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Nation : ?
Local Price : 2,250.00

. A Pair of Flintlock Blunderbuss Pocket Pistols by Jover of London. With octagonal to Rond barrels, belled at the muzzles, border engraved brass box-lock actions, signed ‘JOVER' within an oval surrounded by flowers and stands of arms to the right and ‘LONDON' within an oval to the right, stamped below with London proofs, sliding thumb-piece safety catches, slab sided walnut butts. Jover William 1 Partner in firm Nock, Jover & Green, 83 Long Acre, 1775. Gunmaker, 337 Oxford Street., 1777 (Sun Insurance Number 386021) 1780-4. Trade card stated ‘near the Pantheon'. Contractor to Ordnance (musket), 1780. Became Jover & Son. William 2 Son of William 1. In partnership with father as Jover & Son, 1784-96. Gunmaker, 65 New Bond Street., 1798-1801; 26 Mortimer Street., 1802-1810. Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA. Dimensions: Bore: n/a Barrel Length: 3 Inches (7.60 cm) Overall Length: 6.75 Inches (17.15 cm)

Nation : American
Local Price : £2250

Click and use the code >22103 to search for this item on the dealer website Beautiful and Ancient Original Greek ´Leaf Shaped´ Bronze Sword, 1200 BC, Around 3200 Years Old, From the Era Known In The Days of Homer as The ´Heroic Age´

Nation : Japanese
Local Price : £2,250.00

**HIGH GRADE SMITH**WW2 Japanese Army Gunzoku (Military Civilian Employee) Officer’s Gendaito Hand Forged Katana Long Sword Smith Signed Tang ‘NOSHU JU MORITA KANE SHIGE KIN SAKU’ Scabbard With Leather Field Combat Cover & Expert Assessment. An original WW2 Japanese Officer’s Sword and Scabbard. The sword has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written notes and illustrations accompany the sword. In extracts from his notes he states “Gunzoku katana (army civilian employee) sword with hand forged (gendaito) blade signed by its maker, shoshin mei genuine signature NOSHU JU MORITA KANE SHIGE KIN SAKU see John Slough book of second war swordsmiths page No. 63 for oshigata and info on this man. Real name Morita Isamu born 1900 student of Mizuta Sei Jiro Kuni Shige. Won highest award in 1939 National exhibition rated 1 Million Yen, man making high grade gendaito. In very good old polish, few scratches. Saya wood with extra reinforcing brass strips under leather field service cover, in good condition for its age. Habaki brass with etched armoury storage number 282-180064 ? Tsuba is gunzoku civilian pattern mokko shape in brass (been gilt) with flower decoration complete with several seppa & o seppa. Tsuka (hilt) is gunzoku pattern (civilian) with later war shortages plastic imitation Same fish skin. Brown military ito wrap with 2 sets of menuki (rare). One standard gunto showa blossoms in gilt brass, other pair a spray of flowers & leaves in shakudo metal ? never seen this before. Finished off with rank tassel tied on hanging ring of scabbard (Lieutenant to Captain rank tassel). There is no hole to be fitted with sarute loop. Fuchi kashira are civilian (flowers) in brass, matching tsuba. A scarce pattern sword in untouched collectors condition”. In his illustrations Bill translates the signature on the tang. He describes the cutting edge as 67.5 cms & total length 88.5 cms. He also describes & measures other blade characteristics which can be seen in the images. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23059

Nation : British
Local Price : £2,250.00

British 1788 Troopers Light Cavalry Sword. 1788 British Troopers Light Cavalry Sword in very good condition all steel hilt with wooden ribbed grip bound with leather. The curved blade with fuller running nearly the full length of the blade. The hilt with single straight knuckle bow, German markings which were applied after WW 2 as all swords held in German collections had to be registered. Flat top pommel and bar shaped langets. The scabbard steel with cut out exposing the painted wooden liner and 2 loose rings overall length 39 inches the blade 34 inches for reference please see The British Cavalry Sword 1788 “ 1912 by Richard Dellar page 12 “ 13

Nation : British
Local Price : £2200

English Silver Mounted Hanger circa 1695. A late 17th century English silver mounted Hunting Hanger made by the silver hilted sword maker and cutler Francis Springall of London. In the 17th and 18th centuries when swords were a popular weapon for gentlemen, hangers were a robust secondary side arm used for self-defence when hunting and travelling. They were also used in parts of the British Army and Navy. Hangers appear in some military portraits of the time. The fine quality hanger described here was a gentleman's weapon. The maker is almost certainly Francis Springall. The knuckle bow is stamped with his pre-Britannia Standard mark of “F S” in raised relief inside a lozenge. The mark is worn but discernible. His mark has been identified on another silver hilted hanger which is in the Royal Armouries collection (Ref: IX.1803) and dates to around the same time. Francis Springall was one of a number of London-based silver hilted sword and hanger makers that excelled in their craft in the late 17th century. He is recorded from 1686 to 1735. He started his apprenticeship in 1686 and was sworn free upon completion in 1694. As the Britannia Standard would require his name stamp to read “S P” from 1697, the hanger can be dated to the small window of three years between 1694 and 1697. Springall lived for most of his life at “Three Legg’d Alley”, New Street Precinct in the Parish of St Bride’s. He was buried at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, in 1735. Springall lived in exciting times as London was remodelled after the turbulence of the Civil War period, plague and the Great Fire of 1666. The city was more outward looking, international trade was growing through London port, military success was being achieved abroad and more interest and investment was being expressed in art and culture. The quality of Springall’s work, like that of his leading contemporaries, represents the evolving style and fashions of late 17th and early 18th century Baroque London. The hilt of this hanger is comprised of a bold faceted quillon block from which a downward facing rear quillon and a knuckle bow emerge. The pommel is formed as a cap on top of the natural stag horn grip. The top of the knuckle bow is fashioned as a hook which secures the bow into the pommel. The flattened quillon terminal features in bold relief a mounted caped horse rider on each side, possibly a representation of a huntsman. The feature is repeated in a diamond shaped panel in the middle of the knuckle bow on each side with floral sprays above and below. The maker’s stamp is struck just above one of these panels. The knuckle bow terminal is decorated with a floral design which is also applied to the quillon block. The shank of the pommel cap is decorated with a complex pattern of closely aligned crescents and arches between a rim above and below. The same pattern is present on the base ferrule of the grip. The pommel top has a pronounced ribbed button around which a circular panel has been formed containing in raised relief a crown above and below the button and the bust of a man on each side, the symbolism of which is unknown. The decoration in raised relief is highlighted by contrast with a stippled background. The curved single edged blade is 18.75 inches long (just under 48 cm). The worn remains of the blade maker’s mark is present on one side. The hanger retains its original wooden scabbard with its red leather covering. The mounts are replacements and not original to the scabbard. For further information on Francis Springall see Leslie Southwick, “London Silver-Hilted Swords, their makers, suppliers & allied traders, with directory”, 2001, Royal Armouries, page 228 for his biography.

Nation : British
Local Price : £2,200.00

Scottish WW1 Field Officer’s Broadsword of Brig. Gen. Norman Richard Crockatt, Royal Scots, First Director of MI9, CBE, DSO, MC, MID, Legion of Merit, Legion d&#acute;Honneur, Croix de Gu. Description Straight spear-pointed blade with double fullers 32 5/8 inches in length, 1.1 inches wide at the forte, the sword 39 inches overall. Pierced nickel-plated steel guard with foliate &#acute;honeysuckle&#acute; decoration also incorporating thistles, and the emblem of the Royal Scots: a figure of St Andrew, holding a crux decussata (a.k.a. the saltire, or St Andrew&#acute;s cross, also seen on the Scottish flag). Patron saint of Scotland, St. Andrew was said in medieval tradition to have requested to be crucified on such a cross, as he felt unworthy to be executed in the same manner as Jesus. Wire-bound shagreen grip, chequered backstrap with integral chequered oval pommel, secured by screw with eyelet. No leather washer. Fabric hilt liner with red exterior and white interior. Steel parade scabbard with two hanging rings. The blade is etched at the ricasso on one side with the royal coat of arms above the maker&#acute;s mark &#acute;Henry Wilkinson Pall Mall London&#acute;. At the ricasso on the other side is a hexagonal brass proof slug set within an etched six-pointed star - the hexagonal proof slug was used from 1905 onwards to denote Wilkinson&#acute;s best quality blades. The spine of the blade at the ricasso is stamped with the serial number &#acute;44310&#acute;, indicating production in 1913. Wilkinson Sword records confirm that sword 44310, described as a &#acute;Claymore&#acute;, was finished on the 9th October 1913 and sold to &#acute;R Crockatt, Rl Scots&#acute;. The blade is further etched with thistle motifs, the crown and cypher of King George V, &#acute;Royal Scots&#acute; enclosing a thistle and beneath another crown, and the family crest of the Crockatts: a Dog Sleeping Sable, Spotted Argent (in this instance with a variation of a five-pointed star placed on the dog) above the family motto &#acute;TAK TENT&#acute; “ a Scots phrase meaning &#acute;take heed&#acute;, &#acute;keep watch&#acute;, or &#acute;beware&#acute;. Norman Richard Crockatt was born in 1894. Educated at Rugby School, he went on to attend the Royal Military College at Sandhurst and joined the Royal Scots as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1913. He disembarked in France with the 2nd Battalion in August 1914 as part of the British Expeditionary Force and was severely wounded during the Retreat from Mons in the same month. He was promoted to temporary Lieutenant in September 1914, and to Lieutenant in November 1914. He was appointed an Adjutant serving with the Yorkshire Regiment in May 1915 which came with the Territorial rank of temporary Captain “ I believe the Adjutant position may have allowed him to first use the field officer&#acute;s hilt on his sword. He was mentioned in Dispatches in June 1916. His Adjutant appointment ended in July 1916 when he was assigned a Grade 3 General Staff Officer, still at temporary Captain. He was promoted full Captain in August 1916. He was awarded the Military Cross in the 1917 New Year Honours. He was made a temporary Major in February 1918. He was awarded the Order of the Nile, 4th Class by the Egyptians for service in Palestine in the latter part of the war. He was again mentioned in Dispatches in both January and June 1919 and awarded the Distinguished Service Order in December 1919. In 1920 he was appointed Adjutant of the 4th Battalion Royal Scots. Crockatt retired abruptly in 1927 “ by one account, walking out in the middle of a staff training course “ to become a stockbroker, but was recalled to the Army immediately on the outbreak of WW2 and assigned to the Directorate of Military Intelligence at the rank of Brigadier. He was specifically requested, in fact, by John C F Holland, head of the War Office&#acute;s irregular warfare branch &#acute;MI R&#acute;, who had known Crockatt since their schooldays together at Rugby. &156;In an age of drab clothes and battledress he [Crockatt] wore at every opportunity the colourful gear of his regiment, the Royal Scots. Moreover, as a former front-line combatant who had also served on the other side of the divide, he could understand and appreciate the antagonism that combatants were likely to feel for the staff, could make allowances for it, and could do his best to reduce it. He was also clear-headed, quick-witted, a good organiser, a good judge of men, and no respecter of red tape: excellent qualities for his early struggles in the War Office.&157; [MI9 by Foot and Langley, 1979] In December 1939 Holland recommended Crockatt to be the first director of the newly formed MI9. This secret unit was tasked with assisting in the escape and repatriation of Allied troops that had been captured or were stranded behind enemy lines “ or rather would be captured, once fighting began in earnest. In doing so Holland deliberately went against suggestions to appoint an officer with experience escaping captivity, deciding they would be prejudiced by personal experiences. While never an escapee, Crockatt was by no means short of ideas. He later explained his objectives for MI9 as follows: To facilitate escapes of British prisoners of war, thereby getting back service personnel and containing additional enemy manpower on guard duties. To facilitate the return to the United Kingdom of those who succeeded in evading capture in enemy occupied territory. To collect and distribute information. To assist in the denial of information to the enemy. To maintain morale of British prisoners of war in enemy prison camps. Crockatt believed that the new war required a new philosophy throughout all the armed forces: while British troops had mostly remained quietly in prisoner of war camps during WW1, based on an honour-driven understanding of surrender which had been largely reciprocated by their enemies, &#acute;escape-mindedness&#acute; now needed to be trained into British soldiers of all ranks in all services, with programs instituted to that effect. He insisted that &#acute;A fighting man remains a fighting man, whether in enemy hands or not, and his duty to continue fighting overrides everything else&#acute;. To understand potential escape methods Crockatt brought in experienced British escapees of WW1 to give lectures to MI9, and sourced fifty books from the British Museum with accounts of such escapes. The books he sent to his old school, Rugby, where sixth-formers wrote synopses of the material which MI9 then synthesised into training manuals. The resulting training courses, conducted by MI9&#acute;s &#acute;IS9&#acute; division, were focused most heavily on the Royal Air Force, whose pilots were proportionately rarer and more valuable assets. A course at RAF Highgate distilled Crockatt&#acute;s new mindset thus: &156;Only as a last resort should you be in a position of being captured. Your job is to fight “ and only through wounds, lack of ammunition or food should you ever allow yourself to be captured. Should you be captured, it must be your firm and constant determination to escape at the earliest opportunity “ to bring back information to our people.&157; [Specimen Lecture for Army Units on Conduct if Cut Off from Unit or Captured, WO 208/3242] For escape-mindedness to succeed in practice troops would need new escape technology: to this end Crockatt recruited technical experts Charles Fraser-Smith and Clayton Hutton into the new &#acute;Q&#acute; unit, to design devices to assist stranded British soldiers in their escape and evasion. Hutton described his new boss as &#acute;suave, well groomed and shrewd&#acute;. When Hutton asked how he should set about producing escape tools, Crockatt replied simply: &#acute;It&#acute;s entirely up to you. There are no previous plans to work from and no official records¦ Put on your thinking cap, do as you like.&#acute; This unit and its &#acute;Q-devices&#acute; directly inspired Ian Fleming&#acute;s James Bond novels, the character of Q being an amalgam of Crockatt&#acute;s two technicians. There were at that time still no POWs needing help, but this changed rapidly from May 1940 with the German invasions of Belgium and France and MI9&#acute;s resources were increased. Crockatt oversaw the development of numerous &#acute;escape lines&#acute; which ferried thousands of escapees and downed airmen back to Britain. Many of these had emerged organically out of local resistance but needed logistical support, extra personnel and improved security. MI9 was initially headquartered in rooms at the Metropole and Great Central Hotels in London, but the Metropole was hit by urban bombing in September 1940 and Crockatt opted to move the unit into the countryside, requisitioning Wilton Park House in Buckinghamshire in October, which was close to his own home in Ashley Green but not too far from London. To keep the escape lines running up to date information on the state of enemy territory was essential and MI9&#acute;s purview expanded to interrogation of enemy prisoners (as well as civilians seeking to enter Britain) and debriefing of successful escapees, this work gradually increasing the unit&#acute;s value as a source of intelligence in its own right. This was reflected in Crockatt&#acute;s promotion to Colonel in 1941, taking the new position of Deputy Director of Military Intelligence (Prisoners of War). The interrogations unit for enemy soldiers, &#acute;MI9a&#acute; was spun off in December 1941 into an independent but associated agency, MI19. The work of MI9 in Europe occupied most of its attention and resources given its proximity, but it should be emphasised that it oversaw escape operations in most other theatres of the war despite the even greater difficulties of operating outside Europe. Crockatt was only able to oversee these at arm&#acute;s length, but wherever British forces were captured MI9 played a role, including the Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Burma and occupied areas of China. Major General Carl Spaatz of the United States Army Air Force first met with Crockatt in 1942, which began the development of the American equivalent to MI9, MIS-X. Spaatz and his appointees, including the academic W. Stull Holt and businessman Edward Johnston, formed a highly productive relationship with Crockatt. Holt in particular was impressed with Crockatt&#acute;s leadership and organisation, leading him to make the bold decision that MIS-X would use and support the British escape lines, rather than trying to establish their own competing system. Likewise American training programs were heavily based on the British model. The end result was that British and American captives were able to collaborate on escape efforts and make it home by the same routes. &156;Crockatt&#acute;s own impressive personality counted for much in this. Not only did he stimulate Holt; he made a tremendous hit in Washington (and, in passing, in New York) when they both visited America from 28 January to 15 March 1943. His bonnet and tartan trews and the panache with which he wore them enhanced the originality, almost the eccentricity, of his approach to war; people felt in him the practical daring of a young Lochinvar.&157; [Foot and Langley, 1979] Crockatt repaid the compliment a year later when Holt was nearly ousted from his position in a Pentagon turf war, intervening with American leaders on his behalf to save a productive partnership. After Lt Airey Neave made his famous escape from Colditz Castle in 1942, he was recruited immediately into MI9. Brigadier Crockatt met with him at the famous Rules restaurant in London, dressed in his full Royal Scots dress uniform and medals. It was apparently a habit of Crockatt&#acute;s to hold any conversation that might get awkward in Rules, a public place with good food naturally cooling the temper. Neave wrote in his memoirs that Crockatt &#acute;was a real soldier and I liked him immediately.&#acute; Crockatt tasked Neave to MI9&#acute;s new Room 900 section which would train new agents to establish fresh escape routes, telling him frankly &#acute;You will look after secret communications with occupied Europe and training of agents. It won&#acute;t be a bed of roses.&#acute; True to form, Crockatt left Neave to his work free of operational interference. Crockatt visited the Asian theatre for the first time in late 1944, where he took the opportunity to visit his son Dick, who was serving with the Royal Scots in Burma. Personal feelings from this meeting overflowed into a personal letter from Crockatt to his American counterpart in MIS-X Ed Johnston, complaining about the lack of co-ordination he&#acute;d found between the two agencies&#acute; Asian branches: &#acute;I wish to God people would forget about themselves and their nationalities and get on with this bloody war, so that you and I could get our boys back.&#acute; Crockatt was considered a highly effective leader at MI9, combining traditional military efficiency with forward thinking and a light touch to command & control of the various specialists and mavericks he recruited. He constructed an entirely new branch of the intelligence service with a unique overlap of logistics and spycraft, with limited manpower and resources and despite friction with more established units, particularly MI6. J. M. Langley, who ran IS9, wrote that Crockatt &#acute;attracted an immediate loyalty and devotion of all who served under him&#acute; and noted that he argued in favour of perilous operations like the rescue of escape line organiser Lt Ian Garrow on a matter of principle, believing &#acute;that Ian&#acute;s magnificent work and self-sacrifice should be recognized by some effort to save him from almost certain death in a concentration camp&#acute;. 26,190 British and Commonwealth troops escaped from Europe alone thanks to the intervention of MI9, and it is estimated that 90% of troops that evaded initial capture in Europe were successfully rescued by them. Some authors have considered Crockatt lacking in the ruthless attitude of other intelligence officials, however, focusing on prisoner welfare even when more aggressive operations might have secured more escapes. He refused, for instance, to hide any escape materials in Red Cross shipments in case the enemy responded by banning the organisation&#acute;s crucial deliveries. Fake charities were used instead even at the risk of increased scrutiny. He had at all times to balance furthering MI9&#acute;s mission with the fear that reprisals or outright massacres might be carried out against prisoners of war if the enemy leadership was sufficiently provoked. More controversial were his orders to British prisoners held in Italy in 1943 to &#acute;stay put&#acute; in prison camps even if their guards began to abandon their posts, a stark contrast to his own stated philosophy. There were good explanations for this policy: it would make it easier for Allied forces to find the prisoners and prevent the known problem of chaos and hardship when hordes of servicemen were left to wander the countryside without supplies. It was believed that the 80,000 prisoners in Italy might be in poor physical condition and the Allied advance through Italy was expected to be relatively swift. Reprisals were still a possibility and the senior intelligence community was by that time aware of the existence of extermination camps that could have killed soldiers en masse. True to form, Crockatt was more concerned with keeping men safe than speeding their return. What was less explicable was that he neglected to inform the War Cabinet of this order. After good initial progress, when the Allied advance stalled at the Gustav Line about 50,000 prisoners still remained in their camps even while German troops arrived to replace the fled Italians, resulting in some prisoners being resecured or transported away to other camps when they might have escaped. Churchill was dismayed at this outcome and ordered an SAS operation to find and rescue those who had left the camps, which largely failed. Crockatt retired from heading MI9 in June 1945, succeeded by Brig. Sam Derry. MI9 continued its work repatriating freed soldiers and gathering intelligence from them, particularly focusing on evidence of war crimes to be prosecuted at the upcoming tribunals, as well as locating, rewarding and honouring the various civilian &#acute;helpers&#acute; who assisted in the escape lines at great personal risk. Some MI9 personnel went on to form the Joint Reserve Reconnaissance Unit, an intelligence unit specialising in battlefield surveillance and nuclear targeting. This later became 23 Special Air Service Regiment (Reserve), which during the Cold War was planned to man hidden stay-behind observation posts if Soviet forces overran Western Germany. 23 SAS still exists today under the umbrella of UK Special Forces. Being head of a secret organisation Crockatt received little public fanfare, but a number of honours did come his way. He was recommended for a CBE in the 1945 Birthday Honours by the Director of Military Intelligence Sir John Sinclair, his recommendation declaring that Crockatt &#acute;built up from zero the most effective inter-service Intelligence organisation which exists&#acute;. As well as &#acute;spontaneous and unstinted testimonials from the other Services and certain Government departments&#acute; Sinclair noted &#acute;the marked appreciation of several US General Officers&#acute; for Crockatt&#acute;s work. For their part the Americans bestowed Crockatt with the US Legion of Merit (Officer degree) and for his service to the French people he received both the Legion d&#acute;Honneur (Chevalier class) and the Croix de Guerre (with palm). In later life he became director of the Attock Oil Company, and was appointed a member of the Royal Company of Archers, the Queen&#acute;s Body Guard for Scotland. Brigadier General Crockatt died in October 1956, aged 62. As Brigadier Dudley Clarke, the head of MI9&#acute;s Middle Eastern operations, wrote in 1941: &156;In war it is given to few soldiers to be able to serve simultaneously the causes of humanity and country. All who work for MI9 have this special privilege, and few calls can have more appeal than that to rescue those whom the Fortunes of war have abandoned to the enemy.&157; The traditionally-styled Scottish broadsword was carried only by Highland infantry regiments until 1881, when the Lowland regiments also adopted Scottish dress and the broadsword along with it (with the exception of the Cameronians). The use of an interchangeable hilt may date back to the 1860s, but is first officially mentioned in the Dress Regulations of 1883, which authorized the Highland Light Infantry to use the basket hilt for full-dress occasions and the cross-bar hilt for all other occasions. Field Officers and other mounted officers were entitled to use a third hilt, the form of which varied by regiment: this design, a symmetrical basket hilt with thistle designs and the regimental badge, was used by the Royal Scots, Royal Scots Fusiliers, King&#acute;s Own Scottish Borderers, Gordon Highlanders and Highland Light infantry. See plate 178 on page 186 of Swords of the British Army by Robson for another example of the Royal Scots model. The hilt could be changed by unscrewing the pommel nut, removing the pommel, grip and guard, then replacing each with the other version. The blade is bright with a high reflective polish, no edge damage and no significant patination, some light scratching towards the tip, none affecting the etching which is crisp and retains the contrast between the matt acid-etched background and the reflective polished designs within it “ the custom family crest panel has an interesting darker grey background applied in the etching that makes it stand out even more. The regimental hilt is undamaged and retains almost all of its bright nickel plating, with wear only at spots along its edges exposing patinated steel. The shagreen of the grip is all present with light handling wear and no scale losses, the grip wires are all present and tight. The interchangeable hilt is securely screwed in place. The scabbard has a few small spots of patination towards the chape end and some very light scratches from carry. The fabric of the hilt liner retains bright colours, particularly the red showing through the pierced guard, with some rubbing to the inner edge and surface-level cracking on the inner surface where it curls at the pommel end.

Nation : British
Local Price : 2995.00 USD

Late 16th Century Norwegian Tessak (sinclair) Basket Hilt Saber (sword)!. Here is a very nice circa 1580 – 1600 Norwegian Tessak saber, also called a Sinclair saber. A wonderful designed early sword in as found condition. Nice patina with very fine speckled pitting overall and good use wear.. Wonderful forged iron full basket hilt hilt with optic properties! No breaks or repairs! The beautifully carved wood grip is excellent. (note: these grips were always covered with a thin leather or fish skin covering. Not the twisted wire and Turks head ferrules you will see on the re-wraps). Its wide, single fuller blade is 31.5” long and retains traces of a crescent moon and written script engravings. NOTE: This is a full, symmetrical basket, not a half basket or 3/4 basket. It is a very scarce and desirable example! A very nice specimen for the advanced collector at a very reasonable price! Price is firm. Thanks for looking! Make sure to see our other listings for more great early blades and early antiques!

Nation : British
Local Price : £2150

Fine and Intriguing French Style Silver Hilted Small Sword by William Reason of London with London hallmarks for 1767 / 1768. A very nice aristocratic French style silver hilted small sword dating to the years preceding the French Revolution. It is a nicely balanced example mounted with a double shell guard hilt and a fine and robust hollow ground triangular section Colichemarde blade. The sword is intriguing because most usually silver hilted swords of French type are stamped with French marks, often for Paris, but this example is fully London hallmarked for 1767 / 1768 on the pas d’ane rings with the assay mark of the leopard’s head, lion passant royal standard mark, date stamp and maker’s stamp for the London maker William Reason. The pommel collar is also stamped with a second lion. The sword may have been made in London in the French style by William Reason for a London based French nobleman or other Frenchman of high social standing. The sword is a fine example of the high standards of design and execution required of the 18th century cosmopolitan silversmith as well as an example of one of the most effective duelling weapons of the late 17th and 18th centuries. The shell guard, ricasso, knuckle bow and pommel are skillfully chiselled with an intricate lattice of conjoined flowerheads which attest to the homogeneity of the hilt parts. The shells have a thickened defensive reeded rim with a design of knotted cloth chiselled on each side at the ricasso. The grip consists of a wooden rounded rectangular section baluster-shaped core spirally wrapped with bands of flat silver riband separated by contra twisted ropes of silver wire flanked by narrower lengths. The stiff markedly “Colichemarde” hollow ground triangular section blade tapers acutely to its point. Condition: the sword is in fine condition overall. The hilt and grip show little wear and no noticeable damage. The hilt retains its original pleasing shape. There are no repairs the chiselling is crisp. There is slight blackened age staining to a few small parts of the blade, which is straight and undamaged. The sword is well balanced in hand. The blade is just over 32.25 inches (82 cm) long and overall the sword is 38.75 inches (98.5 cm) long.

Nation : Spanish
Local Price : £2150

Click and use the code >22330 to search for this item on the dealer website Simply Fabulous Original Antique Napoleonic Wars Sword Of The King of Spain´s Elite, Heavy Cavalry Regiment. Used In The Spanish Peninsular Campaign, During Napoleon´s Peninsular War in 1808 Until 1814. In Superb Condition.

Nation : British
Local Price : £2150

Fine English Silver Hilted Small Sword by John Bennett Hallmarked for 1762 / 1763 mounted with a Boat Shell Hilt and Colichemarde Blade. A fine silver hilted smallsword by John Bennett date-stamped for 1762 / 1763. The bold hilt is of boat shell type which was one of the most robust hilt designs adopted by the London silver hilted small sword makers working in the 18th century. The sword is mounted with a broad robust colichemarde blade. John Bennett was one of the most renowned 18th century London silversmith / cutlers but surviving swords made by him are generally encountered less frequently than those of his competitors. The dish guard, pommel and ricasso are shaped en suite with well executed gadrooned lines and borders. The baluster shaped wooden grip is diagonally bound with silver strip interspaced with a double length of roped silver wire. The broad colichemarde blade is of stiff triangular section and retains is clearly engraved panels of strapwork near the hilt. The four hallmarks are stamped onto the knucklebow near the hilt. These consist of the maker's mark “I . B” with a pellet between in raised relief inside a depressed rectangular panel, the lion passant mark, the crowned leopard's head assay mark and the date stamp. The hilt is as much an example of the high standards of design and execution required of the 18th century London silversmith and cutler as it is of an effective weapon. Silver hilted small swords were fashionable attire for 18th century gentlemen. Mostly worn for effect, someone wearing such a sword was also announcing to the world that he could use it. Despite the stylish and delicate appearance of these swords they were formidable dueling weapons. . There are some minor light blackened patches of old pitting near the middle of the blade but otherwise the sword is in fine condition overall. There are no losses or repairs to the hilt which has maintained its original pleasing outline. The blade is 30.5 inches (80 cm) long and overall the sword is 37.25 inches (94.5 cm) long. John Bennett was one of the most influential and foremost makers of silver hilted swords working in London in the middle of the 18th century and made swords for the London social and military elites. He and his son (John Bennett II) were also gunsmiths, jewellers and goldsmiths. They were based at Threadneedle Street in the City of London. Both were prominent members of the Cutlers’ Company and served in all the major posts including Master. John Bennett (I) lived from 1708/9 to 1774. In 1723 he started his apprenticeship with John Carmen, another important London silver hilted sword maker. He was sworn free of the Cutlers’ Company in 1731 and entered his first mark of “I B” inside a rectangle in the Smallworkers’ Book at Goldsmiths’ Hall in 1732. John Bennett’s second known mark was entered in 1761, same as the first, with a pellet between the letters, which is the mark on this sword. The mark of John Bennett (II) may have been similar. However, the date stamp of 1762/1763 on this sword predates his freedom to practice in his own right from when he was sworn free of the Cutlers’ Company in 1765. As a result the mark on this sword is most certainly by John Bennett (I). For other silver hilted small swords by John Bennett see Leslie Southwick, “London Silver-hilted Swords”, Royal Armouries, 2001, and for further information on his working life of see page 45.

Nation : British
Local Price : £2100

Click and use the code >25335 to search for this item on the dealer website 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

Nation : Japanese
Local Price : £2,075.00

**EXTREMELY RARE, ONE OF ONLY APPROX 6000**Original, Pre WW2 Japanese NCO’s 1st Pattern, Type 95 Katana With Solid Copper Hilt, Suya (Harp) & Tokyo Kokura Arsenal Marks & Scabbard. Sn 20649 -. On September 16th 1935 a new sword was authorised for Japanese army NCO’s. 1st type sword hilts were made from solid unpainted copper, later variants had cast alloy painted hilts (see page 183 of Swords Of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 by Dawson). Only approx 6,000 1st type copper hilt NCO swords were made before introduction of alloy hilt variants. This is an original extremely rare 1st type pre WW2 Japanese NCO’s Katana with copper hilt and scabbard. The sword has the correct solid copper unpainted cast handle with lanyard ring hole fitted with steel cord sarute loop, quality heavy brass tsuba and scabbard retaining clip which functions as it should. It has an undamaged, fullered, 27 ½” blade which has just light staining consistent with age. The blade is numbered ‘6321’ on one side above the fuller. The copper hilt is stamped with 1929-45 Kokura Arsenal mark, Suya sword shop (Harp) mark (see page 185 of Dawson’s book) and inspection mark. It is complete with its scabbard which has a single hanging ring. The scabbard has no damage. The throat of the scabbard is numbered ‘7199’. The price for this nicely marked rare piece includes UK delivery. Sn 20649

Nation : ?
Local Price : 2,850.00 USD

RARE EUROPEAN SILVER-ENCRUSTED TRANSITIONAL RAPIER FOR A BOY, C.1680-1700. Steel hilt with pierced asymmetrical shell guards, embellished overall with silver appliqués including portrait heads on the shells and pommel. The balance features a variety of foliage and geometric themes. Silver wire-wrapped grip. 25" rapier blade with deep fuller at the forte, marked: A N T O XXX I N I O / E N T O L E D O. The silver is about complete with expected wear. The blade is excellent. A fine quality example made for a boy of noble or royal class, maturing in preparation for his place as a leader and, probably, soldier.

Nation : -
Local Price : 2,750.00 USD

US M.1832 GENERAL OFFICER’S SWORD. An exceptional example of a rare pattern is Peterson #113. Gilt hilt with boat-shaped guard. The guard edge and knuckle bow with the beaded motif. Olive-shaped pommel secured with a nut. Silver sheet simulating wire wrap to the grip. 30 ½” broad d.e. blade decorated with naturalistic foliage, potted foliate display, Eagle with motto ribbon, arms display with crossed cannons, draped vignette, and Indian headdress with star band. Exceptional condition throughout. The decoration is uniform and complete. Hilt with near-all heavy gold overlay, the left edge of the guard, and the pommel top are only weak/worn from being worn and resting the hand on the pommel. Just the second example we have ever offered and the best we have seen.

Nation : -
Local Price : $1,995.00

Swiss Dog-Head Cavalry Saber, 2nd Half 17th C. Featuring iron guard comprising single side ring, reverse scroll quillon with acorn finial, knuckle bow and side bar with double knobs connected by a diagonal bar and attached to the brass dog-head pommel; thumb ring on reverse. Side ring filled with brass plate embossed with acanthus decoration. Hexagonal-section wood grip, lacking wire wrap, but retaining braided brass Turks head at the base. Broad 29 1/4″ (74.3 cm) curved single- edged blade, the last 10″ double-edged; 3/4-length fuller near the back edge. Blade with scattered age staining and light pitting. Guard with even dark patina, the brass with rich golden brown patina. Overall length 35″ (88.9 cm).

Nation : -
Local Price : $1,995.00

Unusual Spanish Broadsword, 17th C. Iron hilt consisting of short, straight, undecorated quillons, knuckle bow with simple decoration at its finial, unusually large pas d’ane, small integrally forged pierced and faceted guard with painted inventory number; bun-shaped pommel with turned baluster base and large button. Original wood grip, having long ago lost its wrap. Broad 33 1/2” (85 cm) blade with mid-length central fuller marked with undecipherable maker’s mark; the ricasso notched later for a forefinger rest. We believe this was period modified from a cup-hilted broadsword, with cup removed, quillons shortened, and the original guardopolvo serving as the current guard. Probably a captured or battlefield pickup piece period altered for actual use, and possibly with piracy association. Overall length 38 1/4” (97.1 cm). Formerly in the War Museum Collection.

Nation : -
Local Price : $1,995.00

European Silver Hilted Smallsword, Third Quarter 18th C. Featuring silver hilt comprised of assymetrical shell guard with raised borders, pas d’ane, spirally twisted teardrop-shaped rear quillon, and knuckle bow connecting with the faceted ovoid pommel. Grip wrapped with alternating twisted copper wire and double rows of fine twisted silver wire; small pommel button. Hollow-ground 31″ (78.7 cm) colichemarde blade of triangular section with 3/4 length central fuller on one side, tapering to a very sharp point and retaining traces of etched stands of arms. Very good condition, the blade cleaned bright, silver polished, and guard with minor scratches. Guard and grip with slight movement. Overall length 37″ (94 cm). A quality getleman’s sidearm of the American Revolution period.

Nation : Spanish
Local Price : £1995

Click and use the code >22501 to search for this item on the dealer website Very Rare and Historical 1822 Presentation Sword to Ensign Alexander Samson of the Caribbean, 1st West India Regt. In 1855, From Col. Lockyer Freestun &#acute;Great Officer&#acute; of the Knights Hospitallers of Jerusalem. Two Men Of The Regt. Were V.C.

Nation : Russian
Local Price : £1995

Click and use the code >20830 to search for this item on the dealer website Very Good, Original, Napoleonic Wars Period, Imperial Russian Romanov Cavalry Sabre Engraved With The Russian Double Eagle Crest. French Invasion and Retreat From Moscow Period of 1812

Nation : -
Local Price : $1,995.00

Unique Italian (Genoa) Cutlass, Early 18th C. Featuring carved horn grip in the shape of a mustachioed man wearing a hat, inlaid with bone dots (one missing), eyes, and lips; and decorated with brass wire inserts and tacks. Small brass guard with decorative reverse quillon and finger ring. The grip with brass wire serving a collar for the carved figure, brass base ferrule, and decorative pommel cap. Curved single-edged 21″ unfullered blade with 8″ false edge and clipped point; stamped on one side with a crowned “C” maker’s mark. Original black leather-over-wood scabbard with brass drag and throat with frog hook; the leather with old repairs to the bottom 7″. Overall length 26 ½”. Untouched original condition with all metal parts having a dark age patina; blade lightly pitted. What first appears like a dark patina on the brass guard and scabbard mounts seams to actually be some kind of black coating, indicating almost certain naval use. Very interesting and unique cutlass from the ancient port city of Genoa.

Nation : -
Local Price : $1,995.00

US M1832 Foot Artillery Sword by Ames. In 1833 the Ames Manufacturing Company began production of a new sword for regular artillery regiments. US Ordnance Regulations of 1834 and 1839 also called for this sword’s use by the infantry. Ames was the sole maker of this model until the last 300 examples were delivered on May 24, 1862. From 1832 to 1862, Ames produced 20,100 of these. Like most sword patterns of the time, it was patterned after a French model in current use. The French sword was actually an adaptation of the ancient Roman gladius. As a weapon, it was impractical and rarely used in that capacity, but it was often used to clear brush or other obstacles to prepare for the setup of artillery pieces. As such, many examples are badly worn. This example with waisted 19 1/4″ blade with two short stopped fullers and a longer stopped central fuller; stamped with an eagle over “N.P. AMES/CABOTVILLE” on one side and “US/1845/NWP” (Nahaun W. Patch, civilian inspector) on the other. Blades made after 1848 did not have the eagle stamp. One-piece cast brass hilt with scaled grip riveted through the blade tang with two rivets, bun-shaped pommel with an eagle and shield on both sides, and short straight quillons with rounded terminals; stamped on one side “WAT” in script (William A. Thornton, Captain. US Army), and “NWP” on the other. Original black leather scabbard with brass drag and throat with frog button, each with the correct two small rivets. The scabbard drag nipple is stamped with a small “WAT” on one side and “JH” (John or Joseph Hannis, arsenal inspectors, 1844-1864) on the other. Sub-inspectors with JH initials were also James Harris and John Hawkins, both active with the Ordnance Department between 1837 and 1851. Very fine original condition, the blade smooth with gunmetal gray patina and generally clear markings. Hilt with pleasing golden brown patina; darker in recesses and the end of the pommel. Scabbard sound and stitching intact, showing crackling; the brass mounts with dark patina and a few shallow dents in the drag. An excellent, well-marked example which is possibly a veteran of both the Mexican War and the Civil War.

Nation : -
Local Price : $1,995.00

Signed and Dated WWII Japanese Shingunto Katana. During WWII, there were a number of different types of swords used by the Japanese Army and Navy, but most followed the basic style used throughout the empire for centuries. The kyu-gunto swords used Western style hilts that were common during the Russo-Japanese War of the early 20 th Century, but most were purely for ceremonial use. Officers and NCO’s in the field carried primarily katanas (full length swords of traditional Japanese style), but their manufacturing methods differed greatly. Officers of the samurai class often carried ancient traditionally forged blades mounted in modern gunto (military) mounts, while other officers carried contemporary swords of the same style, but with blades either machine made or hand made using non-traditional methods. NCO’s carried machine made swords with tsukas (handles) simulated to look like traditional rayskin and silk-wrapped tsukas, but made of copper, aluminium, or wood. These swords were carried in the field and often used in battle as a backup weapon or in last-ditch bonzai attacks or ritual suicide. The katana offered here is a hand made sword using machine-assisted non-traditional methods. The nakago (tang) is signed by the maker, Kanehisa, with the other side dated 1941 and bearing an arsenal stamp. Blade’s cutting edge is 26 1/8” (66.4 cm), with clearly visible gunome hamon (zigzag temper line). Cast brass tsuba (guard), traditional same’ (rayskin) and ito (silk braid) wrapped tsuka (handle); copper alloy fuchi (grip collar) with push-button blade lock, menuki (ornaments) and kashira (butt cap). Red and black lacquered wood saya (scabbard) with copper alloy drag, band, and throat with single carry ring. Very good condition for a field-carried sword, the blade bright and smooth with scattered scratches; saya complete, but the seam coming apart and considerable lacquer loss, especially at the seams. Overall length 37 5/8” (95.6 cm), not including saya.

Nation : -
Local Price : $1,995.00

Japanese WWII Officer’s Shin Gunto Katana Sword. Wartime production using non-traditional methods, the blade features a 25 1/8” (63.8 cm) cutting edge and gunome hamon (zigzag temper line). Nakago (tang) is signed “ Noshu Seku ju Hattori Masahiro saku”, with Seki arsenal stamp. Gunto (military) mounts, but featuring an older decorative pierced iron tsuba (guard) and bronze menuke (grip ornaments) representing what appears to be some kind of insect. Brown silk ito (braid) over non-traditional textile tsuka (grip) cover. Steel saya (scabbard) with single carry ring and wartime leather combat cover. Overall length 35 3/8” (90 cm), not including saya. Blade smooth and bright, with scratches, spotting and a shallow nick about 6” from the tip; the hamon clearly visible. Combat cover with a large portion of the seam open; the leather generally soft and supple. The Japanese were the last army to carry and use swords on the battlefield. Despite them being obsolete in modern warfare, they were often used in last ditch bonzai attacks or ritual suicide.

Nation : -
Local Price : $1,995.00

French Napoleonic First Empire AN XI Light Cavalry Officer’s Sword. Carried by hussars, chasseurs à cheval, and other light cavalry units during the Napoleonic Wars, the AN XI, named according to the French Revolutionary Calandar, was introduced in 1802. It was a more consistent pattern that was more easily mass produced than earlier revoltion era examples. Officer’s models, however, were private purchase and could vary greatly in quality, though generally following the same shape and style of the trooper’s model. It features a gilt brass hilt, comrpising D-shape knuckle guard joined by two addictional curving bars originating at the quillon block and together joining the capstan pommel with integral backstrap. Double lozenge-shaped langets and rear scroll quillon. Retains about 40% of its original gilding. Wood grip with leather cover and alternating twisted and single-strand brass wire (wire complete, but somewhat loose). Curved 34 1/2″ single-edged blade with long broad fuller; blued over the upper third, with gold-filled engravings of foliage and stands of arms. Brown steel scabbard with two gilt steel carry bands and rings. Traces of the original bluing remain, primarily within 3 inches of the guard, but all the engravings are sharp and clear. While the sword fits the scabbard and the scabbard is also for a light cavalry officer’s sword of the same period, it does not appear to be the original for this sword and the forward seam is separating as a result of a less than ideal fit. This could very well be as a result of the two being battlefield pickups after Waterloo and fitting together, as the majority of all French AN XI cavalry swords would have been present at the battle. Thousands of French cavalry swords would have littered the battlefield after their many futile attacks against the British infantry squares. Overall length 40 3/8″ (102.5 cm), not including scabbard.

Nation : -
Local Price : $1,995.00

North European Broadsword, ca. 1630. Iron hilt formed of flat bars and comprising asymmetrical side rings, each filled with a plate pierced with round holes in rosette patterns; vertically recurved quillons. Original wood grip (split, but sound), lacking wire wrap, but retaining copper Turks heads top and bottom. Flattened heart-shaped pommel with button (button chipped). Unmarked double-edged 32” (81.3 cm) blade of flattened diamond section. Iron parts pitted with rust patina. Overall length 38” (96.5 cm). Sword of the type carried by Protestant troops during the Thirty Years War, a particularly brutal conflict that ravaged Central Europe and inflicted an estimated 4.5 to 8 million military and civilian deaths.

Nation : -
Local Price : $1,995.00

German Knightly Dagger, ca. 1540. Featuring 10 5/8” (27 cm) blade of flattened diamond section, tapering to a sharp point. Vertically fluted quillon block and down-turned quillions with button finials, chiseled ensuite. Guard is fused to the blade by corrosion. Fluted stopper-shaped pommel with button (loose), retaining what appears to be remnants of its original grip inside the cavity. In excavated condition, lacking grip, with scattered moderate to heavy pitting and dark patina. Possibly a river find, as it is in generally better condition than most ground finds. Overall length 16 1/4” (41.3 cm). Provenance: Hermann Historica, Munich, Oct. 11, 2023, Lot 1145

Nation : Italian
Local Price : £1980

Italian Schiavona dating to circa 1740. A Venetian Schiavona dating to the early 18th century. The hilt is a typical representation of the distinctive design of the Schiavona guard, consisting of a complex trellis of delicately formed flattened bars swollen in the middle with rounded and well finished edges. This style of basket hilted sword is unique to northern Italy and particularly the territories held by the Venetian Republic throughout the early modern period which was also a powerful naval force in the eastern Mediterranean. The angled rear quillon terminates in a globular finial. The brass pommel is fashioned in the typical cat's head shape with integral button and waisted collar beneath and is finished with a grotesque mask on each side. The knuckle bow terminates at the top with a knopped loop secured to the forward pommel ear. The wooden grip is covered with an attractive brass wire binding and mounted with brass ferrules top and bottom. Typically, the hilt is asymmetrical and is made for a right-handed user indicated by the position of the thumb loop inside the basket guard. The guard is most complex and decorative on the outside where it protects the upper hand of the user, whereas the inner face, less visible and less important for defence, consists of fewer bars which creates a lightweight but strong structure for the hilt. The single edged blade has a single broad fuller extending from the end of a short ricasso near the hilt to the tip. The blade is just over 31.25 inches (79.5 cm) long and in total the sword is just under 37 inches (94 cm) long. The sword is in good russet condition covered with an attractive and consistent brown patina with minor patches of light pitting on some parts of the hilt.

Nation : Japanese
Local Price : £1,975.00

**SUPERIOR MASTER SMITH**WW2 Japanese Officer’s Samurai Family Shin Gunto Type 98 Gendaito Sword With Smith Signed Tang ‘ISHIDO TERU HIDE SAKU’, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 23484:10 -. An original Shin Gunto Japanese type 98 sword with hand forged gendaito blade. The sword has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written notes and illustrations accompany the sword. In extracts from his notes he states “A type 98 Shin Gunto army Officer’s sword with gendaito water tempered blade made with Japanese sand iron This blade is not dated but appears to be late war 43/44 with the 2 mekugi ana. Genuine signature (shoshinmei) ‘ISHIDO (school / family)TERU HIDE (art name) SAKU’ (made this). See Sesko’s book on swordsmiths, rated making medium grade gendai given rating superior master by judge Aki Hide in 1941 when he won 1st seat. He was also an army approved smith. The blade is covered in fine scratches which obscure the temperline hamon and any grain. Needs a professional polish to take out tiny chips and reveal forging detail. Saya gunto parade no gilt on mounts but has all its military green paint. Tsuba quality gunto pattern in good condition still got gilt & finish with multi castellated seppa either side. Completely working locking catch and quality sarute loop. Fixed on top mount of handle is silver mon badge of Samurai family clan badge. A good example of a mid to late war gendaito by a known smith’. In his illustrations of the tang and blade he describes the cutting edge of the blade length as 66 cm & full length as 88 cm. He also translates the tang signature and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions (illustrated in image 2). The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23484:10

Nation : British
Local Price : £1975

Click and use the code >22086 to search for this item on the dealer website Wonderful Circa 3000 Year Old Original Sword From the Time of the Ancient Greek ´Heroic Age´ Such as The Era of The Seige of Troy and The Trojan War

Nation : Japanese
Local Price : £1,975.00

**RARE**SURRENDER PRESENTATION**WW2 1942 Dated Japanese Officer’s Seki Arsenal Type 98 Sword Smith Signed ‘Noshu Seki Ju Kiyo Nobu Saku’ With Presentation Plaque To Captain D.S. Young By HQBMA Malaya 1945, Japanese Officer’s Name Tag &. This sword has been assessed by a UK based Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His assessment accompanies this piece. In exerts from the assessment he states “ A surrendered army officer’s type 98 shin gunto with wood scabbard & leather active service cover, with a surrender presentation plaque fixed to it from British military administration headquarters Malaya 1945. In good condition & rare to find. Tsuba is good quality casting gunto pattern in brass no gilding left. Tsuka hilt is gunto pattern in used but clean condition some finish left on mounts, complete with knot loop possible re-bind ? Blade has seki arsenal inspectors stamp, so is a showa to oil tempered arsenal product. It is signed with makers name ‘Noshu (province), Seki (city), Ju (living in), Kiyo Nobu (art name), Saku (made this)’. He made showa to blades medium to high grade & gendaito medium grade. Blade is in dirty condition with old black staining and light rust needs re-polishing / restoration to see work. A genuine trophy of the second war hard to find today. His family name was ‘naga mura’. See john slough book on swordsmiths page 85 for oshigata & see fuller & gregory books of oshigata on swordsmiths pages 188/192/255”. In his illustrations he describes the cutting edge length as 64.5 cms and the overall length as 86.5 cms. He also translates the date markings on the blade (1942), Smith signature & describes other blade characteristics and measurements which can be read in the images. Also accompanying the sword is the original leather tab label with ink kanji attached to the scabbard which Bill describes as a hard to translate Japanese Officer’s name (illustrated) and another typed descriptive label found on the sword which can be read in the images". The price for this rare piece with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23228

Nation : British
Local Price : £1975

English Silver Hilted Small Sword by John Radborn of London Hallmarked for 1767 / 1768. An English silver hilted small sword by John Radborn of London with hallmarks for 1767 / 1768. The hilt is mounted with a dish guard which is exquisitely pierced and chased with rococo foliate scrolls between curling tendrils on both sides of filigree delicacy. The design is the common theme on the other major silver components of the hilt which attests to the homogeneity of the parts. The sword is well-balanced in hand and the silver hilt is, unusually, in excellent condition having experienced almost no wear, and has maintained its shape without damage or repair. The sword is mounted with a tapering hollow ground triangular section blade. The hilt is an example of the high standards of design and execution required of the 18th century London silver hilt maker, as well as an example of one of the most effective weapons of the 17th and 18th centuries, which at this time was at the pinnacle of its evolution. Silver hilted small swords were fashionable attire for gentlemen. Mostly worn for effect, someone wearing such a sword was also announcing to the world that he was able to use it. Despite the stylish and often delicate appearance of these swords they were formidable dueling weapons. The sword hilt is in excellent crisp condition without losses or repairs and has maintained its original pleasing profile. The shallow dish guard has a strengthened rim shaped as four crescents on the outside which supports the chased foliate designs within. The ricasso, pas d' ane rings, knuckle bow, quillon and pommel are pierced and chased in the same decorative style as the dish guard. The stamped maker's mark of “I R” is present on one side of the knucklebow near the pommel in raised relief inside a depressed rectangle, accompanied by the crowned leopard's head assay mark, the royal lion passant purity and date marks. The baluster shaped rounded rectangular section grip is covered with spirally wrapped bevelled silver strip, separated by wrapped silver twisted wire, flanked by thinner ropes on either side. Silver cap terminals are present top and bottom of the grip engraved with scallops on each side. The tapering, hollow ground, stiff, triangular section blade is in good mottled condition and retains evidence of its original engraved foliate panels near the hilt. John Radborn was one of the most gifted silver hilt makers and sword cutlers of his time. He worked in the New Street precinct of the City of London for all of his professional life. He is first recorded when he was indentured to the cutler Nathaniel Young in 1737. On the death of Young in 1742 he was turned over to John Smith for the remainder of his term and was sworn free of the Cutlers' Company by servitude in 1745 when he probably entered his first mark at Goldsmiths Hall which is now lost. His first surviving mark was entered in 1762. On moving address in 1769 Radborn entered another mark which was very similar to the last to confirm the move. He was admitted as a pensioner of the Cutlers' Company in 1776 and died in 1780. For further information on John Radborn see Leslie Southwick “London Silver-Hilted Swords”, their makers, suppliers and allied traders, with directory, 2001, Royal Armouries, and particularly page 206 for the biography and examples of his work in plates 46, 66, 72-3, 74 and colour plate 3. The blade is just under 33.25 inches (just over 84.5 cm) long and the overall length of the sword is just under 40 inches (101.5 cm).

Nation : -
Local Price : £1,950.00 GBP

Ottoman Shamshir. A late 18th century Ottoman shamshir with a horn hilt. Intricate gold decorations on blade, as well as traces of koftgari on the scabbard and hilt mounts."