A Super Pair of WW2 Badges For A Scottish ATS Girl Based at Rosneath House and Her US Submariners Sweetheart Badge for Crewman of USS Herring, Lost With all Hands Off Matsuwa Island

A regulation WW2 issue ATS cap badge, and a silver US Submariner's sweetheart brooch. The ATS girl served at Rosneath House Dumbartonshire, and her sweetheart was a crewman of USS Herring based in Scotland in Submarine Squadron 50. Tragically the submaring was lost in the Pacific June 1st 1944 off the Japanese Islands. The house was of note as both the home of Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll and as the military base where Operation Torch was planned, and was the location of the important meeting between Churchill, Eisenhower and Montgomery to negotiate Operation Torch: the invasion of North Africa.

The ATS girl was not informed of the loss of the submarine for well over six months. She later married after the war.

The Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in Rosneath served vital support roles for both the Royal Navy and the US Navy (HMS Rosneath/US Navy Base Two). ATS personnel were stationed there to operate switchboards, provide clerical support, maintain vehicles, and run vital communication centers for the Allied amphibious operations.
ATS women managed the administrative and clerical burden at Rosneath House, which became the American staff headquarters for planning operations like the 1942 invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch).

Operating telephones and teleprinters was crucial for coordinating the heavy convoy and amphibious traffic on the Firth of Clyde.
Members of the ATS drove military vehicles and helped maintain transport pools that supplied the bases and surrounding camps

Submarine Squadron 50 (SubRon 50) was a specialized U.S. Navy wolfpack established in September 1942 at New London, Connecticut, and deployed to Scotland to hunt German U-boats and enemy shipping during the Battle of the Atlantic.The squadron consisted of seven brand-new Gato-class fleet submarines—including the USS Herring. Between 1942 and 1943, these vessels operated out of Rosneath, Scotland, making them the only U.S. submarines to operate in European waters during the war.
Assigned to patrol the Bay of Biscay, Norway, and Iceland, as well as support the Operation Torch amphibious landings.
Utilized the Rosneath Naval Base in Dumbartonshire
Operating the USS Beaver (AS-5) as a tender, the unit prowled the approaches to Europe and conducted patrols off North Africa.
Herring's The Atlantic was less fruitful for targets than the Pacific, and the boats in SubRon 50 were hindered by defective torpedoes and mechanical issues.

Because of these limitations and a lack of German shipping targets, Squadron 50 was reassigned to the Pacific theatre in 1943 to combat the Japanese.

On June 1, 1944, during her eighth war patrol, the USS Herring was sunk with all 83 crew members by Japanese shore batteries and depth charges near Matsuwa Island in the Kuriles.
Crew list;
RT2 Fred Harvey Anderson
MoMM2 John Leonard, Jr. Anderson
RM1 James Elbert Armstrong
ENS Salvatore Balestrieri
F1 Jack Lee Blair
S1 J. T. Blevins
S1 Leo Joseph Boucher
TM1 James Joseph Brennan
SC2 John Jack Bronder
S2 Weldon Junior Brown
CK1 Timothy Burkett
MoMM2 Charles E. Burton
StM2 Nathaniel Campbell
MoMMC Malcolm Dillard Carroll
TM3 Robert Allan Carter
TM1 Robert Joseph Chouinard
TM1 Raymond Walter Christopherson
LT John Norvin Compton
MoMM2 Arnold Jerome Cook
ENS Edward Paul Cunningham
EM1 Henry Lester Cushion
MoMM1 James Ray Dawkins
TM3 Robert Earl Devenport
MoMM3 Franklin Kenneth Edginton
MoMM1 William John, Jr. Eitelbach
MoMM3 George William French
F2 Donald Russell Gagnon
TM3 James LeRoy Gregory
EM2 Charles George Groshens
RM3 Clifford Henry Grote
PhMC Armand Alois Guerra
TM3 Paul Blaney Harper
MoMM2 Robert Gerald Haskell
S1 Billy Glen Hill
LT(jg) William Anthony Hofman
SC3 Lawrence Harvey Isbell
MoMM2 John Martin Johnson
S2 Laurel Kenneth Johnson
RM2 Samuel Loy, Jr. Johnson
StM1 Louis Hill Jones, 26-Jan-44 HERRING (SS-233)
EM2 Earl Albert Kelley
LT(jg) Michael Frank, Jr. Kostal
LT Edward Lawrence, Jr. Leahy
TM3 Warren Edwin Lewis
MoMM1 Rex Henry Loftis
RM3 Robert Lawrence Mack
LCDR (XO) Wilbur Jerome Mason
SM3 John Burns Mayes
QMC John William, Jr. McCreary
TM3 Willie Raderick McLendon
SO2 Joel Atwood, Jr. Merriman
EMC Robert Scott Millis
EM2 Gordon Richard Mitchell
F1 Herbert Barnes Much
F2 Lester Odom
MoMMC Harry Joseph O'Howell (AKA Howell, Harry Joseph), 1-Jun-44
GM2 Robert Edgar Payne
FC2 Gabriel Joseph Pepera
S1 James Gordon Perkins
SM3 Carl Eugene Poland
QM3 Omer Paul Potvin
ENS William Bright Pressnall
EM2 Sone Herbert Price
MoMM2 Charles Edward Riley
MoMM3 Donald Leroy Robbins
EM1 Emerson Everett Rockwell
MoMM3 Donald Edwin Ryan
MoMM3 Andrey Harold Saarm
F1 Charles Augustus Schmidt
GM3 William Kenneth Smiley
S1 William Stern
SC3 Robert Ray Stoneking
F1 James Arthur Sutherland
YN2 Frederick Allen Swanson
EM1 Allan Wilson Twigg
EM3 Van Harlan VanMatre
COX Leroy Moroney Vreeland
FC3 George Edward Wagoner
MoMM2 Carman Duncan Walker
EM3 John Robert Walsh
S1 Kenneth Karl Way
TM2 Howard Ray Wilson
S1 Elmer Christian Wuertele
LCDR (CO) David, Jr. Zabriskie.

Her  read more

Code: 26260

A Super Rare Volume, Superbly Bound in Vellum, of :The Voiages and Travels of John Struys through Italy, Greece, Muscovy, Tartary, Media, Persia, East-India, Japan, and other Countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia Published in 1684

Containing Remarks and Observations Upon the Manners, Religion, Polities, Customs and Laws of the Inhabitants; and a Description of Their Several Cities, Towns, Forts, and Places of Strength: Together with an Account of the Authors Many Dangers by Shipwreck, Robbery, Slavery, Hunger, Torture, and the Like. And Two Narratives of the Taking of Astracan by the Cossacks, Sent from Captain D. Butler. Illustrated with Copper Plates, Designed and Taken from the Life by the Author Himself. Done Out of Dutch, by Johh sic Morrison.
STRUYS, Jan Janszoon.

The Voiages and Travels of John Struys Through Italy, Greece, Muscovy, Tartary, Media, Persia, East India, Japan, and Other Countries in Europe, Africa and Asia: Containing Remarks and Observations Upon the Manners, Religion, Politics, Customs and Laws of the Inhabitants; And a Description of Their Several Cities, Towns, Forts, and Places of Strength: Together With an Account of the Authors Many Dangers by Shipwreck, Robbery, Slavery, Hunger, Torture, and the Like. And Two Narratives of the Taking of the Astracan by the Cossaks, Sent From Captain D. Butler . Illustrated With Copper Plates, Designed and Taken From Life by the Author Himself
Struys, John
Published by London Abel Swalle, 1684  read more

Code: 26255

A Superb Leather Bound Volume of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's, - The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Leather Bound Ist Longmans' Colonial Library Edition, Published In 1894

It has all the classic Sydney Paget illustrations, including this famous one of "The Death of Sherlock Holmes."

The Longmans, Green & Co. Colonial Library edition of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, typically published in 1894, is a scarce and highly collectible variation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic second collection. It is highly sought after by collectors of antique literature and Arthur Conan Doyle editions

Longmans, Green & Co. released this as part of their Colonial Library series in 1894.
Unlike the larger 1893 Newnes quarto edition, the Longmans release is a standard crown octavo format.
These vintage printings typically include the original, iconic illustrations by Sidney Paget.

Original copies generally featured standard publisher's cloth or paper-wrapped boards (such as pale green decorated cloth) rather than bespoke leather. True leather-bound copies on the market today are almost always custom, post-publication bespoke bindings or rebound versions from private collectors.  read more

Code: 26259

Rare Ist Edition Of 'The Hunting of the Snark', Publication Date 29 March 1876, Subtitled An Agony, in Eight Fits By Lewis Carroll.

The Hunting of the Snark, subtitled An Agony, in Eight Fits, is a poem by the English writer Lewis Carroll. It is typically categorised as a nonsense poem. Written between 1874 and 1876, it borrows the setting, some creatures, and eight portmanteau words from Carroll's earlier poem "Jabberwocky" in his children's novel Through the Looking-Glass (1871).

Macmillan published The Hunting of the Snark in the United Kingdom at the end of March 1876, with nine illustrations by Henry Holiday. It had mixed reviews from reviewers, who found it strange. The first printing of the poem consisted of 10,000 copies. There were two reprints by the conclusion of the year; in total, the poem was reprinted 17 times between 1876 and 1908. The poem also has been adapted for musicals, movies, opera, plays, and music.

The narrative follows a crew of ten trying to hunt the Snark, a creature which may turn out to be a highly dangerous Boojum. The only crew member to find the Snark quietly vanishes, leading the narrator to explain that the Snark was a Boojum after all.

Carroll dedicated the poem to young Gertrude Chataway, whom he met in the English seaside town Sandown on the Isle of Wight in 1875. Included with many copies of the first edition of the poem was Carroll's religious tract, An Easter Greeting to Every Child Who Loves "Alice".

Various meanings in the poem have been proposed, among them existential angst, an allegory for tuberculosis, and a mockery of the Tichborne case.

While Carroll denied knowing the meaning behind the poem, he agreed in an 1897 reply to a reader's letter with an interpretation of the poem as an allegory for the pursuit of happiness.
Henry Holiday, the illustrator of the poem, considered the poem a "tragedy"

This Ist edition of Hunting of The Snark, valued at £200,000, became the central theme of an entire film episode of 'Lewis' from the cannon of works based around Inspector Morse the now world famous Oxford detective. His sergeant, Lewis, had his own Oxford based series after he was promoted to Inspector following the death of his dear friend, mentor and senior colleague of the Thames valley Police.

The Soul of Genius.
DI Lewis and DS Hathaway investigate the murder of Murray Hawes, an Oxford professor whose body was found in a shallow grave in the woods. Dawes lived in a spartan apartment but had recently made an expensive purchase: an edition of Lewis Carroll's The Hunting of the Snark, annotated by the author himself, for £200,000. In fact, their investigation shows that he was fanatical on the subject of the snark and was determined to solve Carroll's intricate riddle. Where he got the money is one line of inquiry but it's clear that he and his brother, the Rev. Connor Hawes, were in dangerous competition, something they had been doing since childhood. Making life more difficult for the police is Michelle Marber whose son was found dead several years ago. Although the coroner ruled death by misadventure, she is convinced that he was killed by Dr. Alex Falconer who had some type of connection with Hawes. Falconer, a medical research scientist, denies any knowledge of Hawes. Several suspect ts have lied to the police and the motivation of one of them leads the police the to killer.  read more

Code: 26256

A Magnificent and Large Horse Mounted Samurai's Battle Sword Katana, With A Simply Stunning Shinto Blade In Near Mint Condition for Age. The Mounts Are All Completely Original Edo Period.

A beautiful substantial and impressive Bizen tradition war katana, with a very fine classic koshi no hiraita midare hamon. High-ranking warriors sword that were the only samurai permitted to fight on horseback.

Plain tettsu Higo school fuchi kashira in a traditional russet finish. Original Edo tsuka ito wrapped over ancient form menuki of russet iron spear heads, in early yari and naganata form. Round tetsu Higo schookl kinuki tsuba with two udenuki-no-ana. The holes being for the passage of a cord, tying the tsuba to the scabbard.

The saya is very fine, with a sayjiri bottom iron mount, with light ‘cinnabar pink’ urushi lacquer finish, also known as coromandel pink {named from the pink petaled flower} urushi lacquer to the saya, often made with the addition of perilla oil. The condition of both saya is very good just a couple of aged surface nicks
The colour created from urushi lacquer mixed with cinnabar was rewarded to them as the most famous warriors of all the samurai clans of Japan, the Li, and the Takeda.

Samurai endured for almost 700 years, from 1185 to 1867. Samurai families were considered the elite. They made up only about six percent of the population and included daimyo and the loyal soldiers who fought under them. Samurai means one who serves."

Samurai were expected to be both fierce warriors and lovers of art, a dichotomy summed up by the Japanese concepts of bu to stop the spear expanding into bushido (the way of life of the warrior) and bun (the artistic, intellectual and spiritual side of the samurai). Originally conceived as away of dignifying raw military power, the two concepts were synthesised in feudal Japan and later became a key feature of Japanese culture and morality. The quintessential samurai was Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary early Edo-period swordsman who reportedly killed 60 men before his 30th birthday.

In Japan the term samurai evolved over several centuries

In Japanese, they are usually referred to as bushi (武士,) or buke (武家). According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning 'to wait upon', 'accompany persons' in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau. In both countries the terms were nominalized to mean 'those who serve in close attendance to the nobility', the Japanese term saburai being the nominal form of the verb." According to Wilson, an early reference to the word samurai appears in the Kokin Wakashū (905–914), the first imperial anthology of poems, completed in the first part of the 10th century.

Originally, the word samurai referred to anyone who served the emperor, the imperial family, or the imperial court nobility, even in a non-military capacity.It was not until the 17th century that the term gradually became a title for military servants of warrior families, so that, according to Michael Wert, "a warrior of elite stature in pre-seventeenth-century Japan would have been insulted to be called a 'samurai'".
This is a katana was likely made for a senior, high ranking samurai, a seieibushi. based upon horseback in combat, certainly not a light and deeply cursive katana, but a battle sword, made to complete an uncomprimising task of close combat and aggressive close quarter hand to hand swordmanship. Designed as much for cleaving through samurai armour and kabuto helmets in two, as much as defeating another samurai while on horseback. Although samurai would not, one would say, be a cavalry based warrior, all senior samurai would be mounted and thus travel on horseback, and some cavalry type samurai could be deployed in battle, but with differing combat styles depending on what part of Japan they came from. The cavalry troops, being Samurai, had personal retainers that stayed closer to them in the Sonae, carried their weaponry and worked as support units, much like an European squire. They also joined the fight whenever possible (especially in the mounted infantry scenario) and were often responsible of taking heads for their lords.
These foot Samurai were also used as heavy infantry or archers to support the ashigaru lines.

Tactics
Given the fact that the Samurai could directly dismount and operate as infantry, there were some specific tactics for horsemen.
Cavalry in general was only used after the battle was already started, either to deliver a decisive victory or to trying to save the day.

Norikiri
This is a classic charge, where several small groups of five to ten horseman ride consequently (possibly with a wedge formation) into a small area against the enemy lines, to maximize the shock. It was mainly used by heavy cavalry in the East, but given the fact that the ideal target where "weavering" units with low morale or disorganized, even medium cavalry could perform this charge.
The main role of this charge was to create confusion; if it didn't succeed, the cavalry regroups and either retreat or deliver another charge.

Norikuzushi
This is a combined infantry and cavalry charge. The horseman charged first, and after creating mayhem, a second charge is delivered by infantries armed with polearms, which could keep on fighting. The main target for this tactics were ranged units detached by the army. After a Norikuzushi usually follows a Norikiri by the cavalry group


30 inch blade overall 43 inches long in saya.  read more

Code: 25539

Beautiful ‘Queen Anne’, London, Dragoon Officer's Long Barrel Horse Pistol, Lock Named James Barber A Most Beautiful Example.

12 inch Barrel, bearing early barrel proof stampings of A.R., the crossed sceptre gunsmith proof markings of Queen Anne, 1702-1714, stamped in the early period position, at the top of the breech of the barrel. Later on, and henceforth, proof marks were stamped on the left hand side of the breech. The pistols military furniture is all brass, with a typical officer's type short eared style skull crusher butt cap terminating with a grotesque mask the early type, from the time of King William IIIrd, before the long spurred style became fashionable in the 1740's. The lock is the early banana form, typical of the earliest 18th century long pistols, with a the good and clear name of Mr. Barbar inscribed. It has a good and responsive action. The stock is fine walnut. It has a single ramrod pipe, also typical of the early Queen Anne style. This would not be a trooper's pistol, but a officer's private purchase example, from one of the great makers and suppliers to the dragoon regiments and officers of his day, during the time of King George IInd. This pistol would have seen service during the War known as King George's War of 1744-48, in America, and the 7 Years War, principally against the French but involving the whole of Europe, and once again, also fought in America. Recognized experts like the late Keith Neal, D.H.L Back and Norman Dixon consider James Barbar to be the best gun maker of his day. Dixon states, "Almost without exception, unrestored and original antique firearms made by James Barbar of London are of the highest quality". In Windsor Castle there are a superb pair of pistols by James Barbar and a Queen Anne Barbar pistol also appeared in the Clay P. Bedford exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Barbar supplied complete dragoon pistols for Churchill's Dragoons in 1745, also guns for the Duke of Cumberland's Dragoons during 1746 to 48, and all of the carbines for Lord Loudoun's regiment of light infantry in 1745.
James was apprenticed to his father Louis Barbar in October of 1714. Louis Barbar was a well known gun maker who had immigrated to England from France in 1688. He was among many Huguenots (French Protestants) who sought refuge in England after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV in 1685. Louis was appointed Gentleman Armourer to King George I in 1717, and to George II in 1727. He died in 1741 .

James Barbar completed his apprenticeship in 1722 and was admitted as a freeman to the Company of Gunmakers. By 1726 James had established a successful shop on Portugal Street in Piccadilly. After his father's death in 1741, James succeeded him as Gentleman Armourer to George II, and furbisher at Hampton Court. He was elected Master of the Gunmakers` Company in 1742. James Barbar died in 1773.

The book "Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790" contains a detailed chapter on James Barbar and many fine photographs of his weapons. This lovely pistol is 19 inches long overall. It has had some past overall service restoration within the past 100 years. The mainspring, stock were replaced, as was the ramrod. But, it is often the case as this pistol may likely have seen somewhat rigorous combat service during its working life for upwards of 80 years. It is a beautiful looking pistol, and a fine looking example of the early British military pattern gunsmiths. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 21363

A Beautiful 19th Century Damascus Twist Barrelled Sporting Gun By Manton of London. One Of The Greatest Names In the Realm of English Gunsmiths

Back action lock bearing Manton's name and decorative pattern engraving. It has a hook breech with double platinum lining and very attractive fine Damascus browning, walnut half stocked with steel furniture bearing further overall engraving.

Joseph Manton (6 June 1766 - 29 June 1835) was a British gunsmith who innovated in sport shooting, improved the quality of weapons and paved the way to the modern artillery shell. Joseph was also a sports shooter in his own right and a friend of Colonel Peter Hawker. There were two Manton brothers, John was the elder and Joseph the younger. John Manton was born in 1752 and after his apprenticeship, set up in London in Piccadilly.

Manton began producing percussion guns in 1825 and Manton himself died in 1834, leaving the business in the hands of his son. Some of Manton's weapons are considered the finest of the flintlock and percussion age. They can fetch more at auction than Holland & Holland's shotguns. His workforce included James Purdey (who went on to found Purdey's), Thomas Boss, William Greener and Charles Lancaster. These four all went on to establish major firms of gun makers, which continue to this day. The true English Damascus barrel is prepared from three rods, twisted as described and put together as shown in the twisted riband, and is known technically as three-iron Damascus ; the silver-steel Damascus is similarly made, but of different metal piled in a different order. The rods having been twisted, and the required number welded together, they are sent to the iron-mill and rolled at a red heat into ribands, which have both edges bevelled the same way. There are usually two ribands required for each barrel, one riband or strip to form the breech-end, and another, slightly thinner, to form the fore, or muzzle, part of the barrel. Upon receiving the ribands of twisted iron, the welder first proceeds to twist them into a spiral form. This is done upon a machine of simple construction, consisting simply of two iron bars, one fixed and the other loose ; in the latter there is a notch or slot to receive one end of the riband. When inserted, the bar is turned round by a winch-handle. The fixed bar prevents the riband from going round, so that it is bent and twisted over the movable rod like the pieces of leather round a whip-stock. The loose bar is removed, the spiral taken from it, and the same process repeated with another riband. The ribands are usually twisted cold, but the breech-ends, if heavy, have to be brought to a red heat before it is possible to twist them, no cogs being used. When very heavy barrels are required, three ribands are used; one for the breech-end, one for the centre, and one for the muzzle-piece. The ends of the ribands, after being twisted into spirals, are drawn out taper and coiled round with the spiral until the extremity is lost, as shown in the representation of a coiled breech-piece of Damascus iron. The coiled riband is next heated, a steel mandrel inserted in the muzzle end, and the coil is welded by hammering. Three men are required one to hold and turn the coil upon the grooved anvil, and two to strike. The foreman, or the one who holds the coil, has also a small hammer with which he strikes the coil, to show the others in which place to strike. When taken from the fire the coil is first beaten upon an iron plate fixed in the floor, and the end opened upon a swage, or the pene of the anvil, to admit of the mandrel being inserted. When the muzzle or fore-coil has been heated, jumped up, and hammered until thoroughly welded, the breech-end or coil, usually about six inches long, is joined to it. The breech-coil is first welded in the same manner, and a piece is cut out of each coil; the two ribands are welded together and the two coils are joined into one, and form a barrel. The two coils being joined, and all the welds made perfect, the barrels are heated, and the surplus metal removed with a float; the barrels are then hammered until they are black or nearly cold, which finishes the process. This hammering greatly increases the density and tenacity of the metal, and the wear of the barrel depends in a great measure upon its being properly performed. A very nice and tight action and overall in nice condition for age. A very small piece of wood lacking from the breech tang area. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 20766

A, Original Napoleonic Wars ‘Tower of London’ Brown Bess Musket. Third Pattern, Napoleonic Wars Issue. 39 inch Barrel Regulation Lock, Stock, Mounts and Fittings. Circa 1808 With Ring Necked Cock

A very good regulation Brown Bess ‘Tower of London’ India Pattern Musket of The Napoleonic Wars, Waterloo etc. The standard musket issued to the British soldier throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries was the India Pattern model, made in two variants and used against both Revolutionary and Napoleonic France. The first model was introduced in 1793 and the updated version in 1810

Probably the most famous military flintlock musket in the world today, and certainly one of the most historically important and desirable long guns of its type from the Napoleonic wars.

In one day alone, June 1815, at the Battle of Waterloo, it is estimated four million rounds were fired by the 50,000 infantry {estimated at 80 cartridges per man} with their India Pattern Brown Bess muskets, at Napoleon’s army.

A typical regulation example exceptional and excellent condition, with a stunning colour and patina.
A British Napoleonic Wars regulation, regiment of the line issue musket, Crown GR and Tower, ring neck cock lock with government GR Crown stamp, regulation brass mounts, iron ramrod replaced. Walnut stock with signs of combat use but still exceptionally fine. A musket that it would be difficult to improve upon to find a better example.

The Brown Bess musket began its life almost 300 years ago, and it helped in creating one of the greatest trading empires the world has ever seen and, among other achievements, made the 'British Square' the almost undefeated form of infantry defence throughout the world. Made in four distinct patterns it originally started life as a 46 inch barrel musket called the Long Land or Ist pattern Brown Bess. Then in around 1768 the gun evolved and the barrel was shortened to 42 inches as 46 was deemed unwieldy and renamed the Short Land or 2nd pattern. Although the Long Land was made continually for another 20 years. With the onset of the Napoleonic Wars in the 1790s, the British Board of Ordnance found itself woefully short of the 250,000 muskets it would need to equip its forces. It managed to produce around 20,000 short land pattern muskets but this was simply not sufficient. At that time the British East India Company maintained it own troops and had contracted with makers to produce a simplified version of the Brown Bess musket with a 39-inch barrel and less ornate furniture and stock work. It was generally felt that the standard of these "India pattern" muskets was not up to the standard of the earlier Besses, but necessity required action so the authorities convinced Company officials to turn over their stores to the Crown. By 1797 the urgencies of war ultimately created the demise of the Short Pattern, and all manufacture was turned to building the more simple 'India' pattern. For the most part, the gun underwent few changes from its introduction until Waterloo, with the exception of the cock, which was altered from the traditional swan-neck style to a sturdier, reinforced ringed version in around 1808.

The Brown Bess musket was the standard weapon of the British for more than a century. soldiers marched into battle with this musket—nicknamed “Brown Bess”—for more than 100 years. British redcoats used the Brown Bess to fight the War of Independence in the colonies, and many of their opponents in the Americans’ Continental army used it as well.
British soldiers fighting in the Napoleonic wars carried it into battle, and it was the principal firearm used by the infantrymen who fought the War of 1812.

Because the weapon was slow to load and relatively inaccurate (experienced soldiers generally estimated its range between 50 and 100 yards), armies developed tactics that helped compensate for its shortcomings. The limitations of smoothbore muskets like the Brown Bess forced units employ “linear tactics,” in which a hundreds of soldiers stood in neat lines, shoulder-to-shoulder and out in the open. While such tactics appear decidedly unstealthy to twenty-first century eyes, they proved essential on the battlefields of all the conflicts which Britain was involved.
There, stealth was a low priority. Packing the men into blocks allowed officers to coordinate their troops’ fire into synchronized volleys. Firing a hundred guns in the same direction at once helped ensure that at least some, often most of the inaccurate musket balls found their targets. And grouping the men into neat lines out in the open helped commanders ensure that few of their troops gave in to the natural instinct to flee.

Of course, packing troops into blocks and fighting in the open required tremendous discipline from the individual soldiers. Infantrymen had to stand exposed to enemy fire as they loaded and fired their own muskets. And in some situations, soldiers learned the grisly dangers of fighting in lines—as at the Battle of New Orleans in the 1812 war, where American artillery attacked the exposed British formations with devastating effect.

Engagements for the infantry were traditionally at relatively close distances, often the result of closely controlled battlefield management. In 1811 a soldier of the 71st Regiment of Foot, writing of fighting the French at Fuentes de Onõro, recorded: “… during our first advance a bayonet went through between my side and clothes, to my knapsack, which stopped its progress. The Frenchman to whom the bayonet belonged fell, pierced by a musket ball from my rear-rank man. Whilst freeing myself from the bayonet, a ball took off part of my right shoulder wing and killed the rear-rank man, who fell upon me. We kept up our fire until long after dark. My shoulder was black as coal from the recoil of my musket; for this day I had fired 107 round of ball cartridge.”

This was not an uncommon account and it would have been just as true of Waterloo. If we were to take an average of 80 cartridges fired by about 50,000 allied infantry at Waterloo the expenditure of ammunition would have amounted to more than four million cartridges. Although not scientific, it does give a flavour of the ferocity of battle that Sunday in June 1815.

Barrel 39inch overall 54.75 inches long.

Action has a very good and strong mainspring. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 26254

A Simply Superb. Antique, Wild West, Original .32 rimfire Remington Elliot 1860-61 patent, Cased Four-Barrelled Derringer Pistol. As Good, If Not Better, Than Any to Be Currently Seen In American Wild West Museums. Cased by T Underhill of Manchester

A .32 (Rimfire) Remington Elliot patent, Cased Four-Barrelled Derringer Pistol, serial no. ,
circa 1860’s to 70’s, with four 3 3/8in. barrels, the false rib on the left hand side signed 'MANUFACTURED BY E. REMINGTON & SONS ILION N.Y.', the right 'ELLIOT'S PATENTS MAY 29 1860 - OCT 1 1861', release latch below barrel group, open hinged frame with concealed striker, flared grip with smooth moulded hardwood inserts and ring trigger, good original finish remaining, with little or no areas of age pitting. Compared to regular multi shot pistols the production run of this pistol was very low, around 9,000, thus making fine quality and condition surging examples very rare indeed, and cased examples , far far rarer indeed. For example Remington sold over 150,000 of their commercial double barrelled Derringer pistol

Patented during the US Civil War and used in the great Wild West era of America’s Frontier history, this absolute beauty is simply a joy to see. If one was searching for a fine example of these iconic Derringer pistols look no further, this may well be the best you will ever see for sale in Great Britain. Not to mention it is stunningly originally cased in a superb Victorian pistol box, of fine quality, and wonderfully preserved and thus presented as good as any museum piece you may see.

Cased by T Underhill of Manchester {lock case maker marked} 2 Corporation St. He operated at that address for six years up to 1868. A bespoke case maker for instruments and pistols.

Evidence of the practicality of this Pepperbox derringer is found, in infamous sportsman, Grantley Berkeley’s own words, after being presented with one in the Civil War period, when he was in St. Louis, Missouri. He remembered the pistol as “…the most perfect little bijou of a revolver I ever saw in my life… In size it is so small that I carried it in my waistcoat-pocket, and in execution so effective that at eight yards I could shoot as correctly, if not more so, than I could with my favourite pair of John Manton duelling pistols....”

Grantley Berkeley (1800–1881) was a 19th-century British politician, writer, and infamous sportsman whose reputation for violence culminated in an infamous attack on a magazine publisher. Armed with a hunting whip and concealed pistols—often colloquially associated with period derringers —he brutally beat a magazine editor. This led to a widely publicized pistol duel, where he and his opponent fired three shots each with no injuries

"In 1859, the Western United States was still huge, wild, and open. Englishman Grantley Berkeley decided to have a hunt there and so embarked on an adventure very few of his countrymen would ever even contemplate. Enlisting the services of Americans, this plucky Old Countryman got to live out his fantasy of adventure on the high plains. Camping in the open, hunting enormous herds of buffalo, shooting other game and living the life. And he manages to tell the tale with great humor (humour) and keen observation of American social life, habits, and scenery."
Review of The English Sportsman in the Western Prairies
By Grantley Fitzhardinge Berkeley · 1861

1 gallery photo of Harper’s Weekly advertisement for the Elliot Remington Derringer in 1864

T. Underhill, 2 Corporation St, Manchester. Thomas Underhill, a qualified optician, that, according to Clifton’s Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers, 1550–1851 (1995), worked at the following addresses in Manchester: 40 Water St (1834–1838), 70 Bridge St, Deansgate (1841), 4 Old Millgate (1848), 2 Corporation St (1858–1864), 4 Corporation St (1868), and 53 Princess St (1873–1881) Creating bespoke cases for all manner of instruments and pistols made by respected Victorian makers such E.Remington and Sons, Buron of Paris, McAllister & Brothers (1855) and Negretti and Zambra (1859

Overall in superb working order, nice tight action, and it is an obsolete, antique collectors item, that requires no restriction or licence to own and display as a collectors item.

Photographed with our small boot sized gamblers Bowie knife {not included}

No key for the lock  read more

Code: 26245

Wonderful Napoleonic Wars 'Brown Bess' Officer's Musket, Made by One Of The Most Famous & Greatest English Gunsmiths, Harvey Walklate Mortimer. A Fabulous Example, In Superb Condition. A Far Better Example Than The Mortimer Bess in The Royal Collection

Excellent steel on all parts, barrel and lock, finest walnut stock with stunning natural patina, very fine regulation pattern brass mounts, including side plate ramrod pipes and butt plate {regimentally numbered 10} both original sling swivels present. As this is the officers issue Brown Bess, this would be very unlikely to be a rack number, as the officers did not keep their muskets on racks with the other ranks guns, but in their quarters on campaign, thus it may represent the 10th (North Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot.

The regiment served with particular distinction in the Napoleonic Peninsular War (1808-14) from 1812 to 1814. Their key campaigns were the Siege of Tarragona: The battalion formed part of General John Mackenzie’s 2nd Division in 1813.
The Battle of Castalla: Fought in April 1813, this was one of their major engagements, resulting in a successful allied victory against French forces. The Blockade of Barcelona: The regiment saw out the final stages of the Peninsular War in Spain through 1814 as operations shifted to Catalonia. The battalion also saw service in Malta, Sicily, and northern Italy

It would be very hard indeed to see a better example, of an officer's issue 'Brown Bess' {Third Pattern} anywhere. Another one of these India Pattern, 1st model ‘Brown Bess’, also by H W Mortimer, likely from the very same contract order, is now in the British Royal Collection, and it is not in anywhere in as good condition as this absolute beauty.

Harvey Walklate Mortimer (1753-1819) gun maker for His Majesty the King, was a British gunsmith known for his exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs. His pistols, and muskets, often adorned with intricate engravings, were highly sought after by both military officers and civilians. Mortimer's work is characterized by its precision, balance, and meticulous attention to detail, showcasing a mastery of both form and function. His legacy continues to inspire gunsmiths and collectors today, cementing his place as a significant figure in the history of firearms.
The Royal Collection has an identical British infantry officer's example, made for the Napoleonic Wars, Object number:
XII.103, but their Brown Bess by Mortimer has been converted to a percussion action.

The 'Brown Bess' infantry musket was the standard weapon of the British infantry for more than a century.

From the Seven Years war, the American revolution, The Anglo French Wars and The Napoleonic Wars. Also soldiers on both sides of the Anglo American War of 1812 employed it in battle, staring down its barrel at opponents across distances of less than a hundred yards.

British foot soldiers marched into battle with this musket—nicknamed “Brown Bess”—for more than 100 years. British redcoats used the 'Brown Bess' to fight the War of Independence in the colonies, and many of their opponents in the Americans’ Continental army used it as well. British soldiers fighting in the Napoleonic wars carried it into battle, and it was the principal firearm used by the infantrymen who fought the War of 1812.

The Brown Bess had several distinctive features. It was a large-calibre weapon: the bullet it fired was a lead ball up to three-quarters of an inch in diameter, three times the diameter of a modern .22-caliber rifle round. The inside of its barrel was smooth: unlike more accurate “rifled” muskets used by the famous rifle regiments, the Brown Bess had a smooth bore with no grooves to make its fire more accurate. Soldiers loaded the musket through the muzzle, which meant that each bullet had to be forced down a longer than three foot barrel before firing. Even trained soldiers could only launch two or three shots per minute.

Because the weapon was slow to load and relatively inaccurate (experienced soldiers generally estimated its range between 50 and 100 yards), armies developed tactics that helped compensate for its shortcomings. The limitations of smoothbore muskets like the Brown Bess forced units employ “linear tactics,” in which a hundreds of soldiers stood in neat lines, shoulder-to-shoulder and out in the open. While such tactics appear decidedly unstealthy to twenty-first century eyes, they proved essential on the battlefields of all the conflicts which Britain was involved.
There, stealth was a low priority. Packing the men into blocks allowed officers to coordinate their troops’ fire into synchronized volleys. Firing a hundred guns in the same direction at once helped ensure that at least some, often most of the inaccurate musket balls found their targets. And grouping the men into neat lines out in the open helped commanders ensure that few of their troops gave in to the natural instinct to flee.

Of course, packing troops into blocks and fighting in the open required tremendous discipline from the individual soldiers. Infantrymen had to stand exposed to enemy fire as they loaded and fired their own muskets. And in some situations, soldiers learned the grisly dangers of fighting in lines—as at the Battle of New Orleans in the 1812 war, where American artillery attacked the exposed British formations with devastating effect.

The world changed in 1793, a mere 10 years after the loss of the American colonies. Britain found itself once again at war, this time with Revolutionary France. An army now reduced in size to an authorized strength of only 44,432 men had to be expanded rapidly, along with the local militia and volunteer forces. The call for muskets was huge. Indeed, in 1793 the total stock of muskets in all the armouries around Britain, including the central arsenal at the Tower of London, was around a mere 60,000. The stocks held in French arsenals amounted to over a very sensible 700,000. Although it is clear that we are currently abysmally unprepared for the defence of these islands today, 250 years ago, it was exactly the same, as it was in 1939 before WW2. Around 110 years ago former army general Baden Powell created the Boy Scouts with the motto 'Be Prepared', hopefully, to instill in those young minds, a sound and sensible life principle to counter the constant unpreparedness, for all manner of emergencies, of the British Government. A situation that the General Staff consistently find so tragic, yet it is never able to change the policy of the politicians, and this appalling deadly situation, continues, even unto today.

The Board of Ordnance had to fill the gap. They did this by ordering 10,000 muskets from the Birmingham and London gun trade

The lock is stamped by the primary, senior ordnance inspector, for arms provided by ordnance contractors for the armaments required for the Napoleonic Wars
Richard Duce {his mark of Crown 2}. He was also the controller of tempering & hardening of locks, after their arrival from the stores for fitting to the musket.
Stamped with London Gunmaker's Company proof marks. It has a hook breech and is secured by three slides. Lock engraved with the name of the maker Mortimer.

He also inspected all the EIC Brown Bess that were handed over to the British Ordnance for the Napoleonic Wars. An account that was confirmed to us by our friend and historic colleague, Howard Blackmore of the Tower of London armoury.  read more

Code: 26253