Militaria
With a network of specialists covering all fields of militaria we are able to maximise potential return on medals, badges, bladed weapons, firearms and associated collectables from all wars, periods and nations with a particular interest in historical diaries, photographs, paintings and ephemera.
A .450 cal Whitworth percussion muzzle loading rifle, circa 1862-63,
33" hexagonal bore barrel, marked “Whitworth Patent”, 2 band with bayonet bar to front band, ladder sight marked to 1200yds. Lock marked with "The Whitworth Company Limited" and with Whitworth crest. Dark patina metalwork, original woodwork with some minor dings, Complete with safety chain, swivels and ram-rod. No military markings. #D366. ALR
Realised: $3,100
A good Indian mail and lamellar shirt, 17thC, probably Bijapur, Karnataka state, India,
of large riveted iron rings open at the front and extending to cover the upper leg, the back with single vent and formed around three rows of narrow vertically overlapping iron plates, the central row with cusped lower edges, the sides incorporating pairs of iron plates, the front with two pairs of overlapping square convex iron plates each with two shaped bars with buckles for straps, and full length sleeves. Note: This shirt is almost certainly part of the large group captured in 1689 following the defeat of Adilshahi dynasty at the siege of Adoni by Maharajah Anup Singh and subsequently installed in the armoury at Bikaner, Rajasthan. (from Christies catalogue lot essay https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-5356449 ) Provenance: The estate of Richard Rice. A noted and life-long Gisborne collector. Purchased Christies, South Kensington London 30 Sep 2010, Sale 5477 Lot 24, GBP1875 (NZ$3990)
Realised: $2,400
A 22-bore flintlock trade musket by Cooper and Goodman,
c.1857 in Birmingham who took over from Joseph Rock Cooper and stamped with London proofs. Long 51" barrel. All steel furniture, full wooden stock to muzzle. With original cleaning rod. These rifles were traded with Māori during the Land War period.
Realised: $2,200
A 17thC Indian mail shirt and head covering with plume.
The shirt formed of slender iron rings extending to below the knees and to wrists, with a series of plates and to front larger plates with fastening buckles, the head mail similar with large black ostrich plume to top. Provenance: Christies, South Kensington London, 9 Oct 2009, Lot 220
Realised: $2,100
c.1850 J. Cooper's patent 6 shot pepperbox pistol,
under hammer action with ring trigger, fine foliate decoration, engraved maker's name. Walnut grips. L.195mm. No license required.
Realised: $2,000
A 19thC Persian kulah khud helmet, with nasal bar,
the steel skull embossed with a demon face with gold highlights and chiseled overall with foliage inhabited by wild animals and cartouches containing courtly figures, the base with a border of calligraphy; surmounted by demons horns, a square section spike and twin plume holders. With 'vandyke' camail of steel and brass butted links. The nasal bar incorrectly fitted Provenance: purchased Philips Auctions, London, 2000, £1250.
Realised: $2,000
A Flintlock trade musket with 39" barrel,
bearing 1855 proof marks. Made in Liege Belgium by Dresse Laloux and Co. and proofed in Birmingham. Brass furniture. banister rail stock, four ramrod rings, sling swivels in place. With cleaning rod. Used by ship's captains as trade muskets in the colonies including New Zealand.
Realised: $2,000
Flight Lieutenant Clive Woodward (Bomber) Estcourt, RNZAF (NZ 391045), RAF Bomber Command WWII archive collection.
Includes historical memorabilia from pre-WWII, WWII period and some later material. Estcourt flew as a bomber aimer and navigator, an incredible 40 missions in active service for Bomber Command. The collection includes Ink signed and detailed bra ‘1.8.44 TO 18.3.45. 75(NZ) Squadron -&- 7 Pathfinder Squadron’. Signed by crew members and with their position; ‘Skipper J.R.Layton, Navigator L.E.Anger, Rear Gunner L.D.Moore, Mid Upper Gunner D.O.Light, FHR Bomber Clive W.Estcourt, Wireless Op. T.Nicholas, Engineer F.Samuel’. Together with 42 named towns and cities, presumably bombed by them. Together with two R.A.F. 8.5lb practice bombs, his leather flying money belt, photos of Estcourt, 50+ various planes & others, NZ flags, Roamer watch, flying sunglasses, badges, blue trench coat, blazer, jacket, books and manuals, 11 pre and war period mostly cloth maps and 12 later, movie memorabilia; day bill and other posters, photo stills for 'Mosquito Squadron’ and ‘633 Squadron’ etc., manuscript for the book ‘The Stain On The Glass’ by Charles Jeffrey Gray, brass model planes, plastic model planes, archive material from the Te Rapa Air Force base closed 1992 and more.
Realised: $2,000
A rare 16thC Indian Moghul chain mail coat with integral iron plates front and rear,
constructed from individually riveted links that are graduated in size, being thicker and larger at the shoulders and chest, ranging down in size to the arms and skirt. Four large iron plates on front with fastening devices (still intact); approximately 104 smaller plates across the back, extending down to the waist. These overlap like a crayfish tail. . Vendor's notes record: Coat of Armour made for Lion Maharaja Lord Shratoon Shijajee, North India, 16th Cent. Wht 28 lbs. Provenance: Private purchase: 1995, Napier
Realised: $2,000
A 19thC Prussian M1811 'Blucher' sabre,
from the early to mid-19th century. Based on the British 1796 light cavalry sabre. With heavy 33" (825mm) blade, marked ‘221/Crown/JW’ to the blade back, the hilt with fluted wooden grip with steel stirrup guard and riveted back strap with langets. With steel scabbard. Numerous armoury stamps to crossguard front and leading face as well as scabbard throat. Such swords were often reissued numerous times to different units. VGC.
Realised: $2,000