A Very Good King George IVth {The Former Prince Regent} Constable's and Bow Street Runner's 'Weighted' Tipstaff Bearing the King's Crest. With a Leaden End In-Fill.

The tipstaff was a short, ornate staff made of wood, brass, or silver, often topped with a crown and engraved with the royal crest.
Many tipstaves were hollow in the centre, allowing the Runners to roll up and store their official arrest warrants inside.
Because the Bow Street Runners did not wear a standardized police uniform, brandishing or showing the tipstaff—or tapping a suspect with it—served as immediate proof of their legal authority under Crown power


George IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover. He was born on the 12th of August 1762, at St. James’ Palace, the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte.

He ruled as Prince Regent from 1811 when his father's illness was judged to be permanent and acceded to the throne in 1820. He ruled for ten years until his death on the 26th June 1830.

The Bow Street Runners were the law enforcement officers of the Bow Street Magistrates' Court in the City of Westminster. They have been called London's first professional police force. The force originally numbered six men and was founded in 1749 by magistrate Henry Fielding, who was also well known as an author.1 His assistant, brother, and successor as magistrate, John Fielding, moulded the constables into a professional and effective force. Bow Street Runners was the public's nickname for the officers although the officers did not use the term themselves and considered it derogatory.2 The group was disbanded in 1839 and its personnel merged with the Metropolitan Police, which had been formed ten years earlier but the London metropolitan detective bureau trace their origins back from there. The brothers set up horse patrols in 1753 which made their group much more advanced.

In the new century, crime rates diminished in the metropolis, therefore the contribution of the Runners to the policing of property offences decreased considerably; they continued to investigate offences in London, but not as actively as they had before. Their incomes from London crime diminished as the position that Bow Street had once held in the commitment of felons to trial continued to erode with the expansion of the patrol and the creation of new police offices from 1792. By the early 1820s, Bow Street was responsible for just over 10% of the accused felons being committed to trial at the Old Bailey.30 After 1815, the Runners' most regular employment was to respond to help requests from prosecutors outside London. These were likely cases in which their skill and experience was thought to be useful in investigating offences in the provinces.31

After the Metropolitan Police Act 1829, which established the Metropolitan Police, the policing responsibilities of the Bow Street magistrates were very considerably diminished. The Bow Street patrol was gradually absorbed into the new police force and Bow Street was left with only the Runners.32 Even then, the Home Office held much of the authority over the activity of the Runners and was mainly concerned to bring Bow Street's finances under control. The Bow Street magistrates' effective loss of authority over the activity of the Runners and the government's concern to control costs meant that the funds for the office were much diminished in the 1830s  read more

Code: 26420

An 1806 Napoleonic Wars Period 'Brown Bess' Musket By James Yeomans Of London with Bayonet Regimentally Marked For the 79th Foot The Cameron Highlanders. Later Used By Native Troops, Such As The Ghurkas, Alongside The 79th at Lucknow.

All the fittings are very good, a superb 36 inch length barrel, fine lock, trigger guard, butt plate, etc, ramrod, sling swivels and brass mounts, new land pattern flush fitting side plate with central screw to avoid recoil damage to the side nails. With a fine leather strap, very nice upgraded from flintlock to percussion action, good proof marks, clear inspection stamps and dating. Lock marked Yeoman's and dated 1806 with Tower ordnance inspector stamp of Richard Duce. {the number 2} plus the EIC heart. Bayonet maker marked by Salter, regimentaly marked 79th Foot.
The 79th Regiment of Foot (Cameron Highlanders) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army raised on August 17, 1793, by Sir Alan Cameron of Erracht.

One of the 142,970 British contract made 'India Pattern' muskets turned over by the East India Co. army to the British Board of Ordnance for the Napoleonic wars, due to the urgent need for arms to counter Napoleon's massive armament reserve.

The lock is stamped by the primary, senior ordnance inspector, Richard Duce {his mark of Crown 2}. Who was also the controller of tempering & hardening of locks, after their arrival from the stores for fitting to the musket, and apparently he inspected all the EIC 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.

Originally made for the Honourable East India Co. and the muskets were co-opted by the British Board of Ordnance for the regular British infantry from the EIC contract guns about to depart for India.

In around 1830-40's the flintlock actions of muskets and pistols could, and would, be converted from flintlock to percussion action, often if they were still in government service. The all new {at the time} percussion action could extend the life of a gun and make it considerably more efficient, as flintlock arms were rendered incapable of action in the rain, or even damp conditions. At this time this newer Brown Bess bayonet type was added to the gun.

While this musket was perfect for service in the regiment up to the 1850's, when the 1853 Enfield rifle-musket was designed and issued to front line regiments, and then, the 79th was sent to India to fight in the Mutiny in 1857. However their older muskets were likely sent to accompany them to India with the regiment in order to arm the loyal Indian regiments that fought alongside the 79th in combat.

While the 79th Foot was a purely British regiment raised in Scotland, British military operations during the rebellion relied heavily on integrated forces. British "Queen's" regiments rarely fought in isolation; instead, they routinely operated in mixed brigades alongside loyal native Indian units

During the siege of Lucknow, and the subsequent operations in Rohilkhand, the 79th Highlanders fought shoulder-to-shoulder with loyal native units, which included Sikh regiments, Punjabi infantry, and loyal Gurkha battalions {such as those from the Kingdom of Nepal and the East India Company's own loyal remnants}

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.  read more

Code: 26419

A Very Good & an Absolute Corker!. A Line Regiment Issue 1796 Light Dragoon and Hussar's Troopers Sabre Used In The Peninsular War and Waterloo Era By the British Light Brigades. in Great Condition For Age

In April 1815, Sir Hussey Vivian was appointed to command the 6th Brigade of the Earl of Uxbridge's Cavalry Division. Vivian's brigade included the 10th and 18th Hussars as well as the 1st and 2nd Hussars King's German Legion. At the Battle of Waterloo the 6th Brigade was posted on the Duke of Wellington's left flank. In the late afternoon, Vivian's regiments, with those of General Vandeleur's 4th Brigade, were ordered to move to support the centre of the line, which was under pressure from Napoleon's Imperial Guard. After the enemy were repulsed, Vivian's hussars made the final charge of the day between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte, sweeping the Middle Guard and Line units before them before breaking upon the squares of the Old Guard, which they soon learned to avoid. This service was rewarded by the thanks of both houses of Parliament, an award of the KCH, and the Orders of Maria Theresa and St. Vladimir from the emperors of Austria and Russia.

After hostilities had ceased, Vivian remained in France as part of the Army of Occupation in command of the 2nd Brigade of Cavalry

The Cotton Collection, the full weapons, militaria, and recovered artifact display, from the battlefield, housed at the Hotel du Musee at Waterloo, owned first by Edward Cotton, then by his descendant family, was sold by auction in 1909.

The mounted swordsmanship training of the British emphasised the cut, at the face for maiming or killing, or at the arms to disable. This left masses of mutilated or disabled troops; the French, in contrast, favoured the thrust, which gave cleaner kills. A cut with the 1796 LC sabre was, however, perfectly capable of killing outright, as was recorded by George Farmer of the 11th Regiment of Light Dragoons, who was involved in a skirmish on the Guadiana River in 1811, during the Peninsular War:
"Just then a French officer stooping over the body of one of his countrymen, who dropped the instant on his horse's neck, delivered a thrust at poor Harry Wilson's body; and delivered it effectually. I firmly believe that Wilson died on the instant yet, though he felt the sword in its progress, he, with characteristic self-command, kept his eye on the enemy in his front; and, raising himself in his stirrups, let fall upon the Frenchman's head such a blow, that brass and skull parted before it, and the man's head was cloven asunder to the chin. It was the most tremendous blow I ever beheld struck; and both he who gave, and his opponent who received it, dropped dead together. The brass helmet was afterwards examined by order of a French officer, who, as well as myself, was astonished at the exploit; and the cut was found to be as clean as if the sword had gone through a turnip, not so much as a dint being left on either side of it" The blade is remembered today as one of the best of its time and has been described as the finest cutting sword ever manufactured in quantity.

An extract from an 1862 publication;
HOTEL DU MUSÉE,
AT THE FOOT OF THE LION MOUNT.
This Hotel, kept by a niece of the late Sergeant-Major Cotton, is situated in the very centre of the field of Waterloo, and is strongly recommended to visitors on account of its proximity to the scenes of interest connected with the great battle, and also for the excellent accommodation and comfort it offers at moderate charges.—See Bradshaw’s continental Guide.

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 who personally fought at Waterloo. Another photo shows the front page of his collection catalogue

There are many reasons why people enjoy collecting swords. Some people are drawn to the beauty and craftsmanship of swords, while others appreciate their historical and cultural significance. Swords can also be a symbol of power and strength, and some collectors find enjoyment in the challenge of acquiring rare or valuable swords.

One of the greatest joys of sword collecting is the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of different civilisations. Swords have been used by warriors for millennia, and each culture has developed its own unique sword designs and traditions. By studying swords, collectors can gain a deeper understanding of the people who made and used them.

Another joy of sword collecting is the sheer variety of swords that are available. There are swords in our gallery from all over the world and from every period of history. Collectors can choose to specialize in a particular type of sword, such as Japanese katanas or medieval longswords, or they can collect a variety of swords from different cultures and time periods. No matter what your reasons for collecting swords, it is a hobby that can provide many years of enjoyment. Swords are beautiful, fascinating, and historically significant objects

Sadly, each sword once had its inventory label attached, but they are all now lost. With cotton's labels present the prices can be many times the value.

Pictures in the gallery of the Cotton Museum Auction pamphlet and labels, for information and historical context only. Out of interest, a few years ago half a French cuirass from the Cotton Museum Auction sold for 6000 gbp.

As with all our items, every piece will be accompanied by our fully detailed Certificate of Authenticity, based on over 100 years of our Brighton family trading  read more

Code: 26423

A Waterloo Battle Site Recovered British A 69th Foot Brown Bess Musket Bayonet Scabbard Formerly In the Sgt Major Cotton Museum Collection at Waterloo. Acquired From Auction Of The Exhibits Due To The The Museum Closure in 1909

A Battle Of Waterloo souvenir, from The Cotton Museum Collection at Waterloo. A Brown Bess musket bayonet scabbard from 69th Regiment of Foot that fought with distinction at Quatre Bras and Waterloo

In very good, immediately post battle recovered condition. The leather is superb, as are the brass mounts, nicely regimentally marked for the 69th numbered to gun 541

Before the Battle of Waterloo the 69th were stationed south of Brussels, near the crossroads of Quatre Bras. Here on 16 June Dutch & British fought the vanguard of the French army. Both sides suffered heavy losses of over 4,000 men, and the Allied army was forced to fall back towards Brussels, planning to make a stand at Waterloo.

During the Waterloo Campaign of 1815, the 2nd Battalion of the 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot earned a tragic but famous place in British military history. Composed of young, relatively inexperienced soldiers—with an average age of 21 and nearly 30% under the age of 18—the battalion was thrown into the crucible of two of the era's most intense engagements in a matter of 48 hours.

At the Battle of Quatre Bras, the 69th Foot suffered one of the most severe tactical setbacks experienced by any British unit during the campaign. During the battle of Quatre Bras, the 69th were charged by a mass of French cavalry. They attempted to form up into squares, with their bayonets pointing outwards. This formation was almost impossible for cavalry to attack, as their horses would refuse to charge onto a mass of spear-pointed bayonets. However, possibly due to confusing orders from their inexperienced commander the Prince of Orange, the 69th were unable to get into squares in time. Two companies were caught in the open, and hacked down by French sabres, almost to the last man.

In this slaughter, a French cuirassier (armoured cavalry soldier) cut down Ensign Duncan Keith, who carried the King’s Colour. This flag was personally presented to the regiment by the monarch, and served as a rallying point and source of pride for the troops.

The 69th suffered 38 killed and 115 wounded out of 546 men. At the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June, there were too few men to form a defensible square, and they were forced to join forces with the 33rd Regiment of Foot to fight.

At Waterloo, the 69th had their revenge upon the French cavalry, as the horsemen charged the British squares several times, suffering appalling losses from musket- and cannon-fire. Captain Alexander Mercer of the Royal Horse Artillery said the French “were smashed to fragments” on the British squares “like waves beating against rocks”.


This was purchased from the auction of the Cortton Collection, by the Hamilton family, in 1909, battlefield and antiquity relic collectors for over 100 years {prior to 1909}, acquiring pieces for the descended family collection of the late 10th Duke of Hamilton of Scotland

Edward Cotton was a veteran of the 7th Hussars who became a renowned battlefield guide and innkeeper. He wrote 'A Voice from Waterloo' and gathered a massive collection of battlefield relics. After the museum closed in 1909, roughly 3,000 items, along with the hotel contents and goodwill, were auctioned off in Brussels


An extract from an 1862 publication;
HOTEL DU MUSÉE,
AT THE FOOT OF THE LION MOUNT.
This Hotel, kept by a niece of the late Sergeant-Major Cotton, is situated in the very centre of the field of Waterloo, and is strongly recommended to visitors on account of its proximity to the scenes of interest connected with the great battle, and also for the excellent accommodation and comfort it offers at moderate charges.—See Bradshaw’s continental Guide.

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 who personally fought at Waterloo. Another photo shows the front page of his collection catalogue

Pictures in the gallery of the Cotton Museum Auction pamphlet and labels, for information and historical context only. Out of interest, a few years ago half a French cuirass from the Cotton Museum Auction sold for 6000 gbp.

As with all our items, every piece will be accompanied by our fully detailed Certificate of Authenticity, based on over 100 years of our Brighton family trading  read more

Code: 26424

A Roman or Pre-Roman Copper-Alloy Bronze Shield Boss {Umbo} Featuring A Stunning Lions Head and Mane. 3rd Century To 1st Century BC. Made and Used During the Roman-Etruscan Wars Era 509-264BC

A Roman or pre-Roman bronze shield boss (umbo), likely from the area later known in the Republic Era of Augustus as Italia, featuring a lion's head was a rare, striking piece of military hardware designed to intimidate opponents and display strength or status on the battlefield. Roman-Etruscan wars era, 509-264 BC.

Shaped or hammered into a bold lion's portrait with prominent facial features (eyes, nose, ears, and mane).
The lion image was intended to inspire courage in the wearer and strike fear into the enemy.

While standard Roman legionary shields (scuta) typically featured iron or plain bronze bosses to protect the center grip, specialized or decorative lion-head bosses were sometimes linked to cavalry units (such as a turma), senior officers, or parade/ceremonial armour.
Similar lion-emblem shield traditions trace back earlier through Etruscan and Mediterranean metalwork (dating from the 7th–5th century BC onwards) before appearing in Roman-era contexts around the 1st to 3rd century AD.

The Copper-Alloy Bronze Lion's Head Shield Boss, most similar to ours, {see photo in the gallery} is displayed as an object spotlight in Segedunum's 'Following the Eagle' exhibition, in North East England, this striking bronze shield boss featuring a bold lion's head design was uncovered near the Vindolanda Roman Fort along Hadrian's Wall  read more

Code: 26418

A Breath Takingly Beautiful Chisa Katana Museum Piece, Signed Inshu Zumi Fujiwara Kanesaki (藤原兼先）Finest Silver Mon Mounts and Gold Inlaid iron Koshirae {Fittings} For a Retainer Of The Kamei Clan of Kamei Korenori (1557–1612) of the Tsuwano Domain

The blade is just amazing and its curvature is extraordinary. overall the sword is is superb plus condition. Japanese iron openwork sword guard (tsuba) from the Edo period (17th–19th century), likely attributed to the Kyo-Shoami or related provincial schools featuring a nature-inspired design with birds and river (sukashi)

Inshu Zumi Fujiwara Kanesaki(因州住藤原兼先) forged swords in the early Edo period. He first started his career in Mino province(Gifu prefecture), mastering MINO-DEN (one of the most famous Japanese sword styles). He is ranked in top-tier MINO-DEN swordsmiths in the early to mid-Edo period.

He moved from Mino province to Tottori province and served the Ikeda clan, who ruled the Tottori prefecture (Tottori domain) for about 240 years. Ikeda clan was one of the most powerful feudal lines in that region.It was a privilege to work for the feudal family, and only highly skilled swordsmiths were entitled to this honor.

Tottori prefecture is located in western Japan . He forged swords near Tottori castle. The swordsmith name’s Kanesaki (the total of 11th generations) lasted at the end of the Edo period when feudal society turned to modern society, and the Samurai government lost their authority.

MINO-DEN had its origin from YAMATO-DEN in the late KAMAKURA period(1280-1330). It flourished in the MUROMACHI period(1333-1573) and continued until the EDO period(1603-1868).

MINO-DEN especially prospered during Sengoku Jidai (Warring State period) due to the high demand for weapons. And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, and Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province, and Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas).

There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers. Furthermore, so many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area.

Mino is located in the middle, making feudal lords feel convenient to order swords from MINO-DEN. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had the reputation of its practical design and sharpness. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. The tradition of excellent sword forging skills had been passed to the Edo period, and Kanesaki is a good example.

The four-diamond mon (family crest) of the Kamei clan is historically classified under the Meyui (目結) category of Japanese heraldry, specifically known as Yotsumeyui (四つ目結 - "four eyes") or Sumitate Yotsume (隅立て四つ目) The Kamei clan, led by Kamei Korenori, became Daimyo of the Tsuwano Domain until the Meiji Restoration, using these types of geometric emblems to signify their family lineage.

Geometric designs like the Yotsumeyui were highly favored by samurai clans during the Sengoku and Edo periods because their bold, minimalist structures made them instantly recognizable on banners, armor, and helmets across chaotic battlefields.

Historical records detail the military life of Kamei Korenori (1557–1612), tracking his transition from a desperate resistance fighter trying to revive his fallen master's clan into a strategically flexible daimyō who served all three great unifiers of Japan: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Following the collapse of the Amago cause, Korenori transferred his allegiance directly to Toyotomi Hideyoshi For his combat distinction in subduing the San'in region, Hideyoshi granted Korenori Shikano Castle in Inaba Province

Korenori played an aggressive role in the subjugation of Tottori Castle. Records indicate that he joined Saimura Masahiro in a scorched-earth campaign, burning down the outer civilian settlements surrounding Tottori Castle to completely isolate the Mōri garrison, forcing its commander to commit seppuku to spare his starving men

Upon Hideyoshi's death, Korenori recognized the shifting political tides and sided with Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern Army during the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara.Korenori pleaded with Hideyoshi for coastal lands in Izumo. When diplomatic truces forced Hideyoshi to leave Izumo in Mōri hands, Korenori audaciously asked for the Ryukyu Islands (modern-day Okinawa) instead. Hideyoshi famously painted "Kamei, Lord of Ryukyu" onto a folding paper war fan as a symbolic grant. In 1590, Korenori assembled a fleet of 3,500 men at Nagoya Castle to invade the islands, but his fleet was physically blocked by the Shimazu clan of Satsuma, who claimed exclusive domain over the kingdom.

Korenori put his naval infrastructure to use during Hideyoshi's continental campaigns, commanding ships and troops under the Toyotomi banner. In a striking historical crossover, Korean records note that after a naval engagement, local warriors discovered Hideyoshi's signed "Lord of Ryukyu" war fan among the wreckage of a captured Japanese vessel
As a direct reward for his calculated realignment during the Sekigahara campaign, Tokugawa Ieyasu expanded Korenori's fiefdom from a minor 13,000 koku holding to a robust 43,000 koku domain. This established the financial power that secured his family's rule over the Tsuwano Domain for the next two and a half centuries.  read more

Code: 26416

Attention To All Early Collectors of Original Japanese WW2 Officers Swords. An Incredible Bargain Just Arrived. A WW2 Japanese Officer's Sword Blade, Just in Today, Signed by Seki Ju Ishihara Kanenao Saku. This Sword Will Likely Not Be Available For long

A very special offer to our website viewers, that when similar examples have been offered for sale on our website in the past they have frequently sold within a few days!!
Absolutely perfect for a first time collector, keen to make the first step on the ladder of Japanese sword collecting, seeking a real, genuine and original Japanese WW2 officer's blade, but with a smaller ‘first sword’ budget.

The sword, is the signed blade, without any fittings {other than its original saya}, offered in its katana blade storage bag and also its WW2 officer's saya {that was once covered in field service leather} that is now its blade storage protector, but the price easily reflects this.

In fact this swords price is so low it is only to be a compared price to a basic, regular, machine made common NCO’s katana sword, {with its cast aluminium hilt} but, this blade is on a whole other level of quality, and, in beautiful polish.

"Seki ju Ishihara Kanenao saku" translates to "Made by Ishihara Kanenao, resident of Seki."Kanenao (family name Ishihara) was active during the Shōwa period (roughly 1926–1989), specifically producing blades during World War II.

Kanenao (兼直). His real name was Ishihara Kanenao and was born May 25th 1908, he studied under Amachi Suzuichi worked as a guntō smith.

Its condition is very good, but, does have some areas of past WW2 service use and very small areas tiny pitting, as one would expect.

This is not offered as a perfect condition, fully fitted WW2 officers sword {that could easily be twice to three times the price} but, as an original historical sword of the WW2 Pacific theatre that is still as beautiful as it was when surrendered or captured in 1945. In many respects just as important historically as an original, complete WW2 samurai sword, but without the greater cost.

However, there is also the option to seek out and find a suitable replacement shingunto tsuka habaki and tsuba. Thus return it to be a fully dressed Japanese WW2 officers sword

It will be accompanied by a display stand as can be seen in the photo gallery, and our usual Certificate of Authenticity.  read more

Code: 26403

A Beautiful Napoleonic Wars Swiss Mercenary Line Infantry, The 1ère Régiment Suisse, Officer's Blue and Gilt Epee. Some Officers & Men Of the Swiss Regt. Were Sent to The French Mediterranean Squadron's Ships at the Battle of Trafalgar

Maker marked by Jakob Girtanner, Degenschmied in St. Gallen, recorded from 1789.

Boat shaped original copper gilt hilt with French form Roman helmet pommel, single knucklebow, chequered carved ebony grip. Superb, duluxe 'Blue & Gilt' and engraved blade, with makers name engraved at the ricasso. In its original scabbard, that bears a good field service contemporary leather repair

From our recently acquired museum grade very rare collection of French Napoleonic swords.

The 1st Swiss Regiment (French: 1ère Régiment Suisse) was a Swiss mercenary line infantry regiment in the French Imperial Army during the Napoleonic Wars. During the expansion of the Imperial Army in 1803, Napoleon decreed the formation of four Swiss mercenary regiments, one of these later becoming the famed 1st Swiss. After a short time serving in Southern Italy, notably serving at the Battle of Maide, the 1st Swiss were sent to Poland for the impending Invasion of Russia. During the invasion, the regiment remained in the reserve, but served with honour, notably at the Battles of Polotsk and later the crossing of the Berezina. After retreating from Russia, elements of the regiment served during the minor campaigns until May 1814. The regiment was then reformed under the Bourbon restored monarchy, and continued into the Royal Guard until its final disbandment in 1830.

Interestingly, and historically, in 1805, according to regimental records, parts of the regiment was embarked on the Mediterranean Squadron's ships at the Battle of Trafalgar, where one officer was wounded.
By mid-1805, the regiment was consolidated within the new Kingdom of Italy with the Staff and 1st Battalion based at Bastia, the 2nd Battalion on Elba, the 3rd Battalion near Modena, and 4th Battalion in Genoa.

Napoleonic Wars campaigns and battles of the Swiss Regiments;

Battle of Trafalgar { regimental contingent}
Invasion of Naples
Battle of Castelfranco Veneto
Battle of Maida
Russian Campaign
First Battle of Polotsk
Second Battle of Polotsk
Battle of Berezina
War of the Sixth Coalition
Siege of Bremen
Siege of Maastricht
Battle of Wavre

On 27 November 1803, authorised articles were signed in which a new Swiss infantry regiment was to be created. However, it was not until March 1805, just before the Ulm Campaign, that the new French emperor, Napoleon, ordered the reorganisation of the Swiss troops by imperial decree. The remaining three Swiss Demi-brigades, which were the result of the merger of the original six Swiss demi-brigades of the Helvetic Legion. The men of these remaining small units were merged to form the new 1st Swiss Regiment, formed by imperial decree on 15 March 1805. The 1st Swiss Demi-Brigade was based in La Rochelle, where it was dissolved on 11 May 1805 to provide the 3rd Battalion of the new regiment. The 2nd Swiss Demi-Brigade formed the 4th Battalion a month later when it was based in Livorno. The 3rd Swiss Demi-Brigade was split, sourcing the personnel for the 1st and 2nd Battalions on 5 July 1805 while in Bastia, Corsica.

Following the disaster of the battle at Maida, the populace of Calabria (a fiercely pro-Bourbon province of the newly created Kingdom of Naples) rebelled against King Joseph Bonaparte. On 5 July 1806, the regiment and the remainder of Reynier's army were still retreating when it came upon the village of Marcellinara, desperate for food and water. To the amazement of the French, they were welcomed enthusiastically by the populace shouting "Long live the British" and "Death to the French", once again because they were mistaken for British soldiers. However, this comical situation ended tragically, when the Swiss opened fire on the populace, and the village was sacked.

As Napoleon's new Grande Armée assembled in the eastern parts of the Duchy of Warsaw, the need for Swiss troops became apparent. Napoleon even said, "We must pay serious attention to the Swiss regiments". He went on to call for a major effort to recruit the regiments up to strength and bring about their organisation. As a result, over the next year's course, the regiments were gradually reassembled, and each received a new regimental artillery company. Each artillery company composed of two 3-pounder mountain field cannon.

On most levels, Napoleon's campaign against Russia was a hugely complex series of events. For the Swiss regiments, it was much simpler – it consisted of three major engagements separated by long stretches of inactivity. The First Battle of Polotsk and Second Battle of Polotsk are amongst the least known actions of the campaign because they took place far from the watchful eye of Napoleon. However, the Battle of Berezina is better known, but the role played by the Swiss in that engagement is not always clearly described. Still, in all three instances, the Swiss covered themselves with glory and provided some of the most heroic episodes in the story of Napoleon's foreign troops.

On 17 August, at the First Battle of Polotsk, General Wittgenstein attacked the French in force, inflicting a sharp reserve on the II and VI Corps where Oudinot was wounded, and command was given to Marshal St Cyr, commanding VI Corps. The latter earned his Marshal's baton on the 18th when he counter-attacked and drove off the Russian Corps. During the engagement, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Swiss Regiments were initially not engaged, but the 18th St Cyr placed them in reserve as a precaution in case the action went against the French.

St Cyr is said to have noted:

"I know the Swiss. I had a battalion of the 1st Swiss Regiment under my orders at Castlefranco in Italy. The French are more impetuous in an advance, but if it comes to a retreat, we can count on the calm and courage of the Swiss"

— General de Division Laurent de Gouvion, Marquis de Gouvion-Saint-Cyr

The second fight for Polotsk was one of the campaign's most savage battles, conducted at night in a town full of blazing wooden buildings. Once the outer perimeters were breached, the fighting became hand-to-hand in the streets and houses, but the Swiss maintained their discipline and organisation throughout.

General Merle told Napoleon that he thought that every Swiss soldier deserved to be decorated for the Battle of Berezina, and he persuaded the Emperor to award the Swiss sixty-two crosses of the Legion of Honour. Unfortunately, the order to that effect was lost, and so the deserving officer and men of the Swiss regiments never received any officer recompense for their valour. However, their performance was accorded proper recognition by their countrymen, who viewed them as heroes whose actions were a source of national pride.

In 1813 On 10 October, the 1st Swiss along with fifty recruits of the 4th Swiss Regiment joined the Bremen garrison. The town had 30,000 inhabitants, which were of dubious loyalty to the Emperor. The forces' arrival was quite timely for the French commandant, Colonel Thuillier, as on 13 October, the town was assaulted by a mixed force of 4–5,000 Russian Cossacks and Prussian Freikorps under General Tettenborn. The voltigeur company under Captain Segesser was assigned to dispute the possession of the town's eastern suburb, and a French official who observed the combat noted that the Swiss "shot with such marvellous accuracy that any enemy soldier who showed himself was soon dead or wounded".

After Napoleon returned from Elba, during the 100 Days war, those that remained loyal to Napoleon, were formed into a regiment under the command of Colonel Christopher Stoeffel, who had been a captain in the 3rd Swiss in 1807 but had served exclusively in staff posts thereafter. A single battalion was formed in that regiment and served in General Vandamme's III Corps during the Waterloo Campaign, notably at the Battle of Wavre where it was wiped out. This regiment used the uniform and eagles of the 1st Swiss.

This is a very rare Napoleonic sword of Napoleon's early Consul to Empire period. Its scabbard had has long service repairs .  read more

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