WW1 / WW2 / 20th Century
A Good, & Very Rare, German Third Reich, WW2 Wehrmacht 14th Kavallerie Regimental Sword. Used In Operation Barbarossa The Invasion of Russia and the Eastern Front. Amazing that It Is One Of The Few To Survive the Debacle of The War in the East.
Used in WW2, yet with only a 20% survival rate of the Eastern Front campaign by German forces, this sword is a remarkable survivor. Cavalry regiments had an even greater loss percentage. In major offensives the survival rate dropped to less than one in ten men survived to return home.
For every 100,000 men captured by Russia less than 6% ever returned alive from captivity.
Fully etched combat blade with full regimental name of the 14th Kavallerie and an etched panel of a cavalry charge, with all the troop wearing steel combat helmets. Steel P hilt, black celluliod grip with wire binding. Black painted steel scabbard. Fully etched blade with 14th Kavallerie etched, with cavalry combat charges, a horse's head profile and florid d?cor. The same type of sword worn by General der Kavallerie Edwin Graf von Rothkirch und Trach, who joined the 14th Kavellerie, aged 42, in 1930, as a major. In September 1939 he was made Chief of the General Staff of the XXXIV Corps Command. Serving in the war for two years on the Eastern Front he was promoted in November 1944 to Commanding General of the LIII Army. General Graf von Rothkirch und Trach was captured at Neunkirchen by Lieutenant Colonel Abrams' 37th Tank Battalion in March 1945. The remnants of Graf von Rothkirch und Trachs LIII Army Corps fell back across the Rhine River but was destroyed a month later in the Ruhr pocket. Kavallerie was drawn down somewhat in the German armed forces after the French campaign, but soon after the invasion of Russia it was realised an increase in Cavalry was essential for anti-partisan policing and for recce in terrain unsuitable for vehicles. In the picture gallery their shows an original photo of a WW2 German cavalry trooper who has his identical sword mounted on his saddle. During the war German cavalry units increased in numbers from a single brigade to a larger but still limited force of six cavalry divisions and two corps HQ. All regular cavalry troops served on the Eastern Front and the Balkans and a few Cossack battalions served on the Western Front.
The German Army of 1941 had a single cavalry division assigned to Heinz Guderian's panzer group. Continuously engaged against Soviet troops, it increased in size to six regiments and in the beginning of 1942 was reformed into the 24th Panzer Division that later perished in the Battle of Stalingrad. In April-June 1943 the Germans set up three separate cavalry regiments (Nord, Mitte, Sud) horse units reinforced with tanks and halftrack-mounted infantry. In August 1944 these regiments were reformed into two brigades and a division forming, together with the Hungarian 1st Cavalry Division, Gustav Harteneck’s Cavalry Corps that operated in Belorussia. In February 1945 the brigades were reformed into cavalry divisions (German stud farms in East Prussia were not affected by the Allied air raids that crippled German industry
The SS operated both paramilitary horse units (23 cavalry regiments in 1941) and military Waffen SS cavalry. The SS Cavalry Brigade, formed in 1940, was engaged against civilians and guerrillas in the occupied territories and then severely checked by the Soviet Rzhev-Sychevka offensive. In 1942 the SS reformed the brigade into the 8th SS Cavalry Division manned by volksdeutsche, which operated on the Eastern Front until October 1943. In December 1943 the 8th Cavalry spun off the 22nd SS Cavalry Division manned with Hungarian Germans. These divisions were properly augmented with heavy, field and anti-aircraft artillery. Another SS cavalry division, the 33rd Cavalry, was formed in 1944 but never deployed to full strength.
The Germans recruited anti-Soviet cossacks since the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, although Hitler did not approve the practice until April 1942. Army Cossacks of 1942 formed four regiments and in August 1943 were merged into the 1st Cossack Division (six regiments, up to 13,000 men) trained in Poland and deployed in Yugoslavia. In November 1944 the division was split in two and reformed into the XVth Cossack Corps. The Kalmyks formed another cavalry corps, employed in rear guard duties.
In February 1945 German and Hungarian cavalry divisions were thrown into the Lake Balaton offensive; after a limited success, German forces were ground down by the Soviet counteroffensive. Remnants of Army cavalry fell back into Austria; 22,000 men surrendered to the Western allies, bringing with them 16,000 horses. Remnants of SS cavalry, merged into the 37th SS Division, followed the same route
Expected areas of service wear to the scabbard paint and light surface pitting on areas of the blade and hilt. Very bright polished overall read more
1250.00 GBP
Part of a Superb WW1 Machine Gunner's Collection, British and German. An Incredibly Rare WW1 German Machine Gunners Abteilung Marked Utility and Combat Axe and Cradle Leather Belt Holster Regimentally Marked
steel axe head stamped with standing lion makers mark and “G. LEWELT”, waved wooden haft. Housed in brown leather cradle with stud fittings, stamped to the inside “1 M.G.A” 1st Maschinengewehr Abteilung and the axe block with “BA II 1917” Issued to Bekleidungsamt Armee Korps Stettin. Split to leather by brass stud. Used by the machinegunner to cut down trees or wood that thus enabled a machine gun to be placed at its best advantage point, preferably concealed by wood or thicket. It was also the perfect trench warfare close combat weapon. The German army had been a late convert to the potential of machine guns, but its tactical employment of them in 1914 proved superior to that of its enemies. German machine gunners exploited the weapon’s long-range accuracy, and the fact that the guns were a regimental (rather than battalion) asset allowed them to be grouped to achieve maximum effect. This efficiency created a myth that Germany deployed far more machine guns than its opponents in 1914.
Following the onset of positional warfare, machine guns gained notoriety as highly effective direct-fire weapons. They could theoretically fire over 500 rounds per minute (rpm), but this was not normal in combat, where "rapid fire" generally consisted of repeated bursts amounting to 250 rpm. The effectiveness of these bursts of between ten and fifty bullets was enhanced by exploitation of ballistics and the precision offered by firing from adjustable mounts. At ranges of 600 metres or less, machine guns could create fixed lines of fire which would never rise higher than a man's head, with deadly results for those attempting to advance across them. Or the gun could be traversed between bursts to offer what the French called feu fauchant (mowing fire). At longer range, their bullets fell in an elliptical "beaten-zone", giving them an area-fire capability.
Groups of guns could interlock their fire. In favourable circumstances, such as at Loos on 26 September 1915, or on the Somme on 1 July 1916, this could prove devastating. But although this is how machine guns are now best remembered, new methods of using them were developed from 1915 onwards.
Every item is 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
775.00 GBP
A Good 19th-20th Century French 1886 Pattern Lebel Rifle Sword Bayonet & Frog Hook Scabbard. WW1 French Foreign Legion Issue
With full quillon, complete, and in nice condition. Used by the French Foreign Legion into WW1, a very good example of these long and impressive sword bayonets. 65.5cm long overall. {25.75 inches}. Cross section epee blade nickle hilt. The scabbard has a frog hook fitting that fixes to the belt with a strap {complete with strap} instead of the past and common frog button
Our current just arrived selection of bayonets ranges from a collection just acquired of really great and rare bayonets, from a collector who wanted the very best he could find over the past 40 years. Rare French examples from the Russian contract during WW1, uncovered in Ukraine in the late 90's, French Foreign Legion bayonets, acquired from a French Foreign Legion reserve armoury depot clear-out in the 70's,
The bayonet was made famous as the bayonet used by the French Foreign Legion used in WWI and WWII, albeit with several modifications. The bayonet was produced with a long cruciform blade on a white alloy hilt. The crossguard originally had a downswept quillon like this one {was removed in 1916} and had a press button rifle locking mechanism.
The French Foreign Legion fought in the trenches during WWI on the Western Front, alongside other European theaters of war like the Balkans. This was a shift from their traditional role as they were deployed to fight in Europe instead of just colonial territories. The Legion's units were made up of both veteran mercenaries and wartime volunteers who joined to fight for France, with the latter often finding themselves in the Legion due to circumstances rather than choice.
Deployment: The Legion was not only on the Western Front but also fought in other theaters, such as in the Balkans in engagements in Greece, Serbia, and Macedonia.
Composition: While the traditional "mercenary" legionnaires were part of the force, a large number of new volunteers also joined specifically to fight in the war for France.
Trench warfare: Legion units, like other French army units, were involved in the brutal trench warfare that characterized the war on the Western Front.
Combined forces: The Legion fought alongside other Allied forces, such as the British army in some theaters.
The Lebel bayonet type with the quillon removed is the M1886/93/16 (Model 1886/93/16).
The original M1886 bayonet featured a prominent hooked quillon, intended for parrying or trapping enemy bayonets. This design was updated in 1893 with a new press button mechanism (M1886/93), and then altered again in 1916 (M1886/93/16) to eliminate the quillon.
The quillon was removed for several practical reasons during World War I:
Ease of manufacture: Removing the quillon simplified and sped up the production process to meet the demands of the war effort.
Field functionality: The hooked quillon was found to be impractical in close combat, as it could get tangled in equipment or other objects.
Material conservation: Around the same time, the original nickel-silver (cupro-nickel-zinc alloy) handles were replaced with brass or steel to conserve nickel for other war uses.
Bayonets produced with the quillon (pre-1915 models) were often officially modified later by having the quillon cut off while in service. Bayonets manufactured after 1916 were made without the quillon from the start.
French Model 1886/93/16 Epee Lebel Bayonet
The model M1886/93/16 Bayonet was standard issue to French Foreign Legion soldiers fighting in the second half of WW1 after 1916 who were issued the Lebel rifle.
The M1886 bayonet is an usual design which has a long thin cruciform Blade with a peculiar locking device just behind the muzzle ring and an all metal grip
The later model was the same but with adjustments, see below, and re designated the M1886/93/16 bayonet
Cast smooth handle
No hooked Qullion
Square cut press stud
Cruciform blade
Black steel tube scabbard with frog hook.
Overall length 67cms
Blade length 51.5cms
Originally the bayonets had a nickel-silver handle and a hooked quillion, just as this example. By 1916, with the need to conserve nickel for the war effort, some of the handles were made of brass. About the same time they were manufactured without the quillion.
The steel quillon and scabbard has old age russetting, the quatrefoil blade and nickel are excellent.
Delivery cost shown as for UK mainland only. Non UK delivery is now considerably upgraded for safety issues read more
190.00 GBP
A Superb K98 Mauser Combat Bayonet. Early to Pre War Manufacture 1939 By Coppel GmbH. Matching Bayonet & Nickel Plated Scabbard.
Karabinier Kurz Mauser K98k Seitengewehr 84/98. Early bakelite gripped, Serial number 7333. Matching Waffenamt 'Wa253' inspector markings to the scabbard and pommel, with full matching maker markings to both parts. Bayonet blade and scabbard, in wonderful bright plus condition, the bayonet fits and extracts perfectly, with perfect functioning rifle button catch.
A bayonet for the standard Mauser arm used by the Heer Army, Kriegsmarine Navy, used before and during the allied liberation of France, and subsequently the whole of the enslaved Western Europe, until, finally, the capture of Berlin by the Red Army. The Karabiner 98 kurz (German; "carbine 98 short", often abbreviated Kar98k or K98k and often incorrectly referred to as a "K98" (which was a Polish Carbine), is a bolt-action rifle chambered for the 7.92 ×57mm Mauser cartridge that was adopted on 21 June 1935 as the standard service rifle by the German Wehrmacht. It was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles. Although supplemented by semi- and fully automatic rifles during World War II, it remained the primary German service rifle until the end of the war in 1945.
Sold to over 18s only. read more
295.00 GBP
Original German WWII ‘Rabbit Ear’ Optic Sighting Periscope, Scherenfernrohr S.F.14.Z.Gi. Tank Turret Mounting
Original WWII German OBSERVER’S SF.14z “RABBIT EAR” FIELD GLASSES. (Scherenfernrohr) for: Observation and reconnaissance; Measuring angles of azimuth; Measuring angles of site and elevation; Measuring height of shell bursts; Establishing safety zones for advancing friendly troops; and to lay field guns.
It was often seen employed in different roles such as in vehicles being specifically delivered as standard equipment in many German armored fighting vehicles such as the StuG III, Jagdpanzer 38, Jagdpanzer IV, Panther, the Nashorn and on the King Tiger where it can often be seen poking out the commander’s cupola, primarily as a safe method for him to observe the enemy without risk to life.
SF.14Z was also used by infantry type artilery spotters. Not much point giving it to these guys if you cant use them to estimate range.
Range estimation is critical to acheive a first round hit by greatly increasing accuracy, which is what you want when hunting tanks. SF.14Z also have a magnification of 14. The tank equivelent of a snipers sight.
The Germans soon realised that the commander using the SF.14Z to give the correct range to the gunner wasnt just good for accurate HE shoots but made for potent tank killer.
So they then issued the SF.14Z to most of their panzerjagers.
It appears that another famously accurate German tank killer the Nashorn was also equiped with SF.14Z rather than a rangefinder per see.
According to "Der Artillerist, Der Kanonier (1940) the Scherenfernrohr was to be used for:
1) Observation and reconnaissance
2) Measuring angles of
3) Measuring angles of site and elevation
4) Measuring height of shell bursts
5) Establishing safety zones for advancing friendly troops
6) And to lay field guns.
To aid ground infantry and artillery observers the Scherenfernrohr was used in conjunction with a tripod leg assembly. It normally came with accessories such as the azimuth mount and spirit level, tripod, carrying case, and other items such as a battery powered removable illumination lamp kit and a trench mount (often referred to as a tree screw which was approximate to a sort of cork screw that could allow the mount to be imbedded in wood or the ground).
A dhq coded sight (by J.D. Möller G.m.b.H., Wedel)
Photos in the gallery of them used by Hitler, And Himmler, on down to Falshirnjager, Panzer crew and Nashorn crew.
This is a superb set of optical site in great condition, the screw covers have slightly loose threads read more
790.00 GBP
A Superb, WW2 Issue Stielhandgranate {German Stick Grenade} M24, WW2 Issue. In Excellent Condition For age. With Rare Fragmentation Ring, A Shrapnel 'Splitterring'. Issued To All Combat Ground forces Of The SS, Heer, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe .
A great original souvenir of WW2 combat. you would have to go a long way to find a better example. With a loose pull-cord porcelain bead under the handle cap.
Overall in excellent condition, with maker code stamps to the top and wooden haft.
The Stielhandgranate 24 (M24) "potato masher" was primarily an offensive, concussion-based weapon designed to stun and kill through blast overpressure rather than shrapnel. Because its thin metal casing produced limited fragmentation, a specialized fragmentation sleeve—often referred to as a Splitterring (fragmentation ring) or shrapnel sleeve—was developed to increase its lethality.
The sleeve was designed to slide over the standard Stielhandgranate explosive head to create a "defensive" grenade that scattered high-velocity shrapnel over a wide area, according to a Reddit post and a forum discussion.
It consisted of a pre-scored or solid steel sleeve designed to break into multiple fragments upon detonation.
These sleeves were designed to convert the offensive stick grenade for defensive purposes, but they were often in short supply, limiting their deployment.
They were used to increase the destructive power of the grenade, which was particularly important for defensive combat scenarios where a wider, fragmentation-based lethality was desired.
Collector Item: Due to their specialized nature and the conditions of WWII, finding an authentic, original shrapnel sleeve with a stick grenade is rare.
While the standard M24 was a concussion grenade with an effective kill radius of only 10-12 meters (mostly in enclosed spaces), the addition of this sleeve significantly enhanced its effectiveness in open ground
The Stielhandgranate (German for "stick hand grenade") was a German hand grenade of unique design. It was the standard issue of the German Empire during World War I, and became the widespread issue of Nazi Germany's Wehrmacht during World War II.
The very distinctive appearance led to it being called a "stick grenade", or "potato masher" in British Army slang, and is today one of the most easily recognized infantry weapons of the 20th century
Germany entered World War I with a single grenade design: a heavy 750-gram (26 oz) ball-shaped fragmentation grenade (Kugelhandgranate) for use only by pioneers in attacking fortifications. It was too heavy for regular use on the battlefield by untrained troops and not suitable for mass production. This left Germany without a standard-issue grenade and improvised designs similar to those of the British were used until a proper grenade could be supplied.
The "stick grenade" first appeared in the midst of World War I; it was introduced in 1915 for use by the German Empire's armed forces. As time went on, the design further developed, adding and removing certain features. Aside from its unique and unusual appearance, the Stielhandgranate used a friction igniter system, a method very uncommon in other nations but widely used in German grenades.
During World War I, the original design of the Stielhandgranate, under the name M1915 (Model 1915), was in direct technological competition with the British standard-issue Mills bomb series. The first design model of the Mills bomb – the grenade No. 5 Mk. 1 – was introduced the same year as the German Model 1915, but due to delays in manufacturing it was not widely distributed into general service until 1916. (There was a small period of time where German troops had large supplies of new Model 1915 grenades, while their British opponents only had a very small number.)
As World War I progressed, the Model 1915 Stielhandgranate was further improved with various changes. These received new designations corresponding for the year of introduction, such as the Model 1916 and the Model 1917, and this one the M24
This item is empty, inert and safe, legal to own within the UK.
Not suitable for export. read more
A Most Rare Large Aviation Medal For the Acceptance Run of the 'LZ 4'.Zeppelin
Medal 1908, by A. Galambos. On the acceptance run of the 'LZ 4'. Germania with sword in the right wreath medallion of Count Zeppelin under oak, right a crowd of faces in an auditorium and an airship above / winged male figure with torn chain over globe and cloud. Kaiser 292.3, Gutt 14
Obverse — Goddess Germania with Sword in right hand. 60 mm. They made a smaller 33 mm silver version, and a small undated bronze version 33mm but this is the very rare, large gilt bronze version, of 60mm
Dir/ Danken/ Deine/ Deutschen.
A. Galambos on bottom
inscription — 4. 5. August 1908 on the left. A. Galambos. The Zeppelin LZ 4 was a German experimental airship constructed under the direction of Ferdinand von Zeppelin. First flown on 20 June 1908, it made a series of successful flights including a 12-hour flight over Switzerland. It was destroyed when it caught fire after landing to carry out engine repairs during a projected 24-hour endurance trial.This disaster proved fortunate for Zeppelin: donations by the German public raised 6.5 million marks, so guaranteeing the future of his development of airships. . At Westfälische Auktionsgesellschaft
Auction 71, 29-30 April 2014, a much smaller silver more common version of this medal sold for 480 euro. read more
450.00 GBP
Stunning & Very Rare Kings Royal Rifles Corps Officer's 'Battle Honour Blade' Presentation, Wilkinson Sword Co. Combined Combat and Dress Sword, Used In WW2. A Deluxe Grade Bespoke Beauty. Ideal For Current Service Use In ‘The Rifles’
This is likely the finest British battle honour bladed sword we have ever had the privilege to acquire and possess. In near mint condition and better than any we have ever seen in the numerous museum collections, such as the National Army Museum and the Imperial War Museum.
The next owner of this sword would be likely the bearer of the finest, historical issue, KRRC {now known as The Rifles} officer’s sword still in existence today. Yet it is ‘parade ground’ ready for any currently serving, or yet due to serve, officer of The Rifles today.
With KRRC battle honour embellished blade, etched with the regiments battle honours awarded to the regiment up to the close of WW1 in 1918. Made in 1931 by Wilkinson Sword Co. and used by an officer in the KRRC through WW2. It is very rare to find a KRRC ‘Battle Honour’ presentation pattern sword, in fact this is the first we have seen in over 20 years.
Despite being almost 100 years old it is still the current service pattern of sword for a Rifles officer today. Especially as it now has the same pattern of hilt currently in use bearing King Charles’ crown { the same crown symbolising his late beloved grandfather King George VIth.}
The King's Royal Rifle Corps was an infantry rifle regiment of the British Army that was originally raised in British North America as the Royal American Regiment during the phase of the Seven Years' War in North America known as 'The French and Indian War.' Subsequently numbered the 60th Regiment of Foot, the regiment served for more than 200 years throughout the British Empire.
The King's Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC) served extensively in World War II as a motorized infantry regiment, fighting in France (1940), North Africa, Greece, Italy, and Northwest Europe (1944–45). Key actions included the defense of Calais, the battle of Sidi Rezegh, and operations with armored divisions, winning 41 battle honors.Key Theatres and Battalions:1940 (France): The 2nd Battalion was captured at Dunkirk after fighting in the defense of Calais, while other territorial battalions (Queen Victoria's Rifles, The Rangers, Queen's Westminsters) also served.North Africa (1940–43): The 1st Battalion served with the 7th Armoured Division, and later the 2nd Battalion joined the campaign. They were heavily involved in the motorized, fast-moving, and intense tank battles.Italy (1943–45): 1st and 2nd Battalions fought throughout the Italian campaign, protecting tanks and conducting operations in close, mountainous country.North-West Europe (1944–45): The 2nd Battalion landed in Normandy, fighting in the Battle of Normandy and Operation Market Garden.
In the First World War the 1st Battalion landed at Rouen as part of the 6th Brigade in the 2nd Division in August 1914 for service on the Western Front. It saw action at the Battle of Mons in August 1914, the First Battle of the Marne and the First Battle of the Aisne in September 1914 and First Battle of Ypres in October 1914. It fought at the Battle of Festubert in May 1915, the Battle of Loos in September 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in Autumn 1916 before taking part in the advance to the Hindenburg Line, the Battle of Arras in November 1917, the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917, the Second Battle of the Somme in Autumn 1918 and the Battle of the Selle in October 1918.
The 2nd Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of the 2nd Brigade in the 1st Division in August 1914 for service on the Western Front and saw action at the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915.
The 3rd Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of the 80th Brigade in the 27th Division in December 1914 for service on the Western Front and saw action at the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915.
The 4th Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of the 80th Brigade in the 27th Division in December 1914 for service on the Western Front and saw action at the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915 but moved to Salonika in November 1915 before returning to France in June 1918.
New armies
The 7th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 41st Brigade in the 14th (Light) Division in August 1914 for service on the Western Front and saw action the Second Battle of Ypres in May 1915, the Battle of Delville Wood in July 1916 and the Battle of Flers Courcelette in September 1916 as well as the advance to the Hindenburg Line, the Battle of Arras in April 1917, the Battle of Langemark in August 1917, the First Battle of Passchendaele in October 1917 and the Second Battle of Passchendaele in November 1917 before taking part in the Battle of St Quentin in March 1918 and the Battle of the Avre in April 1918.
The 8th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 41st Brigade in the 14th (Light) Division in May 1915 for service on the Western Front and saw action most of the same battles as the 7th Battalion. The 9th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 42nd Brigade in the 14th (Light) Division in May 1915 for service on the Western Front and saw action most of the same battles as the 7th and 8th battalions.
The 10th (Service) Battalion and 11th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 59th Brigade in the 20th (Light) Division in July 1915 for service on the Western Front and saw action at the Battle of Mont Sorrel in June 1916, the Battle of Delville Wood in July 1916 and the Battle of Guillemont in September 1916 as well as the Battle of Flers Courcelette in September 1916, the Battle of Morval in September 1916 and the Battle of Le Transloy in October 1916 before taking part in the advance to the Hindenburg Line, the Battle of Langemarck in August 1917, the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge in September 1917, the Battle of Polygon Wood in September 1917 and the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917.
The 12th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 60th Brigade in the 20th (Light) Division in July 1915 for service on the Western Front and saw action most of the same battles as the 10th and 11th Battalions. The 13th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 111th Brigade in the 37th Division in July 1915 for service on the Western Front and saw action at the Battle of Morval in September 1916, the advance to the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of Arras in April 1917 as well as the Battle of Passchendaele in Autumn 1917, the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917 and the Hundred Days Offensive in Autumn 1918 before taking part in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.
Seven members of the regiment received the Victoria Cross. Complete with its field service leather scabbard
This below is the full list of the heroic ‘Battle Honours’ awarded to this most noble of regiments/corps.
Battle of Ahmed Khel
Aisne 1914
Albert 1916
Battle of Albuera
Battle of the Argenta Gap
Arras 1917
Arras 1918 (Battle honour)
Battle of Aubers
B
Siege of Badajoz (1812)
Battle of Arleux
Battle of Bailleul
Battle of Beaurevoir
Battle of Bellewaarde
Battle of Bethune
Battle of Courtrai (1918)
Battle of Drocourt-Queant
Battle of Épehy
Battle of Festubert
Battle of Flers–Courcelette
Battle of Frezenberg
Battle of Gheluvelt
Battle of Goojerat
Battle of Gravenstafel
Battle of Kemmel
Battle of Martinique (1762)
Battle of Menin Road
Battle of Nonne Bosschen
Battle of Rosières
Battle of St. Julien
Battle of the Ancre
Battle of the Canal du Nord
Battle of the Hindenburg Line
Battle of Bazentin Ridge
Battle of Broodseinde
Battle of Bussaco
C
Calais 1940
Battle of Cambrai (1917)
Battle of Cambrai (1918)
Chitral Expedition
D
Defence of Alamein Line
Defence of Ladysmith
Delhi 1857
Battle of Delville Wood
E
Egypt 1882
F
First Battle of the Marne
France and Flanders 1914–18
Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro
G
Battle of Gazala
Greece 1941
Battle of Guillemont
H
Battle of Havrincourt
I
Italy 1943–45
K
Kandahar 1880
L
Relief of Ladysmith
Battle of Langemarck (1917)
Battle of Le Transloy
M
Macedonian front
Martinique 1762
Martinique 1809
Battle of Morval
N
Battle of the Nive
Battle of Nivelle
North-West Europe 1940
O
Battle of Orthez
P
Pekin 1860
Battle of Pilckem Ridge
Battle of Poelcappelle
Battle of Polygon Wood
Battle of Pozières
Battle of the Pyrenees
Q
Quebec 1759
R
Battle of Roliça
S
Battle of St Quentin Canal
Battle of Salamanca
Capture of Schwaben Redoubt
Second Anglo-Afghan War
Battle of the Selle
South Africa 1851–53
South Africa 1879
South Africa 1899–1902
T
Battle of Talavera
Battle of Tell El Kebir
Battle of the Ancre Heights
Battle of the Sambre (1918)
Tobruk 1941
Battle of Toulouse (1814)
V
Battle of Vitoria
Y
Ypres 1914
Ypres 1915
Ypres 1917
A best quality modern example available today would cost ‘from’ £1450 but would not have the Battle Honour presentation blade, and naturally possess no antique historic value at all.
However, 21 years ago when Wilkinson Sword Co. ceased the manufacture of all sword making, a presentation, bespoke, Battle Honour sword would cost well north of £2000. plus vat. read more
1150.00 GBP
A Good Imperial German WW1 Officer's Sword A Beautiful 1889 Pattern German Infantry Officer's Sword of The Great War. and Used into WW2 Until May 1945. Wonderful Condition For Age Kaiser Wilhelm's Crest Inset Within The Grip
1889 Pattern Prussian officers sword with cast eagle guard, excellent original multi wire bound grip, with kaisers crest insert, good condition double fullered bright polished blade and black lacquered steel combat scabbard. Kaiser Willhelm crest to grip. Folding spring loaded Prussian eagle guard. Used by a German infantry officer serving in the Great War, the Weimar period, and WW2. Taken as a WW2 souvenir in 1945.
Many of these swords were also used in the 3rd Reich by veteran officers serving in WW2. Numerous Vintage photographs of WW2 German Officers show them wearing this pattern of sword, including one in the gallery of Generalleutnant Hans von Donat with his identical sword.
The Imperial German Army (Deutsches Heer) entered the Great War in 1914 as the most professional and highly trained conscript force in the world. At its peak, it mobilised millions of men, evolving from a force designed for rapid, decisive offensives into a highly adaptable master of industrialised trench warfare.Organization and Early StrategyEstablished in 1871 after the unification of Germany, the army was a federal force dominated by Prussia, though the kingdoms of Bavaria, Saxony, and Württemberg maintained their own ministries and units.The General Staff: Unlike its rivals, Germany relied on a Great General Staff to institutionalise military excellence through academic training and strategic planning.The Schlieffen Plan: Strategy was initially dictated by the goal of avoiding a two-front war. The plan called for a massive, rapid right-wing sweep through neutral Belgium to knock France out of the war in weeks before turning to face Russia.Rapid Mobilisation: Upon the outbreak of war, the army expanded from roughly 700,000 peacetime troops to over 3.8 million men within a week.
As the war of movement stalled into trench warfare, the German Army became a leader in tactical innovation to overcome the deadlock.Stormtroopers (Stosstruppen): To break the stalemate, specialized shock units were trained in decentralized, aggressive "infiltration" tactics. These focused on bypassing enemy strongpoints to strike rear-area command and artillery.
By 1917, the army shifted from defending a single, rigid front line to a deep defensive system. This allowed attackers to penetrate forward zones only to be decimated by pre-planned counter-attacks and hidden machine-gun nests.
Tactics evolved to integrate infantry, heavy artillery (coordinated by masters like Georg Bruchmüller), aircraft, and early anti-tank measures into a single cohesive system
Despite nearly breaking the Allied lines during the 1918 Spring Offensive, the army ultimately succumbed to exhaustion, a lack of mobility to exploit breaches, and the overwhelming material superiority of the Allies.Dissolution: Under the Treaty of Versailles, the Imperial Army was abolished in 1919 and replaced by the Reichswehr, a professional force strictly limited to 100,000 men with no tanks, aircraft, or heavy artillery.The "Stab-in-the-Back" Myth: Following the surrender, a powerful myth grew that the army had remained undefeated on the battlefield but was betrayed by politicians, socialists, and revolutionaries at home—a narrative that later fueled the rise of the Nazi Party.
The great ‘Myth of German WW1 Reparations’ the financial penalty for losing WW1, that fuelled the rise of the National Socialists Workers Party { aka, the Nazis}.
Effectively, the German NAZI politicians blatantly lied that Germany was ruined financially by the allied powers taking all of Germany’s wealth. Can you imagine how shocking it must of been to discover their National Socialist Workers politicians actually lied in order to gain power, shocking indeed! Thank goodness that has never happened since.
Weimar and Nazi Germany in reality only paid just one eighth of the due ‘bill’ in reparations, but it received more, approximately 12 billion dollars more, in loans, from a group of New York American financiers, than it paid out. And, another surprise, the Nazis defaulted on those loans anyway, so the National Socialists kept all the {circa} 34 billion dollars in loan funds, that they then used to help pay for the next war, that Hitler planned all along. Bear in mind, in those days, a billion dollars was a lot of money.
Germany only actually paid approximately 20 billion to 21 billion gold marks (roughly $5 billion USD at the time) toward its World War I reparations before the debt was eventually settled or written off. While the original "bill" set by the Allies in 1921 was a staggering 132 billion gold marks ($33 billion USD), Germany actually paid only about one-eighth of that total.
The repayment process was ‘interrupted’ by the economic crises, the rise of the Nazi regime, and a second world war.
Between 1919–1932 Germany transferred between 19 billion and 21 billion gold marks in cash and "in-kind" payments, such as coal, timber, and livestock.
To make these payments however, Germany ‘borrowed’ roughly 33 billion to 35 billion marks from foreign investors (mostly American). This meant Germany actually received more in foreign loans than it paid out in reparations during the 1920s. A far, far greater sum than it had paid so far to the allies. However, In 1933, Adolf Hitler ceased all reparation payments and defaulted on the foreign loans used to fund them.
It is often reported that Germany "finished" paying for WWI on 3 October 2010. A considerable ‘bending’ of the truth. This final payment of $94 million (€69.9 million) was not for the reparations themselves, which had been cancelled in 1932 anyway. Instead, it settled the accrued interest on the private bonds and foreign loans Germany took out from the financiers in the 1920s to stay afloat.
Under the 1953 London Agreement, West Germany had agreed to pay these interest debts only after the country was reunified, which delayed the final instalment until the 20th anniversary of German reunification.
Light polished out surface pitting to the blade, good 95% original black lacquer paint to the steel, dent free scabbard read more
645.00 GBP
A Most Rare Set Of 12 Original Photographs Of The General Nobile 1928 Polar Airship Expedition
Original Polar Expeditions collectables are most highly desirable and we have been delighted to acquire two such connected lots. These are 12 original photographic postcards, published at the time, by two publishers, Traldi and Ballerini & Fratini. For example one is entitled "La Spedizione Nobile - 11 - Esplorazioni di Alpini."
Ed. A. Traldi, Milan, n.d. c. 1928. and another "General Nobile to edge of Italy before leaving."
Umberto Nobile January 21, 1885 ? July 30, 1978) was an Italian aeronautical engineer and Arctic explorer. Nobile was a developer and promoter of semi-rigid airships during the Golden Age of Aviation between the two World Wars. He is primarily remembered for designing and piloting the airship Norge, which may have been the first aircraft to reach the North Pole, and which was indisputably the first to fly across the polar ice cap from Europe to America. Nobile also designed and flew the Italia, a second polar airship; this second expedition ended in a deadly crash and provoked an international rescue effort.The N-class airship Italia was slowly completed and equipped for Polar flight during 1927-28. Part of the difficulty was in raising private funding to cover the costs of the expedition, which finally was financed by the city of Milan; the Italian government limited its direct participation to providing the airship and sending the aging steamer Citt? di Milano as a support vessel to Svalbard, under the command of Giuseppe Romagna.
This time the airship used a German hangar at Stolp en route to Svalbard and the mast at Vads? (Northern Norway). On May 23, 1928, after an outstanding 69 hour long flight to the Siberian group of Arctic islands, the Italia commenced its flight to the North Pole with Nobile as both pilot and expedition leader. On May 24, the ship reached the Pole and had already turned back toward Svalbard when it ran into a storm. On May 25, the Italia crashed onto the pack ice less than 30 kilometres north of Nordaustlandet (Eastern part of Svalbard). Of the 16 men in the crew, ten were thrown onto the ice as the gondola was smashed; the remaining six crewmen were trapped in the buoyant superstructure as it ascended skyward due to loss of the gondola; the fate of the six men was never resolved. One of the ten men on the ice, Pomella, died from the impact; Nobile suffered a broken arm, broken leg, broken rib and head injury; Cecioni suffered two badly broken legs; Malmgren suffered a severe shoulder injury and suspected injury to a kidney; and Zappi had several broken ribs.
The crew managed to salvage several items from the crashed airship gondola, including a radio transceiver, a tent which they later painted red for maximum visibility, and, critically, packages of food and survival equipment which quick-witted engineer Ettore Arduino had managed to throw onto the ice before he and his five companions were carried off to their deaths by the wrecked but still airborne airship envelope and keel. As the days passed, the drifting sea ice took the survivors towards Foyn and Broch islands.
A few days after the crash the Swedish meteorologist Malmgren and Nobile's second and third in command Mariano and Zappi decided to leave the immobile group and march towards land. Malmgren, who was injured, weakened and reportedly still depressed over his meteorological advice that he felt contributed to the crash, asked his two Italian companions to continue without him. These two were picked up several weeks later by the Soviet icebreaker "Krasin". However there were persistent rumors that Malmgren was killed and cannibalized by Zappi and Mariano
They would look incredible suitably bespoke framed with UV protected glass read more
675.00 GBP