A Most Resplendent, Original, Antique and Rare, Victorian, Royal Household, Royal Horse Guards Fanfare Trumpet Banner. Not Only A Wondrous Piece of Pomp & Regalia An Object d’Art of Great History.

Rarely seen or available these wondrous pieces of magnificent, British, Royal Household regalia were never made for use other than for royal service within the bodyguard of the reigning British monarch, they are used on horseback or standing on trumpets and in pairs when they fit on the front of both kettle drums . They were and are always made of the finest quality materials, such as silk, purest gold and silver, by craftsmen and women with superlative skill and dedication. When taken from service these wonderful pieces were more often than not hung in churches or cathedrals to commemorate men or officers of the Household Cavalry lost in battle. This banner is composed of crimson silk damask, embroidered with the 1837 Royal Arms of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, in silks, gold and silver bullion wire. Edged with a gold thread fringe. It is now in faded and worn condition as to be expected for a piece of such age and use. The present royal service trumpet banner conforms to the design type first introduced in the reign of Charles II (1660-1685).
The history of the Band of The Life Guards began when King Charles II entered London accompanied by a throng of 20,000 horse and foot on his birthday, 29th May 1660. On this day, commemorated as Oakapple Day in recognition of his escape when a fugitive by hiding in the Boscobel Oak Tree, it is recorded that, at the public entry into London, he was escorted by three troops of The Life Guards each preceded by it's own kettledrummer and four trumpeters. The origins of the Band you hear today derive from this proud occasion. At this time the use of kettledrums and trumpets was confined to the Army and the nobility and, even among the Kings troops. The Life Guards alone had the privilege of using kettledrums. The musicians held warrants of appointment from the King were paid at the rate of five shillings per day. In 1678 they wore uniforms of velvet, silver laced, and their instruments had richly embroidered and trimmed banners, the whole cost defrayed by the King. This is the origin of the State Dress worn to this day by the Band and Trumpeters. The design was based on that of the King?s racing colours and, when Parliament refused to cover the full cost of the Gold Coats, the Lord Mayor of London met the outstanding debt. In recognition of this he is the only person outside the Royal Family for whom Gold Coats are worn.

The Royal Horse Guards were formed in 1661 from cavalry of the former New Model Army and were given the nickname of the Oxford Blues, in recognition of their first colonel, the Earl of Oxford, and to their blue uniforms. It is recorded that from the outset that the Regiment had kettledrummers and trumpeters. In 1661 the Tangier Horse was raised for service on the Mediterranean coast of Africa. By 1702 the Tangier had changed to a Dragon Regiment and evolved to be The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons) and had a band consisting of 8 drummers and 8 hautbois (an early form of oboe). Soon after, in 1710, kettledrummers were added and in 1766 the drummers were converted to trumpeters. The Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) had also acquired trumpeters and drummers and in 1805 King George III personally presented a pair of solid silver kettledrums as testimony to their Honourable and Military conduct on all occasions. These kettledrums continue to be used today and can be seen carried and played by the mounted drummer on the Queen's Birthday Parade on Horse Guards. In 1969 The Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) amalgamated with 1st The Royal Dragoons (The Royals) to become The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). This banner would have been used in the eras of; First Opium War 1839-1842
First Anglo Marri War 1840
First Anglo-Sikh War 1845-1846
Second Anglo-Burmese War 1852-1853
Crimean War 1853-1856
Anglo-Persian War 1856-1857
Second Opium War 1856-1860
Indian Rebellion 1857
New Zealand land wars 1845-1872
Second Anglo-Sikh War 1848-1849
Second Ashanti War 1863-1864
Bhutan War 1864-1865
Third Ashanti War 1873-1874
Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878?1880
Anglo-Zulu War 1879
Second Anglo Marri War 1880
First Boer War 1880-1881
Third Anglo-Burmese War 1885
Mahdist War 1891-1899
Fourth Ashanti War 1894
Anglo-Zanzibar War 1896 Shortest war in history lasted 38 minutes
Boxer Rebellion 1899-1901
Second Boer War 1899-1902
Framed and glazed in a simple modern gilt frame. It could be so much complimented by a fine antique Georgian or Victorian frame  read more

Code: 22531

A Pair of late Ming to Early Ching Dynasty 16th-17th Century Cavalry Stirrups. A Delightful Pair Of Early Chinese Military Equestrian Historic Artifacts, And Superb Early Decor Pieces That Would Look Amazing In The Right Location Around 500 Years Old

In antiquity, the earliest foot supports consisted of riders placing their feet under a girth or using a simple toe loop. Later, a single stirrup was used as a mounting aid, and paired stirrups appeared after the invention of the treed saddle. The stirrup was invented in China in the first few centuries AD and spread westward through the nomadic peoples of Central Eurasia. The use of paired stirrups is credited to the Chinese Jin Dynasty and came to Europe during the Middle Ages. Some argue that the stirrup was one of the basic tools used to create and spread modern civilization, possibly as important as the wheel or printing press. The stirrup, which gives greater stability to a rider, has been described as one of the most significant inventions in the history of warfare, prior to gunpowder. As a tool allowing expanded use of horses in warfare, the stirrup is often called the third revolutionary step in equipment, after the chariot and the saddle. The basic tactics of mounted warfare were significantly altered by the stirrup. A rider supported by stirrups was less likely to fall off while fighting, and could deliver a blow with a weapon that more fully employed the weight and momentum of horse and rider. Among other advantages, stirrups provided greater balance and support to the rider, which allowed the knight to use a sword more efficiently without falling, especially against infantry adversaries. The Ming Dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644 A.D., during which China’s population would double. Known for its trade expansion to the outside world that established cultural ties with the West, the Ming Dynasty is also remembered for its drama, literature and world-renowned porcelain.

RISE OF THE MING DYNASTY

The Ming Dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644 A.D., during which China’s population would double. Known for its trade expansion to the outside world that established cultural ties with the West, the Ming Dynasty is also remembered for its drama, literature and world-renowned porcelain.

Ming dynasty founder Emperor Taizu, or Zhu Yuanzhang, was born into poverty, and spent part of his youth wandering the country after his parents died following a series of natural disasters centered around the Yellow River.

The Qing or Ching dynasty, officially the Great Qing, also called the Qing Empire by itself or the Manchu dynasty by foreigners, was the last imperial dynasty of China, established in 1636 and ruling China from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming dynasty and succeeded by the Republic of China. The Qing multi-cultural empire lasted almost three centuries and formed the territorial base for the modern Chinese state. After conquering "China proper", the Manchus identified their state as "China", and referred to it as Dulimbai Gurun in Manchu (Dulimbai means "central" or "middle," gurun means "nation" or "state"). The emperors equated the lands of the Qing state (including present-day Northeast China, Xinjiang, Mongolia, Tibet and other areas) as "China" in both the Chinese and Manchu languages, defining China as a multi-ethnic state, and rejecting the idea that "China" only meant Han areas. The Qing emperors proclaimed that both Han and non-Han peoples were part of "China". They used both "China" and "Qing" to refer to their state in official documents, international treaties (as the Qing was known internationally as "China" or the "Chinese Empire") and foreign affairs, and "Chinese language" (Dulimbai gurun I bithe) included Chinese, Manchu, and Mongol languages, and "Chinese people" referred to all subjects of the empire. In the Chinese-language versions of its treaties and its maps of the world, the Qing government used "Qing" and "China" interchangeably.  read more

Code: 20708

A Very Attractive, Edo Era 17th to 18th Century Samurai's Tetsu Abumi Stirrup, Not Only Functional Equestrian Armour of Great Beauty, They Were Designed To Be Used As Weapons To Kick Out At Foot Samurai While Galloping Past Enemy In Close Combat

This Japanese armour stirrup, is made in the traditional dove's breast (hato mune) shape with an open platform lined with red lacquer, slightly curved forward so that the foot fits in without sliding backwards. In the front extremity the stirrup has a rectangular buckle with several horizontal slots which also serve as a handle.
The whole surface is in ancient russetted iron in the distinctive Higo school style, with a large onlaid most decorative sinchu mount of a bird and various flora.

It has been sent to the workshop for cleaning and conservation and will be photographed again once completed.

It is to be noted as we previously detailed, that these stirrups, due to their weight, were also used as weapons against the enemy infantry samurai and ashigaru. A kick from this by the mounted samurai when riding past a standing samurai at full gallop would smash through even the strongest iron helmet kabuto, resulting in likely instant death. The same effect as hitting any object with a 12 pound steel club hammer at full swing

Abumi, Japanese stirrups, were used in Japan as early as the 5th century, and were a necessary component along with the Japanese saddle (kura) for the use of horses in warfare. Abumi became the type of stirrup used by the samurai class of feudal Japan Early abumi were flat-bottomed rings of metal-covered wood, similar to European stirrups. The earliest known examples were excavated from tombs. Cup-shaped stirrups (tsubo abumi) that enclosed the front half of the rider's foot eventually replaced the earlier design.

During the Nara period, the base of the stirrup which supported the rider's sole was elongated past the toe cup. This half-tongued style of stirrup (hanshita abumi) remained in use until the late Heian period (794 to 1185) when a new stirrup was developed. The fukuro abumi or musashi abumi had a base that extended the full length of the rider's foot and the right and left sides of the toe cup were removed. The open sides were designed to prevent the rider from catching a foot in the stirrup and being dragged.

The military version of this open-sided stirrup, called the shitanaga abumi, was in use by the middle Heian period. It was thinner, had a deeper toe pocket and an even longer and flatter foot shelf. It is not known why the Japanese developed this unique style of stirrup, but this stirrup stayed in use until European style-stirrups were introduced in the late 19th century. The abumi has a distinctive swan-like shape, curved up and backward at the front so as to bring the loop for the leather strap over the instep and achieve a correct balance. Most of the surviving specimens from this period are made entirely of iron, inlaid with designs of silver or other materials, and covered with lacquer. In some cases, there is an iron rod from the loop to the footplate near the heel to prevent the foot from slipping out. The footplates are occasionally perforated to let out water when crossing rivers, and these types are called suiba abumi. There are also abumi with holes in the front forming sockets for a lance or banner. Seieibushi (Elite Samurai)
Traditionally the highest rank among the samurai, these are highly skilled fully-fledged samurai. Most samurai at the level of Seieibushi take on apprentices or Aonisaibushi-samurai as their disciples.

Kodenbushi (Legendary Samurai)
A highly coveted rank, and often seen as the highest attainable position, with the sole exception of the rank of Shogun. These are samurai of tremendous capability, and are regarded as being of Shogun-level. Kodenbushi are hired to accomplish some of the most dangerous international missions. Samurai of Kodenbushi rank are extremely rare, and there are no more than four in any given country.

Daimyo (Lords)
This title translates to 'Big Name' and is given to the heads of the clan.

Shogun (Military Dictator)
The apex of the samurai, the Shogun is the most prestigious rank possible for a samurai. Shoguns are the leaders of their given district, or country, and are regarded as the most powerful samurai.  read more

Code: 23147

Most Scarce French Marine Flintlock M.1786 / An.IX 1800's Carbine. A French Sea Service Carbine of the Napoleonic Ships of the Line. Battle of Trafalgar Service Period. Made Circa 1803-4 Inspected by Joseph Guichard Napoleonic Inpector of Arms St Etienne

A most scarce sea service gun, made by the French imperial arsenals in Belgium. The main difference between this and the standard French Army An IX {year 9} carbine is that the Navy carbine’s centre band was brass and the Army’s was iron, brass not rusting at sea. These carbines were usually issued to sharpshooters manning the upper platforms of French warships, and it might well have been a carbine of this pattern that was used to shoot Admiral Nelson.

This is a version of French M.1786 carbine musket, which was shorter and lighter than the earlier issued pattern.
After some slight modifications, the weapon was distributed to various ships of the line in the Navy, with two brass barrel bands, and to hussar/ cavalry units, the cavalry versions would be supplied with a large sling swivel bar fitted to the near side of the carbine, combined with one steel, and one brass barrel slide. Barrel underside stamped G* by French inspector, Joseph Guichard, his An IX inspector stamp M1786/ Marine garnitures, 1803-5. Guichard was usually based at St. Etienne.

Napoleonic Belgium 1799-1814

Liège was the home of the fourth largest arms manufacturer in Napoleons period known as the 1st Empire. Between 1798 and 1813, the Belgian departments furnished over 200,000 troops and sailors, about 6 percent of the population, for Napoleon's armed forces.

The Battle of Trafalgar, (October 21, 1805), was a naval engagement of the Napoleonic Wars, which established British naval supremacy for more than 100 years; it was fought west of Cape Trafalgar, Spain, between Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar. A fleet of 33 ships (18 French and 15 Spanish) under Admiral Pierre de Villeneuve fought a British fleet of 27 ships under Admiral Horatio Nelson.

Nelson was outnumbered, with 27 British ships of the line to 33 allied ships including the largest warship in either fleet, the Spanish Santísima Trinidad. To address this imbalance, Nelson sailed his fleet directly at the allied battle line's flank, hoping to break the line into pieces. Villeneuve had worried that Nelson might attempt this tactic but, for various reasons, had made no plans for this eventuality. The plan worked almost perfectly; Nelson's columns split the Franco-Spanish fleet in three, isolating the rear half from Villeneuve's flag aboard Bucentaure. The allied vanguard sailed off while it attempted to turn around, giving the British temporary superiority over the remainder of their fleet. In the ensuing fierce battle 20 allied ships were lost, while the British lost none.

Nelson's own HMS Victory led the front column and was almost knocked out of action. Nelson was shot by a French musketeer during the battle, and died shortly before it ended. Villeneuve was captured along with his flagship Bucentaure. He attended Nelson's funeral while a captive on parole in Britain. The senior Spanish fleet officer, Admiral Federico Gravina, escaped with the remnant of the Franco-Spanish fleet (a third of the original number of ships); he died five months later of wounds sustained during the battle.

The victory confirmed the naval supremacy Britain had established during the course of the eighteenth century, and was achieved in part through Nelson's departure from prevailing naval tactical orthodoxy.  read more

Code: 25206

A Good And Most Scarce Napoleonic Wars Regimentally Marked East Prussian Life Grenadier 'Guard' Regt. Rifle Musket

Marked on the butt tang a weapon number, or possibly a company number,12, then L.St B., likely the Lieb Stabawache Bat. {Life {Grenadier} Guard Staff Battalion}.

Regulation 133 cm long overall, with a rifled barrel and three steel barrel bands in 1809 the barrel bands were often made from steel instead of brass to save costs. Good flintlock action, superb patination overall and good stock.

Life Grenadier Battalion (Leib-Grenadier-Bataillon)
fought in over 21 battles during the Napoleonic Wars including: in 1807 -
Verteidg,
Colberg,
Sellnow,
Ausfallgefechte and
Wolfsburg.
1813 - Groß-Görschen,
Bautzen,
Katzbach,
Naumburg,
Hochkirch,
Reichenbach,
Bischofswerda,
Hänichen,
Möckern,
Freiburg and Hörselberg,
1814 - Montmirail,
Château Thierry,
Laon,
Trilport and Paris.

And an army of 50,000 Prussians fought at Waterloo under Blucher, and this musket’s user was thus likely attached to this army, possibly one of the 8,000 Prussians that were lost on the field of combat.

Historically, the Prussian army went through a radical reorganisation following Napoleon’s downfall in 1814. In October of that year the six existing grenadier battalions became two regiments and, as a mark of respect, the King of Prussia named these regiments after his allies, Czar Alexander of Russia and Emperor Francis of Austria. The Kaiser Alexander Grenadier Regiment was formed of the 1st and 2nd East Prussian battalions and the Life; the Kaiser Franz regiment was formed of men from the Pomeranian, West Prussian and Silesian battalions.

Prussia's catastrophic defeat at the hands of Napoleon in 1806-07 reduced the once-proud kingdom to an abject vassal of the Emperor of the French. The Prussian Army had been practically destroyed: At the twin battles of Jena and Auerstedt alone (14 October 1806) 38,000 Prussian troops were killed, wounded or captured, and more than 300 colors and standards were lost. Thus when the work of military reconstruction began in 1807 many regiments had to be rebuilt from scratch. The military reformers under General Gerhard von Scharnhorst consolidated the remaining units, renumbering many regiments in the process. A Prussian infantry regiment was now to be composed of two musketeer battalions, one fusilier battalion and two grenadier companies. The latter, however, were detached to form composite grenadier battalions, each four companies strong. Later these independent battalions were consolidated into two grenadier regiments, titled in honor of the Austrian and Russian Emperors. The line infantry regiments acquired territorial titles reflective of their recruiting areas. Infantry Regiment Nr. 1, for example, became Infantry Regiment Nr. 1 (East Prussian Nr. 1). The infantry of the Royal Guard, in 1806 consisting of the Liebgarde Regiment (Nr. 15, two battalions) and the Lieb Grenadier Battalion (Nr. 6), was also reconstituted, at first as a single regiment of Foot Guards. By 1815 there were two, along with a Guard light infantry battalion and a Guard rifle battalion. The 2nd Foot Guards Regiment was formed by amalgamating the Guard Grenadier Battalion with two battalions drafted in from the line; the latter continued to carry the colours of their old regiments. The two Guard regiments were organised like the line infantry, with two musketeer battalions, a fusilier battalion and two grenadier companies. The latter were detached to form the Lieb Grenadier Battalion. The last photo in the gallery shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo.  read more

Code: 24731

A Good Imperial German Artillery Officer's Sabre With Deluxe Lion Head Pommel Hilt, Lioness Quillon End and Embossed Oak Leaf & Acorn Pattern Design Throughout With Crossed Cannon Quillon.

Designed for use in WW1 but used into WW2 by senior officers that served in both wars, and were thus reluctant to use the later 'Nazified' sword patterns of WW2. Old school German officers {especially Naval Officers} were far more reluctant to display an affiliation to their Third Reich masters, than the new breed of younger officers.

In the gallery we show a 1940 photograph of German general (later field marshal) Ewald von Kleist (1881-1954). Kleist notably commanded a panzer division in Operation Barbarossa in the Second World War (1939-45). In the photo he is holding his exact same Imperial German WW1 sword version.

The blade in its working life has had a blade repair in the mid section.

The German artillery was categorized either as field artillery (Feldartillerie) – which also included the horse artillery (Reitende Artillerie) – or as foot artillery (Fußartillerie), which manned the army’s heavy artillery, howitzers and mortars. The horse artillery was intended for employment with cavalry divisions and the field artillery with infantry divisions. In 1913, the field artillery’s peacetime establishment consisted of 3,523 officers, 325 medical officers, 315 veterinary officers, 529 paymasters and assistant paymasters, 101 bandmasters, 214 artificers, 14,181 NCOs and 72,180 other ranks, with 57,327 horses. These personnel manned 3,732 guns and light field howitzers, with a further 54 guns designated for training use. All field artillery training and development was the responsibility of an inspector of field artillery.

The second category of artillery was the foot artillery, and in 1913 its peacetime establishment included 1,332 officers, 82 medical officers, 35 veterinary officers, 129 paymasters and assistant paymasters, 25 bandmasters, 50 artificers, 5,322 NCOs and 28,002 other ranks, with 3,391 horses. Training and development for all of the Prussian foot artillery regiments was the responsibility of an inspector of foot artillery, his inspectorate being organized as three sub-inspectorates. However, in peacetime the Bavarian ministry of war retained a measure of responsibility for the efficiency and preparation of the Bavarian artillery regiments for war.

One glass eye lacking.  read more

Code: 26179

An Amazing Edo Period Tsuba Of Charm and Quality

An iron plate of mokko form with a takebori figure of an 'immortal' type figure. Finely inlaid with gold and silver upon his garb.

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.  read more

Code: 26168

A Fabulous, Imperial German WW1, Steel, Folding Sniper Shield. Western Front Recovery In Great Surviving Condition.

WW1 German sniper shield with moving protective side plates, reputedly battlefield dug on the Somme.

Soldiers in front-line trenches suffered from enemy snipers. These men were usually specially trained marksmen that had rifles with telescopic sights. German snipers did not normally work from their own trenches. The main strategy was to creep out at dawn into no-man's land and remain there all day. Wearing camouflaged clothing and using the cover of a fake tree, they waited for a British soldier to pop his head above the parapet. A common trick was to send up a kite with English writing on it. Anyone who raised his head to read it was shot. They also used a steel plate with a loophole for their Mauser sniper rifle. This is a super example and it shows at least one bullt strike upon it. There were many variants in these shields from lightweight models to huge, fully wheeled contraptions. This is the 'standard' German model, the 'Infanterieschild' from 1916. The front has curved edges to protect the user from bullet splash or richochets. The position of the opening allows maximum protection for right handed soldiers and normally a movable cover is fitted to protect the rifle slot.
To the rear there are supports to allow the shield to be self-supporting on flat terrain. Many were designed to be portable on the battlefield. Normally they would have been dug into the trench system or used in useful numbers as part of short term or even semi-permanent strong points or sniper posts in trench systems.

Export shipping abroad would likely be expensive  read more

Code: 26154

WW2 F.W. Höller (FW Holler) of Solingen, Germany German Third Reich NCO/Officer's Dove Head Cavalry Sword. Gilt Hilt With Original Multi Wire Binding Over Celluloid Grip. With Stunning, Near Mint, Mirror Bright Blade and Blued Steel, Dent Free Scabbard

F.W. Höller (FW Holler) of Solingen, Germany, was a prominent manufacturer of military swords, daggers, and cutlery during the 1930s and Third Reich period (1933–1945). Known for high-quality craftsmanship, the firm often marked its blades with a "thermometer" logo, sometimes accompanied by the letters "RZM" for party-ordered items.

The sword has an overall length in the scabbard of approximately 36 inches, with a blade length of approximately 30 inches. The blade shows light wear marks but overall it is mirror bright and makes a wonderful appearance. The ricasso bears the thermometer trademark of the F.W. Holler firm.

The Third Reich used cavalry extensively in World War II, contrary to the image of a fully mechanized army. While motorized early on, the German army relied heavily on horses for logistics, transport, and cavalry units, peaking at six cavalry divisions by February 1945. Key units included the 1st Cavalry Division (later 24th Panzer) and the SS Cavalry Brigade/8th SS Cavalry Division.

As for weapons, every horse-mounted soldier carried a saber in a leather pouch when riding. After 1939, every officer carried the MP-38 and later the MP-40 submachine gun. All others carried the standard infantry issue Karabiner 98K carbine, a modified version of the long standard 98a, its shorter length making it more suitable for mounted troops. The carbine was based on an 1898 design, and while five rounds could be pressed into the magazine, it required a manual opening and closing of the bolt action to eject a spent round and cycle a new round into the chamber. In contrast, the standard U.S. issue Garand, a gas-operated semiautomatic design, required no bolt action and thus increased its firepower. Many veterans on both sides said this was often the difference between life and death on the battlefield. Officers, sergeants, and medical personnel also carried the Pistole 08, a 9mm semiautomatic, better known as the famous Luger. Some horse troops were issued the new 7.92 MPi 43/44 assault rifles, predecessors of the modern infantry weapons of today.

Horses were essential for logistics, with most German infantry divisions relying on them for transportation throughout the war. Cavalry units (mounted infantry) were used for reconnaissance, security, and "bandit-fighting" (partisan warfare) on the Eastern Front, particularly by the SS Cavalry Brigade.
Major Units:
1st Cavalry Division: Formed in 1939, it was the only mounted division in the early war before conversion to the 24th Panzer Division in 1941.
SS Cavalry Brigade / 8th SS Cavalry Division "Florian Geyer": Commanded by Hermann Fegelein, this unit was responsible for massive atrocities during "pacification" operations behind the front lines in the Soviet Union.
I Cavalry Corps: Formed late in the war (1944-1945), it fought on the Eastern Front (Operation Bagration) and in the final "Spring Awakening" offensive in 1945.

Horsemanship was also taught at the SS academies, as it was considered part of the legacy of the Teutonic Knights to which the Nazis ascribed. Unlike American cowboy movies in which, miraculously, no horse is ever injured during blazing gun battles, horses littered the roads and fields of Europe, killed by machine guns, mortars, artillery fire, and air attack. During the killing Russian winters, pampered German farm and riding horses, lashed to heavy wagons, dropped in their tracks. Often they became food for the starving soldiers.

The WWII German cavalry corps, which in wartime consisted of horse, bicycle, and motorcycle troops, contained 18 horse regiments. Disbanded at the outbreak of the war in 1939, they were reformed into divisional reconnaissance battalions, followed in 1943 by what is considered the rebirth of the German cavalry. Three regiments were reconstituted.

Logistical Importance: Despite motorized propaganda, horses were essential to German logistical, transport, and reconnaissance functions, with a steady supply maintained until 1945.
End of War: Cavalry units fought until the surrender in May 1945. Some, like the I Cavalry Corps, retreated into Austria and were taken prisoner by the British.

Each squad of horse soldiers consisted of nine troopers, and an MG 34 light machine gun provided additional firepower. Horses were also integral to the mobile field kitchens and the blacksmith, ammunition, and weapons wagons. While each troop had a motorcycle dispatch rider for maintaining long-distance communication with command, most communication on horseback consisted of 25 standard hand signals.  read more

Code: 26177

A Superb Early Victorian Sailing Ship and Early Steamship Man O'War Naval Cutlass of 1845. Used In The Crimean War, and The Opium War In China, By The Naval Ship's Boarding Party. One Of The Best Condition Examples We Have Seen In a Long While

Naval cutlass with superb bright steel blade, and blackened sheet steel bowl guard with ribbed steel grip. The boarding cutlass was made and used without scabbards, and kept in numerous racks aboard the ship. The cutlass has clearly seen combat service, and thus signs of use, but many survivors today are in a sad state with rust issues {due to seawater}. This beauty has obviously been cared for since its retirement from its naval service aboard a man o'war.

By the 1850s, Royal Navy boarding parties were becoming less common in conventional fleet actions, replaced by long-range gunnery, but they remained crucial for close quarter boarding parties, anti-piracy, suppressing the slave trade, and coastal operations for landing parties. During this period of transition from sail to steam, boarding techniques evolved to include both direct ship-to-ship boarding and the use of smaller boats for landing parties.
Boarding parties were highly organized, often split into four divisions, each commanded by a Lieutenant, with teams of roughly 13 men, including marines and sailors.
Each ship’s crew had designated "boarders" and "repellers" (to stop enemy boarding). These parties often included 2 midshipmen and men selected from specific gun crews.
Specialization included men assigned to fire duty, and others assigned to climb aloft to manage rigging, often under fire

Anti-Slavery Operations: In the 1850s and 1860s, Royal Navy ships, particularly in East African waters (e.g., around Zanzibar), used boarding parties to intercept slave dhows. These involved small boat attacks on often well-armed vessels.
In the 1850s, especially during the Crimean War (1854-1855), the navy shifted focus to landing "Naval Brigades"—sailors and Royal Marines landed to fight as artillery or infantry on land.
Boarding was done by bringing ships alongside, using grappling hooks to lock hulls together, often with marines firing from "fighting tops" (high up in the masts) onto the enemy deck

Boarding was extremely hazardous, as small boats had to approach massive vessels under fire.
Boarders had to scale the side of the enemy ship, which was often slick with water or blood, while under fire from the defenders

28.5 inch blade, overall length approximately 34 inches  read more

Code: 26157