As Usual, The Lanes Armoury, Effectively Britain’s Best Antique Museum Shop and Gallery, Is Not Open This Bank Holiday Monday 4th May

Last Saturday, we had pass through our doors somewhere between 2,000 to 2,500 visitors, and, as usual, just about every one most kindly expressed we were probably the most interesting and incredible shop they had ever seen. And so many continually remarked we are not really a regular shop, we are far more like a museum and gallery, that happens to be a shop as well!. As literally, every single thing we show and offer for sale, is an incredible piece of history, and many pieces they have never before even seen, let alone offered for sale, anywhere else in the country.

One very polite young man said on Saturday afternoon
“ where else in the world can you buy an arrowhead, fired by Alexander the Great’s army, for £65, sitting next to a gold fob chain, in the shape of a Zeppelin, given by the former captain and survivor, of doomed Luftschiffer airship, The Hindenburg, to a colleague in the RAF.”

However, although closed Monday, we will re-open for our thousands of personal visitors and customers, this Tuesday as usual, but we are always contactable by email, or on 07721 010085 during our closing hours this Bank Holiday..

All website activity carries on 24-7 as usual .

Why not choose an ancient or antique original collectable for your loved one, or even you! Every day we try our utmost to supply all our customers with that something really special and unique, and as usual we believe have some simply amazing offerings, thousands of them from all over the world, from ancient to vintage, and every one a little part of history.
All our items supplied with our unique lifetime guarantee of authenticity, detailing its full history as known. The Lanes Armoury is proud to be known, as declared by many of our thousands of daily visitors, as their most favourite shop in all Great Britain!

Enjoy The Lanes Armoury Website, it Has Been Over 105 Years in the Making.

Probably the only shop in Europe where you can view, and buy, original collectables from over 300,000 years of human history, from almost every major civilisation

"Gloria Antika" { translated, from the Latin, ‘Glory of the Antique’} our old family motto, and it has been for generations, are words we live buy every, single, day.  read more

Code: 24909

A Beautiful Kabuto 12 Plate Samurai Helmet The Hidari Mitsu Tomoe Mon, Meaning "Left Threefold Tomoe" Of A Hachi (鉢), Mabizashi (目庇) & Fukigaeshi (吹返) Tehen no Ana / Tehen Kanamono (八幡座): & Buddhist Bonji of Amida Nyorai {No Shikoro}

A Japanese kabuto helmet consists primarily of the hachi (bowl) and shikoro (neck guard), with key components including the mabizashi (visor), fukigaeshi (side wings), and maedate (front crest). These elements combine iron plating, decorative artistry, and functional protection for the head. This kabuto is around 70% complete but lacking its shikoro {rows of neck guard}. With the Buddhist bonji of Amida Nyorai (Amitābha) set at the front of the hachi bowl. The celestial Buddha of Infinite Light. Amida Nyorai (often called Amida Butsu) is a celestial Buddha who has the ability to intervene in this world and save people in a god-like manner. He has passed the bodhisattva path and has achieved superhuman powers giving him the power to live in the heavens.

Hachi (鉢): The main bowl/helmet shell, often made of riveted iron plates.
Mabizashi (目庇): The brim or visor located on the front of the hachi.
Fukigaeshi (吹返): Wing-like, often decorative projections on both sides of the helmet.
Maedate (前立物): The front crest or decoration, which could represent clan identity or religious symbols.
Tehen no Ana / Tehen Kanamono (八幡座): A small opening at the top of the hachi, often finished with an ornamental, chrysanthemum-shaped metal fitting.
Tsunamoto (角元): Mounting points or sockets used to attach the maedate.
Ukebari (受張): The cloth lining inside the hachi that makes it comfortable to wear.
Suji-kabuto: Refers to the type of hachi of ridge plates (suji),
Lacking any Shikoro (錣): A flexible, multi-layered neck guard hanging from the edge of the hachi.

The mon of the Kobayakawa clan and Kobayakawa Takakage

Kobayakawa Takakage (小早川 隆景, 1533 – July 26, 1597) was a samurai and daimyō (feudal lord) during the Sengoku period and Azuchi–Momoyama period. He was the third son of Mōri Motonari who was adopted by the Kobayakawa clan and became its 14th clan head. He merged the two branches of the Kobayakawa, the Takehara-Kobayakawa clan (竹原小早川氏) and Numata-Kobayakawa clan (沼田小早川氏). He became an active commander of the Mōri army and he with his brother Kikkawa Motoharu became known as the “Mōri Ryōkawa", or “Mōri's Two Rivers" (毛利両川). As head of the Kobayakawa clan, he expanded the clan's territory in the Chūgoku region (western Honshū), and fought for the Mōri clan in all their campaigns

At first he opposed Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi but later swore loyalty and became a retainer of Hideyoshi who awarded him domains in Iyo Province on Shikoku and Chikuzen Province on Kyūshū, totalling 350,000 koku. Hideyoshi gave him the title Chûnagon also appointed him to the Council of Five Elders but died before Hideyoshi himself.

The mitsudomoe is also closely associated with Shinto shrines, in particular those dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war and archery. Hachiman in Shinto cosmology and ritual, as for example at Hakozaki Shrine, is repeatedly connected with the number three. In Shintoist thinking, this number is taken to represent the three aspects of the four mitama or 'souls' (the other, the kushimitama being considered far rarer. Fragmentary sources suggest that the First Sho dynasty, who founded the Ryukyu Kingdom, used the symbol if not as their family crest. American historian George H. Kerr claims that King Sho Toku adopted the mitsudomoe as the crest of the royal house after his successful invasion of Kikai Island in 1465. The Second Sho dynasty, who ruled the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1470 to 1879, adopted the mitsudomoe as its family crest. Since it was the royal family crest, its usage was once severely restricted.

According to the story the origin of the Hidari-Gomon takes place in feudal Japan, when the feudal lords and their private armies of samurai fought fiercely for land ownership. It was during a time of constant war in Japan. During these wars, Okinawa was defeated and dominated by the lord of Kagoshima, who imposed conditions on the Ryukyuan people. He proclaimed without exception that the people should go unarmed and that those who were found carrying weapons should be executed. Also, as a tribute of war, he proclaimed that Ryukyuans should submit an annual tax of rice to Kagoshima.
For many years the Ryukyu people religiously fulfilled the terms of the lords agreement. At the time rice was plentiful and no one went armed because a way of fighting had been developed in Okinawa which did not require the use of weapons. We now know this as Karate. Karate was developed because the Ryukyuan King did not want his people to be defenceless and he began secretly sending members of his guard to China, where he knew various forms of bare-hand fighting were being taught. Gradually, karate was being formed, the weapon was the body of the fighter, and it did not conflict in any way the terms imposed by the lord of Kagoshima.  read more

Code: 26210

Welcome to The Lanes Armoury, Britain's Truly Magical Place, Where Thousands of Original & Breathtaking Wonders Are For Sale And New Fantastic Original Treasures From The Past Are Added, Every, Single, Day, Since 1921

Our beautiful pieces from history are not always just for looking at, some {such as the B3 Pilots Jacket} can still be enjoyed, and even worn, for every one to see.

The Lanes Armoury is incredibly fortunate that we occupy a position within the worldwide collectors market that we can, and do, every day, locate and pass on great and fantastic historical pieces, of great beauty and quality for just a small percentage of the cost that other antique stores, at the top of their area of interest, have to make available. In almost all the other top level areas of the sphere of collecting antiques, their offerings must often be in the hundreds of thousands, and even millions of pounds range. Colleagues in the profession we have personally known, that are similar leaders in their field, such as Renaissance bronzes and sculptures, and they can be up to 20 millions, fine art paintings, that can be millions or tens of millions, the finest French furniture that will be hundreds of thousands and even millions as well. In fact, we know of no other sphere of antique collecting, where the best available can be found so inexpensively, by comparison, to all other forms of antiques and art. Please view over the next 130 plus pages, detailing thousands of pieces of world class historical interest, and every single piece has brought, and will continue to bring, great joy for their owners, the new custodians of great artefacts of history.

Recently acquired, added to our web store and also, due to be added;
A collection of arms, helmets and armour from one of the foremost authorities, and late author of two seminal works, on Japanese polearms and combat techniques in the world. Sadly, not a rich man, so he wasn’t able to amass a huge collection, but what he did acquire, over the past 60 plus years, was simply incredible and we were most privileged to acquire the ‘museum pieces’ that we did. Including the ‘Green Dragon’ polearm naganata, his polearm of legend, and, his ‘great sword’ nagamaki, full length and unaltered, and almost six feet long. Plus armour, helmets, sword blades and polearms. Including a very rare momoyama nanban cuirass body armour. Nanban gusoku (南蛮具足): an interesting case of cross cultural exchange in East Asia. Japanese Samurai of the 16th century adopted and modified European breastplate and helmets into their own armour system. A fine, complete, and original momoyama nanban suit of gosuko today can cost between £50,000 to £100,000

A 1st Edition 1st Printing of The Great Gatsby, Publisher, Charles Scribners Sons, New York, Publication Date 1925, with the important words uncorrected, ‘chatter’ and ‘Northern’. Etc.
‘Now Under Offer’

Some superb French Napoleonic weaponry from the Grande Armee. A sword of the commander of the Grenadier Guards in the Crimean War, A fabulous quality and very good Napoleonic Wars Brown Bess, an incredible pair of Zulu War knopkerrie clubs, one a fabulous rare chiefs war club, the other a telegraph wire bound impi warriors war club, NOW BOTH SOLD, and one of the best and beautiful regimental pattern Napoleonic Wars swords, for one of the great Scottish regiments that saw incredible action in the Peninsular war and Waterloo. Also, a stunning Martini Henry 450-577 rifle {with both optional bayonet patterns} NOW SOLD one of the first 1400 ever made. And, one of the rarest Royal Marines pattern swords, 1796, we have ever seen. Trafalgar battle damaged. NOW SOLD
We also have two amazing Japanese swords both Museum pieces, by high ranked smiths, Dewa Daijo Fujiwara Kunimichi circa 1615, and Hamabe Toshizane, 1814. Plus, another super Brown Bess, (that now just sold ), but, another has arrived just the other day. Also a remarkable WW1 German snipers bullet proof armour shield. Some jolly nice Imperial and Third Reich German swords. And a super very rare Victorian tchapka lance cap of the 17th Lancers, of The Charge of the Light Brigade fame. Plus, lots, lots more!

“When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!”

These words were made famous by Alfred Lord Tennyson in his poem, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’, and refer to that fateful day on 25th October 1854 when around six hundred men led by Lord Cardigan rode into the unknown.

The charge against Russian forces was part of the Battle of Balaclava, a conflict making up a much larger series of events known as the Crimean War. The order for the cavalry charge proved catastrophic for the British cavalrymen: a disastrous mistake riddled with misinformation and miscommunication. The calamitous charge was to be remembered for both its bravery and tragedy.

Recently we also have some superb, British, Victorian swords from the Crimean War, for a new young officer serving in The Zulu War, and one beauty, regimentally marked to the 1st Battalion The Welsh Regiment, for an officer that served in combat Mahdist War (1888): The 1st Battalion was dispatched to Egypt in 1886, playing a key role in the Mahdist War at the Battle of Gemaizah (Suakin) in December 1888, where they were highly praised for their efficiency by their commander, Col.Kitchener.

Colonel Herbert Kitchener, {later to become known as the great Field Marshal Lord Kitchener} who wrote in his dispatches:

‘The half-Battalion of The Welsh Regiment are seasoned soldiers and whatever I asked of them to do they did well. They’re marksmen at Gemaizah Fort and the remainder of the half-Battalion on the left fired section volleys driving the Dervishes from their right position and inflicting severe punishment upon them when in the open. Significantly the Battalion did not lose a man”

Later, the 1st Battalion was dispatched to South Africa in November 1899 for the Second Boer War: it was engaged in Battle of Paardeberg in February 1900, where they suffered heavy losses, and again at the Battle of Driefontein in March 1900

Also, cannon balls from the English Civil War seige. One ball was recovered {in living memory} almost five feet beneath the surface mud. And an incredibly very rare and historical.

Also, see our latest incredible 'Royal' daggers from the 17th century Pattal-hatara (Four Workshops) of the King of Sri Lanka.

Occasionally, as we are Great Britain’s leading gallery of our kind, we have had had such knives, over the past 30 years, before, but nothing as fine as these museum grade examples, from the small collection we were thrilled to have acquired.

We have just also just added to the web store; a German colonels sword surrendered at the formal surrender of the German armed forces in May 1945 to Field Marshal Lord Montgomery, and a beautiful and magnificent samurai swords from the 1600's Tokugawa Shogunate period, one of the most fabulous samurai swords you might ever see. Plus, an Ancient Greek short sword or long dagger From The Greco-Persian Wars era, From the time of the Spartans at Thermopylae, to Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia & Egypt {now sold}

We Are Not Just A Webstore, We Are Always Welcoming Thousands Personal Visitors To View or Buy our Museum Pieces in Our Gallery In Brighton, Every Day* {but Sunday}

Thousands of original, historic, ancient, antique and vintage collectables. For example; from Ancient Rome, China and Greece, to Medieval Japan, and Viking Europe. Covering British, European, and in fact, all worldwide eras of historical events from the past 4000 years, with antiquities, weaponry, armour, object d’art, militaria and fabulous books, from the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the iron age, and right up to WW2.

Where else in the world could you find, under one roof, original artifacts, such as,; a mace and archer’s ring recovered from the site of Battle of Crecy, a sword of a British Admiral or notorious pirate fleet captain of the Golden Age of piracy of 17th century England, a battle mace, possibly once used by of one the personal guards in the service of the most famous Pharoah, Rameses the Great of Egypt, or, a museum quality 500 year old sword of a samurai clan Daimyo lord, and a pair of gold and enamel Art Deco 1920’s Magic Circle medals awarded to a friend of Harry Houdini. And all of the above, with many, many other Museum pieces, have been just been offered upon the site within the past couple of weeks.

Personalised and unique ‘Certificates of Authenticity’ can be supplied for every, single, purchase.

Our family have been personally serving the public in Brighton for several generations, in fact, for over 105 years.

* Opening hours Monday to Saturday 11.00am till 4.00pm, closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.


See in the gallery Will Young wearing one of our fabulous Victorian tunics, plus, James Marshall ‘Jimi’ Hendrix

And Tom pops in again to pick up a few trinkets the other day, and Liz and Richard pop down to visit us in October 1970  read more

Code: 24055

Beautiful Edo Jingasa Samurai Horserider's War Hat With Clan Mon of Kamei Korenori (亀井 茲矩; 1557 – February 27, 1612) Was a Japanese Daimyō. From The Collection of Likely The World's Greatest Authority, Author On Japanese Polearms & Their Use

Edo period original jingasa of the Kamei clan. in black urushi lacquer, large gold Kamei mon, and two ishime stone finish lacquer bands, either side of a gilt band. Some interior padding present

Their mon (family crest) is famously known as the Oi-katsubishi (追いかつ菱), which consists of two overlapping or "chasing" diamond shapes (hishimon). The clan, based in Tsuwano han during the Edo period, used this distinctive geometric crest.
These geometric kamon were popular during the Sengoku period because they were easy to recognize on battlefields.

Kamei Korenori (亀井 茲矩; 1557 – February 27, 1612) was a Japanese daimyō who lived through the early Edo period. He was first a retainer under the Amago clan of Izumo Province, but eventually became a daimyō in his own right.

Chūgoku Campaign (from 1578): After the fall of the Amago, he joined Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi, fighting against the Mōri clan, specifically taking part in the Siege of Tottori Castle.
Receiving Shikano castle in Inaba Province as a reward for his notable service in 1578, Korenori ascended to higher rank as he assisted in Hideyoshi's 1587 invasion of Kyūshū.

Kyushu Campaign (1587): Participated in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign to subdue the Kyushu region.
Invasions of Korea (1592–1598): Involved in the campaigns against Korea under the Toyotomi banner.
Battle of Sekigahara (1600): Fought for the Eastern Army under Tokugawa Ieyasu. He helped attack the Western Army's Minakuchi Okayama Castle.

Siege of Minakuchi Okayama (1600): Following the Battle of Sekigahara, he joined forces with Ikeda Nagayoshi to capture Natsuka Masaie at Minakuchi Okayama Castle.
Burning of Tottori Castle Environs: During his time in Inaba Province, he was involved in burning the village around Tottori Castle in conjunction with Masahiro Saimura.
Failed Ryukyu Expedition (1590): Though not a battle, Korenori prepared a fleet to target the Ryukyu Islands but was blocked by the Shimazu clan.

Korenori's descendants were eventually made daimyō (lords) of the Tsuwano Domain, which they ruled until the Meiji Restoration (1868).

Overall in jolly nice condition, the top of the helmet, off centre, has a small impact dent about the size of a pound coin {see photo 4}. Very small age losses to the lacquer  read more

Code: 26209

A Simply Magnificent, Huge, Ozutso Samurai Hand Cannon Teppo Matchlock Gun, of Negishi Sukenobu, Inlaid With Silver and Gold Dragon With Both the Clan Mon of Kamei Kenenori and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Their mon (family crest) is famously known as the Oi-katsubishi (追いかつ菱), which consists of two overlapping or "chasing" diamond shapes (hishimon). The clan, based in Tsuwano han during the Edo period, used this distinctive geometric crest.
These geometric kamon were popular during the Sengoku period because they were easy to recognize on battlefields.

Signed Japanese red oak stock. The huge uncompromising barrel is inlaid with twin, large silver clan mon of Kamei Kanenori and and gold-copper triple leaf Aoi, clan mon of Tokugawa Ieyasu at the breech, as they were alligned, it has a pinhole block site, extravagant gold and silver scrolling dragon inlay, up through the length of the barrel, terminating in a multi sided and stunning tulip form muzzle. Within the channel of the stock is a beautiful hand scripted signature of the samurai owner, Negishi Sukenobu no Tutu. Translation; Negishi Sukenobu's gun tutu is an old Japanese name for a matchlock gun

It has a sinchu matchlock mechanism with a long engraved match arm, inlaid with speckles of silver, traditional spring release utilising the ball trigger. the stock has engraved, silver cherry blossom form inlaid, barrel retaining mekugi-ana apertures, for the long copper mekugi to retain the barrel..

Part of a fine collection that arrived O-Zutsu hand cannon tanegashima, it is huge and incredibly heavy, of around 10 monme, 18mm bore

It is often the case were early samurai weaponry bear twin mon decoration, often demonstrating a co-joining or allegiance between two samurai clans. This example represents its a hand cannon of Kamei Kanerori and the Tokugawa clan mon as he fought for the clan at Sekigahara and beyond .

Kamei Korenori (亀井 茲矩; 1557 – February 27, 1612) was a Japanese daimyō who lived through the early Edo period. He was first a retainer under the Amago clan of Izumo Province, but eventually became a daimyō in his own right.

Chūgoku Campaign (from 1578): After the fall of the Amago, he joined Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi, fighting against the Mōri clan, specifically taking part in the Siege of Tottori Castle.
Receiving Shikano castle in Inaba Province as a reward for his notable service in 1578, Korenori ascended to higher rank as he assisted in Hideyoshi's 1587 invasion of Kyūshū.

Kyushu Campaign (1587): Participated in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign to subdue the Kyushu region.
Invasions of Korea (1592–1598): Involved in the campaigns against Korea under the Toyotomi banner.
Battle of Sekigahara (1600): Fought for the Eastern Army under Tokugawa Ieyasu. He helped attack the Western Army's Minakuchi Okayama Castle.

Siege of Minakuchi Okayama (1600): Following the Battle of Sekigahara, he joined forces with Ikeda Nagayoshi to capture Natsuka Masaie at Minakuchi Okayama Castle.
Burning of Tottori Castle Environs: During his time in Inaba Province, he was involved in burning the village around Tottori Castle in conjunction with Masahiro Saimura.
Failed Ryukyu Expedition (1590): Though not a battle, Korenori prepared a fleet to target the Ryukyu Islands but was blocked by the Shimazu clan.

Korenori's descendants were eventually made daimyō (lords) of the Tsuwano Domain, which they ruled until the Meiji Restoration

Resembling the Portuguese arquebus, the first matchlock gun to be seen in Japan, this massive and handsome weapon expresses the Japanese desire for powerful, finely made firearms.

A 17th century Japanese tradition relates that after the accidental arrival of three Portuguese mariners on Tanegashima Island in 1543, the sword-smith Kiyosada gave his daughter to their captain in order to learn the secrets of musket manufacture.

The actual guns were snap matchlocks made in Malacca, a Portuguese colony, and by 1550 were in production on a large scale. Known as ‘Tanegashima’ or ‘Teppō’ they were used by the Samurai and their foot soldiers and changed the way war was fought in Japan forever.

Large carbines such as this example were known as ‘ozutsu’ or cannon and were mounted on castle walls, used on merchant ships to repel pirates, on horseback in war or as assault weapons to blast through door hinges.

They could also launch incendiary or explosive arrows known as ‘Hiya’ to set fires during sieges. When fired these powerful weapons had a large recoil, and bales of rice were used to support the gunners back from injury.

Ammunition consisted of heavy round lead balls with differing sizes described as ‘Monme’. Made to take between 10 to 30 ‘Monme’ shots, this carbine is one of the largest examples of Japanese Edo Period handheld firearm

One woodblock in the gallery of a samurai holding an ozutso, and another of the great Takeda Shingen contemplating a small teppo matchlock gun, and it’s dramatic effect on the future of samurai warfare. The shape and form of ours is the same as the one contemplated by Takeda Shingen in the print, but ours is around four times the size, not a long gun but of incredible mass, beauty and presence. Somewhat like a dragon, a beast to admire for its breathtaking beauty, but to fear and respect for its power and presence.
The Amago clan, descended from the Emperor Uda (868–897) by the Kyogoku clan, descending from the Sasaki clan (Uda Genji).

Kyogoku Takahisa in the 14th century, lived in Amako-go (Omi Province), and took the name 'Amago'. The family crest, is also the one of the Kyogoku clan.

They were Shugodai (vice-Governors) of Izumo and Oki provinces for generations, for the Kyogoku Shugo branch , and their seat was Gassan Toda castle.

In 1484, Amago Tsunehisa (1458–1541), was deprived of the position of Shugodai by Kyogoku Masatsune, who was the Shugo, because he did not obey the request of tax from the Muromachi bakufu, and was expelled from Gassan Toda castle. Although Enya Kamonnosuke was dispatched to Gassan Toda castle as the new Shugodai, Tsunehisa recaptured Gassan Toda castle by a surprise attack in 1486, took control of Izumo, and developed the Amago clan into a Sengoku Daimyo clan.

The Amago fought the Ouchi clan or the Mori clan (who had been among their vassals), during Japan's Sengoku period.

For much of the next hundred years, the clan battled with the Ouchi and Mori, who controlled neighbouring provinces, and fell into decline when Gassantoda Castle fell to the Mori in 1566.

Amago Katsuhisa tried to regain prestige for the clan by joining the forces of Oda Nobunaga, invaded Tajima and Inaba provinces, but was defeated and died in the siege of Kozuki by the Mori in 1578.
Kamei Korenori (亀井 茲矩, 1557 – February 27, 1612) was a Japanese daimyō who lived through the early Edo period. He was first a retainer under the Amago clan of Izumo Province, but eventually became a daimyō in his own right. Receiving Shikano castle in Inaba Province as a reward for his notable service in 1578, Korenori ascended to higher rank as he assisted in Hideyoshi's 1587 invasion of Kyūshū. Following Hideyoshi's death in 1598, entered the service of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Following the Sekigahara Campaign of 1600, his income was raised from 13,000 to 43,000 koku as a reward for his service to the Tokugawa clan. Korenori died of natural causes in 1612.

Korenori's descendants were eventually made daimyō (lords) of the Tsuwano Domain, which they ruled until the Meiji Resoration.

Weight an impressive and formidable 6.6 kilos, length overall, 42 inches, barrel 30.5 inches  read more

Code: 24307

A Superb 17th -18th Century Dutch East India Company Bronze Naval ‘Swivel’ Cannon on Carriage. A Cannon Of Stunning Quality And Exemplary Condition

A wonderful 17th to 18th century cast bronze swivel cannon, also called rail gun or a naval deck cannon, mounted on a beautiful antique carved hardwood carriage. The cannon can be hand lifted and easily removed in order to mount on other mounting blocks for swivels when used at sea. Solid bronze, with superb cast detailing, barrel measuring approximately 31.25 inches long, 31.75 inches long on carriage, with long ‘swivel spike’ on the underside of the barrel. The natural aged patination is absolutely fabulous and can only appear gradually over the passing of the centuries. This is truly a wonderful example worthy of any museum grade display. These cannon were made in the Netherlands and used by the VOC and by the legendary Malay pirates, and with suitable small cannon-balls it was a most powerful offensive weapon. Lantakas were manufactured during the 17th and early 18th century in the Netherlands by the Dutch East India Company for export to Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines. This is a type of bronze swivel gun mounted on merchant vessels travelling the waterways of the Malay Archipelago. Its use was greatest in pre-colonial South East Asia especially in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The guns were used to defend against pirates demanding tribute for the local chief, or potentate. Cannon were frequently part of the bride price demanded by the family of an exceptionally desirable bride or the dowry paid to the groom.
Many of the small cannon, often called personal cannon or hand cannon, had been received as honours and were kept and passed down in families, but in times of need they also served as a form of currency that could keep the family fed. As a recognized form of currency, cannon could be traded for rice, drums, canoes, tools, weapons, livestock, debts of honour, and even settlement of penalties for crimes ranging from the accidental death of a fellow villager to headhunting against another tribe. Many of these finest cannon were given out by the Sultans of Brunei as part of ceremonies (such as birthdays or weddings) of the many princes and princesses of the extended Royal family. Cannon were frequently presented to guests along with awards and titles, and were meant to guarantee the recipients allegiance to the Sultan. In the 1840s, England began suppressing headhunting and piracy and Rajah James Brooke (a wealthy Englishman who established the dynasty that ruled Sarawak from 1841 until 1946) distributed numerous Brunei-cast hand cannon to guarantee the cooperation and allegiance of the local chiefs. Although most lantaka weighed under two hundred pounds, and many only a few pounds, the largest ones exceeded a thousand pounds with some weighing over a ton. Many of these guns were mounted on swivels and were known as swivel guns. The smaller ones could be mounted almost anywhere including in the rigging. Medium-sized cannon were frequently used in reinforced sockets on the vessel's rails and were sometimes referred to as rail guns. The heaviest swivel guns were mounted on modified gun carriages to make them more portable.

Typically the earliest cannon with beautiful ornaments from this region are from foundries in Malacca and Pahang, with later models from foundries in the Netherlands and Portugal, next from their respective settlements, and finally from Brunei and other local craftsmen.

The local population was unimpressed with the might and power of the heavily armed trading vessels from the VOC Dutch East India Company and Portugal. De Barros mentions that with the fall of Malacca, Albuquerque captured 3,000 out of 8,000 artillery. Among those, 2,000 were made from brass and the rest from iron. All the artillery is of such excellent workmanship that it could not be excelled, even in Portugal. - Commentarios do grande Afonso de Albuquerque, Lisbon 1576.

The Dutch and Portuguese quickly learned that they could trade cannon not only for spices and porcelain, but also for safe passage through pirate-infested waters. Local foundries continued to produce guns, using local patterns and designs from other local brass and bronze objects. This cannon can be lifted and mounted on any other form of swivel mount.  read more

Code: 21356

Superb & Rare 10 Plate Tetsu Steel Jingasa Samurai Battle Hat Helmet of The 1700's Traces Of Silver Inlay of Insects Such As Crickets, Catydids & A Spider Web From The Collection of Likely The World's Greatest Authority, Author On Japanese Polearms

From The Collection of Likely The World's Greatest Authority and Author On Japanese Polearms & Their Use

The tetsu jingasa (iron or steel battle hat) was a common form of head protection used in combat in feudal Japan, particularly by foot soldiers (ashigaru) during the Sengoku period (1467–1615) and by both soldiers and samurai during the Edo period (1603–1868). Unlike the elaborate kabuto helmets, the jingasa was lightweight, and shaped like a cone or shallow bowl, often with a wide brim to protect against overhead cuts and rain.

It was mainly worn by ashigaru as part of their okashi gusoku (loaned armour) to protect against overhead strikes, arrows, and musketry. Howeve, being of much higher quality and inlaid with silver decoration this beautiful example was clearly the war hat of a high rank samurai

While offering less protection than a kabuto (traditional helmet), it was highly favored for its light weight and mobility, which were crucial during long, intense battles.
The steel hats were typically lacquered and bore the mon (family crest) of the lord, which allowed identification of allies and enemies in the chaos of battle.
Weapon Usage (Improvised): Some martial arts schools, such as the Yagyu Shingan-ryu, taught that the steel jingasa could be removed and used as a makeshift shield or a striking weapon (similar to a buckler) when in close combat, though this was generally an emergency tactic.

What an incredible, early Edo, original samurai iron jingasa helmet this is. Only a very small percentage of jingasa war hats are made of plate steel but this one is rarer still in that is was inlaid with representation decor of silver insects, some of which are still viewable. including a cricket, a catydid and a superb spiders web.

Insects in general have been celebrated in Japanese culture for centuries. The Lady Who Loved Insects is a classic story of a caterpillar-collecting lady of the 12th century court; the Tamamushi, or Jewel Beetle Shrine, is a seventh century miniature temple, once shingled with 9,000 iridescent beetle forewings. In old Japanese literature, poems upon insects are to be found by thousands, Daisaburo Okumoto is director of the Fabre Insect Museum. An avid insect collector and a scholar of French literature, he has translated many of Fabre's works. He ascribes the popularity of insects in Japan to national character. It seems like Japanese eyes are like macro lenses and Western eyes are wide-angle, he says. A garden in Versailles, it's very wide and symmetrical. But Japanese gardens are continuous from the room and also very small. We feel calm when we look at small things. The medieval Japanese monk Yoshida Kenko put it this way: “If man were never to fade away like the dews of Adashino, never to vanish like the smoke over Toribeyama, how things would lose their power to move us”

A similar metal example, dated to the 19th century, was included in the 2010 exhibition Kyoto­-Tokyo: Des Samourais aux Mangas at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco in 2010.  read more

Code: 26206

A Superb And Most Beautiful, Original, 19th Century Gaucho Cowboy Knife In Extraordinarily Decorative Repousse Alpaca With Gold Embellishments

The South American Cowboy or Gaucho was the first range cowboy, whose existence is first recorded back in the 1600's, they wandered the Pampas for centuries, working cattle and living off the land and the herd, just as the later North American Cowboy did in the 19th century.

Like the North American cowboys, gauchos were generally reputed to be strong, honest, silent types, but proud and capable of violence when provoked. The gaucho tendency to violence over petty matters is also recognised as a typical trait.

Gauchos' use of the famous "facón" (knife generally tucked into the rear of the gaucho sash) is legendary, often associated with considerable bloodletting. Historically, the facón was typically the only eating instrument that a gaucho carried.

As Charles Darwin said of the distinctive men who wore and used the facón,

"Many quarrels arose, which from the general manner of fighting with the knife often proved fatal."  read more

Code: 26079

One Of The Most Incredible And Rare Early Samurai Swords We Have Ever Seen The Great Sword Nagamaki, From The Collection of Likely The World's Greatest Authority and Author On Japanese Polearms & Their Use

What a magnificent beauty! The Great Nagamaki that crosses the divide between the fearsome naganata, and the no-dachi.

It is a joy to acquire this monumental and incredibly rare example of ancient samurai arms, even if just for a brief while. It is in the process of being conserved for the next 500 years, and once completed it will be photographed in all its magnificence. We show it in the gallery as is prior to its completion. The original Edo period koshirae fittings will be relatively left untouched as they are already in great condition, with light artistic 風が吹いている (kaze ga fuite iru) ‘the wind is blowing’ decor. Which may be a symbolic representational name of the sword, such as 山颪 yamaoroshi, ‘wind blowing down from a mountain’

The blade has no damage at all, and in superb order, but, it requires considerable cleaning and expert hand conservation in order to return the blade’s beauty to its previous best.

We also show in the gallery early Japanese woodblock prints of similar examples used by great figures of samurai history.

The nagamaki is a type of sword developed from the Odachi but has the reach of a polearm too. It offers versatile combat techniques, and has the cutting power and technique of a sword with the reach of a longer weapon/polearm.

This behemoth of a sword appears illustrated in the author's second seminal work on samurai polearms and their combat use, of 'Japanese Spears: Polearms and Their Use in Old Japan' published in 2004.

Hosokawa Sumimoto (1489–1520) was a prominent samurai commander during Japan's Muromachi period, often depicted in art holding or associated with the nagamaki, a distinctive, long-handled Japanese sword.
Sumimoto is famously depicted in a 1507 equestrian portrait by Kano Motonobu wearing armor and holding a nagamaki, which is often used in modern media to illustrate this specific weapon.

The nagamaki ("long wrapping") is a sword with a blade length similar to a katana but with a very long handle (sometimes equal in length to the blade) that is wrapped in cord or leather. It was used for powerful sweeping and slicing strokes, particularly effective for infantry against cavalry.
Armor Connection: The armor worn by Sumimoto in his famous 1507 portrait (now associated with the Eisei-Bunko Museum) was later worn by his descendant, Hosokawa Narimori, making his, and the weapon's, appearance historically significant to the family's legacy.
Historical Context: Sumimoto was a key figure in the Hosokawa clan, acting as a deputy shogun (Kanrei) during a period of extreme civil strife in early 16th-century Japan.

We have also acquired the collector's prized nagamaki great sword, almost six feet long in its koshirae. Early or pre Azuchi Momoyama period, circa 1550. The type of samurai sword you very, very rarely see in Europe today outside of a museum, and often not in most museums either. This is one of the rarest types, an example that escaped the Shogun's *edict to cut the nagamakis and no-dachis down to regular katana sword length, as he believed swords that were over length for regular close quarter combat and should be shortened. {see details below}

We show a famous woodbloock print of Hosokawa Sumimoto carrying his nagamaki while on horse back. Our nagamaki was likely made within eighty years or so of Sumimoto's sword, just around the time of the Battle of Sekigahara. From the dimensions in the print, our blade is likely around a foot longer than his nagamaki.

Hosokawa Sumimoto (1489–1520) was a prominent samurai commander during Japan's Muromachi period, often depicted in art holding or associated with the nagamaki, a distinctive, long-handled Japanese sword.
The nagamaki is a type of sword developed from the Odachi but has the reach of a polearm too. It offers versatile combat techniques, and has the cutting power and technique of a sword with the reach of a longer weapon/polearm.

The nagamaki ("long wrapping") is a sword with a blade length similar to a katana or considerably longer, our nagamaki has a 43 inch blade, and with a very long tsuka {handle} sometimes equal in length to the blade that is wrapped in cord or leather. Ours is wrapped in leather as is the saya, then over decorated in a pattern. It was used for powerful sweeping and slicing strokes, particularly effective for infantry against cavalry.

To appreciate the heft and greatness of this sword, by just reading here, it is around 70% longer than a more usual long katana, and around 50% wider, and thicker, thus, likely six to eight times heavier. Once mounted it is likely the most impressive, original, and early samurai sword you will ever likely see or handle, a true behemoth of a museum piece.

*The Tokugawa shogunate did not issue a single, specific edict exclusively to reduce sword lengths but rather, in 1603, shortly after establishing the Tokugawa Shogunate, they enacted strict regulations that mandated all swords—including the massive no-dachi (field swords) and nagamaki, —be restricted to a specific, shorter length.
Many long no-dachi and nagamaki blades used in the previous warring era (Sengoku) were cut down at the tang (the handle part) and reduce the blade length to meet the new, shorter regulations to fit with the standard daishō (pair of swords) that samurai were allowed to carry.

It also needs overall conservation, and will be shown and offered for sale once completed.

As of this time we know of no other original length Nagamaki available on the worldwide collectors market today. In over 100 years we can recollect only owning three before, and we have likely handled in that time more original Japanese swords than any other still remaining antique sword dealers in the world today.  read more

Code: 26203

A Beautiful Edo Period Bato Jingasa Samurai Horserider's War Hat With Beautiful Four Flower Panels and Two Geometric Takebori Relief Decor In Six Distinct Panels Within the Urushi Lacquer With Clan Mon

Brown urushi lacquer with superb well-head mon, with six ken and red lacquer interior

Four ring symbolic tahen top mount. The samurai believed that through the tehen the spirit of Hachiman, the god of war, could pass into them. For this reason this hole on the kabuto is sometime sometimes called hachiman-za, literally "the seat of Hachiman". In this jingasa the tahen aperture is covered with a removable cap.

From The Collection of Likely The World's Greatest Authority and Author On Japanese Polearms & Their Use

In the armour of the Edo period, the tehen was richly adorned with multi-layered decorations, sometimes made of various metals. There are some schools of armorers where the tehen was so well finished and precise that it was covered only with a small iron rim, and sometimes not even with that. In the latter case it is possible to appreciate the value of the kabuto and admire the mastery of those who made it. At the rear a ring is fixed at the back of the helmet, designed to carry a small identification flag (Kasa jirushi no kan).

Apart from protection (the main function), a jingasa carried out the functions essential to caps: sunshade and rainshelter. It played too the role of a marker indicating the status of the wearer’s family in society. They were used as a container or weapon too. Jingasa developed both in shape and decoration during the Edo era (1603-1867) and were a symbol of samurai culture. Some Jingasa was a conical helmet most commonly worn with Ashigaru Armour, others were dished and round and a few had an upturned brim like this example so the firing of arrows in combat would be unhindered by a wide brim at the front.

It was typically made of hardened lacquered leather, or wood or a pressed composition somewhat like papier mache but also sometimes with iron. The jingasa could also commonly be marked with the mon of the lord or clan to help identify the warrior's side on a battlefield.

Cherished for its infinite versatility, urushi lacquer is a distinctive art form that has spread across all facets of Japanese culture from the tea ceremony to the saya scabbards of samurai swords

Japanese artists created their own style and perfected the art of decorated lacquerware during the 8th century. Japanese lacquer skills reached its peak as early as the twelfth century, at the end of the Heian period (794-1185). This skill was passed on from father to son and from master to apprentice.

The varnish used in Japanese lacquer is made from the sap of the urushi tree, also known as the lacquer tree or the Japanese varnish tree (Rhus vernacifera), which mainly grows in Japan and China, as well as Southeast Asia. Japanese lacquer, 漆 urushi, is made from the sap of the lacquer tree. The tree must be tapped carefully, as in its raw form the liquid is poisonous to the touch, and even breathing in the fumes can be dangerous. But people in Japan have been working with this material for many millennia, so there has been time to refine the technique!

Overall in very nice condition for age with small lacquer wear marks.

Photo in the gallery from renowned Japanese director Takashi Miike 's classic, 13 Assassins (Jûsan-nin no shikaku). Where a samurai lord, surrounded by his bodyguard of samurai under attack, wears his same jingasa.  read more

Code: 26208