A French 1830's Belltop Shako Helmet Plate 2nd Regiment

Louis Philippe I (6 October 1773 - 26 August 1850) was King of the French from 1830 to 1848 as the leader of the Orleanist party. As a member of the cadet branch of the Royal House of France and a cousin of King Louis XVI of France by reason of his descent from their common ancestors Louis XIII and Louis XIV of France, he had earlier found it necessary to flee France during the period of the French Revolution in order to avoid imprisonment and execution, a fate that actually befell his father Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orleans. He spent 21 years in exile after he left France in 1793. He was proclaimed king in 1830 after his cousin Charles X was forced to abdicate in the wake of the events of the July Revolution of that year. His government, known as the July Monarchy, was dominated by members of a wealthy French elite and numerous former Napoleonic officials. He followed conservative policies, especially under the influence of the French statesman Francois Guizot during the period 1840-48. He also promoted friendship with Britain and sponsored colonial expansion, notably the conquest of Algeria. His popularity faded as economic conditions in France deteriorated in 1847, and he was forced to abdicate after the outbreak of the French Revolution of 1848. He lived out his life in exile in Great Britain.  read more

Code: 20588

A Victorian, Stilleto Style, So-Called Prostitute’s Dagger

With very attractive pressed ivorine handle made to simulate ivory. A prostitutes dagger was so called due to their attractiveness and useful size for concealment by unaccompanied ladies abroad after dark. Of course they would never have been sold as such by retailers, and the term has entered the vernacular of collectors probably even after the time they were actually made, however, like the term 'mortuary hilted swords' that bore the engraved visage of the king in the hilt from the English Civil War, they were never actually called that until almost 200 years later. They are attractively designed elegant daggers, just such as this one, with a slender and most efficient blade. Prostitution became a major concern and a focal point for social reformers in the 19th century. Concerns were seen everywhere including the literature of notables such as Charles Dickens. He created characters (some of which may have had real life versions) like Nancy in Oliver Twist, and Martha Endell in David Copperfield.

No one knows for certain, but there were somewhere between 8,000 and 80,000 prostitutes in London during the Victorian Age. It is generally accepted that most of these women found themselves in prostitution due to economic necessity.

There were three attitudes towards prostitution – condemnation, regulation, and reformation. Dickens adopted the last and was intimately involved in a house of reform called Urania Cottage. No scabbard Blade 4.25 inches, overall 8.25 inches long  read more

Code: 24413

A Good Antique Edo Period Round Signed Tetsu Wakazashi Tsuba Embossed Seashells

A delightful iron round tsuba takebori patterned with various shells over a water pattern background, with ana openings for kozuka and kogai. The Tsuba can be solid, semi pierced of fully pierced, with an overall perforated design, but it always a central opening which narrows at its peak for the blade to fit within. It often can have openings for the kozuka and kogai to pass through, and these openings can also often be filled with metal to seal them closed. For the Samurai, it also functioned as an article of distinction, as his sole personal ornament 61 mm  read more

Code: 22455

An Edo O Sukashi Wakazashi or Tanto Tsuba In Iron

Circa 1650. The Tsuba, or Japanese sword guard, is a refined utilitarian object. It is essentially a sheath for the blade to fit through, protecting the hand of the warrior. The Tsuba can be solid, semi pierced of fully pierced, with an overall perforated design, but it always a central opening which narrows at its peak for the blade to fit within. It often can have openings for the kozuka and kogai to pass through, and these openings can also also often be filled with metal to seal them closed. For the Samurai, it also functioned as an article of distinction, as his sole personal ornament.  read more

Code: 20739

Rifle Brigade Victorian OR’s Helmet Plate

An excellent example, die-stamped blackened on two loops. Within a laurel wreath surmounted by a Guelphic Crown resting on a tablet inscribed Waterloo, a Maltese cross with lions between the arms and ball finials to the tips. The arms of the cross bear numerous honours; the wreath bears honours Sevastopol Alma Inkerman. Between the bottom arm of the cross and the wreath, three scrolls Lucknow over Peninsula with Ashantee below; across the base of the wreath, a scroll The Prince Consort’s Own’
9.5cm high  read more

Code: 18569

German WW2 RAD Buckle by Gustav Brehmer Markneukirchen 1937

The RAD (Reichsarbeitsdienst) or Reich Labour Service was instituted to help alleviate the depression of Germany in 1934. It was similar to the WPA and other programs initiated by Roosevelt in the USA. Young men served a six month program of camp life, while taught the merits of drilling, digging, bridge and road building.  read more

Code: 19782

The Lanes Armoury & The Hawkins Family Established For Over 100 Years

In fact the family has been trading in Brighton for likely 200 years, but the first 100 Years was in the local fish and shellfish trade, becoming shopkeepers in antiques in the town in the last 100 years. Apparently the family moved from our seafaring roots in Plymouth, around 200 years ago, where we had been trading since the 1500’s, and during reign of The Tudors, Admiral Sir Francis Drake had been an adopted apprentice from the age of 15 of the Hawkins family in Plymouth..

The current partners, Mark and David have between them almost 95 years combined service to the company, serving the public and trade in ‘The Lanes’ of Brighton. In fact, we believe, out of approximately 2000 shops, and goodness knows how many businesses in the city, we are now the oldest, remaining, established family traders within the whole of Brighton and Hove.

BRIGHTON and Hove has been named the second-best area for independent shopping in the United Kingdom, only just pipped at the post by Cambridge. If you are going to be beaten by a town at least it was Cambridge [apologies to Oxford, but you ought to be used to it by now]

Taken from the Brighton and Hove.gov website; ‘The Lanes’ is listed first of the four main shopping areas; ‘ The Lanes - historic maze of alleyways with a mix of antiques, jewellery and fashion’
But sadly, we are the only antique and bookshop now still remaining in ‘The Lanes’  read more

Code: 24378

Original WW1 Gurkha's Kukri Field Marshall Manekshaw once said, " If someone says he does not fear death, then he is either telling a lie or he is a Gurkha".

Part of a collection of 3 original military Gurkha's kukri, two WW2 and one WW1 and a WW2 Japanese soldiers flag. All without scabbards, with very good blade with signs if combat use and surface marking and some areas of old pitting. They were all formerly on display on the walls of a [defunct in 1968] regimental officer's mess [the Royal Warwickshire Regt, moved when it merged in 1968 to become Fusilier Brigade] with a WW2 Japanese silk flag. All 4 pieces are being sold by us separately. Tempered steel blade and carved wood hilt. The Kukri is the renown and famous weapon of the Nepalese Gurkha.A Superb WW1 Gurkha's Kukri Combat Knife "Ayo Gorkali" The Gurkha Battle Call "The Gurkhas Are Coming!" Field Marshall Manekshaw once said, " If someone says he does not fear death, then he is either telling a lie or he is a Gurkha". The Gukhas are the finest and bravest, combat soldiers in the world, with legendary loyalty to the British Crown. When worn in combat it would normally be in a khaki canvas cover. Superb tempered steel blade, overall in fabulous condition. Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw once said, " If someone says he does not fear death, then he is either telling a lie or he is a Gurkha". On 12/13 May 1945 at Taungdaw, Burma now Myanmar, Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung VC was manning the most forward post of his platoon which bore the brunt of an attack by at least 200 of the Japanese enemy. Twice he hurled back grenades which had fallen on his trench, but the third exploded in his right hand, blowing off his fingers, shattering his arm and severely wounding him in the face, body and right leg. His two comrades were also badly wounded but the rifleman, now alone and disregarding his wounds, loaded and fired his rifle with his left hand for four hours, calmly waiting for each attack which he met with fire at point blank range. Afterwards, when the casualties were counted, it is reported that there were 31 dead Japanese around his position which he had killed, with only one arm.In the Falklands War in 1982 the Argentinians abandoned Mount William without a fight simply because the enemy forces advancing towards them were the 2nd Battalion, 7th Ghurka Rifles. Probably the most respected and feared warriors in the world, the Gurkhas of Nepal have fought in the Gurkha regiments of the British Army for around two centuries. With a degree of loyalty and dedication that is legendary, there is no greater soldier to be at one's side when in battle than the noble Gurkha. With a Kukri in his hand and the battle cry called, "Ayo Gorkhali!" ["the Gurkhas are coming!"], no foe's head was safe on his shoulders. Battle hardened German Infantry in WW1, or WW2 Japanese Shock Troops, have been known to tremble in their boots at the knowledge that they would be facing the Gurkhas in battle. Some of the most amazing feats of heroism have resulted in the most revered medal, the British Victoria Cross [ the world's greatest and most difficult to qualify for gallantry medal] being awarded to Ghurkas. The blade shape descended from the classic Greek sword of Kopis, which is about 2500 years old.
Some say it originated from a form of knife first used by the Mallas who came to power in Nepal in the 13th Century. There are some Khukuris displaying on the walls of National Museum at Chhauni in Kathmandu which are 500 years old or even older, among them, one that once belonged to Drabya Shah, the founder king of the kingdom of Gorkha, in 1627 AD. But, some say that the Khukuri's history is possibly centuries older this. It is suggested that the Khukuri was first used by Kiratis who came to power in Nepal before Lichchhavi age, in about the 7th Century. In the hands of an experienced wielder Khukuri or Kukri is about as formidable a weapon as can be conceived. Like all really good weapons, Khukuri's or Kukri's efficiency depends much more upon skill than the strength of the wielder. And thus so that it happens, that a diminutive Gurkha, a mere boy in regards to his stature, could easily cut to pieces a gigantic adversary, who simply does not understand the little Gurkha's mode of attack and fearsome skill. The Gurkha generally strikes upwards with his Kukri, possibly in order to avoid wounding himself should his blow fail, and possibly because an upward cut is just the one that can be least guarded against however strong his opponent. Approx 18.5 inches long  read more

Code: 23722

A Rare Set of Spare Parts For A German WW2 Panzer Binocular Gun Sight

With excellent lenses.
Ideal for the collector of WW2 German military opticals, perfect as spares or for replacing lost or damaged parts. They would cost many, many times the price we ask to re manufacture, if they could even be replicated today, and may not be needed now, but to save them in case of need one day, would be exceptionally prudent and sound logic.

They could also be perfect for a collector of German WW2 Panzer military equipment at relatively minute cost.

Photo 3 in the gallery shows a complete binocular with the parts we offer in place

The beauty of these parts is that they are universal fit, even though they came from a panzer case originally they would fit kriegsmarine gun sights and luftwaffe anti aircraft sights  read more

Code: 17798

A Wonderful Georgian ‘Grand Tour’ or Campaign Travelling Miniature Foldaway Corkscrew and Hook

In delightfully blued steel and only 3.25cm long when folded. Made to be used with very small, corked, glass bottles containing everything from gun oil, for gun cases, to writing ink, poisons or colognes. And as a button hook for shoes, riding boots or gaiters. It could be contained in a travelling officer and gentleman’s gun case, campaign toilette case, sabretache or even waistcoat pocket. It would make a delightful additional accessory for a cased set of duellers, a single pistol or hunting guns. Circa early 1800’s  read more

Code: 17412