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Nation : British
Local Price : £645.00

**ATTRIBUTED**WW1 British George V Royal Engineers Officer’s 1897 Pattern with Etched Blade Inscribed ‘HCW N Coy CLPR Aug 1914 To June 1917’ Blade No. 02551 Field Service Scabbard & Frog. Sn 19845. -. This is an excellent WW1 dated 1897 pattern Infantry Officer’s sword with etched blade. It has a clean 32 ½” long blade with partial fullers. The blade is etched on both sides. Both sides have decorative foliate panels. One side has Kings crown Royal Cypher ‘GR V’ (George V Rex), Kings crown & heraldic arms. The reverse has blued and etched panel ‘HCW N Coy CLPR Aug 1914 To June 1917’ and has the ordnance acceptance star with roundel. The spine of the blade is numbered ’02551’. It has a full 1897 Pattern knuckle guard with King George V Crown & Royal Cypher. It has a curved stepped pommel with ball end and knurled back strap for grip, fish skin grip with wire binding in superb condition. There are no visible maker marks on the sword. It is complete with leather covered wood field service scabbard with German silver throat mount. The scabbard is fitted with leather frog that has 2 belt loops and brass buckles. All leather and stitching are clean and intact. The price for this sword worthy of further research includes UK delivery. Sn 19845.

Nation : British
Local Price : £645.00

Victorian British Pattern 1827 Manchester Volunteer Rifles Officer’s Sword With Blued & Etched Panels Blade By S&S Smith Manchester & Scabbard. Sn 22089 -. Originally raised as the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in 1755, the Rifle Brigade was officially formed in 1800. Initially Officer’s carried a lighter version of the 1796 pattern Light cavalry sabre, later adopting the 1803 pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword with strung bugle motif placed within the knuckle bow. The Regiment, always renowned for its individuality both in uniform and tactics, it was no wonder that they eventually gained their own distinctive pattern of sword. The 1827 pattern is defined by an all steel hilt coupled with the replacement of the usual Royal Cypher with a strung bugle and Queen’s Crown in the hilt . The Manchester Volunteer Rifles were raised in 1859/60. Their expansion in WWI as eighteen battalions of the Manchester Regiment saw the Regiment play a significant role in the Great War. This is a very good, original example of the 1827 Pattern Sword To The Manchester Volunteer Rifles with Scabbard. The sword has a 32 ½” long elegantly curved blade with fullers (39” overall). The blade has just staining consistent with age and is blued & etched on both sides with foliate panels & banners together with Queen’s crown on one side and Rifle Brigade Bugle and Victorian Queen’s Crown ‘VR’ Victoria Regina panel ‘Manchester Rifles’ on the reverse. It also has the ordnance acceptance star with inlaid roundel at the ricasso on one side. The blade is signed by the maker ‘S&S Smith 34 Cross St Manchester’. It has a voided knuckle guard with the correct Rifle Brigade Queen’s crown with strung bugle motif, stepped pommel with ball end and wire bound, fish skin covered handle in excellent condition with all wire complete and intact. It is complete with original leather scabbard with steel mounts & 2 hanging rings. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22089

Nation : British
Local Price : £645.00

WW1 Era British WD 1897 Pattern Henry Wilkinson London Infantry Officer’s Sword With King George V Guard, Blade Number 45075, Leather Officer’s Cord & Acorn Knot Leather Covered Field Service Scabbard & Sam Browne Leather Frog. Sn 23174:28 -. This is an original British 1897 pattern Infantry Officer’s sword with Cord Acorn Knot scabbard and frog. These swords were a great improvement on previous patterns with better protection to the hand through its ¾ basket hilt (see page 179 of World Swords by Withers & pages 165-167 of Swords of the British Army by Robson). The sword has a 32 ½” long blade with partial fullers and measures 39” overall. The blade has small areas of staining consistent with age and use. The ricasso has the makers name in etched and blued panel ‘Henry Wilkinson Pall Mall London’ with heraldic Arms and Warranted banner. The reverse has the correct ordnance acceptance proof star and inlaid brass proof roundel & original leather hilt washer. The spine of the blade is numbered 45075. It has the full 1897 Pattern knuckle guard with Crown GR V device. It has a curved stepped pommel with ball top and knurled back strap for grip, fish skin covered grip with wire binding in excellent condition. The hilt is fitted with Leather Officer’s Cord & Acorn Knot. It is complete with leather covered wood field service scabbard. The scabbard has a German silver throat mount & is fitted with Sam Browne Pattern leather frog that has 2 belt loops and buckles. All leather & stitching are clean and intact. The price for this nice complete WW1 era sword set includes UK delivery. Sn 23174:28

Nation : British
Local Price : £645.00

WW1 Era British WD 1897 Pattern Watson & Gillot Sheffield Infantry Officer’s Sword With King George V Guard, Etched Blade, Leather Officer’s Cord & Acorn Knot, Leather Covered Field Service Scabbard & Sam Browne Leather Frog. Sn 23484:84 -. This is an original British 1897 pattern Infantry Officer’s sword with Cord Acorn Knot scabbard and frog. These swords were a great improvement on previous patterns with better protection to the hand through its ¾ basket hilt (see page 179 of World Swords by Withers & pages 165-167 of Swords of the British Army by Robson). The sword has a 32 ½” long blade with partial fullers and measures 39” overall. The blade is clean. The ricasso has the makers name Watson & Gillot Sheffield together with heraldic Arms. The reverse has the correct ordnance acceptance proof star & original leather hilt washer. Both sides of the blade have foliate etched panels and heraldic arms together with King’s crown and royal cypher ‘GRV’ (King George V Rex). It has the full nickel plated 1897 Pattern knuckle guard with Crown GR V device. It has a curved stepped pommel with ball top and knurled back strap for grip, fish skin covered grip with wire binding in excellent condition. The hilt is fitted with Leather Officer’s Cord & Acorn Knot. It is complete with leather covered wood field service scabbard. The scabbard has a German silver throat mount & is fitted with Sam Browne Pattern leather frog that has 2 belt loops and buckles. All leather & stitching are clean and intact. The price for this nice complete WW1 era sword set includes UK delivery. Sn 23484:84

Nation : British
Local Price : £645.00

Victorian & WW1 Era British Robert Mole & Sons Birmingham 1895 / 97 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword With Etched Blade, Leather Covered Scabbard, Frog & WW1 Era Sam Browne Equipment Belt Rig With Cross Belts. Sn 22832 -. This is an excellent original, 1895 / 97 Pattern British Infantry Officer’s Sword set (see page 179 of World Swords by Withers). The Sword has a 32 ½” single edged blade with fuller (39" overall). The blade is clean with etched and blued panels and Queen’s Crown VR (Victoria Regina) to both sides. The ricasso is marked by the manufacturer ’Robt Mole & Sons Makers Birmingham’. The reverse has the ordnance acceptance star and inlaid proof roundel. The hilt is fitted with its original leather washer. It has an ornate voided bowl guard with stylised Victorian Royal Cypher ‘VR’ (Victoria Regina) and Queen’s Crown. It has an undamaged wire bound fish skin grip together with stepped steel pommel with ball top. It is complete with its brown leather covered wood scabbard which has a German Silver throat mount & chape. The scabbard is fitted with an original brown leather frog with straps, brass stud and buckles attached to a WW1 era Officer’s Sam Browne equipment belt rig. The belt has all brass buckles and fittings including shoulder cross straps. The buckles, leather & stitching of all components of the rig are clean & intact. The belt is 49 12” length and 2 ¼” wide. It is adjustable from approx UK size 31" to 37" waist. There are no visible manufacturer, date or WD marks on the rig. The price for this Victorian and WW1 era Officer’s Sword with scabbard, frog and Sam Browne rig includes UK delivery. Sn 22832

Nation : British
Local Price : £645.00

British WD 1885 Pattern Cavalry Troopers Sword By Mole (Birmingham) & WD Scabbard Both With Various Regiment Marks (Some Struck Out) Sn 23174:44 -. These swords were designed during the period when the British army was continuing to argue on the merits of the ‘cut’ versus the ‘thrust’ of British cavalry blades. The hilt design was first introduced for the 1864 pattern, this was primarily a new hilt mated with the existing 1853 pattern blade. The Maltese Cross motif cut into the knuckle guard is a distinctive feature of these swords. British manufacturer’s struggled to keep pace with the demand for these swords and many were produced with German made blades (see page 101 of World Swords by Withers). This is an excellent original British made, 1885 Pattern British Cavalry Troopers Sword with Scabbard. The Sword’s fullered 34 ½” blade has just light staining consistent with age. It measures 39 ¾” overall length. The grip strap has ordnance inspection marks and the spine, inspection marks and maker mark ‘Mole’ (Birmingham). The ricasso has WD inspection marks and WD inspection marks. The knuckle guard has the correct pierced Maltese cross motif. The guard is marked by the British maker ‘Mole’ (Birmingham). The guard has Regiment marks (some struck out, all illustarted). It has the correct boiled leather chequered scales secured by the correct 5 rivets. The edges of the grips have some age and service related nibbles but are totally secure. It is complete with its steel scabbard which has 2 fixed hanging rings. The scabbard has WD with arrow mark & Regiment marks , some struck out (all illustrated). The scabbard has even patina. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23174:44

Nation : -
Local Price : £895.00

Rare Late-18th Century Sardinian Infantry Hanger. EL7309 - A rare late-18th century Kingdom of Sardinia infantry hanger, featuring a broad 24 inch sabre blade. The blade with some pitting, but clear engraving showing the 'Viva le Roi' motto and eagle motif. Brass hilt with knucklebow and sidebar, with a bit of movement on the tang due to the loss of the leather washer. Leather covered wooden grip, firm on the tang.

Nation : French
Local Price : 875.00 USD

FRENCH HUNTING SWORD C.1780. Brass hilt originally gilt with shaped ebony grip (lineal checks). Three brass studs each side to enhance purchase. 23 ½” broad fullered single edged blade with spear point and long false edge. The forte decorated with cannon and splay of arms retaining some original gold wash. Sun King image above. Remnants of old preservative and minor storage spider rust. Swords of this type were carried by civilians in the streets, particularly at this time of political upheaval leading up to the French Revolution.

Nation : Italian
Local Price : 875.00 USD

ITALIAN PLUG BAYONET C.1700. Good quality example which was most likely was carried as a sidearm in the form of a bayonet to circumvent local restrictions. 13 3/8” overall. The blade finely formed in the Italian taste with a central fuller and back fuller which transitions to a false edge past the midpoint. Delicate scallops flanking the bolster. Brass base ferrule and one-piece horn grip with silver or white metal cap. The ferrule below worn and incomplete.

Nation : ?
Local Price : 875.00 USD

FINE EUROPEAN PLUG BAYONET, 19TH CENTURY. German for the Spanish market, first half of the 19th century. 7” d.e. blade with grooved edge ricasso, etched in foliage throughout. The forte with an inscription perhaps RATHBONE. See Armas Blancas en Espana, color plate 16 for an identical example identified as German monteria knife made in Solingen by A & E Holler. That maker is recorded 1839-69 and almost certainly made this knife during that period. Plug bayonets were popular in Spain for hunting, where a musket could be quickly be converted into a spear for self defense, particularly against boar and bear.

Nation : British
Local Price : £625.00

Unusual 1796 Heavy Cavalry Dress Sword. This unusual sword combines a Scottish broad sword blade with a British 1796 Heavy Cavalry dress sword handle. The brass handle and copper wire are solid with no movement and the blade is in good condition with an overall patinaThe dress sword for the Heavy Calvary was introduced following army reforms in 1786 with full regulations brought in 1796. Normally the sword consists of a boat-shell guard and long double sided blade. These regulations were not strictly enforced, and it is not uncommon to find early swords with non regulation blades as long as the guard and scabbard conformedPossibly this was a family sword, or for a Scottish officer who preferred the shorter, heavier blade over the longer and more delicate regulation

Nation : British
Local Price : $1200.00 CAD

ENGLISH FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTO. ENGLISH FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL: Approximately .62 Cal. Circa 1770. The 9 inch barrel is engraved “N… SON LONDON”. It seems quite crudely done, however, it does have clear British Proof marks with the initials “_ W”. The lock has quite a unique waterproof pan. Again, the cartouche on the lock, which would have had the maker’s name, is not visible. The brass furniture is very nice and quite unique in its style. The walnut stock is also unique in that it was never made to carry a ramrod. It is quite likely it was made for the Eastern market. The stock has a very nicely chequered panel on the back of the grip. This is a very unique and unusual flintlock. $1200.00

Nation : American
Local Price : $1200.00 CAD

P. 1859 NAVAL CUTLASS 2ND TYPE. P. 1859 NAVAL CUTLASS 2ND TYPE: Maker: A & E HOLLER of Solingen. Holler made 13,000 cutlass bayonets many of which were exported to the U.S. for the Civil War. The grips are EXC+, the blade is bright and also EXC+. The scabbard is VG (BCB-B165 & 167) Also European Bayonets of the American Civil War Pg. 73-75. EXC. $1200.00

Nation : American
Local Price : 850.00 USD

RARE AFRO-AMERICAN SECRET SOCIETY SWORD. Post Civil War, dating about mid 1880's. Gilt brass hilt finely detailed with pierced cross guard and quillon block with GUOOF inscription. Crusades tent form pommel with a crusader to the front. Gilt tape wrapped white ray skin grip. 31 ¾” heavy double edged blade as indicative of early examples. The ricasso marked M C LILLEY & CO COLUMBUS OHIO. That form used 1882-1925. The blade finely etched on gilt ground with the owner's name, foliage and crusaders scene. The gold faded with remnants of original blue as well. Gilt scabbard with finely modeled crusades and biblical motif mounts. The body hand engraved with the all-seeing eye (the Eye of Providence), serpent and cross and a halberd. The surface is fire gilt, clearly evidenced by remnant brush work. That technique was made obsolete about 1840 with the advent of electroplating and is seldom seen after that date. The GUOOF was the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, a branch founded in 1843 through a lodge in England, for blacks, which were excluded from membership in the Odd Fellows. The early membership drew from two established black groups who lacked mutual benefit components: the Philomathean Literary Society and the Philadelphia Company and Debating Society. It is considered one of the most significant black mutual aid societies from its beginnings and its membership grew through the 1880's, the period of this sword. The sword itself shows wear from use but was produced to the highest standard: to proportions and using techniques specific to the Civil War and immediate post war, clearly dating it to the early-mid 1880's. Very Rare.

Nation : French
Local Price : £850.00

French 1804 Imperial Guard Sidearm. A French 1804 Model Imperial Guard Sabre Briquet. Brass hilt having a single knucklebow design, leather grip lacking its brass wire. Single fullered steel

Nation : British
Local Price : £600.00

1796 Pattern Named Infantry Officers Sword. A rare named 1796 Pattern Infantry Officers Sword for Lieutenant Peter Atkinson, Ouse and Derwent Infantry (Volunteers) East Riding Yorkshire. Peter Atkinson was commissioned Lieutenant 5th September 1803, Ouze & Derwent Infantry. The company is numbered 801 in the 1804 army list, and 1296 in the 1806 list. Commanding officer Lt. Col. Richard Thompson.The regulation blade retains some gilt etching, including the crowned GR cipher, 1801-1816 Royal Arms, trophy of arms, floral tributes and &#acute;Warranted&#acute; within banner. The spine is marked with the maker&#acute;s name &#acute;Woolley & Deakin&#acute;. The regulation gilt brass hilt retains most of its original gilding, and the folding side guard is engraved &#acute;PA O.D.V&#acute;. In good untouched condition with age patina, the blade does have a few small patches of pitting. Blade 80cms, overall 97cms

Nation : Spanish
Local Price : £600.00

Spanish 18th Century Smallsword, with Motto-Inscribed Blade. Double-edged blade with short central fuller, thereafter with hexagonal profile, and spear point. Steel late-style hilt with asymmetrical boatshell counterguard, long opposed quillons, slender knucklebow joined by a single sidebar from the guard. Steel ferrule, silver wire-wrapped grip with turk’s heads. Globular pommel with tang nut. Blade 27¾ inches in length, ¾ of an inch wide at the shoulder, its fuller extending 7½ inches. Sword 34½ inches overall. The blade is stamped at the in the fuller on one side with ‘X NO X ME X SAQUES X SIN RASON X’ and on the other side with ‘X NO X ME X ENBAINES X SIN X HONOR’. At the end of the fuller on each side is stamped an anchor-like symbol, perhaps a maker’s mark. The stamped lettering is rough in places, the ‘R’ of ‘RASON’ for instance appears to have been lightly stamped once then more firmly stamped slightly off-centre of the first, creating a double image. ‘No me saques sin rason, No me enbaines sin honor’ translates to ‘Draw me not without reason, sheath me not without honour’. This phrase, suggesting that the weapon should not be recklessly drawn, but once drawn should be used bravely until honour was satisfied, is sometimes termed the ‘Spanish motto’ as it appears so commonly on sword blades of various types made in Spain or intended for the Spanish market. This includes a number produced in Solingen (Germany) for trade in the late 18 th and early 19 th centuries, many of which ended up in Spanish colonies. This example is of basic construction, and the six-sided nut used to secure the tang suggests that it has been previously taken apart, so it may be a composite piece. The blade has some areas of light patination, no edge damage apart from the very tip, which has rolled (

Nation : British
Local Price : £600.00

English Circa 1800 Fighting Dirk. Double-edged, spear-pointed blade 15½ inches in length, overall length ~20¼ inches, with full length tapering central fuller. Reeded wood grip, flat square gilt brass ‘pillow’ pommel with ball finial, simple chamfered square gilt brass ferrule, brass cross hilt with forward and reverse quillons. Black leather scabbard with gilt brass throat and chape, with teardrop frog stud. This is an example of the early non-regulation type of English officer’s dirk, carried by officers in both the Army and Navy from around 1770 until the mid 1800s. The lack of any uniform regulations during this period allowed officers the freedom to buy and carry weapons of their choice, leading to great variety in weaponry. Dirks were a form of dagger or long knife typically carried in addition to an officer’s full-size hanger or smallsword, used either as a backup weapon or held in the off-hand in the manner of a parrying dagger. This example is gilded for a more pleasing appearance than many fighting dirks, which could be quite simply constructed. Without specific ornamentation or markings one cannot tell if it was carried by an Army or a Navy officer. The blade has been previously cleaned back from a slightly corroded state and has minor pitting to its surface. There is slight movement to the pommel cap. The grip is in excellent condition with only some very minor chipping near the pommel cap. The gilding has worn on raised edges of the ferrule and pommel cap. The scabbard may be a later replacement, in the correct style. An example with a very similar blade and grip (this time of ivory) is illustrated in Peter Tuite’s ‘British Naval Edged Weapons - An Overview’, in the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin, 86:37-57, made by Francis Thurkle. The scabbard is not shown but is described as ‘brass-mounted leather’.

Nation : -
Local Price : 835.00 USD

US M.1832 GENERAL AND STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD. The American Sword, Peterson #113. Bronze hilt with straight cross guard, thickened edge boat form shell guard and two piece globular pommel. Interesting fine copper wire on cored wrapped grip. Original to it and rarely seen type. Scattered tiny wire breaks as expected. 27 3/4” straight broad fullered double edged blade. Blade quite crisp with isolated islands pitting. Hilt very good with expected wear from use and good patina. Virtually all of these were made in Germany and as with all officer's swords, variants were produced, some to order and others by caprice, as the specifications were general and officers purchased their own swords. Peterson notes variations to this pattern in The American Sword. All examples are very rarely encountered.

Nation : British
Local Price : £595.00

British 1912 Officers Sword. British 1912 Officers Sword WW1 period straight single fullered blade with flat back and spear point 89cm in length. The blade is decorated on one side with the crowned royal cypher for George V, and on the other with the crowned royal coat of arms, both sides there scrolling foliate designs. Complete with field scabbard age wear

Nation : British
Local Price : £595.00

Victorian Era English Gentleman’s Cane Dagger / Sword Stick With Foliate Decorated German Silver Ball Top Handle & Brass Ferrule With Push Button Scabbard Locking Catch. Sn 22663 -. This is a Victorian era English Gentleman’s Cane Dagger Sword Stick. The sword stick has a German Silver Ball top handle with embossed foliate decoration. The sword stick has an 11 ¾” square shank dagger blade which tapers to a pin sharp point. The blade has 2 sections of scalloped edge decoration. The sword stick is 15 ¾” length without scabbard. In its scabbard the sword stick is 33 ¾” overall length. The hilt has a ribbed brass ferrule with brass screw which acts as the locking catch release button. The sword locks into the scabbard securely and the release button functions as it should. The throat of the scabbard has a brass insert to accept the prong on the hilt locking catch. The scabbard has a blackened conical steel end cap. The price for this antique dagger sword stick includes UK delivery. Sn 22663

Nation : British
Local Price : £595.00

Victorian British Dockyard Or River Police Brass Hilt Sword / Hanger Sidearm & Scabbard. ED 3027 -. This is a nice original Victorian British Police Brass Hilt Sword / Hanger Sidearm & Scabbard as carried by Naval Dockyard Or River Police. It has a clean, fullered 24” steel blade & is 29 ½” overall length. The blade has its original leather hilt washer. There are no dates, maker or inspection marks on this sword. The brass hilt with bar guard and stepped pommel is in excellent order. The ribbed fish skin grip is clean & undamaged. The push button scabbard retaining clip functions as it should. The original leather scabbard has brass mounts. The brass throat mount has a frog locket and it has an external brass chape. All leather & stitching of the scabbard are clean & intact. The price includes UK delivery. ED 3027 (sword bucket armoury)

Nation : British
Local Price : £595.00

WW1 1914 British Enfield WD 1908 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Troopers Sword With Leather Cord & Acorn Portepee & 1915 Enfield WD Scabbard. Sn 23484:105 -. This is an original British 1908 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Troopers sword & scabbard. It has an undamaged 35" single edged blade with fullers (43" overall). The ricasso is date marked ’12 14 (December 1914) and fitted with leather hilt washer. There are also inspection marks including EFD (Enfield) mark and WD broad arrow. The spine of the blade has ‘P08’ designation (pattern 1908). The bowl guard has no visible Regiment or date marks. It has a clean undamaged chequered wood grip with correct thumb recess. The hilt is fitted with original Leather Cord & Acorn Portepee in excellent condition. It is complete with its original steel scabbard with fixed hanging rings. The scabbard has some minor dents consistent with age and service use. The scabbard has WD inspection marks, EFD Enfield mark together with ‘1*’ and ’15 date (1915). The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23484:105

Nation : Burmese
Local Price : £595.00

Burmese Dha 19th Century. Burmese Dha 19th Century solid fighting blade single edged for the first 7 inches and then double for the remaining length 15.25 inches. The grip is cord wrap and complete with silver fitting. The scabbard polished wood which shows shadows of where decoration has been removed, over all length 29.75 inches

Nation : German
Local Price : £595.00

WW1 1916 Imperial German Mannschaften (other ranks) Field Artillery Sword By Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie (WKC) Solingen & Scabbard. Sn 22954 -. All Mannschaften (other ranks) of the Imperial German Field Artillery carried these sabres (see page 199 of World Swords by Withers where similar swords are illustrated). The sabres were carried in a sword belt when dismounted or hung from a saddle when mounted. This WW1 dated other ranks Field Artillery sabre is in good condition. It has a nickel plated curved 29 ¾” sabre blade with fullers and measures 35 ½” overall length. The spine of the blade has Imperial inspection mark and ‘16’ 1916 date. One side of the blade under a langet has partially visible manufacturer detail Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie Solingen. The blade has no damage but has lost some of its original nickel plate finish in areas. It has the correct ribbed grip and flat curved knuckle bow guard. The sword has its original steel scabbard with 2 hanging rings. The scabbard has a small dent near to the shoe consistent with service carry. The hilt of the sword and scabbard have even aged patina. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22954

Nation : Unknown
Local Price : £595.00

A Beautiful and Original Antique Mandingo Chieftain's Slave and Gold Trader Sword With Tattoo'd Leather Scabbard. In superb condition for age, with amazing traditional leather work, wonderfully cared for. Traditional antique African tribal weaponry are incredibly sought after today, especially as unique pieces of interior decoration to display their beauty and historical appeal A chieftain's weapon of Mandingo slave and gold traders. The Manding (Mandingo) are West African people. Their traditional sword for the slave traders comprises a sabre like blade, guardless leather grip and scabbard with exquisite leather work. This example is a long sized example, of a high ranking Mandingo, of very nice quality and finely tattooed. inches long curved blade, leather grip and leather scabbard with leaf shaped widening tip, entirely tooled tattooed and decorated. Of special interest is the finely bound and decorated leather work. These weapons are well known for their leather-work and the tattooing applied to the leather of the scabbards. The iron work skills are typical of the region and period. Many blades are taken from European weapons such as sabres and cutlasses. While the Baule are a distinct tribal group to the west, it is important to observe that Malinke is a variant term applied to the Mandingo (also Manding, Mandin, Mande). In general, these remain primarily considered Mandingo weapons, and from regions in Mali. These were of course invariably mounted with European sabre blades. Mandingo Tribe (also known as the Mandinka, Mande, or the Malinke Tribes) were the traders of the African West Coast, trading primarily in gold and slaves from other African tribes. 30 inches long overall in scabbard, blade 23 inches long

Nation : British
Local Price : £595.00

Pattern 1879 Artillery Sawback Bayonet and Scabbard for the MkI Martini Henry Rifle. 22426:52. -. The first bayonets intended for use by Garrison Artillery were conversions of the old Snider Yataghan sword bayonets. In 1878 H.R.H. The Duke of Cambridge, the Field Marshall commanding in Chief deemed it essential that Garrison Artillery should be able to fix sword bayonets. See page 315/380 No 785 of Watts & White for reference. The 1879 bayonet is quite distinctive with its straight fullered sawback blade, black chequered leather grips and a steel knuckle guard with a slot for a sword knot. One unusual feature is that the leaf spring locking arrangement is the reverse of that in other sword bayonets (left instead of right). This example has V.R. Cypher (Queen Victoria VR which stands for Victoria Regina) amongst inspection stamps and ’90 for manufacture year 1890. It has an Enfield R.S.A.F. inspection mark and a Birmingham R.S.A.F repair mark. The blade and sawback are undamaged with only light age-related staining. Blade length: 65 ½ cm – overall: 79 ½ cm. See images for the numerous inspection marks. The fish scale grips are intact with minor wear. The leather scabbard is in good order. The stitching and furniture are intact *slight movement in the locket. The frog stud has a Broad Arrow mark. The price includes UK delivery. 22426:52.

Nation : British
Local Price : £595.00

Victorian British Ordnance 1821 Pattern Artillery Volunteers Officer’s Sword With Etched Blade By Mole With Stylised Monogram ‘JC’ & Scabbard. Sn 23157 -. The Artillery Volunteer Corps was a unit of the Volunteer Force raised to supplement the British Army at a time of a perceived French threat in 1860. This is an original 1821 pattern Volunteer Artillery Officer’s sword & Scabbard (see page 94 Of Swords Of The British Army by Robson & page 99 of World Swords by Withers). It has a 32 ½” blade with fullers and measures 38” overall. It has a fish skin covered grip with wire binding which is intact and tight and correct 3 bar guard hilt. The blade has original leather hilt washer & is etched on both sides with foliate panels & Queen’s Crown ‘VR’ (Victoria Regina) Royal Cypher. The blade is also etched to the ‘Artillery Volunteers’ with gun carriage device, separate gun carriage device, stylised monogram within shield ‘JC’ (most likely the original initials of the original Victorian Officer who commissioned this sword). The ricasso has the ordnance proof star and inlaid proof roundel. The spine of the blade is signed by the prestigious British sword maker ‘Mole’. The blade has areas of staining consistent with age. The blackened steel scabbard with 2 hanging rings has no dents and just patina consistent with age. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23157

Nation : German
Local Price : £595.00

**UNUSUAL**UNATTRIBUTED PUMA SOLINGEN PATTERN**WW2 Era Nazi German Army Officer’s Dress Sword, Leopard’s Head Pommel With Red Jewelled Eyes, Scabbard & Officer’s Bullion Cord With Portepee. Sn 23174:34 -. This is a very good original WW2 period Nazi German Army Officer’s Dress Sword. The sword has no visible makers marks but the hilt design is very similar in appearance to an unattributed pattern Puma Solingen example (see page 154 of the book ‘Swords Of Germany’ By Angolia where an example similar to ours is illustrated. The author states ‘Unattributed Leopard head sabre with a langet pattern very similar to a Puma pattern, Note: that the head of the Eagle looks to its left rather than the normal right’. Our example has the same left facing Nazi National Emblem ‘Eagle with outstretched wings & Swastika’ on the langet and a plain shield on the reverse langet. It has a flat knuckle bow and undamaged wire bound grip. The knuckle bow, grip strap and ferrule are adorned with oak leaf decoration. It’s Leopard’s head pommel has original red jewelled eyes. The sword measures 37 ½” overall and it has a 32 ¼” single edged, curved, fullered blade. The blade has its original leather hilt washer. The hilt is fitted with Officer’s bullion stitched cord With bullion portepee. The sword is complete with its original black painted steel scabbard with single steel hanging ring and fixed strap bar. The scabbard has no dents and even aged patina. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23174:34

Nation : British
Local Price : £595.00

**AS FOUND**WW1 1915 British Officer’s WD Enfield 1908 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Troopers Sword With Leather Cord & Acorn Portepee & Scabbard. ED 3043 -. This is an original British 1908 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Troopers sword & scabbard. It is as found & has an undamaged 35 ½” single edged blade with fullers (43" overall). The ricasso is date marked ’11/15’ (November 1915) and fitted with original leather hilt washer. It also has WD arrow & EFD (Enfield) manufacturer mark. The spine has ‘08’ (pattern). The bowl guard has no discernible Regiment, maker or date marks. It has a clean undamaged chequered hilt with correct thumb recess to strengthen grip. The guard is fitted with original leather cord with acorn portepee. It is complete with its original steel scabbard with fixed hanging rings. The scabbard has no discernible date, maker or Regiment marks. The price includes UK delivery. ED 3043

Nation : British
Local Price : £7950.00

Possibly The Finest 17th Cent. French Royal Silver Hunting Short Sword, With Original, Incredibly Rare Scabbard & Belt Mount, From a Royal Collection. With The Rarest Bayonne Form Hilt. Likely Used By The King & His Court For the King’s Boar or Stag Hunt. This is a superb French King Louis XIVth royal hunting all silver mounted short sword, and all silver mounted scabbard, and the sword hilt has a hunting carbine muzzle form bayonne hilt, that can, once fitted into the guns barrel, enable the sword to be used as the very first form of bayonet, that converts a carbine into a long pike or spear. In fact the hilt form was named after the French town of Bayonne, where it was said to have been first used, and thus technically invented, and it is the very first form of bayonet ever made, and whence every future bayonet therefore gets its name. It is fitted within its incredibly rare original silk and silver bullion baldric, and we have never seen another surviving original example of such a fabulous royal baldric outside of Les Invalides Museum in Paris. There may possibly be another in the British {H.M. King Charles IIIrd’s } Royal Collection, as it is likely the largest in the world, but we have never seen it. Silk is one of the worlds strongest natural materials, stronger than steel pound for pound, in fact bullet proof vests were originally made from densely woven silk, but once very old, it becomes fragile and therefore antique silk rarely survives intact, especially such a piece as this. It further bears in silver bullion decor, stitched into the baldric silk belt ‘frog’ mount, behind the two retaining cross straps, twin, inverted and elongated capital letter ‘L’s’, the personal cypher mark and symbol of King Louis XIVth of France. The highly distinctive cypher mark of all the King’s of France bearing the name Louis. This may very likely indicate that this sword-bayonet was actually owned and used by the King or within the service of the King of France, by one of his highest ranking officers, or indeed an officer of his personal guard, while in use at the French royal hunting lodge by the king, or his entourage of the Royal Court, for hunting boar or stag. The hunting sword is only usually used as the ‘coup de grace’ to finish off the beast at the hunts conclusion. However it is also an essential defensive arm to protect the king or a noble if the beast turns upon its hunter, which can be most perilous, and indeed, it is well known to be a most frequent fate of many unfortunate huntsman. The royal hunt since medieval days has been a very dangerous royal sport, with many nobles, princes or even kings meeting their grisly end. King William II (William Rufus), who reigned in England from 1087 to 1100, was killed by an arrow while hunting in the New Forest on August 2nd, 1100, a death widely suspected to be an assassination rather than a hunting accident King Christian V died from the after-effects of a hunting accident that occurred on October 19, 1698. Christian was hunting with his two sons and his half-brother. One of finest quality pieces of its type we have ever had the privilege to own, and incredibly still in its original silver mounted scabbard and silk and silver bullion baldric. Probably this can be seen as the best available within the worldwide collecting market today. It is also probably the most complete example, from the mid to late 1600's, we have ever seen, certainly in over 40 years, including those we have handled within the Royal Collections. This magnificent hunting short sword with bayonne {bayonet} hilt would be the prize of any of the finest worldwide collections of the rarest short swords that can double as the very rare, so called ‘plug’ bayonet, as they are ‘plugged’ into the muzzle of a musket, to convert it to a pike or spear. It is remarkably complete with its silver bullion and silk baldrick frog belt mount with three tongues. It has finest quality solid silver mounts, with decorated quillons bearing profile heads of possibly the king’s huntsman adorned with hunting caps, very similar to the armourer's marks on the blade. And the silver scabbard mounts and fittings also beautifully match, with an acorn frog mount. The original scabbard leather is superb condition, crosshatch patterned, with the so called ‘bullets and lines’ stamped decor. It has a wonderful blade, in stunning order, with two large matching armourer's marks of a profile head on both blade sides. The grip handle is birds-eye maplewood with a silver pommel. While en residence at Versailles, at 2 pm: the king, Louis XIVth, gave his orders and announced his plans in the morning. If he went on a walk, it would be in the gardens on foot or in a Barouche with the ladies. If he decided to go hunting, the favourite sport of the Bourbons, the monarch would go to the park if he chose to hunt with weapons, and to the surrounding forest when hunting on horseback. Since the days of the Pharoahs, hunting has been an essential activity of courts. Hunting was both a pleasure, and a way of gathering game for the royal table. Once one area was hunted out, the court moved on to the next. In many different monarchies hunting became an obsession, with its own music, dress and flamboyant rituals. One Chinese prince said: ‘I would rather not eat for three days than not hunt for one’ Hunting was so important that it could decide where the court resided. The proximity of hunting forests was one reason for the choice, as a royal residence, of Windsor, Versailles, Stupinigi, Hubertusberg, and many other sites. Conversely, the choice of these sites as royal residences ensured that the surrounding forests were well maintained. The landscape of the Ile de France is still dominated by the royal hunting forests of Versailles, Marly, Saint-Germain, Compiegne, Vincennes, Fontainebleau, and Rambouillet. In addition to the pleasure and food it provided, hunting could also acquire a political and hierarchical function. Hunting was a visible assertion of domination over the land and the animal kingdom. It also protected the ruler’s subjects and their herds from boar, wolves and other vermin. The stag was the noblest beast, hunting it the noblest sport. Furthermore hunting was believed to be a school of war, masculinity and horsmanship. It taught courage, comprehension of landscape, and the art of the cavalry charge. In l’Ecole de Cavalerie of 1751, Robichon de La Guerroniere described hunting: ‘it is the pastime which Kings and Princes prefer to all others. This inclination is no doubt based on the conformity existing between hunting and war. In both, in effect, there is an object to tame’, The story of the evolution of the bayonne, plug bayonet; The late 17th century saw the final demise of the pike, and its replacement by the bayonet. The plug bayonet, which blocked the muzzle of the musket and needed to be removed for firing, did not catch on. The earliest military use of bayonets was by the French Army in 1647, at Ypres. These were plug-fitted into the barrel. That prevented firing once they were mounted, but allowed musketeers to act as their own pikemen, which gave infantry formations greater firepower. By 1650 some muskets had bayonets fixed to the gun at manufacture, hinged and foldable back along the barrel. French fusiliers adopted the plug bayonet as standard equipment in 1671; English fusiliers followed suit in 1685. The trouble with firing in successive lines was that it was only practical on a narrow front. In open country, the musketeers could easily be flanked, especially by cavalry. In most battles, the musketeers relied on pikemen to protect them while reloading. Infantry practiced various formations and drills that allowed musketeers to hide behind the pikes while reloading and to take up firing positions as soon as their weapons were ready to use. This system worked pretty well, but it obviously cut down the army’s firepower-sometimes by more than half. The solution to the problem was to turn the musket into a spear. According to some sources, this was the idea of Sebastien le Prestre de Vauban, the great French military engineer in the armies of Louis XIV. It was a solution at least for soldiers. Hunters in France and Spain had for some time been jamming knives into the muzzles of their muskets for protection against dangerous game. It seems that Bayonne, a French city noted for its cutlery, made a type of hunting knife that was favoured for this use. When the French army adopted this weapon, it was called a ‘bayonet’. The earliest reference to the use of the bayonet is in the memoirs of a French officer who wrote that on one campaign, his men did not carry swords, but knives with handles one foot long and blades of the same length. When needed, the knives could be placed in the muzzles of the guns to turn them into spears. The bayonet proved to be a much more effective defense against cavalry than the sword. There were some drawbacks to the use of plug bayonets when mounted in muskets, When the bayonet was inserted within in the muzzle of a loaded musket and then fired by accident, the gun might indeed explode. This sort of accident seems to have been much more prevalent among civilians who, unlike soldiers, did not load and fire on command. It was so prevalent that in 1660, Louis XIV had to issue a proclamation forbidding the placing of short sword-daggers in the muzzles of hunting guns. Two pictures in the gallery are of French royal hunts, note in picture 9 the king is holding aloft his same hunting short sword with its distinctive curved blade, and his mistress armed with a boar spear.

Nation : British
Local Price : £820.00

Scottish WW1 1828 Pattern Infantry Officer's Basket Hilt Broadsword of Major Eric Archibald Jeffrey Hunter, Highland Light Infantry and King’s African Rifles. Straight spear-pointed blade with double central fullers and two short fullers at the ricasso. Steel pierced basket hilt, brown leather washer, red fabric hilt liner with white leather inner and blue silk edging. Spiral grip of wood covered with shagreen bound with wire, steel ferrule and pommel cap, fringe of red silk thread. Leather field scabbard with frog strap, nonferrous throat piece, probably brass, steel chape piece with ball finial. Blade 33 inches in length, the sword 39½ inches overall. On one side at the ricasso is a brass proof slug reading ‘PROVED P’, set within an etched six-pointed star. The blade is further etched on that side with the royal crown and several badges of the Highland Light Infantry: a strung bugle with HLI monogram placed within the loop of the bugle, a saltire & rayed star with a small thistle and garter placed in the centre, a group of thistles, and an elephant with the text ‘ASSAYE’. Around these are foliate motifs including more thistles. The blade is etched on the other side at the ricasso with the retailer’s mark ‘W M ANDERSON & SONS L TD MILITARY OUTFITTERS EDINBURGH & GLASGOW’. The blade is further etched on that side with the owner’s initials ‘E.A.J.H.’, the crown and cypher of King George V, and foliate motifs including thistles. William Anderson and Sons was a retailer who like many military outfitters resold swords made elsewhere, with their name applied to the blade at the production stage. They operated out of premises on George Street in Edinburgh from 1868 to 1968, also maintaining premises in Glasgow from 1910 to 1956. Eric Archibald Jeffrey Hunter was born in August 1897 and gained a commission as a probationary 2 nd Lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry in August 1916, having just turned 19. Consulting officer records he appears to be the only officer of the Highland Light Infantry in the period of George V’s reign (1910-1936) with these initials, so I am reasonably confident in attributing this sword to him. Eric most likely purchased his sword in 1916 to coincide with his new commission, probably sold together with his officer’s uniform, and since he resided in Glasgow it is likely he bought it from Anderson’s premises there which at the time were on 106 Hope Street. Eric served with the HLI in France from October 1916. He remained with the Army after the end of the war, but was placed on the half-pay list in January 1919 due to poor health caused by wounds. He was nonetheless promoted to Lieutenant in March 1919 and was restored to full pay in May 1919, presumably having recovered physically. Eric was seconded for service with the King’s African Rifles in March 1924, being granted the rank of temporary Captain. He was promoted full Captain while still serving with the KAR in March 1926. He was restored to the Highland Light Infantry at the rank of Captain in the 1 st Battalion in March 1927 and married Marie Fern in September 1927. He was seconded again to serve as an Adjutant with the Auxiliary Force in India in March 1929. The Auxiliary Force was a part-time volunteer unit modelled on the British Territorial Army, which acted as a reserve and local security force in aid of the civil powers in India. It sometimes required support from regular officers like Eric for leadership and administration, and sergeants seconded from British units stationed in India served as instructors. Eric retired in November 1931 at the rank of Captain. Upon the outbreak of WW2 Eric was recalled to service from the Reserve of Officers, joining the Army Service Corps at the rank of Captain and Assistant Adjutant in September 1939, with the serive number 27563. He at some point was seconded to the Highland Light Infantry, and was promoted to Brevet Major in July 1941. He was still serving with the HLI when he died in a military hospital in Britain in September 1942, aged 45, at the rank of Major and acting Lieutenant Colonel. As Eric’s death was on active service he is recorded as a war casualty in, for example, the Commonwealth War Graves database, but I have not found any reference to his death being a result of combat. He is buried in Paisley (Woodside) Cemetery, just west of Glasgow and near his wife’s birthplace. More information may be obtainable on Eric’s service history than I currently have available to me: his officer’s service record does not appear to be held at the National Archives, probably because he served beyond the 31 st March 1922 meaning it should still be held by the Ministry of Defence. This could be applied for via the MoD’s portal to obtain military records of service. The traditionally-styled Scottish broadsword was carried exclusively by Highland infantry regiments until 1881, when the Lowland regiments adopted Scottish dress and the broadsword along with it (with the exception of the Cameronians aka Scottish Rifles). This example has an interchangeable hilt, the pommel unscrewing to allow disassembly so a crossbar or field officer’s hilt could be swapped onto the same blade (no additional hilts included with this example). This feature dates back to the 1860s but was first officially mentioned in the Dress Regulations of 1883. The blade is bright with only a few small spots of light patination and two small areas of cleaned pitting along the back edge (roughly 2cm and 3cm long), which extend partly into the etching. Its edge is unsharpened and undamaged other than the pitted spots. The shagreen of the grip is all intact with very light handling wear, its wire binding is all present and tight. The sword is solid in the hand with no movement to any parts. The, hilt, ferrule and pommel have all been nickel plated (but not the pommel nut, I think). This plating is good with only light speckled wear. The outer hilt bar on the right-hand side is slightly bent inwards. The fringe is very good with good colour and strength to the strands. The hilt liner has some light staining on the inner leather and its blue edging has been lost in a few places exposing the join between fabric and leather. The scabbard has some spots of abrasion to its leather section, its frog strap remains flexible. The scabbard’s throat & chape pieces are also nickel plated, this plating shows some moderate wear on the chape piece giving it a mottled appearance, mixing lighter nickel and slightly darker grey steel.