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

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

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

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

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that secured the cylinder to the frame, which was retained by the loading lever located under the barrel and could be withdrawn from the frame only when the lever was lowered.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



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

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

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

Code: 25254

WW2, British, Military GSTP {General Service Timepiece}Top Winding Pocket Watch, Swiss Made by Leonidas Named In Honour of King Leonidas of Sparta, The Swiss Watch Makers That Later Became Tag Heuer After The War. In Working Order

GSTP watches were made by numerous manufacturers but were all of similar design, which was more than likely specified by the British authorities. The British armed forces were slow to embrace change and consequently, when war broke out again in 1939 they were ill-prepared with insufficient timepieces for the servicemen and women. Pocket watches were hurriedly purchased from various Swiss manufacturers in anticipation of shortages.

Most of these watches were regarded as 'General Service' and classified as Temporary Patterns'. These pocket watches became the timekeeping workhorses of the early part of the war whilst more appropriate wristwatches were being commissioned.

Established in Switzerland in 1841 by Julien Bourquin, the Leonidas Company took its name from the renowned king of Sparta. The company distinguished itself by specializing in the production of high-quality stopwatches, chronographs, and multifunction watches designed for use in aircraft and car instrument panels. In 1964, a merger with Heuer resulted in the formation of Heuer-Leonidas. Eventually, the brand was phased out when the company transformed into TAG Heuer in 1985.

By July 1940, then, it had become clear that Britain's dependence on Swiss
firms was not likely to disappear. The establishment of alternative facilities might
be sanctioned with little ado, but no production could begin before the arrival of
specialized machine tools from Switzerland or, in many cases, the skilled Swiss
technicians to operate them. ' I do not think it is appreciated ', lamented one
MAP official, that we are faced with the problem of creating here in four months, an industry which has
taken a century to build up in Switzerland.

Given the unhealthy state of Britain's addiction to Swiss manufactures, it was fortunate that those British officials responsible for the matter had the flair, imagination, and wit to match the occasion. In the first week of August, the ministry of supply inaugurated a 'Swiss cloaks scheme'. The hitherto haphazard ordering of Swiss products was replaced by a centralized system under direct government
control. Individual firms were forbidden from communicating with their Swiss suppliers, but instead worked through the ministry of supply, which would arrange for the legation in Berne to pay for the goods, freight charges, and other incidentals. When the goods arrived in the United Kingdom they were either sent to the consignee, who was billed accordingly, or distributed to the industries
concerned through selected agents, who worked on a commission basis

The game of cat and mouse between German customs officials and British diplomats in Switzerland began in earnest in August 1940 and continued until Allied forces reached the Swiss frontier fifty months later. The first twelve months of the contest was characterized by progressive German efforts to tighten their grip over Swiss foreign trade. During this period, some ' legitimate ' export opportunities, which circumvented German customs controls, remained open. Naturally,
these avenues suited some items and not others. The principal casualty was the admiralty's Oerlikon guns, 1,000 of which remained stranded in the factory awaiting delivery in mid-July 1940.  read more

Code: 25857

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Code: 21456

An Extraordinarily Rare Piece of Earliest Aeronautica, Airship Zeppelin 'Sample Card' For Picture Frame Mounts Circa 1915. Sold to the Family's of Airship Crew in WW1

Pressed gilt and silvered metal airship models that were sold to affix to picture frames of the photos of loved ones that served in the Zeppelins in WW1.  read more

Code: 16776

Gold Metal Watch Fob, With a Zeppelin Model Top Mount Representing The Hindenburg Zeppelin, Gifted by Kapitan Max Pruss, Kapitan of the Ill Fated Zeppelin Airship LZ.129 Hindenburg. & the Hindenburg Kapitan's Saucer

Apparently given by Kapitan Max Pruss, the last Kapitan of the Hindenburg, accompanied with his boxed, original, WW2 Luftwaffe pilot's Leitz goggles, and his personal, named ‘Hindenburg’ porcelain saucer, not to be confused with the LZ standard livery porcelain, to a visiting British RAF officer in the 1950's, while he was attempting to resurrect with the post-war German government, his new Zeppelin project, with his former Hindenburg Chief Engineer, Rudolf Sauter. The fob is very heavy quality, and weighs as it should if it was solid gold, however, it bears no gold hallmark, so we cannot sell it as solid gold, and we cannot thus assume it is solid gold, therefore we offer it as ‘gold coloured metal’. The fitted Zeppelin miniature model top mount is certainly gold plate as the plate is fractionally worn in places. He Sauter worked with Captain Max Pruss, the Hindenburg's former commander, during the post-war years to try and revive the Zeppelin airships. In the early 1950s, in fact, Sauter and Pruss drew up plans for a new Zeppelin and made the case to the West German government and the press that (in Sauter's words,) "The use of Zeppelins in air traffic is absolutely economical. The West German government is planning to spend 150 million marks on a new airline flown by airplanes. We would need only 50 million marks to build new Zeppelins." Sauter showed the new Zeppelin plans to Dr. Hugo Eckener, by then in his late 80s and retired. As Eckener later told a news reporter, "I told him that he had my blessing, but that I do not want to have anything to do with it. Today, a Zeppelin would not have a chance against an airplane.". More photos of the fob and saucer to follow tomorrow. One photo in the gallery Is of Kapitan Pruss, with a fellow Kapitan Von Schiller colleague making a time check while aboard the Hindenburg.

Kapitan Pruss commanded the Zeppelin airship, Hindenburg, during its tragic explosion and destruction in Lakehurst, America. Amazingly he survived but with severe burns.

The Hindenburg disaster was an airship accident that occurred on May 6, 1937, in Manchester Township, New Jersey, United States. The German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed during its attempt to dock with its mooring mast at Naval Air Station Lakehurst. The accident caused 35 fatalities (13 passengers and 22 crewmen) from the 97 people on board (36 passengers and 61 crewmen), and an additional fatality on the ground.

The disaster was the subject of newsreel coverage, photographs and Herbert Morrison's recorded radio eyewitness reports from the landing field, which were broadcast the next day.A variety of hypotheses have been put forward for both the cause of ignition and the initial fuel for the ensuing fire. The publicity shattered public confidence in the giant, passenger-carrying rigid airship and marked the abrupt end of the airship era.

We also have a souvenir German porcelain Hindenburg saucer from the captain’s personal porcelain set, said by Pruss to have been given to him by Hitler’s deputy, Herman Goring, however, if so, this must have been before the dramatic argument and falling out between Goring and Pruss at Frankfurt Airport in 1940.

Pruss was the commander of the airship during the Hindenburg disaster of 6 May 1937. This was his first time commanding a trip to Lakehurst. Pruss and several crew members rode the Hindenburg down to the ground as it burned, then ordered everybody out. He carried radio operator Willy Speck out of the wreckage, then looked for survivors until rescuers were forced to restrain him. Pruss, however, suffered extensive burns and had to be taken out by ambulance to Paul Kimball Hospital in Lakewood. The burns were so extensive that he was given last rites, but although his face was disfigured for the rest of his life, his condition improved over the next few months. Pruss was unable to testify at investigative committees, but officially he was not held responsible.

Pruss, along with other airship crewmen, maintained that the disaster was caused by sabotage, and dismissed the possibility that it was sparked by lightning or static electricity. Although Hugo Eckener did not rule out other causes, he criticized Pruss' decision to carry out the landing in poor weather conditions, expressing his belief that sharp turns ordered by Pruss during the landing approach may have caused gas to leak, which could have been ignited by static electricity. Pruss insisted that such turns were normal procedure, and that the stern heaviness experienced during the approach was normal due to rainwater being displaced at the tail.

Apparently Kapt. Pruss was exceptionally polite, and the exchange of gifts was most warmly given and received.  read more

Code: 24145

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

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

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

Code: 23317

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

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

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

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

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

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

Code: 25335

A Fine Kugyō Daisho, Koto to Early Shinto Era, Of A Daito & Shoto. Daito Signed Bishu ju Munemitsu. Shoto Signed Fujiwara Rai Kinmichi Yamashiro. This Daisho Is One Of The Most Beautiful Pairs Of Original Edo Period Fitted Samurai Swords We Have Seen

A fabulous daisho likely of the highest ranks of the samurai nobility of ancient and feudal times, they held the highest status of samurai in Japan and the rank of Kugyō. The samurai lords and controllers the Shogun’s court of the bakufu, only ranking below the shogun himself

The blades and saya have now returned from no expense spared *museum grade conservation, so we show them now after it has been completed. The perfectly colour matching brown and gold silk sageo tied around the daito saya, that we have been saving for just such a deserving sword as this, after we acquired it from Victor Harris decades ago, looks absolutely incredible.

The Daito {long sword} bears the signature: Bishu ju Munemitsu, Bizen Province, Late Mihara school, circa 1575, Gunome hamon Masame hada

The Shoto {short sword} is signed: Fujiwara Rai Kinmichi, Yamashiro School, {circa 1624}, Sudareba hamon, Masame hada. A beautiful suite of daisho fuchgashira of takebori insects and catydids in gold and shakudo, and a pair of fabulous iron plate maru-gata tettsu tsuba inlaid with takebori flower heads in soft metals. The most fine kozuka, is in gold and shakudo takebori, decorated with shishi {lion dogs}, over a nanako ground, is signed, and its steel blade, kozukatana is also signed

The daisho have finest original Edo saya, of urushi lacquer decorated with kamon of multiple clans, this suggests affiliations and allegiance to those clans, and they are multiples of mon applied, on a ground of gold-nashiji, of gold-ikakeji. This form of highest superior work was restricted, in feudal times, to san mi 三位, samurai owners, of the third court-rank, or possibly even higher, such as 一位, Ichii, First rank, or, 二位, Nii, second rank. These samurai nobles of the third to higher ranks were called kugyō when these two swords was made and carried in the early Edo period of the Tokugawa shogunate.

First Rank (一位, Ichii): The highest court rank, reserved for individuals of exceptional merit and influence.
Second Rank (二位, Nii): A higher rank, often associated with those in positions of authority.
Third Rank (三位, Sanmi) and Fourth Rank (四位, Shii): These ranks denoted important positions in the court system

In feudal Japan, court ranks, known as mibun, were a hierarchical system defining the status and duties of individuals, particularly within the samurai class. These ranks influenced everything from a samurai's attire and position to their ability to request audiences with the Shogun. The system was a complex tapestry of colors, symbols, and titles, signifying one's place in the social order.

In the Tokugawa shogunate each of the First to Third Ranks is divided into Senior (正, shō) and Junior (従, ju). The Senior First Rank (正一位, shō ichi-i) is the highest in the rank system. It is conferred mainly on a very limited number of persons recognized by the Imperial Court as most loyal to the nation during that era.

The Junior First Rank (従一位, ju ichi-i) is the second highest rank, conferred in many cases on the highest ministers, premier feudal lords, and their wives.

Nobles with the Third Rank or upper were called kugyō.

Successive Tokugawa shoguns held the highest or near-highest court ranks, higher than most court nobles. They were made Shō ni-i (正二位, Senior Second Rank) of court rank upon assuming office, then Ju ichi-i (従一位, Junior First Rank), and the highest rank of Shō ichi-i (正一位, Senior First Rank) was conferred upon them upon their death. The Tokugawa shogunate established that the court ranks granted to daimyo by the imperial court were based on the recommendation of the Tokugawa shogunate, and the court ranks were used to control the daimyo.

Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi were Shō ni-i (正二位, Senior Second Rank) and Ju ichi-i (従一位, Junior First Rank) respectively, but both were elevated to Shō ichi-i (正一位, Senior First Rank) in the Taisho era, about 300 years after their deaths.

The no expense spared museum grade conservation including blade polish conservation and cleaning, has yielded fabulous results. We undertook it for two specific reasons, firstly, it deserves to be returned to as close to its original condition as possible, yet, still showing it age, and, externally regarding the tsuka-ito and urushi lacquer, showing all its natural wear, and secondly, to honour its previous owner, who, for several decades, was a seasoned practitioner of the Japanese martial art forms {not using these swords of course}, and he was a friend of many in the Japanese nihonto world, such as Victor Harris, former Curator of Japanese swords at the British Museum. It has thus been undertaken with immense care. For example all the original urushi nashiji lacquer is being left, just, ‘as is’ after it has been hand cleaned and conserved, in order to show all its natural beauty, quality yet natural aging, with its colour somewhat darkening from the past few hundred years.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, as Britain’s oldest established, and favourite, armoury and gallery.

THE LANES ARMOURY, THE PREMIER HOME OF ORIGINAL AND AFFORDABLE ANCIENT ANTIQUITIES & MILITARY ANTIQUE COLLECTABLES IN BRITAIN.

The Lanes Armoury, is world renown as Britain's favourite specialist collectors shop, and also a font of historical and educational information that is detailed with every single item. We detail each piece alongside its historical context, either generic or specific, for those that may wish to read, learn, or be informed, as opposed to simply acquire collectable items. We are probably one of the oldest companies of our kind in the whole of Europe and we have been established through generations, as specialists in armoury, military antiques, militaria collectables, and specialist books, since the early 1900’s, and thus we have continued to be one of the largest in the world today. The current partners were set on this path by their great grandfather

We are also very pleased to know we are also studied and read by academics and students from hundreds of universities around the world, by those that are interested in not only British but worldwide history. Of course we are not perfect and errors can and will be made, but thanks to our viewers and visitors, errors can be corrected, and learnt from.
Our sacred principle is that every single country's history ought to be studied, learnt, and passed down to future generations, however good, or even bad, some of it may be. All history is knowledge, be it good, bad, or indifferent.

Everyday we are contacted by historians that wish to make contributions to our detailed information for our pieces, and to thus add to our constant dedication to impart historical knowledge, that may be unknown to many of our millions of viewers.

As once told to us by an esteemed regular visitor to us here in our gallery, in order to view and study our Japanese edged weapons and armour gallery, and the same words that are repeated in his book;

“In these textures lies an extraordinary and unique feature of the sword - the steel itself possesses an intrinsic beauty. The Japanese sword has been appreciated as an art object since its perfection some time during the tenth century AD. Fine swords have been more highly prized than lands or riches, those of superior quality being handed down from generation to generation. In fact, many well-documented swords, whose blades are signed by their makers, survive from nearly a thousand years ago. Recognizable features of the blades of hundreds of schools of sword-making have been punctiliously recorded, and the study of the sword is a guide to the flow of Japanese history.”
Victor Harris
Curator, Assistant Keeper and then Keeper (1998-2003) of the Department of Japanese Antiquities at the British Museum. He studied from 1968-71 under Sato Kenzan, Tokyo National Museum and Society for the Preservation of Japanese Swords.

* Museum grade conservation is encouraged for fine and rare artefacts in order to conserve and create pieces as much as is possible without creating an ‘as new’ appearance. It is extremely important to retain as must original patina as possible, and natural aging, so as to beautifully improve their current condition as much as possible, without removing historical context. Such as the great priceless treasures, the Roman Portland vase, and the Anglo Saxon Sutton Hoo helmet, associated with King Rædwald of East Anglia, now both exhibited in the British Museum

The original lacquer saya on the shoto has small areas of line opening near the throat due to its past hundreds of years old wear, yet it is still in a fine condition otherwise. Its hand carved and polished black buffalo horn fittings and kurikata are are now hand repolished and superb throughout the daito saya. This overall museum grade conservation project we have undertaken, involving hundreds of hours of expert attention and skill, we would like to think, is just the kind of result that our friend, Victor Harris, formerly of of the British Museum, would have been proud.  read more

Code: 25805

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Battle of Meeanee

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

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

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

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

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

Code: 25818

A Superb Durham Artillery Regimental Officer's Combat Sword Used In Combat at the First Battle of Ypres in October 19 to November 22, 1914 WW1 When The Guns Were Over Run & The Scabbard Impacted By Bayonet Charge

Fully etched regimental blade with monogram . Lightning flashes above and below Durham Artillery and the royal cypher of King Edward VIIth.
Steel combat scabbard in good condition, but, historically interesting and remarkable as it has been partially thrust through, in close combat, by a German Mauser bayonet. But as it 'nearly' went through both sides of the scabbard, the blade couldn't have been within it but being used in hand to hand fighting, likely to defend the heavy artillery piece during the 1st Battle of Ypres, where the guns were over run by the Germans.

The Durham artillery at Ypres;
Durham Garrison Artillery at the First Battle of Ypres:
The 142nd (Durham) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, was part of the massive artillery reserve used by IX Corps in the battle.

They participated in bombardments before attacks, including one on October 23rd where their artillery demonstrated "the crushing effect of well co-ordinated massed artillery".
Their actions were instrumental in supporting infantry advances.

The First Battle of Ypres took place from October 19 to November 22, 1914.
It was a series of engagements fought to control the strategic city of Ypres and prevent German forces from breaking through to the English Channel.
The battle was characterized by intense trench warfare, heavy artillery bombardments, and high casualties on both sides.
The battle was part of a larger "Race to the Sea" where both sides were trying to outflank each other.

The First Battle of Ypres saw intense fighting and significant losses for both sides, with the British artillery facing challenges from the outset.
The German artillery inflicted heavy casualties and disrupted British communication lines.
In some instances, British guns were overrun by advancing German infantry, particularly during the early stages of the battle.
The heavy fighting and lack of observation points for British artillery made them vulnerable.
While the British did manage to hold their lines, the First Battle of Ypres was marked by intense fighting and a significant number of guns being overrun by the enemy.

The Arras offensive continued for several weeks. On 22 April, 142nd Hvy Bty transferred to 44th (South African) HAG. At the end of June, the battery moved back to Fifth Army, now at Ypres preparing for the Flanders Offensive (the Third Battle of Ypres). 142nd Heavy Bty did not stay under Fifth Army long: it briefly joined 14th HAG on 29 June, then 4th on 1 July, but moved to 59th HAG with Third Army on 6 July. It therefore missed the early stages of the offensive. It came under 39th HAG on 9 August, but then on 1 September it rejoined Fifth Army with 65th HAG.1013 The offensive was re-launched with the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge (20 September), followed by the battles of Polygon Wood (26 September), Broodseinde (4 October), Poelcappelle (9 October) and finally the First and Second Battle of Passchendaele (12 and 26 October). Conditions for the artillery were by now very bad: British batteries were clearly observable from the Passchendaele Ridge and suffered badly from CB fire, while their own guns sank into the mud and became difficult to aim and fire. The fighting died down after 10 November.

Interesting fact; The very first two medals for heroism, the Military Medal, every issued,after when the medal was first approved, were both Durham artillery men Acting Bombardier J.J. Hope and Bombardier F.W. Mallin, awarded for their heroic defence of defending Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby from Admiral Hipper's fleet.

On the morning of 16 December 1914, a German naval force under Rear Admiral Franz von Hipper approached the coast of North East England to mount a Raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby. The battle cruisers SMS Seydlitz and SMS Moltke, with the armoured cruiser SMS Blücher, concentrated on Hartlepool, which was a base for light Royal Navy warships. The port was defended by two batteries. On the day in question, 11 officers and 155 other ranks of the Durham RGA were manning Heugh Battery (two 6-inch guns manned by No 4 Company) and Lighthouse Battery (one 6-inch gun)The action ended at 08.52 when the batteries fired their last rounds at 9200 yards' range at the withdrawing warships. The Germans had fired 1150 shells, killing 112 and wounding over 200 civilians and doing extensive damage to the town and docks. The Durham RGA suffered two killed, and in firing a total of 123 rounds had inflicted at least seven direct hits, killing 8 German seamen and wounding four.  read more

Code: 25856