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Customer commentswelcome to antique militaria!
I have been a military antiques dealer (based at Grays Antique Market in London's West End until Christmas 2008) for over 45 years: 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 both private customers, trade and museum clientele all around the world!
featured antique military items
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Light Cavalry officer's sword, 1796 pattern - British
This Austrian-influenced sabre would have been carried by British horse artillery and Light Dragoons throughout the Peninsula War and, of course, at Waterloo. It is marked 'Osborns Warranted', a renowned Birmingham sword cutler. It has the post-1801 arms and pre-dates the amalgamation of Osborn & Gunby, which took place in 1807.
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Spanish Cross in gold - German
In April 1939, this award was instituted to commemorate the bravery of the German volunteers in the Spanish civil war. 1,126 awards in gold with swords were granted. It is marked L56 on the reverse for the maker Robert Hauschild of Pforzheim.
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SS Pioneer officer's cap, 1938 model - German
This cap would have been worn by a Pioneer officer in the Waffen SS in the early years of WW2. The Pioneers were responsible for bridge-building, flame-thrower team, etc. This has 1940 pattern Bevo SS other ranks insignia and the lining is stamped 'Maria Damm 57' (the 57 indicates size).
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Hunting hanger with tortoiseshell grip - German
The hilt could be Dutch or French, the use of tortoiseshell having been introduced to Europe in the late 17th century, probably through Dutch colonial connections. The mid 18th-century German blade (26" long) would have replaced an earlier, shorter, straight, double-edged blade (broken?), probably to enable the weapon's use as a naval hanger.
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Model cannon by Marklin - German
This fine model of a German field gun comes complete with a small black powder cartridge with a recess for a primer in its base to enable it to be used as a signalling gun or a rather posh toy.
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Prussian breastplate (cuirass) - German
This clean example is marked '2' and 'Hartkopf', very probably a retailer's mark, Hartkopf being an early 19th century firm of arms dealers and sword cutlers. Its construction suggests a date nearer to 1760 than later. They were, in any case, proscribed (specifically forbidden) in 1790 by the Prussian army.
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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.
