Antique Arms & Militaria

A Most Rare Antique 17th Century Sinhalese Kastane Sword, Used as A Naval Officer's Hangar Acquired by the Early 17th Century Maritime Traders to Ceylon

A most interesting and fine kastane, with the carved wood “Simha” lion head pommel a recurved knuckleguard and two quillon also with a water beast, known as a Makara, head pommel and counter quillon with additional Makara

The hilt is delicately inlaid with brass inlays as is the blade. A typical 17th century sword from ancient Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) which was in ancient times known as the Kingdom of Lions (Sinhaladwipa) often termed Sinhala. The term Sinha is lion in Hindu. These lion-heads in grotesque form are of course representing this heritage. The makara represents the Hindu water beast (fish/crocodile) ridden by Varuna. Pommel with small jaw section lacking.The kastane is the national sword of Sri Lanka. It typically has a short curved single-edged blade, double-edged at the point. The hilt comprises a knuckle-guard and down-turned quillons, each terminating in a dragon's head. The swords were intended to serve as badges of rank; the quality of ornamentation depending on the status of the wearer.

The establishment of European trading contacts with South Asia by the late 16th and early 17th century led to these swords becoming fashionable dress accessories among European gentlemen and naval officer's of all hues, Be they Royal Naval, East India Co. Naval, or Privateers.

A kastane can be seen in an equestrian portrait of Colonel Alexander Popham at Littlecote House in the care of the Royal Armouries Collection (I.315). They were chosen by Naval officer's and indeed pirates, as their shape form and size was absolutely ideal for maritime close combat service.

Although also used on land, the cutlass is best known as the maritime weapon of choice. A naval side-arm, its popularity was likely because it was not only robust enough to hack through heavy ropes, canvas, and wood, but short enough to use in relatively close quarters, such as during boarding actions, in the rigging, or below decks. Another advantage to the cutlass was its simplicity of use. Employing it effectively required less technical skill than that required to master a rapier or light small sword, and it was more effective as a close-combat weapon than a full-sized sword would be on a cramped ship.

Cutlasses are famous for being used by pirates, and privateers although there is no reason to believe that Caribbean buccaneers invented them, as has occasionally been claimed. However, the subsequent use of cutlasses by pirates is well documented in contemporary sources, notably by the pirate crews of William Fly, William Kidd, and Stede Bonnet. French historian Alexandre Exquemelin reports the buccaneer François l'Ollonais using a cutlass/cuttoe as early as 1667. Pirates used these weapons for intimidation as much as for combat, often needing no more than to grip their hilts to induce a crew to surrender, or beating captives with the flat of the blade to force their compliance or responsiveness to interrogation.  read more

Code: 21976

19th Century, Circa 1880, Victorian Period Classical Figures of Renaissance Knights or the Founders of the Landsknechte Knight Mercenaries

A most attractive pair of original antique bronzed classical military figurines of historical armoured nobles. Possibly a rendition of Kaiser Maximilian I. und Georg von Frundsberg,

See photo in the gallery of Kaiser Maximilian I. und Georg von Frundsberg, depicting Maximilian I and Georg von Frundsberg, founders of the Landsknechte, by Karl von Blaas

A pair that would enhance any suitable interior decor, especially a gentleman’s study or library. In the past we have seen such figures suitably converted into pairs of lamps with finely formed lampshades, and that can be incredibly effective, especially for interior decorators.

Over the past decades we have sold many such similar pairs of classical bronzed figures to such as, Robert Kime, the so called king of English decorators, the appointed interior decorator to the late Queen Mother, and King Charles. Plus to the great David Hicks, another from the pantheon of the greatest world decorators, who like Robert adored the eclectic mixing of decorative, especially classical, antiques with modern textiles and furnishings.

The Landsknechte were Germanic mercenaries used in pike and shot formations during the early modern period. Consisting predominantly of pikemen and supporting foot soldiers, their front line was formed by Doppelsöldner ("double-pay men") renowned for their use of Zweihänder and arquebus. They formed the bulk of the Holy Roman Empire's Imperial Army from the late 1400s to the early 1600s, fighting in the Habsburg-Valois wars, the Habsburg-Ottoman wars, and the European wars of religion.

Although prone to mutiny if unpaid and divided within their ranks between Catholics and Lutherans, the Landsknechte were well-armed and experienced warriors, recruitable in large numbers throughout Germany and Austria by the Holy Roman Emperor; therefore, they guaranteed both quantity and quality to the Imperial military for a century and a half. At their peak during the reign of Charles V of Habsburg, and under the leadership of notable captains such as Georg von Frundsberg and Nicholas of Salm, the Imperial Landsknechts obtained important successes such as the capture of the French King Francis I at the Battle of Pavia in 1525 and the resistance against the Ottoman Turks led by Suleiman the Magnificent at the Siege of Vienna in 1529, while also being responsible for the infamous Sack of Rome in 1527

Bronze and light gilt finished spelter, figurines.
This alloy was first introduced by Sheffield manufacturers in the second half of the 18th century and is a product of the industrial revolution.
It was also known in its early days as white metal. it was hugely popular for sculptures of figures for decorative display, usually of historical figures.

Condition for age very good, One figure lacks a thumb.

13 inches high
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, as Britain’s oldest established, and favourite, armoury and gallery  read more

Code: 25010

An Exceptional and Scarce Antique Maasai Warriors War Club, A Rungu,19th Century, Made Of Incredibly Dense Hardwood

An absolute beauty, and stunning quality craftsmanship. Rarely seen example of an original antique close combat weapon of the renown, most fearless Maasai ‘Lion Hunter’ warriors, of Kenya.
This is not a commonly found modern tourist piece, but a rare, original, antique warrior’s rungu, of stunning beauty and quality.

In Maasai culture, the rungu is a highly important emblem of warrior status for young males. A special one is held by the designated speaker at important tribal gatherings. It is especially associated with Maasai morans (male warriors) who have traditionally used it in warfare and for hunting, it was used by the warrior for close combat or as a lethal and highly effective throwing club.  read more

Code: 20989

A Most Scarce, Original, US Civil War Period Remington Beals' Patent Model 1858 Navy Percussion Six-Shot Revolver, .36 Calibre In Nice Condition, Civil War Issue 1861-63, With Tooled Leather Quick Draw Holster

Manufactured between 1861 and 1863, approximately 14,500 Remington-Beals Navy revolvers were produced. About 500 martially-marked examples of this model were purchased by the U.S. Army, and an additional 1,000 were bought by the Navy. In 1875, the Navy returned about 1,000 various model Remington .36 calibre revolvers, including the Beals Navy, for factory conversion to accept the .38 calibre centre fire metallic cased cartridge. Sn 10402. Sold with an old but later tooled leather holster, that is complimentary, and free.

The business expanded through the 1850s, and handgun production began in 1857 with the introduction of the Remington-Beals pocket revolver.

The coming of the Civil War naturally brought about a dramatic increase in the demand for firearms, and Remington's production also increased to keep pace. During this period, the company manufactured both .36 and .44 calibre revolvers, as well as Model 1863 Percussion Contract Rifle, popularly known as the "Zouave" rifle.

Beals’ 1858 patent (21,478) was granted on September 14th of that year and covered the winged cylinder arbor pin that secured the cylinder to the frame, which was retained by the loading lever located under the barrel and could be withdrawn from the frame only when the lever was lowered. Thus, began the evolution of the second most used US marital revolver of the American Civil War. The first guns were produced in .36 caliber and production started to roll off the assembly line during late 1860 or early 1861. The .36 calibre “Navy” revolver was followed by a .44 calibre “Army” variant soon thereafter. By the time Beals pattern revolver production ended in 1862, some 15,000 of the “Navy” sized handguns had been produced, while only about 2,000 of the larger “Army” revolvers were manufactured. The subsequent model was the William Elliott “improved” Model 1861 pattern Remington revolvers, also known to collectors as the “Old Model” Remingtons, started to replace the Beals models by the middle of 1862.



The Beals Navy Revolver was Remington’s first large frame, martial handgun to make it into production, with the Beals Army following fairly quickly on its heels. While an experimental Beals “Army” had been produced earlier, which was really just a scaled-up version of the Beals pocket model, it was only produced as a prototype and it is believed that less than ten were manufactured.

The US government had been relatively pleased with the original Beals Navy design and had obtained some 11,249 of the 15,000 Beals Navy revolvers produced. The purchases had been a combination of direct contract with Remington combined with open market purchases of some 7,250 revolvers that would not pass through a government inspection process. The initial success of the 1,600 Beals Navy revolvers contracted for in 1861 lead to an Ordnance Department contract on June 13 of 1862 for 5,000 additional “Navy” caliber revolvers to Remington.

Good tight spring and action, nice natural aged patina overall blue to hammer, the cylinder rotation a little hesitant due age.  read more

Code: 25254

A Most Fine and Beautiful 18th Century French Flintlock Circa 1740. A Superb Flintlock Much Favoured By Pirate, Privateer, Buccaneer & Corsair Captain's, From The Mid 18th Century to The Napoleonic Wars Era. Finest 'Tiger Stripe' Maple Stock

With a very fine and stunning looking tiger stripe maple wooden stock, bearing a simply superb natural age patina. Signed lock and all steel mounts. In jolly nice condition.

Long eared buttcap typical of the 1740's period flintlocks that saw service by pirate and corsair captain's fleets, from the the Anglo French Seven Years War in Europe and America where they raided ships of both sides the French and British supply galleons. And a finest pistol that would see continual use right through the Napoleonic Wars.

The French and Indian War (1754-63) comprised the North American theater of the worldwide Seven Years' War of 1756-63. It pitted the colonies of British America against those of New France.

Both sides were supported by military units from their parent countries, as well as by American Indian allies. At the start of the war, the French North American colonies had a population of roughly 60,000 settlers, compared with 2 million in the British North American colonies. The outnumbered French particularly depended on the Indians. The European nations declared war on one another in 1756 following months of localized conflict, escalating the war from a regional affair into an intercontinental conflict.

In the 1760s, corsairs were primarily privateers operating under a letter of marque, authorized by a state to attack enemy shipping. While often romanticized, they were essentially state-sanctioned pirates, with the potential for both profit and a degree of legitimacy. The most prominent corsairs in the 1760s were likely the Barbary corsairs, who operated out of North Africa, and French corsairs, who were active in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

Corsairs, unlike pirates, were granted legal authority by a state, typically through a "letter of marque". This document authorized them to attack ships of enemy nations and seize their cargo, with the understanding that the spoils would be divided between the corsair and the state.

The Barbary corsairs, based in North Africa (Barbary Coast), were a significant force in the 1760s. They operated under the loose authority of the Ottoman Empire and preyed on shipping in the Mediterranean, often demanding tribute for safe passage.
French corsairs were also active in the 1760s, particularly during periods of conflict with other European powers. They aimed to disrupt enemy trade and supplement French naval power through privateering.

Corsairing was a risky but potentially lucrative business. While they could amass wealth through captured prizes, they also faced the dangers of capture by enemy navies and the possibility of being treated as pirates (if their letters of marque were not in order or if they engaged in activities beyond their authorization
Corsairs had a significant impact on maritime trade and naval warfare in the 1760s. They disrupted shipping lanes, contributed to naval conflicts, and played a role in the economic and political landscape of the time.

More than 20,000 captives were said to be imprisoned in Algiers alone. The rich were often able to secure release through ransom,

The name French and Indian War is used mainly in the United States. It refers to the two enemies of the British colonists, the royal French forces and their various American Indian allies. The British colonists were supported at various times by the Iroquois, Catawba, and Cherokee, and the French colonists were supported by Wabanaki Confederacy members Abenaki and Mi'kmaq, and Algonquin, Lenape, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Shawnee, and Wyandot.

British and other European historians use the term the Seven Years' War, as do English-speaking Canadians.

No consensus exists as to when the French Revolutionary Wars ended and the Napoleonic Wars began. Possible dates include 9 November 1799, when Bonaparte seized power on 18 Brumaire, the date according to the Republican Calendar then in use;41 18 May 1803, when Britain and France ended the one short period of peace between 1792 and 1814; or 2 December 1804, when Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor.42

British historians occasionally refer to the nearly continuous period of warfare from 1792 to 1815 as the Great French War, or as the final phase of the Anglo-French Second Hundred Years' War, spanning the period 1689 to 1815.43 Historian Mike Rapport (2013) suggested using the term "French Wars" to unambiguously describe the entire period from 1792 to 1815.44

In France, the Napoleonic Wars are generally integrated with the French Revolutionary Wars: Les guerres de la Révolution et de l'Empire.

It is often the case, as is here, that some descended nobility of France often fought on the side of the revolutionaries and then under Napoleon, and used their predecessors weapons, as little changed in the efficiency of pistols from the 1740’s to the 1790’s or even the 1810’s, so older style pistols had a remarkably useful life for up to 80 years or even more, especially for senior officers serving under Bonaparte.

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

Code: 21456

A Beautiful And Rare American Revolutionary War Period Large Boxlock Action Double Cannon Barrelled Flintlock Volley Gun Pistol, Silver Scroll Inlaid Butt

A renown ‘Queen Anne’ style volley gun. A fascinating and most rare breech loading piece, with twin over and under turn-off cannon barrels, that is able to fire as a volley gun, with both barrels simultaneously, or, one after the other, using a unique sliding trigger guard that opens or covers one of the ignition pans as is required. 50 bore, double barrelled large over and under flintlock boxlock pistol, c1770,” the muzzles starred for a barrel key, with two separate pans beneath a single frizzen, the sliding cover of one pan operated by the sliding trigger guard, the frame retaining traces of etching, the rounded flat sided walnut butt inlaid with silver scrolls and wavy lines. World famous English gunsmith from London Durs Egg was renown for making incredibly similar rare twin cannon barrelled pistols, also with unusual covered pan actions. No proofs. Discussing with Howard Blackmore of the Tower Armouries some decades ago, the non-proved 18th century guns were often for the American export market where proofing was not required. Queen Anne pistols are characterized by the fact that the breech and the trigger plate are forged in one piece with the lock plate, foreshadowing by over 100 years the so-called "action" of a modern weapon. With the typical 'Queen Anne' pistol the barrel unscrews with a barrel key or wrench just ahead of the chamber where the powder and ball are placed when the pistol is loaded. The chamber is long and narrow with a cup at the top shaped to fit the bullet (a round lead ball). The user can quickly fill the chamber with black powder and put a bullet on top; the barrel is then replaced, sealing the bullet between its cup and the breech end of the barrel.

The bullet is larger than the barrel, so the breech is tapered to compress the ball as it moves forward at the moment of firing to tightly fit the bore. High gas pressure is developed behind the bullet before it is forced into the barrel, thus achieving considerably higher muzzle velocity and power than with a muzzle loader. The barrel was often rifled, which improves accuracy. The system also avoids the need for wadding or a ramrod during loading. It was not hugely successful as a military weapon at the time because in the heat of battle the separate barrel could be dropped during loading. The greatest popularity of the Queen Anne was as an effective self-defense weapon. They could be highly decorated with silver to suit the tastes of the very wealthy. But in the case of a double barrel they were especially popular, but most expensive, in fact considerably more than a pair of single barrelled versions.
The firing action functions on a single cock, wear overall to stock and steel as usual due to age. Pistol 10.5" long overall,  read more

Code: 23317

An Incredibly Rare Crimean War Romanov Senior Officer's Sword Knot, Such As Worn By A Romanov Grand Duke of Russia, Or General. The Bullion Gold And Crimson Silk Knot Bears The Romanov Crest on One Side and a Cyrillic Royal Monogram on The Other

A Crimean War of the 1850’s, Romanov crested General’s gold and silk bullion sword knot, bearing a superb Romanov crest of the crowned double headed eagle, which is masterfully created within the weave of the gold bullion. See photo. Gules, a double-headed eagle displayed, twice imperially crowned, grasping in the dexter claw an imperial sceptre, and in the sinister claw an imperial orb.

From the time of Czar Alexander Ist to Czar Nicolas Ist. The form of very high ranking officer such as a Romanov General or Admiral in the Crimean War, which may explain how came to Britain, possibly as a war souvenir by a British officer serving in the Crimea

We show a portrait of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich Romanov of Russia, from the late 19th century, with his sword that bears the same form of knot.

In 1855 Prince Mikhail Dmitrievich Gorchakov was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian forces in the Crimea in place of the disgraced Prince Menshikov. Gorchakov's defence of Sevastopol, and final retreat to the northern part of the town, which he continued to defend till peace was signed in Paris, were conducted with skill and energy. The Battle of the Great Redan against British forces was a notable local victory. In 1856 he was appointed namestnik of Kingdom of Poland in succession to Prince Paskevich. He died at Warsaw on May 30, 1861, and was buried, in accordance with his own wish, at Sevastopol.
It would have likely been one of his or his predecessors generals that would have used this knot. Of by whom it is likely impossible to know.
Photo 7 in the gallery is a portrait of Prince Mikhail Dmitrievich Gorchakov, and photo 8 is a close-up of his same sword knot though not well defined in the portrait. Picture 9 in the gallery is the closest original Romanov era example we can find, fitted to its sword. However, it is a much later version of knot, from the 1900’s, and for a regular ranked Officer’s sword of St George, that sold {the sword and its later knot} for £18,750 four years ago.

The knot bottom twisted gold wire loops are a little tangled in part, but overall it is in super condition for such a very rare piece of original, mid 19th century, highest quality, high ranking Romanov officer’s uniform dress ware.  read more

Code: 25335

British Early Victorian Jacob Pattern Pierced Scroll Hilted Cavalry Sword, With Quill Back Blade. Also Known As The Rare Scinde Horse Pattern. A Most Beautiful and Exceptionally Elegant British Cavalry Sabre From the Earliest Raj Period of India

Complete with its original red cloth lined original buff hide hilt liner.
Just returned from our conservation workshop, to clean, conserve and hand polish the sword throughout, that enquired over 40 hours specialist attention

An absolute beauty of a most rare British officers cavalry sabre of the 1850’s. A rare pre-Indian Mutiny ‘Jacob pattern’ Scind horse officers sword, it is a type of British cavalry officer's sword design that originated with John Jacob of the Scinde Irregular Horse. Bespoke commissioned from James Fisher of 37 Duke St, St James', London, in its earliest form with the quill pattern mounted combat blade.

John Jacob’s Scind Horse was a regiment of the highest honour and legend during the British Raj. The other ranks volunteers list was so long few of the eager volunteers manage to join the regiment. Despite having the criteria that every native volunteer accepted must provide his own steed and kit at their own expense. The men were the most skilled, loyal and devoted to be found anywhere in India, and their service included some of the most dangerous combat circumstances known to history.

Later on the pattern inspired the 1857 Royal Engineers Officer's sword, but by then to be mounted with the later, regular, Wilkinson sword pattern blade.

The Pierced Scroll {acanthus} Hilted Cavalry Sword with a Quill Back Blade is a unique and historically significant sword design, prized for its distinctive hilt and blade construction, optimized for mounted combat. The design is attributed to John Jacob, who raised the Scinde Irregular Horse.
The Scinde Horse, originally known as the 14th Horse, was an irregular cavalry regiment in British India. John Jacob, a prominent figure in the regiment, was instrumental in developing the sword pattern. The sword was popular during a period when swords were still in active use by cavalry, even as firearms were becoming more prevalent.

The Scinde Horse Pattern officer’s sword is distinct from other British cavalry swords, such as the Pattern 1821 Officers Undress Sword and the much later Pattern 1908 cavalry sword. The Pattern 1821 had a pipe-backed, double-edged blade, while the Pattern 1908 was the last service sword issued to the British cavalry and is considered by some to be the most effective.

The Scinde Horse Pattern sword is specifically recognized for its distinctive hilt and its association with the Scinde Horse regiment and John Jacob

The Quill Back Blade: First designed and used during the late Napoleonic wars
The blade's spine is hollowed out, creating a lighter blade with a distinctive profile. This design allows for a good balance between cutting and thrusting.

The Scinde Horse was raised to protect the British Caravans traversing the Spice Route - from the Bolan Pass in Afghanistan, to the Indus at Sukkur and then via Fort Abbas to Bikaner, Hissar and Delhi. The route through the Thar Desert via Jaisalmer was too difficult and dangerous. Since this involved corridor protection along the route, laying in ambush and also accompanying the caravans, they travelled mostly in civilian dress with weapons hidden to look inconspicuous. As a result, they were popularly called "The Scinde Irregular Horse". The term Irregulars is carried with pride amongst Scinde horsemen to this day as they have consistently surprised the adversary both in times of war and in competitions during peace to gain an upper hand. The Irregulars have always thought "out of the box" and accomplished the seemingly impossible.

The Regimental War Cry: The Scinde Horse Spirit is epitomised in its unique War Cry which spurs the Scinde Horse soldiers to decimate the enemy – Jai Mata Ki! Jai Chhatrapati Ki! Har Har Mahadev! Bole So Nihal – Sat Sri Akal! Hat Ja ___ Here I Come!!!

Battle of Meeanee

The Battle of Meeanee in The Illustrated History of the British Empire, as part of Sir Charles Napier's advance guard of his expeditionary force to conquer the province of Scinde, the Scinde Horse came across the forward elements of the combined forces of the Waziri tribals of Sind, led by Mir Nuseer Khan, entrenched in the Fulaillee Nala, near Meeanee, 23 miles ahead of Hyderabad, the capital town of Sind. Along with the Scinde Horse, there were amongst others, 5 Raj Rif (Napiers Rifles), the Cheshire Regiment and the Poona Horse, bringing up the rear, with the Madras Engineers providing engineering support. Not to be deterred, the regiment reconnoitred the area and made an outflanking move through dense forest and broken country, most unsuitable for horses. In an unparalleled outflanking manoeuvre in which over 70 horses died of fatigue, the Scinde Horse surprised the enemy by appearing at their rear and routed them in a cavalry charge, capturing the principal standard of Mir Nuseer Khan in the process. Seeing their Standard captured, the enemy capitulated and Sind was conquered. Sir Charles Napier cryptically signalled back "Pecavi" (I have Sinned (Sind)).

As a reward for this cavalry charge, unsurpassed in the annals of warfare, the regiment was presented eight cavalry standards (one per troop) and also allowed to retain Mir Nuseer Khan's principal standard, with the ‘Hand of Allah’ atop it, as its main Standard. This hand of Allah has played a major role in looking after the Regiment in times of need, ever since. The Scinde Horse has had the unique privilege of carrying Nine Standards on parade.

The Scinde Horse was tasked as the rear guard for the forces returning from the First Afghan Campaign. On 26 Feb 1878, it was at Khushk-e-Nakhud near the Afghan border that the regiment had taken an administrative halt and was carrying out saddlery inspection, that the early warning elements reported a large body of Afghan tribesmen approaching the camp. The men hastily gathered their weapons and mounted their horses, without saddles to engage the approaching enemy. The regiment, led by Maj Reynolds, charged the enemy before it could form up near the camp and routed them, killing many times their own numbers. Unfortunately, Maj Reynolds was martyred in this charge. Maj Douglas Giles, who was there, reduced an eyewitness account in a famous painting, 10' x 6', completing it in 1883. This painting was popularly displayed in the Louvre in Paris, from 1913 to 1921, till it found its final place in the Officers' Mess. It is unique in that it has every eye-catching detail. The colours used are from natural pigments and regain their brightness when exposed to the sun. In the Officers' Mess Ante Room, this painting is faced by a lone Horseman's Silver Trophy, representing Maj Reynolds. Ever after this Battle, The Scinde horseman never removes his sword from his person. "Taiyar-bar-Taiyar" they call it. That is why, in the Officer's Mess, now-a-days, where normally, the Belt is removed on entry, symbolising removal of the Sword, Scinde horsemen continue to wear their belt at all times

The antique militaria objects of British Raj Period are extremely scarce, and highly collectable throughout the entire world of militaria collectors, especially swords and headdress.

The sword is bright steel with highly attractive finish snd and a near mint VR cypher etched panelled blade with maker mark. The hilt is the pierced scroll ancanthus leaf pattern ceasing with its original wire bound sharkskin grip. It also has its very very rare, original red cloth lined original buff hide inner liner . The external steel does have traces of old surface age pitting.  read more

Code: 25818

The Lanes Armoury, Described To Us Every Day, By Hundreds of Our Daily Visitors, Including, By President Ronald Reagan Over 40 Years Ago, As, Probably, The Most Amazing & Very Best Shop In Britain & Especially Featured in The New York Times

Thousands of worldwide visitors to the UK come to visit us here, every day {except Sunday} of every week, and the most consistent, much appreciated and most kind comment includes they believe we are the most amazing, incredible and interesting shop in Britain, just like a museum, but, everything is for sale! If we were a UK National museum, we would likely be the very smallest, but, we contain thousands upon thousands of original collectables and books, ancient, antique and vintage from a 20 million year old megaladon shark's tooth, to a samurai sword made almost 800 years ago {we have at any one time, up to 350 original samurai antique swords in stock to view, apparently the largest original selection to be seen for sale in any shop in the world }. From an Ancient Greek 'Wreath, or Crown Of Victory' in solid hammered gold, made around 2300 years ago from the time of Alexander the Great, to many cased duelling pistols, and numerous cased Georgian and Victorian sporting guns, all with their original tools, made for a prince, or a fantastic selection of original French sabres used by Napoleon’s generals and commanders of his Imperial Garde, to a 1st Edition 'Great Gatsby', and several various James Bond or Charles Dickens Ist Editions.

We always try to have an intriguing selection of Ist Editions, for example this month you can view and buy, rare James Bond 1st Edition books, Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan Ist editions, alongside Bull-Dog Drummonds, and, up to 2,000 other history based books in stock, all vintage and hardback. We also stock antique magical and witchcraft pieces, wondrous artefacts, many arcane or esoteric, such as a collection of amazing African Congo ‘fetish’ and so-called voodoo statues, many near identical to those in the `Rockefeller Collection in the Met in New York, or, an incredibly rare ancient Hun or Visigoths Life-stone mounted sword, around 1,600 years old, reputedly imbued with magic powers to enable its warrior owner to be protected or healed from fatal wounds inflicted by their ancient Roman combat adversaries, also, a stunning early 19th century Witch Ball, mounted upon an Ancient Greek bronze ‘after the antique’ statue of Atlas, and each piece can be with a history that could likely be beyond compare.

Twenty four years ago, after 80 years of their family’s trading in Brighton, the Lanes Armoury was honoured by being Nominated & Awarded by BACA, In The Best Antique & Collectables Shop In Britain Awards 2001
Presented by MILLER'S Antiques Guide, THE BBC, HOMES & ANTIQUES MAGAZINE, for the British Antique & Collectables Awards. The version of the antique dealers ‘Oscars’ of Britain.

It was a great honour for Mark and David, especially considering at the beginning of the new millennium, in the year 2000, there was over 7,000 established antique and collectors shops in the UK, according to the official Guide to the Antique Shops of Britain, 1999-2000, that we were nominated, and voted into in the top four, out of 7,000 other antique shops, within the whole of Great Britain.

We were also very kindly described and listed as one of the most highly recommended visitors attractions in the whole of Europe {and thus the UK} by nothing less than the 'New York Times ' within their travel guide "New York Times, 36 Hours, 125 Weekends in Europe. However, this is not the sort of intimidating gallery that you may find in the most exclusive parts of London or Paris, where each room may only have a few, well lit, exclusive pieces with six and seven figure price tags. We are more like a Dickensian, ancient spell-book and magic shop, within our ancient narrow Brighton Lanes, just like Diagon Alley, as one may find within the pages of Harry Potter {by the genius author J.K Rowling} with glass cases overflowing with thousands of flintlocks, artefacts and antiquities, and thousands upon thousands of antique swords, rifles and muskets, mounted upon numerous heaving racks affixed upon the guards red painted walls, rising up from floor to ceiling. Glorious antique helmets by the dozen, piled high upon cabinets, and thousands of books stacked up on the floor and in cabinets and upon desks. Plus of course we have the ubiquitous original old ghost books, volumes on spells, sorcery and magic, and original, ancient pagan, mystical charms.

In the previous 104 years, our family’s past and present clients have included some highly fascinating people from all fields of interest, such as, Hollywood & British legends, of film and theatre, royalty, aristocracy, and academics in all fields, including curators of museums such as the British museum and likely the most famous and very first museum in the world, The Tower of London, and politicians of all types, and from all manner of countries around the world. For example, in the 1970’s {before Mark’s experience serving President Reagan} he was introduced to late great Garfield {Garry} Weston, Canadian billionaire, one of the world’s most famous philanthropists and owner of Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly London, whereupon Mark supplied Garry with finest antique Meissen porcelains thereafter for his antique department in Fortnums. He also had the incredible good fortune to meet the genius writer, artiste, actor and raconteur. Barry Humphries {aka Dame Edna Everidge}. After a glorious afternoon of entertainment, wit and wisdom imparted by Barry, Mark sold to him a fabulous rare piece of Art Nouveau for his collection. And on one extraordinary visit to our shop, in October 1970, when Mark was present {but still, at the time, studying at Brighton College } David snr and Camilla {Mark and David jnr’s mother} were visited by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. With their intention to buy a mansion house from David and Camilla {for Elizabeth’s ex-husband Michael Wilding} but, remarkably, resulted in Elizabeth selling to Camilla her own Rolex watch, just in order to annoy and anger Richard {as intensely as possible, and needless to say, it was remarkably successful}

Our oldest regular collector is now over 103 years old, and our most regular customer has been coming to us for over 78 years! Every month over 60,000 of our regular followers around the world request our weekly stock updates by our updates email. and it is so easy to join in with them, just go to our home page, enter your regular email address in the box, and click go!. you will then get an update email every weekend, {if you don't, just check your spam or junk box.}

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 plus years or more of our family’s trading.

The autographed photographs in the gallery, one from President Reagan, that was taken in the Oval Office in The White House and was very kindly given to Mark during his visit in the 1980’s. and the two certificates from The BACA Awards, and The New York Times.

Plus, in the gallery, a photo of Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton arriving at Brighton Railway Station in October 1970, prior to their visit to our shop to see Mark and David’s parents.  read more

Code: 22898

A Superb Spencer Carbine, The Best Carbine Rifle of the American Civil War, & The Wild West. One of The 500 Guns Of The ‘Colorado Shipment’ & Used In The ‘Post Colorado War’ Indian Wars, Between the Southern Cheyenne, Arapaho, & Brulé and Oglala Sioux

An absolutely cracking example in superb condition for age, probably one of the best we have seen in years, and comparable or possibly better to one we had last year, which was, until then, the finest we had seen anywhere in the last 10 years. Complete with its removable and reloadable magazine. Serial numbered 33k range.

It bears a US inspector’s cartouche stamp on the stock, and that particular inspector is seen on the Colorado issue range, within the 33k serial numbered guns, this is rare in that only 500 carbines from this serial numbered range were transferred to the Colorado territory, and this is only the second we have ever seen, both in that rarely seen 33k serial number sequence.

Colorado, in the world famous Rocky Mountains aka ‘The Rockies’, was at the very heart of what is known today as the “Wild West’ period, and it went through an incredible series of historical events at this time, it was not granted statehood till August 1st 1876, as President Andrew Jackson vetoed it in 1865, it had an amazing and violent ‘Gold Rush’ period during the war, and it was experiencing all manner of difficulties and dangers regarding the breaking of the Fort Laramie Treaty, which became known as the the Colorado War, between the warring Native American tribes, such as between the Southern Cheyenne, Arapaho, and allied Brulé and Oglala Sioux. It became the centre of so many Hollywood ‘Wild West’ films in the entire 20th century, in the telling of the stories of Colorado and ‘The Rockies’ that one way or another it became one of the most famous territories and states of America around the world.

In modern movie times the 1860 Spencer Rifle was used by Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman in ‘The Unforgiven’ and in ‘3.10 to Yuma’ by Christin Bale

The Spencer was the most advanced infantry weapon in the world of its times, it was patented in 1860 by Christian Spencer, a machinist who worked in Hartford. Conn. For Sharps and developed the Spencer on his own time. We are offering this simply superb example that is in great condition for its age. This carbine was a fundamental game changer of the entire Civil War. Although Confederates captured some of these weapons, the South's armament industry was unable to manufacture much of the ammunition due to a shortage of copper. It is only a small exaggeration to state that this cartridge decided the outcome of the Civil War.
Col. John T. Wilder said of them:"Hoover's Gap was the first battle where the Spencer repeating rifle had ever been used, and in my estimation they were better weapons that has yet taken their place, being strong and not easily injured by the rough usage of army movements, and carrying a projectiile that disabled any man who was unlucky enough to be hit by it." One of his soldiers wrote about the Spencer that it "never got out of repair. It would shoot a mile just as accurately as the finest rifle in the world. It was the easiest gun to handle in the manual of arms drill I have ever seen. It could be taken all to pieces to clean, and hence was little trouble to keep in order -- quite an item to lazy soldiers." According to Smith Aktins, a colonel in Wilder's regiment, it was "the best arm for service in the field ever invented, better than any other arm in the world then or now, so simple in its mechanism that it never got out of order, and was always ready for instant service.".

Major-General James H. Wilson, who was instrumental in crushing Hood at Nashville (15-16 Dec. 1864) and defeated Forrest at Selma (2 April 1865), wrote the following about them: "There is no doubt that the Spencer carbine is the best fire-arm yet put into the hands of the soldier, both for economy of ammunition and maximum effect, physical and moral. Our best officers estimate one man armed with it is equivalent to three with any other arm. I have never seen anything else like the confidence inspired by it in the regiments or brigades which have it. A common belief amongst them is if their flanks are covered they can go anywhere. I have seen a large number of dismounted charges made with them against cavalry, infantry, and breast-works, and never knew one to fail. It was the world's first practical repeater and fired a .52 calibre metallic rimfire cartridge (patented by Smith & Wesson in 1854 and perfected by Henry in the late 1850's} which completely prevented gas leakage from the back because the brass casing expanded on ignition to seal the chamber. It had a "rolling block" (actually a rotating block) activated by lowering the trigger guard. This movement opened the breech and extracted the spent cartridge. Raising the lever caused a new cartridge, pushed into position by a spring in the 7-round magazine, to be locked into the firing chamber. The 7-round magazine was located in the stock.
The Spencer was easy to manufacture (given the requisite industrial infrastructure), had relatively few parts, many of which were in common with the Sharps rifles, and was cheaper than other repeaters on the market such as the Henry. It also turned out to be extremely reliable under battlefield conditions. Its great advantage over the muzzle loading rifles such as the Enfields and Springfields lay not only in the rapidity of fire, but also in the ability of the shooter to aim each shot. In a normal battle situation, the muzzle loaders were fired in an aimed manner only the first few shots, thereafter it was usually a case of hurried fire after frantic loading. A trained soldier could get off two or three shots a minute with them until the barrel fouled with lead deposit. With the Spencer the soldier could fire 20 to 30 times a minute when necessary, taking advantage of the cartridge box which held 10 preloaded magazines. The only disadvantage of the Spencers was the relatively small powder charge in the cartridge which limited its range. Some marksmen therefore preferred the single shot Sharps breechloader which used paper or linen cartridges with a larger powder charge and had greater range. With the Sharps you could fire about 10 times a minute. But for the cavalry which fought mostly at close range, the Spencer was the weapon of choice.

Introduced in Jan. 1862, it found its first major use by Col. John Wilder's Indiana "Lightning Brigade" of mounted infantry at Hoover's Gap during the Tullahoma Campaign (22 June - 3 July 1863). The firepower and speed of this unit overwhelmed Wheeler's cavalry guarding the southern end of this pass and allowed George H. Thomas's 14th infantry corps to place itself on the flank of the Confederate General Hardee. This sudden development misled Hardee into thinking he had been outflanked by the entire Union Army of the Cumberland, and he retreated without orders back to Tullahoma, 15 miles in his rear. Wilder then spearheaded the turning movement to the east of Tullahoma, and this in turn undermined Bragg's entire defensive line, and he had to pull back into Chattanooga. At the price of about 500 casualties the Union Army advanced 100 miles and made military history. Later, at the battle of Chickamauga (19-20 Sept. 1863), his troops used them with decisive effect on the first day, keeping Bragg's troops from cutting the road to Chattanooga, and slowing Longstreet's attack on the second day. This is the scarcer Burnside Spencer Repeating Rifle Contract Carbine,

Made in Providence Rhode Island This specimen is one of the Burnside Contract, making it much scarcer and thus rarer than those standard carbines made by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company. Out of the 34,000 made by Burnside, over 30,000 were purchased by the U.S. government, which in gun production numbers, during this period, 30,000 was a most small contract indeed.

On October 16, 1868, 500 Burnside Contract Spencer Carbines were transferred by the Ordnance Department to the Colorado Territory. The Ordnance inspector cartouche remain visible on the left side of the stock behind the sling ring bar, this particular Ordnance stamp is also the ones used for the 500 Colorado Territory guns shipment.

Thousands of people had flooded into Colorado between 1858-1861 trying to find quick riches. As a result, the Colorado territory was born. This was the first time that a concentrated group of people had began to settle the region. It was almost immediately filled with wealth, trade, and rail transportation. By 1865, more than 1 million ounces of gold had been found. But this now overpopulated area had spilt out and violated an already unstable situation; The Treaty of Fort Laramie had been broken. The Treaty was meant to establish boundaries and offer peace, internally and externally, among both the United States and Natives. The American miners settling on the Native land only exaggerated the existing conflicts between tribes. The result ended up being years of war between multiple tribes and the U.S. Government, in what is now known as the Colorado War.
As the conflicts ceased, population growth flourished, and resources kept flowing, the territory became a state on August 1, 1876. Colorado could have been a state a little sooner if President Andrew Jackson didn’t issue a veto against the statehood in 1865. A lot of American history happened in a short span of time. Colorado played a huge role in the history of the American West, making the potential of this rifle in our opinion very special indeed.
As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 23152