A Very Good Line Regiment 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

Code: 25400

The Lanes Armoury..Everything You Can Imagine, and a Lot, Lot More!

Original pieces from the great ancient civilisations, Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Scythian, Persian, Roman, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, Norman, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, British, and beyond, in fact more antiquities, armoury, antiques, militaria, that you can imagine, plus leaves from illuminated manuscripts, rare and historical books, incunabula and Ist editions

We may not quite have everything that everyone might be seeking, but you can trust that we have spent over 100 years trying, and every day we do our utmost to scour the collecting world to find yet more, unique ancient or antique pieces.

We put in all the hard work, effort and expertise, so that you don't have to!, and remember, every purchase is accompanied with our Certificate of Authenticity, as our unique, lifetime guarantee, backed up by over 100 years of long established experience.

We are asked almost every day by many of our amazed and curious visitors about famous celebrities that have been customers past and present, so here goes, but just a snippet of a few mixed up names including those that Mark has personally assisted since 1971, and David since 1981, but of course there are many here of our past regulars listed below that our younger viewers will very likely have never even heard of.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, actors
Charlton 'Chuck' Heston, actor
Edward G. Robinson, actor,
HRH Princess Margaret, late sister of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth
'Fat Boy' Slim, aka Norman Cook, songwriter +
Ronald Reagan, Potus
John Osborne, author
Lord ‘Larry’ Olivier, the most well beloved Brighton resident, and actor director.
Tom Hardy, one of Englands great current actors
Barry Humphries, genius writer and actor of limitless talent
Edward G. Robinson, actor
Charlton ‘Chuck’ Heston actor, president of the NRA
Max Millar, comedian
Harold, Viscount Watkinson, Winston Churchill's Minister of Defence 1959/62
Garfield Garry Weston, proprietor of Fortnum and Mason, chairman Associated British Foods and of the Garfield Weston Foundation
Graham Greene author
Dame Flora Robson actress and Brighton resident
John Montgomery, author
Johnny Rotten {John Lydon}, singer, songwriter, and armed forces supporter
The Lord St John of Fawsley
The Tower Armouries, museum
The Higgins Museum, USA
Octav Botnar Chairman, &. Late Owner Nissan UK, formerly Datsun UK
The Metropolitan Museum, New York
The Smithsonian, Washington D.C.
Lord Hailsham, { Quentin Hogg} Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain
Katy Melua, singer songwriter
Will Young, singer
Douglas Bader, RAF legend
Mark Williams, character actor par excellence
Sir Ralph Richardson, actor
Jim Davidson major armed services charities benefactor and comedian
Warner Bros. UK,
Sir Henry Cecil One of the world's greatest horse trainers
Macy’s, New York Department Store
St Albans Museum + Gallery, providing their new centrepiece exhibit for their new ‘War of the Roses’ Battle of St. Albans gallery.
Rebekkah Brooks & Ross Kemp in their past to-gether days, journalist and actor
The Horniman Museum, UK.
Major General Lord Fitzalen Howard Life Guards GCVO, CB, CBE, MC.
Howard Blackmore Deputy Master of The Tower of London Armouries, Founder and President The Arms and Armour Society
Victor Harris curator of Japanese Arms at The British Museum
Steven Berkoff, actor, playwright, theatre director
Kaufhof GmbH German department store chain
Galeria D'Arte Adriana Papiri-Brignoni foremost gallery proprietor of Lugano Switzerland with her husband Gigi & Her friends and residents of Lugano, including;
Gina Lollobrigida, actress
Valentino, fashion designer
Eugene Faberge, in the 1950’s, the eldest son Carl Faberge of Moscow.
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche (Jigme Namgyel), renown Buddhist and author.....
Plus, many thousands more...  read more

Code: 23976

You Never Know Who You Might Run Into On A Visit To Britain’s Favourite Antique Shop

If you are wishing to find likely the best antique arms & armour gallery in the UK there is only one place you need to visit.

We trust you will all enjoy your visit and viewing experiance of our online shop, frequently described as the best military collectables & specialist armoury antiques & vintage military bookshop, in the world! and likely the oldest established as well.  read more

Code: 26412

A Superb Gallantry 'Military Medal for Bravery', Aug-Nov 1914 'Mons Star' Medal Group of WW1, For 2nd South Lancs Regiment. Of One of the 'Old Contemptables' Part Of The British Expeditionary Force Under The Command Of Field Marshal Sir John French

Awarded to one of the great heroes of the BEF South Lancashire Regiment. Overall all the group medals are in excellent condition. Just the MM ribbon loose.

The British Expeditionary Force which served in Flanders within range of the enemy mobile artillery between 5 August and 22 November 1914. At the first battle of Ypres their stand against a force of ten times their number prevented the German advance against the Channel ports.The B.E.F. of 1914 consisted of a cavalry division and several infantry divisions. Its commander was Field Marshal Sir John French. The troops of the Force were later joined by re-inforcements from Canada and India. The first battle was at Mons on 23rd August 1914, from where the great retreat was made in order to maintain an unbroken line with allied forces being pushed back by superior numbers. The retreat halted on the Marne and the counter-attack culminated in the first battle of Ypres.

South Lancashire Regiment during the Great War. Having been mobilised at Tidworth, the Battalion formed part of the 7th Brigade, 3rd Division and moved to Southampton on 13 August. Arriving at Le Havre on the S.S. Lapwing on 14 August 1914, they moved through the lines and billeted at a railway station on 22 August. Moved forward to Ciply on 23 August, they took up defensive positions on a low ridge between Ciply and Frameries, being assisted by Belgian civilians to dig in for what would be their first engagement of the war. Little did they know, they were facing an advance from an entire German Division the next morning.
Captain von Brandis, 24th (Brandenburg) Division takes up the story in Military Operations - France and Belgium 1914:

'Our artillery is to prepare the assault. A continuous stream of gun and howitzer shell thunders out, hurtling and howling over our heads, and bursting in dust and smoke on the edge of the village Frameries. No human beings could possibly live there. At 7am six companies of the regiment advance to the attack. We remain impatiently in reserve.

If we thought that the English had been shelled enough to be storm-ripe, we were fairly mistaken. They met us with well-aimed fire.'

It was exactly that resolve displayed by the men of the South Lancs. who gamely took to the open to beat off the advance. Whilst British troops fell back all around under the immense weight of an attack by an entire German division, the South Lancashires gave fight.

Military Operations - France & Belgium 1914 further states:

'The 7th Brigade held on...the South Lancashire were enfiladed by machine-guns from the slag-heaps about Frameries and lost between two and three hundred men before this Brigade was also withdrawn towards Genly.'

The 1st Loyal
North Lancashires were engaged in the epic First Battle of Ypres from 23rd Oct, when they made a most gallant and successful bayonet charge
at the Kortekeer Cabaret, and throughthe desperate crisis of the battle around Gheluvelt on Oct 31st, remaining in action until 14th Nov. the 2nd South Lancs also joined in the Ypres fighting, withstanding
repeated attacks at Nonne Boschen 11th-13th Nov. the British Regular Army fought almost literally to the death, constantly attacking, withdrawing
and counter-attacking. The line held, but at terrible cost, both Lancashire battalions being reduced to barely company strength.

In August 1914, German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II allegedly issued an order or made a remark telling his forces to concentrate on destroying “General French’s contemptible little army” (referring to Field Marshal Sir John French, commander of the BEF). (Though historians note there is no written proof the Kaiser actually said those exact words), the phrase leaked or was reported in British newspapers.Rather than feeling demoralized, the out-numbered, highly skilled British soldiers took the insult as a badge of honour, embracing the title "Old Contemptibles" to define themselves

To officially qualify as an "Old Contemptible," a soldier had to have served with the BEF in France and Flanders between August 5 and November 22, 1914, and generally qualified for the 1914 Star (often with the clasp for serving under enemy fire during those dates). This group was distinct from the later mass-conscription armies (such as "Kitchener's Army") because they were professional, long-service soldiers and experienced reservists.

The Battle of Mons (August 23, 1914): The BEF's first major engagement against the advancing German army. The rifle fire of the British regulars was so fast and accurate that the Germans famously mistook it for machine-gun fire.Outnumbered and forced to retreat hundreds of miles alongside French forces, the BEF helped halt the German advance at the Battle of the Marne and the Aisne, ruining Germany's plan for a quick victory The BEF held the line against overwhelming odds through brutal conditions, effectively shattering the original regular army as heavy casualties exhausted its ranks by late November 1914.

The Angels of Mons is a famous World War I urban legend that claimed divine, supernatural entities intervened to protect the outnumbered British Expeditionary Force during the Battle of Mons on August 23, 1914

A fictional short story titled "The Bowmen" written by Welsh author Arthur Machen. Published in the Evening News on September 29, 1914, the story described phantom medieval English archers from the Battle of Agincourt—led by St. George—summoned to help British troops.  read more

Code: 26415

A Beautiful French Ist Empire Officers Sword Designed From The Battle of The Nile Mamluks Sabres As Worn By Napoleon & His Generals. General Desaix Wore The Same Form of Sword with Imperial Embossed Panels of Arms, Hercules, Trophies & Engraved Palm Trees

Mamluk hilted sword with gilt brass all metal general and staff officer's pattern sword scabbard, with twin ring mounts, and with stunning embossed panels and fine engraving, as was used by many of Napoleon's generals, from his Consulute period and the Ist Empire, until Emperor Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo

It has four rectangular ovoid panels depicting an ancient stand of Greek arms and armour helmets and palm leaves, at the top of the scabbard, with the two main central panels of a roman general in armour and helmet above , and the other with a nemean lion head, roman fasces, spears and a standing figure of Hercules draped in his Nemean lion skin above ancient greek helmets armour and a drum, and the bottom panel has a pair of crossed generals mamluke sabres, with an Grand Sultan's turban upon a pole arm and other standards. The rear of the scabbrd bears the engraving of twin palm tree tops around each strap ring mount.

The hilt is the mamluke style of gilt brass with a carved black horn grip panels and engraved twin crossguards one with a ball terminal the other lacking a terminal. The steel curved blade is plain with a wide central fuller.

Louis-Charles-Antoine Desaix (17 August 1768 – 14 June 1800) in the gallery with his same sword, was a prominent French general and military leader during the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleon's Consulate period.

Born near Riom in Auvergne, France, into a noble family, Desaix entered the Royal Military School of Effiat at age eight.

Unlike many of his aristocratic peers, Desaix refused to emigrate during the Revolution and chose to serve the Republic, rising rapidly through the ranks to become a division general by 1794.

He served with distinction on the Rhine, commanding the fortress of Kehl and leading forces in Germany.

In 1798, he joined Napoleon Bonaparte’s expedition to Egypt, fighting at the Battle of the Pyramids. His fair and just administration of Upper Egypt earned him the local title of the "Just Sultan".

He returned to Europe in 1800 and joined Napoleon in Italy. At the Battle of Marengo on 14 June 1800, Desaix led a timely counter-attack that turned a near-defeat into a French victory, though he was killed in action by a musket ball at the age of 31

During the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars the French armies had approximately 2,000,000 plus serving soldiers, of those there were around 2000 generals commanding them in the armies of France, directly under their commander-in-chief, the Emperor Napoleon. However, for example, at the Battle of Borodino, Napoleon lost 1928 of his officer's including 49 Generals, in just one day!

This sword would have been used and carried in combat by one of his commanding generals of the general staff.

Napoleon was, and remains, famous for his battlefield victories, and historians have spent enormous attention in analysing them

Napoleon's Consulate period (1799–1804) was the government of France established after the Coup of 18 Brumaire (November 9–10, 1799) that overthrew the French Directory.

The Three Consuls: The Constitution of the Year VIII created an executive branch led by three consuls, with Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul holding all real executive power, while the second and third consuls (Jean-Jacques-Régis de Cambacérès and Charles-François Lebrun) acted largely as figureheads

Consul for Life: Through a national plebiscite and the Senatus-Consultum of August 2, 1802, Napoleon's role was extended to Consul for Life, paving the way for his coronation as Emperor

Transition to Empire: The period ended on May 18, 1804, when Napoleon declared himself Emperor of the French, launching the First French Empire

The most famous and influential among Napoleon's generals include:
Louis-Nicolas Davout ("The Iron Marshal"): Widely considered Napoleon's most talented and reliable commander, he never lost a major battle and famously won the Battle of Auerstedt in 1806 against a larger Prussian army.

Louis-Alexandre Berthier: Napoleon’s indispensable chief of staff who managed staff work, orders, and the complex corps d'armée system across almost all campaigns.
Michel Ney ("The Bravest of the Brave"): A fearless frontline leader famous for his bravery and command during the retreat from Russia and at Waterloo.

André Masséna ("The Child of Victory"): A brilliant independent commander who won major victories at Rivoli and Zurich, though his later career in Portugal proved difficult.

Jean Lannes: Napoleon's close personal friend and a ferocious vanguard leader who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Aspern-Essling in 1809.

Joachim Murat: Napoleon's brother-in-law and a flamboyant cavalry leader who commanded the French horse troops with speed and style.
Nicolas Jean-de-Duché Soult a master strategist and planner who later served as one of Napoleon's top corps commanders.

Louis-Gabriel Suchet: Widely regarded as the best administrator and general in the Peninsular War for his pacification of eastern Spain

Overall 32 inches long in its scabbard  read more

Code: 26410