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Nation : British
Local Price : £3000

very fine and rare late 17th century English Officers’ Plug Bayonet by John Hathaway of London. A very fine English Plug Bayonet made for an Army Officer circa 1690 to 1700. Plug bayonets were used by the British military in close infantry formations after the middle years of the 17th century until they were replaced with the socket bayonet in the early 18th century. This bayonet is in superb original condition. John Hathaway was one of the most prestigious London cutlers working at this time. The slightly curved, single edged blade becomes double-edged for over a third of its length towards the point. On one side near the hilt it is inlaid in brass with three inset comets. These are the mark of John Hathaway who was granted the use of this symbol by the Worshipful Company of Cutlers of London on 26th September 1689. He is a well known maker of blades of exceptional quality for plug bayonets and several other examples of his work have been recorded. The figured hardwood grip is of rounded section tapering towards the pommel and has the characteristic swelling at the base with a thin turned collar below and brass ferrule mounted between the collar and the cross guard. The cross has a thick oval block with faceted edge with horizontal quillons vertically counter curved at their tips and mounted with the heads of monsters. The tapering brass pommel sleeve is surmounted with a cast helmeted warrior's head. The particular feature of helmeted heads forming pommel caps and / or quillon tips on plug bayonets was noted by Harold Peterson as an “English pattern that seems to have been very popular during the very late 17th century, and possibly the opening years of the next century” which “boasted pommels and quillon terminals in the form of helmeted heads”. A survey of plug bayonets by R.D.C Evans devotes a section to English plug bayonets and notes that those with helmeted heads are English and illustrates several bayonets of this type. Evans records only two other examples of a Hathaway blade bearing the triple comet mark and proposes that it was an indication of high quality which is borne out by inspection of the bayonet discussed here. Army officers wore plug bayonets. A portrait of Captain Francis Hawley of the 1st Foot Guards in 1685 shows the Captain wearing a plug bayonet which has a plain wooden hardwood hilt mounted with brass. Acknowledgements: Peter Finer Ltd, 2003 Catalogue, item 30 “A Fine English Plug Bayonet for an Army Officer circa 1690”. The bayonet is in fine condition overall. The blade is exceptionally well preserved with clear marks and is still razor sharp. The grip exhibits a rich dark patina. The blade length is just over 11.25 inches (just under 29 cm) and overall the bayonet is 18 inches long (just over 46 cm).

Nation : British
Local Price : £3000

Rare British Infantry Basket Hilted Sword with ANDRIA FARARA marked blade circa 1735 to 1765. A fine British “three-quarter” basket hilted sword made for British infantry soldiers of the line in the mid 18th century. The sword is mounted with a fine quality tapering, double edged, Solingen-made, broad sword blade. The hilt is formed in the traditional manner for the half of the guard that protects the outside of the hand of a right handed user. In this respect a vertical oblong shaped guard plate is fitted between the flattened knuckle bow and the side guard bar. Then a similar flattened bar with merlons at the base is fitted between the side guard bar and the rear guard bar. On the other side, the usual side guard bar takes the same form as the knucklebow, and the space between these two flattened bars is occupied by a single, stretched, “S” shaped bar. There is no further protection for the hand on this side of the hilt. Clearly this design of hilt, unique in our experience, assumes that the inside hand of the user can be more economically protected with fewer bars than on the outside which is a deviation from the more usual basket hilt forms of the time. The downward curled wrist guard which extends from the cross guard at the rear and the forward loop guards which appear on more usual basket hilt designs are present. The pommel is of bun shaped type typical of British military swords of the mid 18th century. It has a multi-faceted button of separate manufacture from which fluted ridges radiate towards the mid line of the pommel. This elaborate feature is hand crafted and a quality embellishment in advance of the usual plain surfaces usually encountered with this pommel type. The original grip is made of hardwood covered with leather. It is spirally grooved bound with twisted brass wire flanked with narrower wire either side. Iron ferrules are applied top and bottom of the grip. The hilt retains its original red woollen fringe and stitched leather liner covered with red velvet on the outside and the remains of its stitched blue silken hem. The double edged blade tapers to its tip and has a short ricasso. A double fuller extends for 9 inches from the hilt after which an elaborate cruciform shape is incised into the blade on each side. Each fuller is stamped with “ANDRIA FARARA” each side with the words separated and flanked by pairs of “X” marks. The blade is almost certainly of German manufacture from one the the main European blade making centres such as Solingen. The slimmed down hilt design was a new innovation for the time deemed appropriate for infantry use. This measure is not a cost saving consideration in the manufacturing process, because the sword is a high quality although plain weapon, made up of sturdy, thick, well worked bars to the hilt, and mounted with a fine blade. The remarkable painting in the Royal Collection attributed to David Morier (1705? to 1770) entitled “An Incident in the Rebellion of 1745”, painted circa 1753, shows British line infantry repulsing a charge by Highlanders. The depiction of the weapons is deemed important by historians, because Morier is thought to have used actual combatants that took part in the battle as models with the weapons used. Of significance here are the swords carried by the British line infantry soldiers. These are basket hilted swords with typical bun pommels mounted with guards of three quarter size, similar to our sword, although the arrangement of the bars is slightly different. This may be due to artistic convenience / negligence on the part of Morier, or more likely, is indicative of slight variations in the way colonels often commissioned weapons manufacture for their individual regiments. See: https://www.rct.uk/collection/401243/an-incident-in-the-rebellion-of-1745 Measurements: The blade is 31.75 inches (80.5 cm) long and overall the sword is 38.25 inches long (97 cm). The ricasso is .75 of an inch long (2 cm). The fullers are 9 inches long (23 cm).

Nation : French
Local Price : £2,995.00

French Pattern 1679 Cuirassiers Sword, Rare. Ref X3612. A Rare French Pattern 1679 Cuirassier´s Sword. 42&157; overall, 36&157; broadsword blade, with faint Passau Wolf mark close to the Walloon type hilt composed of a pierced heart shaped guard with down turned quillon, a half basket hilt of rounded waisted bars linked to one side with a diagonal and to the other with a scrolling support, the latter linking to the broad thumb ring, the whole secured to the spherical pommel with screws, faceted and fluted original wire bound grip with Turk’s heads.&194;&160; Circa1680 In very good condition This is probably an example of the 1679 Pattern sword described in the French Ordnance records. This sword was discovered with an identical example in Western Scotland. It has been hypothesised that these originated from Fitzjames’s Horse during the Jacobite rising of 1745 The Fitzjames regiment of Irish Horse was formed in France in 1698. It fought at Fontenoy and in the following year was sent to Scotland to serve with the army of Charles Stuart, the Young Pretender. Three troops landed at Aberdeen in February 1746 to an enthusiastic welcome. The squadron fought at Culloden, Captain Shee’s troop providing the escort for Prince Charles. Following the battle, and having escorted the Prince from the field, Shee’s troop was dismissed with orders to surrender to the Duke of Cumberland. Following the defeat of the French at the Battle of Wilhelmsthal the regiment was disbanded on 21 December 1762. For a full account of the regiment see Russell V. Steele, ’Fitzjames’s Regiment Of Horse Of The Irish Brigade In The French Service’ &194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160;&194;&160; Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : British
Local Price : $2,995.00

Silver Inlaid Transitional Rapier/Smallsword, Late 17th/Early 18th C. The second half of the 17 th C and early 18 th C brought significant changes to the swords worn by European gentlemen. During the first half of the 17 th C blade lengths gradually increased, as it was thought the extra length would give a reach advantage in a duel. Hilts also had to be larger and heavier to balance the longer blades. It became such a problem at the English court that Queen Elizabeth decreed that sword blades could not exceed 36”. However, in most countries the blade lengths continued to increase until about the mid-17 th C, with some blades nearing 5 feet in length. At some point, it was determined that a shorter, lighter sword could get inside the reach of a long rapier and defeat it. This caused blade lengths to start shortening, with hilt sizes decreasing as well. However, many of the features of the earlier rapiers remained, gradually transitioning to the smallsword most typically associated with the 2 nd half of the 18 th C. The sword offered here is of the late transitional period, having a smaller hilt with pas d’ane, asymmetrical shell guard, knuckle bow, and small ovoid pommel. It has a grip wrapped with alternating strands of twisted silver and brass wire, with matching Turks heads top and bottom, a feature found mostly on 17 th C pieces, but continued into the early 18 th C as well. The double-edged 29 5/8” (75 cm) blade has a long lens-section ricasso, the balance of hexagonal section. The upper third is engraved with foliage and sun faces, filled with gold. The feature most associated with the transitional period is the manner of hilt decoration. Rather than the cast brass and silver hilts, sometimes gilded, of the later 18 th C smallswords, this example is of blackened chiseled steel, with chiseled grooves into which solid silver was pounded and shaped to form the design. The striking contrast between the blackened background and the raised silver decoration produced a very attractive hilt. It was a much more time-consuming method than later examples and that is why it gradually gave way to later methods. It retains its original black leather-covered wood scabbard (drag and one carry ring missing), with high quality black steel mounts decorated with silver; the throat depicting a drummer in uniform with castle in the background, reverse with stand of arms and vacant oval escutcheon. Blade very good, with mostly crisp engraving and areas of light pitting. The hilt with small silver losses, greater on the pommel. Overall length 36” (91 cm).

Nation : British
Local Price : $2,995.00

Silver Inlaid Pillow Sword, ca. 1660, Probably English. This type of sword often called a “pillow sword” due to its small size and the thought that it could be hidden under one’s pillow to protect against an intruder. The smaller flattened hilt would certainly make it easier to hide under a pillow, though there is no known evidence to support this type of sword being used in this way. Alternatively, the sword would be right at home with a gentleman at court. This example features a chiseled iron hilt, with short down-curved rounded quillons. 4-sided ovoid pommel with button, and grip wrapped with alternating plain and twisted silver wire, finished with Turks heads top and bottom. Hilt is blackened with solid silver inlaid decoration depicting foliage and fruits, surrounded by tiny silver pellets. Double-edged 30 1/8” (76.5 cm) blade of lens section with central fuller and long ricasso showing faint traces of engraved decoration. Hilt retains nearly all of its original blackening and silver inlay, wire wrap slightly loose at the top, and remains of wax in recesses. Blade with very light pitting and age staining. Overall length 36” (91.5 cm). High quality sword in very good condition for its age.

Nation : Italian
Local Price : $2,995.00

Italian Town Sword, Rapier, Mid-17th C. Iron hilt with fluted down-turned shell guard; large scrolled and chiseled reverse quillon and fluted quillon block. Knuckle bow chiseled ensuite, attaching to the pommel with a single screw. Faceted ovoid pommel, chiseled with scroll work and chevrons; large button finial (piece missing from the reverse). Original grip wrap made of twisted iron wire of different sizes (minor losses), with turks heads top and bottom; never having been apart. Old professional brazed repair to the quillon. Double edged diamond-section blade of 40″ (101.6 cm) length with tiny maker’s mark. Shows great age, with light pitting and dark patina. Overall length 46 1/4″ (117.5 cm). Fine and decorative rapier. Provenance: The esteemed Russell Char Collection, Las Vegas.

Nation : British
Local Price : £2,950.00

British 1796 Light Cavalry Sword – Sir John Moore. British 1796 Light Cavalry Sword possibly belonging to Sir John Moore KB The sword is in very good condition and has at some point been refurbished please note small area of the fish skin covered grip is missing. The blade curved and pipe backed being double edged for the last 7 inches forming a spear point. The blade is acid etched with a presentation within a panel which reads WORN BY LIEUTENANT – GENERAL SIR JOHN MOORE K.B WHEN HE WAS SLAIN BY A CANNON BALL AT THE BATTLE OF CORUNNA ON THE 16TH OF JANUARY 1809 – Now there is no way to confirm the inscription although some research was untaken by the previous owner there is no concrete proof. Reference is made to an article written by Geoff Worrall for the Antique Arms; Militaria magazine in August 1981 in which he does detail a similar sword to Lt COLONEL WILLIAM TOMKINSON 1809 – 15 and indicating the sword may have been etched as a family trophy, copy of the article is included. It is complete with matching scabbard with 2 loose rings and age wear. Please note the sword is being sold with no guarantee that the inscription is original however regardless it is a very fine example of a 1796 light cavalry officer&#acute;s sword.

Nation : British
Local Price : £2,950.00

Scottish 18th Century Half Basket Cavalry Sword. 18th Century Half Basket Cavalry Sword c 1750 – 60 The basket made of flattened bars in rectangular sections complete with leather grip secured by twisted wire and pommel with line decoration and large tang button. The broad sword blade with small central fuller and engraved with what looks to be the sun with crested moon below to each side. The width of the blade at the hilt is 4.7cm an identical sword is detailed in the book British Basket Hilted Swords by Mazansky Page 229 and similar noted as in the York castle Museum Information: Reference: British Basket Hilted Swords by Mazansky Page 229 Blade Length: 87cm Overall Length: 104cm