A Superbly Beautiful Peninsular And Waterloo Service 1796 Light Dragoon Officer's Sabre 7th {the Queen's Own} Light Dragoons {Hussars} of Captain Peter Augustus Heyliger. They ‘Charged’ Between 12 to 14 Times At Waterloo, & Captured Marshal de Logis
Napoleonic Wars & Hussars Light Dragoons officer's sabre: In 1807, they became the 7th (The Queen's Own) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Hussars). They served under Sir John Moore in Spain, fighting at Sahagún and Benavente (1808), and later in the Peninsula at Orthes (1814) and at the Battle of Waterloo (1815), where they made multiple charges.
A most stunning looking original combat-combined-dress sabre, commissioned from the London sword-cutlers, Richard Johnston, by an officer of the 7th Hussars, Captain Peter Augustus Heyliger {bearing his monogram} who used this sabre in the Peninsular Campaign at the Battle of Orthes in February 1814, and at Waterloo, when he charged the advanced French Piquets on the morning of the 17th of June 1815. {Noted with distinction}
Regulation broad curved single edge blade engraved with traditional crowned GR, and the Kings’s Hanovarian 1801-1816 coat of arms, with military scrolls and symbols engraved decor, copper gilt stirrup hilt, excellent wire bound fish skin covered grip, in its original copper-gilt mounted leather scabbard, commissioned maker engraved at the throat mount, by its esteemed London sword cutler. Interestingly this is the very pattern of Officer’s sabre, {the 1796 copper-gilt mounted sabre} that inspired the creation of the 1803 pattern infantry officer’s sabre. The 1796 pattern infantry sword was considered by some to be inefficient at cutting down a foe in combat, but the sweeping mighty curvature of the 1796 cavalry sabre was apparently just the ticket for the more ‘derring-do’ officers, with an appetite for ‘gloire du combat’, so a version was created in copper-gilt, just like this sabre, but with an entirely new form of robust infantry hilt, more closely resembling this cavalry form. Thus it had demonstrably more force for hand to hand combat, yet still gloriously beautiful, with its stunning copper-gilt mounting.
In 1807, the regiment was designated as Hussars and retitled 7th (The Queen's Own) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Hussars). They were despatched to Corunna in October 1808 to support Sir John Moore's retreat, they fought at the Battle of Sahagún on 21 December 1808 and Benavente on 29th. Part of the Queen's Own was shipped home in the naval ship Dispatch, which was wrecked just south of the Lizard on 22 January 1809; 104 men were lost from the regiment, only seven in total were saved. The unit returned to the Peninsula in August 1813 and made several charges at the February 1814 Battle of Orthes, Wellington reporting that the 7th Hussars distinguished themselves on this occasion and made many prisoners.
In March 1814, the unit moved to Brighton, in Sussex, where it was used to put down rioting caused by the imposition of the Corn Laws. There is a famous original oil painting of the King’s Light Dragoons by Francis Wheatley, entitled ‘The Encampment at Brighton’ {see photo 10 in the gallery} which we were delighted to provide the funds in order to acquire it in 1971, for the Brighton Museum, housed next to the Royal Pavillion palace in Brighton.
When Napoleon was restored in 1815, for the era known as the War of the 100 Days, the regiment returned to the Netherlands; during the rearguard action at Genappe on 17 June, Lord Uxbridge ordered it to attack French lancers under Colonel Jean Baptiste Joseph Sourd. The following day, at the Battle of Waterloo, the regiment was held in reserve until the evening, but then again undertook a series of charges. Standish O'Grady, {a junior officer serving under this sabre’s owner, Captain Heyliger} then a lieutenant in the 7th Hussars, wrote to his father:
"We charged twelve or fourteen times, and once cut off a squadron of cuirassiers, every man of whom we killed on the spot except the two officers and one Marshal de Logis, whom I sent to the rear"
29 inch blade, nicely maker marked by Runkel, a famous London based German emigre sword cutler/supplier, of somewhat dubious repute in his day. A most fascinating entrepreneurial King George IIIrd sword cutler and supplier who was arrested and imprisoned on numerous occasions for attempting to evade import duty on his Solingen made blades. He also imported 100 blades personally for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales {later the Prince Regent} for the officer's swords of his 10th Light Dragoons regiment.
Sergeant-Major Cotton of the 7th Hussars. mentions that he was three times, at Orthez, Haspereen (about 12 miles from Bayonne), and Waterloo, when under the command of Peter Augustus Heyliger, they engaged with the French, and that Heyliger was wounded on each occasion. The 7th Hussars formed part at Waterloo of a brigade which should have consisted of the 7th and 15th British Hussars, and the 2nd Hussars, King's German Legion ; but as the German regiment was still on the frontier, its place was taken in the battle by the 13th Light Dragoons. The colonel of the 7th Hussars was Lord Anglesey, and the brigade was commanded by Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant. During the retreat through Genappe on the 17th of June the 7th Hussars were prominent in the struggle which took place, and Capt. Heyliger distinguished himself in the charge of the French piquet.
Good leather to the beautiful scabbard with one contemporary field service leather patch and a small, makers craftsman, repair to its original leather. Copper gilt hilt, of much elegance and beauty, with superb original sharkskin grip, in near mint order, triple wire bound, and copper-gilt mounted scabbard with usual light surface combat wear and denting. The bright blade is simply excellent with just a few old, original, surface pitting marks. The last photo is of a close-up from the interior guard of the cutlers applied, owner's, small 'repair' monogram, PAH, likely applied when the leather was repaired. Somewhat akin to an old 19th century pawnbrokers mark on the inside of a gold pocket watch, in order to assign the item to its owner {to avoid miss placement} but, unobtrusively as possibly. The tiny stamp is almost nigh near invisible, but, clearly viewable with a powerful artisan jewellers loop {magnifying glass} See photo. Small optional frog button contemporarily removed from top mount read more
2650.00 GBP
A Nice Quality Antique Arabian Jambiya Traditional Omani Dagger. Partial Silver Mounts.
Very similar to Lawrence of Arabia's jambiya when he was serving in WW1 in the Turkish Campaign in Arabia. The word jambiya actually means “something worn at one’s right side” (from the triliteral root j-n-b). Lawrence of Arabia had several very similar ones presented to him, they were his favourite dagger, and he was frequently photographed wearing them. One picture is a portrait of Lawrence with his Jambiya, most similar to this example. photo for historical context information only and not included It is made from silver metal, but usually, more often than not, coin silver, certainly not English hallmarked silver. The jambia, a curved Islamic dagger, is the main customary accessory to the clothing worn by Arabian men. For centuries the people of South Arabia have inherited the their jambiahs from generation to generation. There are several theories about the origin of the Jambia. There are historical facts, concerning the existence of the Jambia revealing that it used to be worn at Sheban times, in the Himiarite kingdom. They take the statue of the Sheban king (Madi Karb 500 bc ) as proof. This statue, which was discovered by an American mission in Marib in the 1950s, was found to be wearing a Jambia.
Overall in super condition. No scabbard read more
345.00 GBP
This Is Likely The Best Value Original Kai Gunto Japanese WW2 Naval Officer's Sword Available Anywhere. All the Traditional Fittings, Including The Signed Blade, Are In Nice Clean Condition!
Act fast!!! this intriguing sword will likely be snapped up at this price by the first interested collector that sees it for sale
As England’s favourite Military Antiques & Collectables Gallery, and likely the worlds leading specialist original Japanese Samurai arms and armour dealers outside of Japan {and probably within it} we acquire collections, of all kinds, and add them to our website, every, single day.
This week, it is fine Japanese swords, and as a very special thank you to our numerous WW2 collectors this little beauty we are delighted to offer at likely below our cost.
Purchased directly from a collector, this is a very nice wartime production original Japanese Naval Officer’s Katana in the Pattern 1937 Kai-Gunto setting. A Kai-Guntō (海軍刀, naval sword) is a weapon and symbol of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the WWII Period. This is a very nice example, and shows fair use, with simply commensurate wear for age.
The blade is nice condition with some very minor scuffing and small edge marks, and it is still sharp
Blade length is 27.25 inches and overall length 39 inches. It has a super blade, with one mounting hole in the standard tang, which has an asymmetrically rounded (haagari) tang tip. The tang itself is marked a partially visible ( obviously lightly struck) Naval anchor stamp, possibly indicating manufacture at Toyokawa Naval Arsenal (豊川海軍工廠, Toyokawa kaigun kōshō). However, it also bears a signature mei, {probably Takekata saku, Takekata made this} something we usually don't see on these blades.
The blade retains most of the original factory finish. With the near total absence of rust, even on the tang, it is possible this is a typical naval officer’s stainless steel blade, Japanese Kai-Gunto naval officers swords are somewhat rare, given that they usually went down with the ships that suffered badly from the continued well deserved assaults from the allied navies, though mostly American. This particular example has the typical WW2 pattern fittings
It has a typical {numbered naval oval tsuba, The tsuka (handle) has two menuki (grip decorations), and kabuto-gane (pommel end cap), with the wooden securing peg still present. Good tsuka-Ito {hilt binding} over fishskin, with traditional Showa cherry-blossom decorative collar.
Condition of the blade, scabbard and fittings is fine, indicating fair normal use. Fortunately these swords were used on board ship, so the army version was far more likely to bear considerable wear, through considerable marching and combat through jungle warfare etc. There also is some usual oxidation and wear on the various metal fittings. As typical of the pattern, cherry blossom motifs appear on many of the koshirae. The handle is good to the blade, and secure.
The wooden scabbard is coloured with black lacquer, and has gilt brass fittings, though the gilding is now faded, and all of the fittings are sound
Two hanging loops are present, and the condition is good, with a few surface marks to the lacquer and small areas of contemporary re-touching as usual.
Really a super example of an original Imperial Japanese Navy Officer’s Kai-Gunto, in clean condition with clear signature. These are getting jolly hard to find in any condition.
It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.
Each hand-made traditional Samurai sword was unique because it was forged using the finest skills known to man. A tremendous amount of work was dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn any decor.
The Samurai sword has grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques of all time.
As we offer this interesting piece at this very special price, it cannot qualify for layaway or px. It is simply ‘first come, first served’ for outright purchase, for its very lucky next owner!
The 1937 Pattern Japanese Naval Sword, known as the Kai-Guntō (海軍刀, Sea Military Sword), was formally enacted in October 1937 as the official sidearm for Imperial Japanese Navy officers. These mounts were designed to be more practical for combat than previous, more delicate dress swords, yet they retained traditional elements and were often fitted with high-quality blades.
Photo of a Japanese Naval Officer’s sword type examined by commonwealth naval officers after capture. read more
Absolutely Superb & Rare Japanese Fujiwara Ancestral Clan, Blade Signed Echizen Kuni Musashi Daijo Fujiwara Yasuhiro 肥前国武蔵大掾藤原康広 WW2 Pilot's Sword. Used By The Pilot's Samurai Ancestors in The 1600's Last Used In WW2
A short Crew Gunto mounted sword, with an early Shinto period signed ancestral blade by Echizen kuni Musashi Daijo fujiwara Yasuhiro, c 1660, of the Fujiwara clan, in full and beautiful Edo polish, showing a simply fabulous hamon. The first, and likely subsequent samurai, that carried this blade in combat would likely be a warrior serving the Nabeshima Clan, who were the successors of the Fujiwara clan.
The whole historical sword is simply in wonderful condition for it's age. The blade is set with it's late Edo period two piece silvered habaki {blade collar} all it's traditional WW2 Showa brass fittings, and a fine 1936 pattern pierced gunto tsuba.
It is known as a crew-gunto and carried by a Japanese fighter pilot from 1936 until 1945. The short leather covered wooden saya has it's original leather combat cover. The shorter military mounted sword was made during WW2 for those that fought, during combat, in a small and restricted area that was most unsuitable for the standard long sword, such as the Zero fighter plane.
Photo in the gallery shows a Kamikaze pilot being issued his Kaiten in a ritual ceremony, please note on his belt he is wearing his 'Aircrew' Short Gunto sword, another photo shows a pilot captain of Special-Attack Party Hakkō-Second Party Ichiu-Unit, holding his short crew gunto, that he carried in his plane when on combat missions. for information only photos not included. Collectors frequently seek Shin Gunto swords that have an original handed down 'Ancestral samurai' blade, as it is said less than one in a hundred Japanese swords, surrendered in WW2, were swords such as this. This form of sword was often the prerogative of an eldest born son, that went to fight for his Emperor in WW2, with his ancestor's blade set in traditional military mounts. This sword is an exceptional piece of WW2 Japanese historical interest, very early ancestral swords are scarce in themselves, outnumbered at least 20 to 1 by gendaito swords, but the short 'crew gunto' are much rarer than even that, in our experience, so this makes it potentially, in theory, well over a 100 to 200 times scarcer than a regular Japanese WW2 officers sword in our opinion. Apart from information on it's 1945 source, sadly, we do not know the name of it's WW2 officer owner that document was lost.
Hizen Yasuhiro school, who often used titles like Musashi Daijo or Ise Daijo.
Hizen Province (modern-day Saga Prefecture), which was renowned for its high-quality steel (naminokuni).
While several Yasuhiro smiths worked in this school, they often worked under the patronage of the Nabeshima clan, similar to the famous Hizen Tadayoshi school.
Hizen swords from this period are characterized by very fine ko-nie (fine glittering particles) in the hada (forging pattern) and high-quality, sharp cutting edges.
Echizen kuni (肥前国): Hizen Province.
Musashi Daijo (武蔵大掾): An honourary title awarded to the smith for the consistant high quality of his craftmanship.
Fujiwara (藤原): The family clan name.
Yasuhiro (康広): The smith's name.
The Nabeshima clan was a cadet branch of the Shoni clan and was descended from the Fujiwara clan. In the late 12th century, Fujiwara no Sukeyori, a descendant of Fujiwara no Hidesato in the 9th generation, received the title of Dazai Shoni (equivalent to that of vice-governor of the military government of Kyushu) from Shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, and the title became the family name.
The clan played an important role in the region as early as the Muromachi period, when it helped suppress opposition to the Ashikaga shogunate's control of Kyushu. It did not take the name Nabeshima, however, until the late 15th century, when Shoni Shigenao established himself at Nabeshima in Hizen province (today part of Saga City, Saga prefecture). Later, in the Sengoku period (1467-1603), the Nabeshima were one of a number of clans which clashed over the island. The Nabeshima sided with the Ryuzoji clan against the Otomo clan, though this ultimately ended in failure and the death of Ryuzoji Takanobu at the 1584 battle of Okita Nawate. Several years later, however, the Nabeshima recovered power and prominence by aiding Toyotomi Hideyoshi in his 1587 invasion of Kyushu; Nabeshima Naoshige was granted the region of Saga as his fief, as a reward for his efforts. Naoshige also contributed to Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea in the 1590s.
The clan initially aided Ishida Mitsunari against Tokugawa Ieyasu in the Sekigahara Campaign in 1600. However, they switched sides to support the Tokugawa, who were ultimately victorious, before the campaign had ended, battling and occupying the forces of Tachibana Muneshige, who was thus prevented from contributing directly to the battle of Sekigahara. Though regarded as tozama daimyo ("outside" lords), and assigned particularly heavy corvee duties, the Nabeshima were allowed to keep their territory in Saga, and in fact had their kokudaka increased. The clan's forces served the new Tokugawa shogunate loyally in the years which followed; they remained in Kyushu during the 1615 Osaka Campaign as a check against a possible rebellion or uprising by the Shimazu clan, and aided in the suppression of the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637. In recognition of their service, members of the clan were granted the prestigious family honourific name of Matsudaira in 1648, Matsudaira being the original Tokugawa family name, the ruling Shogun of Japan for almost 300 years.
Overall 34 inches long in saya, 21.75 inch blade. read more
3850.00 GBP
A Good 19th-20th Century French 1886 Pattern Lebel Rifle Sword Bayonet & Frog Hook Scabbard. WW1 French Foreign Legion Issue. No Hook Quillon
With official removed 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 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
Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon. / Edited by Harry Lorrequer pseud., with illustrations by Phiz Lorrequer, Harry (pseud.- Lever, Charles 1806-1872). Phiz (Browne, Hablot Knight)
Charles O'Malley, the Irish dragoon. / Edited by Harry Lorrequer pseud., with illustrations by Phiz
Lorrequer, Harry (pseud.- Lever, Charles 1806-1872). Phiz (Browne, Hablot Knight)
Published by Dublin: William Curry, 1841
First Edition. Very good copies in gilt-blocked half leather. Slight suggestion of rubbing and dulling to panel edges. Scattered foxing; text remains clear. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Physical description: 2 Volumes. Subjects: Peninsular War, 1807-1814. Peninsular War, 1807-1814; Fiction. English fiction Irish authors.
Edward Tertius Kearsley (abt.1812-1870) read more
265.00 GBP
A Superb Late 18th Century, Napoleonic Wars British Officer's Sabre With a French 'Trophy' Blade, With An Ancient Egyptian Goddess Wadget Entwined Serpent British Hilt
Gilt bronze serpent hilt chisselled in great detail and of very fine quality. Talisman symbol Napoleoniuc blade. Circa 1800. Very possibly a war trophy from the Battle of the Nile, with Nile Club connections There are numerous examples of snakes depicted in Napoleonic swords, such as the Lloyds swords, but usually with other beasts, such as lions, tigers or hounds, but to have two opposing serpents alone is very rare indeed. Snake sculpture - the Staff of Aesculapius, the Staff of Mercury, and the Embodiment of Wisdom Snakes are fairly frequent in Georgian sculpture, and of course from other periods. In art generally in fact from medieval times onwards, the snake is also associated with wisdom, and in this capacity is often found with statues of Prudence. The way this sword is constructed shows it is likely a trophy blade, captured in combat and mounted with a Napoleonic French sabre, etched with talismanic symbols of a crescent moon, sun, grand Turk's head, stand of arms. In fact the whole sword may indeed now be described as talismanic. Blade in superb condition, original scabbard in very good condition indeed, and the hilt is excellent. Scabbard throat lacking.
Egyptian gods and goddesses, much famed in ancient Egypt, become hugely popular throughout Western artistic culture in the early 19th century.
Europe became beguiled by ancient Egyptian art and architecture in all its forms, and furniture designers and sculptors particularly, eagerly created the ‘Egyptian style’ in the Regency period England, and the Consular and Directoire period in France.
The last photo in the gallery shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo
Overall 39 inches long, blade 32 inches read more
3250.00 GBP
A Very Fine & Rare Original Napoleonic Wars ANXI Light Cavalry Trooper's Sabre. Used by Napoleon's Most Famed Lancers, Hussars, Chasseurs. The Sabre Troupe de Cavalerie Légère Modèle AN XI
Very rare combat sabre for the troop, perfectly homogeneous and authentic to discover in superb state of conservation considering all the battles it experienced during the Napoleonic wars it deserves to find a fine place in a thematic collection.
During a parade the sight of the hussars would the women’s hearts made wildly pounding. In combat they rode yelling most unearthly, cursing and brandishing their weapons. They had their own code - that of reckless courage that bordered on a death wish. The hussars were the eyes, ears and … egos of the army.
With their look suitably piratical their hair plaited and queued they were one heck of mean buggers. Some regiments were composed of fellows who had a natural longing for a fight (or trouble !) The mutually supporting camaraderie of the hussars was important factor of their esprit de corps. Tactically they were used as scouts and screen for other troops and due to their combativeness were also used in pitched battles. It was not a rare sight to see a hussar in a forefront of a hack-and-slash melee, gripping his reins with his teeth, a pistol in one hand and saber in the other.
Three bar guard the pommel back strap piece has a slight tilt forward complete the hilt's elegant form. One unique elements of this sabre is the leather bound, ribbed grip with its brass olive shaped stud. The arsenal markings are on the back of the slightly fulled 34 3/4 inch blade.
Hilt stamped stamped by Joseph Innocent Krantz, Chef de Batt'on, the Napoleonic Imperial period sword inspector from 1812, and Jean George Bick's mark of 1812 a controller 1st class. Blade marked, Klingenthal Man Imperial Janvier 1813 {only Janvier 1813 is still easily visible} Joseph Innocent Krantz, Chef de Batt'on, stamp is also on the blade face
Referenced in the works of Michel Pétard "Des sabres et des épées - Troupes à cheval de l'Empire à nos jours - Tome Second", pages 137 and 138; long-tailed cap; calf-covered wooden handle with brass olive mount.
One of the rare sabres specifically made to re-arm the French cavalry after the catastrophic losses in 1812 in Russia.
The disaster of 1812 in Russia
It is estimated that 175.000 excellent horses of cavalry and artillery were lost in 1812 in Russia ! The remnants were mounted on Russian and Lithuanian peasant ponies. The rebuilding of the cavalry in 1813 was more difficult than infantry and artillery. Shortages of trained cavalrymen, officers, NCOs and war horses were critical. Promotions were rapidly handed out and temporary squadrons were formed.
In the beginning of April 1813 general Bourcier gathered 10.000 battle-hardened veterans from 60 regiments spread across the countryside. The cavalry centres were in the cities of Magdeburg and Metz. Horses were coming from northern Germany. During Armistice was more time to train the young troops and many regiments showed improvements in their maneuvers. But they never reached the level of pre-1812.
French Cavalry Under Napoleon.
"When I speak of excellent French cavalry,
I refer to its impetous bravery,
and not to its perfection"
- General Jomini
Napoleon's Cavalry and Its Leaders "Cavalry is useful before, during and after the battle," wrote Napoleon, and he stressed the need for audacity in its employment and careful training to achieve true discipline. He was also insistent that careful categorization according to role was of great importance... It was some time before the French cavalry reached its full potential, as it had suffered the loss of many officers during the Revolutionary period, but by 1807 it was reaching its prime. The great charges led by Murat at Eylau and Grouchy at Friedland played vital parts in the outcome of these battles." (Chandler - "Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars" pp 85-86)
"Under Napoleon, the French cavalry were, in contrast to the infantry, far more renowned for their action in masses than for their duty as light troops. They were deemed irresistible, and even Napier admits their superiority over the English cavalry of that day. Wellington, to a certain degree, did the same. And strange to say, this irresistible cavalry consisted of such inferior horsemen ... no soldiers are so careless of their horses as the French." ("The Armies of Europe" in Putnam's Monthly, No. XXXII, published in 1855).
Used in such battles as;
In the Battle of Lützen (German: Schlacht von Großgörschen, 2 May 1813), Napoleon I of France defeated an allied army of the Sixth Coalition.
The Russian commander, Prince Peter Wittgenstein, attempting to forestall Napoleon's capture of Leipzig, attacked the French right wing near Lützen, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, surprising Napoleon. Recovering quickly, Napoleon ordered a double envelopment of the allies. After a day of heavy fighting, the imminent encirclement of his army prompted Wittgenstein to retreat. Due to a shortage of cavalry, the French did not pursue.
The two armies would clash again in the Battle of Bautzen three weeks later.
The Battle of Vitoria in North-Eastern Spain, to the South of Bilbao and near the French border.
Wellington’s army comprised 52,000 British and 28,000 Portuguese troops. An army of 25,000 Spanish troops co-operated in the campaign. Wellington’s army had 90 guns.
The French army, drawn from the Army of the South, the Army of the Centre and the Army of Portugal, comprised 50,000 troops (including 7,000 cavalry), with 150 guns. It was Wellington’s decisive defeat of Joseph Bonaparte’s French army on 21st June 1813 in North-Eastern Spain in the Peninsular War
The Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of the Nations, was fought from 16 to 19 October 1813 at Leipzig, Saxony. The Coalition armies of Austria, Prussia, Sweden, and Russia, led by Tsar Alexander I and Karl von Schwarzenberg, decisively defeated the Grande Armée of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon's army also contained Polish and Italian troops, as well as Germans from the Confederation of the Rhine (mainly Saxony and Württemberg). The battle was the culmination of the German Campaign of 1813 and involved 560,000 soldiers, 2,200 artillery pieces, the expenditure of 400,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, and 133,000 casualties, making it the largest battle of the Napoleonic Wars, and the largest battle in Europe prior to World War I.
The War of One Hundred Days, culminating in Quatre Bras and Waterloo. This fabulous sabre was almost certainly a trophy of war from Waterloo, and any or all of the the previously listed battles it would likely have seen service within.
After the fighting at Quatre Bras (16 June 1815) the two opposing commanders Marshal Ney and the Duke of Wellington initially held their ground while they obtained information about what had happened at the larger Battle of Ligny. They received intelligence that the Prussian army under the command of Prince Blücher had been defeated by the French Army of the North under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Upon receiving this news Wellington organised the retreat of the Anglo-allied army to a place he had identified a year before as the best place in Belgium for him to be able to employ his reverse slope tactics when fighting a major battle: the escarpment close to the village of Waterloo.
On the 17th, aided by thunderstorms and torrential rain and before the arrival of Napoleon, Wellington's army successfully extricated itself from Quatre Bras and passed through the defile of Genappe. The infantry marched ahead and were screened by a large cavalry rearguard. The French harried Wellington's army, but were unable to inflict any substantial casualties before night fell and Wellington's men were ensconced in bivouacs on the plain of Mont-Saint-Jean.
As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity
Without scabbard read more
1450.00 GBP
A Rare To Find Post 1953 New Zealand Police Sergeants / Constables Custodian Helmet. In Superb Condition. The Helmet Type That Was Removed From New Zealand Service in 1995
From a super collection of original and iconic British & Service Custodian Helmets from the 1980's on.
Since the early 1950s, helmets have no longer been worn by police officers in Scotland, but may be seen worn by Metropolitan Police officers when on Royal duties in Scotland. They ceased to be worn in Northern Ireland after the 1920s, except for night patrol work in Belfast and Derry until the early 1960s.
Police Helmet; a New Zealand Police constable's helmet, issued as part of their uniform. This style was used between 1986 and 1995. Identical to another example in the Mataura Museum. The iconic Custodian helmet was withdrawn from New Zealand Police service in 1995. Male Constable's/ Sergeant's 6 Panel blue serge helmet With Queen’s Crown Helmet Plate and Chin Strap. It has an excellent exterior finish with correct 6 panel construction,vented top mount and headband.
Manufactured by Mountcastle ltd read more
195.00 GBP