This sword, dating from 1805-09, would have been carried by an Inspecteur aux (or 'des') Revues (the equivalent of Commissary in the British Army), responsible for pay, provisions (hence the ears of wheat on the guard and knuckle bow) and the depot system. Before this, they simply carried an ordinary infantry sword. The sword is rare.

This ground find is a typical camp or belt axe of the type carried by archers in the fighting during the Hundred Years War. It would have been used for small jobs around the camp. In the Balkans, these axes have turned up as ground finds on the Kosovo battlefield, where they would probably have been used by both sides in a similar way.

This bronze chape (3cm across at the top) would have been the bottom mount of a scabbard, probably for a dagger, typically one of the classic left-hand daggers so often seen on portraits of the period with the pommel peeping out on the other side to that of the rapier. Decoration on 17th-century pieces tends to be much simpler.

This is a nice example of a Birmingham export belt axe/tomahawk head, almost certainly cast steel with some rudimentary attempt at polishing the front end of the blade. These were typical of what settlers may have carried in the West (US) and also the Indians.

This is one of a small collection of Turkish spear heads, purchased near Marmaris several years ago. This piece has been cleaned and there is still some grey patina to it with extensive traces of old surface rust. The overall length is 36cms. The point is now squared off as a result of damage.

The left-hand knife in the top and bottom photos (with the darker grip) is a real original. The right-hand example, as well as the two centre photos, are of a modern copy, almost certainly made in Pakistan. NB: the marlin spike has an RB number identical to the original and a Luftwaffe acceptance stamp as well.