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For 40 years I have been an antique militaria dealer (based at Grays Antique Market in London's West End until Christmas 2008): antique swords, weapons, guns, uniforms, helmets, equipment, medals, belt buckles, bayonets and almost all other items of general militaria. British, German, European and worldwide items... I have provided all kinds of arms and armour and military collectibles to customers all around the world!
featured antique military items
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Tula smallsword, cut steel - Russian
This sword (almost identical to one I sold to a Moscow dealer in about 2006) has an unsigned Tula hilt - undercut and pierced steel work of this type is a virtual 'signature', only found on European cast silver hilts and never on the knuckle bow. The influence for this work is probably Brescian or possibly Toledo, with London for the lattice work.
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2nd troop Horse Grenadier Guards sword - British
The 2nd, or Scots, troop of HGG was originally raised in 1678, disbanded in 1680, revived in 1684, and finally absorbed into the 2nd Life Guards in 1788. The sword is illustrated in one of the Morier paintings at Buckingham Palace on a soldier of this regiment. The swords may well have been carried by the regiment at Dettingen and Fontenoy.
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Cavalry trooper's sword - British
This is the classic 'Christmas tree' hilt carried principally by British dragoon units in the middle years of the 18th century. Cumberland's Dragoons would have carried these in the harrying of the Highlanders after the Battle of Culloden when they were cut down when fleeing from the battle, without much mercy shown.
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Luftwaffe officer's sword, 1935 pattern, EPNS mounts - German
This sword (by Horster) is a Luftwaffe issue sword with a Luftwaffe ordnance stamp punched in above the maker's name in the form of an eagle above some letters. This signifies senior warrant officer use. Commissioned officers had to purchase their own weapons direct from a retailer outlet.
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Luftwaffe dirk by Puma, 1935 model - German
This was based on the DLV officer's dirk, which had a noticeably longer blade. It could originally be worn by all flight crew, but, after 1937, only by officers, unless it was a presentation piece. It was replaced by the 1937 pattern, and is thus a fairly rare item, especially if in good shape.
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Light Dragoon sergeant's wings, old Sheffield plate, a pair - British
These were worn by sergeants of Light Dragoon regiments, and were replaced with silver lace by the Dress Regulations of 20th November 1790. The 1784 uniform was a curious arrangement of a dark blue jacket worn under a sleeveless dark blue shell (a bit like a modern gilet/waistcoat), replaced finally by the waist-level Light Dragoon jacket of 1796.
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a little history on my antiques interest
I have been a collector of military antiques since the age of 12, starting with bayonets and moving gradually on to swords, finally entering the broader military antique dealing arena in about 1970. At that stage, I rapidly started to learn about antique English pistols and revolvers.
In about 1980, I broadened my dealing coverage from mainstream militaria to include English campaign medals. The arrival of powerful auction houses in this field drove me back to my original interest in general militaria (swords, bayonets, dirks, guns, pistols, etc).
However, I still maintain a lively interest in all military objects, especially the rare and exotic, eg Imperial Russian and Austrian.
Throughout my dealing career, I have built up my personal collection of antique military prints and drawings and a substantial selection of early military photographs up to 1945, principally German and English. To aid both my dealing and collecting, I have a huge library covering all military aspects of antiques going back to the Middle Ages, and many aspects of antiques in general, especially early English silver.
