The 91st London Antique Arms Fair Autumn 2013 Hotel Ibis London Earls Court, 47 Lillie Road, London, SW6 1UD Friday 27 September Saturday 28 September A rare medieval sword from the Mamluk Arsenal at Alexandria. Second half of the 14th Century, probably Italian. Sold by Bonhams Knightsbridge on 18 November 2012 for £163,250 1 THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE HERMANN HISTORICA A gold- and silver inlaid splendid rifle, F. Morgenroth, Gernrode/Anhalt, dated 1844 Parts of a Maximilian armour, Nuremberg, circa 1510/20 N E X T AUCTION: 4 Nov. - 16 Nov. 2013 6 catalogues of military and historical significance including 2 special collection catalogues - The Friedrich Hebsacker collection of Arms & Armour - Uniforms of German Military and Political Units 1933 - 1945 All catalogues online by the end of September: www.hermann-historica.com A Spanish/Italian left-hand dagger, circa 1670 A drop barrel target pistol, Anton Vinzent Lebeda, Prague, circa 1880 A magnificent wheellock pistol, Nuremberg, circa 1590/1600 A fine chiselled bichwa, South India, Tanjore, 17th century Historical Collectibles ✦ A Swiss flintlock pistol, circa 1640 Orders Orders Antique Arms & Armour ✦ Wednesday 27 November Enquiries +44 (0) 20 7393 3807 Knightsbridge, London +44 (0) 7768 823 711 [email protected] Entries now invited A fine pair of silver-mounted flintlock holster pistols, A late Scythian/early Sarmatian by Benjamin Griffin, London, steppe-nomadic silver bowl, late London silver hallmarks for 1750 4th - 3rd cen tury BC Sold for £17,500 A magni ficent silver stirrup, Otto man A Greek Illyrian helmet, A Balochistan/Afghan (?) khanjar or Transyl vanian, 17th century 5th - early 4th century BC with silver handle, 17th century Hermann Historica oHG ✦ Linprunstr. 16 ✦ D-80335 Munich ✦ Phone +49-89-54726490 International Auctioneers and Valuers – bonhams.com/arms 2 THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE ✦ International Auctions Antique Arms and Armour Fax +49-89-547264999 E-Mail: [email protected] Values stated include buyer’s premium. Details can be found at bonhams.com LonArmFair_1p_4c_A67.indd 1 03.09.2013 15:32:31 Uhr Master Gunmaker Restorer of Artillery Antique Arms Cased pair of D/B Percussion Officers The London Antique Pistols by John Manton. Arms Fairs 2013 The London Antique Arms Fair is promoted by Arms Fairs Ltd. Chairman: John Slough A welcome from the Chairman 7 Cased Percussion Pepperbox Secretary: Adam Slough. Revolver by Parker of London. Arms Fairs Ltd., PO Box 355, The Saving of a 6in BL Howitzer circa 1917 Hereford HR2 9YE Tel: 07780 663819 By John Slough E-mail: [email protected] 11 Website: www.antiquearmsfairsltd.co.uk Editors: John Slough and Adam Slough Index of advertisers 23 The London Antique Arms Fair guide Cased pair of Percussion is published on behalf of Arms Fairs Ltd by John Good. Index of exhibitors Dueling Pistols by Samuel Nock. 24 © Arms Fairs Ltd., 2013. Printed in England. Table plan for the fair 26 All material contained within is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is The Duel By F Wilkinson 28 PO Box 355 • Hereford • HR2 9YE taken in compiling the publication, but Tel: 07775 643762 the publishers can bear no responsibility for effects arising therefrom or from the King Joseph’s Chocolate Pot by Paul Wilcock E-mail: [email protected] advertisements contained herein. 36 www.johnsloughoflondon.co.uk All information correct at time of printing. Factory Gold Inlaid Colt Percussion Revolvers 40 by R.L. Wilson 4 THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE 5 John Slough Antique Arms Ad A4 21 1 11/4/10 22:52:18 A WelcoME FROM THE CHAIRMAN Welcome to the 91st London Antique Arms Fair This year we will have considerably more exhibitors than ever with more tables full of the best examples of arms and armour from all around the world. It always amazes me that when the London Arms Fair time comes around so many high quality items come out of safes, cupboards and lofts, out of private collections to see the light of day and be on display at the fair. Record prices achieved for items of arms and armour selling at auction in the last six months proves yet again that exhibitors at the Cannon and artillery for hire for fi lm industry, TV, theatre, concerts and gun salutes. fair are providing one of the best forms of investment available at the present time. Confidence in banks and building societies John Slough of London have been in the business of restoration and conservation of cannon and artillery of all periods for over 40 years. is at an all time low and there are few attractive alternatives to collecting items of such craftsmanship and quality as we have to e fi lm industry’s increasing need for blank fi ring big guns with experienced armourers and fi ring team means we now have a dedicated stock of offer, not to mention the joy of owning them. period cannon and artillery ready for hire as well as the ability to produce any custom made piece for individual requirements. This April saw the introduction of a new and exciting feature at the fair. On the second day we staged the first ever exhibitors’ auction to be held at a London fair. This type of auction is very popular at many American gun shows. 9 Pdr RML Field gun 18 pdr QF Field gun Complete on period fi eld carriage Complete on its original fi eld carriage There is no entry fee, the auctioneer’s commission is only 10% and most radically of all, there is no buyer’s premium. Members of the public wishing to put items into the sale may do so through any one of the current exhibitors. Lots may be entered into the sale from early September and will be on view at the fair in a designated area. The sale commences at 12 midday on Saturday. Over the years I have been approached by collectors and exhibitors to hold such an auction at the fair. This in no way reflects on the existing auction houses as there is no doubt that they have an essential role to play in our business bringing to the market items of interest and importance from great collections from around the world. However, I believe that there should be an opportunity for items to be sold by exhibitors at auction at no extra cost to the purchaser. We are able to do this by cutting out many of the overheads and extra costs that have arisen over the years for the auction houses such as the huge cost of premises in London, the production of beautiful, detailed sale catalogues distributed worldwide. They provide telephone bidding and now also internet bidding all of which has to be staffed and paid for and none 200 muzzle loading cannon and mortars 24 pdr reproduction cast iron Scottish carronades of it comes cheap. Used for the Battle Proms concerts Complete on period carriage At our auction a list is produced in advance, sale entries are displayed at the fair in a designated area. People wishing to bid should register at the admission desk and receive a Bidder’s number. There will be no telephone or internet bidding and most importantly no Buyer’s premium. It is in fact a good old fashioned sale where you view the lots, bid for them, pay only the hammer price and clear the lots all on the same day! I myself have some experience in this field having once worked for the last auction rooms in the City of London, B. Norman & Son of Little Britain, EC1. Sadly it closed in 1967 having been in the same family since 1824, thus marking the end of an era. I do hope you all enjoy, not only the fair, but also the auction where you can make sound investments for the future and enjoy some wonderful examples of outstanding craftsmanship. ‘Here’s to the good life’ John Slough of London, Master Gunmaker, e Old Forge, Peterchurch, Hereford HR2 0SD John Slough 6 THE LONDON ANTIQUETel: ARMS 07775 FAIR 643GUIDE 762 Email: [email protected] www.artilleryhire.com THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE 7 Chairman AN HISTORIC GERMAN (SAXON) WHEEL-LOCK CARBINE, DRESDEN, dated 1589 Provenance: From the former Electoral Armouries in Dresden, from a series of one hundred carried by the Trabantenleibgarde of Christian I, Prince Elector of Saxony (R.1586-91). SPECIALISTS IN ANTIQUE ARMS, ARMOUR & RELATED OBJECTS 38 & 39 Duke Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 6DF Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 5666 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 5777 E-mail: [email protected] www.peterfiner.com 8 THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE 9 THE SAVING OF A 6IN BL HowITZER CIrca 1917 The Saving of a 6in BL Howitzer circa 1917 By John Slough The 6in BL naval gun dates from 1899, as well as a naval gun it was also used for coastal defence. In 1915 these guns were used as heavy field artillery in the First World War. The earlier gun of the 1890s needed to them with the new 106 fuse enabled the complete existing gun but the culmination be upgraded to increase its rate of fire shell to burst above ground on instant of several years of us searching for parts and trajectory. After much experimenting contact instead of forming craters. The far and wide throughout the country with it was decided that a 6in BL gun could MK VII was superseded by many 6in guns the idea that once the major components be loaded and fired as quickly and as but its durability and its place in history is had been identified and procured then smoothly as a 6in QF gun.