Sold Gallery
These pages display a number of the rare items that I have had the pleasure of selling. To view more details and a larger photograph please click on the thumbnail picture.
Antique British .577 Snider Mk III Cavalry Carbine
Here we offer the standard Cavalry Carbine of the British Army during the late 1860s to the mid 1870s. The wood is in good condition, with some bleaching of the stain around the shoulder stock brass plate. The barrel retains its bluing and its rifling is sound, the sight is in good condition with the two leather cover retaining screws in set in place. The action works and is tight and crisp. The markings are for the most part readable and crisp with all the proper inspector marks. A nice example. This is an Antique Firearm and does not require a PAL to purchase.
LCol Grasett Dress Belt Set
We had the pleasure of selling LCol Grassett's medals not to long ago and know we offer his belt and busby. LCol Grassett was an important figure in Toronto's history having served 34 years as the Chief of Toronto's Police Force, but he was also a military man who served a long career in the Local Militia, including the Queen's Own Rifles and finally the 10th Royal Grenadiers. He lead the Grenadiers at the charge of Batoche in the 1885 Northwest Canada Campaign. Here we offer his belt set that includes the storage box and two belt with sword slings. The White belt was meant for wear in the field and features officer quality buckle with gilt fittings. His dress belt is the standard infantry officers belt with the custom 10th Grenadier Officer belt buckle attached. In immaculate condition, with supple leather and all the parts, and no stains or splitting. A great set for any collector of Victorian Canadian Militia artifacts. A classy set for show.
13th Light Scottish Dragoons Universal Helmet Plat
The HP60 found in Mezeas Book Pg 42, was authorized 1906. A fine example with all of its lugs.
Officer\'s 13th Bn Helmet Plate
The HP104 found in Mezeas Book Pg 78, was authorized 1876. A fine example with all of its lugs. Gorgeous Badge.
1st Canadian Tank Battalion CEF Officer\'s Insig
Two Canadian tank Battalions went overseas in World War 1. The 1st Canadian Tank Battalion arrived in England in June, 1918, with a strength of 92 officers and 716 other ranks, but they never saw combat in WW1. It was recruited from Canadian universities and a considerable number of both officers and men possessed mechanical qualifications. They were still training when the war ended. A rare and desirable bimetal Officer's badge with original lugs on the cap badge and intact on one of the collars, the other having a solid back and pin with clasp. Not matched in terms of backing fasteners, the two collars certainly match in appearance and facing in to each other as they should. Take note their is a left and right collar badge. A rare and beautiful set.
Senior NCO Bear Skin to the 10th Royal Grenadiers
Offered here is a Victorian era busby or bear skin to the 10th RG with its original cloth storage bag and a tin marked to an officer of the regiment for the purposes of storage. Originally ORs and NCOs wore the fusilier style busby with the grenade device, until replaced in 1895 with the Guards bear skin. What makes this an NCO style is the male fur busby measuring 9.5" at the front with a high quality grenade badge and the short 5" red over white feather plume with a gilt base. Other ranks wore male fur, with plane brass badges and stiff two tone hair plumes red over white. Officers wore a taller female bear fur 11" busby with a much longer 10" version of this red over white plume and a gilt badge and chin scales. OR fur was stored in cloth bags, where as the officers were stored in tin cylindrical storage boxes. The regiment was eventually authorized to wear the complete Grenadier Guards style of uniform before 1912. The Victorian bear skins were lined with leather to give form, around 1900 the regulations changed and the later versions were framed internally with wicker to give more form, lighter weight, more air circulation and allowed for cheaper production. The regiment stopped wearing the grenade once given permission to wear the Grenadier Guard's dress, adopting their regulations. The grenade badges were restricted to wear on the white cork helmet. This particular example of the 10th RG busby offered here is leather lined and therefore early. It has the correct brass chin scales. The japanned tin is in nice shape with its internal tin stand, named to a Major who served in the unit in the late 1890s. This tin is only included to store and preserve this bear skin. It is no clear the two items came together, they may have been mismatched as these things often do in regimental QM before it was taken out of commission.
Antique 1801 British .62 Cal Baker Rifle Marked to
We offer here a rare opportunity to own a famous Baker Rifle issued to the 95th Foot. In April 1801 the 95th Rifle Regiment received their baptism of fire on board Nelson’s Squadron off Copenhagen. This rifle was used by this famous regiment in the Peninsular Wars, North America and at the Battle of Waterloo. This particular Musket belongs to the 1st Bn and therefore was not at New Orleans. This is an early variant c.1801, well marked on the lock plate Tower, GR crown, inspector marks on the barrel, and unit marks to the 95th on the brass butt plate, marks on the bayonet as well. The two compartment box in the stock is typical of the early models and the bayonet fits the lug on the barrel like a glove. The rare Baker bayonet is without scabbard, but it is in fine original condition. The stock is in fine condition with a nice dark finish. The barrel and all metal parts are in good condition, with rifling still in good shape and a lovely surface patina, the brass fittings with honest wear. The lock is in excellent condition, tight and in working order. A rare and beautiful example, perfect for the Napoleonic collector or British Arms Collector, that wants it all.
Civil Service Rifle Cross Belt Plate
Civil Service SBP listed as MM3 in Mezeas Book Pg 54, was authorized 1866. A fine rare example with all of its screw posts. I have never seen one of these in my 40 years of of collecting. This is very large in comparison to the cap badge, over 5" long. The shako plate is about 3".
RCR Other Ranks Helmet Plate
The HP71 found in Mezeas Book Pg 56, was authorized 1894. A fine example with all of its lugs.
Prosser Presentation Cavalry Sword c.1816 - 20
Offered here is a fabulous Prosser Presentation Sword with stunning craftmanship of the highest order. The blade is in the 1796 style with a 1788 form to the hilt. There is traces of gilt finish (25%) over the elaborate copper fittings framing the leather scabbard. Much of the gilt finish is worn off some areas of the scabbard, but 95% remains on the brass hilt. The blade is 31" of fine steel and is inscribed with a gilt wash (60%) with the following: "THE GIFT OF THE ATTORNEY'S CAVALRY TO CAPTAIN JAMES SHANLEY AS A MARK OF THEIR GRATITUDE FOR HIS SERVICES." The Militia unit was located in London and consisted of lawyers, judges and other court appointees in the ranks. A wealthy unit that rewarded those who served in its ranks with expensive lavish gifts. Prosser was well known for high quality sword smithing, and this is one of his best.