An Antique 18th Century Indian Armour Piercing Punch Dagger Katar, Combat Damaged, or Adapted For Armour Wear

The Katar is an amazing combat weapon from the Indian sub continent, in combat use by select warriors and nobles for five centuries, it is a scarcely seen piece, yet highly distinctive and iconic. It was designed in several forms, some long and relatively light, others extremely robust and overtly powerful. This is one of the latter types. It’s ‘crow’s beak’ penetrating tip shows and strongest possible ribbed blade design was so efficient that effectively there was likely no body armour that could not be penetrated by such a powerful piece, once in the hands of a Katar wielding expert. It has been forged in great and powerful quality, and is a very high quality example with superior heft.
One of the bracing arms has been lost, very possibly from an opponents sword cut, although we have seen this before and we were informed by an esteemed elderly Indian warfare scholar that it has been known for one arm to ge removed so an an armoured warrior could use a the Katar while wearing the right fore-arm protector combat armour, known as the the bazu band. While wearing the bazu band armour the warriors forearm is much wider than usual and a Katar’s narrow arm extensions would preclude its use in combat while wearing armour.

The katar originated in Tamil Nadu where its Dravidian name was kattari before being altered to katar in the north. The earliest forms occur in the medieval Deccan kingdom of Vijayanagara. Katar dating back to this period often had a leaf- or shell-like knuckle-guard to protect the back of the hand, but this was discarded by the latter half of the 17th century. The Maratha gauntlet sword or pata is thought to have been developed from the katar. As the weapon spread throughout India it became something of a status symbol, much like the Southeast Asian kris or the Japanese katana. Among the Rajputs, Sikhs and Mughals, princes and nobles were often portrayed wearing a katara at their side. This was not only a precaution for self-defense, but it was also meant to show their wealth and position. Upper-class Mughals would even hunt tigers with katar. For a hunter to kill a tiger with such a short-range weapon was considered the surest sign of bravery and martial skill. The heat and moisture of India's climate made steel an unsuitable material for a dagger sheath, so they were covered in fabric such as velvet or silk. Because the katara's blade is in line with the user's arm, the basic attack is a direct thrust identical to a punch, although it could also be used for slashing. This design allows the fighter to put their whole weight into a thrust. Typical targets include the head and upper body, similar to boxing. The sides of the handle could be used for blocking but it otherwise has little defensive capability. As such, the wielder must be agile enough to dodge the opponent's attacks and strike quickly, made possible because of the weapon's light weight and small size compared to a long sword. Indian martial arts in general make extensive use of agility and acrobatic maneuvers. As far back as the 16th century, there was at least one fighting style which focused on fighting with a pair of katara, one in each hand.  read more

Code: 24644

A Superb Silver Australian 5th Light Horse Mobile Infantry Badge

Excellent rare and original example [Wide Bay and Burnett Light Horse] Queensland Mobile Infantry. The history of the 5th Light Horse is distinguished and goes thus; The 5th Light Horse Regiment was raised in Brisbane in September 1914, entirely from men who had enlisted in Queensland, and became part of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade. Sailing from Sydney on 21 December 1914, the regiment disembarked in Egypt on 1 February 1915.

The light horse were considered unsuitable for the initial operations at Gallipoli, but were subsequently deployed without their horses to reinforce the infantry. The 2nd Light Horse Brigade landed in late May 1915 and was attached to the 1st Australian Division. The 5th Light Horse played a defensive role for most of the campaign but was involved in several minor attacks. It left the peninsula on 20 December 1915.

Back in Egypt, the 2nd Light Horse Brigade became part of the ANZAC Mounted Division and in February 1916 joined the forces defending the Suez Canal from a Turkish advance across the Sinai Desert. The 5th Light Horse?s main activity in the Sinai was long-range patrolling, but it was involved in several small engagements during August, as the Turks retreated after their defeat at Romani.

The ANZAC Mounted Division advanced into Palestine in late December 1916. The 5th?s work predominantly continued to be patrols and raids until the advance stalled before the Turkish bastion of Gaza. The regiment participated in all three battles aimed at capturing the town, most notably the first abortive attempt on 27 March 1917. On this occasion the 5th attacked Gaza from the rear and was fighting its way through streets and gardens when ordered to withdraw.

With the fall of Gaza on 7 November 1917, the Turkish position in southern Palestine collapsed. The 5th was involved in the pursuit that followed, and then spent much of the first half of 1918 holding the west bank of the Jordan River. During this time it was involved in the Amman (24?27 February) and Es Salt (30 April?4 May) raids, both of which were tactical failures but helped to convince the Turks that the next offensive would be launched across the Jordan.

Instead, the offensive was launched along the coast in September 1918, with the 5th taking part in a subsidiary effort east of the Jordan. It attacked at Amman on 25 September, and on 29 September 4,500 Turks surrendered to just two squadrons from the regiment at Ziza. Turkey surrendered on 31 October 1918, but the 5th Light Horse was employed one last time to assist in putting down the Egyptian revolt of early 1919. It sailed for home on 28 June 1919. Text from AWM
One of the most famous men of the 5th Light Horse was sniper Trooper Sing at Gallipoli. Trooper Sing sniped from a position known as Chatham's Post, his tally stated as 150 confirmed, but a higher informal estimate puts his tally at 201. The discrepancy can be accounted for by the way such hits were recorded. On 23 October 1915, General Birdwood issued an order containing his compliments on Trooper Billy Sing's performance accounting for the 201 Turks. Private Sing was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre in early 1918, probably for his role in leading a patrol eliminating some German snipers at Polygon Wood in September 1917. Studio portrait in the gallery is of 1707 Lance Corporal (L Cpl) John James Marsh, 5th Light Horse Regiment from Murraria, Queensland. A 21 year old grocer prior to enlisting on 18 August 1915, he embarked for overseas with the 11th Reinforcements from Sydney on 21 October 1915 aboard HMAT Hawkes Bay. He served with the regiment in the Middle East where he was wounded in action at Gaza and died on 6 November 1917. L Cpl Marsh is buried in the Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel. Original badge, pattern1930/42, with two lug fixing in superb order and superb quality definition.  read more

Code: 18796

A Very Good & Most Rare ‘Colonel-of-Staff’ Hussars Regiments 19th Century British Army Colonel’s Undress Sabretache, in Russia Leather, With Royal Cypher

Victorian, Colonel-on-the-Staff, most Senior Officer of Hussars and Royal Artillery undress Sabretache.

A very good example of the rare ‘Russia leather’ sabaretach made for Colonels serving on the British Army General's Staff and of hussars. The history and geography of vegetable tanning and “Russia Leather’ are important for those who wish to know regarding this amazing natural material, the red-brown tone and the peated whisky scent of Russia leather. What is most fascinating is the incredible durability of this material from which princes’ trunks and soldiers’ boots were crafted during the era of the Russian tsars. In particular, its waterproof quality is confirmed by the rolls found intact after spending two centuries under the sea in the hold of Metta Catharina, a shipwreck discovered off the coast of Plymouth. The flap is mounted to the centre with a fire gilt Crowned VR cypher. Complete with pocket to the reverse and retaining three D shaped sling attachments. A sabretache is a flat bag or pouch, which was worn suspended from the belt of a cavalry officer together with the sabre. The sabretache is derived from a traditional Hungarian horseman's flat leather bag called a tarsoly. Early examples have been found the tombs of Magyar warriors from the 10th century Conquest of Pannonia. They were often strengthened and decorated with silver plates and would have contained fire-making tools and other essentials. In the early 18th century, hussar cavalry became popular amongst the European powers, and a tarsoly was often a part of the accoutrements. The German name sabretache was adopted, tache meaning "pocket". It fulfilled the function of a pocket, which were absent from the tight fitting uniform of the hussar style. Part of the wartime function of the light cavalry was to deliver orders and dispatches; the sabertache was well suited to hold these. The large front flap was usually heavily embroidered with a royal cypher or regimental crest, and could be used as a firm surface for writing. By the 19th century, other types of cavalry, such as lancers, also wore them.

In the British Army, sabretaches were first adopted at the end of the 18th century by light dragoon regiments, four of which acquired "hussar" status in 1805.They were still being worn in combat by British cavalry during the Crimean War; "undress" versions in plain black patent leather were used on active duty. The Prussian Guard Hussars wore theirs in the Franco-Prussian War. In most European armies, sabretaches were gradually abandoned for use in the field before the turn of the 20th century, but were retained by some regiments for ceremonial occasions.

Sabretaches are now much sought after by collectors of militaria.  read more

Code: 21275

A 1200’s Old Knight's Prick Spur, Still With Buckle From The IInd Baron’s War of Henry IIIrd and Earl Simon de Montfort

We show a medeavil drawing from the British Museum of a kneeling knight wearing the very same form of prick spur. It is absolutely remarkable that this spur stil has its leather strap buckle and mount in place. Battle of Lewes period, from the IInd Baron’s War

The Battle of Lewes was one of two main battles of the conflict known as the Second Barons' War. It took place at Lewes in Sussex, on 14 May 1264.[1] It marked the high point of the career of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, and made him the "uncrowned King of England". Henry III left the safety of Lewes Castle and St. Pancras Priory to engage the barons in battle and was initially successful, his son Prince Edward routing part of the baronial army with a cavalry charge. However, Edward pursued his quarry off the battlefield and left Henry's men exposed. Henry was forced to launch an infantry attack up Offham Hill where he was defeated by the barons' men defending the hilltop. The royalists fled back to the castle and priory and the King was forced to sign the Mise of Lewes, ceding many of his powers to Montfort.

The battle site is still not completely agreed upon, but part of the conflict was recorded at Offham hill, and this is was just 4 miles south of our farm, Thousands of the protagonists soldiers were supposedly camped within our old grounds, but at present it is not certain for which side they fought. Our farm was originally part of Earl Godwin’s estate, later more famously known as King Harold, who also supposedly camped here before his Battle of Hastings in 1066. A Canadian funded documentary is being filmed here at the current time.

Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester (c. 1208 – 4 August 1265), later sometimes referred to as Simon de Montfort to distinguish him from his namesake relatives, was a nobleman of French origin and a member of the English peerage, who led the baronial opposition to the rule of King Henry III of England, culminating in the Second Barons' War. Following his initial victories over royal forces, he became de facto ruler of the country, and played a major role in the constitutional development of England.

During his rule, Montfort called two famous parliaments: the Oxford Parliament stripped Henry of his unlimited authority, while the second included ordinary citizens from the towns. For this reason, Montfort is regarded today as one of the progenitors of modern parliamentary democracy, however during his time as Earl of Leicester he was also determinedly anti semitic and expelled all of the Jews from that city, yet curiously, Leicester's Jews were allowed to move to the eastern suburbs, which were controlled by Montfort's great-aunt Margaret, Countess of Winchester. But as he became ruler of England he also cancelled debts owed to Jews through violent seizures of records. Montfort's party massacred the Jews of London, Worcester and Derby, killing scores of Jews from Winchester to Lincoln. After a rule of just over a year, Montfort was killed by forces loyal to the king in the Battle of Evesham


de Montfort also had connections to the Albigensian Crusade, which was a crusade against the heretic Cathars, and was immensely popular in northern France because it gave pious warriors an opportunity to win a Crusade indulgence. The Albigensian Crusade, Crusade (1209-29) was called by Pope Innocent III against the Cathari, a dualist religious movement in southern France that the Roman Catholic Church had branded heretical. The war pitted the nobility of staunchly Catholic northern France against that of the south, where the Cathari were tolerated and even enjoyed the support of the nobles. Although the Crusade did not eliminate Catharism, it eventually enabled the French king to establish his authority over the south. During the first season the Crusaders captured Boziers in the heart of Cathar territory and following the instructions of the papal legate who allegedly said, Kill them all. God will know his own, when asked how the Crusaders should distinguish the heretics from true Christians massacred almost the entire population of the city. With the exception of Carcassonne, which held out for a few months, much of the territory of the Albigeois surrendered to the Crusaders. Command of the Crusade was then given to Simon, lord of Montfort and earl of Leicester, who had served during the Fourth Crusade. A man, one can safely say was famed for his deeply held religious prejudices, yet ironically, an exponent of parliamentary democracy.  read more

Code: 22314

An Original WW2 British Special Constabulary Recruitment Poster

Published for HMG by Fosh and Cross Ltd London. A propaganda information and recruitment poster. The size as were used in the underground trains advertising panels, or the back of black cabs. Britain re-created the World War I Ministry of Information for the duration of World War II to generate propaganda to influence the population towards support for the war effort. A wide range of media was employed aimed at local and overseas audiences. Traditional forms such as newspapers and posters were joined by new media including cinema (film), newsreels and radio. A wide range of themes were addressed, fostering hostility to the enemy, support for allies, and specific pro war projects such as conserving metal and growing vegetables. In 1940 in particular, Winston Churchill made many calls for the British to fight on, and for British units to fight until they died rather than submit. His calls for fight to victory inspired a hardening of public opinion. Determination raised the numbers of the Home Guard and inspired a willingness to fight to the last ditch, in a manner rather similar to Japanese determination, and the slogan "You can always take one with you" was used in the grimmest times of the war. British victories were announced to the public for morale purposes, and broadcast to Germany for purposes of undermining morale.

Even during Dunkirk, an optimistic spin was put on how the soldiers were eager to return.

When the U-boat commander Gunther Prien vanished with his submarine U-47, Churchill personally informed the House of Commons, and radio broadcasts to Germany asked, "Where is Prien?" until Germany was forced to acknowledge his loss.

The turn of the war made BBC's war commentaries much more stirring.

We never normally comment on the investment potential of any collectable, but the potential for all underpriced WW1 and WW2 posters must be incredible, for example the more famed poster, 'Keep Calm and Carry On' can now sell for over £20,000.
Good condition 14.75 inches x 9.75 inches  read more

Code: 20874

A Group of Four WW2 Medals of Sergeant James Blair Scots Guards

Well ahead of the invasion of Normandy that began on D Day, 6 June 1944, the 6th Guards Tank Brigade formed in England and included the 3rd (Tank) Battalion Scots Guards, equipped with Churchill tanks. On 22 July they landed in France and would serve from then on mostly attached to the 15th (Scottish) Division. Their first battle in Normandy was the assault on a long ridge, known usually as the Battle of Caumont, but for which the Battle Honour “QUARRY HILL”, part of the ridge, was awarded. The 3rd Battalion continued on into Belgium, Holland and finally Germany, the other Battle Honour attributable to them after the crossing of the frontier, but shared with others, being “RHINELAND”. Since leaving Italy the 2nd Battalion had been reinforced, including with a large detachment of men transferred from the RAF, and trained for infantry operations in the Guards Armoured Division which it joined early in February 1944 and fought with to the end of the War, ending up near Bremen. Almost immediately after their arrival the 2nd Battalion in the Guards Armoured Division and the 3rd Battalion again with the 15th Division were in from the start in the Battle of the Rhineland. It was very cold, but that it was so wet was worse over terrain of large easily defensible woods, low lying farmland and fortified villages. The enemy had withdrawn across the Rhine by mid March. In the operations to cross the Rhine and subsequently the 6th Guards Tank Brigade were for a time working with the Americans following which the Brigade Commander received a message from General Matthew Ridgway, Commander of the US Airborne Corps, later the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe “The period of our joint service has been brief but includes momentous days in a brilliant and now historic operation the Rhine crossing and the advance to capture Műnster. The contribution of 6th Guards Armoured Brigade in the success of the whole operation has been conspicuously superior. On the occasions I have been privileged to mingle with elements of your command, I have felt at once that atmosphere, that intangible something almost physical, which only the finest troops create. I am deeply conscious of having had these incomparable troops in my Corps. I should like to express to you my appreciation of your unfailing and complete cooperation, and my high respect for your professional abilities and leadership.” Just after the German capitulation in May the 3rd Battalion had the unusual role of boarding and taking the surrender of a German submarine on the Baltic coast. The final Battle Honour was “NORTH WEST EUROPE, 1944-45”

Acquired direct from the family  read more

Code: 24643

A Scarce African Turkana Tepeth Tribal Wrist Knife

16cms. Of disc form with cut-out for the wrist, lined inside and out with leather strips GC Possibly Tepeth tribe. Some information about Tepeth tribe:

The present inhabitants of Karamoja are the Karamojong tribes. The main Karamojong tribes are : the Matheniko ("The Bulls"; Moroto area), the Bokora ("The Turtles"; Kangole area), the Pian ("The Lightings"; Namalu area), the Jie ("The Warriors"; Kotido area), the Dodoth ("The Ostriches"; Kaabong and Kidepo area), the Jiye (The Jie of South Sudan), the Nyangatom ("those of the yellow trumpet"; Omo valley, Ethiopia and nearby South Sudan-Ethiopia border), scattered all along the Karamojong area. The Karamojong tribes are related to Masai people, forced to move centuries ago from their original lands located in Ethiopia by the arrival of arabian tribes from the north. The original inhabitants of Karamoja weren't Masai tribes, but - together with other two tribes - a Turkana-related tribe called Tepeth. During the last centuries, Tepeth people has been defeated by Karamojong tribes, and forced to reach the highest valleys of mount Moroto, mount Kadam and mount Napak where at present times they're living of small agriculture and sheep-rearing, organized in grass-made villages each one governed by a council of seniors. The Ik (known as "Teuso" too) and the Nyangia tribes were part of the original inhabitants of Karamoja too, and as the Tepeth they've been defeated by the arrival of the Karamojong tribes and they're still alive on the mountains of Karamoja, the Ik on mount Morungole and the Nyangya on the hills of north-western Karamoja. The wrist knives are a special handmade article of all Turkana tribes, used since ancient times as weapon, to defend, to attack, and for daily works. The wrist knives were used in the past among the tribes as a very valuable currency too.  read more

Code: 22508

A Most Scarce Antique Australian Aboriginal Throwing Club, Carved Head

Nulla Nulla, Aboriginal, short, possibly mulga wood, very dense hardwood, throwing club with ovoid shaped head, used for hunting, fighting and ceremonial purposes, [South East] Australia, 1860. A waddy, nulla nulla or hunting stick is an Aboriginal Australian club for use in hunting and fighting. The first of these names comes from the Dharuk Aborigines of Port Jackson, Sydney.

A waddy is a heavy, pointed club constructed of carved timber. Waddies have been used in hand-to-hand combat, and were capable of splitting a shield, and killing or stunning prey. In addition to this they could be employed as a projectile as well as used to make fire and make ochre. They found further use in punishing those who broke Aboriginal law, which often involved settling a conflict between individuals, or between an individual and a group, in a 'Trial by Ordeal' in which fighters gave and suffered heavy blows resulting in skull and bone fractures and much blood  read more

Code: 22406

Antique Zulu-Tsonga Prestige Staff Possibly Carved by a Carver Known as the 'Baboon Master'. With a Carved Female Head

19th century. This dignatory's staff has a most figurative carving. They have been collected in Southern Africa since the mid-19th century. Recent research by Anitra Nettleton suggests, however, that Tsonga sculptors may actually have produced most of these carvings. There is evidence that the Tsonga migrated to the Natal from southern Mozambique as early as the 1850s. Recognized for their carving skills, they were soon producing fine artifacts for Zulu dignatories. Two related staffs, were purchased for the collection of the Standard Bank Foundation in Johannesburg. One staff of theirs is surmounted by a baboon and the other by a male figure with a beard. Both are said to be turn-of-the-century staffs carved by the same hand, by a most accomplished and sought after artist dubbed the 'Baboon Master', who was possibly of Tsonga origin. 31 inches long.  read more

Code: 23116

A Rare 19th Century King's Knife of the Zande or the Mengbetu People, A Trombash Power Authority Knife

A long Knife consisting of a short cylindrical wooden handle, round in section, with a flat end bound in iron banding at the pommel end. The other end of this is cut flat, and has a smaller cylindrical body as the middle hand grip section. Above this point, the handle connects with the blade tang. Which goes through the handle, the tang has been inserted through the centre of the handle, and then its rectangular end hammered over at the top to fix it in place. This is end is visible where it emerges through the handle top, and is off centre. The narrower part of the handle have been decorated with an iron binding strip. Both binding strips [top and bottom] have their ends hammered into slots in the wood to secure them. The blade is curved, with a broad flat ridge running along the length on both sides. This is not centred. On one side of the ridge, the blade extends to form a broad, sharpened base edge with a pointed corner; a more narrow blade extends from the other side of this, slightly higher up the knife. The sides then begin to taper in towards the point at the other end. Both edges were once sharpened. The object is complete, with some minor cut marks on the blade and handle.

Very similar to a Mengbetu collected by Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson in the Bahr el Ghazal region, probably between 1909 and 1914, in the period immediately before World War I. At the time this object was collected, the Bahr el Ghazal province was much larger than it is today, extending from roughly the Bahr el Arab all the way to the border with the Belgian Congo; this area is now divided into the districts of Western Bahr el Ghazal, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and parts of Warab, El Buheyrat and Western Equatoria. The drawing in the gallery is a 19th century depiction of Munza, the king of the Mangbetu. Seated on his throne, he holds a similar knife to ours as a symbol of power and authority.  read more

Code: 19166