach of the shooting hand's thumb for actuation as necessary. A loading arm was positioned under the barrel to help ram the contents of the chambers to the rear (and thus closer to the percussion cap's port). The barrel sat over this arm in the usual way, the ball projectiles guided into it by way of a proper seal from the cylinder's front face to the barrel's rear end. All in all, a traditional revolver arrangement that was proven to work. Sighting was by way of iron fittings over the top of the gun.

The gun has been made none actionable by the removal of such as the mainspring and cylinder ratchet pawl etc. { that are no longer present} very possibly as a simple way to temporarily deactivate its use for historical display. All the missing parts are relatively easy to be sourced in America, likely for a few hundred dollars, but its next owner may not wish to, or even need to bother, as it is no longer to be used, However, the price very much reflects the fact of the lack of the working internal action parts, which makes this revolver incredibly inexpensive and great value, due to its now completely non functioning condition, yet it is still a fascinating, original, historical souvenir of the US Civil War. FYI, Our last complete operable example we sold for £2850. Thus, one can acquire this 90% original, but only internally incomplete revolver of the Civil War, for considerablely less than 50% it’s worth.
As with all our antique guns no licence is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables.  read more

Code: 25258

An 18th Century Highly Decorated North West Frontier Jazail, With The Iconic Recurved Butt Stock & Elaborate Inlaid Decor

With a long Damascus twist barrel and a captured British EIC flintlock. Formerly this type of elaborately decorated long gun were the weapons of regional tribal warlords in the 18th and early 19th century.

A very fine, attractive and incredibly significant historical example of a North West Frontier Afghan War long gun known as a Jazail. With a highly distinctive recurved butt. Likely Damascus steel twist barrel. The ordnance inspected lock was captured from an East India Co. musket. It has the EIC mark of the lion, plus probably traces of an ordnance inspector stamp number. The gunlock and it's maker is a most interesting historical aspect of this intriguing gun, it appears by the remaining surface it may have been made by Hirst of London. Hirst had his business based in Little Tower Hill, London, and he was a contractor to the Ordnance and the East India Co. His specialism was rare breech loading rifles, with screw mounted breeches, and wall mounted pivot guns with large flintlock mechanisms, just as this one is.

Jazails very often had captured British made locks, as their domestically made locks were often very basic matchlock types. The Jazail was used by the notorious North West Frontier tribesmen, in the 18th century, during the era of what was called The Great Game. The period when the British control of India was expanding, yet under considerable and constant threat by Russia, and it's attempted conspiracies in order to influence discord among the Indian populace for their own advantages, ‘plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose’ .

Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim was based around this very geo political situation, and a most informative, accurate, and yet ripping tale that it is too. It would have also been used in the Ist Afghan War in the 1830's, in many ways the first major conflict of what became known as " The Great Game". The reasons for the British invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in the late 1830s are many and varied. They mainly revolve around what one of the 'victims' of the event referred to as 'the Great Game'. This was the name given by Arthur Conolly to denote the shadow boxing between Russia and Britain for influence in Central Asia for much of the 19th Century. Relations between Russia and Britain were strained in the 1830s as the British feared the expansionist and strong armed tactics of Tsar Nicholas I who came to the throne in 1825. He sought a policy that expanded Russian influence southwards and eastwards. This was bringing Russian influence towards Britain's own 'Jewel in the Crown' India.
India was still ruled by the East India Company, although the British government had constrained much of the company's freedom to act by this time and was ultimately guiding its policy on the wider international scene. The British were particularly concerned at Russian influence in Persia. They had heard reports that the Russians were helping the Shah of Persia beseige Herat on the western side of Afghanistan. If successful in taking this city, Russian influence would advance along the route that they would take if they were to invade India at any point in the future. But British alarm bells really began to ring when a rumour circulated that a Russian had arrived at the court of Dost Mohammed in Kabul. If this was true, then it was believed that Russian influence might extend to the borders of India itself. Steeped in classical education, most British decision makers knew the invasion route of India taken by Alexander the Great and assumed that the Russians would soon have the capability to make a similar incursion. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables Rudyard Kipling's poem of the Afghan War refers to the feared deadly accuracy of the Jazail, and it goes;

"A scrimmage in a Border Station
A canter down some dark defile
Two thousand pounds of education
Drops to a ten-rupee jezail".

Frizzen lacking on the lock, action weak. As with all our antique guns, no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 22931

A Superbly Attractive, Native American Indian 'Spontoon Head' Style Tomahawk with Studded Haft, Glass Beads, and Eagle Feathers.

Great Lakes style. Rarely seen in Europe, a large spontoon trade style tomahawk axe head, with 2 large hook quillons on either side of the head. The head itself is a work of art, engraved with four spontoon heads at north south east and west, and nail point stamped create a circle. Possibly forged by an unknown blacksmith. The blade and head show a nice natural patina, and old brass tacks along the handle. They are domed head brass tacks set in an ash wood haft. The haft has a hole drilled for attaching an old beaded drop and eagle feathers with a piece of thin buckskin cord, the eagle feathers have been cut across the top, this is an old Lakota symbol of 'cutting an enemy's throat'. In excellent condition, It somewhat reminds us of the late 19th century spontoon head tomahawk of Chief Iron Tail of the Oglala Lakota Nation. He was a famed late 19th century celebrity Sioux, but it was as a star performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West in the 1880s that brought this Sioux to the attention of world leaders and American audiences; as many as 12,000 people attended the live shows each day. It was the quintessential last vestige of the American West and passing century of discovery. When performances went overseas, Iron Tail was still Buffalo Bill's lead performer, and also his avowed best friend. He nicknamed Bill "Pahaska" or "Long Hair." In the West they hunted; in Europe, they toured historic sites, often hosted by royal aristocracy, traveling together until 1913.The spiked tomahawk, made along the lines of medieval European battle axes, had either a straight or curved spike projection at the top of the hatchet’s head.

The Missouri war axe, a large, thin-bladed hatchet with a short handle, was favoured by tribes along the great bend of the Missouri River.

The spontoon tomahawk, with its dagger-like blade and curled or winged-like appendages, suggested a fleur-de-lis-shaped battle axe.

Although least practical as a cutting or chopping tool, each one of these tomahawks made formidable hand weapons and held some favour with Indians because of their graceful and artistic shapes.

Regardless of style or shape, like the Indian’s bow and lance or the white man’s rifle and revolver, the tomahawk was as important a practical tool as it was a weapon of combat. Whether left plain or adorned with tacks, beads, coloured cloth, feathers, animal parts or even human appendages, the tomahawk also served as a symbol, representing the choice between peace or war, when white and red men met. While the first iron hatchets and tomahawks in America came from British and French sources in the northwestern territories and the Spaniards and French in the south and southwestern regions of the frontier, the first American tomahawks probably appeared in the Far West during Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s 1804-1806 expedition. Nevertheless, by the early to mid-19th century, the iron tomahawk had become a standard trade item and fighting implement of frontier Indians. This tomahawk is not an 18th century or early 19th century example, today those examples are now valued in the tens of thousands of pounds, and furthermore may now never leave American shores. This axe is likely 19th century or later. Surface pitting to the iron and small blackened staining to the iron on one side. We cannot ship this item to the US, because Native American items are not permitted imports into America  read more

Code: 23398

A Magnificent 18th Century Anglo French Indian War To Revolution Period All Silver Hilted Small Sword with Colichmarde Blade. Probably By William Kinman. A Stunning Museum Piece, A Near Pair to General George Washington's Sword in Amazing Condition

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. Born in the Colony of Virginia, Washington became the commander of the Virginia Regiment during the French and Indian War (1754–1763). He was later elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, and opposed the perceived oppression of the American colonists by the British Crown. When the American Revolutionary War against the British began in 1775, Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. He directed a poorly organized and equipped force against disciplined British troops. Washington and his army achieved an early victory at the Siege of Boston in March 1776 but were forced to retreat from New York City in November. Washington crossed the Delaware River and won the battles of Trenton in late 1776 and Princeton in early 1777, then lost the battles of Brandywine and Germantown later that year. He faced criticism of his command, low troop morale, and a lack of provisions for his forces as the war continued. Ultimately Washington led a combined French and American force to a decisive victory over the British at Yorktown in 1781. In the resulting Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British acknowledged the sovereign independence of the United States. Washington then served as president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which drafted the current Constitution of the United States.

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 part bright 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 sword 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 practicing 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 1767 Silver-Hilted Smallsword
One of Washington's most beautiful swords, this sword appears in many famous Washington paintings.  read more

Code: 24960

A Superb, Medieval & Most Rare, 12th-13th Century Crusader Knights Iron Flanged Battle Mace & Scorpion Flail Mace Head

A rare example of mace, and, apparently, not many surviving examples of this type of flanged mace are still in existence.
An offensive battle mace that would be an amazingly effective piece against armour, helmet or shield. In almost spherical form with multi layered protruding flanges in hollow-cast iron that could be mounted on a haft, or with a chain and haft and used as a battle flail. They were also carried as a symbol of power and rank, as it is so now, for example such as the cosmetically huge parliamentary mace and the Queen's great mace of state being just two examples. In the Crusades era this was, on occasion, also an ecclesiastic weapon used by Bishops Popes, for an ecclesiastical warrior was not allowed to draw blood in combat a most novel distinction but far more usually used by mounted knights in noble combat. a flail mace for extra reach on horseback. Unlike a sword or haft mounted mace, it doesn't transfer vibrations from the impact to the wielder. This is a great advantage to a horseman, who can use his horse's speed to add momentum to and underarmed swing of the ball, but runs less of a risk of being unbalanced from his saddle.
It is difficult to block with a shield or parry with a weapon because it can curve over and round impediments and still strike the target. It also provides defense whilst in motion. However the rigid haft does have the advantage as the flail needs space to swing and can easily endanger the wielder's comrades.

Controlling the flail is much more difficult than rigid weapons.On a Flail it had the name of a Scorpion in England or France, or sometimes a Battle-Whip. It was also wryly known as a 'Holy Water Sprinkler'. King John The Ist of Bohemia used exactly such a weapon, as he was blind, and the act of 'Flailing the Mace' meant lack of site was no huge disadvantage in close combat. Although blind he was a valiant and the bravest of the Warrior Kings, who perished at the Battle of Crecy against the English in 1346. On the day he was slain he instructed his Knights both friends and companions to lead him to the very centre of battle, so he may strike at least one blow against his enemies. His Knights tied their horses to his, so the King would not be separated from them in the press, and they rode together into the thick of battle, where King John managed to strike not one but at least four noble blows. The following day of the battle, the horses and the fallen knights were found all about the body of their most noble King, all still tied to his steed.

During the Middle Ages metal armour such as mail protected against the blows of edged weapons. Solid metal maces and war hammers proved able to inflict damage on well armoured knights, as the force of a blow from a mace is great enough to cause damage without penetrating the armour. Though iron became increasingly common, copper and bronze were also used. Pictures in the gallery, some medieval, showing them used in combat. The mace head is approximately the size of a slightly flattened tennis ball.  read more

Code: 22686

The Lanes Armoury Welcomes Thousands Upon Thousands of Personal Visitors To The Store In Brighton Every Day {But Not Sundays} . Fabulous Pre-Historic, Archaic, Ancient, Antique, & Vintage Treasures, Artifacts, & Collectables Are Added Every Single Day

We are told, most generously, every single day, when the gallery-shop is open, by literally dozens of our thousands of visitors, that we are their favourite shop in the whole of the U.K. Many, when they are returning to England for another visit, tell us they make a point to make another visit to us every single time as part of their UK travels. Just the other week one of our regular visitors from China diverted his journey from Beijing to Paris, to go via London Gatwick Airport, in order to just to visit us for a couple of hours, and then return to Paris. This very week lots more incredible treasures arrived including an 18 item German badge and buckle collection of a WW2 combat bomb disposal officer. A section of the special engineering units {Fleming’s so called ‘Red Indians} in wartime Europe were a vital part of clandestine warfare, and all parts of the units combat service were then trained in recognising enemy mines, booby traps, handling of explosives, demolitions, counter-demolitions, bomb disposal, and combined with recognition of enemy uniforms and equipment for intelligence gathering. Reporting all elements of their findings back to CoCO, and by them to the Admiralty. Fleming referred to such brave men as his ‘Red Indians’. see Casino Royale for reference. Plus 3 fabulous pistols, A Polish WW2 pistol Third Reich period, A Punjab Irregular Horse pistol, and a stunning Crimean War cavalry officer’s pistol. And a wonderful samurai horse riders armour, early Edo period, of the Matsunaga clan plus, dozens of Museum Grade original antique collectibles such as cased pistols, samurai tantos, etc.

The story so far of the Hawkins Brothers and "The Lanes Armoury" written by Francis Taylor;

Sadly it is likely the last, true, original 'armoury' shop left in the whole of Britain. Defining the original term of an historical 'Armoury' as a building containing all forms of militaria, arms and armour, from all of the eras of mankind from the stone age culture, to all the civilizations of antiquity, both pre-history, and historic, on into the medieval, the post medieval and later, to WW1 and WW2. Effectively covering from 300,000 years b.c. until WW2. Not including their fossils of course that can be up to 100 million years old.

They were described as one of the most highly recommended visitors attractions in the whole of the UK by the New York Times. It is also regularly featured by many other world wide publications. Hundreds of thousands of tourists and regular visitors come to see them every single year, including, in the 1970's such erstwhile luminaries as President Ronald Reagan, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. They evolved their company from one of the oldest established family businesses in Sussex, spanning over 100 years, with a client base that includes museums, heads of state, presidents, princes and kings. But whether you are a movie star, a head of state or a student, all will be treated with the same courtesy and respect. Every sale is important to them, albeit a £5 badge a £5,000 rare book, or a suit of armour for £50,000.
Every day they are told that to some, this is their favourite shop in the world, with some foreign visitors returning year in year out for 40 years or even more, so they truly believe they have a great responsibility to their customers, their reputation, and to the amazing city of Brighton.
Their oldest customer has incredibly been a regular buyer, for an amazing, near 70 years.

To view just a flavour of the visual history one can view here, and their modus operandi during the past century of their business and store, please click the group photos to the left, and see just small aspects of their gallery, in photos taken recently, and from the distant past.
One is a photograph from the outside of their shop taken around 1920, another one from more recently, and another, of their 1920's vintage horse drawn pantechnichon that was still in use for local deliveries until 1969 and another photo one of their 'more modern' pantechnichons in the 1970's. The partners, Mark and David also regularly appear on the BBC and numerous UK TV channels, consulting on historical documentaries, and on various antique 'discovery' programs, and act as consultant appraisers and for notable private individuals and public companies. During Mark's 54 years personally trading in The Lanes, and David's 44 years {that's around 98 years combined} both within the family businesses, it is estimated they have had pass through their hands, and appraised, possibly more items than any other living dealers in the country, and their breadth of knowledge and experience is simply astonishing. While in his capacity as export director of the old family company, Mark was personally responsible for the sale and export of over 2,000 individual antique items every single week for nearly ten years. Shipping their treasures within a fleet of trucks and 40 foot container lorries, to the four corners of globe. If you can get Mark to describe some of his past professional trades, you will certainly be amazed. Just one part of his trade, back in the 1970’s was the selling and shipping of vintage classic cars to the States. Dozens of 20 foot containers were sent, containing either a vintage Rolls Royce, Bentley, Lagonda, Alvis, Aston Martin, and their like, with the interiors packed full of antique porcelains and silver and antique furniture stacked on top {in order to utilise every valuable space possible}. Mark’s first personal car was a BRG 1932 Aston Martin Le Mans. Originally raced by Sir Sydney Caffyn as an amateur {who was a friend of Mark’s father David senior}, which Mark bought from Sir Sydney’s brother, some while after Sir Sydney had died, for which he paid the princely sum of £325 in around 1971. He sold it to an Italian-American Las Vegas casino owner for £800 three years later, The last known example he knew of, the Aston Martin 1932 Le Mans LM8, and that he tried to buy {unsuccessfully I might add}, sold recently for €905,000 at Sothebys {somewhat in excess of Mark’s budget}. How times {and prices} have changed!

Of course, these days, after selling their wholesale antique export shipping companies, that were some of the largest of their kind in Europe, for the past 35 years the brothers have concentrated their devotion to being England's leading specialist antique arms and militaria dealers, focusing their core business from general antiques and fine art, to the finest, ancient, antique or vintage samurai weaponry, armour, and worldwide swords, firearms and militaria and historical books, covering the past three millennia. It is now said they are the largest samurai weapon dealers in the western world, and this website is the largest of it's type in the world, including over 17,000 full colour photographs of some of their items for sale.
A recent article, written about their business on 'City News Live' is copied here below, as published;**
"With so many different histories to offer, you can feel freer in Brighton than in most British cities to select trips which coincide with your interests and of course, you're much more likely to find in Brighton things to do which bring the history you love to life. For the lover of militaria, a visit to The Lanes Armoury is a must with a difference. The Armoury's housed in a three-storey 16th century building and is a real treasure trove, it's a museum which is not a museum as everything is for sale. It has been nominated and then short-listed for the British Antique & Collectors Awards as the best Antique Shop in Great Britain and is the latest incarnation of a much older business David Hawkins Brighton Ltd which was one of the earliest and largest dealers in Antiques and Collectibles within the whole of Europe in the last century."

It's their current specialisation in worldwide Arms, Armour, Militaria, and Books, which really marks them out and creates such a fascinating and fantastic place to visit. From antiquities from all the past ancient empires, including bronze-age swords, axes, helmets and daggers, to Roman Viking and medeavil weaponry, to suits of samurai and European armour, muskets, revolvers, duelling pistols, American civil war swords, right through to medals and World War II militaria, it's all there to be viewed and drooled over. For example they had in stock a signed 1st Edition book that once personally belonged to Winston Churchill detailing a story of combat in the American Revolutionary War. It was presented to him during WW2 and signed by it's author, Robert Graves, one of England's greatest WW1 poets and novelists. It was declared by Churchill, in a personal letter to Robert Graves thanking him for the gift, that it was one of only 6 or 7 novels that he had read during his premiership in the war, and subsequently this very book was used by him to advise the creation and modus operandi of the new British Commandos. Also the last time I visited I was shown their first edition The Great Gatsby, an absolute gem of a rarity, that must be valued at many tens of thousands of pounds. It's not a museum, but when you leave, you've had the same experience! I can honestly say the experience of a visit to the armoury, although not a vast premises by any means, is utterly memorable, and every single person that passed through their doors while I was there was either astonished, amazed, or both!

Francis Taylor

“With the passing of the generations that came before, all that is left, after the memories dim and fade away, is what that is physically left behind. To seek such manifestations of past generations, and preserve them for the future, is vital for all those generations yet to come”

Mark Hawkins  read more

Code: 19615