.41 Colt M1873 Single Action Army Revolver, c.1906
Selling on consignment: A crisp and original example of an iconic Colt Single Action Army revolver, chambered for the obsolete .41 calibre cartridge. Made in 1906, this revolver has matching numbers and is in superb working order with perfect action and strong springs. Cosmetically it shows some signs of carry and general holster wear, with much of the original finish now reduced to a flat dark patina with areas of fading. All markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp, whilst the grips are in very good order with no losses or cracks.

Basically, an attractive and solid example for the money.

Barrel length = 5½ inches
Overall length = 11 inches

Code: 50990Price: 2800.00 GBP

.41 Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Revolver
Selling on consignment: A good Colt Model 1877 Thunderer revolver, with matching numbers dated to 1882. Retaining sharp profiles and a fair amount of original nickel, showing signs of thinning, commensurate with holster carry. Nevertheless, this Thunderer is in full working order with strong springs and a full-length extractor rod.

All matching serial numbers, good grips, decent screws, good bore and chambers, together with a clear address and patent dates, make this iconic Colt, one for the collector.

Barrel length = 5½ inches
Overall length = 10 inches

Code: 50989Price: 1050.00 GBP

Civil War Bowie Knife & Leather Scabbard
Selling on consignment: Presented in sleepy condition, this unsigned stag handled Bowie is complete with its original wood and leather scabbard, showing signs of service wear but nothing serious - All in all, a very good damage free example in unmolested condition, with good age patina to the blade.

Created in 1838 by Rezin P. Bowie for hunting, this hefty knife became legendary through association with his brother James Bowie, who went down in folklore as a hero of the Alamo.

As reputation spread, the versatile Bowie knife became a companion for many a soldier, and by the Civil War, these robust knives stood out as favourites among Confederate forces.

Overall a nice antique, mid 19th century, example of this well balanced and hansom Bowie.

Overall length of knife = 13½ inches
Length of knife in scabbard = 14 inches
Blade length = 9 inches
Blade width = 1¾ inches

Code: 50988Price: 475.00 GBP

WW1 1918 Blind Soldier's Pocket Watch By Buren
As the soldiers returned home from the Great War, it was evident that many needed help to rebuild their lives. Public sympathy for these disabled men called for much charitable support and businesses stepped up to offer assistance as best they could. One way that the jewellery trade was able to assist while expressing their gratitude to the ex-servicemen was to work in partnership with the various Blind Institutes and provide timepieces for the visually impaired.

Although watches suitable for the needs of the blind became available commercially, it is the ones that were issue marked as this one is, that are perhaps most poignant. Just like other examples of their kind, these watches were of the pocket type, with a flip-open cover affording maximum protection to the delicate instrument. In this instance, the watch is connected to a chain, providing further security from accidental drops.

This particular example was presented in 1918 by the "National Association of Goldsmiths" and numbered by the Institute who maintained a register of recipients. Such gestures helped give back some dignity and independence to the users, who gratefully received these timepieces, which might otherwise have been too expensive for an individual to purchase.

Typically the watch shows signs of service carry, yet it remains in excellent condition with a superb dial, exhibiting only a minor chip to the edge of the enamel at 9 o'clock. The dial has raised beads corresponding to the hours, while the robust hands are connected to the movement by a screw, preventing them from being bent or knocked off during time reading. Of course, a blind person could only read the time in this manner as there was no requirement for the usual watch glass.

Internally the 7 jewel movement bears the signature of the maker Buren, who was a Swiss watch company owned by the English firm of H. Williamson Ltd., themselves contractors to the British Army concerned with the supply of service watches.

Presented in full working order, the movement runs well and keeps time, although it has not been serviced. Timepieces like this provide the military watch collector with an opportunity to research the original recipient, most likely a survivor of a gas attack on his trench.

Code: 50985Price: 190.00 GBP

M1849 .31 Colt Pocket Revolver Marked, New York Penitentiary
This M1849 .31 Colt is an extraordinarily rare Pocket revolver issued to the "New York Penitentiary" and marked accordingly on the back strap, together with a US Stars & Stripes shield emblem.

Made in 1857, this revolver would have served at either Sing Sing or Auburn Prison New York. Interestingly, in 1857 Auburn commenced the building of an Asylum for the criminally insane within the grounds of the penitentiary, which opened the following year.

Clearly, this revolver has seen extended service and is now in overall worn condition, with no finish remaining. However, it remains in good working order, with matching numbers, although the trigger guard bears no numbers whatsoever - This trigger guard is old yet it does not appear to have ever been numbered and may well be a contemporary armoury supplied part, made during the working life of this revolver.

The history of the infamous New York Penitentiaries make for compelling research, making this revolver an exciting find for an early Law & Order collection.

Barrel length = 4 inches
Overall length = 8½ inches

Code: 50987Price: 950.00 GBP

WW1 Compass
A WW1 military style compass of pocket watch design. Presented in good but worn condition and full working order.

Price includes P&P.

Code: 50984Price:

Regulation Light Dragoon Pattern Flintlock, c.1810
A Light Dragoon flintlock pistol of military pattern, having the standard round tapering barrel of regulation bore. All fully working with a crisp action, the flat-lock holds well in both positions and bears a Crown GR emblem. All springs are strong and the frizzen sparks.

The full stocked woodwork is undamaged, showing only minor age related wear and the usual small knocks. Cosmetically the pistol is an honest and unmolested example of this Light Dragoon design. Only the old ramrod appears to be a replacement, which is of appropriate fit and quality.

A good collector grade Light Dragoon flintlock.

Barrel length = 9 inches
Overall length = 15.25 inches

Code: 50977Price: 995.00 GBP

WW2 Waltham Comparing Deck Watch c.1942
A rare Waltham Comparing Watch, which was used to help synchronise the timekeeping between the master time source and the various Deck Watches at work around a Battleship.

Comparing the time between the Master Chronometer, which was held in a fixed location below deck, was an essential task that ensured any timekeeping differences between all the Deck Watches, were kept to a minimum. This kind of comparing activity was only necessary on board larger ships, where the distances between the Deck Watches to the master chronometer was the greatest. By running Comparing Watches, notable variations between the timekeepers could be factored in during navigational calculations. Their use on battleships certainly makes Comparing Watches rarer than their Deck Watch counterpart.

This fine example by the Waltham Watch Co. is marked to the US Navy, however, in 1942 many of these American watches became available to the Royal Navy, particularly along the Atlantic convoy routes. Generally speaking, Comparing Watches had a harder life as they were carried back and forth, which probably prompted its placement into this wooden box. Although not of typical naval construction, this box with its rubber insert, would have helped to protect the various watches that it may have accommodated during its working life. Of solid build, the box has an applied broad arrow scratched into its lid. Furthermore, these 17 jewel watches had to be equally accurate but for naval expedience, they were not tested to the same degree as navigational chronometers before being accepted into service.

Presented in full working order, the fine movement retains a functioning hack feature. Cosmetically the dial is undamaged and the case parts screw together properly. The back of the watch bears the "Bureau Of Ships'" nomenclature, with just a little rubbing evident.

All in all, a rare survivor in an excellent original and collector grade condition.

Code: 50976Price:

Metropolitan Police Inspector's Sword, c.1868
A rare Metropolitan Police Inspector's sword, issued in 1868. Interestingly, this sword design was first adopted by the military as their 1821 Light Cavalry pattern.

Made by Parker Field & Sons, this P1868 Metropolitan Police Inspector's sword is a rare survivor in excellent untouched condition. Retaining its original polish, the blade is marked with the police acceptance stamp, 1868 date and MP owner's mark. A centurion's helmet is also evident, together with distinct etching giving the manufacturer's name and address.

Never sharpened, nor dinged, the edge and blade are like factory new, but with a darker age patina. The leather and steel fitted scabbard is intact, with only minor signs of carry wear. Generally, this example is in superb collector grade condition.

Blade Length = 31¼ inches
Overall length = 36½ inches

Code: 50974Price:

W/T Operator's Longines - Issued To Natal Navy Volunteers, c.1899
A historically rare and important Longines pocket watch, that actually served in South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War, 1899 - 1902.

Functioning as a Wireless Telegrapher's timepiece, this Boer War Longines was an integral part of a modern telegraphic system. In fact, this war was the Telegraph's debut in an operational role, ultimately proving that clear and timely communications were pivotal in achieving a successful military outcome.

As one of the first precision Swiss watches to be utilised in this way, the military ordered an unusual dial design based on the alphabet. In short, this enabled a Royal Navy W/T operator to easily time-code his message relay, which was done using Morse Code - A code using a series of long or short sound or light signals to communicate letters of the alphabet, but without any provision for communicating numerals.

Although telegraphy had been around since the mid-1850s, it was not until the system had been much improved that in 1899, Marconi suggested to the Admiralty that its fleet would benefit from this invention. His timing turned out to be perfect. With Britain on the verge of war, the Royal Navy was quick to trial this new equipment, reporting back favourably confirming telegraphy's usefulness, both as a ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore means of communication. Conversely, the army was less than impressed having experienced no end of difficulty. Of course, nowadays we understand how terrain, as well as atmospheric and climatic conditions, affect the telegraph but at that time it was all new and mysterious technology to the average soldier. Even so, improvements were ongoing and solutions to many of the problems encountered followed quickly - chiefly by designing better antennas.

Needless to say, the Admiralty went ahead with an immediate order for 5 telegraphic sets. These were installed straightaway on the Royal Navy cruisers HMS Dwarf, Magicienne, Racoon, Thetis and Forte, which took part in the support of the naval blockade of Delagoa Bay. The War Department was a little slower but they too followed up with purchases of their own.

By now a Royal Navy flotilla had been ordered to anchor off the Natal Province coast and, using their long-range guns, they pounded enemy encampments. Without a Boer Navy to stop them, the ships were untouchable. The same however could not be said of the beleaguered army who were continuously outgunned by Boer artillery. Fortunately for them, the Royal Engineers had adopted the raising of copper aerials suspended beneath hot air balloons, to improve reception and transmission of the Morse signals. This enabled detailed messages to be sent to the Navy concerning the coordinates of enemy positions, so action could be taken in a timely fashion. The Boers quickly learnt that to beat this, they should employ hit and run tactics. Boer snipers were also effective at disrupting British communications, again giving them an edge.

Realising a growing urgency to combat the guerilla tactics, Captain Percy Scott RN suggested that additional artillery normally kept back for use by the Naval Brigade landing parties, should be sent from the reserve. He also remarked that this artillery could be uprated to better meet the needs of the army. This done, the improved guns and a detachment of fighting sailors with Hotchkiss machine guns assembled from the Cape of Good Hope Station and vessels HMS Doris, Terrible, Powerful, Philomel, Tartar and the Forte, were landed. This proved to be an inspiring venture and the formation of the Natal Navy.

Leading to more shore-based naval incursions the Natal Naval volunteers, which initially comprised of 123 men led by Commander G. Tatum, proved themselves to be an invaluable support to the army. Through frequent reports, they were variously described as, daring, adaptable and highly resourceful men, detailing their exploits and acts of heroism. By the end of the war, the number of volunteers that had been associated with the Natal Navy is recorded as 354 men.

Further archive records note that out of all the NN volunteers, four signalmen were amongst their ranks. Presumably, it would have been these men who were responsible for the many communications, from shore-to-ship and therefore, these are the most likely candidates who would have retained personal possession of this Longines watch. These men were; Leading Signalman A. G. Goulding; Signalmen T. E. Godwin; D. C. Kenny and T. Phoenix.

Longines archive records date this watch to 1899 in keeping with the event timeline. It is clearly marked to the case back with the "NN" and broad arrow emblem of the Natal Navy, which demonstrates that these watches were supplied at the same time, or very soon after the telegraphic apparatus was acquired. Knowing that there were only 5 sets purchased by the Admiralty at this time, this watch must rank as one of the rarest and most interesting timepieces that any advanced military collector could hope to own. Interestingly, this watch is more highly jewelled than the Longines watches ordered by the War Department.

The watch is in top working order and keeping excellent time, having been serviced at ZMW Militaria. The case is in untouched condition, exhibiting minor traces of sea corrosion around the highlights but nothing detrimental. Internally the watch is in superb, virtually factory fresh condition. Only the dial shows some evidence of combat wear, resulting in the presence of some hairlines and small loss of enamel around the face. None of the important marks or lettering has been affected.

All in all, a significant and extremely rare military Longines.

NB, It was important that a clock time should be added to every message so the receiver would know precisely when it was sent and therefore, how fresh the information was. In the first image of the watch, the time reads 13:48 hours. Numerals were not available as Morse Code, so the operator sent a three letter code instead, which in this instance would have read, A, I and W.

Code: 50967Price: 1200.00 GBP