Very Rare Ancient 10th Century Viking Fire-Starter, A 'Drepa Upp Eld '. Viking Riders on Horses & Steel Striking Blade. Used With Amadou Touchwood Fungus {Fomes Fomentarius}. To Make Fire At Sea, Whilst Sailing In a Viking Long Boat

Around 1100 years old. with partial ring mount to wear as a large functional pendant

This kind of distinct rider figure firesteels must have been symbols of wealth and power of the richest people during the viking age. They have been excavated from several places around western Finland and even from viking age town of Birka, Sweden.The firesteel has a loop in it, so it can be worn in chain, visible for all to see the user's wealth.

Earlier this year we had an amazing other one, a twin Draken head example, likely the very rarest of all the surviving Viking designed fire-starter, and this one may well be as rare as that or somewhat close.

The only other known example of the rarest type of Viking bronze and steel striker, is a specimen from a Chamber Tomb found in in Ekka, Birka, in Uppland. See a photo in the gallery of that example from the Historical Museum Historiska, Photo taken by Camilla Hällbrink, that one is also likely from second half of the 10th century. Museum item number 458255_HST.

How often is it one can own, a rarest original Viking artifact, that apparently, according to the national historical museum of Sweden, its only known similar surviving example is in that same museum in Sweden. Our example is of good quality, and in better condition. But of a different scene. There are some other styles that have been found, also in Scandinavian museums


Fire-Starting Using Flint and Steel. The term in Old Norse for percussion fire-making is drepa upp eld, from the verb drepa, "to strike, beat, knock; to produce by a blow or blows", thus drepa upp eld is "to strike up a fire." True flint and steel fire starting is a low temperature method of spark-based fire starting.

The Vikings, renowned for their seafaring prowess and ingenuity, utilized a unique method for creating fire that involved a specific type of fungus and urine. They employed the touchwood fungus, also known as Amadou (Fomes fomentarius), which grows primarily on birch and beech trees. This fungus, when processed correctly, becomes highly flammable. The Vikings would boil the fungus for several days, then soak it in human urine. The urine contains nitrates, which, when absorbed by the fungus, significantly enhance its ability to catch and sustain a flame.
After the fungus had soaked long enough to absorb sufficient nitrates, it was dried and pounded into a soft, fibrous material. This prepared fungus could then be easily ignited with a spark, making it an excellent tinder for starting fires in harsh and damp conditions. This innovative use of natural resources showcases the Vikings' deep understanding of their environment and their resourcefulness in overcoming the challenges posed by their often cold and wet climate. Their ability to produce reliable fire under adverse conditions, such as in violent stormy seas, was crucial for survival, navigation, and their various activities, including cooking and metalworking.

Every Viking torch lit march had to use exactly such a device to create the flame, every camp fire and every flaming arrow needed exactly this amazing piece of Viking history.

In the gallery are two 19th century paintings by
Everhardus Koster
& Frank Dicksee 1893

Hällbrink, Camilla, Historical Museum


Location: Björkö, North of Borg, Ancient monument: L2017:1478, Parish: Adelsö parish, Municipality: Ekerö municipality, Region: Uppland, Country: Sweden 1878  read more

Code: 26046

Superb Original Bronze Medieval Longbow Archer’s Thumb Ring, Late 14th Century. the Battle Agincourt 1415. Recovered From Azincourt in the 1820's

For those bowmen that used them in the 13th to 14th-century, archer's thumb rings were essential tools of war

This archers thumb ring was made circa 1400, over 600 years ago, and this is a superb, beautiful and historical original artifact.
A thumb ring is a piece of equipment designed to protect the archer’s thumb during archery. It is a ring of that can be made of leather, stone, horn, wood, bone, antler, ivory, metal, ceramics, which fits over the end of the thumb, coming to rest at the outer edge of the outer joint. Typically a flat area extends from the ring to protect the pad of the thumb from the bowstring; this may be supplemented by a leather extension. An absolute iconic original piece of British history. In battlefield recovered condition but very nice indeed. Beautiful Items such as this were oft acquired in the 18th and early 19th century by British noblemen and women touring battle sites in Northern France and Italy, in fact most of Europe and the Middle East, on their so-called ‘Grand Tour’. They were often placed on display upon their return home, within the family’s 'cabinet of curiosities', within their country house. Some significant British stately homes had entire galleries displaying the treasures and artefacts gathered and purchased on such tours, and some tours lasted many years, and the accumulated souvenirs numbered in their hundreds or even thousands. A popular pastime in the 18th and 19th century, comprised of English ladies and gentlemen traveling for many months, or even years, througout classical Europe, and the Middle East, acquiring knowledge and education on the arts, and thus returning with antiquities and antiques as souvenirs for their private collections, and these travels have been thus called ‘Grand Tours’. Although traditional English archers often used three fingers (Mediterranean draw) or finger tabs, but some were obviously trained in the Ottoman style of archery

The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory in the Hundred Years' War. The battle took place on 25 October 1415 (Saint Crispin's Day) in the County of Saint-Pol, Artois, some 40 km south of Calais. Along with the battles of Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356), it was one of the most important English triumphs in the conflict. England's victory at Agincourt against a numerically superior French army crippled France, and started a new period in the war during which the English began enjoying great military successes.

After several decades of relative peace, the English had renewed their war effort in 1415 amid the failure of negotiations with the French. In the ensuing campaign, many soldiers perished due to disease and the English numbers dwindled, but as they tried to withdraw to English-held Calais they found their path blocked by a considerably larger French army. Despite the disadvantage, the following battle ended in an overwhelming tactical victory for the English.

King Henry V of England led his troops into battle and participated in hand-to-hand fighting. The French king of the time, Charles VI, did not command the French army himself, as he suffered from severe psychotic illnesses with moderate mental incapacitation. Instead, the French were commanded by Constable Charles d'Albret and various prominent French noblemen of the Armagnac party.

This battle is notable for the use of the English longbow in very large numbers, with the English and Welsh archers forming up to 80 percent of Henry's army. The decimation of the French cavalry at their hands is regarded as an indicator of the decline of cavalry and the beginning of the dominance of ranged weapons on the battlefield.

Agincourt is one of England's most celebrated victories. The battle is the centrepiece of the play Henry V by Shakespeare. Juliet Barker in her book Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle ( published in 2005) argues the English and Welsh were outnumbered "at least four to one and possibly as much as six to one". She suggests figures of about 6,000 for the English and 36,000 for the French, based on the Gesta Henrici's figures of 5,000 archers and 900 men-at-arms for the English, and Jean de Wavrin's statement "that the French were six times more numerous than the English". The 2009 Encyclopædia Britannica uses the figures of about 6,000 for the English and 20,000 to 30,000 for the French. Part of an original medieval collection we have just acquired, of Viking and early British relics of warfare some from ancient battle sites recovered up to 220 years ago.
When drawing a bow using a thumb draw, the thumb is hooked around the bowstring just beneath the arrow and its grip reinforced with the first (sometimes second) finger. The bowstring rests against the inner pad of the archer's thumb and the thumb ring protects the skin. The bowstring rests against the flat of the ring when the bow is drawn. Today, thumb rings are used by archers practicing styles from most of Asia and some regions of northern Africa. Ishi, the "last wild American Indian", used a thumb draw, but no skin protection.
Thumb rings have been in use in Asia since the Neolithic period. The first examples were likely made of leather,.

As early western armies mainly used peasants as archers, and bowmen fought on foot. some may have needed little training as they already were using bows to hunt, and were indeed required to be trained on archery, usually with a Mediterranean draw. Of course, armies fought foreigners, and probably learnt their opponent's methods/strategies, as well as travelers who brought back hunting/fighting technique, but it may have been marginal amongst archers as the thumb ring draw was difficult to learn.

The regular English and Welsh bowmen fought on foot While they fought the major battles on foot, there were mounted archers used in the chevauchées against the French. Effective use of the longbow required regular practice and it wasn't easy to just pick up and use one (which is why inferior firearms replaced the bows - the firearms were easier to master). In this period, hunting was the domain of the uppermost classes. The land, and the animals in it, was the property of the king. Poaching could get you hanged.

In the chevauchées it would be unlikely longbows would be used while mounted. Unlikely dismounting to shoot, so using a smaller hunting bow is far more likely. Nobles hunted with shorter handbows commonly, but the bow and the technique were distinct from longbow. Both the length of the longbow, and the posture used for the longbow would make mounted archery quite difficult.  read more

Code: 26053

A Battle of Agincourt, Henry Vth, Knightly Hand and a Half Sword, Also Known as a Bastard Sword, due to It Being A Transition Sword From A Single Handed To A Two Handed Sword

A most rare sword, from the 100 Years War period, used at the Battles of Crecy and Agincourt by armoured knights. A form of sword designated in the seminal work by Ewart Oakshott known within the Oakshott categorisation as the type XVIII

Overall in good condition for age with usual russetted surface for ancient swords of this era. Fine double edged graduating straight blade with central fullers, a sharp tip, and a multifaceted iron pommel to the elongated grip {as usual, no grip wood survives} long straight crossguard with slight downturn and button quillon ends. Original ancient iron swords, if they still have a crossguard, never have the original wooden grips, the wood never survives the hundreds of years passing which means, the crossguard becomes mobile and no longer in a fixed position.

During the Middle Ages, most swords were relatively light. By the 15th century, however, larger and heavier swords had been developed to increase their ability to penetrate plate armour. That need created the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. They were hybrid swords that enabled blows to be delivered with the power of a two-handed sword but could also be wielded with just one hand.

Medieval swords of this era typically had a cruciform hilt, alluding to the knightly principles of chivalry and the 'Soldiers of Christ'. The pommel, at the top of the sword hilt, was of various shapes and could be made from a variety of materials. Richer swords of princes even had pommels made of rock crystal and chalcedony, and some were left hollow so that they could contain a holy relic.

Many swords were made in continental European centres such as Lorraine,

The Bastard Sword (with a longer grip) could be used for thrusting or cutting and had fearsome capabilities on the battlefield.

It was used as close-combat weapon and was capable of striking a massive blow. Its thrusts were deadlier, which improved their effectiveness when attacking plate armour. The blades of such swords could also be acutely pointed, which helped them to find the gaps in plate armour.

The blade could be the same length as a single-hand sword but the tang and the grip were long enough to accommodate two hands, which provided better leverage and more power.

Swords were worn in scabbards slung from waist belts, many of which were highly decorated with plaques and heraldic designs.

After several decades of relative peace, the English had renewed their war effort in 1415 amid the failure of negotiations with the French. In the ensuing campaign, many soldiers perished due to disease and the English numbers dwindled, but as they tried to withdraw to English-held Calais they found their path blocked by a considerably larger French army. Despite the disadvantage, the following battle ended in an overwhelming tactical victory for the English.

King Henry V of England led his troops into battle and participated in hand-to-hand fighting. The French king of the time, Charles VI, did not command the French army himself, as he suffered from severe psychotic illnesses with moderate mental incapacitation. Instead, the French were commanded by Constable Charles d'Albret and various prominent French noblemen of the Armagnac party.

This battle is notable for the use of the English longbow in very large numbers, with the English and Welsh archers forming up to 80 percent of Henry's army. The decimation of the French cavalry at their hands is regarded as an indicator of the decline of cavalry and the beginning of the dominance of ranged weapons on the battlefield.

Agincourt is one of England's most celebrated victories. The battle is the centrepiece of the play Henry V by Shakespeare. Juliet Barker in her book Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle ( published in 2005) argues the English and Welsh were outnumbered "at least four to one and possibly as much as six to one". She suggests figures of about 6,000 for the English and 36,000 for the French, based on the Gesta Henrici's figures of 5,000 archers and 900 men-at-arms for the English, and Jean de Wavrin's statement "that the French were six times more numerous than the English". The 2009 Encyclopædia Britannica uses the figures of about 6,000 for the English and 20,000 to 30,000 for the French. Part of an original medieval collection we have just acquired, of Viking and early British relics of warfare


Another picture is of a Medieval tombstone carving, showing the knight’s very same, hand and a half or bastard sword

To see references on this sword see Oakeshott, J, R.E., The Archaeology of the weapons, London, 1960 (Woodbridge, 1999); Oakeshott, E. 'Records of the Medieval Sword', Woodbridge, 1991  read more

Code: 24917

Original & Rare Ancient 1300’s Mystical Pentagram Bronze Knightly Ring, From The Wars in France At Poitiers And Crecy, & The Time of The Poem Sir Gawain & The Green Knight. The Pentangle Symbolised The Power To Ward Off Demons

A Pentagram engraved knightly signet ring, in copper alloy bronze, from the 14th Century, used in time of the battles of Poitier and Crecy. Good wearable size today and good condition

The pentagram or pentangle was used in Britain from the time of the early Crusades of King Richard.
The pentagram was used in ancient times as a Christian symbol for the five wounds of Christ. In the medieval period it was recognised as the Seal of Solomon Solomon, the third king of Israel, in the 10th century BC, was said to have the mark of the pentagram on his ring, which he received from the archangel Michael. The pentagram seal on this ring was said to give Solomon power over demons.
The pentagram or pentangle occurs in the 14th-century English poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, in which the symbol decorates the shield of the hero, Gawain. In the middle ages the pentangle was the most common sign for those of rank to ward off demonic powers. Long before the narrator of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight placed the pentangle on the shield of “that peerless prince,” it was an object of importance, and has enjoyed a place in the philosophical and theological forums of many cultures.

The earliest found depiction of the pentangle, located on a piece of pottery found in the ruins of the ancient city of Ur, dates back to around 900 BCE, placing it well within the early Babylonian period (Stone, 135). The Pythagoreans where fascinated by its mathematical and geometrical implications and spent much of the 3rd 4th and 5th centuries BCE trying to unlock its mysteries. In fact, most all Greek geometry, mathematics, and architecture are based on the perfect harmony found in the pentangle. The neo-Platonists and the Gnostics could not resist the call of the pentangle, and tied many of their studies and mysteries to this eminent symbol. However, the pentangle gained its most prominent state in the Middle Ages when Christianly and Islam adopted this symbol as a major part of their religions, both using it as a symbol of harmony, virtue, and idealism (Hulbert, 722).
King Richard was part of The Third Crusade (1189–1192) and it was an attempt by the leaders of the three most powerful states of Western Christianity (Angevin England, France and the Holy Roman Empire) to reconquer the Holy Land following the capture of Jerusalem by the Ayyubid sultan Saladin in 1187. It was partially successful, recapturing the important cities of Acre and Jaffa, and reversing most of Saladin's conquests, but it failed to recapture Jerusalem, which was the major aim of the Crusade and its religious focus.

Frederic Lawrence was an illustrator who produced five black and white images for Ernest Kirtlan’s 1912 translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Kirtlan was a Reverend at Hove Methodist Church). Sebastian Hau a contemporary antiquarian provides the most informative description of Lawrence and Kirtlan’s collaborations I was able to find.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ was the first of three collaborations between Ernest Kirtlan and Frederic Lawrence, and also the most extensively illustrated of the three – ‘The Story of Beowulf’ (1913) and ‘Pearl’ (1918) each having only a colour frontispiece, and no other plates. Lawrence’s five beautiful, finely worked illustrations for ‘Sir Gawain’, as well as the accompanying headpieces and numerous decorative initials, are very much in Arts and Crafts style, and somewhat akin to the work of the Scottish illustrator Robert Burns, in his ‘Scots Ballads (Hau, 2018).

In super condition for age and a good wearable example  read more

Code: 26047

A 'Superb Plus' Original, Antique, Victorian, Charge of the Light Brigade Era, 1821 Pattern, Hussar's or Lancer's NCO's Sword In Simply Amazing Fully Restored and Conserved Condition. The NCO's Version Of the 1822 Officer's Sabre. With White Knot

Effective mirror bright polished finish on all steel parts.
From the period and from one of the front line rank British cavalry regiments of 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' period in the Crimean War. The 1822 officer's version, was a degree lighter in weight, and had a fully etched blade This NCO's type is the combat weight version, with a plain blade, but wire bound fishskin grip to match their officer's swords, the other ranks trooper's version had a leather grip.

Used by an NCO that served in the charge in such as the; 4th Light Dragoons: A light cavalry regiment known for speed.

Photos to add tomorrow,


8th (The King's Royal Irish) Hussars: Light cavalry, also known as the "Cherry Pickers".
11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars: Light cavalry, distinguished by their distinctive uniforms.
13th (Light Dragoons) Regiment of Light Dragoons: A light cavalry regiment.
17th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers: Known for their lances, they were positioned on the left flank.

Maker marked by Gunby {an ordnance contractor from Birmingham and London} the blade backstrap at the forte.

Regulation three bar hilt with wire bound fishskin grip, plain NCO's blade, maker marked and steel scabbard, with regimental stamps near the throat.

The scabbard is completely dent free, the multiwire binding is excellent as is the fishskin grip and all the steel, nickel plated hilt, is pristine.

From our collection of the 'best available original British regimental swords' acquired to create a collection of the finest examples to be found. Each one is a 5 star condition example, every one worthy of anyn of the best museum collections in Europe.
There is no way to know which specific regiment of hussars or lancers that the NCO served in during the Crimean War.

As used in the Crimean War such as the infamous and renown 'Charge of the Light Brigade' by NCO's of several regiments, other regiments used the 1853 pattern sabre. A most impressive sabre, and very good indeed. The very type of ordnance made and issued Hussar's and Lancer's sabre used by British Cavalry NCO's in the ill fated charge in the Crimean War against Russia.

Absolutely used at the time and used by all the serving cavalry still issued with the 1821 pattern sabre, in the famous 'Charge'. In the Crimean War (1854-56), the Light Dragoons were in the forefront of the famous Charge of the Light Brigade, immortalized by Tennyson's poem of that name ("Into the valley of death rode the six hundred").
The regiments adopted the title hussars at this time, and the uniform became very stylish, aping the hussars of the Austro-Hungarian army. But soon the blues and yellows and golds gave way to khaki as the British army found itself in skirmishes throughout the far-flung Empire, in India and South Africa especially.
In 1854 the regiment received its orders from the War Office to prepare for service overseas. Five transport ships - Harbinger, Negotiator, Calliope, Cullodon, and the Mary Anne – embarking between the 8 May and 12 May, carried 20 officers, 292 other ranks and 298 horses. After a troubled voyage, the regiment arrived at Varna, Bulgaria on the 2 June. On the 28 August the entire Light Brigade (consisting of the 4th Light Dragoons and 13th Light Dragoons, 17th Lancers, the 8th Hussars and 11th Hussars, under the command of Major General the Earl of Cardigan were inspected by Lord Lucan; five men of the 13th had already succumbed to cholera.
On the 1 September the regiment embarked for the Crimea - a further three men dying en-route.
On the 20 September the regiment, as part the Light Brigade, took part in the first major engagement of the Crimean War, the Battle of the Alma. The Light Brigade covered the left flank, although the regiment’s role in the battle was minimal. With the Russians in full retreat by
late afternoon, Lord Lucan ordered the Light Brigade to pursue the fleeing enemy. However, the brigade was recalled by Lord Raglan as the Russians had kept some 3,000 uncommitted cavalry in reserve.
During the 25 October the regiments, the Light Brigade, took part in the Battle of Balaclava and the famous Charge of the Light Brigade.
The 13th Light Dragoons formed the right of the front line. The 13th and 17th moved forward; after 100 yards the 11th Hussars, in the second line, also moved off followed by the 4th and 8th. It was not long before the brigade came under heavy Russian fire. Lord Cardigan, at the front of his
men, charged into the Russian guns receiving a slight wound. He was soon followed by the 13th and 17th. The two squadrons of the 13th and the right squadron of the 17th were soon cutting down the artillerymen that had remained at their posts. Once the Russian guns had been passed, they engaged in a hand-to-hand fighting with the enemy that was endeavouring to surround them by closing in on either flank.
However, the Light Brigade having insufficient forces and suffering heavy casualties, were soon forced to retire. Capt. Louis Edward Nolan (January 4 1818-October 25 1854), who was a British Army officer of the Victorian era, an authority on cavalry tactics, and best known for his controversial role in launching the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Battle of Balaclava. He was the first casualty of that engagement.

We pride ourselves, for over the past 100 years, of attempting {and hopefully succeeding} in acquiring every single day, fabulous, and original, historical pieces, that arenot only collectors items, but incredibly decorative for display and wonderfully evocative of great moments in history.

For example, almost three decades ago we were delighted to buy Captain Nolan's actual undress pattern sabretache that was used by him to carry the order to Charge for the Light Brigade, and it was recovered from beneath his, and his horses bodies after the battle. It spent most of its life after the charge in two museums, one at the rebuilt and re-sited Crystal Palace in London. We were privileged to buy direct it from the original family owners with the personal assistance of the late Gordon Gardner, Militaria Expert of Sotheby's from 1979.

Another identical version of this sword appears in 'Crimean Memories. Artifacts of the Crimean War' by Will Hutchison, Michael Vice, and B J Small.

Featuring a group of artifacts used in the Crimean War that presently reside in numerous museums, regimental messes, and notable private collections  read more

Code: 26045

Superb & Stunning Antique French Gendarmerie Cavalry Helmet . Maker Marked, B. Frank, Aubervilliers. This Original Antique French Cavalry Combat and Full Dress Service Helmet Is An Absolute Beauty In As Close To Mint Condition As It Is Possible To Be

A simply beautiful example, in mint service polish, in parade ready condition, with fine crest and plume, with original chinscales, fully intact and with buckle. Maker stamped on the rear neck guard.

The Gendarmerie is the heir of the Maréchaussée, the oldest police force in France, dating back to the Middle Ages. The Gendarmerie has influenced the culture and traditions of gendarmerie forces around the world, especially in independent countries from the former French colonial empire.

Under Napoléon, the numbers and responsibilities of the gendarmerie—renamed gendarmerie impériale—were expanded significantly. In contrast to the mounted Maréchaussée, the gendarmerie were both horse and foot personnel; in 1800, these numbered approximately 10,500 of the former and 4,500 of the later, respectively.

In 1804 the first Inspector General of Gendarmerie was appointed and a general staff established—based out of the rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré in Paris. Subsequently, special gendarmerie units were created within the Imperial Guard for combat duties in French occupied Spain.

Following the Second Restoration of 1815, the gendarmerie was reduced in numbers to about 18,000 and reorganised into departmental legions. Under King Louis Phillippe a "gendarmerie of Africa" was created for service in Algeria and during the Second Empire the Imperial Guard Gendarmerie Regiment was re-established. The majority of gendarmes continued in what was now the established role of the corps—serving in small, sedentary detachments as armed rural police. Under the Third Republic the ratio of foot to mounted gendarmes increased and the numbers directly incorporated in the French Army with a military police role reduced

The French Republican Guard is part of the National Gendarmerie and provides security as guards of honour during official ceremonies.  read more

Code: 26044

A Fabulous, Museum Grade, Front Line Rank Issue, Napoleonic Wars and Waterloo 1796 Light Dragoon Trooper's Sabre. Ordnance Approved Stamped Blade With Maker Stamp of James Wooley, His Earliest Mark Circa 1796

An absolutely faultless, historical, British combat sabre of the elite light dragoons that would have been used by a trooper or nco of the light cavalry during the entire Napoleonic Wars, in the Peninsular Campaign and ending at Quatre Bras and the Battle of Waterloo.



With, two, original and very rarely seen, point of balance stamps to the back strap of the blade.

Part of one of the finest collections of near mint British swords we have ever seen and just acquired. From a collector that clearly filtered his collection to keep only the very best condition examples he could find.

As good as, if not better, than anything you will find at the Tower of London Armoury Collection, or, the National Army Museum Collection in Chelsea.

The scabbard is superbly bright and completely dent free, the hilt is as near to mint that a combat used sword ever could be, the leather bound grip still superbly bright lacquered, the blade excellent with the clear, regimental armourer's hand sharpened-by-wheel edge. We show an original, but of course later, Victorian photo in the gallery of blades being sharpened before combat by the British cavalry regimental armourer.

Complete with later, whitened, leather buff-hide sword knot. The maker mark of Wooley & Co was changed in 1800 to Wooley and Deakin.

The stamps found on the spine of some authentic British 1796 light dragoon (light cavalry) sword blades are "B" markings, which indicate the point of balance.
These "B" stamps were part of the manufacturing and quality control process used by some sword makers, such as Woolley & Co.
Quality Control: The marks ensured the blade was correctly shaped and balanced according to required specifications.
Multiple Marks: Some swords, like this sword, have two "B" marks:
One mark typically indicates the balance point of the bare blade.
The second mark indicates the balance point of the fully assembled and hilted sword.
Location: The marks are can found {although very rarely, stamped on the spine (back edge) of the blade, often near the hilt area.


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. This sword still has its original wooden liner in the scabbard present.

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.

An extract from an 1862 publication;

A VOICE FROM
WATERLOO
A HISTORY OF THE BATTLE
FOUGHT ON THE 18TH JUNE 1815
WITH A SELECTION FROM THE WELLINGTON DISPATCHES, GENERAL ORDERS
AND LETTERS RELATING TO THE BATTLE.
ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS, PORTRAITS AND PLANS.
BY
SERGEANT-MAJOR EDWARD COTTON
(LATE 7TH HUSSARS).
“Facts are stubborn things.”
SIXTH EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED.


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 accomodation and comfort it offers at moderate charges.—See Bradshaw’s continental Guide.

Available from the Project Gutenberg.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of trading  read more

Code: 26041

Choose The Ideal Christmas Gift From Great Britain's Favourite Armoury Antiques & Collector's Shop. Some of The Best Ideas You Could Imagine, For Both Christmas & New Year, Have Come From The Lanes Armoury’. Our 105th Christmas in Brighton

Now moving on through early December as we all are, this would the perfect time to select a Christmas gift for a loved one {or oneself} from our unique and massive selection of original military antiques, ancient antiquities, and Ist edition novels. And time for deliveries worldwide to arrive before the Christmas festivities.

To one and all, we wish a Merry Christmas

Feliz Navidad
聖誕快樂
Joyeux Noël
عيد ميلاد مجيد
Frohe Weihnachten
Buon Natale
Prettige Kerstdagen
Feliz Natal
メリー クリスマス

This week we are sending some magical & fabulous historical gift choices to our clients in USA, Canada, Japan, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Singapore, Australia & New Zealand plus of course, dozens in the UK too!
Keep an eye on our site this week for our latest arrivals due to be listed, as usual, fabulous bound volumes, some remarkable pieces from antiquity, more stunning samurai swords, plus a great collection of British swords from the past two hundred and fifty years. Only yesterday we added to our website a masterpiece of the French gunmakers art, possibly presented by the Emperor Napoleon himself. A magical combination of purest gold, finest juglans regia walnut, with masterfully chiselled steel and lustrous silver. A five figure piece that could easily be six figures if it was only known to whom it was presented. A secret lost into the mists of time!

This is our 105th year of family trading this coming Christmas, and the dawn of our 106th year. However, we have actually traded in Brighton for well over 200 years, but until WW1 we were principally involved in the fishing trade, especially seafood. In the early 19th century we used to supply the Brighton Royal Pavilion, the palace of King George IVth {formerly the Prince Regent} with shellfish.

Every year, many, many millions of people visit Brighton, and many hundreds of thousands of them find there way here to us. In fact up to two or three thousand often visit us every opening day.
The world famous New York Times included our gallery in their list as one of the very best places to visit in the UK when travelling to Europe from America. Where else in the UK could you leave a store, after a jolly Christmas holiday visit, with a selection of original WW2 Officer’s uniform buttons for only £1.50p each, or an original solid gold and gemstone intaglio carved seal ring once worn 1700 years ago by an Imperial Roman senator. Where you might rub shoulders with a former American President’s First Lady, a Hollywood superstar, {our latest recent superstar visitor was British actor Tom Hardy, (who returned once again for another visit this weekend) another recent customer, a professor of textiles from America, who very kindly arranged for us to receive some conservation papers from the Met, or a retired Scottish teacher on a regular visit from the Outer Hebrides.

Incredible things seem to happen here every day, for example, just two weeks ago a very nice gentleman arrived here, after travelling all the way from Hong Kong, just to view and purchase one of our most special Japanese swords we were offering, and just as it was being packed up, after our business together was concluded, for its long journey to his home, another gentleman called on the phone with sincere interest in order to buy that very same sword, just a few minutes after the Hong Kong gentleman bought it, and bearing in mind we have many hundreds of swords on offer, and many thousands of intriguing pieces.
This remarkable occurrence was witnessed by one of our oldest friends and a very special regular customer, who was seated witnessing the whole turn of events, and he was amazed at the incredible coincidence, yet, he exclaimed, that so many hundreds of times he has been here in the past near 20 years, and he has seen, first hand, just how often that happens. We are truly a shop of most remarkably diverse visitors, and extraordinary coincidences.

As a former client, world renowned author, John Osborne, once said to Mark,
“It’s quite extraordinary, you can see just about everyone you could imagine here, and if you haven’t seen them yet, there’re probably on their way!’

Unique, ancient, antique and vintage beautiful items are our specialty, and be sure and certain that anything from us will be the best choice you can make this Christmas time. Recently arrived !
A flintlock pistol the likes of only normally to be seen in the very finest museums, containing the very finest arms presented by Napoleon to Kings and Sultans, a collection of dozens of wonderful British swords from the past 230 years, another huge collection of original samurai swords, from 500 years old to ancestral swords last used in WW2, an incredible ships captain’s spring bayonet mounted cannon barrelled blunderbuss, superb 19th century British and French cavalry helmets, also some stunning cannon balls fired at Waterloo. Plus, our current selection ranges from a collection just acquired of really great and rare bayonets, British German & French, antique WW1 and WW2, from a collector who wanted the very best he could find over the past 40 years. Including rare French examples from the 'Russian contract' during WW1, that were uncovered in Ukraine in the late 90's, and some French Foreign Legion bayonets, acquired from a French Foreign Legion reserve armoury depot clear-out in the 70's. Plus stunning and rare Japanese samurai swords including a beautiful, original 'Tamashigiri Cutting Test' antique samurai katana signed by high rated master smith, Masashige Tegarayama, 手柄山正繁 with a highly rare Tamashigiri Cutting Test, By Gonnosuke Komatsubara, Dated 1799 to some super Ist Edition Charles Dickens novels, and various fabulous, wonderful and utterly beautiful antique Victorian dragoon dress helmets. Also a stunning collection of historical, provenanced original Napoleonic War cannon balls and a huge French Howitzer explosive round { now inert}.

All kinds of other unique and fabulous conversation pieces, including some delightful volumes, have been acquired lately, such as, for example, a 1st edition of The Third Man by Graham Greene, one of David senior’s fellow imbibers at our neighbours ancient establishment, The Cricketers, Brighton’s 500 year old inn.

Another part of our original Japanese katana acquisitions arrived, and as usual many are stunning beauties and A Superb Choice For This Christmas, And a Special Price Too! A Very Good World War II Imperial Japanese Army Officer's Katana with a famous family's silver clan mon

We have had arrive here recently, some more really wonderful, original pieces of history. And as usual, this occurs almost every single day, {except Sunday} sometimes many times in a day if we are fortunate. Being one of all the world’s collectors favourite stores, some incredible artifacts are almost magnetically drawn to our doorstep every opening hour.

Every item, as usual, will be accompanied with our unique, presentation quality, 'Certificate of Authenticity' that will not only fully certify it's genuineness, but it will detail the circumstance of it's origin, and where and when it may have been used in it's specific or generic history.
Where else in Britain could you walk out of the store this Christmas with an original souvenir from Alexander the Great's battle with the Persians in 334 B.C, from only £65, to a fabulous unique handmade gold, diamond and ruby 'Mystery Watch' once owned by movie legend, Elizabeth Taylor, for just under £180,000, or, a 2500 year old ancient Chinese sword that may very likely have once been the sword of a king!, and how about a fabulous 'Shaturnal' a Moghul War-Elephant cannon

We are very proud to offer a superb selection of ancient antiquities, swords, daggers and spears from all the major past empires and civilisations of the world from over the past 3,500 years. In fact many recognise our unique and original selection is likely the best and most comprehensive to be seen, and offered for sale, anywhere in Europe, and possibly even the world over.

This Christmas season we can offer thousands of pieces, including, such as, a fabulous complete set of Charles Dickens novels

"Outside of a dog, man's best friend is a book. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."

— GROUCHO MARX
{and yes, he was a visiting customer as well, in around March 1965}

And please be further assured, all gift purchases may be changed after Christmas for any form of suitable alternatives.

"Doesn't someone you know deserve something unique from The Lanes Armoury". Just look at a few of our thousands of pages of delectable offerings, that vary from a very rare Rowntree’s WW2 munitions factory Rescue Officer’s helmet, to an Iceni chieftain’s chariot rein mount from the Roman-Celtic war with Queen Boudicca in England 2000 years ago, to very rare Italian Renaissance 16th century prince's dagger, to crossbow bolts recovered from the Battle site of Bannockburn {23–24 June 1314}, to some exceptional swords from the Napoleonic Wars, some belonging to several of Napoleon's generals. One, is a presentational grade sabre, somewhat akin to the fabulous Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund swords awarded to hero’s of the wars with Napoleon {but fortunately, not for the 100,000 pounds plus cost that they can command today}, &, to a superb Gurkha’s WW2 military issue kukri for just a few hundred pounds. Everything is possible through our portals, for all budget ranges, from just a few pounds to six figures.

The Lanes Armoury described by the 'New York Times' as one of the very best stores and destinations to visit when in Europe.
A living, breathing gallery that is a huge walk around ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’, containing thousands of original historical and magical pieces from the ancient long past, to the near recent. In fact, from 300,000 years of human history, and 100 million years of world history.

We are certainly not the biggest premier store in Europe recommended by the New York Times, in fact we are probably the smallest, but what we lack in size, apparently, we more than make up for in amazement, and wonder, and, the family have been trading in antiques in Brighton for over 104 years. Prior to that, we traded in Brighton caught shellfish for the previous 100 plus years, with our licensed shellfish concessions for the entire Brighton coastline.

For example, we added recently items that range from a Samurai Ancestral Sword Around 600 years old {or more}, a WW2 Japanese Officer's Sword With An Ancestral Blade 450 Years Old, an original late Koto to shinto samurai’s daisho, a stunning ‘Agincourt’, hand-and-a-half knights sword, a Seige of Troy era Bronze Age sword, incredibly rare original Viking warriors sword around 1000 years old, a beautiful samurai’s disguised fan dagger, plus, Ancient Roman Gladiator's rings for both for a Gladiator and Gladiatrix, around 1700 years old.

Google just let us know our updated Google entry just past the amazing 1,000,000 { one million } searches in order to find out our location in order to visit us here in Brighton, England.

Twenty Four Years Ago, After 80 Years Trading in Brighton, We Were Honoured by Being Nominated & Awarded by BACA, In The Best Antique & Collectables Shop In Britain Awards 2001
Presented by MILLER'S Antiques Guide, THE BBC, HOMES & ANTIQUES MAGAZINE, for the British Antique & Collectables Awards. The version of the antique dealers ‘Oscars’ of Britain.


In the gallery, the first photo, is a wonderful daybreak photo, taken the at the farm two Christmas seasons ago, December 2023. Showing what some are calling the South of England's 'Sky-on-Fire' Daybreak. You can see in the far distance in his retirement paddock the late Judy Hawkins's beloved former UK 'Supreme Champion' Scottish Highland grey pony, that was a frequent competitor against the late queen's Highlands at Windsor Castle. In his prime, he had his own worldwide fan club, and competition followers. Photo 7 in the gallery is old “Governor’ and his little chum “Roger” waiting for their morning apples at our farm last year, sadly, they are now no longer with us. Photo 8 is a typical example of everyday new arrivals in the gallery. Photo 9 is Judy and Holly, ten years apart, first watching "Governor" in competition, then Holly alone, with her horse, following on in her late devoted grandmother's passion, and, the family tradition. Our family have been entranced by our love of animals since modern memory, but principally dogs and horses, for over 200 years. Of course, in regards to horses, the first 130 years was by necessity, as then you couldn’t get anything done, in both the domestic or business world, at all, without them, but the past 70 years has been for love, pleasure and joy alone.
This year has been a tough one for our equine life. First we lost Governor, then Roger, then just last week, Arrow. But the many decades of joy they brought us all, and hopefully the joyous life they all led with us here, more than makes up for our feelings of loss and sadness.

The last photo in the gallery is an autographed photo, given to Mark personally, by the late, great, 40th President of The United States, Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office of The White House.  read more

Code: 25540

A Simply Breathtaking Original Viking High Carat Fine Gold Bracelet, Most Likely By An Irish Master Goldsmith, In Twisted Gold Wirework That The Irish Goldworkers Were Most Famed, From The 1st Millenia BC to The Viking Era, Circa 10th Century

Composed of twisted gold wirework upon gold wire coils. The only place one can normally only see such a beautiful masterpiece would be in a National Museum Collection in Ireland, Britain or Scandinavia, yet to own such a unique piece could be such a joy for the admirer of original Viking historical artistry, and especially, by a likely Irish master craftsman.

Since the Vikings were famed for their constant renegade raiding and looting – it was paramount that Viking kings earls, lords and warriors cemented their alliances. One way to show bonds of loyalty was through the exchange of rings. Kings and Lords, who held most of the wealth, gifted rings or arm bracelets of precious metals to warriors as a means of redistributing treasure and giving thanks. Some might say a most ironic practice, that of using the invasion, pillage and raiding of others, in order to promote peace and prosperity for their own.

If you’ve ever read Beowulf, you know that dragons were among the mythical creatures most despised by the tribes of Northern Europe. Apart from breathing fire, dragons also represented a self-destructive force inherent in tribal culture. Dragons hoard treasure in dungeons and caverns far removed from villages and cities. For the Vikings, along with other Northern tribes, wealth was best served as a means for building communities. Lords who gifted treasure gained alliances, and thereby strengthened their own ranks. The distribution of wealth meant larger, safer, more vibrant populations. Lords who hoarded wealth like dragons weakened necessary social structures, and essentially rendered their wealth useless.

Gold jewelry was always reserved for the Viking elite, as a symbol of great wealth and power..

The Vikings smelted all sorts of looted art pieces and jewelry from their hoards. Worn by both men and women, Viking jewelry was mostly made of silver or bronze, with gold jewelry often reserved for the elite. Women wore brooches that fastened their clothes together, as well as necklaces. Men, on the other hand, wore rings and armlets. The rings were not limited to fingers, but also worn about the wrists, arms, and neck. Warriors also adorned their weapons, especially the sword hilt.

The Vikings acquired wealth in a few ways. Firstly, they were traders. Viking coins and runes have made it to many ends of the earth. Eventually, the Vikings realised that precious metals, along with other luxury goods, could be more easily acquired by raiding the monasteries of Britain, Ireland and Northern Europe. At the time, Viking ships were fast and coastal British monasteries were isolated and poorly defended. The Viking “reign of terror” is generally agreed to have begun in 793 after a raid on England’s Lindisfarne monastery. Archaeologist Colleen Batey of the Glasgow Museums wryly notes that the Vikings “had a preference for anything that looked pretty.” Eventually, the Vikings settled in many of these areas, choosing to colonize rather than extort their southern neighbours.

It has been observed that Viking Age gold finds in Scandinavia and Britain, especially Ireland are frequently associated with watery environments and may represent ritual or votive depositions. There is also evidence, literary and archaeological, for the ritual deposition of some silver hoards in the Viking world. This considers the evidence of those Viking Age gold and silver hoards and single finds from Ireland that derive from watery locations, including Irish crannogs and their environs. It is noted that all recorded gold hoards, with one exception, have an apparent association with water or watery places and thus conform to the patterns noted elsewhere. As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity.

50mm, 5.88 gms  read more

Code: 24778

An Early Crusades Period 10th Century, Byzantine, Ceramic Greek Fire 'Grenade' Around 1,100 Years Years Old. A Fabulous Historical Collector's Item and Conversation Piece

Of rounded form. A rare collectable ancient artefact and a wonderful conversation piece. Circa 10th century AD. A grey ceramic globular vessel age cracking. Incised and decorated .

History of the grenade;
Although grenades rose to prominence as weapons during the 20th century, grenades have a very long history.

They are first thought to have been used by the Byzantine Empire from around the seventh century AD. Clay vessels were filled with flammable liquid known as Greek fire and flung at the enemy.
They were often piled into catapults to increase the range and devastation they caused.
They were popular weapons in naval battles as the fire could easily spread on ships and cause devastation. In its earliest form, Greek fire was hurled onto enemy forces by firing a burning cloth-wrapped ball, perhaps containing a flask, using a form of light catapult, most probably a seaborne variant of the Roman light catapult or onager. These were capable of hurling light loads, around 6 to 9 kg (13 to 20 lb), a distance of 350?450 m (380?490 yd). Greek fire, was invented in ca. 672, and is ascribed by the chronicler Theophanes to Kallinikos, an architect from Heliopolis in the former province of Phoenice, by then overrun by the Muslim conquests. The historicity and exact chronology of this account is open to question: Theophanes reports the use of fire-carrying and siphon-equipped ships by the Byzantines a couple of years before the supposed arrival of Kallinikos at Constantinople. If this is not due to chronological confusion of the events of the siege, it may suggest that Kallinikos merely introduced an improved version of an established weapon. The historian James Partington further thinks it likely that Greek fire was not in fact the discovery of any single person, but "invented by chemists in Constantinople who had inherited the discoveries of the Alexandrian chemical school".Indeed, the 11th-century chronicler George Kedrenos records that Kallinikos came from Heliopolis in Egypt, but most scholars reject this as an error. Kedrenos also records the story, considered rather implausible, that Kallinikos' descendants, a family called "Lampros" ("Brilliant"), kept the secret of the fire's manufacture, and continued doing so to his day.

The invention of Greek fire came at a critical moment in the Byzantine Empire's history: weakened by its long wars with Sassanid Persia, the Byzantines had been unable to effectively resist the onslaught of the Muslim conquests. Within a generation, Syria, Palestine and Egypt had fallen to the Arabs, who in ca. 672 set out to conquer the imperial capital of Constantinople. The Greek fire was utilized to great effect against the Muslim fleets, helping to repel the Muslims at the first and second Arab sieges of the city. Records of its use in later naval battles against the Saracens are more sporadic, but it did secure a number of victories, especially in the phase of Byzantine expansion in the late 9th and early 10th centuries. Utilisation of the substance was prominent in Byzantine civil wars, chiefly the revolt of the thematic fleets in 727 and the large-scale rebellion led by Thomas the Slav in 821?823. In both cases, the rebel fleets were defeated by the Constantinopolitan Imperial Fleet through the use of Greek fire The Byzantines also used the weapon to devastating effect against the various Rus' raids to the Bosporus, especially those of 941 and 1043, as well as during the Bulgarian war of 970?971, when the fire-carrying Byzantine ships blockaded the Danube.

The importance placed on Greek fire during the Empire's struggle against the Arabs would lead to its discovery being ascribed to divine intervention. The Emperor Constantine Porphyrogennetos (r. 945?959), in his book De Administrando Imperio, admonishes his son and heir, Romanos II (r. 959?963), to never reveal the secrets of its construction, as it was "shown and revealed by an angel to the great and holy first Christian emperor Constantine" and that the angel bound him "not to prepare this fire but for Christians, and only in the imperial city". As a warning, he adds that one official, who was bribed into handing some of it over to the Empire's enemies, was struck down by a "flame from heaven" as he was about to enter a church. As the latter incident demonstrates, the Byzantines could not avoid capture of their precious secret weapon: the Arabs captured at least one fireship intact in 827, and the Bulgars captured several siphons and much of the substance itself in 812/814. This, however, was apparently not enough to allow their enemies to copy it . The Arabs for instance employed a variety of incendiary substances similar to the Byzantine weapon, but they were never able to copy the Byzantine method of deployment by siphon, and used catapults and grenades instead. In its earliest form, Greek fire was hurled onto enemy forces by firing a burning cloth-wrapped ball, perhaps containing a flask, using a form of light catapult, most probably a seaborne variant of the Roman light catapult or onager. These were capable of hurling light loads?around 6 to 9 kg (13 to 20 lb)?a distance of 350?450 m (383?492 yd). Later technological improvements in machining technology enabled the devising of a pump mechanism discharging a stream of burning fluid (flame thrower) at close ranges, devastating wooden ships in naval warfare. Such weapons were also very effective on land when used against besieging forces.

Greek fire continued to be mentioned during the 12th century, and Anna Komnene gives a vivid description of its use in a {possibly fictional} naval battle against the Pisans in 1099. However, although the use of hastily improvised fireships is mentioned during the 1203 siege of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade, no report confirms the use of the actual Greek fire, which had apparently fallen out of use, either because its secrets were forgotten, or because the Byzantines had lost access to the areas of the Caucasus and the eastern coast of the Black Sea where the primary ingredients were to be found.  read more

Code: 26042