A Very Desirable Early Neck Ribbon for a German WW2 Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross

In two pieces. An extremely useful ribbon if one had a Knights Cross of the war Merit Cross lacking its ribbon. New replacement reproduction ribbon is available and relatively inexpensive, but old, early ribbon is another matter entirely.

The Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross was considered to be ranked higher than the German Cross in silver, but below the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. A medal now valued between £4,000 to £10,000. A total of 118 awards of the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross with swords, and 137 awards without swords were awarded. Considering the relative rarity of the award compared with the grades of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, it took on "extra meaning" it did not necessarily deserve, as it ranked below the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. For example, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring made a concerted effort to get Hitler to award him this order, much to Hitler's annoyance. In response, Hitler outlined a series of criteria governing the awarding of this decoration and the philosophy of such awards, and directed that "prominent party comrades" were not to be awarded with the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross (or similar decorations), and withdrew the proposed awards of this order to Gauleiter Erich Koch and Herbert Backe. Directing his comments at Göring personally, Hitler ordered that such attempts to gain this award be stopped. Also, six persons received two Knights Crosses of the War Merit Cross (each one with and without Swords): Walter Brugmann, Julius Dorpmüller, Karl-Otto Saur, Albin Sawatzki, Walter Schreiber, and Walter Rohlandt.  read more

Code: 24490

A Most Interesting & Scarce Vintage Patrolman's Police Shield Arvida Police. Numbered II

A now defunct force. In very good condition overall , with a panel at the base front. Bears the central affixed number, II. With central north-south affixing pin with rotating safety fixing.  read more

Code: 24488

An Invitation From the Duke of Wellington To Lt Gen Bourchier of Waterloo For the Waterloo Banquet at Apsley House

We now have for sale the portrait, after Salter, of Col. Charles Dance [then Capt.] of the 23rd Light Dragoons, who appears in the large Salter painting [see the painting in the gallery] of the Waterloo Banquet. The full portraits by Salter of the officers attending the banquet were painted prior to the banquet in order for Salter to render them accuratelywithin the great banquet portrait. As a young Captain/Major Lt General Bourchier served in the 11th Light Dragoons in the Peninsular War and with distinguished heroism at Waterloo. For his bravery he was awarded a gold medal and promoted by Wellington to Brevet Lt. Colonel and later became the Colonel of the 3rd Dragoon Guards. His son was awarded the Victoria Cross aged 23 for service in the Crimean War. This personal invitation from Wellington is to attend the special Waterloo anniversary dinner at Apsley House. We also had the 1796 pattern sabre [now sold] made for the IIth Light Dragoons. The 11th Light Dragoons [later became the 11th Hussars]. The 11th fought at both the Peninsular War and at the Battle of Waterloo, and were awarded almost 500 medals for Waterloo. After a spell in Ireland the 11th were sent to Spain and Portugal to reinforce Wellington's army. Their strength, normally around 300 in peacetime was raised to 725. They arrived in June 1811 and, as in Egypt, they had a bad start. A dawn attack by the French in woods between Elvas and the Guadiana forced the 11th to retire on to what they thought were friendly portugese lines. When they realised they were French, their commander Capt Lutyens ordered the charge. The shock tactic worked and they were able to drive their way through, but a second line of enemy troops was able to resist them. They lost 8 killed, 22 wounded and 77 taken prisoner.
The regiment had more success at El Bodon near Cuidad Rodrigo on 25th September. By this time they were commanded by Lt Col Cumming, a brave and efficient cavalry officer. A large force of French cavalry was threatening Allied infantry and artillery on the plain in front of the 11th and a squardon of the King's German Legion who were well placed on high ground. Although they were vastely outnumbered the 11th and KGL charged at the enemy again and again, 20 times in all.

The 11th were part of Wellington's great victory over Marmont at Salamanca on 22nd July 1812 but by 3rd April 1813 they had to give up their horses and embark for England much to the regret of Sir Stapleton Cotton who was in command of the cavalry in the Peninsula. It had been a hard two years for them having lost 417 men and 555 horses.

During their time in the Peninsula many changes had been made to the uniforms of the British Army. The Prince Regent had a keen eye for dress and with his newly acquired position of supreme power was determined to push through his ideas dased on continental military trends. The 11th exchanged it's light dragoon Tarleton helmet for a shako. The new jacket was still dark blue but had a buff plastron covering the chest, and white epaulettes, silver for officers. With the return of Napoleon in March 1815 the war with France resumed and the 11th arrived at Ostend on 2nd April. They were in Vandeleur's brigade with the 12th and 16th and had an unprecedented strength of 947 men. They came under heavy attack at Quatre Bras but did not suffer badly. On the 18th June 1815 the Battle of Waterloo began after a terrible night of torrential rain. It was a frustrating morning for the British cavalry who had to stand and watch an infantry battle. Against Wellington's wishes, the heavy cavalry made a brilliant charge that was spoiled by it's failure to re-form. The 11th under the command of Lt Col Money were sent into action when it looked as if the enemy were breaking up. They broke a French infantry square and carried on with the pursuit of Naploeon's fleeing soldiers.
Wellington entered Paris in triumph on 7th July escorted by the 11th and others. The regiment bivouacked on the Champs Elysees and became part of the army of occupation in France and Belgium. On 20th November they eventually arrived home after 3 years on the continent  read more

Code: 19367

A Vintage Original Royal Naval Issue Deck Knife By Nowill & Son Ordnance Stamped

Very similar to to the American EK Commando knife. In scabbard and with naval roping.  read more

Code: 17581

An Antique Australian Aboriginal Boomerang With an Elaborate, Super Chip Carving and Decoration

Stone carved, with beautiful chip-carving and a good patinated surface. Over decorated snake and symbol design.

The Australian aboriginal peoples boomerang has probably been around for at least 40,000 years. It is an iconic symbol associated with Australia. What most people do not realize is that many antique aboriginal boomerang don’t actually come back. Only a few of the many forms of old boomerang return.
Antique aboriginal boomerangs come in a large variety of sizes, forms, and decoration. Different boomerangs had different functions. This variation reflects the social and cultural diversity of Aboriginal people. Aboriginals were not one group but had over 200 language groups.

As mentioned most old boomerangs were not made to return. The function of most boomerangs is to hit and kill whatever they are thrown at. Some boomerangs were for hunting but others were for fighting. Some huge antique boomerangs were up to 2 metres long and function like clubs. The majority of aboriginal returning boomerangs were for hunting birds

The Aboriginal boomerang has great aerodynamic properties. It is capable of going 200 metres compared to a throwing stick, which will only travel 60 metres.

Aboriginal Boomerangs could have engravings or be painted with ochre for ceremonial purposes. These designs are not decorative. Designs relate to the Dreamtime ancestors and totems. Collectors like boomerangs with designs and simple chip carved examples.
The Aboriginal boomerang is also used as a digging tool, for making fire and as a club.
Collectors like boomerangs that are old, unique, and rare or have elaborate designs.
60cm x 7.8cm  read more

Code: 17519

A Vintage Carved Aboriginal Shield With a Chip Carving Design of Kangaroo and Emu.

Very nice quality & stands as a piece of art as well as an Aboriginal implement.
It is a good size (22" long x 4" at the widest) & handcarved from a heavy solid grain timber, possibly West Australian Mulga It is in very nice condition
Best of all is the quality of the decoration, it has one kangaroo and two emu on the back (handle side) & a wonderful scene with three kangaroos & two emu on the front. Even the background has been carved with a fine textured look which must have taken some time, no doubt the artist really had talent & took pride in the quality of their work.

Australian Aboriginal shield come in many different forms depending on the tribe that made them and their function. Aboriginal shields come in 2 main types, Broad shields, and Parrying shields. Parrying shields parry blows from a club whereas broad shields block spears. Shields for parrying are thick strong and narrow whereas broad shields are wide but thin. Aboriginal shields were made from different materials in different areas, they were made from buttress root, mulga wood and bark.
This shield was probably also used as a ceremonial dance shield  read more

Code: 16780

An Unusual Piece of Original, Airship Aeronautica, 1929 Zeppelin Display Stand, In Oak With Zeppelin Badge And Carved Airship

Ferdinand von Zeppelin served as an official observer with the Union Army during the American Civil War. During the Peninsular Campaign, he visited the balloon camp of Thaddeus S. C. Lowe. Lowe sent the curious von Zeppelin to another balloon camp where the German-born aeronaut John Steiner could be of more help to the young man. His first ascent in a balloon, made at Saint Paul, Minnesota during this visit, is said to have been the inspiration of his later interest in aeronautics.

Zeppelin's ideas for large dirigibles was first expressed in a diary entry dated 25 March 1874. Inspired by a recent lecture given by Heinrich von Stephan on the subject of "World Postal Services and Air Travel", he outlined the basic principle of his later craft: a large rigidly-framed outer envelope continuing a number of separate gasbags. In 1887 the success of Charles Renard and Arthur Krebs' airship La France prompted him to send a letter to the King of W?rttemberg about the military necessity for dirigibles and the lack of German development in this field. He went on to start the Zeppelin Airship Co. and his name lived on in German legend as the great airship pioneer of international travel and airship warfare. 11 inches x 9 inches x 3.5 inches  read more

Code: 17596

British Royal Crest General Service Helmet Plate in Gilt Brass

The Royal Coat of Arms for the British monarchy. The coat features both the motto of English monarchs, Dieu et mon droit (God and my right), and the motto of the Order of the Garter, Honi soit qui mal y pense (shame upon him who thinks evil of it) on a representation of the Garter behind the shield. It measures 83mm x 64mm  read more

Code: 23818

A Joseph Rodgers & Sons 6 Norfolk St. Sheffield Ltd Bowie Knife

A famous firm of cutlers and silversmiths founded in Sheffield in 1682. It was converted under the style of Joseph Rodgers & Sons Ltd in 1871.
The factory was at 6 Norfolk Street, Sheffield and a showroom at 60 Holborn Viaduct, London.

With Joseph Rodgers GR Crown stamp with the 1891 England mark. on the reverse ricasso is the star and Maltese cross stamp

The star and Malta cross marks was originally that of Benjamin Rich. Rogers registered the same mark in 1764.

Overall used but a very nice example of these famed Bowies from one of the great early Sheffield Bowie makers. Private purchase knives such as this were very popular by British [and American] special forces in WW2 before the FS knife was produced in good numbers in 1941.

No scabbard  read more

Code: 24485

A Good Antique Meiji Period Japanese Sword Stick 'Shikome Zue' In Bamboo

This is an antique Japanese sword stick called a shikomi-zue hidden sword. In the 1870's the Meiji Emperor disbanded the fuedal samurai order and banned the wearing of the sword. This created much unrest between the samurai and the government and some samurai moved to carrying shikome-zue hidden sword. Therefore, via a circuitous route, they still remain armed, but with their sword hidden from view. But by that way they felt, least in part, their honour remained intact. With a long and powerful blade. In ninjutsu shikomizue became quite popular, as it provided the night warriors with what they needed most – versatility, secrecy and mortality. The walking sticks were popular among all the classes and carrying it caused no suspicion. Combined with the impersonation skills, shikomizue was really a dangerous weapon attacking the enemy most suddenly. most effective tactical move by a man using a shikome-sue, would be to point or poke an assailant with the stick in its usual guise, the poked would then grab the haft and pull the stick in order disarm the stick from the owner, but the haft would pull away sharply, unsheathing the blade in the process for the holder, and the holder could then simply thrust forward into the assailants body, no doubt much to his shock and amazement and the entire mortal action would take under a second in skilled hands.

This is a fine antique Edo Japanese sword stick called a shikomi-zue hidden sword. Although used for centuries before they most came into popularity amongst disarmed samurai in the 1870's, when the Meiji Emperor disbanded the fuedal samurai by order, and disarmed the samurai class by banning the wearing of the sword.
This heinous event created much unrest between the samurai and the government and some samurai moved to carrying such shikome-zue hidden sword. Therefore, via a circuitous route, they still remain armed, but with their sword hidden from view. But by that way they felt, least in part, their honour remained intact, by still carrying a concealed long and powerful blade.

In ninjutsu, centuries before, shikomizue became quite popular, as it provided the night warriors with what they needed most – versatility, secrecy and mortality. By carrying a shikome-zue and wearing all black peasant like apparel the ninja could go about his craft in daylight apparently quite innocently and thus ignored. He could wander amongst the peasantry in a town village or city freely, making his task of surveillance or intelligence gathering far easier, yet still be armed with deadly intent. Innocent appearing regular and simple walking sticks were popular among all classes and thus by carrying it caused no suspicion at all. Combined with the impersonation skills, shikomizue was really a dangerous weapon giving the ninja the ability of attacking the enemy or assigned victim most suddenly, and incredibly effectively, with the ninja able to disappear as quickly as he had appeared.

The origin of the so-called ninjutsu;
Spying in Japan dates as far back as Prince Shotoku (572–622). According to Shoninki, the first open usage of ninjutsu during a military campaign was in the Genpei War, when Minamoto no Kuro Yoshitsune chose warriors to serve as shinobi during a battle. This manuscript goes on to say that during the Kenmu era, Kusunoki Masashige frequently used ninjutsu. According to footnotes in this manuscript, the Genpei War lasted from 1180 to 1185, and the Kenmu Restoration occurred between 1333 and 1336. Ninjutsu was developed by the samurai of the Nanboku-cho period, and further refined by groups of samurai mainly from Koka and the Iga Province of Japan in later periods.

Throughout history, the shinobi were assassins, scouts, and spies who were hired mostly by territorial lords known as daimyo. Despite being able to assassinate in stealth, the primary role was as spies and scouts. Shinobi are mainly noted for their use of stealth and deception. They would use this to avoid direct confrontation if possible, which enabled them to escape large groups of opposition.

Many different schools (ryū) have taught their unique versions of ninjutsu. An example of these is the Togakure-ryū, which claims to have been developed after a defeated samurai warrior called Daisuke Togakure escaped to the region of Iga. He later came in contact with the warrior-monk Kain Doshi, who taught him a new way of viewing life and the means of survival (ninjutsu).

Ninjutsu was developed as a collection of fundamental survivalist techniques in the warring state of feudal Japan. The ninja used their art to ensure their survival in a time of violent political turmoil. Ninjutsu included methods of gathering information and techniques of non-detection, avoidance, and misdirection. Ninjutsu involved training in what is called freerunning today, disguise, escape, concealment, archery, and medicine. Skills relating to espionage and assassination were highly useful to warring factions in feudal Japan. At some point, the skills of espionage became known collectively as ninjutsu, and the people who specialized in these tasks were called shinobi no mono.
There were no female ninja, however, the late 17th century the ninja handbook Bansenshukai describes a technique called kunoichi-no-jutsu (くノ一の術, "the ninjutsu of a woman") in which a woman is used for infiltration and information gathering, which Seiko Fujita considers evidence of female ninja activity
This is a good robust example, and would have been highly effective in its day. The blade is a long thrusting and parrying blade, without a dominant edge. The stick is fully bamboo with a bamboo root-ball handle. We show an 1817 Japanese print by Hokusai of his depiction of an all black clad warrior so called ninja climbing a rope, with what appears to be his shikome-zue hidden sword stick. Some shikome-zue have early smith made antique adapted blades from swords, this is a standard sword blade that was custom made for this cane when it was created, possibly in the 19th century or earlier. Overall grey steel with areas of pitting. 34.75 inches long overall, blade 28.25 inches  read more

Code: 23479