A Superb M42 German Combat Helmet With Rare, Original, Classic 'Normandy Pattern' Two Colour Green , Camouflage, Original Liner & Its Three Original Perfect Liner Rivets Intact. Waffen SS/Heer Issue

Well maker stamped and numbered on the rear neck piece. SE - Sachsische Emaillerwerk, Lauteran. Later in the war their stamp mark changed to HKP. This is an absolute beauty, with obvious signs of combat service, just as to be expected, but with its completely untouched original features, and it is totally 100% original, unmolested since the 1945 surrender of the Third Reich.
For the benefit of our Christmas WW2 collector regulars we are offering this most historical piece at a nominal profit, so if you have interest, act fast, this most scarce original camouflage helmet will surely not be available for long.

The German helmet of World War II is often broken down for distinction in three different models. The M35, M40 and M42. In truth according to the German high command there was only one model, the Model 35, so called because the first years of production was in 1935. The other models, the M40 and M42 do not exist in German military records. The reason for this is simply because the German military did not consider the later two versions to be new models, just modifications of the original design. The reasons for these modification were the result of a massively expanding war that required helmets as quickly as the factories could turn them out.

The German military had been experiencing helmet shortage since the 1930s. Part of this was due to the decision to sell over 220,000 brand newly produced M35 helmets to the Nationalist Chinese government between 1935 and 1937, not to mention smaller numbers of helmets being sent to Spain and Finland. The shortage was also due to the fact that the Germany military was going though massive growth during the same time frame. In addition on February 2nd of 1940 the German military ordered that all German armoured troops be issued helmets, where as before that date they were not issued one.

Starting on 28 August of 1943 an order was issued to the helmet factories that decals for the Heer, Luftwaffe, Kreigsmarine were no longer be applied. SS decals would continue to be applied at the factory level until another order was issued on 1 November 1943 requiring that the practice stop. The most likely reason the decals were dropped is likely for the exact same reason that Luftwaffe blue-gray painted helmet production ceased. The application of decals for five different branches of service was both costly and time consuming. With the war going badly the use of decals was no longer a luxury that could be afforded. By late 1944 a plane slate gray helmet would be issued to all branches of the service till the end of the war.

The panzer and panzergrenadier divisions of the Waffen SS were caught up in the strategic discussions, slowing their orders to Normandy in response to the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944. That delay ultimately contributed to their destruction. In the meantime, however, the SS panzer and panzergrenadier divisions that did confront the Allied lodgement in Normandy in the summer of 1944 fought hard and long, impeding the advance of the British and Americans, but paying a terrible price. Once committed these divisions were true to their reputation as fierce, fanatical combat formations dedicated to Nazi ideology and men willing to die for their Führer.

And they did die, thousands of them, under a relentless storm of artillery, air attacks, naval gunfire, and the thrusts of Allied ground troops toward the frontier of the Third Reich. Nevertheless, the Waffen SS exacted a heavy toll in lives and equipment while sacrificing its strength to halt the enemy in Normandy. Highly motivated and led by dedicated veteran officers, the Waffen SS soldier was deployed with the best weaponry available. From early June to late August 1944, no fewer than six Waffen SS divisions—1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich, 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen, 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg, 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend, and 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen—were joined by the 101st and 102nd SS Heavy Panzer Battalions in the death struggle.

The SS panzer divisions were equipped with tanks that had been proven superior to Allied types in tank-versus-tank combat. The 29-ton PzkPfw. IV medium tank, workhorse of the German formations, mounted a 75mm cannon, while the 45-ton PzKpfw. V Panther, perhaps the best all-around tank of World War II, was outfitted with the long-barreled high-velocity 75mm cannon, and the 56-ton PzKpfw. VI Tiger mounted a deadly 88mm high-velocity cannon.

The German guns generally possessed greater range than those of Allied tanks, and the heavier armour protection of the German armoured fighting vehicles offered enhanced survivability. The panzergrenadiers, or armored infantrymen, were equipped with the reliable Mauser K98k bolt action rifle, squad level automatic weapons such as the MP-38 and MP-40 submachine guns, the first-generation assault rifle known as the Sturmgewehr 43, and the superb MG-34 and MG-42 machine guns, which possessed cyclical rates of fire well above those of any Allied weapon.

Roughly 100,000 German troops were trapped in the Falaise Pocket at the end of August, but 60 men of the 12th SS fought to keep the escape route open north of Argentan. After three days, four of them were captured alive. The battered Hitlerjugend and Leibstandarte fought desperately to keep the gap open, allowing up to 40,000 soldiers to elude capture. The Leibstandarte held the southern shoulder and conducted a fighting withdrawal. On the nights of August 13 and 14, the remnants of Das Reich filtered through the Leibstandarte to a new defensive line at Champosoult. On the 16th, the Leibstandarte began its final retirement as fog cloaked the withdrawal across the River Orne.

The SS divisions in Normandy were shattered, and their losses were tremendous. The Leibstandarte had suffered 5,000 casualties and abandoned nearly all its remaining tanks and artillery during the retreat at Falaise. The 9th SS Panzer Division lost half its strength, about 9,000 men, and the 10th SS Panzer had been reduced to four battalions of infantry.

Every item is accompanied with our unique, Certificate of Authenticity. Of course any certificate of authenticity, given by even the best specialist dealers, in any field, all around the world, is simply a piece of paper,…however, ours is backed up with the fact we are the largest dealers of our kind in the world, with over 100 years and four generation’s of professional trading experience behind us  read more

Code: 25587

Original Viking 9th Century Battle Axe Head, Worn & Used by Vikings from the Viking Lands of Grand Prince Oleg and Vladimir the Great Period,

From a fabulous small collection of original, Viking, 9th century early Christian artefacts. Only two items, including this one remains for sale, the other sold within 10 minutes of upload to the site.

A Viking realm founded by the Viking, Oleg, ruler of Novgorod Kievanrus from c. 879, who seized Smolensk and Kiev 882, which became his capital. Viking Prince Oleg can be seen depicted, and as a central character, in the well regarded and incredibly popular worldwide drama series ‘Viking’, in series 6 shown by the History channel.
Extending his rule, Oleg united local Slavic and Finnish tribes, defeated the Khazars, and, in 911, arranged trade agreements with Constantinople. His empire peaked in the 10th and 11th centuries under Vladimir I and Yaroslav, becoming eastern Europe’s chief political and cultural centre. At Yaroslav’s death in 1054, his sons divided the empire into warring factions. The 13th-century Mongol conquest decisively ended its power. Although Oleg was pagan it was the time that Christianity took hold in Viking realms. In the Viking Age most of Europe had converted to Christianity, but the Vikings were very satisfied with their own gods and held on to them. ... By the end of the Viking period, around 1050, most Vikings were Christians. They were baptised, went to church and were buried in a Christian manner. he Viking Age was a period of considerable religious change in Scandinavia. Part of the popular image of the Vikings is that they were all pagans, with a hatred of the Christian Church, but this view is very misleading. It is true that almost the entire population of Scandinavia was pagan at the beginning of the Viking Age, but the Vikings had many gods, and it was no problem for them to accept the Christian god alongside their own. Most scholars today believe that Viking attacks on Christian churches had nothing to do with religion, but more to do with the fact that monasteries were typically both wealthy and poorly defended, making them an easy target for plunder.

...monasteries were typically both wealthy and poorly defended, making them an easy target for plunder.

The Vikings came into contact with Christianity through their raids, and when they settled in lands with a Christian population, they adopted Christianity quite quickly. This was true in Normandy, Ireland, and throughout the British Isles. Although contemporary accounts say little about this, we can see it in the archaeological evidence. Pagans buried their dead with grave goods, but Christians normally didn't, and this makes it relatively easy to spot the change in religion.

As well as conversion abroad, the Viking Age also saw a gradual conversion in Scandinavia itself, as Anglo-Saxon and German missionaries arrived to convert the pagans. By the mid-11th century, Christianity was well established in Denmark and most of Norway. Although there was a temporary conversion in Sweden in the early 11th century, it wasn't until the mid-12th century that Christianity became established there. As part of the process of conversion the Christians took over traditional pagan sites. A good example of this can be seen at Gamle Uppsala in Sweden, where the remains of an early church stand alongside a series of huge pagan burial mounds. for those that follow the superb History Channel's series, Vikings, he is the main protagonist of series 6. Kievan Rus was largely pagan until the late 10th century, when Vladimir the Great took power and introduced Christianity. The conversion actually resulted from a deal between Vladimir and the Byzantine Emperor. Vladimir agreed to convert to Christianity and send the emperor 6,000 soldiers to defend his throne; in exchange, Vladimir would marry the emperor’s sister.The transition to Christianity in Denmark took place gradually and without major conflict. The Vikings regarded the new belief as supplementing the Nordic gods – it was not simply a choice between the old and the new religion. The Vikings’ belief in many gods meant that it was possible for the new Christian god, White Christ, to be worshipped alongside gods like Thor and Odin.

In this way both religious beliefs could exist alongside each other. One religion did not exclude the other. This is shown by the find of a mould, which the smith could use to make both Thor’s hammers and Christian crosses. It was a time of great change and perhaps the Vikings sought security in both religious creeds – just to be on the safe side.a smith’s mould from Trend in Jutland, which has spaces for two crosses and one hammer. The smith could use it to produce exactly which amulets his customers wanted. In addition, a medieval font from Gettrup, in Jutland, displays both crosses and Thor’s hammers. Several Thor’s hammers, which feature cross ornamentation, have also been found. The Viking belief in the Norse gods was thus reinterpreted and drawn into Christianity.The Jelling Stone displays what is probably the earliest image of Christ from Scandinavia. But there are also clear pre-Christian elements on the stone. Tendrils or interlacing branches, surround Christ, just as Odin could also be depicted surrounded by tendrils or branches.

Every item is accompanied with our unique, Certificate of Authenticity. Of course any certificate of authenticity, given by even the best specialist dealers, in any field, all around the world, is simply a piece of paper,…however, ours is backed up with the fact we are the largest dealers of our kind in the world, with over 100 years and four generation’s of professional trading experience behind us  read more

Code: 24578

Original Viking Cross Pendant, Worn in the Viking Lands of Grand Prince Oleg and Vladimir the Great Period, A Christian Cross Pendant in Bronze

Part of a small Viking artefacts collection, the first cross sold within a day or so. A one piece cast bronze cross with chain ring neck mount, thus still eminently wearable today. From a fabulous small collection of original, Viking, 9th century early Christian artefacts. Only two items, including this one remains for sale, the other sold within 10 minutes of upload to the site.
A Viking realm founded by the Viking, Oleg, ruler of Novgorod Kievanrus from c. 879, who seized Smolensk and Kiev 882, which became his capital. Viking Prince Oleg can be seen depicted, and as a central character, in the well regarded and incredibly popular worldwide drama series ‘Viking’, in series 6 shown by the History channel.
Extending his rule, Oleg united local Slavic and Finnish tribes, defeated the Khazars, and, in 911, arranged trade agreements with Constantinople. His empire peaked in the 10th and 11th centuries under Vladimir I and Yaroslav, becoming eastern Europe’s chief political and cultural centre. At Yaroslav’s death in 1054, his sons divided the empire into warring factions. The 13th-century Mongol conquest decisively ended its power. Although Oleg was pagan it was the time that Christianity took hold in Viking realms. In the Viking Age most of Europe had converted to Christianity, but the Vikings were very satisfied with their own gods and held on to them. ... By the end of the Viking period, around 1050, most Vikings were Christians. They were baptised, went to church and were buried in a Christian manner. he Viking Age was a period of considerable religious change in Scandinavia. Part of the popular image of the Vikings is that they were all pagans, with a hatred of the Christian Church, but this view is very misleading. It is true that almost the entire population of Scandinavia was pagan at the beginning of the Viking Age, but the Vikings had many gods, and it was no problem for them to accept the Christian god alongside their own. Most scholars today believe that Viking attacks on Christian churches had nothing to do with religion, but more to do with the fact that monasteries were typically both wealthy and poorly defended, making them an easy target for plunder.

...monasteries were typically both wealthy and poorly defended, making them an easy target for plunder.

The Vikings came into contact with Christianity through their raids, and when they settled in lands with a Christian population, they adopted Christianity quite quickly. This was true in Normandy, Ireland, and throughout the British Isles. Although contemporary accounts say little about this, we can see it in the archaeological evidence. Pagans buried their dead with grave goods, but Christians normally didn't, and this makes it relatively easy to spot the change in religion.

As well as conversion abroad, the Viking Age also saw a gradual conversion in Scandinavia itself, as Anglo-Saxon and German missionaries arrived to convert the pagans. By the mid-11th century, Christianity was well established in Denmark and most of Norway. Although there was a temporary conversion in Sweden in the early 11th century, it wasn't until the mid-12th century that Christianity became established there. As part of the process of conversion the Christians took over traditional pagan sites. A good example of this can be seen at Gamle Uppsala in Sweden, where the remains of an early church stand alongside a series of huge pagan burial mounds. for those that follow the superb History Channel's series, Vikings, he is the main protagonist of series 6. Kievan Rus was largely pagan until the late 10th century, when Vladimir the Great took power and introduced Christianity. The conversion actually resulted from a deal between Vladimir and the Byzantine Emperor. Vladimir agreed to convert to Christianity and send the emperor 6,000 soldiers to defend his throne; in exchange, Vladimir would marry the emperor’s sister.The transition to Christianity in Denmark took place gradually and without major conflict. The Vikings regarded the new belief as supplementing the Nordic gods – it was not simply a choice between the old and the new religion. The Vikings’ belief in many gods meant that it was possible for the new Christian god, White Christ, to be worshipped alongside gods like Thor and Odin.

In this way both religious beliefs could exist alongside each other. One religion did not exclude the other. This is shown by the find of a mould, which the smith could use to make both Thor’s hammers and Christian crosses. It was a time of great change and perhaps the Vikings sought security in both religious creeds – just to be on the safe side.a smith’s mould from Trend in Jutland, which has spaces for two crosses and one hammer. The smith could use it to produce exactly which amulets his customers wanted. In addition, a medieval font from Gettrup, in Jutland, displays both crosses and Thor’s hammers. Several Thor’s hammers, which feature cross ornamentation, have also been found. The Viking belief in the Norse gods was thus reinterpreted and drawn into Christianity.The Jelling Stone displays what is probably the earliest image of Christ from Scandinavia. But there are also clear pre-Christian elements on the stone. Tendrils or interlacing branches, surround Christ, just as Odin could also be depicted surrounded by tendrils or branches. 42mm x 28mm

Every item is accompanied with our unique, Certificate of Authenticity. Of course any certificate of authenticity, given by even the best specialist dealers, in any field, all around the world, is simply a piece of paper,…however, ours is backed up with the fact we are the largest dealers of our kind in the world, with over 100 years and four generation’s of professional trading experience behind us  read more

Code: 24035

A Good Koto Era Samurai 0-Tanto Signed Mihara ju Masaiye, An Impressive 'Shibui' Beauty

Circa 1530. a large sized tanto with all original Edo era fittings and mounts, a very nice sukashi tsuba in iron, iron Higo style fittings, beautiful polish blade with fine sugaha hamon. Blue tsuka-ito over good quality rayskin, good Edo period ishime lacquer saya with recessed pocket for a kozuka knife. From the school of Mihara sword smiths. known as shibui which is old Japanese for 'quiet'. a fine early tanto mounted beautifully but unobtrusively, restrained and thus 'shibui'. Mihara den was founded at the beginning of the fourteenth century, in the Bingo province, by sword maker Masaiye. Other prominent masters of this school are Masanobu, Masanori, Masamori, Masachika and already mentioned Masaiye. The latter founded a family that made swords to the end of the Edo era. Mihara's school upheld the tradition of Yamato, which belonged to Gokaden (the school of Five Traditions). With the beginning of the Kamakura period, tanto were forged to be more aesthetically pleasing, and hira and uchi-sori tanto were the most popular styles for wars in the kamakura period. Near the middle of the Kamakura period, more tanto artisans were seen, increasing the abundance of the weapon, and the kanmuri-otoshi style became prevalent in the cities of Kyoto and Yamato. Because of the style introduced by the tachi in the late Kamakura period, tanto began to be forged longer and wider. The introduction of the Hachiman faith became visible in the carvings in the tanto hilts around this time. The hamon (line of temper) is similar to that of the tachi, except for the absence of choji-midare, which is nioi and utsuri. Gunomi-midare and suguha are found to have taken its place. In Nambokucho, the tanto were forged to be up to forty centimetres as opposed to the normal one shaku (about thirty centimetres) length. The tanto blades became thinner between the uri and the omote, and wider between the ha and mune. At this point in time, two styles of hamon were prevalent: the older style, which was subtle and artistic, and the newer, more popular style. Blades could be of exceptional quality. As the end of the period neared, the average blade narrowed and the sori became shallow. 19 1/2 inches long overall, blade 13 1/2 inches long tsuba to tip.  read more

Code: 23876

A Simply Stunning 15th Century Sengoku Period Wakizashi Samurai Short Sword Circa 1480 With Shobu Zukuri Form Blade

Mounted in wonderous, original, full suite of Edo period mounts based entirely on pure gold and silver ponies, made somewhat in the fashion of a very famous set by Yokoya Somin. The most elegant shobu zukuri iris leaf form blade has to be one of the most beautiful blade styles ever made and is rarely seen. Shakudo nanako and gold fuchi kashira, large silver pony menuki under gold silk on giant rayskin. Matching tsuba with gold and silver ponies. cinnabar lacquer saya with ribbed top section with rubbed gold lacquer. The koto blade has wonderful grain and an undulating hamon. 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. Wakizashi have been in use as far back as the 15th or 16th century. The wakizashi was used as a backup or auxiliary sword; it was also used for close quarters fighting, and also to behead a defeated opponent and sometimes to commit ritual suicide. The wakizashi was one of several short swords available for use by samurai including the yoroi toshi, the chisa-katana and the tanto. The term wakizashi did not originally specify swords of any official blade length and was an abbreviation of "wakizashi no katana" ("sword thrust at one's side"); the term was applied to companion swords of all sizes. It was not until the Edo period in 1638 when the rulers of Japan tried to regulate the types of swords and the social groups which were allowed to wear them that the lengths of katana and wakizashi were officially set.

Kanzan Sato, in his book titled "The Japanese Sword", notes that the wakizashi may have become more popular than the tanto due to the wakizashi being more suited for indoor fighting. He mentions the custom of leaving the katana at the door of a castle or palace when entering while continuing to wear the wakizashi inside. Wakizashi were worn on the left side, secured to the obi waist sash. The Sengoku period Sengoku Jidai, "Warring States period") is a period in Japanese history of near-constant civil war, social upheaval, and intrigue from 1467 to 1615.

The Sengoku period was initiated by the Ōnin War in 1467 which collapsed the feudal system of Japan under the Ashikaga Shogunate. Various samurai warlords and clans fought for control over Japan in the power vacuum, while the Ikkō-ikki emerged to fight against samurai rule. The arrival of Europeans in 1543 introduced the arquebus into Japanese warfare, and Japan ended its status as a tributary state of China in 1549. Oda Nobunaga dissolved the Ashikaga Shogunate in 1573 and launched a war of political unification by force, including the Ishiyama Hongan-ji War, until his death in the Honnō-ji Incident in 1582. Nobunaga's successor Toyotomi Hideyoshi completed his campaign to unify Japan and consolidated his rule with numerous influential reforms. Hideyoshi launched the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592, but their eventual failure damaged his prestige before his death in 1598. Tokugawa Ieyasu displaced Hideyoshi's young son and successor Toyotomi Hideyori at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and re-established the feudal system under the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Sengoku period ended when Toyotomi loyalists were defeated at the siege of Osaka in 1615.

The Sengoku period was named by Japanese historians after the similar but otherwise unrelated Warring States period of China. The Edo period habaki small copper-gilt blade collar has been perfectly restored and we shall photograph it soon. The photos that show it still in place see photos 2 and 9 are before it was restored.  read more

Code: 23939

A Long Bronze Age Tanged Spear From the Pre-History Era Of Achilles and Hector & The Legendary Tojan War

Another stunning spear from our ancient weapon collection acquired. Circa 1400 B.C. around 3,500 years old, with a fabulous natural aged patination and in a very sound and excellent condition for age indeed. This is a most handsome and beautiful ancient bronze tanged spear, Blade is double edged, with a flat central rib, and long tang. From one of the most fascinating eras in ancient world pre-history, the era of the so called Trojan Wars.
The ancient Greeks believed the Trojan War was a historical event that had taken place in the 13th or 12th century BC, and it is reasonably believed today that Troy was located in modern day Turkey near the Dardanelles, and the Granicus river where Alexander engaged in his first battle against the Persians around 1000 years later in 334bc.

In Greek mythology, the Trojan War was waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans (Greeks) after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta. The war is among the most important events in Greek mythology and was narrated in many works of Greek literature, including Homer's Iliad and the Odyssey . "The Iliad" relates a part of the last year of the siege of Troy, while the Odyssey describes the journey home of Odysseus, one of the Achaean leaders. Other parts of the war were told in a cycle of epic poems, which has only survived in fragments. Episodes from the war provided material for Greek tragedy and other works of Greek literature, and for Roman poets such as Virgil and Ovid.

The war originated from a quarrel between the goddesses Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite, after Eris, the goddess of strife and discord, gave them a golden apple, sometimes known as the Apple of Discord, marked "for the fairest". Zeus sent the goddesses to Paris, who judged that Aphrodite, as the "fairest", should receive the apple. In exchange, Aphrodite made Helen, the most beautiful of all women and wife of Menelaus, fall in love with Paris, who took her to Troy. Agamemnon, king of Mycenae and the brother of Helen's husband Menelaus, led an expedition of Achaean troops to Troy and besieged the city for ten years due to Paris' insult. After the deaths of many heroes, including the Achaeans Achilles and Ajax, and the Trojans Hector and Paris, the city fell to the ruse of the Trojan Horse. The Achaeans slaughtered the Trojans (except for some of the women and children whom they kept or sold as slaves) and desecrated the temples, thus earning the gods' wrath. Few of the Achaeans returned safely to their homes and many founded colonies in distant shores. The Romans later traced their origin to Aeneas, one of the Trojans, who was said to have led the surviving Trojans to modern day Italy.

This spear comes from that that great historical period, from the time of the birth of known recorded history, and the formation of great empires, the cradle of civilization, known as The Mycenaean Age, of 1600 BC to 1100 BC. Known as the Bronze Age, it started even centuries before the time of Herodotus, who was known throught the world as the father of history. Mycenae is an archaeological site in Greece from which the name Mycenaean Age is derived. The Mycenae site is located in the Peloponnese of Southern Greece. The remains of a Mycenaean palace were found at this site, accounting for its importance. Other notable sites during the Mycenaean Age include Athens, Thebes, Pylos and Tiryns.
According to Homer, the Mycenaean civilization is dedicated to King Agamemnon who led the Greeks in the Trojan War. The palace found at Mycenae matches Homer's description of Agamemnon's residence. The amount and quality of possessions found at the graves at the site provide an insight to the affluence and prosperity of the Mycenaean civilization. Prior to the Mycenaean's ascendancy in Greece, the Minoan culture was dominant. However, the Mycenaeans defeated the Minoans, acquiring the city of Troy in the process. In the greatest collections of the bronze age there are swords exactly. In the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the bronze sword of King Adad-nirari I, a unique example from the palace of one of the early kings of the period (14th-13th century BC) during which Assyria first began to play a prominent part in Mesopotamian history. Swords daggers and weapons from this era were made within the Persian bronze industry, which was also influenced by Mesopotamia. Luristan, near the western border of Persia, was the source of many bronzes, such as this piece, that have been dated from around 1500 BC and later, and include chariot or harness fittings, rein rings, elaborate horse bits, and various decorative rings, as well as regular weapons, personal ornaments, different types of cult objects, and a number of household vessels. It was a great trading centre for bronze age weaponry, and all manner of bronze trade goods, that were shipped and sold due to their popularity throughout the entire region from Persia to the Mediterranean and possibly beyond.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading 13.75 inches long. As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity.  read more

Code: 22001

A Rare Pair of 14th- 15th Century Medeavil Bronze Winged Polygonal 'Raven's Head' Mace Heads Likely Twin Headed Flail Mace, Mongol Invasion Period to Vlad 'The Impaler' Dracul’s Knight’s Order of The Dragon Period

Cast bronze and each mace head had four ravens heads that can be viewed from both above and upside down, below, creating eight ravens per mace. The remaining surfaces are decorated in the circular ‘all seeing eye’, or ‘evil eye’ pattern, that has been used since the time of the ancient Greeks as a feature to ward off evil spirits. When used by the Knight hussars they were called a kisten, and the double headed flail mace were adopted by the hussar knights from those used by Mongols, Turks and Tartars in their invasions into Eastern Europe in the 14th century.

The eyes design creates a zoomorphic design of several back to back ravens heads. We have read of the notorious 'Raven's Head' maces for many years, and more often they appear today in fantasy role play games, but this may be the very first, original, 14th century examples we have ever had the privelege to see and own.

Together, the wolf and raven embody the Mongol or Turkic warrior as he saw himself: a ferocious, predatory being who hunts his enemies, raiding is inherently a predatory action, after all. In addition, the connection of these animals to warfare in the Mongol mindset is also reinforced since both the wolf and raven appear in the aftermath of battle to feed on the dead.

Vlad Dracul of Transylvania inspired the tales of the vampire of legend, named "Dracula". That evolution of Dracul, recalls only the character from the 1897 novel by Bram Stoker, dramatically and memorably realised by Bella Lugosi, in the eponymous 1931 Hollywood horror film, and then followed by all too numerous actors since, including one of the very best, Gary Oldman. However, behind the popular myth lies the genuine historic ruler Vlad III Dracula "the Impaler" (1431-76), Prince of Wallachia in what is now Romania, a vassal of the Hungarian kings. Voivode is the medieval Romanian term for a regional commander, which position Vlad held intermittently in addition to his princedom (1448, 1456-62 and 1476), and the name "Dracula" is a diminutive derived from the Imperial Order of the Dragon, the order of knights to which Vlad and his father, Vlad II (1390-1447) commanded. He ruled his military kingdom of Wallachia southern Romania with a heavy and blood-soaked fist. To not only the Turks but also to many of his own countrymen he was Vlad The Impaler, Vlad Die Tepes (pronounced Tee-pish). Determined not to be overtaken by the intrigue of an intriguing political underhandedness, in a world in which princes fell daily to smiling, hypocritical "allies," paranoia among the aristocracy was, and probably needed to be, utmost in a sovereign's disposition. Dracula built a defence around him that dared not open kindness nor trust to anyone. During his tenure, he killed by the droves, impaling on a forest of spikes around his castle thousands of subjects who he saw as either traitors, would-be traitors or enemies to the security of Romania and the Roman Catholic Church. Sometimes, he slew merely to show other possible insurgents and criminals just what their fate would be if they became troublesome.

A flail mace avails the user extra reach used on horseback. Unlike a sword or haft mounted mace, it doesn't transfer vibrations from the impact to the wielder. This is a great advantage to a horseman, who can use his horse's speed to add momentum to and underarmed swing of the ball, but runs less of a risk of being unbalanced from his saddle.
It is difficult to block with a shield or parry with a weapon because it can curve over and round impediments and still strike the target. It also provides defense whilst in motion. However the rigid haft does have the advantage as the flail needs space to swing and can easily endanger the wielder's comrades.

Controlling the flail is much more difficult than rigid weapons. On a Flail it had the name of a Scorpion in England or France, or sometimes a Battle-Whip. It was also wryly known as a 'Holy Water Sprinkler'.
King John The Ist of Bohemia used exactly such a weapon, as he was blind, and the act of 'Flailing the Mace' meant lack of site was no huge disadvantage in close combat. Although blind he was a valiant and the bravest of the Warrior Kings, who perished at the Battle of Crecy against the English in 1346. On the day he was slain he instructed his Knights, both friends and companions, to lead him to the very centre of battle, so he may strike at least one blow against his enemies. His Knights tied their horses to his, so the King would not be separated from them in the press, and they rode together into the thick of battle, where King John managed to strike not one but at least four noble blows. The following day of the battle, the horses and the fallen knights were found all about the body of their most noble King, all still tied to his steed.

During the Middle Ages metal armour such as mail protected against the blows of edged weapons. Solid metal maces and war hammers proved able to inflict damage on well armoured knights, as the force of a blow from a mace is great enough to cause damage without penetrating the armour. Though iron became increasingly common, copper and bronze were also used. Pictures in the gallery, some medieval, showing them used in combat. The mace heads are approximately the size of a walnut.


Detail from Battle of Orsha painting, 1520–1534 photo 6 in the gallery. With Lithuanian hussar in yellow tunic with 'kisten' the flail mace in his belt.

Another variety of multi headed flail mace is the Iberian flail or mangual. See picture 7 in the gallery. This can be seen below at the feet of the figure on the frontispiece of the Handbook of the True Skill of Arms in Thirty-Eight Assertions by Miguel Perez de Mendoza y Quixada, published in 1675. This weapon was a specialized armament meant primarily to oppose rapiers and perhaps two handed swords like montante in combat, the figure standing amongst an armoury of weapons including a zweihander great sword, a maine gauche, numerous swept hilt and cup hilt rapiers, and at his feet, a multi chained mace battle-whip or mangual. Picture in the gallery is another a capture taken from a Renaissance painting  read more

Code: 24822

A Superb Ancient Chinese Warring States Period 480-222bc Gold & Bronze Chariot Crossbow Mount in Gold with Tiger Head Finial

Being bronze overlaid with gold, with a stunning tiger head finial, this is not the crossbow fitting of a mere officer, but likely of a young Chinese prince, or certainly a very high ranking noble in the chariot ranks of an army.

The history of the chariot and the development of the crossbow in ancient China are interrelated. The chariot is considered the world’s first war machine. As early as the Warring States period, the Chinese attempted to mount the crossbow on the chariot like a machine gun on a modern scout car. Excavation of ancient Chinese chariots has confirmed the descriptions of them in the earliest historical texts.

For the ancient Chinese philosopher, the chariot was the supreme symbol of success. It’s light weight and speed remained the wonder of ancient China. The effective commander was compared to the crossbow. Sun Tsu, in The Art of War, argued that the momentum of one really skilled in war is irresistible, because his overwhelming attack is precisely determined. His ability to strike exactly when required resembles a drawn crossbow, for he is quick as the release of the trigger.

The most significant advantage of the crossbow over the composite bow was the longer range. To be a cross bowman was an important military position in the Han period. However, it was not unusual for captive crossbowmen to be executed upon capture by the opposing army, such was the dread of the weapon and its power.

This exceptional example contains the decorative elements of a status symbol as well as the strength to be used as a deadly tool of war. The sensuous curves of the gilded handle taper into stylized dragon finials that were used to hold the taut bowstring in place. In our opinion, the style, craftsmanship and subject matter of this of gilded bronze crossbow handle indicate a Warring States dynastic date.

Fittings of this type have been excavated in pairs in association with chariots, and their function has long been a research topic of scholars. A pair of silver-inlaid bronze crossbow fittings were discovered from a Warring States tomb in Luoyang, Henan province, published in Luoyang Museum, 'The Chariot Pit Found at Chung-chou-lu', Kaogu , no . 3, 1974, p. 174, fig. 1. According to the archeological report, this pair of fittings were unearthed in front of the wooden shaft of a crossbow, near the left side of a chariot. Based on this finding, the report theorized that they were fitted to the front of a crossbow shaft to support the bow, and the upcurved terminals were meant to be the aiming mechanism. See a reconstruction drawing illustrated in Luoyang Museum, ibid., p. 177, fig. 7.

Other scholars have developed a different theory and propose that these fittings in fact functioned as crossbow supports on a chariot. Both fittings were attached horizontally to the front left panel of a chariot, adjacent to the occupants. The crossbow was placed facing down, with its bow resting on the curved shafts and its handle positioned obliquely upward, ready at hand for a quick draw.

The present fitting is notable for its bird-head terminal, which appears to be rare among extant examples. Related examples include: a silver-inlaid crossbow fitting, also with a bird-head terminal, in the Avery Brundage Collection, published in René-Yvon Lefebvre d'Argencé, Ancient Chinese Bronzes in the Avery Brundage Collection , Berkeley, 1966, pl. XLIX, fig. B. Compare also a pair of gold and silver-inlaid crossbow fittings, with a serpent-head terminal, included in the exhibition Chinese Art of the Warring States Period. Change and Continuity, 480-222 BC , Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1982, cat. no. 26; another pair published in Chinese Gold und Silver. Die Sammling Pierre Uldry, Rietberg Museum, Zürich, 1994, cat. no. 28a; a single fitting from the Ernest Erickson Foundation,  read more

Code: 24837

A Most Beautiful & Exemplary Work of Art. A Very Fine Large Long Barrel Boxlock Flintlock Brass Cannon Barrel Blunderbuss Pistol Circa 1730 by Renown Maker John Freeman of London

Superb silver fittings and elaborate scroll inlays stunningly depicting trumpets, drums, spears and cannon to the butt, and the silver wire appears to be 100% intact. With brass cannon barrel and lock, and safety mechanism by sliding the trigger guard forward once the pistol is cocked. Known as a Queen Anne flintlock this is a stunning example in wonderful condition, by one of the best makers of the day. Demon face butt mask in silver. 13 inches long overall.

Without doubt, especially considering the most rare design of silver inlay this is one of the finest examples in the best condition, we have ever seen.

The ‘Queen Anne’ style pistol is distinctive in that it does not have a ramrod. The barrel of the pistol unscrews and allows it to be loaded from the rear and near the touch hole at the breech of the barrel. These pistols are made in either Dog Lock or Flintlock styles.

The Queen Anne pistols were very popular and were made in a variety of calibers, usually about 38 to 50 bore. Boot pistols, Holster pistols, pocket pistols and Sea Service pistols were all made in Queen Anne style. This type is known as a Queen Anne pistol because it was during her reign that it became popular (although it was actually introduced in the reign of King William III).

The fine examples were made with silver fittings and or inlays, but the finest, with brass barrels and frames as well as silver mountings and inlays

As with all our antique guns, no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 24860

A Super & Historical Brown Bess Flintlock Musket & Bayonet. In Its Final Service Days, Part of the Arms Used by The Expeditionary Sailing Schooner & Steam Ship of the River Niger. Engraved With the Name of The 1st Propeller Driven Exploring Steamship

The Schooner and expedition was under the command of Dr. William Balfour Baikie, R.N. a famed explorer and renown anti-slaver.

The musket is in super condition made by Bond of London. Complete with its standard, regulation, ordnance stamped Brown Bess bayonet, numbered 24. Regulation Brown Bess barrel .750 inch bore, and of 39 inches long, stamped with Board of Ordnance view and proof markings of circa 1790. Typical all brass mounts and fittings, trigger guard side plate fore-end and butt plate, with both steel sling swivels present, and a fine walnut stock. the ships name, 'Pleiad' engraved to the butt tang with the ship's gun's gun-rack numbering, '4'. The regulation trigger guard has a large number engraved, 22 this may likely be a previous use regimental number such as the Cheshire Regt, {the 22nd Foot}

Edward Bond was at 45 Cornhill, London, from 1800 to 1830, during this time he was joined by William, they moved to Lombard St. in around 1830

The vessel, named the Pleiad, was an extremely interesting and historical sailing ship. It was built by John Laird, and she was a sailing schooner, and, an auxiliary steam ship, with a unique 'lifting' propeller, and is said to have been the first exploring vessel to have been fitted with an additional propeller. Her length was 105 feet and her beam 24 feet. She had a 40-horse-power engine.

The Pleiad was schooner rigged, and the lifting propeller prevented the screw from retarding her speed under sail. This was before coaling stations were established on the route, and the vessel was intended to carry her coal from England under sail and to reserve it for use on the Niger.

William Baikie M.D. (1825-1864) was born in Orkney and studied medicine at Edinburgh University. He joined the Royal Navy in 1848 and soon attracted the notice of Sir Roderick Murchison who secured Baikie the post of surgeon and naturalist to the Niger Expedition in 1854. One of Baikie’s most important observations was on the use of quinine to prevent malaria as no one on the expedition contracted the disease. During the expedition, the senior officer, Consul John Beecroft, died and Baikie took command. Ascending the Benue about 250 miles beyond the point reached by former explorers, he returned and reached the mouth of the Niger, after a voyage of 118 days, without the loss of a single man. The expedition was partly funded by Laird of Birkenhead -- the 266-ton screw yacht Pleiad was designed by William Laird Jr and built by John Laird of Birkenhead to meet whatever unknown challenges cropped up, and was well armed with a single 12pdr gun, four swivel guns, a number of Minie guns together with pistols, shotguns and trade muskets. Baikie also used it for his second expedition of 1857 but it was wrecked in rapids. Baikie determined to carry out the purposes of the Expedition. He first considered establishing a British Consular Agency at Kabba but faced opposition from the local king of the region of Niger -- probably because Baikie was an anti-slaver firmly against the slave trade, which still provided a generous income for some tribal leaders and especially the local king. Instead, he chose Lokoja as the base of his future operations, it being the site of the model farm established by the Niger Expedition of 1841, and abandoned on the death of most of the white settlers. After Baikie's death, the British government abolished the consulate (1866), but the trading post remained influential. The district where Baikie had worked so successfully was finally secured for the UK through private enterprise some 20 years later and Lokoja became the capital of the Northern Nigeria Protectorate. Baikie wrote up the 1854 Expedition in his Narrative of an exploring voyage up the rivers Kwóra and Binue (commonly known as the Niger and Tsádda) in 1854.

Thanks to Laird’s forethought on all points she did well. Knowing the climate by experience, he insisted on keeping the number of Europeans to the minimum. The Pleiad left under the command of Dr. William Balfour Baikie, R.N., who dosed the ship’s company with quinine night and morning. When she reached Fernando Po, Dr. Baikie learned that Beecroft had died. Baikie decided to go up the river. He had engine trouble and the Pleiad ran aground several times, but he reached the confluence of the Niger and the Benue. Baikie ascended the Benue farther than any white man before him. Unfortunately the river began to fall. Baikie left the little vessel and went on farther by canoe until he was sure that Barth was not in the district. Then he returned to the Pleiad.

He traded her cargo, and she sailed back to England without the loss of a man by disease or accident, a new and wonderful event in the story of the Niger. He established that the river which Barth had reached was the one which flowed into the Niger.

The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, have two matched examples of pistols from the set of the arms in the ship's arms locker, also named for the Pleiad, and similarly made by Bond of London, Object IDs AAA2432 & AAA2432.2. Another brace of pistol from the gun locker of the Pleiad and named as such sold at auction for just shy of £4,000.

To demonstrate the historical interest and status of the ship's voyage of exploration, an original copy of the book written by Dr. William Balfour Baikie, R.N., detailing his voyage aboard the Pleiad, published in 1856, can fetch upwards of £1,000. See a photo of his book in the gallery. For information and education purposes only, book not available

Narrative of an exploring voyage up the rivers Kwóra and Binue (commonly known as the Niger and Tsádda) in 1854.
Baikie, William Balfour
Published by London : Murray, 1856

The gun and action are very good for age, with an incredibly tight and crisp action, with just age and wear commensurate for its period and use both at sea and river. Small sliver of wood lacking forward of the lockplate, on the inside, beneath the barrel  read more

Code: 24859