Antique Arms & Militaria

A Good And Most Scarce Napoleonic Wars Regimentally Marked East Prussian Life Grenadier 'Guard' Regt. Rifle Musket

Marked on the butt tang a weapon number, or possibly a company number,12, then L.St B., likely the Lieb Stabawache Bat. {Life {Grenadier} Guard Staff Battalion}.

Regulation 133 cm long overall, with a rifled barrel and three steel barrel bands in 1809 the barrel bands were often made from steel instead of brass to save costs. Good flintlock action, superb patination overall and good stock.

Life Grenadier Battalion (Leib-Grenadier-Bataillon)
fought in over 21 battles during the Napoleonic Wars including: in 1807 -
Verteidg,
Colberg,
Sellnow,
Ausfallgefechte and
Wolfsburg.
1813 - Groß-Görschen,
Bautzen,
Katzbach,
Naumburg,
Hochkirch,
Reichenbach,
Bischofswerda,
Hänichen,
Möckern,
Freiburg and Hörselberg,
1814 - Montmirail,
Château Thierry,
Laon,
Trilport and Paris.

And an army of 50,000 Prussians fought at Waterloo under Blucher, and this musket’s user was thus likely attached to this army, possibly one of the 8,000 Prussians that were lost on the field of combat.

Historically, the Prussian army went through a radical reorganisation following Napoleon’s downfall in 1814. In October of that year the six existing grenadier battalions became two regiments and, as a mark of respect, the King of Prussia named these regiments after his allies, Czar Alexander of Russia and Emperor Francis of Austria. The Kaiser Alexander Grenadier Regiment was formed of the 1st and 2nd East Prussian battalions and the Life; the Kaiser Franz regiment was formed of men from the Pomeranian, West Prussian and Silesian battalions.

Prussia's catastrophic defeat at the hands of Napoleon in 1806-07 reduced the once-proud kingdom to an abject vassal of the Emperor of the French. The Prussian Army had been practically destroyed: At the twin battles of Jena and Auerstedt alone (14 October 1806) 38,000 Prussian troops were killed, wounded or captured, and more than 300 colors and standards were lost. Thus when the work of military reconstruction began in 1807 many regiments had to be rebuilt from scratch. The military reformers under General Gerhard von Scharnhorst consolidated the remaining units, renumbering many regiments in the process. A Prussian infantry regiment was now to be composed of two musketeer battalions, one fusilier battalion and two grenadier companies. The latter, however, were detached to form composite grenadier battalions, each four companies strong. Later these independent battalions were consolidated into two grenadier regiments, titled in honor of the Austrian and Russian Emperors. The line infantry regiments acquired territorial titles reflective of their recruiting areas. Infantry Regiment Nr. 1, for example, became Infantry Regiment Nr. 1 (East Prussian Nr. 1). The infantry of the Royal Guard, in 1806 consisting of the Liebgarde Regiment (Nr. 15, two battalions) and the Lieb Grenadier Battalion (Nr. 6), was also reconstituted, at first as a single regiment of Foot Guards. By 1815 there were two, along with a Guard light infantry battalion and a Guard rifle battalion. The 2nd Foot Guards Regiment was formed by amalgamating the Guard Grenadier Battalion with two battalions drafted in from the line; the latter continued to carry the colours of their old regiments. The two Guard regiments were organised like the line infantry, with two musketeer battalions, a fusilier battalion and two grenadier companies. The latter were detached to form the Lieb Grenadier Battalion. 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: 24731

Fine, Incredibly Beautiful Presentation, King George IIIrd Brass Barrel Blunderbuss. Presented to John Holmes, of HMS Thunderer 'As A Token Of Regard' in London 1800. Potentially, It May Have Seen Service At the Battle of Trafalgar. By Thomas, of London

Finest walnut stock with wonderous patination. Excellent action and overall in superb condition. Probably by gunsmith John Thomas of Fore Street, Edmonton .

Presentation inscribed in 1800 from Vincent Drew to John Holmes. Very recent family research these past two months has determined it was presented to the Reverend John Holmes, who was the chaplain of HMS Thunderer, a '74 Gunner' Warship that was part of Nelson's fleet that served at the Battle of Trafalgar.
He joined the Thunderer in May 1805, served at battles of Cape Finisterre and Cape Trafalgar, during 1805, and was discharged from the Ship on the 26th November 1808 when the Thunderer was laid up in Ordinary at Chatham. There is no way to determine if the reverend Holmes took this blunderbuss aboard, but it is intriguing to think he may have done, and of course, if it was indeed used in the battle by the chaplain. In war, chaplains, and indeed ship's surgeons, were armed, as they were expected to have the ability to defend themselves should the need arise. In fact, by regulation, all British officers currently are required to possess {and carry in dress circumstances} a sword of combat quality, for the very same reason, unlike for example the current US armed services, where the officer's sword is regulated to be of dress quality only

In 1805 HMS Thunderer fought in Admiral Calder's fleet at the Battle of Cape Finisterre. Her captain, William Lechmere, returned to England to attend a court-martial as a witness to the events of Admiral Calder's action off Cape Finisterre at the time of the battle. Later that year she fought at the Battle of Trafalgar under the command of her First Lieutenant, John Stockham. The surgeon on board was Scotsman James Marr Brydone, the chaplain the reverend John Holmes, it was the first of the main British battle fleet to sight the Franco-Spanish fleet. Thunderer signalled the Victory and three minutes later battle orders were signalled to the British fleet beginning the Battle of Trafalgar.

Rev. John Holmes resume of service on the Thunderer;

15 Jul 1805 with the blockading squadron off Ferrol, under Sir Robert Calder : departed 30 to 40 leagues off Finisterre to intercept Franco-Spanish fleet from the West Indies. On the 22nd sighted each other. Signal made to engage the enemy - followed by the engagement.

15 Aug 1805 Victory, with Nelson onboard, departed from Portsmouth ; was joined off Plymouth by the Ajax and Thunderer on 18th ; and arrived off Cadiz 28 Sep.

10 Oct 1805 off Cadiz - the tactical preparations etc. for the forthcoming battle. 20 Oct combined fleet departed Cadiz, fleet manoeuvres.

21 Oct 1805 'England expects' signalled, the first shots of the Battle of Trafalgar are fired.

22-30 Oct 1805 losses amongst the prizes due to bad weather etc: Redoutable, Rayo, Monarca (sank) ; Fougueux, Bucentaure, Indomptable, San-Francisco-de-Asis, Aigle, Berwick (wrecked) ; Algsiras (taken into Cadiz) ; Santa-Ana, Neptuno (recaptured) ; Santisima-Trinidad (scuttled) ; Achille, Intrepide, San-Augustin (burnt)

12 Mar 1806 captured the Spanish privateer Santo Christo del Paldo, 14 guns, 67 men, off Cadiz.

8 Dec 1806 with a squadron under R.-Admiral. Sir T. Louis, anchored in Valetta harbour, and having victualled departed the 15th for Tenedos, arriving on 21st. 27th departed for the Dardanells, and anchored in Azire bay. 1 Feb the squadron returned to off Tenedos.

11 Feb-3 Mar 1807 With Sir John Duckworth on what some have described as his somewhat less than successful expedition to Constantinople. 14th anchored off Cape Janizary, ships' boats used to rescue men from the burning Ajax. 19th steered for Constantinople. 2 Mar returned to the Mediterranean.

Late 1807 stationed at Palermo.

21 Feb 1808 joined in Palermo bay by R.-Admiral Strachan's squadron.

2 Mar 1808 joined Lord Collingwood's squadron off the island of Maritimo. 6 Mar received news that the French fleet had been at sea for a month and departed in search, which continued for a week or two after the French fleet had returned to Toulon on 10 Apr. Leaving Vice-admiral Thornborough with a sufficient force to blockade Toulon, Lord Collingwood departed for Gibraltar and Cadiz, to contribute his aid to the cause of the Spanish patriots.

The Blunderbuss (born of the Dutch word "Donderbus", appropriately meaning "Thunder Pipe" or "Thunder Gun") came to prominence in the early part of the 18th Century (1701-1800) and was more akin to the modern day shotgun than a "long gun" musket or heavy pistol of the time. As such, she excelled in close-in fighting, be it within the confines of naval warfare or walled nature of the urban environment, where her spread of shot could inflict maximum damage to targets at close ranges. Its manageable size, coupled with its spread shot, ensured some level of accuracy for even the novice user and its appearance was rather intimidating to those unfortunate enough to be staring down the business end. As with modern firearms, the Blunderbuss also made for an excellent security-minded weapon and soon found popularity amongst all matter of operators - military, civilian and, of course, criminal parties - by the middle of the 1700s. Even George Washington championed the Blunderbuss for Continental Army "Dragoon" units of the burgeoning American military as opposed to the carbine this being nothing more than a full-featured long gun of lesser overall length, proving suitable for horse-mounted handling. In fact, the short-form version of the Blunderbuss came to be known as the "Dragon", giving rise to the term "Dragoon" for such gun-wielding cavalrymen. Dragoons went on to form specialized units of mounted infantrymen within their respective armies during the end of the 17th Century and into the middle of the 18th Century - in a way, becoming an evolutionary step of the fabled mounted knight of the Middle Ages. Their use of Dragons soon gave way to the widely-accepted carbine musket. The Blunderbuss was also known as the "Blunderbess" As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 23068

A Battle of Agincourt, From the Reign of King Henry Vth, 'Flesh Cutter" Welsh or English Longbowman's Arrowhead, 1415, Battlefield Recovered In the 1820's as A 'Grand Tour Souvenir'

Yet another small part of our wondrous, historical, and original Ancient Roman, Ancient Greek, Viking, Crusaders, and Medeavil battlefield antiquities and artefacts, another collection that has just arrived with us. Act fast though, the collection was small, from the same Grand Tour collector's family, and selling fast!!

A Battle of Agincourt Tanged 'Flesh Cutter" Arrowhead, 1415, Battlefield Recovered In the 1820's as A 'Grand Tour Souvenir'Acquired by the Hamilton family in the 1820's while on a Grand Tour of Anglo French battle sites within Northern & Western France from Azincourt, in the Pas-de-Calais, to Poitiers in Aquitaine.

Most English war arrows for Longbows could vary, and some archers would have some type known as a "Flesh Cutter" since their job was Broadheads were for targeting un-armoured men and knight's horses.

After several decades of relative peace, the English had renewed their war effort in 1415 amid the failure of negotiations with the French. In the ensuing campaign, many soldiers perished due to disease and the English numbers dwindled, but as they tried to withdraw to English-held Calais they found their path blocked by a considerably larger French army. Despite the disadvantage, the following battle ended in an overwhelming tactical victory for the English.

King Henry V of England led his troops into battle and participated in hand-to-hand fighting. The French king of the time, Charles VI, did not command the French army himself, as he suffered from severe psychotic illnesses with moderate mental incapacitation. Instead, the French were commanded by Constable Charles d'Albret and various prominent French noblemen of the Armagnac party.

This battle is notable for the use of the English longbow in very large numbers, with the English and Welsh archers forming up to 80 percent of Henry's army. The decimation of the French cavalry at their hands is regarded as an indicator of the decline of cavalry and the beginning of the dominance of ranged weapons on the battlefield.

Agincourt is one of England's most celebrated victories. The battle is the centrepiece of the play Henry V by Shakespeare. Juliet Barker in her book Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle ( published in 2005) argues the English and Welsh were outnumbered "at least four to one and possibly as much as six to one". She suggests figures of about 6,000 for the English and 36,000 for the French, based on the Gesta Henrici's figures of 5,000 archers and 900 men-at-arms for the English, and Jean de Wavrin's statement "that the French were six times more numerous than the English". The 2009 Encyclopædia Britannica uses the figures of about 6,000 for the English and 20,000 to 30,000 for the French. Part of an original medieval collection we have just acquired, of Viking and early British relics of warfare from ancient battle sites recovered up to 220 years ago.

Bodkins had a greater ability to pierce mail armour than broadheads, and historical accounts do speak of bodkin arrows shot from close range piercing plate armour. Broadheads were made from steel, sometimes with hardened edges, but were more often used against lightly armoured men or horses than against an armoured adversary.

Armour of the medieval era was not completely proof against arrows until the specialised armour of the Italian city-state mercenary companies. Archery was thought not to be effective against plate armour in the Battle of Neville's Cross (1346), the Battle of Bergerac (1345), and the Battle of Poitiers (1356); such armour became available to European knights and men at arms of fairly modest means by the late 14th century, though never to all soldiers in any army.

Most of our antiquities and artefacts are from 200 year past souvenir accumulations from British ‘Grand Tours’. Beautiful Items and antiquities were oft acquired in the 18th and early 19th century by British noblemen and women touring battle sites in Northern France and Italy, in fact most of Europe and the Middle East, on their so-called ‘Grand Tour’. They were often placed on display upon their return home, within the family’s 'cabinet of curiosities', within their country house. Some significant British stately homes had entire galleries displaying the treasures and artefacts gathered and purchased on such tours, and some tours lasted many years, and the accumulated souvenirs numbered in their hundreds or even thousands. A popular pastime in the 18th and 19th century, comprised of English ladies and gentlemen traveling for many months, or even years, throughout classical Europe, and the Middle East, acquiring knowledge and education on the arts, and thus returning with antiquities and antiques as souvenirs for their private collections, and these travels have been thus called ‘Grand Tours’.  read more

Code: 25669

A Stunning Rarity, A Solid Silver Roman Military Ring, Possibly of a Tribune or Legatus, or Even the Personal Guard of the Emperor Contantine Ist, of the Roman Empire. Engraved with the Personal Wreathed Labarum Standard of Constantine the Great

Engraved with the Personal ‘Wreathed Labarum’ Standard of Constantine the Great.
A Labarum engraved ring of Constantine Ist's Military standard showing the symbol 'Chi Rho' surrounded by the victory symbol laurel wreath. As it is a solid silver ring it likely demonstrates it was awarded and worn by an Imperial Roman military commander of high rank. Roman bronze rings and bracelets were awarded and allowed to be worn by the Legionary or Centurion, but the silver grade was only for the ranks of such as the Centurion, Tribune or Legate. Plus, as the Emperors symbol is framed in the engraving within a laurel wreath of victory, it may most likely have been awarded to the highest rank of Tribune [a wide stripe Tribune] or, a Legate, after a great victory in combat. Possibly after the Battles of Livium Bridge against Maxentius and the Battle of Chrysopolis against Emperor Licinius in the East, The religious aspect of the conflict was reflected in Licinius drawing up his battle lines with images of the pagan gods of Rome prominently displayed, whilst Constantine's army fought under his talismanic Christian standard, the labarum. Licinius had developed such a superstitious dread of the Labarum he forbade his troops from attacking it, or even looking directly at it.

Constantine’s saw his divine message from Christ, it was;
‘In hoc signo vinces’ – “In this sign, you will win”

The Labarum was a square legion's banner of the 4th century Roman Empire, with golden fringes, hung on a cross beam, on which was embedded the Chi-Rho Christogram, and sometimes also the image of Christ in purple and gold. It was introduced by Emperor Constantine the Great. It was the banner of the Roman legions but used only when the emperor was with the army.

According to an account by Eusebius of Caesarea, before the battle at the Milvian Bridge (October 28, 312 CE) Constantine the Great had a vision that allowed him to win. Around noon, he was to see a luminous cross in the sky, and under it, an inscription in Greek – “You will overcome this”. Better known in Latin translation In hoc signo vinces – “In this sign, you will win”. The next night in a dream, Christ commanded him to use the sign of the cross against his enemies. Eusebius then describes labarum (legionary’s banner) with the sign of Chi Rho.

The Labarum, became the sacred military standard of the Christian Roman emperors, first used by Constantine I in the early part of the 4th century AD. The Labarum—a Christian version of the vexillum, the military standard used earlier in the Roman Empire—incorporated the Chi-Rho, the monogram of Christ, in a golden wreath atop the staff. The flag was made of purple silk (purple dye being at this time a rarity derived from a shellfish of the genus Murex) richly embroidered with gold. Although usually suspended from a horizontal bar, it appears to have been displayed occasionally by fastening one of its sides to its staff.

Constantine was the first emperor to convert to Christianity. He ended the policy of persecuting Christians and in 313 CE issued the Edict of Milan, proclaiming the freedom to profess this religion.

A silver ring of a hoop form, with nicely shaped shoulders, circular bezel nicely engraved with the Emperor's Chi Rho cross, within a laurel wreath roundel. In the gallery is the Labarum of Constantine I, reconstructed from the depiction on a follis Roman coin, minted c. 337. The three dots represent "medallions" which are said to have shown portraits of Constantine and his sons. plus another Roman coin showing his standard, an artistic representation of the Emperor's Labarum, and an original roman carved marble panel, showing Emperor Constantine holding his personal standard adorned with his Chi Rho symbol at the very top.

Battle of Milvian Bridge, (October 28, 312 CE), major battle in a Roman civil war between Constantine I and Maxentius. After the collapse of the Roman Empire’s Second Tetrarchy, Constantine and Maxentius asserted competing claims to the imperial throne. At Maxentius’s goading, Constantine invaded the Italian Peninsula. A lightning campaign saw Maxentius killed in battle at the Milvian Bridge on the outskirts of Rome. Constantine’s victory confirmed his role as ruler of the Western Empire. According to ancient sources, Constantine converted to Christianity just before the battle. The Battle of the Milvian Bridge may have concluded Constantine’s civil war with Maxentius, but it was not his final battle. In the East, Licinius conquered his rival Maximinus Daia’s lands. However, he held them only briefly before Constantine invaded, first in 314 and again in 316. Constantine seemingly eschewed any subtlety of manoeuvre, he launched a single massive frontal assault on Licinius' troops and routed them.[6][8] He won a decisive victory in what was a very large-scale battle. According to the fifth-century historian Zosimus, “There was great slaughter at Chrysopolis.” Emperor Licinius was reported to have lost 25,000 to 30,000 men, with thousands more breaking and running in flight. Licinius managed to escape and gathered around 30,000 of his surviving troops at the city of Nicomedia.

Recognising that his surviving forces in Nicomedia could not stand against Constantine's victorious army, Licinius was persuaded to throw himself on the mercy of his enemy. Constantia, Constantine's half-sister and Licinius' wife, acted as intermediary. Initially, yielding to the pleas of his sister, Constantine spared the life of his brother-in-law, but some months later he ordered his execution, thereby breaking his solemn oath. This occurred because Licinius was suspected of treasonable actions, and the army command pressed for his execution. A year later, Constantine's nephew, the younger Licinius, also fell victim to the emperor's anger or suspicions. He was executed in 326 and had his name expunged from official inscriptions.

In defeating his last foe, Licinius, Constantine became the sole emperor of the Roman Empire; the first such since the elevation of Maximian to the status of Augustus by Diocletian in April 286. After his conquest of the eastern portion of the Roman Empire, Constantine made the momentous decision to give the east its own capital, and the empire as a whole its second. Constantine was now the undisputed ruler of the entire Roman Empire. As thanks for his good fortune and proof of his conviction, he would make Christianity the state’s most favoured religion. But Constantine would also abandon the city whose conquest had cemented his conversion. The capital would be relocated east to the city of Byzantium (renamed Constantinople, modern Istanbul). Rome would be left to crumble, and with it the Western Empire.

As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity


 read more

Code: 24628

A n Original 1870's Victorian the 9th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada, 9th Voltiguers De Quebec Shako Plate. The Oldest French Canadian Regiment.

A very good and rare large helmet plate of the Canadian Light Infantry volunteers.
3 loop pin mounting posts. In superb condition.

The '9' unit mark denotes issue to the 9th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada (Voltigeurs de Quebec). They were one of the units mobilized and sent out west during the 1885 North West Rebellion. The unit was established in 1862.
The North-West Rebellion (or the North-West Resistance, Saskatchewan Rebellion, Northwest Uprising, or Second Riel Rebellion) of 1885 was a brief and unsuccessful uprising by the Metis people under Louis Riel, and an associated uprising by First Nations Cree and Assiniboine, of the District of Saskatchewan against the government of Canada. During a time of great social change in Western Canada, the Metis believed that the Canadians had failed to address the protection of their rights, their land and their survival as a distinct people. Despite some notable early victories at Duck Lake, Fish Creek and Cut Knife, the rebellion ended when the Metis were defeated at the siege of Batoche, Saskatchewan, the eventual scattering of their allied Aboriginal forces and the trial and hanging of Louis Riel and eight First Nations leaders.

Tensions between French Canada and English Canada increased for some time. Due to the role that the Canadian Pacific Railway played in transporting troops, but political support for it increased, and Parliament authorized funds to complete the country's first transcontinental railway.

It was redesignated the 9th Regiment Voltigeurs de Québec on 8 May 1900, and, following the Great War, Les Voltigeurs de Québec on 29 March 1920. During the Second World War it was designated the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Les Voltigeurs de Québec on 10 May 1941 and Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Reserve) on 15 September 1944. After the Second World War it was designated Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Motor) on 1 April 1946. On 1 September 1954, it was amalgamated with Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses) and redesignated Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Mitrailleuses). It was, again, redesignated Les Voltigeurs de Québec on 11 April 1958. On 22 February 1965, the regiment was amalgamated with The Royal Rifles of Canada. The two regiments ceased to be amalgamated on 1 November 1966 and the “Voltigeurs de Quebec” continue as an active infantry regiment on the Canadian order of battle.


4 inches high.
Photo four in the gallery shows another helmet plate mounted upon its Shako  read more

Code: 18971

A Stunning, Indian Tiger Head, of 'Tipu Sultan' Form, Dagger's Pommel, The Tiger of Mysore, in Silver and Copper With Gem Stone Eyes

Likely used in the era of the Battle of The Siege of Seringapatam (4 May 1799) potentially by one of his highest rank military or vassal. It was the final confrontation of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore. The British achieved a decisive victory after breaching the walls of the fortress at Seringapatam (as Srirangapatna was then known) and storming the citadel. Tippu Sultan, Mysore's ruler, was killed in the action. The British restored the Wodeyar dynasty to the throne after the victory, but retained indirect control of the kingdom. All copper gilt hilt and mount. Decorated with a Tiger's head pommel, and fully designed with mask suspension mounts and all over patterning. Tipu Sultan (c.1753–99) the Sultan of Mysore from (1782–99). He inherited the kingdom recently created by his father, Hyder Ali and was a formidable enemy to both the British and neighbouring Indian states. Failure to secure active French support left him without allies in resisting the British. He was finally besieged in his own capital, Seringapatam, when unfounded rumours that he had secured an alliance with Revolutionary France gave the British the necessary pretext for a final assault. He was killed in the attack.

On a number of Tipu's swords, such as those at Powis Castle, near Welshpool; British Museum, London; and Museo Stibbert Museum, Florence, tigers form the hilt, with Tiger of Mysore pommel, Each tiger is of a slightly different design. The tiger and tiger's head denotes the certainty of it having belonged to royalty as none but Princes are allowed to introduce it,' wrote Lord Mornington, the Governor General, in 1800.

Islam did not directly forbid representational, figurative art, but there is no religious tradition governing it as there is with calligraphy and the more geometric decorative arts. Islamic figurative art is generally secular (separated from religion). Representational examples of Islamic art often illustrate battles or animal hunts, and were used to decorate the private apartments of the nobility. Although unfortunately there is no known remaining direct connection with this sword pommel and Tipu Sultan, or Seringapatam, as his swords were usually solid gold, yet it is so similar to the Tiger of Mysore's solid gold tiger heads thus it is to be logically concluded to possibly have been used by a noble/prince in his service, or, at the very least an admirer-supporter.

A photo in the gallery shows the solid gold, Tiger of Mysore, pommelled sword of Tipu Sultan, and a Tipu Sultan, Tiger of Mysore, pommelled dagger. Both gold silver and jewelled, and another Tiger of Mysore, in gold and jewels taken from his disassembled from his throne over 223 years ago, and that tiger of Mysore head sold for around 1.4 million pounds a few years ago.  read more

Code: 24857

An Early Roman Empire Period 1st Century Status Seal Ring Depicting Winged Pegasus and Bellerophon Slaying the Monstrous Chimaera With His Spear

A superb Henig type Xb ring. Wide oval bezel affixed to flattened shoulders engraved copper bronze alloy with gilt highlights. Almost identical shape and form to one found in the UK near Hadrian's Wall. And another similar, with the very same style of workmanship and engraving from the era, was discovered 50 years ago, and believed to be once the ring of the infamous Pontius Pilate, the Governor of Judea for Rome

Although an Ancient Greek legend, all the gods and myths of Ancient Greece were highly revereed and eagerly adopted by the Romans, for their art especially. However, once they adopted the Greek gods they Romanised and re-named them, such as the God of the Sea, Poseiden, who thus became Neptune, God of the Sea, for the Romans. Traditional stylized engraving, typical for a Roman status ring, for a citizen or noble.

Pegasus is fabled winged-horse from Greek mythology which was fathered by Poseidon and was born from the severed neck of the gorgon Medusa, slain by Perseus. At the same time and in the same way, Chryasor was also born. Poseidon gave Pegasus to his son Bellerophon who put Pegasus to good use in his famous battle with the Chimaera.

The myth of Bellerophon begins with the hero visiting Tiryns and enjoying the hospitality of the city's king Proitos. However, trouble started when Stheneboia, the king's wife, fell in love with the hero and made inappropriate advances. Bellerophon, being a good guest, politely rejected these advances but predictably, Stheneboia saw red and went before the king and accused the visitor of attempting to seduce her. In punishment, Bellerophon was sent by Proitos to serve his father-in-law Iobates, King of Lykia. On arrival, Bellerophon was set a series of dangerous and impossibly difficult tasks, chief amongst them being to destroy the fearsome and rather bizarre Chimaera. This fire-breathing creature was a terrible mix of a lion's body with a snake for a tail and the head of a goat sprouting from its back. To aid him in this task, Bellerophon was fortunate to have at his disposal Pegasus. In some accounts he found the horse at the fountain of Pirene near Corinth, and Hesiod suggests this fact explains the name Pegasus, derived from 'water'- pēgē. Taming the horse with the help of Athena, Bellerophon rode (and flew) Pegasus and managed to kill the monstrous Chimaera with his spear.

Bellerophon and Pegasus went on to enjoy further success with other challenges Iobates set the hero including a battle with the Amazons. However, becoming rather boastful and thinking he could fly high enough on his winged steed to take his place amongst the immortal gods, Bellerophon was thrown by Pegasus and fell unceremoniously back to earth. Meanwhile, Pegasus kept on going and on reaching Mt. Olympus, he was given to Eos who was responsible for bringing Dawn across the sky each day. According to Hesiod in his Theogony, Pegasus also brought Zeus his thunder and lightning whenever needed.
Pegasus appeared on Greek pottery, the earliest being Corinthian wares from the 7th century BCE. Pegasus was also a popular design on coins, in particular from Corinth from the 6th century BCE. A famous representation in sculpture is from the pediment of the Temple of Artemis on Corcyra (c. 580 BCE). The Bellerophon and Pegasus myth was also a popular subject in Roman art - especially engraved semi-precious stone cameos and floor mosaics - where the horse became symbolic of immortality.

A ring discovered 50 years ago is now believed to possibly be the ring of Pontius Pilate himself, and it was the same copper-bronze form ring as is this one. See its image in the gallery, with a detailed drawing of the traditional stylized engraving.

Being around 2000 years old, it has a heavily encrusted, natural, well aged patina

As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity  read more

Code: 24889

A Very Fine And Historical Signed Letter From Admiral Sir G.C.Berkeley Aboard HMS Ganges 1809. From The Admiral That According to Many Historians Personally Instigated The War of 1812 With America, By Ordering The Attack On USS Chesapeake by HMS Leopard

A rare original document of the Napoleonic Wars, that could make a stunning and unique gift. Signed by the Admiral who started the War of 1812, the man who was promoted, in 1810, to be Lord High Admiral of the Portuguese Navy by the Portuguese Regent in Brazil, in order to aid Wellington at sea against the forces of Napoleon. And, furthermore, he was the Admiral who convinced the navy board to investigate, for the health of the navy and England, and to assist the promotion of Edward Jenner’s new vaccine against smallpox. The worlds first vaccine. Edward Jenner, a most remarkable and innovative man, and Berkeley’s friend, who it is said, saved more lives through this work, than any other single man in the history of the world, thanks to his radical idea of the smallpox vaccine, that was promoted, and thus assisted to be accepted by England and the Navy, by the efforts of Admiral Berkeley.

It would make a unique addition to any fine collection, particularly if bespoke framed for the beautiful display of such a significant hand written signed record of Napoleonic Wars British Royal Navy history. Hand signed by the American Station commanding officer, and the instigator of the action, Admiral Sir George Cranfield Berkeley, known as the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, that culminated in the War of 1812.

The letter was for Admiral Sir J.T.Duckworth, regarding Admiral's Berkeley's sending of three British ships for the assistance of Admiral J.T.Duckworths hoped for victory against the enemy, in March 1809.
Admiral Sir George Cranfield Berkeley who is regarded by some to have instigated the cause of the War of 1812 With America by ordering the attack of HMS Leopard on the American frigate USS Chesapeake. He was a highly regarded friend of the Duke of Wellington, and he was also father-in-law to Nelson's great friend, and commander of HMS Victory, Capt. Thomas Masterman Hardy, and he also encouraged his great friend and physician Edward Jenner to continue his work and research on his smallpox vaccine for the good of naval personnel. This action alone directly connects him to one of the greatest and most successful medical achievements in the history of mankind.

Admiral Berkeley partook in several most notable and significant battles and wars, including;
American Revolutionary War
First Battle of Ushant
Great Siege of Gibraltar
Second Battle of Ushant
French Revolutionary Wars
Glorious First of June
Napoleonic Wars
Peninsular War
Admiral Sir George Cranfield Berkeley GCB (10 August 1753 - 25 February 1818), often known as George Berkeley, was a highly experienced, popular, yet controversial naval officer and politician in late eighteenth and early nineteenth century Britain. Serving on several ships, Cranfield-Berkeley saw action at all three Battles of Ushant, commanded fleets in the West Indies and off Ireland and governed the supply routes to Portugal and Spain which kept Wellington's armies in the field during the Peninsula War. He also enjoyed an extensive political career, reforming military practices in Britain and participating in several prominent scandals including feuds with Charles James Fox and Hugh Palliser.In 1786 Berkeley commanded HMS Magnificent and remained with her for three years until 1789 when he became surveyor-general of the ordnance. He left the post after the French Revolutionary Wars broke out in 1793, taking over HMS Marlborough.

French Revolutionary Wars

Berkeley was still in command of Marlborough when she fought under Lord Howe at the Glorious First of June, fighting as part of Admiral Thomas Pasley's van division there and at the preceding Atlantic campaign of May 1794. At the First of June, Marlborough was dismasted in close combat with several French ships and Berkeley badly wounded in the head and thigh, having to retire below after a period to staunch the bleeding. He had a long convalescence after the action but was amongst the captains selected for the gold medal commemorating the action, only awarded to those felt to have played a significant part in the victory.

Returning to service in 1795, Berkeley commanded HMS Formidable off Brest, Cadiz, Ireland and the Texel, coming ashore in 1798 to command the Sussex sea fencibles. In 1799, Berkeley was promoted rear-admiral and attached to the Channel Fleet, but the gout which had forced his first retirement returned, and Berkeley was forced to take permanent shore leave in 1800. In 1801, Berkeley increased his political interests to compensate for the loss of his naval career.
Berkeley continued building his political status during the Peace of Amiens and by Berkeley had been appointed inspector of sea fencibles, a job he undertook with vigour, conducting a fourteen-month survey of Britain's coastal defences, which greatly improved the island's defences. In 1806. In January 1809 he arrived at Lisbon to assume command of the Portuguese station, his flag flying aboard the Barfleur 98 commanded by his son-in-law, Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy, and with his 22 year-old nephew Maurice Berkeley serving as his flag-lieutenant. In November 1811 Captain John Smith Cowan was placed in acting command of the flagship in succession to Captain Henry Hume Spence. Berkeley enjoyed great success in his support of the army, being lauded by Viscount Wellington for his attention to all aspects of his command, and he also managed to keep the French from taking control of the Spanish fleet at Ferrol

Berkeley left this, his last duty, in May 1812, having been promoted admiral on 31 July 1810 and created Lord High Admiral of the Portuguese Navy.
After a shift in political power, Berkeley fell out of favour somewhat and was dispatched to the North American Station. From there, Berkeley ordered the attack by HMS Leopard on the American frigate USS Chesapeake in retaliation for American recruitment of British deserters. This action, known as the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, helped precipitate the War of 1812

Having embarrassed the British government with this action, Berkeley was recalled home. However, public opinion supported his orders, so Berkeley was moved to command in Lisbon in the hope he could organise the chaotic supply system for Wellington's army in the Peninsula War. Berkeley recognised that only a dedicated and organised convoy system could keep the supply of men, food and material regular and consequently set one up. Simultaneously, he reequipped and galvanised the remnants of the Spanish Navy, rescuing several ships from capture by the French as well as used frigates to supply partisan units all along the coast of Portugal and Northern Spain.

By 1810, Wellington could truthfully say of Berkeley that "His activity is unbounded, the whole range of the business of the Country in which he is stationed, civil, military, political, commercial, even ecclesiastical I believe as well as naval are objects of his attention". He was promoted to full admiral and made Lord High Admiral of the Portuguese Navy by the Portuguese Regent in Brazil. By 1810 he had used sailors to man coastal defences all over Spain, freeing soldiers for Wellington and also formed a squadron of river gunboats to harry French units from major rivers like the Tagus.

He and Wellington remained good friends for the rest of their lives, and Wellington later stated that Berkeley was the best naval commander he had ever cooperated with. Furthermore, Berkley's contribution, although unrecognised, due to his association of his lifelong friend, Edward Jenner, the pioneer of the worlds first vaccine. The vaccine for smallpox, that Berkeley had persuaded the government to investigate, particularly with regard for the health of the navy.

Jenner, who is is often called "the father of immunology", due to his work, that is said to have "saved more lives than the work of any other human past or present.” may possibly have failed in his groundbreaking idea, if it had not been for Berkeley’s intervention on his behalf.

The paper of this letter bears the watermark and date of Dusautoy & Rump 1806.
The last picture in the gallery is a portrait of Rear Admiral Duckworth, the recipient of the letter, the previous three pictures are of Admiral Berkeley, Admiral Berkeley’s HMS Ganges, and Edward Jenner

Six similar Royal Naval letters, from 1808-1813, are in the "Sir George Cranfield Berkeley Papers" at Rice University, Texas, USA
https://digitalprojects.rice.edu/wrc/british-navy/collections/show/6

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading  read more

Code: 20233

A Fabulous, Rare Early 19th Cent. British Explosive 10" Mortar Bomb From the War of 1812 In America. Likely, Fomerly Part of The Armament of HMS Terror, During The Bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. The Battle Site of “The Star Spangled Banner”

One of four exceptionally rare 10" Royal Naval mortar balls we are delighted to have acquired from our private historical Royal Naval collector in Plymouth, the same city where Admiral Cochrane, fleet commander at the attack on Fort McHenry, became Commander-in-Chief of the naval base in Plymouth, England, after the war of 1812. We now only have 2 remaining of these original iron bomb shells, another sold today, the first day it was posted on here.

They were apparently unloaded from ships of the line from Admiral Cochrane's returning fleet, supposedly in Plymouth, during the war of 1812 and the 90 pound bronze mortars were removed from his fleet. It is said the Admiral and his crew loathed and feared these particular huge mortars due to their likely hood of miss-fire. The 90 pounder shell had to be first primed, and then lit, before it entered the muzzle of the bronze cannon, that had previously been loaded with pounds of gunpowder, the cannon mortar was then lit and fired which thus ejected, with a massive force explosion, the explosive ball high into the sky to the centre of the enemy's ranks. However, the shell might have accidentally exploded while it was being manouvered, it might also have ignited the powder within the breech of the cannon, or, the fizzing mortar might have not have been ejected at all due to a cannon miss-fire. Any one of these horrifying events would be catastrophic, and the resulting explosion would be of of such magnitude it would likely have killed most on board, and probably sunk the vessel entirely with all hands. This a series of events that any ships captain or admiral would not consider to be entirely advantageous

The previous two 10” mortar bombs, that we had two years ago, were the very first we had had in 50 years. The first of those two we sold to an esteemed private museum in Florida USA, the other to an American private collector

We are not expecting ever to see any more of their like again. It would make a fabulous and impressive historical display piece of significant and particular Royal Naval and early American history interest

These 10" mortars explosive balls were fired by the 10" mortars used by Admiral Cochrane against Fort McHenry, Baltimore Harbour, and the resulting 10" mortar bomb shell's mid air explosions, against the backdrop of the US flag flying at Fort McHenry, Baltimore Harbour, inspired the patriotic anthem, the "Star Spangled Banner".

It was the sight of these very 10" mortar bombshells, that originally weighed around 90 pounds each, plus powder therein, that when they exploded over Fort McHenry in Harbour, it inspired Francis Scott Key to write his poem that became the US anthem.
Naturally, this is a perfectly intact surviving example, and one of the 10" mortar shells that either wasn't fired, or, failed to explode.

With Washington in ruins, the British next set their sights on Baltimore, then America’s third-largest city. Moving up the Chesapeake Bay to the mouth of the Patapsco River, they plotted a joint attack on Baltimore by land and water. On the morning of September 12, General Ross’s troops landed at North Point, Maryland, and progressed towards the city. They soon encountered the American forward line, part of an extensive network of defences established around Baltimore in anticipation of the British assault. During the skirmish with American troops, General Ross, so successful in the attack on Washington, was killed by a sharpshooter. Surprised by the strength of the American defences, British forces camped on the battlefield and waited for nightfall on September 13, planning to attempt another attack under cover of darkness.

Meanwhile, Britain’s naval force, buoyed by its earlier successful attack on Alexandria, Virginia, was poised to strike Fort McHenry and enter Baltimore Harbour. At 6:30 AM on September 13, 1814, Admiral Cochrane’s ships began a 25-hour bombardment of the fort. Rockets whistled through the air and burst into flame wherever they struck. Mortars fired 10- and 13-inch bombshells that exploded overhead in showers of fiery shrapnel. It is said many exploded too soon as the fuses were set too short, which created the firework effect. Major Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry and its defending force of one thousand troops, ordered his men to return fire, but their guns couldn’t reach the enemy’s ships. When British ships advanced on the afternoon of the 13th, however, American gunners badly damaged them, forcing them to pull back out of range. All through the night, Armistead’s men continued to hold the fort, refusing to surrender. That night British attempts at a diversionary attack also failed, and by dawn they had given up hope of taking the city. At 7:30 on the morning of September 14, Admiral Cochrane called an end to the bombardment, and the British fleet withdrew. The successful defense of Baltimore marked a turning point in the War of 1812. Three months later, on December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent formally ended the war. "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbour during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory. During the bombardment, HMS Terror and HMS Meteor provided some of the "bombs bursting in air".

The 15-star, 15-stripe "Star-Spangled Banner" that inspired the poem
Key was inspired by the U.S. victory and the sight of the large U.S. flag flying triumphantly above the fort. This flag, with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, had been made by Mary Young Pickersgill together with other workers in her home on Baltimore's Pratt Street. The flag later came to be known as the Star-Spangled Banner, and is today on display in the National Museum of American History, a treasure of the Smithsonian Institution. It was restored in 1914 by Amelia Fowler, and again in 1998 as part of an ongoing conservation program. Pictures in the gallery of the siege from contemporary paintings and engravings, a commemorative stamp issued in 2014, and an original War of 1812 bronze British mortar now kept at Yorktown Visitor Centre, and a photo of the flag in the National Museum of American History, 1989. The original flag that was illuminated by these very 10" mortar shells.

Sir Alexander Cochrane was born into a Scottish aristocratic family as a younger son, and like many in this position made a career out of military service. Cochrane joined the Royal Navy as a boy and fought in the American Revolution. Following this war he rose quickly in the Napoleonic Wars, earning renown in the Battle of San Domingo and the Conquest of Martinique in 1809.

By the beginning of the War of 1812, Cochrane was a well-seasoned and high-ranking officer. As a vice admiral, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the new North American naval station in Bermuda. He devised a clever plan to weaken the American defenses and turn America’s slaves against the country by inviting any American – slave or free – to join the British Navy. Many slaves took this offer, escaping to British lines for military service in exchange for their freedom.

By the summer of 1814, Cochrane had returned to the waters of the United States, overseeing the raids of the Chesapeake. Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost, governor of Upper Canada, suggested launching an invasion somewhere in the United States in retaliation against the sack of York and to weaken the American forces, relieving pressure on Canada. Cochrane landed the ground troops to invade Washington, and presided over the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the Battle of Baltimore.

After only moderate success in the Chesapeake, Cochrane wanted to push toward New Orleans in order to cement the British position in the United States. He orchestrated an amphibious attack on the city via Lake Borgne, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico that could bring troops close to the city.

Although Cochrane was successful in the Battle of Lake Borgne, allowing the British Army to advance toward New Orleans, the disastrous defeat at the Battle of New Orleans damaged his reputation. The influential Napoleonic War hero the Duke of Wellington in particular blamed Cochrane of the death of his brother-in-law, Sir Edward Michael Pakenham, the British general overseeing land troops at the Battle of New Orleans.

However, despite the criticisms and ultimate failure to get a foothold in the United States, Cochrane was promoted to admiral after the war, and served out the rest of his military career as Commander-in-Chief of the naval base in Plymouth, England.

The fictional nautical adventures of Captain Horatio Hornblower were supposedly based on Cochrane’s notable maritime achievements.

HMS Terror had a most remarkable later history, alongside HMS Erebus
Franklin's lost expedition was a failed British voyage of Arctic exploration led by Captain Sir John Franklin that departed England in 1845 aboard two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, and was assigned to traverse the last un-navigated sections of the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic and to record magnetic data to help determine whether a better understanding could aid navigation.The expedition met with disaster after both ships and their crews, a total of 129 officers and men, became icebound in Victoria Strait near King William Island in what is today the Canadian territory of Nunavut. After being icebound for more than a year, Erebus and Terror were abandoned in April 1848, by which point two dozen men, including Franklin, had died. The survivors, now led by Franklin's second-in-command, Francis Crozier, and Erebus's captain, James Fitzjames, set out for the Canadian mainland and disappeared, presumably having perished

The mortar is empty, inert and completely safe. Seated on an old iron ring for the photograph, not included with the mortar  read more

Code: 25058

A Superb Pocket Sized 'Pepperbox' Derringer Revolver Six Shot Pistol Circa 1840, With Most Rare Sliding Hammer Safety Mechanism

Good condition for age, all over blue-black finish, all barrels are numbered 1 through 6 and all individually proofed. Chequered original wooden grips, frame scroll hand engraved, hammer leaf engraved, trigger guard scroll engraved

The 'pepperbox' 6 shot revolver was an amazing progression from the single shot percussion pistol, that worked on the rotating multi barrelled principle before the concept of a revolving cylinder and a single barrel system was invented. the style of the pistol created its nickname of the pepperbox as it looked somewhat like a peppermill, but they most often were large belt or holster pistol sized, whereas the pocket Derringer sized type, being the scarcest of all, is most rarely seen to survive today.

the pepperbox revolver was still being used in the American Civil War, especially by Southern soldiers due to the lack of arms, a photo in the gallery shows a Confederate corporal holding his larger holster or belt size pepperbox revolver, and he looks barely 13 years of age.

In the 1850s, the extreme popularity of antique derringer pistols swept the nation like wildfire. Henry Deringer, the man who made the first Philadelphia Deringer, created a small and concealable pistol for people to carry for protection. When searching for an antique derringer pistol for sale, one will notice that derringers are made by a number of different brands and manufacturers. Many people wanted to make their design number one and stick out among the rigorous competition. One man that took the idea into his own hands and became a favorite in the Old West for pocket sized guns was Christian Sharps

Sharp had been in the business of rifle making before he endeavored into pocket pistol designs. He started his career in Harpers Ferry, Virginia with John Halls Rifle Works. He patented his own Sharps rifle in 1848 and, interestingly enough, a year later in December 1849, he patented his first design for the antique derringer pistol he desired to create. Unfortunately, it was a poorly constructed and fragile design in need of some work before it could be sold commercially.

The antique derringer sized pistols became known as the ‘hideout pistol’ to westerners. The prominence of these small multi shot pocket pistols as a gambler’s gun arose in the the Old Wild West. The gun was very commonly used by gamblers and tavern frequenters since they could slide it up their sleeve or in their pocket without the people around the being any the wiser. Western outlaws loved the conceal ability and carried the gun as an extra side arm. The gun is sometimes referred to as the perfect concealable pistol.

Tight and crisp spring, action rotates and one nipple is lacking.

No licence is required to own and collect this antique pistol

Six inches long overall with six two inch long barrells  read more

Code: 24967