An Original, Rare, 4th Century, Original Roman Legionary's Sword. An Amazing & Rare Historical Sword of The Roman Empire

A superb original Roman spatha, a most rare and a highly collectable weapon of the ancient Roman Empire. A contemporary original sword to the Denmark the Nydam horde recovered Roman sword cache, and the form of sword said to be connected to the legendary sword of Beowulf.

During the Second Punic War, Celtic mercenaries introduced the spatha sword form to the Roman army. Originally the spatha was a weapon used by the Roman cavalrymen, while the auxiliaries and legionaries used the gladius form of sword instead. However eventually, the Roman infantry would adopt the spatha in the 2nd century. It was a very versatile sword, undergoing many changes from its origins in Gaul to its usage in the Roman military.

To look at what an Emperor's military attire looked like in the 5th century, we mostly have to look to the Diptych of Emperor Honorius, which does show an Eagle-hilted sword, but on another panel he wears a Germanic-derived Spatha just as this one.

This Romano Germanic style, to our best evidence, were the ones the Roman legions and their Emperors of the Empire were largely and mostly using in the 5th century, but certainly many were used in the three centuries before.

The spatha was a type of straight and long sword, measuring between 0.5 and 1 m (19.7 and 39.4 in), with a handle length of between 18 and 20 cm (7.1 and 7.9 in), in use in the territory of the Roman Empire during the 1st to 6th centuries AD. Later swords, from the 7th to 10th centuries, like the Viking swords, are recognisable derivatives and sometimes subsumed under the term spatha.

The Roman spatha was used in war and in gladiatorial fights. The spatha of literature appears in the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD as a weapon used by presumably Celtic auxiliaries and gradually became a standard heavy infantry weapon, relegating the gladius to use as a light infantry weapon. The spatha apparently replaced the gladius in the front ranks, giving the infantry more reach when thrusting. While the infantry version had a long point, versions carried by the cavalry had a rounded tip that prevented accidental stabbing of the cavalryman's own foot or horse.

Archaeologically many instances of the spatha have been found in Britain and Germany. It was used extensively by Germanic warriors. It is unclear whether it came from the Pompeii gladius or the longer Celtic swords, or whether it served as a model for the various arming swords and Viking swords of Europe. The spatha remained popular throughout the Migration Period. It evolved into the knightly sword of the High Middle Ages by the 12th century.
This Roman sword would date from the era of Emperor Valentinian I. He was Roman emperor from 364 to 375. Upon becoming emperor, he made his brother Valens his co-emperor, giving him rule of the eastern provinces. Valentinian retained the west.

During his reign, Valentinian fought successfully against the Alamanni, Quadi, and Sarmatians. Most notable was his victory over the Alamanni in 367 at the Battle of Solicinium. His general Count Theodosius defeated a revolt in Africa and the Great Conspiracy, a coordinated assault on Roman Britain by Picts, Scots, and Saxons. Valentinian was also the last emperor to conduct campaigns across both the Rhine and Danube rivers. Valentinian rebuilt and improved the fortifications along the frontiers, even building fortresses in enemy territory.

He founded the Valentinianic dynasty, with his sons Gratian and Valentinian II succeeding him in the western half of the empire.

In early 368, Rando, a barbarian chieftain, fell unexpectedly on the town of Moguntiacum (modern Mainz) on the Rhine, and put the defenceless inhabitants to the sword, before retiring over the river. Valentinian, furious, now determined to anticipate their future depredations by a campaign into their own territory beyond the Rhine. Count Sebastian was deputed to encircle the enemy from the south, by way of Rhaetia, while the emperor himself advanced with the entire forces of the west from Gaul. Finding their arms inadequate for the defence of their fields and villages, the Alemans retreated into the mountains, erecting their camp on an unidentified hill referred to as "Solicinium", in the area of Württemberg.

It is reported that the emperor, while on a personal reconnaissance of the enemy position on the lower reaches of the mountain, was nearly captured by an advanced party of the enemy who had been placed in ambuscade, losing his helmet and standard-bearer while retreating.

The battle
There is little known about the actual battle. It appears that Valentinian carried their defences by a general assault, charging up the slope, and the barbarians, when they were ejected from the summit, were driven down the opposite side of the hill into the clutches of Sebastian, who had been placed in their rear to anticipate the retreat. The result was the total defeat of the Alemans.

The next mention of spathae is in the 5th century, by Vegetius, now as a weapon carried by infantry. The term "Roman Iron Age" refers approximately to the time of the Roman Empire in north Europe, which was outside the jurisdiction of the empire, but, judging from the imported Roman artifacts, was influenced by Roman civilization. One source of artifacts from this period are the bogs of Schleswig, Holstein and Denmark. Objects were deliberately broken and thrown into the bog in the belief that they could go with a deceased chief on his voyage to a better place.

A cache of 90 swords was found at Nydam Mose in Denmark in 1858. They were in the form of the spatha and therefore have been classified as "Roman swords". They are dated to the 3rd to 4th centuries. Many connect the Nydam cache with the sword of Beowulf, who was supposed to be a contemporary. See two photos of these in the gallery.

As with almost all original ancient Roman steel weaponry recovered in the past two hundred years or so, such as daggers and swords, their hilts do not survive and are effectively non existent today. this is due their crossguards, grips, pommels, and scabbards being almost entirely made of organic material, thus only the blades and their hilt’s tangs of the swords and daggers still exist, are the only parts of the whole weapon to survive the ravages of time till today.
The surface of this superb sword is heavily pitted, but that is absolutely usual with all recovered original Roman swords from the ancient times, see the photo in the gallery of the Nydam cache, but the blade is still remarkably sound.

it come complete with a fine carved wooden stand see photo gallery but would also look stunning if bespoke framed.
Approximately 30.2 inches long overall.
As with all our original items, it will be accompanied with a bespoke and unique Certificate of Authenticity.  read more

Code: 24421

An Original Good Size, Ancient Roman Bronze Encolpion Cross, Likely a High Status Pilgrim's or Bishop's Pendant Approximately 1400 Years old

A very early original Christian Roman reliquary from the Eastern Roman Empire of Constantinople, with an absolutely stunning bronze patination.
This reliquary cross bears many icons from Christian iconography: on the main side, the crucified Christ, dressed in the colobium. The hollow portion formed inside the cross was intended for the sacred relic that the faithful would have worn around the neck. the reverse side is Christ in the orans pose. The custom of carrying a relic was largely widespread, and many early bronze examples were later worn by the Crusader knights on their crusades to liberate the Holy Land. Relics of the True Cross became very popular from the 9th century, and were carried in cross-shaped reliquaries like this, often decorated with enamels, niellos, and precious stones. The True Cross is the name for physical remnants from the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. Many Catholic and Orthodox churches possess fragmentary remains that are by tradition believed to those of the True Cross. Saint John Chrysostom relates that fragments of the True Cross were kept in reliquaries "which men reverently wear upon their persons". A fragment of the True Cross was received by King Alfred from Pope Marinus I (Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, year 883). An inscription of 359, found at Tixter, in the neighbourhood of Sétif in Mauretania, was said to mention, in an enumeration of relics, a fragment of the True Cross, according to an entry in Roman Miscellanies, X, 441.

Fragments of the Cross were broken up, and the pieces were widely distributed; in 348, in one of his Catecheses, Cyril of Jerusalem remarked that the "whole earth is full of the relics of the Cross of Christ," and in another, "The holy wood of the Cross bears witness, seen among us to this day, and from this place now almost filling the whole world, by means of those who in faith take portions from it." Egeria's account testifies to how highly these relics of the crucifixion were prized. Saint John Chrysostom relates that fragments of the True Cross were kept in golden reliquaries, "which men reverently wear upon their persons." Even two Latin inscriptions around 350 from today's Algeria testify to the keeping and admiration of small particles of the cross. Around the year 455, Juvenal Patriarch of Jerusalem sent to Pope Leo I a fragment of the "precious wood", according to the Letters of Pope Leo. A portion of the cross was taken to Rome in the seventh century by Pope Sergius I, who was of Byzantine origin. "In the small part is power of the whole cross", says an inscription in the Felix Basilica of Nola, built by bishop Paulinus at the beginning of 5th century. The cross particle was inserted in the altar.

The Old English poem Dream of the Rood mentions the finding of the cross and the beginning of the tradition of the veneration of its relics. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle also talks of King Alfred receiving a fragment of the cross from Pope Marinus (see: Annal Alfred the Great, year 883). Although it is possible, the poem need not be referring to this specific relic or have this incident as the reason for its composition. However, there is a later source that speaks of a bequest made to the 'Holy Cross' at Shaftesbury Abbey in Dorset; Shaftesbury abbey was founded by King Alfred, supported with a large portion of state funds and given to the charge of his own daughter when he was alive – it is conceivable that if Alfred really received this relic, that he may have given it to the care of the nuns at Shaftesbury

Most of the very small relics of the True Cross in Europe came from Constantinople. The city was captured and sacked by the Fourth Crusade in 1204: "After the conquest of the city Constantinople inestimable wealth was found: incomparably precious jewels and also a part of the cross of the Lord, which Helena transferred from Jerusalem and [which] was decorated with gold and precious jewels. There it attained [the] highest admiration. It was carved up by the present bishops and was divided with other very precious relics among the knights; later, after their return to the homeland, it was donated to churches and monasteries.


We show in the gallery several carved marble Christian scenes from the tomb of the administrator of Rome from the 4th century Imperial Roman Empire, In his role as prefect, Junius Bassus was responsible for the administration of the city of Rome. When Junius Bassus died at the age of 42 in the year 359, a sarcophagus was made for him. As recorded in an inscription on the sarcophagus now in the Vatican collection, Junius Bassus had become a convert to Christianity shortly before his death. 52 mm  read more

Code: 24420

A Superb 19th Century Persuader Cosh

Also a so called, 'life preserver', concealable flexible head cosh that would once have been well concealed about a gentleman's person, within an inside overcoat pocket, or tucked through a waist belt. Based on a press gang club from the Georgian era In the Victorian era, after dark, city thoroughfares abounded with ruffians neer'do wells and garrotters. Police forces, in those days, were in their infancy, and the respectable and well heeled inhabitants, when travelling the streets and lanes of most cities, were understandably paranoid for their safety, so most protection had to be provided for by oneself, and all due precautions and defensive measures explored. This is a wonderful example of a club, known at the time as a life preserverWe detail an article from Punch Magazine, August 18th 1866, regarding a trial of some violent street attackers?.. "No less than six roughs, two of them garrotters, convicted at Manchester Assizes, of robbery with violence, were sentenced the other day by Mr. Justice Lush, to be, in addition to penal servitude, flogged with the cat-o'-nine-tails. ? If there is in his [the criminal's] nature any degree of latent sympathy, inactive from want of imagination, it can be stimulated to due activity only be a whipping which will give him considerable pain. All that pain is economy of pain; of so much pain as it saves respectable people from suffering by brutal violence. ? Some of the six scoundrels whipped at Manchester, being pachydermatous, made a show of bravado. To preclude this in future, let all such offenders be sentenced to be flogged two or three times."

Punch, August 18, 1866. We show several original Victorian Punch magazine and journal illustrations of several persons being accosted in the city streets by thugs, and a group of ladies and gentlemen walking in the road armed with coshes and clubs for protection [for information only].  read more

Code: 21139

A Very Good American Allen and Thurber Pepperbox Revolver Circa 1840

Nicely engraved multi barreled revolver made by a good American maker, Allen and Thurber in Norwich Connecticut. Good tight action and in great condition for it's age. Six revolving barrels with a nipple shield. Bar hammer and fine scroll engraving on the frame. Maker marked on the hammer bar, and 1837 patent and cast steel stamped on the barrel rib. American pepperbox revolvers of that era are rarely seen in the UK these days, and pepperbox revolvers are always highly collectable, as they represent most interesting examples of the first rung on the evolutionary ladder of the modern age revolver. The pepperbox was probably the most sought after multi-shot handgun during the 1840-1850 decade, being as the Colt revolver was just gaining popularity and gearing up for serious production ?and the pepperbox was carried in substantial quantities in California during the Gold Rush era. Most likely many pepperboxes were also still being carried as personal defense weapons during the Civil War by soldiers who were not affluent enough to afford a then more conventional revolver. The Pepper-box, known as the "Gun that won the East", was the most desirable repeating handgun prior to the invention of the revolving cylinder. Its name may have been coined by Samuel Clemens. As with all our antique guns, no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 22290

A Most Rarely Seen, Antique Ceremonial, Head-Hunters Sword 'Pusaka Magic' Dohong, A Borneo, Dyak Shamen's, Kayanic Art Ritual Sword, With a Carved, Twin-Head Hilt

This is an amazing dohong, a Borneo kayanic art carved twin headed hilt sword, given to a previous owner, by a Dyak headhunter shamen, with a hardened skin scabbard, possibly goatskin. It’s condition is superb with stunning natural age patina to the carved wooden hilt. Kayanic art is most distinctive in the depiction of carved heads, with an owl-like style of heart shaped face carving

There are a lot of intriguing interest about this most rare form of shamen's dohong when they appear. They can come in either dagger or short sword form, and both are rare, but due to the fact it was likely used mostly for ceremonial "pusaka magic", many have never seen such a piece to survive. Few such ceremonies had ever been seen by Westerners, as very few outsiders visited the inner Dayak tribes during the 19th century. Of course ceremonial Dyak shamen magic was not always benign, as it could often include head-hunting, so the reticence of strangers to attempt to view such ceremonies was highly understandable

There is however, a somewhat similar carved wood hilted double headed kyanic art example in the National Museum Wereldkulturen in Rotterdam, and from all the ones we have seen, although very few in number of course, they have had all manner of bespoke differences. See photo 10 of that particular similar sword in the gallery

Dayaks are a collection ethic groups that have traditionally lived in the forests in both the Malaysian and Indonesian sides of Borneo. They are distinguished from the Malay population in that for the most part they are not Muslims and distinguished from the Penan in that have traditionally been settled while the Penan were nomadic.

The Dayaks are former head hunters and the original "wild men of Borneo." They continued to practice headhunting after it was outlawed by the Dutch in the 19th century. Up until World War II most of them were river-dwelling head hunters. Now many have been Christianized and forced into settlements. Even though they were the original inhabitants of Borneo they are now greatly outnumbered by Malays and Indonesians. It is believed that most Dayaks lived along the coast until they were driven inland after the arrival of the Malays.

Dayak "psycho-navigators” use visions and dreams to help them find their way in the forest. Dayak shaman practitioners of the "Old Snake religion” describe a hidden highland lake where enormous aging pythons enjoy dancing under the light of the full moon to honor the forest god Aping. Many Dayaks are Christians who have incorporated animists concepts onto their belief scheme. Missionaries went through the trouble of backpacking in paints and brushes to make hellfire scenes on the sides of longhouses. On the positive side missionaries have helped the Dayak clear landing strips which can be used for medical emergencies.

James Brooke wrote in his journal in “Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido for the Suppression of Piracy”: “The Kayans of the north-west coast of Borneo have one custom in common with the wild tribe of Minkoka in the Bay of Boni. Both the Kayans and Minkokas on the death of a relative seek for a head; and on the death of their chief many human heads must be procured: which practice is unknown to the Dyak. It may further be remarked, that their probable immigration from Celebes is supported by the statement of the Millanows, that the Murut and Dyak give place to the Kayan whenever they come in contact, and that the latter people have depopulated large tracts in the interior, which were once occupied by the former. Source: “The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido For the Suppression of Piracy” by Henry Keppel and James Brooke (1847).

The Dayak perform elaborate death ceremonies in which the bones are disinterred for secondary reburial. The Ngaju Dayaks in the Mendawai area of Kalimantan keep alive their ancient burial rituals called Tiwah. Participants wear bizarre masks, with owl-like heart shaped faces, sing, and stage mock attacks. They exhume the bones of the dead, anoint and touch the bones and re-intern them in family “sandung”. (House-shaped boxes on stilts). In the old days headhunting was often include in the ritual.

Interestingly, despite returning from the darkest regions of the interior of Borneo, with this gifted sword, by the original vendors father, a former merchant ship captain, we were reminded, due to a mention from a regular viewer of our site, that we once had a somewhat similar style prestige sword from the Bamum or Tikar people of Cameroon. A tribe known for its similar highly talented artistry and carving. We couldn’t help wondering if there could once possibly have been a connection of some sort between these two native peoples due to the similarity of this wood-carvings artistry, despite around 7,000 mile distance between these peoples across the Indian Ocean. Could the Tikar peoples have made swords inspired by the Borneo version, or indeed could it be the other way around, and a Tikar sword found its way to Borneo. We may never know.

The captains son mentioned his father had a b&w photograph with the entire tribe’s elders after gifting him this sword. Apparently he became a most favoured ‘foreigner’ with the tribe due his supply of important necessities to them in ‘difficult times’. This may have been during the imminent Japanese invasions of that part of the world around the Indian Ocean in WW2.

The overall condition for age is excellent with just a small separation of the hide at the base of the scabbard. 28.5 inches long overall in scabbard, blade 16 inches long

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  read more

Code: 24466

A Beautiful Antique Edo Period 1598-1868 Tanto Signed Satsuma ju Yoshisane

In all original Edo period mounts fittings and saya, stunning ishime stone finish lacquer to the saya in pristine condition. Kozuka [utility knife] also signed with maker's signature. Pair of menuki of gold embellished flower sprays, iron silver inlaid kashira, gilt and nanko fuchi. Blade in full traditional stone polish showing a delightful notare hamon. A tanto would most often be worn by Samurai, and it was very uncommon to come across a non samurai with a tanto. It was not only men who carried these daggers, women would on occasions carry a small tanto called a kaiken in their obi which would be used for self-defence. In feudal Japan a tanto would occasionally be worn by Samurai in place of the wakizashi in a combination called the daisho, which roughly translates as big-little, in reference to the big Samurai Sword (Katana) and the small dagger (tanto). Before the rise of the katana it was more common for a Samurai to carry a tachi and tanto combination as opposed to a katana and wakizashi  read more

Code: 23506

A Stunning Ancient Koto Period Katana Circa 1400, Muromachi Era., Around 600 Years Old & Used From The The Warring States Period Sengoku jidai, From 1467 to 1567

Originally tachi or uchigatana mounted this fabulous and ancient sword was remounted likely 400 years ago as a katana. Signed tsuba decorated with a figure on a water buffalo and small pure gold inlaid dots. Gilt decorated fushi kashira, the fushi with depicting jungle fauna and the kashira with a takebori tiger. Gold silk bound tsuka over bronze shishi on black samegawa. Set off with a dark red stone finish lacquer saya. The blade has an incredibly beautiful and complex hamon pattern, with just a couple of thin, natural openings due to it's great age. The uchigatana was the predecessor to the katana as the battle-blade of feudal Japan's bushi (warrior class), and as it evolved into the later design, the two were often differentiated from each other only by how they were worn and by the fittings for the blades.
It was during the Mongol invasions that it was shown there were some weaknesses in the tachi sword which led to the development of the Katana.

The Warring States period (Sengoku jidai) lasted for the century from 1467 to 1567 although the wars and confusion of the age were not finally ended until the creation of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603. The name is drawn from a similar period of civil war in China. It saw the breakdown of central authority, and an extended period of wars between hundreds of local, independent strongmen. The end saw the emergence of new methods of authority which were finally able to achieve a moderate degree of political centralization (there still remained 250 local rulers, the daimyo) and, to everyone’s relief and satisfaction, relative peace.

In later Japanese feudal history, during the Sengoku and Edo periods, certain high-ranking warriors daimyo of what became the ruling class would wear their swords tachi mounted This sword would very likely have been used in the Onin War (1467-1477) which led to serious political fragmentation and obliteration of domains: a great struggle for land and power ensued among bushi chieftains and lasted until the mid-sixteenth century. Peasants rose against their landlords and samurai against their overlords, as central control virtually disappeared. An early Japanese print in the gallery shows a samurai receiving his reward of a fine tachi such as this one from his shugo daimyo lord.

The shugo daimyo were the first group of men to hold the title "daimyo". They arose from among the shugo during the Muromachi period. The shugo daimyo held not only military and police powers, but also economic power within a province. They accumulated these powers throughout the first decades of the Muromachi period.
The Onin War was a major uprising in which shugo daimyo fought each other. During this and other wars of the time, kuni ikki, or provincial uprisings, took place as locally powerful warriors sought independence from the shugo daimyo. The deputies of the shugo daimyo, living in the provinces, seized the opportunity to strengthen their position. At the end of the fifteenth century, those shugo daimyo who succeeded remained in power. Those who had failed to exert control over their deputies fell from power and were replaced by a new class, the "sengoku daimyo", who arose from the ranks of the shugodai'K and Ji-samurai.

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
28 inch blade length from tsuba to tip, 39 inches full length complete katana in saya, 9.65 inch Tsuka  read more

Code: 19532

A Very Attractive Pair of Boxed Edo Period Kogatana and Kogai, Samurai Sword Accessory Fittings Matsushiro Sinano school

In sinchu and silver a beautiful design of tosugu sword mountings from the Edo Matsushiro Sinano school. The kogatana blade is signed with lengthy cursive script, it could also be a story or poem but it is worn and difficult to read. A boxed pair of original Edo period, kogatana utility knife and samurai's kogai hair dressing piece. A Kogatana (小刀), or "small sword" in English is a small knife designed to be fitted within its Kozuka (handle). The Kogatana is a small utility knife that fits into a pocket if it has the option on the Saya.

A Kozuka (小柄), or "small handle" in English is a small Tsuka hilt designed to be fitted with the Kogatana blade It usually features various designs inspired by famous historical events or popular Katana-related designs.

The Kogai (笄) is a spike for hair arranging also used for various utility tasks, that fits into a pocket on the saya (similarly to the Kogatana).

The Kogatana and Kogai are the reasons why there are small holes on either or both sides of the Tsuba, so they can be pulled while the Katana is in its Saya. The kogakatana blade is often easily removable from the kozuka handle for ease of cleaning and replacement  read more

Code: 23943

A Koto Period O-Sukashi Katana Tsuba

Circa 1550. 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: 20314

A Most Scarce and Superb US Civil War, Savage North , Navy .36cal Revolver With “Trophy Cuts’ Issued to Either the Wisconsin, Missouri or Kansas Cavalry

A rare revolver that we are lucky to find only one or two a year, and this one is a particularly nice example. During the Civil War they were also acquired by Witcher’s Nighthawks, White’s Rebels, two Confederate cavalry regiments in Virginia, the 11th Texas Cavalry under Col. George Reeves, and the Union’s US Navy’s warships. Probably The most unusual and distinctive revolver ever made, and certainly the most distinctive revolver used during the American Civil War in the 1860s. Nothing was ever made before quite like it frankly since it has very modern features which were revolutionary at the time and utilised by just a few revolvers many decades. With four distinctive down stroke cuts and two cross cuts to the butt stock. This by tradition is recognised as trophy marks. One cut for each successful gunfight outcome. Produced in the 1860's. Standard three line address and patent markings on top of the frame above the cylinder. Henry North patent action, with a ring trigger for revolving the cylinder and cocking the hammer, and a second conventional trigger for firing, and a shared heart-shaped trigger guard. Very good fully operational action. Two-section cylinder, with the front section unfluted and the rear section fitted to the frame with cut-outs along the sides. Smooth grips with a distinctive blackstrap profile. One of the very scarce revolvers of the US Civil War. With good clear maker and patent markings. A very collectable pistol that were made in far fewer numbers than their sister guns, the Colt and the Remington. A very expensive gun in it's day, it had a complex twin trigger mechanism, and a revolving cylinder with a spring operated gas seal. One of our very favourite guns of the 19th century, that epitomises the extraordinary and revolutionary designs and forms of arms that were being invented at that time, and for it's sheer extravagance of complexity, combined with it's unique and highly distinctive profile. The Savage Navy Model, a six shot .36 calibre revolver, was made only from 1861 until 1862 with a total production of only 20,000 guns. This unique military revolver was one of the few handguns that was produced only for Civil War use. Its design was based on the antebellum Savage-North "figure eight" revolver, the Savage Navy had a unique way of cocking the hammer. The shooter used his middle finger to draw back the "figure 8" lever and then pushed it forward to cock the hammer and rotate the cylinder. The Union purchased just under 12,000 of these initially at $19.00 apiece for use by its cavalry units. Savage Navy revolvers were issued to the 1st and 2nd Wisconsin U.S. Volunteer Cavalry regiments, and 5th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry while the State of Missouri issued 292 Savage revolvers to its Missouri Enrolled Militia units. The remaining revolvers were purchased by private means and shipped to the Confederacy for use with the 34th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry (Witcher's Nighthawks), the 35th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry (White's Rebels), 11th Texas Cavalry, 7th Virginia Cavalry (Ashby's Cavalry), and 7th Missouri Cavalry. The United States Navy also made a small purchase of 800 Savages during 1861 for use on its ships. One of our very favourite guns of the 19th century, that epitomises the extraordinary and revolutionary Heath Robinsonseque designs and forms of arms, that were being invented at that time, and for it's sheer extravagance of complexity, combined with it's unique and highly distinctive profile. We show in the gallery three different original photos of Civil War soldiers, each one proudly carries his Savage revolver for information only, not included. In May 2018 a similar Savage Navy Revolver sold in auction in America for $48,875, naturally it was a very nice example. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 22325