16th Century Cabasset A cabasset, the standard infantry helmet throughout much of Europe during the late 16th Century, and still in use during the English Civil Wars. Having a distinctive almond shaped skull with characteristic stalk-like projection resembling a pear and giving these helmets their name cabacette. Many of these were held in English church armouries from the time of the Armada, and examples were taken to the New World by the earliest English settlers, one has been found during excavations at Jamestown Island.
This is a pleasing example, the rosettes and plume holder being restorations. In all a handsome example of munition armour of the late 16th Century.
16th Century Gauntlet from Sir Walter Scott's Amoury at Abbotsford In 2006 I was fortunate in being able to acquire selected items from the armoury of Sir Walter Scott at his house Abbotsford, near Melrose in Scotland. In addition to being a being a famous writer, Scott was also an antiquary who assembled an important collection of arms and armour. He was a contemporary and correspondant of Samuel Rush Meyrick, and indeed commissioned him to procure items for his armoury. The armoury is on public display at Abbotsford and is to be recommended to the student of arms and armour. The gauntlet dates to the late 16th Century and is of steel decorated with brass-capped rivets.
Though handsome, such gauntlets are not rare, however, one with such a provenance to an early and important collection of armour certainly is. This is the only item of European armour to have left the Abbotsford armoury and is likely the only piece that ever will.
The gauntlet comes with a documented and verifiable provenance. 1788 Pattern Light Dragoon Sword A very good example of this pleasing sword pattern. Having a uniform toned patina to the hilt mounts and scabbard, the blade is bright.
The grip retains its shagreen binding. While the blade is unmarked, the scabbard bears the engraved cursive script mark of the manufacturer and Government contractor Wooley & Co of Birmingham. Of note is the presence of engraved initials WC to the knuckle bow and quillon terminal. Other distinctive features include a lanyard hole to the knuckle bow, and what may be another piercing the grip through the upper langet extension. The blade measures 33 inches, it is thought that many were officially reduced to this length following introduction of the 1796 Pattern sword. In all an idiosyncratic example in uncommonly fine condition. 1796 Pattern Infantry Officers' Spadroon An example of one of the most elegant of swords ever carried by the British Army.
The influence of Adam's neo classicism is immediatley apparent. The hilt of this example retains most of its original gilding, and the blade is pleasingly blue-and-gilt. The scabbard lacks its chape, though these occasionally turn up in dealers' 'spares' boxes. The stitching has failed towards the bottom of the scabbard, and there is an old, though strong repair at this point. In all a rather pleasing example.
17th Century English Harquebusier's Helmet A rather impressive late 17th Century harquebusier's three-bar pot. This form of face guard is distinctly English, these helmets being a close relation of the Continental zischagge, the latter typically having a single sliding nasal bar. This is a late form with lapped and flush-riveted hemi-spherical shell. The helmet has been proofed against shot and bears the impression of the test. It bears the armourer's mark of Thomas Dawson, and is struck with the Crown ownership stamp. The cheek guards are old restorations and the central bar of the guard is slightly loose where it meets the peak. In all an extremely attractive example of its kind.
1803 Pattern Light Comapny Officer 's Sword An example of the 1803 Pattern sabre with the scarce feature of a Light Infantry bugle device to the knuckle bow. This of course indicates it was carried by a Light Company Officer, though by family tradition this sword belonged to Royal Marine Officer.
The hilt conforms to the Pattern, and in addition to the bugle device also has a lanyard ring affixed. There is a little play in the hilt and two minor closed cracks in the Royal Cipher, though the grip binding is original, present and intact. The blue and gilt blade is by Thomas Bate, sword manufacturer to the Honourable Board of Ordnance, it has a few edge nicks and is patinated though not pitted. The original scabbard retains all it 's original fittings though has shrunk slightly and shows the usual knocks to the latter, stitching failures and losses to the polished surface of the leather. This detail however doesn 't do justice to what is a scarce complete, untouched and attractive example of one of the most striking swords of the Georgian era. 1907 Pattern Bayonet with quillon An example of one of the most sought after of British bayonets, the P '07 bayonet for the SMLE in its original format, with hooked quillon. This is a 1913 dated example manufactured at Enfield.
The patina to the hilt is rather pleasing, and the blade is rust free, though it shows sharpening to the tip, and for some reason the back edge radius has been dressed off. Of particular note is the presence of what must surely be 'trophy ' marks on one of the grips. A rather interesting example. 1914 Princess Mary Gift Tin & Contents A Princess Mary gift box containing it 's original Christmas / New Year card and an unusual card indicating the box to be one of a batch put into store in 1916 and ultimately distributed to the next-of-kin of men who were in the City Battalions when sent to France. Given the reference to men returning from Germany, I assume the issue to have been made in the post-Armistice German occupation period. The card also bears an interesting annotation verso.
A rare example. 1916 Silver Battle of Jutland Medal A pleasing little medal with legen 'TO. DAY., 31 MAY 1916.' , and verso 'MAY 31, 1916 THE GERMAN FLEET ATTACKED OFF THE COAST OF JUTLAND AND DRIVEN BACK INTO PORT WITH HEAVY LOSS. ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JELLICOE COMMANDER IN CHIEF.
VICE ADMIRAL SIR DAVID BEATTY COMMANDING BATTLE CRUISIER FLEET.' Designed by the Marquis of Milford Haven and sold for the benefit of Naval Orphanages. This medal was struck immediately after the battle had been fought and before it had received its official title. 1920s RAF Solid Silver Sculpture A fine silver sculpture of Victory in ascent, modeled carrying a wreath aloft as she reaches for the sky.
In solid silver on an ebonised plinth. Assayed at Birmingham in 1929. There are old repairs to wings where they meet the body. A plaque bears the engraved inscription to F.C.H.
Frederick Crosby Halahan from F.R.E.D. Francis Robert Edward Davis, with dates 1922 1929 and RAF motto PER ARDUA AD ASTRA The airmen served together from their time at the Royal Naval Air Service station at Kingsnorth, Kent.