A Beautiful Late Edo Bakumatsu Copper Katana Tsuba With NBTHK Papers.

Bakumatsu copper tsuba, NBTHK Kicho Kodugu papers from 2020. With a translation, the "ninteisho" is introducing the document as recognition written in calligraphy. The tsuba is decorated with Aki kusa, Autumn grass [flowers], unsigned. The Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai is a public interest incorporated foundation established in February 1948 to preserve and promote Japanese swords that have artistic value. Tsuba are usually finely decorated, and are highly desirable collectors' items in their own right. Tsuba were made by whole dynasties of craftsmen whose only craft was making tsuba. They were usually lavishly decorated. In addition to being collectors items, they were often used as heirlooms, passed from one generation to the next. Japanese families with samurai roots sometimes have their family crest (mon) crafted onto a tsuba. Tsuba can be found in a variety of metals and alloys, including iron, steel, brass, copper and shakudo. In a duel, two participants may lock their katana together at the point of the tsuba and push, trying to gain a better position from which to strike the other down. This is known as tsubazeriai pushing tsuba against each other. The tsuba has north and south kuchi-beni.
Literally "lipstick", but refers to the copper plugs of the nakago-ana. Their function is to secure the tsuba firmly when mounted on a blade. These plugs are sometimes called sekigane.  read more

Code: 23510

A Fine Antique Indo-Persian 'Mace of Rostam' the Bull's Head Mace

A Persian all iron 'Mace of Rostam' the mighty Paladin of Persia. The mace's head is a full bull's head [after Rostam's Mace] with applied horns and ears, iron haft with traces of silver damascened decoration to all three sides of the bull's head. Good overall condition for age. See Allan and Gilmour fig.26 for a closely related example, and p.189 and 315 for a discussion of these maces. Rostam, sometimes spelled Rustam, was the son of Zal and Rudaba, and the most celebrated legendary hero in Shahnameh and Persian mythology. In Shahnameh, Rostam and his predecessors are Marzbans of Sistan (present-day Iran and Afghanistan). Rostam is best known for his tragic fight with Esfandiar; the other legendary Persian hero, for his expedition to Mazandaran (not to be confused with the modern Mazandaran province); and for tragically fighting and killing his son, Sohrab, without knowing who his opponent was. Rostam was eventually killed by Shaghad, his half-brother.

Rostam was always represented as the mightiest of Iranian paladins (holy warriors), and the atmosphere of the episodes in which he features is strongly reminiscent of the Parthian period. He was immortalized by the 10th-century Persian poet Ferdowsi in the Shahnameh, or Epic of Kings, which contains pre-Islamic Iranian folklore and history.

He rode the legendary stallion Rakhsh and wore a special suit named Babr-e Bayan in battles. While out hunting Rostam awoke from his sleep to find Rakhsh had gone missing. He was distraught at losing his beloved horse and he tracked him as far as the city of Samangan. Here he greeted the King and asked for his help to find Rakhsh.

While in Samangan, Rostam met the king's lovely daughter Tahmina. The Shahname describes her as elegant as a cypress tree. One night she came to his room:

' My name is Tahmineh; longing has torn

My wretched life in two, though I was born

The daughter of the king of Samangan,

And am descended from a warrior clan.

But like a legend I have heard the story

Of your heroic battles and your glory,

Of how you have no fear, and face alone

dragons and demons and dark unknown

Of how you sneak into Turan at night

And prowl the borders to provoke a fight,

Of how, when warriors see your mace, they quail

And feel their lionhearts within them fail.

I bit my lip to hear such talk, and knew

I longed to see you, to catch sight of you,

To glimpse your martial chest and mighty face-

And now God brings you to this lowly place.

If you desire me, I am yours, and none

Shall see or hear of me from this day on.'

But their time together was brief, because once Rakhsh was found, Rostam departed for his homeland. Nine months later Tahmina gave birth to a son Sohrab, who grew up to be a warrior like his father Rostam. Scene from the Shahnama: Garsivaz prostrating himself before Siyavush in the presence of Rustam. 14th century, 54cms  read more

Code: 22529

A Stunning Original Horseguards Officer's Pattern Helmet Plate. In Gold, Red Enamel Cross, Blue Enamel Garter, And Frosted Silver Cut Steel Order of the Garter Badge Star

Probably the worlds most beautiful helmet plate ever designed.
This fabulous quality officer’s helmet plate, in use since the Queen’s coronation in 1953, was used by an officer of the Queen’s mounted bodyguard, from either the Blues and Royals or the Life Guards regiments, that combined, make up the Royal Horseguards. The helmet plate is identical for both helmets, only the colour of the yak hair plume was different, white for Life Guards, red for Blues and Royals.

The Albert helmet is the current ceremonial headgear of the British Army's Household Cavalry, for both the Life guards regiment and the Blues and Royals regiment, known collectively as Horseguards.

This pattern will now be changed very soon for the design designated for His Majesty King Charles lII. The crown will be changed to the single domed crown of all the kings since Edward VIIth. The domed crown is called either The King’s Crown or the Imperial State Crown. The late Queen’s crown, is known as St Edwards Crown.

The Albert pattern helmet was introduced by Prince Albert in 1842 and adopted by the Household Cavalry the following year. In 1847 the helmet was introduced to all heavy cavalry regiments. It remains in use as the full dress headgear of the two remaining Household Cavalry regiments, the Blues and Royals and the Life Guards. The magnificent helmet remains in use with the two current Household Cavalry regiments, the Blues and Royals with red plume and the Life Guards with white plume. These regiments are amalgamations of the four earlier regiments. The Life Guards retain the white plume and the onion from the 2nd Regiment, the Blues and Royals retain the red plume of the Royal Horse Guards. Blues and Royals officers wear a yak hair plume. Farriers in both regiments wear different plumes, the Life Guards farrier wear black and Blues and Royals farrier red.

The regiments also differ in how they wear the helmet's chin strap. The Blues and Royals wear it under the chin while the Life Guards wear it under the lower lip. The helmet is now in white metal for all ranks and the same helmet plate is worn by both regiments (they were different historically).

The Albert helmet is only worn in full dress review order, guard order and front yard order by other ranks and in full dress, levee dress and ceremonial rehearsal dress by officers. Medical and veterinary officers do not wear the helmet, instead wearing a cocked hat.

The other ranks of the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry wear the helmet in full dress (with the plumes of their parent regiments), except when parading in the presence of the royal family, when they wear state dress with jockey caps. Band officers wear Albert helmets on both occasions.

Its condition is considered by us as mint. A complete Horseguards officer’s helmet from the 1953 coronation period, in mint condition, will cost today somewhere between £6,500 to £10,000.

Photo in the gallery of royal Horseguards officers and men; Credit MOD  read more

Code: 24065

An Original Ancient Briton, Pre-History, Bronze Age Axe Head, Loop and Socket Form, Formerly From the Sir Alfred McAlpine Collection. 3500 to 4,000 Years Old

A bronze age axe head with square, collared socket and rectangular cheeks with flared, D-section cutting edge, small loop to attach the axe head with sinew cord binding to an axe haft.
Likely recovered from a Bronze age barrow many decades past, formerly in the Sir Alfred McAlpine collection.

A Barrow is an ancient mound where treasure and artifacts were buried with warriors as offerings. There are many ancient Iron Age and Bronze age Barrows covering Britain's ancient lands, some are simple mounds other are long or shaped. However, artifacts and treasure from most of these sights are now long since gone, or, possibly, some remain but are too deep to disturb the precious site, so wonderful finds such as this are a rare joy to see and even rarer to own.

We show another similar, earlier bronze age axe head axe found with Otzi the Ice Man, and a recreation of him in the museum holding his similar axe. We show a photo of his original axe.
The Iceman was discovered in the Otztal Alps in the fall of 1991, the location giving him his now famous name: Otzi. His preserved body and equipment have given us a wealth of information about the time in which he lived.

He died and was buried within glacial ice 5,300 years ago, alone and in pain, yet the remains of his body and equipment are teaching us more than any previous discovery about that time in history when our ancestors were moving out of the stone age and into the age of metal.

He was prepared for his trek through the Tyrolean Alps as well as any modern climber, knowing the dangers of sudden snowstorms that can occur in the spring of the year. He did die, but it was not the weather or the mountains that killed him. It was an arrow shot into his left shoulder that shattered his scapula and tore through blood vessels and nerves. Although he escaped his attacker, the combination of blood loss and the immobility of his left arm had doomed his chances of surviving.

His pain must have been great as he kept climbing, finally stopping at an altitude of 10,400 ft. He slipped his quiver over his shoulder and dropped it to the ground. Staggering a few more yards, he removed his pack frame and laid it down against a stone outcropping. Using only his right arm, he carefully removed two birchbark containers from his pack, one he set on top of the rock, the other he kept close to him, a familiar smell momentarily comforting him. He then placed his copper axe and his bow stave with the pack. Clutching his birchbark cylinder, he struggled a few more steps before he stumbled, but even then, twisting to avoid landing on his left side and protecting the treasure in the container. He painfully pulled the birch bark close to his face, inhaled the last vestiges of the smoke from the failing ember inside and died.

The axe head weighs just under 200 grams, around 3 1/2". Fine condition.  read more

Code: 24099

Swedish M1896 Mauser Bayonet, Knife Bayonet for Use on the 6.5 mm. m/1896 Swedish Mauser rifle. The M/1896 Bayonet Was Also Used With the M/1938 Short Rifle and AG42b Ljungmann Self-Loading Rifle During WW2

Swedish M1896 Mauser Bayonet, excellent condition plus. Blade with all original polish and crossgraining.

Rifle 42, 1st company, 6th Infantry

Sweden remained officially neutral in World War II, avoiding direct military involvement by making difficult concessions to both the Allies and Axis, notably allowing German troop transit and exporting vital iron ore while also providing refuge to some refugees and conducting intelligence. Surrounded by German-occupied territory after 1940, Sweden balanced its neutrality with economic ties, allowing German troop movements in exchange for non-invasion, while secretly gathering intelligence and strengthening its own defenses.
Key Aspects of Swedish Neutrality:
Official Stance: Sweden declared neutrality in September 1939, a policy rooted in its long history without war.
Geopolitical Pressure: After Germany invaded Norway and Denmark in April 1940, Sweden was isolated and forced to negotiate with Germany.
"Transit Traffic": Sweden allowed German soldiers and war materials to travel by rail through its territory to and from Norway until August 1943.
Economic Concessions: Sweden supplied Germany with crucial iron ore, ball bearings, and other goods, with Swedish naval escorts sometimes protecting Baltic shipments.
Intelligence & Diplomacy: Sweden maintained intelligence operations, intercepting German communications, and offered limited support to the Allies, including rescuing Jewish refugees later in the war.
Military Buildup: Recognizing its vulnerability, Sweden rapidly increased its military strength and defenses throughout the war, deterring potential invasion.
Challenges & Legacy:
Moral Dilemmas: Sweden's pragmatic neutrality, involving cooperation with Nazi Germany, remains a controversial topic, questioning if it did enough to help victims of the Holocaust.
Balancing Act: Sweden managed to keep its official neutrality and sovereignty but at the cost of significant moral compromises, a difficult legacy often termed "compromise neutrality".

Knife bayonet for use on the 6.5 mm. m/1896 Swedish Mauser rifle. The m/1896 bayonet was also used with the m/1938 Short Rifle and AG42b Ljungmann self-loading rifle.
According to Scandanavian bayonet collector/researcher Per Holmback, M1896 bayonets were produced by:

—Eskilstuna Jernmanufactur AB (1899–1912)
—Carl Gustaf Stad (1913–?)
—Erik Anton Berg AB (years unknown)

The earliest examples had a flat spring catch. This was replaced by a conical spring catch

This example was made by Erik Anton Berg (EAB) of Eskilstuna.

The unit marking on the crosspiece identifies the bayonet as belonging to Rifle , th company, 17th Infantry Regiment.

Complete In Scabbard. Also Fits The Ljungman AG42B S/A Rifle Mod.1942.
M1896 Mauser Knife All-Steel Bayonet,Tubular Engine Turned/Chequered Tubular Steel Grip, Cross-Guard And Muzzle Ring, 209 Mm Single Edged mint Polish Blade, Slightly Widening Towards Point, Single Narrow Fuller,
Complete In Steel Scabbard. Excellent condition overall,  read more

Code: 26152

A Good Hitler Jugend Dagger 1936 By Puma {Coded M7/27} Blut und Ehre Blade. Scarce Transitional Early Period Dagger Which Bears Its Makers Name and RZM Code

Puma of Solingen, 1936
the steel blade etched Blut und Ehre, Blood and Honour {worn} to one side, and stamped maker's mark to the other, also M 7/27 1936 RZM to ricasso, with swept quillon and two piece black chequered grip inset enamelled device to one side, housed in lacquered steel scabbard, post war replaced, synthetic leather strap with buttoned belt frog.

The Hitler Youth was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party. It existed from 1922 to 1945.The Youth group was established in 1922 as the Jungsturm Adolf Hitler. Based in Munich, Bavaria, it served to train and recruit future members of the Sturmabteilung (or "Storm Regiment"), the adult paramilitary wing of the NSDAP.

Following the abortive Beer Hall Putsch (in 1923), the Nazi youth groups were ostensibly disbanded but many elements simply went underground, operating clandestinely in small units under assumed names. Finally, on 4 July 1926, the Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung was officially renamed Hitler Jugend Bund der deutschen Arbeiterjugend, (Hitler Youth League of German Worker Youth). This event took place a year after the Nazi Party itself had been reorganized. The architect of the re-organisation was Kurt Gruber, a law student and admirer of Hitler from Plauen, Saxony.

After a short power struggle with a rival organization - Gerhard Roßbach's Schilljugend - Gruber prevailed and his Greater German Youth Movement became the Nazi Party's official youth organization. In July 1926, it was renamed Hitler-Jugend, Bund deutscher Arbeiterjugend (Hitler Youth, League of German Worker Youth) and, for the first time, officially became an integral part of the Sturmabteilung.

By 1930, the Hitler-Jugend had enlisted over 25,000 boys aged 14 and upwards. It also set up a junior branch, the Deutsches Jungvolk, for boys aged 10 to 14. Girls from 10 to 18 were given their own parallel organisation, the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM), League of German Girls.

In April 1932, the Hitler Youth was banned by Chancellor Heinrich Brüning in an attempt to stop widespread political violence. But by June the ban was lifted by his successor, Franz von Papen as a way of appeasing Hitler whose political star was ascending rapidly.

A further significant expansion drive started in 1933, when Baldur von Schirach became the first Reichsjugendführer (Reich Youth Leader), pouring much time and large amounts of money into the project. One photo in the gallery shows the Hitler Jugend dagger being worn by a group of HitlerYouth on a goodwill vist to Meiji Shrine in Japan in October 1938.

The dagger is jolly nice but has seen wear and use, the blade is bright polish but traces of light surface pitting and polishing has worn away a lot of the etching. The grips are good and the diamond enamel swastika has one small chip.  read more

Code: 26151

A Simply Stunning A Fabulous Original Antique Shinto Early Edo Period Chisa Katana. Wondrous Pure Gold and Shakudo Mounts Of The Tale of Momotarō, the Demon and The Monkey. Superbly Beautiful Blade Hamon and Hada Grain

An absolute beauty of an original samurai sword katana.

The blade is in amazing condition with a breathtaking hamon and hada, it is truly amazing! with a beautiful iron mokko plate tsuba with a silver faced figure fishing from a stream flowning down from a mountail range. The saya is decorated in ishime stone finish lacquer.

The koshirae {mounts and fittings} are equally wonderful, the kashira is carved buffalo horn and the fushi in gold and shakudo on a nanako ground, of the monkey, in three different images of it running, and the menuki are also very fine, of pure gold and shakudo depicting the monkey and the evil Oni {demon}. They represent the Japanese folklore story featuring an oni (demon/ogre) and a monkey is Momotarō (Peach Boy). Nanako Ji: "fish roe ground" A surface decoration produced by forming very small raised bosses by a sharply struck punch or burin called 'nanako tagane'. Shakudo is the metal most often used, but copper and gold are quite often employed. The harder metals, shibuichi, silver and iron are rarely decorated in this way. The size of the dots vary from 0.04" to 0.008" (25 to 125 and inch) and the regularity of the work is marvelous as the dots must be spaced entirely by touch. The dots are usually arranged in straight lines or in lines parallel to the edge of the piece being decorated, but sometimes in more elaborate patterns. Used on guards since the Momoyama period although the technique existed since much earlier periods. Usually done by specialist 'nanako-shi', but sometimes done by the maker of the guard himself.

Shakudo is a billon of gold and copper (typically 4-10% gold, 96-90% copper) which can be treated to form an indigo/black patina resembling lacquer. Unpatinated shakudo Visually resembles bronze; the dark color is induced by applying and heating rokusho, a special patination formula.

Shakudo Was historically used in Japan to construct or decorate katana fittings such as tsuba, menuki, and kozuka; as well as other small ornaments. When it was introduced to the West in the mid-19th century, it was thought to be previously unknown outside Asia, but recent studies have suggested close similarities to certain decorative alloys used in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The lacquer surface of the saya has some age bruising etc. due to its vintage

In the tale, depicted within the mounts of the sword, a monkey is one of three animal companions who aid the hero in defeating malevolent oni on Onigashima (Demon Island).

The Tale of Momotarō (Peach Boy)
An elderly couple finds a giant peach floating down a river. Inside is a baby boy, who they name Momotarō ("Peach Boy").
The Journey: Momotarō grows up with incredible strength and decides to go to Onigashima to stop the oni, who are kidnapping people and stealing treasure.
On his journey, Momotarō meets a talking dog, a monkey, and a pheasant. He shares his special millet dumplings (kibi dango) with them, gaining their loyalty and friendship.
The Battle: Upon reaching the island, the monkey uses his agility to infiltrate the demon fortress. Together, Momotarō and his companions overpower the demon chief and his followers.
Victory: The defeated oni promise never to bother the villagers again, and Momotarō returns home with the captured demon chief and stolen treasure.

The Monkey: In the story, the monkey is agile and clever, acting as a key strategist and fighter.
Oni: The oni represent evil and the obstacles that need to be overcome.
The Teamwork: The story is a famous example of team-based success in Japanese culture, emphasizing how different strengths (the dog's loyalty, the monkey's agility, and the pheasant's vision) can overcome a strong adversary.

This tale is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, particularly in Okayama Prefecture, where it is believed the legend originated.

The Chisa Katana samurai sword;

The most common blade cutting edge lengths for Chisa katana was approximately eighteen to twenty-four inches. They were most commonly made in the Buke-Zukuri mounting (which is generally what is seen on katana and wakizashi). The chisa katana was able to be used with one or two hands like a katana (with a small gap in between the hands) and especially made for double sword combat a sword in each hand.
It was the weapon of preference worn by the personal Samurai guard of a Daimyo Samurai war lord clan chief, as very often the Daimyo would be more likely within his castle than without. The chisa katana sword was far more effective a defence against any threat to the Daimyo's life by assassins or the so-called Ninja when hand to hand sword combat was within the Castle structure, due to the restrictions of their uniform low ceiling height. The hilt was usually around ten to eleven inches in length, but could be from eight inches or up to twelve inches depending on the Samurai's preference.

The blade is 22 inches long from tsuba to tip  read more

Code: 26145

Exceptional German WW1 Mauser, S98/05 S or m.S.'Sawback' Bayonet By Mauser. Maker Stamped Waffenfabrik Mauser Obendorf, In Its Original Matching Maker Marked Scabbard. Only 6% Of The Mauser Bayonets Were Fitted With Sawback, and 99.9% Of Those Removed

With original sawback intact. Fabulous condition example, wint near mint finish blade, and the condition throughout is excellent with just marginal denting to the scabbard.
Dated 1917. Although it has clearly been used in combat, and has a few small dings on the scabbard etc. you would have to go to the Imperial War Museum to find and see one as good as this. It may be simply impossible to upgrade to a better example.


The Mauser Gew98 Sawback 'Butcher' bayonet was issued in WW1 but was soon altered by the German soldiers, by way of the removal of the sawback edge.
It was commonly alleged that a German soldier captured alive with his 'Sawback' intact would be immediately killed by his allied captors, as the gruesomeness of the bayonet was much resented by the allied soldiers. This bayonet however is completely unaltered and it's sawback is perfectly intact. Excellent plus condition overall, with fabulous scabbard.

Fully German ordnance marked.

Germany used a wide variety of bayonets on the Mauser Gew-8 and Kar-98 rifles. They entered World War 1 issuing the 1898/05 or ‘Butcher Blade’ model. As the war progressed the shorter blade types and the ersatz models were introduced.
A small percentage of German bayonets were made with a saw back. They were only to noncommissioned officers or pioneer troops.

The Seitengewehr 98/05 has a wood handle and swept back quillon. 14.5-inch single edge butcher blade, marker marked on the ricasso. Dated on top of the blade in front of the crosspiece. Early versions have the saw back as does ours. The saw back was phased out during the war due to negative Allied propaganda. Most had the saw back ground off and re-issued. The first scabbards were leather with steel fittings, followed by all steel.

At the beginning of the Great War, the M1898/05 came with high ears and without flash guard. Pioneers and machine gunner crews used this version because of its suitability to chopping down bushes. The sawback was a favoured tool among German Military units.

The Seitengewehr 98/05 was introduced into the Prussian army in late 1905, as a replacement for the 98/02 for engineers and pioneer troops, as the 98/02 was deemed to long and heavy for it's intended purpose and one and a half times the length of the 1898/05. Initial production was in two versions, the first plain backed, and the second with 29 double teeth. The bayonet, as typical of German blades, did not have more than a vestigial muzzle ring, relying on the length of the hilt mounting to fix the blade to its rifle. The plain back version was identified as the S98/05 or S98/05 o.S. (ohne Säge - without saw) and the saw back as the S98/05 S or m.S. (mit Säge - with saw). About 6% of blades made were fitted with the saw back

At the beginning of WWI it was found that the S98/05 had a problem when used with the Karabiner 98 rifle, the shorter barrel on this model led to burning and damage to the grips as the barrel finished before the vestigial muzzle ring, so in1915 it was decided to fit a steel flash guard (Schutzbleche) to the back of the bayonet to protect the grips. The bayonet was modified by removing most of the muzzle ring remaining, reducing the back of the tang and adding the flash guard.

The sawback version of the bayonet soon became very unpopular on both sides of the frontline. When plunged into the enemy, this style of blade pulled out the victim’s insides when removed causing exceptional pain, suffering and inevitably death. It was communicated to the German army that French and British soldiers would torture and then killed their troops if found with a sawback blade on their bayonet. Therefore an order was issued in 1917 that all sawbacks be removed from service . A super rare piece.

14.5 inch blade  read more

Code: 26150

NOW SOLD An Incredibly Rare And Historical WW2 British SOE Special Operation Executive Agents ‘Assassination’ Sleeve Stiletto Dagger. Used In The Special Forces Mission During The Italian Campaign and The Invasion of Sicily

Rare Special Operations Executive (S.O.E) Assassination Sleeve Dagger, alloy and leather sectioned hilt dagger, with double edged, diamond section, needle type blade.

Correctly un-marked. Complete with its brown leather scabbard with leather strap attachment piece to the top of the scabbard.

To be found in possession of this dagger, in occupied territory during WW2, was incredibly dangerous. If you were caught, that was it, you would be executed. These stealth weapons are few and far between. Once they were used by the secret agents they were often disposed of.

Regrettably, it is more than likely the SOE agent that used this assassin's dagger was either killed or executed when he was caught, as this stiletto was found by a british soldier, in the possession of a captured, AXIS, Prisoner of War. The only thing about this wondrous and historic piece that we don’t know, is to whom it was issued.

The blade measures 123 mm, the knife is 195 mm overall , in its scabbard it is 204mm long.

These stiletto daggers were designed to be carried by S.O.E agents who were dropped behind enemy lines as they could be concealed in a sleeve and easily accessed for close hand to hand combat or to take out an enemy sentry quickly. As with most items issued to the SOE they were not marked with any makers stamps in-case of capture.

Key aspects of SOE Special Operations Executive} involvement and special forces operations in Sicily include:
Targeting Fascist Italy: Between 1940 and 1943, the SOE worked to encourage sabotage and resistance against Mussolini’s regime. By the time of the Sicily invasion, this research and clandestine groundwork aimed to undermine Italian morale and operations.
Special Raiding Squadron (SRS): The Special Raiding Squadron, commanded by Paddy Mayne and often linked to the SAS and SOE’s broader special forces mission, spearheaded aspects of the invasion. These hand-picked raiders were tasked with lightning raids and close-quarter combat.
The SRS and special forces conducted raids to disrupt German and Italian defensive lines during the 1943 campaign, which lasted from 9 July to 17 August.
SOE's role was part of a larger, broader strategy to cripple Italian resistance and support the massive Allied conventional forces (160,000+ men) that landed in Sicily. While Operation Mincemeat was a separate intelligence operation, it was crucial in tricking the Axis into strengthening Greece instead of Sicily, easing the landing of Allied special forces and regular troops.

The SOE’s efforts in Italy were considered high-risk, as agents operated in a hostile enemy country rather than occupied territory.

One of the most famous of all the SOE Agents, was Violette Szabo, G.C. (George Cross).

Of course all the SOE agents were equally brave, and for that matter, some of the bravest heroes that ever ever fought for King and Country, it is just that Agent Szabo’ s heroic and famous story became incredibly famous, culminating in the British biographical film ‘Carve Her Name With Pride’ Starring Virginia McKenna

Violette Bushell was born in Paris, France, in 1921, before her family moved to England. At the outbreak of World War II, she joined the Women's Land Army and the Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she met Étienne Szabo, a Free French corps soldier. They were married and she bore him a daughter, Tanis, in 1942. That same year Étienne was killed in action at the battle of El-Alamein.

It was this event that led her to join the Special Operations Executive intelligence agency, which, at the time, had its headquarters on Baker Street.
Violette was considered a valuable asset, by the S.O.E., due to her fluency in French and, after undergoing extensive training in how to conduct espionage and reconnaissance missions, explosives, weapons, guerilla warfare and sabotage skills, she entered occupied France, in 1944.

Her first mission was a failure as the Gestapo captured and interrogated a British spy who revealed sensitive information. Violette and her team fled France in an RAF aeroplane, that was nearly shot down twice by German anti-aircraft guns, but successfully made it back to England.

Two months later and Violette was back in France, acting as a liaison with French-resistance partisans and to lead operations to sabotage communication lines, in an effort to delay a German military response to the upcoming D-Day landings. However, the S.O.E. had greatly overestimated the partisans capability, so Violette was ordered south to another resistance unit.

Unfortunately, this other resistance unit were unaware that an SS unit were close by and, as they had a predilection for using vehicles, easily aroused suspicion.

At a roadblock they realised they were trapped and leapt from the car, fleeing across fields. Violette twisted her ankle and took up protection behind an apple tree, from where she used her submachine gun to pin down the German soldiers while her colleagues escaped. She managed to hold off the Germans for thirty minutes, before she ran out of her ammunition. In that time she killed a Corporal and several soldiers.

Before she could take her cyanide pill she was captured and taken to the SS for interrogation.

During her four day interrogation she was subjected to horrific torture and sexual violence before she was sent Ravensbrück concentration camp, by train.

With other resistance fighters Violette made plans to organise an escape from the camp. On February 5, 1945 these plans were discovered, resulting in her being taken to a place of execution, and shot to death. She was 23.

The George Cross was posthumously bestowed on Violette Szabo, by King George VI, on December 17, 1946.

Overall, the casualty rate for SOE agents in certain sectors was very high—estimated at around 28% for all SOE agents between 1940 and 1945—compared to a 3.5% death rate for British military personnel overall. Of the roughly 41 female F Section agents sent to France alone, 16 did not survive, around 40%, with 12 executed in concentration camps.

‘The Life That I Have’
By Leo Marx

The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours.

The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause.

For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.

Leo Marx SOE operative and veteran of WW2.
In the war, famous poems were used to encrypt messages. This was, however, found to be insecure because enemy cryptanalysts were able to locate the original from published sources. Marks countered this by using his own written creations. "The Life That I Have" was an original poem composed on Christmas Eve 1943 and was originally written by Marks in memory of his girlfriend Ruth, who had just died in a plane crash in Canada.
On 24 March 1944, the poem was issued by Marks to Violette Szabo, a British agent of Special Operations Executive who was eventually captured, tortured and killed by the Nazis.

Picture in the gallery is of the Portrait bust of Violette Szabo G.C. depicted upon the monument to the memory of fallen SOE agents.  read more

Code: 26149

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

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.

This week we 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, WW2 British SOE agent’s ‘assassins’ issued sleeve dagger, used in the invasion of Sicily. NOW SOLD

Key aspects of SOE Special Operations Executive} involvement and special forces operations in Sicily include:
Targeting Fascist Italy: Between 1940 and 1943, the SOE worked to encourage sabotage and resistance against Mussolini’s regime. By the time of the Sicily invasion, this research and clandestine groundwork aimed to undermine Italian morale and operations.
Special Raiding Squadron (SRS): The Special Raiding Squadron, commanded by Paddy Mayne and often linked to the SAS and SOE’s broader special forces mission, spearheaded aspects of the invasion. These hand-picked raiders were tasked with lightning raids and close-quarter combat.
The SRS and special forces conducted raids to disrupt German and Italian defensive lines during the 1943 campaign, which lasted from 9 July to 17 August.
SOE's role was part of a larger, broader strategy to cripple Italian resistance and support the massive Allied conventional forces (160,000+ men) that landed in Sicily. While Operation Mincemeat was a separate intelligence operation, it was crucial in tricking the Axis into strengthening Greece instead of Sicily, easing the landing of Allied special forces and regular troops.

The SOE’s efforts in Italy were considered high-risk, as agents operated in a hostile enemy country rather than occupied territory.

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

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