A Koto to Shinto Period Katana Tsuba In Iron Pierced With Stylized Birds

The piercing has been outlined with a borderline of inlaid brass. Circa 1600. Tsuba were made by whole dynasties of craftsmen whose only craft was making tsuba. They were usually lavishly decorated. In addition to being collectors items, they were often used as heirlooms, passed from one generation to the next. Japanese families with samurai roots sometimes have their family crest (mon) crafted onto a tsuba. Tsuba can be found in a variety of metals and alloys, including iron, steel, brass, copper and shakudo. In a duel, two participants may lock their katana together at the point of the tsuba and push, trying to gain a better position from which to strike the other down. This is known as tsubazeriai pushing tsuba against each other.  read more

Code: 20313

Wonderous Pieces Added Every Day & There is Probably Nowhere Else In The World You Can View Such Fabulous Wonders, & Where Everything Is For Sale

Under one roof, from a rare American Civil War Revolver used in the U.S. Navy, and by cavalry of both the North and the South. An Original, Huge, WW2 Shell from A German King Tiger Tank, to an Original Imperial Roman Legionary’s Gladius, to a Museum Quality Samurai Sword by on of the great makers of early Japan. These past three weeks we have added, and are still adding, original, ancient classical edged weapons, from Rome, Carthage, Persia, Greece, and Scandinavia, from fine English collection/s [acquired in the 1990’s or before] including; a 2000 year old gladius from the time of Julius Caesar to Augustus to Nero. A museum grade 1000+ year old Viking chieftain [king] or earl’s [jarl] sword inlaid with knotwork silver inlay. A bronze and iron Archemeanid sword from the time of the Greco-Persian wars of Xerxes the Great against the Spartans at Thermopylae. An Imperial Roman 1st century ring, the type as worn by the Imperial Pretorian Guard with the symbol of a lion, from the time of the Emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. A superb 3rd to 4th century BC Falcata sword similar to the Greek Kopis, the sword used by Hannibal’s army in the 2nd Punic War and his invasion of Rome across the Alps, and a 3rd Century Imperial Roman Sword, from the time of Emperor Constantine and the Battle of Cibalae. Plus a remarkable 1066 period Original Norman Iron Four Plate Helmet, [as Seen Depicted in the world famous so-called Bayeux Tapestry] & two early Books, one, an original 5th century Roman treatise on Roman warfare, and 18th Century biography on 18th century Warfare. Plus, as usual, many more pieces of historical interest.  read more

Code: 23533

An Original French Bond Poster 1917-18. Subscribe to the National Defence

Francais aux invalides dans la narcelle d'un zeppelin face a l'avion de Guynemer et a cote d'un tank souscrivez a l'emprunt de la defense national. A poster of an exhibition at the great French museum Les Invalides. In the square in front of the museum there was exhibited; a narcelle from a shot down Zeppelin, WW1 French ace Guynemer's plane, and a tank. Backed on to linen, from the American Forbes Library.  read more

Code: 17959

A Simply Superb Master Conductor/Composer's Solid Silver Presentation Baton

For those with an interest in presentation pieces in the realm of musical memorabilia. Engraved 'Geisha', O.M. [Order of Merit] 25th April 1925. C.A.O.S. [Choral & Orchestra Society]. In mallacca and mounted in hallmarked solid silver. Presentation gifted to a composer/conductor who would have been a contemporary of Sir Edward Elgar O.M. Sadly, we know not to whom it may have been presented. However research in the right quarter may well bear fruit. Unscrews at the midsection into two pieces. Superb quality as one might expect.  read more

Code: 14710

A Good and Scarce Antique Malaysian Kampilan Sword

A rare tribal sword, somewhat crude but superbly effective in the terrain and jungles of the Philippines. The standard kampilan is a type of single-edged long sword, used in the Philippine islands of Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. This unusual variant has a long 33.5 inch double edged blade more reminiscant of a European broadsword, more similar to the sword of Datu Lapu-Lapu, legendary warrior Philippine king of the Mactan

The kampilan has a distinct profile, with the tapered blade being much broader and thinner at the point than at its base, sometimes with a protruding spikelet along the flat side of the tip and a bifurcated hilt which is believed to represent a mythical creature's open mouth.

The Maguindanao and the Maranao of mainland Mindanao preferred this weapon as opposed to the Tausug of Sulu who favoured the barung. The Kapampangan name of the Kampilan was "Talibong" and the hilt on the Talibong represented the dragon Naga, however the creature represented varies between different ethnic groups. Its use by the Illocanos have also been seen in various ancient records.

A notable wielder of the kampilan was Datu Lapu-Lapu (the king of Mactan) and his warriors, who defeated the Spaniards and killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan at the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521.

The mention of the kampilan in ancient Filipino epics originating from other non-Muslim areas such as the Hiligaynon Hinilawod and the Ilocano Biag ni Lam-Ang is possible evidence for the sword's widespread usage throughout the archipelago during the ancient times. Today, the kampilan is portrayed in Filipino art and ancient tradition. The hilt is quite long in order to counterbalance the weight and length of the blade and is made of hardwood. As with the blade, the design of the hilt's profile is relatively consistent from blade to blade, combining to make the kampilan an effective combat weapon.

The complete tang of the kampilan disappears into a crossguard, which is often decoratively carved in an okir (geometric or flowing) pattern.The guard prevents the enemy's weapon from sliding all the way down the blade onto bearer's hand and also prevents the bearer's hand from sliding onto the blade while thrusting.

The most distinctive design element of the hilt is the Pommel, which is shaped to represent a creature's wide open mouth. The represented creature varies from sword to sword depending on the culture. Sometimes it is a real animal such as a monitor lizard or a crocodile, but more often the animal depicted is mythical, with the naga and the bakonawa being popular designs. Some kampilan also have animal or human hair tassels attached to the hilt as a form of decoration.  read more

Code: 16828

A Fabulous Imperial German Air Service Flask & Cigarette Case

This is just the epitome of all things Imperial German from the time of Kaiser Willhelm and Baron von Richthofen. The reservists flask was a peculiarly German artifact, and alongside the bier stein absolutely typical of the Germanic age of the early 20th century. The flask is an alloy depicting an embossed Zeppelin, an embossed plane and another, an anchor and a panel for luftschiff reserve service, and a similar for the flieger reserve service. It has a mono plane cup holder with a young pilot and his fraulein drinking and reveling. The front panel opens on a hinge revealing a picture behind the flask and a holder for cigarettes. It has wear and aging, but for the Imperial German WW1 reservist flask and stein collector you could probably not find a better or more desirable example. Overall 9 inches tall by 5 inches wide by 2 inches deep  read more

Code: 16392

Every Customer Should Expect & Will Receive Our World Renown 5* Star Service, Day In, Day Out, 365 Days of the Year

We have received the greatest honour of being described by almost every visitor to our store in Brighton, as possibly, the very best and most remarkable specialist shop in the country, if not the world. Our standards of personal service, honed through the generations for over 100 years, we hope, are second to none, and every possible effort is made to create the best possible atmosphere and assistance, for every single customer, be it for a single item, or hundreds, in person, or via our website.
No stone is left unturned in order to ensure every single customer’s buying or selling experience is a pleasure and a joy. Thankfully, dozens of you confirm this to us every single day, these days electronically, and for that we cannot thank you enough. Stay Healthy, Stay Safe.  read more

Code: 23485

Original Lewis & Vickers Machine Gun Crates

Just uncovered from long-term storage in our gun room, acquired over the past 50 to 60 years.

Original Lewis and Vickers machine-gun transit cases. Designed and constructed by the British ordnance and made to exacting standards, to suffer the vagaries and exertions of wartime combat on the front line, and storage of machine guns for up to, and over, 100 years. Solid wood with all metal edge strengthening supports. They were designed to be thrown around and heavily manhandled on the backs of army trucks, tanks, and armoured vehicles in combat war situations, even to be dropped out of planes for arms supply drops behind enemy lines, they are incredibly strong.

Beautifully designed constructed and perfect for storage, and historical collectors. Also absolutely ideal for a deactivated Lewis or Vickers machine gun collectors to complete historical display.

***Available for UK collection only***. They are available for collection from our Brighton gun shop on a click and collect basis by appointment. Please telephone or email for details. They are simply incredible value probably couldn’t be made for 10 times the price. Call 07721 010085. We have seen these sell for over £200 each in the past, when they have been rarely available

We also have some Bren gun cases And Russian USSR maxim machine-gun transit cases. Some are stencilled others are plain. We do not have any of the actual guns available for sale at present.  read more

Code: 23486

A Superb English Lord-Lieutenant's Silver Belt and Silver Lace Bullion Belt

Victorian. The silver buckle bears a centrally mounted English rose motif with an oakleaf and acorn wreath surrounding. A red Morocco leather lined belt which is covered in pure silver silver lace brocade bullion, in the continued design of the highest rank oak leaf and acorn scrolling vine, representing the monarch's personal representative, the Lord Lieutenant.
The Lord-Lieutenant is the British monarch's personal representative in each county of the United Kingdom. Historically, the Lord-Lieutenant was responsible for organising the county's militia. Lieutenants were first appointed to a number of English counties by King Henry VIII in the 1540s, when the military functions of the sheriff were handed over to him. He raised and was responsible for the efficiency of the local militia units of the county, and afterwards of the yeomanry, and volunteers. He was commander of these forces, whose officers he appointed. These commissions were originally of temporary duration, and only when the situation required the local militia to be specially supervised and well prepared; often where invasion by Scotland or France might be expected.

Lieutenancies soon became more organised, probably in the reign of his successor King Edward VI, their establishment being approved by the English parliament in 1550. However, it was not until the threat of invasion by the forces of Spain in 1585 that lieutenants were appointed to all counties and counties corporate and became in effect permanent. Although some counties were left without lieutenants during the 1590s, following the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the office continued to exist, and was retained by King James I even after the end of the Anglo-Spanish War.

The office was abolished under the Commonwealth, but was re-established following the Restoration under the City of London Militia Act 1662, which declared that:


The King's most Excellent Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, shall and may from Time to Time, as Occasion shall require, issue forth several Commissions of Lieutenancy to such Persons as his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, shall think fit to be his Majesty's Lieutenants for the several and respective Counties, Cities and Places of England and Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed.

Although not explicitly stated, from that date lieutenants were appointed to "counties at large", with their jurisdiction including the counties corporate within the parent county. For example, lieutenants of Devon in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries appointed deputy lieutenants to the City of Exeter, and were sometimes described as the "Lieutenant of Devon and Exeter" The origin of this anomaly may have lain in the former palatine status of Pembrokeshire.

The City of London was uniquely given a commission of lieutenancy, and was exempt from the authority of the lieutenant of Middlesex. The Constable of the Tower of London and the Warden of the Cinque Ports were ex-officio lieutenants for the Tower Hamlets and Cinque Ports respectively, which were treated as counties in legislation regarding lieutenancy and militia affairs.

The official title of the office at this time was His or Her Majesty's "Lieutenant for the county of ..", but as almost all office-holders were Peers of the realm, they were referred to as "Lord-Lieutenant".  read more

Code: 20522

A Stunning Russian Cold War Era Poster

Original poster with interesting subject matter of medal of a Hero of the Soviet Union. This is one of a collection of Russian USSR posters we have acquired from the estate of an ex British Glider Pilot of WW2. This poster is folded and in condition as seen in the photos. Dated 1968 38 inches x 22 inches. This poster would look super nicely framed  read more

Code: 13712