We Speculate That This 2400 Year Old Sword Was Once The Sword of an Ancient Chinese King of Yueh, One Of the Nine Kings of Yueh, As It Is So Similar To The Sword of Goujian, King of Yueh, Now In The Hubei Museum in China, As to Be Remarkable

This fabulous treasure is so similar to another, that is now determined to have been made for one of the nine Kings of Yue, Goujian.
Goujian’s sword was discovered in a waterlogged tomb in the 1960's.
Ours is likely a combat fighting sword {as opposed for just for ceremonial dress, due to it's width of the blade at the ricasso}. One can see in the detailed photos this sword is covered in gold overlay but the natural ancient aging green surface encrustations now obscure most of this decor. See photo 4 in the gallery.

It was viewed the other day here by a Chinese visitor who is an assistant to the curator of an esteemed Chinese museum of antiquities, and he informed us that ancient Chinese swords such as this, decorated with enamels and gold, could only ever be carried and worn by the very highest ranked in the land.

Photo 8 shows our sword's hilt and another, very similar, to ours, very likely another King’s sword, exhibited in the Musee Guimet in Paris.

Formerly our sword was part of the Anthony Dove Collection, one of the foremost collectors of ancient Chinese swords, and joint author on the seminal academic research paper on the authentication of ancient Chinese swords and their metallurgical construction.

How often does a collector have the opportunity to acquire a fabulous sword that was likely once the sword of an ancient king.

Now known and established as 'The Sword of Goujian'. The sword in the museum in Hubei in China, has superbly chiselled or cast patterning at the forte of the blade that still contains some blue crystals and tortoise. Our sword has near identical stunning patterning {made by chiselling or casting} but our sword also has chiselling on the two grip rings and the pommel, that undoubtedly once contained the same crystals and turquoise inlays, but are no longer present.

With help from Wu's enemy Chu, Yue won after several decades of conflict. The famous Yue King Goujian destroyed and annexed Wu in 473 BC. During the reign of Wuqiang (無彊), six generations after Goujian, Yue was partitioned by Chu and Qi in 306 BC.
During its existence, Yue was famous for the quality of its metalworking, particularly its swords. Examples include the extremely well-preserved Swords of Goujian and Zhougou.

The King's Sword of Goujian still has, remarkably, all its original pure gold decor to the blade, ours has some remaining viewable as well, but much less so, due to aging.

Although the Hubei Museum’s king's sword is still amazingly sharp, thanks to its pristine condition, remarkably, so is ours. The exquisitely forged blade was made primarily of copper, but the edges likely have a higher tin content, making them harder and able to keep a sharper edge.

The Sword of Goujian still has its bird-worm script in gold engraved upon the blade face, and that script has been translated and thus after extensive research, has determined its ownership by the king, Goujian, ours may have indeed had such script, some of which is visible, possibly naming another such king, but no longer.

The Goujian King's sword, currently in Hubei Museum, has a total length of 22 inches, with a 3.3-inch hilt. The exquisitely forged blade was made primarily of copper, but the edges have a higher tin content, making them harder and able to keep a sharper edge. Both sides of the blade are decorated with a repeating rhombi pattern, their dark lines standing out from the sword’s overall golden hue. The guard, meanwhile, is inlaid with blue crystals and turquoise.

On one side of the blade are eight characters engraved in what is known as bird-worm seal script. Six of these ancient characters have been deciphered. The script reads: “King of Yue” and “made this sword for his personal use.” The other two characters could not be identified, but analysts believe that they state the name of the aforementioned King of Yueh.

These intriguing details provoked much debate as to the owner of the sword. Nine kings had ruled Yue during the period attributed to the sword, making identifying one as the true owner no easy task. But after studying both the sword and the tomb for many months, archaeologists, historians and Chinese linguists came to a consensus: The sword belonged to Goujian, who ruled the Kingdom of Yueh from 496 to 465 BC.

The earliest swords in China date back to the Bronze Age, around 1600 BC. This was a critical period in the development of ancient Chinese civilization. It was during this time that metalworking techniques were first developed and applied to the creation of weapons, swords included.

The earliest known examples of hand-forged bronze swords date back to the Shang Dynasty, and they were primarily used for ceremonial and symbolic purposes, rarely seeing real combat. The very first variations were quite simple, featuring a straight blade, some of which were single-edged and others were double-edged, as well as no guard or handle.

It wasn’t until the rise of the Zhou Dynasty that swords started becoming a lot more intricate. The blades of these swords were typically quite heavy and were often decorated with intricate patterns and designs to symbolize the prestige of the owner. Swordsmiths also began implementing a guard to their designs, as a means of protection for the wielder’s hand.

We describe below some of the known history of Goujian (句踐) (who reigned from 496–465 BC) as the king of the Kingdom of Yue (越國, present-day northern Zhejiang) near the end of the Spring and Autumn period (春秋).

He was the son of Marquis Yunchang.

Goujian's reign coincided with arguably the last major conflict of the Spring and Autumn period, the struggle between Wu and Yue, wherein he eventually led his state to victory, annexing the rival. As such, King Goujian is sometimes considered the last of the Five Hegemons.

The war between Wu and Yue comprised several separate phases. It began when a Yue princess, who was married to one of the princes of the neighboring state of Wu, left her husband and fled back to the State of Yue. This became the spark for the war to come. Also, as Yunchang developed Yue's strength, he came into conflict with King Helü of Wu, causing a feud between the two states.

Upon the death of Yunchang and the accession of Goujian, Helü seized the opportunity and launched an attack on Yue. At the Battle of Zuili (槜李之战), however, Yue defeated Wu, and King Helü was mortally wounded. Before his death, he instructed his son, the later King Fuchai of Wu, "Never forget Yue!" Yue would be defeated three years later by a resurgent Wu, and Goujian captured, to serve as Fuchai's servant for three years before he was eventually allowed to return to his native state.

Upon resuming his rule, King Goujian quickly appointed skilled politicians as advisors, such as Wen Zhong and Fan Li, to help build up the kingdom. During this time, his ministers also worked to weaken the State of Wu internally through bribes and diplomatic intrigue.

Whilst ruling his kingdom, Goujian never relished kingly riches, but instead ate food suited for peasants, as well as forcing himself to taste bile, in order to remember his humiliations while serving under the State of Wu. The second half of a Chinese idiom, wòxīn-chángdǎn (臥薪嚐膽, "sleeping on sticks and tasting gall"), refers to Goujian's perseverance.

After ten years of economic and political reforms, the last phase of the war began, by which time the State of Yue had come a long way from its previous defeat; as described in the Shiji, Ten years of reforms; the state is rich, the warriors well-rewarded. The soldiers charge in the face of arrows like thirsty men heading for drink... (修之十年，國富，厚賂戰士，士赴矢石，如渴得飲).

Taking advantage of Fuchai's expedition to his north to defeat Qi, Goujian led his army and successfully attacked the Wu capital, killing the Wu crown prince, You. In the 24th year of his reign (473 BC), Goujian led another expedition against Wu, laying siege to the capital for three years before it fell. When a surrender from Fuchai was refused, Fuchai committed suicide and Wu was annexed by Yue. After his victory, Goujian ruthlessly killed Fuchai's scholars, even those who helped him (including Bo Pi), not allowing himself to make the same mistake Fuchai had made by sparing the lives of his enemies. However, Goujian would not stop there; he would later force Wen Zhong to commit suicide; Fan Li, knowing that Goujian was a man who can share woe but not wealth together, left Goujian after the defeat of Wu.

King Goujian's army is known for a common misconception: scaring its enemies before battle with a front line formed by criminals sentenced to death who committed suicide by decapitating themselves. However, in the passage, "越王句踐使死士挑戰，三行，至吳陳，呼而自剄。", the literal translation of "死士" is "soldiers (who are) willing to die", not "criminals sentenced to death". "自剄" means to "commit suicide by cutting one's throat," which was a common way to end one's own life in Ancient China

In the gallery, photograph 2 shows our sword in the middle, to its left is the sword of Goujian, and to its right, a sword in the Metropolitan Museum. all incredibly similar, but in different stages of preservation. Photo 3 in the gallery is our sword's hilt on the left, and the Sword of Goujian on its right. the similarity is amazing. Photo 4 in the gallery is a close up of our blade sections that shows the original surface of gold, with what appears to be what remains of archaic script characters, possibly, one could speculate, it was the name of the king for whom it made and thus belonged. Photo 8 shows our sword's hilt and another, very similar, now in a Paris museum, the Musee Guimet. The Paris sword hilt still has its turquoise and enamel inlay still present and in place.

From a large collection of antiquities, swords daggers that recently arrived, many pieces sold for the part benefit of the Westminster Abbey fund, and the Metropolitan Museum fund

This is from part two of a stunning collection of original archaic bronze age Zhou dynasty weaponry . Many are near identical to other similar examples held in the Metropolitan in New York, the British royal collection, and such as the Hunan Provincial Museum, Hunan, China.
From the Tony Dove F.S.A. Collection, formed circa 1970's, one of England’s most revered and respected collectors, especially early silver, & he was a past honorary President of London’s Silver Spoon Society, and learned joint contributor to many scientific appraisals on ancient Chinese swords

Sword total length 20 1/4 inches long, 4 inch hilt

Ref; SOME OBSERVATIONS ON EARLY CHINESE BRONZE SWORDS
By
Anthony Dove, and Alan Williams {The Wallace Collection} 65 publications  read more

Code: 24846

A Wonderful, 18th Century Shinto Period Samurai Horse Armour Abumi, Made by Master Katsuo Nagatsugu of Kanezawa In Kaga. Used By The Samurai To Stand Up, Off The Saddle Upon The Horse, At The Gallop, And Simulatanously Fire His War Bow.

This incredibly beautiful Kaga zougan abumi, a stunning work of art as much as a piece of vital samurai battle armour, is a signed armoured samurai stirrup, made in wrought iron and silver of exceptional quality, and craftsmanship and bears stunningly beautiful silver inlay of scrolling vines, leaves and berries. Made by one of the great master armour makers in Kaga province.

We have only ever had one other made by this great master in 50 years, and that was around six years ago.

This is truly noteworthy museum grade work of art in its own right. An absolutely singular example, perfectly displaying the skill and technical craftsmanship of the highest order, for antique Japanese accoutrements, handmade for a samurai Daimyo clan lord or for a Seieibushi samurai the highest ranking of the samurai Made and used as part of his armour saddle fittings, but also for use as much when the samurai was in full armour or in regular daytime wear. The signature, of the master craftsman, is inlaid in pure silver to match the decor, translates to 'Made by Katsuo Nagatsugu residing in Kanezawa in Kaga province' a most highly rated and famous maker of finest abumi.

Some examples of his work are in the Kanezawa Museum in Japan.
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.Beautiful and sophisticated patterns in Kaga zougan have an outstanding, keen feel for designs and such fine expression is supported by the minute methods. The craftsman carves the pattern part on the metallic basis material with a burin (tagane in Japanese), making the bottom wider than the surface (this method is called "ari wo kiru" in Japanese) and inserts and drives in a different metal in the part.
Then, the metallic part for the pattern is pressed and spread inside and does not come off itself. This bonding technology was closely employed especially in Kaga to enable to express variously on the metal for expressive work and gained a high reputation as for the solid work.

Of all the techniques, "Abumi" (stirrup) has been a synonym for Kaga zougan and well known for the scrupulous technique making sure that the metallic parts of Kaga zougan never come off, in addition to its excellent novel designs and beauty.  read more

Code: 22106

A Rare Collection of Three Original Early Edo Woodblock Hand Printed Books of Samurai Sword Oshigata, of Blade Forms Hamon and Kanji. Ideal For A Scholar Of Samurai Sword Master Makers, Or, A Collector Of Rare Samurai Sword History. Rarely Seen In England

Genealogy, history, plus hundreds of Samurai blades, engravings, blade patterns plus more
swords and sword making. An early printing and of amazing interest. For the not only academic study of the signatures on blade tangs, plus hamon patterns and horimono {blade decorative carvings} by old samurai sword master swordsmiths, but to wonder of the unique aspects of each sword blade and how the reverential study of all aspects of sword making that is unique to Japan for over 1000 years. These superb and beautiful hand made volumes are thus also fascinating and unique works or art, in themselves, hundreds of years old, and created for the study and enjoyment of the art of the true samurai sword.

These volumes of hand made, hand woodblock printed books, detail many aspects of very special swords and their makers. For example, one section of the volumes show hand drawn versions of smiths hamon temper lines the specialised hardening process of every sword’s edge.

Yaki-ire: Hardening the Edge
The hardening of the edge is in many ways the most important, and the most difficult, aspect of the sword-making process. It is the hardening of the edge that gives the blade its ability to take and retain amazing sharpness. To begin with, the blade is coated in yakibatsuchi, a mixture of water, clay, ash, and other ingredients. Every smith has his own special recipe, often a closely kept secret. The yakibatsuchi is applied over the surface, thicker along the spine and thinner at the edge. Working in a darkened forge room using only the light of the glowing coals, the smith carefully heats the blade. As the temperature rises, crystal structures within the metal begin to change. The smith carefully observes the color of the glowing blade, and when the critical temperature is reached the sword is quickly quenched in a trough of water.

At the critical temperature, around 750°C, the structure of steel changes to austenite, a phase where carbon thoroughly combines with iron. When the blade is quickly cooled by quenching, austenite changes to martensite, the hardest type of steel. However, where the thick yakibatsuchi was applied, the blade will cool more slowly, turning not into martensite but instead forming ferrite and pearlite, which are softer and more flexible. Like the kawagane and shingane, this combination of hard edge and softer body is what gives the blade its desirable qualities.

The hardening of the edge also creates a visible change in the surface of the metal. Depending on the way in which the clay mixture was applied, a variety of effects can be produced. This edge pattern is called the hamon, and is one of the most important aspects in the aesthetic appearance of a blade. Like the jihada, each of these patterns has a specific name. Suguha, for example, is a very straight hamon, while sanbonsugi describes a zigzag line in clusters of three.

After the hardening of the edge, if the smith is satisfied with the appearance and quality of the blade, it is then passed on to the polisher, who will give the blade its final partial mirrorlike polish, with a mixture of light and shade, displaying many different shades of grey steel, and then other craftsmen will make the scabbard {saya} and sword mountings {koshirae}. Complete mountings have many elements, including metalwork such as tsuba and menuki, lacquered wood, silk cords and wrapping, and ray-skin grips. Though these are all works of art in themselves, and some of these fittings can indeed be almost priceless in their beauty quality and indeed value, in their own right, but the blade remains the true centerpiece of the finished work, and in fact the age of the blade dictates the time period of the age of the whole sword, despite how ever old or young it’s additional fittings may be. It combines to be an example of the ingenuity of centuries of Japanese smiths and their desire to achieve the perfect blend of technology and art.  read more

Code: 24737

A Most Fine & Beautiful, Rare 18th Century Antique, Fijian Ula Drisia South Seas Island Warrior’s Throwing Club. From the Captain Cook Period Showing Excellent Natural Age Patination

Captain James Cook sighted Fiji during his second voyage in 1774, specifically sighting the island of Vatoa. However, he did not land on or explore any other Fijian islands during that voyage. While Cook's sighting is noted, some travel sites say he's credited with combining the Tongan name "Fisi" and the Fijian name "Viti" to arrive at the name "Fiji".

Superbly patinated root ball with geometrically carved handle. The ula was the most personal weapon of the Fijian warrior and was inserted into a man's fibre girdle sometimes in pairs like pistols. The throwing of the ula was achieved with great skill, precision and speed. It was often carried in conjunction with a heavier full length club or spear which served to finish an opponent after initially being disabled by a blow from the ula. Was made by a specialist from a variety of uprooted bushes or shrubs. Across 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from east to west, Fiji has been a nation of many languages. Fiji's history was one of settlement but also of mobility. Over the centuries, a unique Fijian culture developed. Constant warfare and cannibalism between warring tribes were quite rampant and very much part of everyday life. During the 19th century, Ratu Udre Udre is said to have consumed 872 people and to have made a pile of stones to record his achievement."Ceremonial occasions saw freshly killed corpses piled up for eating. 'Eat me!' was a proper ritual greeting from a commoner to a chief. The posts that supported the chief's house or the priest's temple would have sacrificed bodies buried underneath them, with the rationale that the spirit of the ritually sacrificed person would invoke the gods to help support the structure, and "men were sacrificed whenever posts had to be renewed" . Also, when a new boat, or drua, was launched, if it was not hauled over men as rollers, crushing them to death, "it would not be expected to float long" . Fijians today regard those times as "na gauna ni tevoro" (time of the devil). The ferocity of the cannibal lifestyle deterred European sailors from going near Fijian waters, giving Fiji the name Cannibal Isles; as a result, Fiji remained unknown to the rest of the world. The handle has a natural age split at the base.  read more

Code: 20896

Important & Historical Letter From Vice Admiral Hood Aboard HMS Victory with Nelson Regarding Their Combat At Toulon Against Napoleon In 1793. HMS Victory, Nelson's Flagship at The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805

A significant signed letter detailing the {temporary} victory of Hood and Nelson against Napoleon Bonaparte in his command as a Colonel Of Artillery For the Revolutionary French army, just before he turned the October loss into a French victory in December. and was promoted to General, then Ist Consul of France in 1799, then Emperor of France in 1804

One of the greatest and most famous Royal Naval Admirals. One of Britain's most famous Battle Ships was named in his honour HMS Hood, that was lost in combat in WW2, sunk by the Bismarck

Dated 3rd October 1793. by Admiral Hood, Horatio Nelson's commanding officer at the Siege of Toulon, where Napoleon was commanding the French Artillery before he became the leader of France .
This is a historically important letter for several reasons. It is signed and dated by one of England's greatest admirals, it was written and sent from the British flagship HMS. Victory, Horatio Nelson was there at the time under the command of Hood on his ship, and Napoleon Bonaparte was commanding the French artillery there against Hood and Nelson at the time of writing.
It would look simply amazing if bespoke framed with fine mounting and possibly complete with a fine print of HMS Victory or Admiral Hood. Regarding the Siege of Toulon just weeks before it fell. Two pages of foolscap, written on three sides, on correct 18th century Admiralty paper bearing Brittannia watermark, with date, location, name position and signature of Admiral Lord Hood. Personally hand written and signed aboard HMS Victory, by Admiral Lord Hood, addressed to Philip Stephens, First Secretary of the Admiralty and great friend of Capt. James Cook, to present to the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty, his congratulations on a most Brilliant and complete Victory over the troops of General Carteaux Commander-in-chief of the Army before Toulon. It was at this engagement, part of the Siege of Toulon, that a young Corsican, a captain in command of artillery, Napoleon Buonaprte gained huge success, and the praises of the Generals, Committee of Public Safety, Augustin Robespierre and Antoine Christophe Saliceti, and thus his eventual promotion to Brigadier -General for his skill in his command of the batteries during the siege. The young artillery captain, Napoleon Bonaparte was appointed as Carteaux's new artillery commander. With the backing of the all-powerful Robespierre and Saliceti, the dynamic Bonaparte quickly devised a plan for the capture of the forts l'Eguillette and Balaguier. Bonaparte correctly surmised that the capture of these would allow accurate fire to be brought to bear on the Anglo-Neapolitan fleet and force it to abandon Toulon just after this letter was written. From this very siege Napoleon gained the influence and power that eventually changed the history of Europe forever. The significance of this event, it's highly important connecting points of the three great heroes, Hood, Napoleon and Bonaparte cannot be underestimated in it's position in world history. On 28 August, Admiral Sir Samuel Hood of the Royal Navy and Admiral Juan de Longara of the Spanish Navy, committed a force of 13,000 British, Spanish, Neapolitan and Piedmontese troops to the French royalists' cause. This was a serious blow to the arms of the republic, as it was a key naval arsenal of the country, with 26 ships of the line based there at the time (about one third of the total available to the French Navy). If France were to lose this port, there was no hope for her naval ambitions. Which would mean by proxy that any ambition to challenge the Allies, and specifically the British, for control of the seas would be out of the question. Not only that, but its loss could set a dangerous precedent for other areas that menaced the republic with revolt. The survival of the Republic was at stake. On 1 October, Baron d'Imbert proclaimed the young Louis XVII to be king of France, and hoisted the French royalist flag of the fleur de lys, delivering the town of Toulon to the British navy. It was not until 1793 that Napoleon was first able to demonstrate his ability to grasp the significant moment, to devise the successful strategy, to lead from the front and by example. In this year the year in which Louis XVI had been guillotined, at the beginning of what was to become The Terror Napoleon, now a twenty-four-year-old artillery captain, was given the opportunity to take control of artillery for the siege of Toulon.

At this time, there were still significant pockets of royalist insurrection against the revolution throughout the provinces, especially in the western Vendee region and in the South East. When royalist Marseille was retaken in August by the Jacobins, with appalling reprisals, the counter-revolutionaries holding Toulon called on the British Royal Navy to help them, along with their Spanish and other allies. Britain had been at war with France since the formation of the First Coalition of European allies against revolutionary France, formed earlier that year after the execution of Louis XVI.

The English fleet anchored in the harbour at Toulon was commanded by Rear Admiral Hood. Captain Horatio Nelson was with Hood's fleet, in command of the 64-gun third-rater Agamemnon. Britain's renewed conflict with France in 1793 meant officers of Nelson?s experience were required. He was given command of HMS Agamemnon on 30 January 1793. Nelson sailed to the Mediterranean in May 1793, joining Lord Hood's fleet blockading the French fleet in Toulon. Josiah, his stepson, accompanied him. His wife, Fanny, was left to worry about the dangers they faced. Nelson's letters to her at this time showed signs that their relationship was under strain. Hood ordered Nelson to Naples to seek King Ferdinand IV's help in defending Toulon against French republicans. Nelson made this request through Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803), the British envoy, at the Palazzo Sessa. It was here in September 1793 that he met Emma Hamilton, the envoy's second wife, aged 28, who was reputed to be one of the most beautiful women of her time. Nelson informed Fanny that Lady Hamilton has been wonderfully kind and good to Josiah She is a young woman of amiable manners?who does honour to the station to which she is raised? (Nicolas, Volume 1, page 326). Having negotiated a promise of 6,000 troops for the siege of Toulon, Nelson returned there to be ordered to join Commodore Robert Linzee's squadron in Tunis. Linzee was in negotiation with the Bey to hand over a French squadron under his protection. En route, on 22 October 1793, Nelson fell in with some French frigates and engaged the Melpomone, but his ship was beaten off by superior forces. The diplomatic mission to Tunis proved unsuccessful. Nelson considered Linzee's approach too cautious, I should have taken every Frenchman here without negotiating; even had the negotiations taken place, I would have had the French men-of-war and believe that the people of England will never blame an officer for taking a French line of Battle ships
The Hood family, from 1st Viscount Hood down was a lineage that has produced some of the greatest fighting men to serve in the Royal Navy. Battle Cruiser H.M.S. Hood (1920-1941) Named in honour of the 1st Viscount Admiral Hood was the third and most famous ship to bear the name, the legendary battle cruiser that during her 21 year long career, she, more than any other ship, would stand as the ultimate symbol of the Empire's might. Of all the vessels to bear the name, she was the most important, most memorable and most loved. She was lost with all hands bar three in her catastrophic engagement with the German Heavy Cruiser Prinz Eugen and the German Battleship Bismarck at the Battle of Denmark Strait 24th May 1941. Original letter shown with a newly typed version for reading assistance.  read more

Code: 22821

North Vietnamese Army Mortar KM-1 Rocket Artillery Level With Leather Pouch

Issued to the so-called Vietcong {a US army made up term for the North Vietnamese soldiers} crews for indirect fire rocket artillery weapons for adjusting their barrel toward the proper angle.

The North Vietnamese often sourced these rocket instruments from a few friendly government suppliers, mostly Soviet Russia, but the Soviet ones had screw fixings to the dial and cyrillic markings. This one has a plain dial, with no lettering, thus, possibly from a source country that was not keen for America to know it was making military equipment for North Vietnam.  read more

Code: 25840

Most Rare Original Officer's Battledress Tunic WW2 Issue, For Capt Devos Gloucestershire Regt. Special Forces and Intelligence Officer

Acquired as part of a single officer's WW2 special forces kit of Capt. Devos.

He served in the war in France and Germany {possibly elsewhere} and was promoted through to Lt. In 1944, and Capt. in early 1945. His officer's tunic denotes he was in the Gloucestershire Regt. His tunic is named, as are all his special forces, secret intelligence, and weapons training manual etc. plus his other kit and FS commando knife.. Also it came with an early war Brodie helmet with Div. Flash tricolour of red whit and blue. His tunic is a super piece, {with some old past mothing} with all his wartime patches etc.

We also had his Sam Browne with a .45 cal holster that has been cut and customised for quicker draw. Plus his '42 dated canvas belt and '43 dated holster. Compass pouch dated '42.

We are selling all as separate lots as not all collectors collect all things. His intelligence service document portfolio is shown in the gallery {now sold}

Most of his kit is now sold, only this tunic remains and has been offered for sale last.  read more

Code: 25839

A Really Scarce WWI US Army 'Doughboy' Canvas Webbing Grenade Vest Pack Dated 1918. In Superb Condition.

Made by the Troy Carriage Sunshade Co. May 1918. 11 flap pockets in excellent condition. US inspector stamped.
Original American Army service kit of WW1 is really rare in the UK, and this is a superb example.

"Doughboy" was a popular nickname for US infantry soldiers, particularly during World War I. The origin of the term is debated, but it's widely believed to stem from the Civil War, possibly referencing the large brass buttons on uniforms or a practice of using clay to whiten uniform piping. Regardless of the exact origin, "Doughboy" became the common nickname for American soldiers in WWI, especially those serving in the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF).

According to the "Manual for Hand Bombers and Rifle Grenadiers", published in July 1918,

The number of grenades which can be carried by each man will be determined by the distance he has to travel, the condition of the ground and the general physique of the man. These points demand the most careful consideration, as the overloading of the men has frequently had disastrous results.

The following approximate numbers are given as a guide:

Hand Bomber Section

(a) Scouts, throwers and N.C.O.'s, each man 7 grenades

(B) carriers, each man 14 grenades



Rifle Grenadier Section

(a) Rifle grenadier, each 7 grenades

(B) Rifle grenadier carrier, each 14 grenades

All other infantrymen taking part in the

attack, each man 2 Rifle or hand grenades

Carrying parties, each man 14 grenades  read more

Code: 17220

A Very Fine Napoleonic, Ist Empire, General Staff Officer's Sabre. Three Bar Hilt with Deluxe Imperial General Staff Officer's Scabbard. Another Museum Grade Historical Piece We Are Privileged To Offer

A fabulous Ist Empire deluxe quality Light Cavalry pattern staff officer's sabre with three bar guard hilt, called in France the "Hunter-style".

Overall in excellent plus condition for its age, with original wire bound leather grip.

During the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars the French armies had approximately 2,000,000 plus serving soldiers, of those there were around 2000 generals commanding them in the armies of France, directly under their commander-in-chief, the Emperor Napoleon. However, for example, at the Battle of Borodino, Napoleon lost 1928 of his officer's including 49 Generals, in just one day!

This sword would have been used and carried in combat by one of those officer's on Napoleon's general staff. Napoleon was, and remains, famous for his battlefield victories, and historians have spent enormous attention in analysing them.

Napoleon had numerous general staff officer's. However, a general in the field would have a relatively smaller cadre of officers supporting them.. Whether they were on Napoleon's staff or the staff of a general, their function was the same, to gather reports from field officers, précis them and ensure Napoleon and the generals have the right information. Then take Napoleon's or the general’s high level orders and ensure they get to the correct field officers, which may mean encoding them by hand.
Manage all the logistics, ensure that all the units are supplied with food, equipment and munitions.

In 2008, Donald Sutherland wrote:

The ideal Napoleonic battle was to manipulate the enemy into an unfavourable position through manoeuvre and deception, force him to commit his main forces and reserve to the main battle and then undertake an enveloping attack with uncommitted or reserve troops on the flank or rear. Such a surprise attack would either produce a devastating effect on morale, or force him to weaken his main battle line. Either way, the enemy's own impulsiveness began the process by which even a smaller French army could defeat the enemy's forces one by one.

After 1807, Napoleon's creation of a highly mobile, well-armed artillery force gave artillery usage increased tactical importance. Napoleon, rather than relying on infantry to wear away the enemy's defences, could now use massed artillery as a spearhead to pound a break in the enemy's line. Once that was achieved he sent in infantry and cavalry. The Napoleonic Wars brought radical changes to Europe, but the reactionary forces returned to power and tried to reverse some of them by restoring the Bourbon house on the French throne. Napoleon had succeeded in bringing most of Western Europe under one rule. In most European countries, subjugation in the French Empire brought with it many liberal features of the French Revolution including democracy, due process in courts, abolition of serfdom, reduction of the power of the Catholic Church, and a demand for constitutional limits on monarchs. The increasing voice of the middle classes with rising commerce and industry meant that restored European monarchs found it difficult to restore pre-revolutionary absolutism and had to retain many of the reforms enacted during Napoleon's rule. Institutional legacies remain to this day in the form of civil law, with clearly defined codes of law an enduring legacy of the Napoleonic Code.

While Napoleon is best known as a master strategist and charismatic presence on the battlefield, he was also a tactical innovator. He combined classic formations and tactics that had been used for thousands of years with more recent ones, such as Frederick the Great's "Oblique Order" (best illustrated at the Battle of Leuthen) and the "mob tactics" of the early Levée en masse armies of the Revolution. Napoleonic tactics and formations were highly fluid and flexible. In contrast, many of the Grande Armée's opponents were still wedded to a rigid system of "Linear" (or Line) tactics and formations, in which masses of infantry would simply line up and exchange vollies of fire, in an attempt to either blow the enemy from the field or outflank them. Due to the vulnerabilities of the line formations to flanking attacks, it was considered the highest form of military manoeuvre to outflank one's adversary. Armies would often retreat or even surrender if this was accomplished. Consequently, commanders who adhered to this system would place a great emphasis on flank security, often at the expense of a strong centre or reserve. Napoleon would frequently take full advantage of this linear mentality by feigning flank attacks or offering the enemy his own flank as "bait" (best illustrated at the Battle of Austerlitz and also later at Lützen), then throw his main effort against their centre, split their lines, and roll up their flanks. He always kept a strong reserve as well, mainly in the form of his Imperial Guard, which could deliver a "knockout blow" if the battle was going well or turn the tide if it was not.

Overall the condition is stunning . The scabbard's inner and outer side has just a very few surface contact bruises. In the 20th century generals plotted campaigns and were not often in the thick of combat. In the Napoleonic wars era general staff officers fought, more often than not alongside their men in hand to hand combat, hence, Napoleon lost so many of his general staff officers.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury, Britain's most famous, favourite, and oldest original Armoury Antique store, 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, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.  read more

Code: 25315

A Very Fine .36 Calibre Colt Navy London Revolver, 1851 Model Navy Manufactured in 1855, Probably The Most Iconic Revolver of the 19th Century. A Fine, Original, "Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Calibre."

An absolute beauty. All matching serial numbers, good spring action, holds and fires on first cock. Bright and very clear surface polish overall with no pitting to the surface visible. Some small age losses to the wooden grips and a small steel loss at the very top of the blackstrap screw housing. One of the 42,000 superb revolvers made in the London factory, used in all the major conflicts of the day, from the Crimean War, Indian Mutiny to the American Civil War and beyond in the American Wild West era.

The designation "Colt 1851 Navy" was designated by collectors, though the popular name "Navy Revolver" is of early origin, as the gun was frequently called the "Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber." The cylinder was often engraved with a scene of the victory of the Second Texas Navy at the Battle of Campeche in May 16, 1843. The Texas Navy had purchased the earlier Colt Paterson Revolver, but this was Colt's first major success in the gun trade; the naval theme of the engraved cylinder of the Colt 1851 Navy revolver was Colt's gesture of appreciation. Despite the "Navy" designation, the revolver was chiefly purchased by civilians and military land forces. Famous "Navy" users included Wild Bill Hickok, William Buffalo Bill Cody, John Henry "Doc" Holliday, Richard Francis Burton, Ned Kelly, Bully Hayes, Richard H. Barter, Robert E. Lee, Nathan B. Forrest, John O'Neill, Frank Gardiner, Quantrill's Raiders, John Coffee "Jack" Hays, "Bigfoot" Wallace, Frederick Townsend Ward, Ben McCulloch, Addison Gillespie, John "Rip" Ford, "Sul" Ross and most Texas Rangers prior to the Civil War. Usage continued long after more modern cartridge revolvers were introduced in 1873. Wild Bill Hickok was a legendary character in the Old West and a great exponent of the Colt Navy 1851. Wild Bill arrived in the West initially as a stage coach driver and later became a Lawman in the territories around Kansas and Nebraska. He fought during the American Civil War on the side of the Union Army and achieved renown afterwards as a scout, gambler and gunfighter. During his time as a Lawman Wild Bill engaged in many shootouts, and with his Colt Navy 1851 he was a very accurate and deadly shot, more so as he always remained calm, cool and collected in a shoot out, whilst the other party was nervous and scared. Hickok's guns were inscribed they also had ivory handles and were quite special pieces. Apparently they were both engraved with the words J.B. Hickok 1869. He was presented the guns in 1869 by Senator Henry Wilson of Massachusetts for his services as scout for a hunting trip. It was said to have been remarked by a Colt Navy owner "A Gentleman would not want to appear armed, but would not be so foolish as to go unarmed.

However, the most famous gunman who favoured the Navy above other arms was James Butler (“Wild Bill”) Hickok. He was fast and deadly, and long before he was murdered in Deadwood, Dakota Territory in 1876, he had acquired the title “Prince of Pistoleers.”
The 1851 Navy is believed to have been Sam Colt’s personal favorite. The evidence is derived from the only image of Colt with a weapon. The revolver that is in that picture is the Navy. Colt’s personal revolvers seemed to have been an engraved pair of Navies with ivory grips displaying a horse head. In addition to the portrait, Colt favored the Navy for presentation to individuals who could help his business. Among the many recipients of these beautifully engraved gifts were President Franklin Pierce, Secretary of War John B. Floyd, Sam Houston, Czar Nicholas, and Colonel Thomas Lally.

42’000 were produced in London, England, with state-of-the-art machines and dedicated production lines; back then the most technologically advanced factories in the world. The designation "Colt 1851 Navy" was designated by collectors, though the popular name "Navy Rev." is of early origin, as the gun was frequently called the "Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Calibre."

As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables.

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, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.  read more

Code: 24708