Category: Previously Sold

A scarce C.1770 British European Cavalry Officer’s Sword.  This is a seldom encountered and unusual late-18th Century cavalry officer’s sword that comprises a brass, boat shell hilt and has a grip with simulated brass twistwire.  The pommel is ovoid with a pronounced flattenen tang button.  The blade is double-fullered, plain and double-edged.  It is a little difficult to accurately pin down this sword to a particular country as it is of a style that was popular in both England and Europe, most notably France and German states.  There are no maker marks that are visible.  Condition of the sword is good for its age with some wear to the blade, particularly near the point.  Blade length is 31.75 inches (38 inches overall).

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An original British Named WW1 Infantry Officer’s Sword – wounded Middle East 1918.  This is an 1897 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword that was owned by Captain E C Brassey of the 22nd County of London Regiment (The Queens).  The sword is actually an NCO pattern with a plain blade and is stamped with an Enfield manufactory mark to the blade forte.  Named to Brassey at blade forte.  Sword is in good condition with a very clean blade.  Complete with leather field service scabbard.  Blade length is 32 inches (39 inches overall).

“At 0045 hours Bn. left bivouac area and deployed at 0200 hours in about 142.Y.52.d (I assume this is a map reference – RV) At 0240 advance was continued for about 1000 yards towards WADI AMMAN when considerable rifle and M.G. fire was opened from right flank. It became necessary to clear this before going further, more especially as touch with the Bn. on our right had not been established, “C” Coy. was detailed to take up a position to guard our flank from an attack from the right. “B” Coy. was ordered to go back a short distance, move to the right and then deploy and advance on enemy’s position on our right flank. The rest of the Bn. was collected in a deep wadi along which the road to Amman runs. “B” Coys. advance was so far successful that they captured 2 machine guns and about 80 prisoners and established themselves in a position some 4 or 500 yards in advance of the rerst of our line.

As it was now getting light and we were not in touch with the unit on our right flank it was decided to take up the best defensive position available until the situation was cleared up. “C” Coy. accordingly occupied positions on the right of the Wadi in which the Bn. was assembled. One half of “D” Coy. was sent to command the high ground on the left of the same place, as it got light the enemy brought up fresh troops on our right flank, and the other half of “D” Coy. was sent to support “C” Coy. A further 2 Machine Guns and fifty prisoners were taken, and the situation settled down into sniping and machine Gun fire by the enemy on either side. At 0530 hours the enemy was seen to be making ground along the spur some 800 yards to our right. As this advance if continued would bring him in behind our right flank, “B” Coy. was ordered to take up osition to watch the situation here. Little or no change in our dispositions occurred throughout the day. We suffered considerable casualties from their snipers and 4.2 Howrs. Total casualties:- Killed 2 Officers – Capt. E.D. ROSE and 2/Lieut. E.J.R. BRITT and 18 ).Rs. Wounded 4 officers – Capt. E.C. BRASSEY 2/Lieut L.G.B. HILL, R.R. LAWRIE, Lieut. E.A. BOND and 60 O.Rs. Missing 4 O.Rs.”

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A very interesting and probable C.1800’s Inuit Indian Leaf-bladed Knife Dagger.  This is quite a difficult one to identify and trying to research comparable examples has so far proved elusive and I am basing my assumption on similar antique Inuit knives that feature these distinctive leaf-shaped blades.  Some early Inuit snow knives used to carved ice blocks also have this type of blade profile.  If anyone has an alternative theory on this knife I would be very interested to hear from them.  The dagger comprises a marine ivory and brass mounted hilt wrapped in leather bands.  The blade is of prominent leaf shape and double-edged.  Condition is good overall for its age with some commensurate wear to the blade.  Blade length is 7 inches (10 inches overall).

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A very good example of an original C.1600 Spanish or Italian Main Gauche Dagger.  The name of these daggers translates from the French as “left hand” and it is a tern used by collectors of a parrying dagger that appeared in Spain and Spanish-held parts of the Low Countries and Italy.  This weapon is most easily recognized by the curved, usually triangular knuckle guard extending over the hilt, the wide end of which attached to the guard while the narrow point is attached to the pommel.  The crossguard is normally very long, much longer than those found on other daggers and they normally terminate with globular, knob-like finials.  Blades are very distinctive, with some long and narrow, double-edged but some are also single-edged and wider.  The blade sometimes has a cut out ricasso that enabled the user to catch the sword blade of an opponent.  This example is quite unusual in that it features a large, stylised human face to the knuckleguard.  It looks to be a soldier wearing a typical military helmet of the period.  The guard is also pierced and with chiselled decoration.  There are two inwardly-curving quillons that emanate from a crossguard below the knuckelguard.  The grip is bound with steel twistwire and the faceted pommel is large and globular, with a pronounced tang button.  The blade is plain and double-edged with a number of rounded and lozenge-shaped grooves – these could be the remains of the armourer’s marks, now worn down.  Overall condition of the main gauche is very good for its great age and everything is tight and firm.  A very nice piece that would display well.  Blade length is 13.5 inches (19 inches overall.

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A very rare C.1500 English European Stiletto Dagger.  This is a scarce and complete stiletto dagger that was probably made in either England or Europe.  It comprises a blackened iron hilt with a small faceted and domed/squared off  pommel.  The grip is quite long, rounded and made from wood – this appears to the original wooden grip and is in good condition.  The blade is typically triangular and comprises three flattened and sharpened sides with a pronounced and wicked point.  What makes this an attractive piece is the distinctive downward curving crossguard and double cut quillon finials.  It is quite simple decoration but personifies late-15th and early 16th Century dagger and sword styles.  This dagger was obviously made to be concealed and would have been a very effective close combat weapon.  These very early daggers are difficult to come across and it is nice to find such a complete example.  There is no damage or repairs to the dagger.  Blade length is 6.75 inches (10.25 inches overall).

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An extremely rare c.1500 European Knightly Sword.  This is of a type that was carried throughout Europe during the early to late Middle Ages and comprises a very large rounded and bulbous pommel.  The crossguard is downward curving with squared finials.  The grip is tightly bound with cord and leather and looks to have been there a considerable period of time as it has congealed and become rock hard.  The blade is broad and with a wide and shallow single fuller that terminates around 7 inches from the blade forte.

Blade double-edged for entire length

The blade is double-edged for its entire length and is in good condition for its great age with some patches of corrosion that is to be expected.  The sword is very light in the hand – a good sign of quality – and the blade is also very springy and well tempered. In the hand of a soldier, this would have been a very effective cutting and slashing weapon.  Blade length is 31 inches (37 inches overall).  Great addition for the collector of early swords and at a reasonable price for this type.  For similar swords please take a look at Oakeshott’s, Record of the Medieval Sword.

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A good Soviet 1930’s/1940’s Army Engineers Budenovka Military Hat.  Made from green woollen material with black woollen Soviet star and base metal Soviet badge held together with flattened split that is pushed through the cap and secured inside the liner .  The black composite buttons are maker marked to a Moscow company.  With some wear in places, otherwise in good condition.  A Budenovka is a distinctive type of military hat and a typical part of the Communist uniform of the Russian Civil War, 1920’s and 30’s and through to the early period of WW2 where it was subsequently replaced by a side cap known as the “pilotka”.  The budenovka was supposed to be worn underneath a steel helmet but this unpopular over time.

Its official name was the “broadcloth helmet” andwas named after Semyon Budyonny.  It is a soft, woollen hat that covers the ears and neck and can be worn under a helmet. The cap also has a beak and folded earflaps that can be buttoned under the chin.  The hat was created as part of a new uniform for the Russian army by Viktor Vasnetsov, and was inspired by the Kiev Rus helmet and intended to inspire Russian troops by connecting them with the legendary heroes of historical Russian folklore.  The size of the cap appears to be a medium.  There is no damage to the quilted liner.

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A very good British Napoleonic Cavalry Officer’s Sword with extensive etched decoration to the blade.  This is a fine and unusual example and includes a 1796 Pattern stirrup-type hilt of typical neo-classical style, particularly with regard to the squared quillon finial.  The grip is covered in  fishskin and  bound with copper twistwire – all the original twistwire remains – small piece missing from fishskin near pommel.  With shield-shaped hilt langet.

The blade is of curved,  pipe back and quill point form and is very much indicative of a late-Georgian military sword when the introduction of this type of fighting blade became popular with British military officers and was a standard blade type for many years afterward, both in the infantry and cavalry.  It is decorated with a mixture of designs and motifs, including royal coat of arms, stands of trophies, victory laurels and scrolling foliage.  The quality of the blade etching is excellent and still extremely crisp.  The blade length is 31.5 inches (36 inches overall).  A very attractive addition for the collector of British Napoleonic swords and edged weapons.  No scabbard.

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An unusual English C.1770’s Infantry Detachable Slot-hilt Hanger Sword.  This is quite an interesting sword with regards to the design of the hilt bars.  The single, sweeping hilt guard is attached to the bottom of the slot hilt via an open slot and at the top of the hilt, it is attached with a screw.  This probably indicates that this hilt bar was detachable and could be removed to provide a more traditional style of slot-hilt English hanger.  This could even have had a dress function because the removal of the detachable hilt bar would have made the sword more manageable when worn against a uniform.  Whatever the purpose, this is the first hilt type of this style of sword that I have ever seen.  The sword also comprises a ribbed ebony grip – with some commensurate age splits.

The bottom of the hilt is open and slotted.  The blade is single-fullered and has the running fox mark associated with the Birmingham based Harvey family of sword makers to both sides of the blade.  In good overall condition and retaining all its original dark age patina to the metal.  Blade length is 27 inches (33.5 inches overall).

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An original C.1850’s English Sheffield US Export Gambler’s Knife.  This knife is of a type that was made in Sheffield, England and exported to the USA during the 1850’s and used by Americans and immigrants heading westwards during the time of the Gold Rush. It was also a popular weapon carried by Mississippi gamblers and was handy as a hidden weapon of protection, known as his “fifth ace”.

Some were made in the USA but a large quantity were manufactured in Sheffield and shipped over to America and were carried right through to the American Civil War and beyond and were a regular sidearm for Confederate soldiers.  This knife was made by Septimus Machin of Sheffield and has decorated white metal hilt mounts and polished wooden grip – there is a white metal insert in the middle of the grip – could be later addition or repair.  The blade is plain and double-edged.  For a very similar example please see Civil War Knives by Marc Newman, page 6.  In good overall condition – has been used and so with commensurate age wear.

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A good example of a 18th Century Sri-Lankan Kastane Sword.  This is a distinctive style of far eastern sword that was carried throughout Sri-Lanka during the 18th and 19th Century.  It has a wooden grip with finely carved monster-head pommel and brass and iron decorated crossguard.  I have sold a number of these over the years and many of them tend to be in rather poor condition, especially with regards to the monster-head pommel, that can be damaged or rotten away.  This sword is in great shape and the pommel is still well defined and crisp.

There are also monster-head inverted hilt “pas-de-ane” that form from the crossguard.  What is a little unusual about this kastane is the size of the blade which is quite large for this form of sword – is almost machete-like in profile with a straight blade and double-edged.  Blade length is 24.5 inches (30 inches overall).

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A very fine British Napoleonic Senior Infantry Officer’s Blue and Gilt Sword.  This is an interesting sword in that the style is very much in keeping with the 1796 Pattern Cavalry Officer’s Sword but the proportions make this definitely an infantry officer’s sword.  This pattern of sword was also copied by British infantry officers of the period and there is a actually more variations of style with infantry officers’ swords rather than the cavalry officers’ swords that tended to be based on the 1796 pattern.  This excellent sword comprises a steel stirrup hilt with finely chequered ivory grip that tended to be associated with senior infantry officers – we see this with the 1803 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword.  Grip is also in great condition.

The curved, double-edged, flatback blade retains most of the original blue and gilt decoration that has only faded a little commensurate with its age – still plenty of colour.  The decoration is very elaborate and varied and includes the royal coat of arms, royal cypher, myriad scrolling foliage and stands of arms.  The sword comes complete wit its original steel and leather mounted scabbard that is in good condition.  A great addition to any collection of British Napoleonic infantry officers’ swords.  Blade length is 28 inches (32 inches overall).

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A scarce and rare late-19th Century British 1889 Pattern NCO’s Sword – Gloucestershire Regiment.  This is an official British Army military pattern sword that was issued to Sergeants and comprises a brass Gothic hilt with inset and pierced royal cypher of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).  The grip is bound with fishskin and copper twistwire  and all fishskin and twistwire remains.

The blade is plain and straight, with a single fuller and double-edged towards the point.  It has numerous official issue and re-issue stamps and includes a maker’s mark for Mole of Birmingham, a major supplier of military pattern swords to the British Army at this point.  The sword is stamped at the front of the hilt to the Gloucestershire Regiment (GR) and this lettering is repeated on the scabbard throat.  Condition of the sword is very good for its age, with a good, clean blade.  Blade length is 32.5 inches (39 inches overall).

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A very large and substantial German 19th Century Heavy Cavalry Trooper’s Sword.  These swords were made by the German sword making company, Schnitzler and Kirshbaum, who produced huge quantities of military swords to countries throughout Europe and the world.  The sword comprises a large iron two-bar hilt with a grip wrapped in leather and bound with copper or brass twistwire.  The blade is very impressive and single-fullered – it would have been pretty devastating in the hand and especially when on horseback and at the gallop.

Condition of the sword is very good – many of these sword types are in pretty poor condition and have lost their grip wrap over time and also the scabbard.  Blade length is 35 inches (42 inches overall).

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A very good clean and fine Imperial German Model 1889 Infantry Officer’s Sword.  This is a classic Imperial German hilt style that has become associated with German infantry officers of the late-19th and early 20th Century and right through the First World War.  I would guess that this sword probably dates from around the First World War.  It comprises a gilt brass hilt with canted pommel and a folding hilt guard that is styled with an Imperial German state eagle.  The grip is made from a polished composite material and bound with brass twistwire.

Attached to the grip is the royal cypher of Emperor Wilhelm II (1888-1918).  The blade is double-fullered and retains most of the original nickel-plated polish.  Is stamped with a maker’s mark to the blade forte.  Comes complete with leather sword hanger to the steel scabbard.  Condition of the sword is very good.  Blade length is 30 inches (36 inches overall).

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An original British 1804 Pattern Naval Seaman’s Cutlass.  This is an real and honest example of the classic “figure-of-eight” British Napoleonic naval cutlass of a type that was carried during the Napoleonic Wars and had a long and illustrious service life.  It is the most famous cutlass style associated with British seaman during the age of sail and wooden warships.  Up until the late-eighteenth century, short swords or hangers had been the mainstay of edged weapons for ordinary British sailors whilst on board a ship of war.

They were not issued to every man and it was usual to have one between five or six sailors.  The introduction of a tubular, smooth gripped cutlass in the 1790’s was the first serious attempt by the British Navy to introduce some kind of uniformity into the supply of cutlasses to naval ratings.  It had a distinctive “figure of eight” rolled iron hilt that varied considerably in  thickness.  There is some debate as to the origin of this style of cutlass and it has been suggested that they might actually be traced back to earlier American designs, particularly during the Revolutionary War.  The fledgling American Navy issued a cutlass (Model 1797) which bears a great resemblance to these British cutlasses and it is probable that the British actually copied the design from the Americans.  This is the later official, regulation version.  This cutlass comprises an iron hilt with grooved grip.  The blade is straight, unfullered and flat-backed.  It is also double-edged.  It obviously shows signs of wear, particularly in a salty environment but I believe this adds to the charm of the piece.  There are many copies of this sword in the market but this is 100% original and guaranteed for life.  Blade length is 28.5 inches (33.5 inches overall).

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A rare English C.1780 Naval Infantry Military Hanger Sword.  This is the type of sword that would have been carried by either English naval or infantry officers during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and is typical of the style carried during this period.  It comprises a brass stirrup-type hilt with a grip bound with brass twistwire.  The pommel is of faceted globular form and very much the stylistic vogue during the late-18th Century, particularly amongst English military officers.  The blade is slightly curved and has a single fuller running just below the spine of the blade.

It is double-edged towards the end of the blade.  For similar examples of this sword type please take a look in George C Neumann’s excellent book – Swords and Blades of the American Revolution.  Condition of the sword is good for its great age with some commensurate age wear to the blade – both hilt and blade are solid with no movement.  A great piece.  Blade length is 24 inches (30 inches overall).

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An excellent British Named 1845 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Wilkinson Sword with a typical gilt brass “Gothic Hilt” and royal “VR” (Queen Victoria – 1837-1901) cypher to the pierced hilt.  The grip is bound with all its original fishskin and copper twistwire.  The blade has the owner’s monogram etched near the forte – the sword was owned by H W Dent of the Queens Regiment, West Surreys.  The sword was sold to him in December 1872 by Wilkinson Sword and the overall high quality of manufacture is typical of Wilkinson swords of the 19th Century.

The blade is very well etched with foliage and there is a royal crown and cypher to the centre.  Condition of the blade is excellent and it retains all original polish.  The sword comes complete with a fine brass service scabbard.  A good sword requiring more research.  Blade length is 32.5 inches (38 inches overall).

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An attractive Antique French Lagouile Folding Penknife.  This penknife features a shaped hardwood grip and cut steel backstrap.  The blade is marked to the famous French cutlery makers, Lagouile.   The ancestor of the laguiole is most likely the Arabo-Hispanic clasp knife of Andalusian Spain, the navaja and the design of the navaja was merged with that of local folding knives represented by older patterns such as the Capuchadou.  The result of this was the laguiole.

The laguiole was first designed in 1829 by Jean-Pierre Calmels and his concept of the knife became the pattern for this style, with the forged “bee” symbol emerging as a distinctive trademark. In 1840 the first awl or “trocar” was added to the some laguiole knife patterns.  All laguiole knives feature a slim, sinuous outline.  Condition of the knife is very good.  Blade length is 3.5 inches (7 inches overall).

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An original example of an Indian Islamic Persian 19th Century Mughal Dagger.  This probably dates from the early 1800’s and comprises a curved horn grip that is mounted with silver decoration to the ferrule and hilt securing pins.  The blade is plain and curved and of thick dimensions that would have enabled it to pierce chainmail and armour.  The overall condition is good for its age – some of the horn has been lost to one side of the pommel.

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