Lambert & Lambert Antiques

A large mid-18th century firearm with a three-stage steel barrel strongly belled towards the muzzle. Engraved at the median and over the breech, with sprays of foliage and a band of beadwork. Engraved steel mounts including solid-side-plate, butt-plate and trigger-guards, with a signed rounded lock. The breech is inscribed ‘H: S: N: 114’. Figured walnut full stock moulded over the fore-end, and about the tang.

The firearm measures 57cm in the barrel, and 95cm overall, and the barrel measures 6cm across at the mouth. Both half, and full cock are solid and hold well and the trigger is crisp

A French First Empire, converted percussion pistol. Finely made model for an officer, stamped with Augustin Merley-Dusmaret (St Etienne) & Jean Leclerc (famous gunner in Paris) allowing this weapon to be dated to the period 1809 to 1811. It was converted from flintlock to a percussion system around 1830, and is 17 mm caliber at the mouth

Fully functioning mechanism that holds well at both full and half cock with a good, crisp action.

Solid, heavy octagonal barrel with iron furniture. Comes with original ram rod with brass head and steel screw

A good example of the 3rd Model Tranter Double Action percussion pistol. Solid frame, double trigger 54 bore revolver with 15cm (6") barrel, five-shot cylinder bearing London proof marks, hinged loading arm screwed to frame with unclear serial number to right frame and marked 'TRANTER' to cocking trigger; foliate engraved frame and chequered wood grip. Clean chambers and barrel with 5 lands and grooves

The third evolution of this popular revolver, this model had a more streamlined frame and the rammer was secured to the frame with a screw.

The double trigger Tranter was a popular model carried by British officers in Crimea, as well as with Confederate officers in the American Civil War. Allan Pinkerton, the Scottish born founder of the most famous detective agency in America carried two Tranters and is said to have armed his men with Tranter double trigger revolvers

Provenance:

Acquired from Michael J Noble Ltd, 2015.

The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

By Authority, W. Clowes, Oct. 1st., 1816

A highly attractive instructional single-sheet poster showing Henry Charles Angelo’s Infantry Sword Exercise. Along the top are a series of figures showing the "Preparatory Movements" or postures, above a large circular "target" with the directions of the seven cuts and guards together with the words of command for the Infantry Sword Exercise. The figures are by John Augustus Atkinson who was noted for his "spirited and lifelike" figure-drawing; Here he shows a range of contemporary infantry uniforms including the Rifle Brigade and a Highlander.

Framed in stained wooden frame with acid free paper and museum grade UltraVueUV99 glass(uv protection, non-reflective) by Clapham Picture Framers. Minor damage to the poster along some of the fold lines

The poster is dedicated “To Field Marshal His Royal Highness, The Duke of York. by Henry Angelo Junr

Angelo's Fencing Academy was established in 1759 by Domenico Angelo Malevolti Tremamondo r. Angelo, as he became known, set up a highly fashionable “école d'escrime” in Soho which enjoyed the patronage of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Devonshire. Angelo's eldest son Henry, who had put the final polish on his fencing skills studying in Paris under Motet, became virtual head of his father's académie around 1785 and continued its reputation as “not only a school-of-arms, [but as] a school of deportment as well” [Aylward, The House of Angelo, p. 38.] In turn Henry's son, also named Henry, inherited the business when his father “retired from their active conduct of the school” in 1817. Henry Charles Angelo (Younger) had begun to teach the military even before taking over his father’s fencing school, and during the Napoleonic Wars. Around the year 1813, he began to teach the Royal Navy a form of cutlass exercise. These works were described as a combination of Scottish and Hungarian methods By 1815, and perhaps sooner, Henry Charles Angelo was teaching an infantry sword exercise to troops serving in France. Finally in 1817, his system was officially accepted as the new standard for the British army, and is the work you see in this document, and in 1833 he was appointed Superintendent of Sword Exercise in the Army.

This was the first ever officially adopted infantry sword exercise for the regular British army. It was re-printed and updated a number of times, and served as the standard and official manual of infantry sword exercise until nearly the end of the 19th century, when a new form of sword and swordsmanship was introduced

Alexandre Picard Bremond served as a fencing master for the troops of Charles de Rohan-Soubise, Prince of Soubise (1715-1787) Marshal of France and Minister of State. He notably participated in the Seven Years' War. Later Brémond served in the premiere Compagnie of the Musketeers of the military household of the King of France (Musketeers of the Guard) until they were disbanded in 1775.

Brémond seems to have traveled extensively within a European. He writes in Naples and publishes in Turin, mentions an assault he led at Spa, and then cites the best European marksmen and fencing masters. The most famous is undoubtedly the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, considered to be the greatest marksman of his time.

The manual come across as remarkably modern; it is the first treatise to mention and recommend the use of a fencing mask. In terms of terminology, it may also be among the first to discuss one-two and one-two-three, still used in modern Olympic fencing.

8vo (140x100 mm); contemporary calf; pp. 56; binding with some defects, inside very small and light stains, else a genuine copy. The title-page is illustrated by five woodcuts depicting a sword, a lovely fencing shoe, a glove, two crossed swords and finally one of the first know depiction of a wire fencing mask with ties

Writing in 1863 John Henry "Stonehenge" Walsh and Rev. J. G. Wood published their manual apparently intended for the "historic combat sports" market, in vogue with the middle class of the time.

Despite the blatant plagiarism, most notably, plagiarizing significant amounts from John Gaspard le Marchant who wrote his popular military and Broadsword manual 67 years prior, they compiled a fairly comprehensive yet concise little manual covering Archer, Fencing with the Foil, and Broadsword.

The Archery section contains basics of equipment, usage, and uniform as well as itemizing several type of competition, and even detailing the basics of an Archery Club.

The Fencing section includes the basics of the use of the Foil, positions, terminology, engagements, and general advice.

The Broadsword section incorporates details on the training and usage of the Broadsword, in a Military Saber configuration, training, set drills, and suggestions for "loose play."