This little lock (just under 10cm long) is representative of a typical mid-18th century handgun lock and, in all probability, would have been carried by an officer or gentleman for personal defence. There are no maker's marks or other indications of origin and this could just possibly be French rather than English.

This is the classic Forestry cutlass worn by senior Foresters (denoted by the ivory grip and the gold/green knot) across Europe from the early 18th century onwards. They continued in use through the Weimar era and Third Reich, only latterly losing the by-knife. Lower ranks wore cutlasses with a stag horn grip and a plain green knot.

This is a gunner's 'walking out' hanger, akin in purpose to the dress bayonets of the Third Reich era, ie to be worn with dress uniform when not on duty in barracks. The issue version of this weapon was a much more substantial affair, although both continued in use throughout WW1.

This is a senior administrative officer's sword, probably either a surgeon or an apothecary, viz the twin-headed serpent on the guard. The little dolphin head at the end of the knuckle bow by the pommel indicates the naval branch of service. The mounts are ormolu and the grip is ebony.

These dirks would have been carried by Royal Navy as well as merchant marine officers, even, rather more rarely, by army officers. This classic dirk has a whalebone haft (which, at first glance, might appear to be of walrus ivory, but on closer inspection is definitely whale bone) and iron mounts. The style of hilt, pommel and grip dates it.

This is a typical 18th-century Spanish weapon, designed to be stuffed down a musket barrel when out on a boar hunt or in a military context. Amazingly, it appears to have most of the original scabbard, with the top chape of pressed tin with a decorative motif. The bottom chape is missing.

This is almost certainly an unmarked Parker Field product, made under contract for the Metropolitan Police. These were standardised c 1840 and the design lasted until c 1880 when they were phased out and replaced by the warrant card c 1890. The arresting officer simply touched the crown on the suspect's shoulder - a formal notice of arrest.

This badge (4.5 cm high) would have been worn on an officer's peaked service cap. In 1923, the 31st DCO Lancers and the 32nd Lancers were amalgamated to form this unit (the 13th DOC Lancers). Both regiments had a common origin in the old Bombay Squadron of Cavalry, raised for service under Lord Lake.

This was introduced in 1859 for the Royal Navy to supply a need for a cutlass and a bayonet in one weapon for the naval rifle of the era, a .577 Enfield cap and ball weapon. This is an A & E Holler example - ie a Solingen blade. There are no UK ordnance marks, so this is almost certainly an American export item.

The Glasgow Yeomanry was one of the oldest Scottish yeomanry units, troops originally being raised in the Glasgow area from 1797. This example may date from as early as 1848 and would have been unchanged until 1902, when the king's crown replaced the queen's.