18th Century Royal Naval 100 Gunner Ship-Of-The-Line, Gunner's Cannon Priming Flask, Made and Used from the American Revolution, the Battle of Trafalgar and Beyond. Bearing a Royal Naval Ordnance Crown Stamp

King George IIIrd period. Used in the Royal Navy from the 1770's onwards. This is from a wonderful very small collection of fine, early, British Royal Naval pieces that we acquired. A traditional and most rare King George IIIrd period, 18th century gunner's flask, used on board a warship for likely 50 years or more, into the early 19th century of the Admiral Nelson period, and through the Napoleonic Wars.

A Royal Naval gunner's priming powder flask, of polished cow horn body, with traditional turned wooden base with screw threaded removable handle, with Royal Naval Ordnance Crown Stamp {see photo 10}, turned brass and spring actioned pouring spout, and two iron carrying rings.

A near identical example is in Oxford University's Pitt Rivers Museum that came from a gunner serving on HMS Victory at Trafalgar see photo in the gallery In the firing naval cannon at Trafalgar, huge amounts of gunpowder were required to fire them, and the cannon were ignited with very fine quality, fine ground priming powder poured into the touch hole. Young boys, often known as powder monkeys, would haul gunpowder to the gun decks within barrels. Cow horns flasks, with brass spring actioned spouts, just such as this one, were used to contain the fine grain priming powder, which was poured into the pan of the touch hole of each cannon before firing. The example that can be seen photographed in our gallery was donated to the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford by the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum (now Wellcome Institute) in 1952, it is said to have belonged to a gunner on Admiral Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory.
The Victory famously led a fleet of twenty-seven British ships to victory over Napoleon's forces at the Battle of Trafalgar in October 1805, although Nelson himself sustained a mortal injury aboard deck. Because the vast majority of an 18th century ship's armament was mounted in its broadside, fleets typically formed into a single line ahead in preparation for battle. This simplified command and control each ship could simply follow the ship in front and enabled the fleet to uniformly arrange its firepower along a continuous formation with no weak spots. The line was sometimes divided into van (forward), centre, and rear divisions under subordinate commanders. Maintenance of a continuous, unbroken line was important. If the enemy was able to position directly ahead or behind a friendly ship, he would be comparatively safe from attack (as only a handful of guns fired directly ahead or astern) and could concentrate his broadside against the weakest parts of his target the lightly constructed bow and stern. For this reason, fleet battles often resolved into two parallel lines of ships edging towards each other with each ship indecisively facing its opposite. More aggressive admirals sought ways to overcome this tactical stalemate, concentrating their force against a smaller portion of the enemy by breaking the line.

Firing began once the fleets closed within range. At the extreme, cannon shot might reach the enemy at ranges up to a mile, but British commanders often held their fire until the ships had closed to only a few hundred yards, or even less. The adversaries would then pour fire into one another, shattering hulls, masts, rigging, and men with heavy cannon shot. Individual ships might surrender by hauling down (striking) their colours when disabled by damage or casualties. As a last resort, a ship might be forced to surrender through boarding. Battle usually continued until one side disengaged or the sun set though a number of battles were fought partly or entirely in the dark.

Priming powder was a refined type of gunpowder that ignited more easily and so it was important to use the right amount. Too much powder could be catastrophic, too little powder might prevent ignition of the main charge in the breech, resulting in just a flash in the pan. Here, a brass mounted spring catch helped control the amount that was poured out. Two screw hooks can be seen where the horn would have been attached to a belt or baldrick and slung around the gunner?s torso, and it could be refilled by unscrewing the wooden stopper at the broad end.

Horn was an ideal material for powder flasks as it was readily available and provided a natural container; unlike metal it was not liable to create sparks that might accidentally ignite the powder inside; and it was also translucent when held up to the light, so it was possible to see how much powder was left.

See photos 8 and 9 in the gallery that shows the identical gunner's priiming flask on board HMS Victory, as part of the museum's display

This flask is just under 11 inches long.  read more

Code: 22928

A Very Rare Antiquity of Ancient Roman Empire. The 1st Roman Legion, Late 1st century AD, Rectangular Building Block With Stamped Text 'LEG I ITAL' for 1st Legion 'Italica';

A notable and substantial piece formerly from the renown Scammell Collection of ancient artifacts. Its original mortar is still attached to the reverse. LEG I ITAL was the first legion raised by Emperor Nero in September 66 AD. In 181 AD, Marcus Valerius Maximianus, an important Roman general, was the general of the 1st Legion Italica, and he was a confident of Emperor Marcus Aurelias, during the period of the Marcomannic Wars. It is said he inspired the composite fictional general Maximus Decimus Meridius, the main character and Roman General in Gladiator played by Russell Crowe, and it was the Marcomannic wars that are depicted in the earliest scenes in Gladiator in which the fictional Marcus Valerius Maximis was a commanding general. Marcus Valerius Maximianus was placed in charge of detachments of the praetorian fleets of Misenum and Ravenna and also of African and Moorish cavalry used for scouting duties in Pannonia. While on active service with the cavalry Maximianus killed a Germanic chieftain named as "Valao, chief of the Naristi" with his own hand and was publicly praised by the Emperor, who granted him the chieftain's "horse, decorations and weapons". He was appointed prefect of the lance-bearing cavalry and was in charge of the cavalry. The Ist Legion was still based on the Danube in the 5th century. We show a Roman marble bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius who was played by Richard Harris in Gladiator. The main fighting unit of the Roman army was the legion. During the first three centuries of the empire the army contained between 25 and 34 legions. Each legion was made up of about 5000 men recruited from the citizens. Although the soldiers of the legion were Roman citizens, they were drawn from all walks of life and legions often consisted of natives from conquered countries.

The legion contained within its ranks troops trained and equipped to perform many duties in wartime and peace. Although the vast majority of soldiers served as heavy infantry, other legionaries fought as cavalry, archers or light infantry. Other troops operated artillery such as the ballista, onagar and scorpio The troops were however not solely prepared for combat. Legionaries regularly served as engineers constructing fortifications, roads and bridges. As the legion counted among its complement a vast number of men with special skills, it was in many ways self-supporting. A large part of its military equipment could be produced by craftsmen drawn from the ranks. Soldiers trained as surveyors, engineers and architects ensured that the legion needed little outside help for its building requirements. As far as a Legion travelled it built buildings, bridges, even sewer systems. And their efforts were stamped upon some of their building bricks to show which legion had constructed them. There are some parts of London that still bear bricks stamped by their engineers of the Roman Legions. Bricks, blocks and tiles stamped P.P.BR.LON or some variant of this has been found associated with the traces of the old Roman palace off Cannon St. Whatever the meaning of the first P, it is clear that the P.BR.LON or PR.BR., as it sometimes appears, is an abbreviation for PROVINCIAE BRITANNIAE LONDINII. At the site of a Roman bath house in Jerusalem, three of the bricks recovered bore the same style of rectangular stamped impression of the Roman Legio X Fretensis – stamped thus LE X FR. Legio X Fretensis ("Tenth legion of the Strait") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army. It was founded by the young Gaius Octavius (later to become Augustus Caesar) in 41/40 BC to fight during the period of civil war that started the dissolution of the Roman Republic. X Fretensis is then recorded to have existed at least until the 410s. This Roman block is from the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019); acquired on the UK art market from 1960. Antony John Scammell (1937-2019) was born, and lived his entire life, in the city of Bristol, England. Already from an early age he was enthralled by history and the heroes that it created. While serving overseas with the British Army, Antony began collecting coins and banknotes and this led to collecting a variety of different items throughout his life. From the early 1960s onward, Antony invested in acquiring ancient artefacts. Antony's vast collections started with Egyptian antiquities, but soon branched into Greek and Roman civilisations. The Roman civilisation fascinated him most and, when family commitments allowed, archaeological digs were coordinated in the west of England. These digs uncovered numerous artefacts, many of which were donated to local museums. In retirement, the collecting continued apace, branching into UK coins, British Empire banknotes and fossils. It weighs 4.6 kg, and is 19 x 19cm (7 1/2 x 7 1/2").  read more

Code: 23424

A Fabulous Set of The Rifle Brigade Chronicle, Only The Second Near Complete Set We Have Had in 10 Years, Yearbooks Over 300 Available. Priced Per Volume!

A unique set of original regimental year books published during the past 120 years for and on behalf of the officers and men of the rifle Brigade. Over 300 copies are remaining, bound in regimental green cloth, up to 1967, and containing unique and hard to find information on the Rifle Brigade from the past century. One has a very special reference being supplied by Buckingham Palace sold seperately

For example;

The Rifle Brigade Chronicle for 1916 (Twenty-Seventh Year) compiled and edited by Colonel Willoughby Verner (London...
Title: The Rifle Brigade Chronicle for various years
Author: Colonel Willoughby Verner
Edition: 1st edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: John Bale, Sons & Danielsson
Date published: various
====
THE RIFLE BRIGADE CHRONICLE FOR 1938 (FORTY-NINTH YEAR). Hardcover – 1 Jan. 1939
by Major H. G. (edit). Parkyn (Author)
=====
THE RIFLE BRIGADE CHRONICLE
Published by The Rifle Brigade Club and Association, Peninsula Barracks., Winchester (1965)

Buyers may email first direct to enquire for their preferred year, although we have duplicates of years some years are lacking. Some years contain the only known surviving records of the names of the men that served in the regiment. The last set we had, was originally over 400 volumes, all the years of editions published, and 5 original copies per year.  read more

Code: 23385

A Most Rare British Empire Raj Period XII Frontier Force Regt. Silver Cap or Turban Badge

Cast low grade silver, for NCO or officer, with needle pin fixing, which often indicates for wear on a puggaree or a turban. The King Emperor crown of King George, and a crossed pair of choora knives or Afghan Khyber knives. So far we can find no other example, and it is the first we have seen. The more commonly known 12th Frontier Force Regiment in the Indian Army was a Light Infantry regiment, with a bugle badge, so we don't know if this was their first and earliest badge, that was potentially replaced around 1922, or, another XIIth Frontier Force regiment altogether. Either way it is a most fine and intriguing authentic British Empire Raj period piece, but, surrounded by an element of mystery to us at least. The armies of the East India Company were recruited primarily from Muslims in the Bengal Presidency, which consisted of Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and high caste Hindus recruited primarily from the rural plains of Oudh. Many of these troops took part in the Indian Mutiny, with the aim of reinstating the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II at Delhi.

The meaning of the term "Indian Army" has changed over time, initially as an informal collective term for the armies of the three presidencies–the Bengal Army, Madras Army and Bombay Army–between 1858 and 1894. In 1805, the Indian Army began its formal existence and was the "army of the government of India", including British and Indian (sepoy) units; this arrangement lasted until 1902.

Then in 1903, Lord Kitchener became the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, his tenure continued until 1909. He instituted large-scale reforms, the greatest of which was the merger of the three armies of the Presidencies into a unified force. He formed higher level formations, eight army divisions, and brigaded Indian and British units. Following Kitchener's reforms, terminology used for military forces in India was altered, with the Indian Army referring to "the force recruited locally and permanently based in India, together with its expatriate British officers." Whereas the British Army in India referred to the British Army units posted to India for a tour of duty, and which would then be posted to other parts of the Empire or back to the UK. Comparatively, the term 'Army of India', meant the combined forces of both the Indian Army and the British Army in India. Militaria from the British Empire Indian Raj period over the past 30 years has become, extremely collectable, highly prized and most valuable. In many cases the rarer the better  read more

Code: 23703

Most Rare, Original Pair of Napoleonic War Period Issued Medals, The Prussian & Bavarian Battle of Waterloo & Battle of Leipzig, One Made From Captured Cannon, Just as The British Victoria Cross Was Made From Captured Russian Cannon.

Really rare to find, but exceptionally good value when one considers the British equivalent for two original medals for the Napoleonic campaigns would be between five and ten times this price. The Prussian Campaign Medal for 1813, a cross within a circle, made from captured cannon, and the Bavarian Military Campaign Medal for the Napoleonic Wars in 1813, 1814, 1815, for Officers and Other Ranks, awarded in 1817-1818.
Prussian Medal; Circular bronze medal with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a cross pattee with rays between the arms, the date 1813 centrally within a laurel wreath; the reverse with the crowned cypher of Friedrich Wilhelm III above the inscription Preusens tapfern kriegern (Prussia's brave warriors) circumscribed Gott war mit uns, Ihn sey die Ehre (God was with us To Him the Glory); the edge inscribed AUS EROBERTEM GESCHUTZ (from captured cannon); some surface wear; on an old correct ribbon. The medal was instituted by King Friedrich Wilhelm III at Frankfurt-am-Main on 24 December 1813 and amended on 3 October 1815 to be awarded to all warriors who without exception, whether in the field or before a fortress, truly fought and uncompromisingly did their duty throughout this current conflict? (jeden Krieger ohne Ausnahme, der im Felde oder vor einer Festung wirklich mitgefochten und der wehrend der Dauer des jetzigen Krieges seinen Pflichten treugeblieben ist). The medal exists with the dates 1813, 1814, 1813/1814 and 1815 and with square and rounded ends to the cross. Prussia was a key member of the coalition that fought Napoleonic France and its allies, culminating with victory at Waterloo on 18 June 1815. Bavarian medal; Bronze cross pattee alise with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central medallion bearing the cipher of King Maximilian I Joseph within an oak leaf border, the upper, left, right and lower arms inscribed FUR DIE JAHRE 1813 / UND / 1814 respectively; the reverse with a circular central medallion bearing the Bavarian lion on a lozenge ground within an oak leaf border, the upper, left, right and lower arms inscribed KONIG UND VATERLAND (King and Fatherland) respectively; on replaced correct ribbon. The Medal was instituted on 4 December 1814 and confirmed in statutes on 25 May 1817 to be awarded to Bavarian military who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. 16 June 1815
Wellington and Blucher meet at the windmill of Bussy at 1 pm, where they agree that Napoleon seems to be about to attack Ligny, not Quatre-bras. The Prussians take responsibility for this battle, but the 4th corps, headed by General von Bulow, doesn't arrive in time, and the 80,000-strong Prussian army loses the Battle of Ligny against Napoleon. Blucher is injured in the attack when his horse is shot from underneath him.

Later that same afternoon, the French Marshal Ney leads an attack at Quatre-Bras against the British, but the latter's superior numbers and French indecision allow them to avoid defeat.

17 - 18 June 1815
Though badly mauled on 16 June, Blucher retreats not east towards Prussia but re-establishes his position around Wavre (north and east from Ligny), thereby staying in contact with the allied force which had retreated from Quatre-Bras to Waterloo.

One of Wellington's ADCs reaches Blucher at 11 pm on 17 June, informing the Prussian general that the British general would fight a defensive battle at Waterloo. Blucher, after consultation with Gneisenau, resolves to send Bulow's 4th corps to attack the enemy's right flank. This would be followed by the 2nd corps, with the 1st and 3rd held in reserve. The 4th, 2nd and 1st corps march in two columns from Wavre towards the battlefield at Waterloo. Whilst Blucher was to hold the French off at Wavre, Bulow and Pirch II were to lead the left column (that which would finally take Plancenoit, to the rear of Napoleon's right) and Zieten on the right column would finally emerge onto the battlefield alongside Wellington's left round about 7 pm.

Though the battle at Plancenoit was to be hard fought, the Prussians eventually overrun the French right, causing the French army to turn and flee. Blucher was famously to meet Wellington on the battlefield between 9 and 10 pm, close to the Belle-Alliance farm, where the Prussian general used the only French he knew: 'Quelle affaire !' are the words that history has recorded.

Given the battering the Allied army had received throughout the day, the relatively fresh Prussian troops were to take the lead in pursuing the fleeing French troops. The Prussians had nevertheless lost 7,000 men. Napoleon's carriage was to be seized by Prussian cavalry at Gemappes, and the routed French were to be given no quarter by the furious Prussian pursuit. Blucher's advance guard was finally to reach the outskirts of Paris on 29 June. With Napoleon's abdication on 22 June, the war would officially end upon the signature of the Convention of St-Cloud on 3 July 1815. The Bavarian story from 1813 up to 15. King Maximillan I Josef turned with a heavy heart away from the French and changed to the Allied camp shortly before the Battle of Leipzig. The attempt by Wrede to stop the victory of the Grande Armee in 1813 at the Battle of Hanau ended in a narrow defeat for his Austro-Bavarian corps. The campaign of 1814 began badly for the Allies, but Wrede made up for his earlier defeat with valuable victories over his former allies at the battles of Arcis-sur-Aube and Bar-sur-Aube.

In 1814, the Bavarian army consisted of a Grenadier Guard regiment, 16 regiments of Line Infantry, two battalions of Jager, seven regiments of light cavalry (of which one was territorial), one regiment of Uhlans, two Hussar regiments, one regiment of Garde du Corps (mounted royal bodyguard), two regiments of foot artillery and one of horse-artillery.

In 1815, the 7th (National) Light Cavalry regiment was formed into two Cuirassier regiments. A very early pair of Napoleonic Wars Germanic Kingdom medals from the Napoleonic Wars. By comparison these medals are extremely inexpensive for the equivalent, British Waterloo medal is now anything up 8,000 plus depending on regiment etc..

The last photo in the gallery shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo  read more

Code: 22369

A Most Rare British Army Officer's 1801, Egyptian Campaign, Snake Goddess' Head Light Infantry Officer’s Sword. Used Throughout The Entire Napoleonic Wars Up To The Battle of Waterloo. Likely By An Officer of ‘The Glosters’

Specifically with British Army ‘Nile Club’ officer's connections, where officer members, who fought in the Egypt campaign, wore distinctive swords with zoomorphic hilts depicting animal gods and goddesses. A direct homage to Nelson's presentation zoomorphic hilted sword, dirk and sword versions of Nelson’s zoomorphic sword, as worn by his captains who served under his command, and by the marines and army officers who similarly fought in his Egypt campaign on land over the next three years, that were members of the so-called Egyptian or Nile Club. The wearing of such a sword {or a dirk} would clearly and distinctively set an officer apart as ‘one who served’ in the great hero’s victorious campaign.

Egyptian gods and goddesses, much famed in ancient Egypt, become hugely popular throughout Western artistic culture in the early 19th century.
Europe became beguiled by ancient Egyptian art and architecture in all its forms, and furniture designers and sculptors particularly, eagerly created the ‘Egyptian style’ in the Regency period England, and the Consular and Directoire period in France.

This is a most rare British officer's bespoke sword, commissioned circa 1800, with such a stylish hilt, of a rare, zoomorphic, ancient Egyptian animal god or goddess form, with its snake god head pommel, with engraved snake-scale body creating its back strap, plus, the Egyptian snake goddess Wadjet's form, as engraved hilt langets. This sword is based on the British 1796 pattern light infantry variant sabre, with its deeply curved slashing blade, superbly etched with King George’s royal cyphers. This sword was continually used throughout the Napoleonic Wars, and up to Waterloo in 1815. Very likely by an officer of ‘The Glosters” the 28th Regiment of Foot. No doubt the fact that the Goddess Wadget was the Ancient Egyptian symbol of divine authority and royal power likely had no small influence upon its choice of design.

In 1801 On the morning of March 21 a vastly superior French army, which easily outnumbered the British, attacked near Alexandria. By those times muzzle-loading rifles were in common use and the infantry fought in two ranks - one row kneeling and the rear rank firing over their shoulders.

At one point during the fierce fighting -when it looked as though the Glosters would be surrounded - the rear rank was commanded to "about face". This meant turning and fighting back-to-back against enemy soldiers coming from the rear. After much savage hand-to-hand combat the French were stopped and by mid-morning their entire army was in retreat.

As a reward for their vital contribution to the victory - and in memory of that back-to-back fighting - the Glosters were given the right to wear a badge at the back, as well as the front, of their caps - the famous sphinx Back Badge.

Napoleon's army in Egypt may have been defeated but on the European mainland his forces remained a serious threat. By 1810 both the 28th and 61st were in Spain with the task of clearing French troops from the entire Peninsular.

But it took another four years of difficult fighting - in which the Glosters lost 1,200 men - before the British, under the command of the "Iron" Duke of Wellington, finally expelled them.

In 1814, Napoleon, having escaped from Elba, once more rallied troops to his cause and the European allies - under the command of the Duke - were sent to face him.

In the summer of 1815, Napoleon was finally defeated at Waterloo and exiled to the island of St Helena. The Glosters were in the forefront of the fighting - and were the only regiment specifically mentioned by name in Wellington's famous despatch.

With a beautiful zoomorphic hilt, with its original mercurial gilt finish, of a beautifully chiselled and hand engraved snake's head and body, combined with two snake engraved langets, with its wire bound wooden grip, and deeply curved now russetted blade bearing King George IIIrd's cyphers. Deep sword cuts from close combat action on the blade edge and upon one langet. Combat damage inflicted likely in the Peninsular War up to Waterloo. Nelson's captains at the Nile formed the Egyptian Club often though referred to as the Nile Club to meet and commemorate the battle. Among their first actions were to present a sword to Nelson and commission his portrait. There were also weapons made, based on the one presented to Nelson, for the other members of the Egyptian Club, that had zoomorphic hilts in the form of crocodiles.
At the instigation, it is said, of Lady Hamilton and Captain Hardy, the Marquess of Queensbury laid out a plantation of trees on his estate near Stonehenge in Wiltshire in the formation of the fleets at the Battle of the Nile, known as the ‘Nile Clumps’. A ceremonial sword with its hilt in the shape of a crocodile commemorating Nelson's victory over the French at the Battle of the Nile in 1798, which was estimated at £40,000 to £60,000, sold at auction in 2002 for £270,650 to a private collector.

The engraved sword was one of a handful made for the elite Egyptian Club whose membership was restricted to the captains of ships which had fought at the Nile. Nelson called them his "band of brothers". However, Howard Blackmore late assistant keeper of the Tower of London Collection told us around 30 years ago, that there was a distinct possibility British army officers, that also fought at the Nile Campaign, but of course on land, formed their own version of Nelson's Egyptian Club, called the Nile Club, where officers in the campaign had zoomorphic Egyptian snake or camel hilted swords presented to each other. The snake hilted version were based on the snakes of the ancient Egyptian Goddess Wadjet, and the snake head on the Pharaoh's crown. There is a distinct possibility that this sword may well be one of those, its rare shape and form certainly shows as likely. We have heard of one serving example now in America, a Nile club officer’s sword with a zoomorphic camel head hilt. Its likely possibilities of provenance are most intriguing. Five years ago also we had a British camel headed version likely from the same club member. The French Campaign in Egypt and Syria (1798-1801) was Napoleon Bonaparte's campaign in the Ottoman territories of Egypt and Syria, proclaimed to defend French trade interests, weaken Britain's access to British India, and to establish scientific enterprise in the region. It was the primary purpose of the Mediterranean campaign of 1798, a series of naval engagements that included the capture of Malta.

On the scientific front, the expedition eventually led to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, creating the field of Egyptology. Despite many decisive victories and an initially successful expedition into Syria, Napoleon and his Armee d'Orient were eventually forced to withdraw, after sowing political disharmony in France, experiencing conflict in Europe, and suffering the defeat of the supporting French fleet at the Battle of the Nile.

The last time we saw an Egyptian Club Zoomorphic crocodile hilted sword sold was at Sotheby's in 2020, estimated at £60,000 to £80,000 gbp, but the blue and gilt to the blade was present and it had its scabbard.

The second to last photo in the gallery is of a painting of ‘The Glosters’, that fought at Waterloo.

The last photo in the gallery shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo

No scabbard.  read more

Code: 22179

A Large & Superbly Impressive Circa 20 Million Year Old Megalodon Giant Shark Tooth

Miocene period and one of the largest we have seen in years.
Megalodon (Otodus megalodon), meaning "big tooth", is an extinct species of mackerel shark that lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago (Mya), from the Early Miocene to the Pliocene epochs. It was formerly thought to be a member of the family Lamnidae and a close relative of the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). However, it is now classified into the extinct family Otodontidae, which diverged from the great white shark during the Early Cretaceous.

While regarded as one of the largest and most powerful predators to have ever lived, the megalodon is only known from fragmentary remains, and its appearance and maximum size are uncertain
Extrapolating from a vertebral column and reconstructing a 3D model with dimensions based on all extant lamnid sharks suggests that a 16-meter-long (52 ft) individual, but it may have been much larger than that compared to previous estimates, possibly reaching an excess 90 feet, and weighing 61.5 metric tons (67.8 short tons) or more, in body mass; and an individual megaladon of this size would have needed to consume at least 98,175 kcal per day.

Their teeth were thick and robust, built for grabbing prey and breaking bone, and their large jaws could exert a bite force of up to 108,500 to 182,200 newtons (24,400 to 41,000 lbf) with the ability to bite a whale in half with one bite.

The tooth is length top to bottom
As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity  read more

Code: 24809

Original Four Medal Group Soviet WW2 Combat Veteran. Medal for Combat Merit, Medal for Victory Over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45, USSR Leningrad Medal of 1942, Medal for 30 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy 1948

WW2 Soviet medal for Combat Merit, excellent condition with light wear traces. The red hot enamel is mostly present Award issued in October-November of 1944.
The medal for the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45 was established by the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on May 9, 1945.
The Russia - USSR Leningrad Medal 1942, also known as Медаль за оборону Ленинграда in its original name, is a commemorative medal that was awarded during World War II. It was established to honor the defenders of Leningrad (now known as St. Petersburg) during the intense and prolonged Siege of Leningrad by the German forces. This medal was awarded to military personnel, partisans, and civilians who participated in the defense of Leningrad from the enemy forces. The city endured a brutal siege that lasted for over 870 days, resulting in severe shortages of food, water, and supplies. Despite the harsh conditions, the residents of Leningrad showed great resilience and courage in defending their city. The Russia - USSR Leningrad Medal 1942 is a gilt medal measuring 32 mm in diameter and is accompanied by its original ribbon. It holds historical significance as a symbol of the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought to protect Leningrad during one of the most challenging periods in Russian history. This medal serves as a reminder of the strength and determination of the people of Leningrad and their unwavering commitment to defending their city against the enemy forces. It is a testament to the resilience and heroism displayed during the Siege of Leningrad, a pivotal moment in the history of World War II.

The Jubilee Medal "30 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy" (Russian: Юбилейная медаль «30 лет Советской Армии и Флота») was a state military commemorative medal of the Soviet Union established on February 22, 1948 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to denote the thirtieth anniversary of the creation of the Soviet Armed Forces.The Jubilee Medal "30 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy" was awarded to all the generals, admirals, officers, warrant officers, sergeants, petty officers, soldiers and sailors, who were members of the Armed Forces of the USSR, of the troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or of the Ministry for State Security on 23 February 1948.

The medal was awarded on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR by commanders of military units and institutions  read more

Code: 25636

A Superb Original Antique WW1 Leather Machine Gun Company Munition Case. A Very Rare Piece as Most Surviving Cases Were For Cordite For the Artillery, But the Machine Gun Corps Example is Very Rare Indeed

Part of a Superb WW1 Machine Gunner's Collection, British and German.
WW1 issue. Bearing the royal crest of King George Vth and British Army stamped for the 6th, 261 Machine Gun Company 6 261 MGC. Substantially strong and robust hardened buffalo hide. This is a particularly rare type, not the usual Royal Artillery version.
It is of very heavy grade solid leather, that is top, bottom and side, brass seam riveted, and with a wide leather carrying strap at the rear. The more common version used by the British army was a cordite carrier type, that are plain, lightweight and have no rivets, cork lined and are wide rim banded top and bottom. At the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, the tactical potential of machine guns was not appreciated by the British armed forces. The prevalent attitude of senior ranks at the outbreak of the Great War can be summed up by the opinion of an officer (albeit expressed a decade earlier) that a single battery of machine guns per army corps was a sufficient level of issue.
Despite the evidence of fighting in Manchuria (1905 onwards) the Army therefore went to war with each infantry battalion and cavalry regiment containing a machine gun section of just two guns.
These organic (embedded) units were supplemented in November 1914 by the formation of the Motor Machine Gun Service (MMGS) administered by the Royal Artillery, consisting of motor-cycle mounted machine gun batteries.
A machine gun school was also opened in France.
After a year of warfare on the Western Front it was self-evident that to be fully effective - in the opinion of former sceptics - that machine guns must be used in larger units and some commanders advocated crewing them with specially trained men who not only thoroughly conversant with their weapons but who understood how they should be best deployed for maximum effect. To achieve this, the Machine Gun Corps was formed in October 1915 with Infantry, Cavalry, and Motor branches, followed in 1916 by the Heavy Branch. A depot and training centre was established at Belton Park in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and a base dep?t at Camiers in France.
The Infantry Branch was by far the largest and was formed by the transfer of battalion machine gun sections to the MGC. These sections were grouped into Brigade Machine Gun Companies, three per division. New companies were raised at Grantham. In 1917, a fourth company was added to each division. In February and March 1918, the four companies in each division were formed into a Machine Gun Battalion.
The Guards Division formed its own machine gun support unit, the Guards Machine Gun Regiment.
The Cavalry Branch consisted of Machine Gun Squadrons, one per cavalry brigade.
The Motor Branch was formed by absorbing the MMGS and the armoured car squadrons of the recently disbanded Royal Naval Armoured Car Service. It formed several types of units: motor cycle batteries, light armoured motor batteries (LAMB) and light car patrols. As well as motor cycles, other vehicles used included Rolls-Royce and Ford Model T cars.
The Heavy Section was formed in March 1916, becoming the Heavy Branch in November of that year. Men of this branch crewed the first tanks in action at Flers, during the Battle of the Somme in September 1916. In July 1917, the Heavy Branch separated from the MGC to become the Tank Corps, later called the Royal Tank Regiment.

The MGC saw action in all the main theatres of war, including France, Belgium, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Salonika, East Africa and Italy. In its short history, the MGC gained an enviable record for heroism as a front line fighting force. Indeed, in the latter part of the war, as tactics changed to defence in depth, it commonly served well in advance of the front line. It had a less enviable record for its casualty rate, with 62,049 becoming casualties, including 12,498 killed, earning it the nickname 'the Suicide Club'.
A fabulous and beautiful artifact of WW1 Machine Gun Corps history, that is now perfectly useable as a stunning display piece, or stick stand or waste paper basket. Top section of rear leather strap handle is now detached, but it should be easily repairable. 14 inches high x 7.5 inches across  read more

Code: 20353

A Most Beautiful and Very Rare Medieval Tudor Period Erotically Carved Bone Hilted Knife or Dagger 500 to 600 Years Old

A most delightful and original piece of early carved erotica. That is also a functioning knife or dagger. Likely early Tudor Period, 15th to 16th century. Carved in form of a lady in traditional dress in a demi-seated position, exposing her decolletage and her lower legs, with her hand clasping the hem of her dress, resting at her knees. Single edged blade with natural well aged russeted sound blade The pose is most intriguing portraying semi nudity, in a bawdy and erotic pose. Knives of the medieval era could mounted with carved hilts for of those status and great worth, but it is very unusual to see an example with such an erotic figural design. Cutlery manufacture involved a number of specialists: the blademaker, grinder, hafter (the person who made the handle), sheather (the maker of the sheath in which the knife was carried) and the furbisher or cutler, who assembled the parts, forging the blade, and sold the finished items. The London Cutlers Company, set up in 1415, regulated the trade until the 18th century. It obliged cutlers to mark their wares with their personal devices. In the Medieval era men carried their knives, not in their pockets, if indeed they had any, but usually in sheaths hanging from a girdle which went round the body just above the hips. It was the business of the girdler, as he was called, to supply these girdles, and we shall see that in the inventory of a York girdler, dated 1439, there were many girdles and knives. Most knives although made for protection, could double as an eating knife.
There were few table-knives, in this era. and when at table nearly everybody used the knife of his or her own. In 1392 a lady bequeathed "my knife which I use," in her last will and testament. Even in the last century, in taverns, in many countries, particularly in some towns of France, knives were not placed on the table, because it was expected that each person should have one of his own. 8.25 inches overall.  read more

Code: 19762