P. BERETTA. A FINE, VIRTUALLY UNUSED .458 WIN. MAG. 'SSO EXPRESS' NITRO EXPRESS SIDELOCK EJECTOR OVER AND UNDER DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. C11338B, 24 3/8in. nitro barrels with matt sight rib, open sights with folding leaf sight and ramp-mounted bead foresight, the breech end mounted with a Zeiss Diatal -Z 4x32T* telescopic sight in quickly-detachable mounts, hold-open toplever, manual safety, gold-washed triggers, double rolled-edge triggerguard, the action, lockplate edges and furniture deeply carved in relief with bold stylised acanthus foliage, the lockplates relief engraved and gold-inlaid with african scenes of cheetah chasing gazelle, basking lions and the underside with a bull elephant, all set in savannah landscapes engraved in bulino style, the whole with gold line highlighting, the triggerplate signed 'BOTTEGA C. GIOVANELLI. INC. CORTINI.', 15 1/4in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, blued engraved pistolgrip-cap (with trap), sling-swivels, blued engraved ammunition trap and including 3/4in. rubber recoil pad, weight 11lb. 5oz., in its Beretta lightweight leather case, the telescopic sight in its own leather case
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IMMAN. MEFFERT (SUHL). A 12-BORE / 9.3X72MM SIDELEVER HAMMER DRILLING, serial no. 8577, 27 1/4in. nitro reproved barrels with raised matt rib, flip-up open sights and bead foresight, 2 3/4in. shot chambers, bored approx. imp cyl and 1/4 choke, treble-grip action, carved percussion fences, rebounding back-action locks, toplever shot / ball selector lever, flip-up peepsight, sidelever opening, set front trigger, relief engraved with game and foliage on a matt background, bright and blued finish overall, 14 5/8in. pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, sling -swivels, engraved ammunition trap, fluted horn pistolgrip-cap and 7/8in. horn extension, weight 6lb. 10oz.
JOH. SIGOTT (FERLACH). A 5.6X52R SIDEPLATED BOXLOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 1214.20, 23 5/8in. nitro barrels with matt sight rib, open sights (missing folding leaf sight) and ramp-mounted bead foresight, the rib engraved 'JOH. SIGOTT - FERLACH', the tubes engraved 'ANTINIT-STAHL-ROSTSICHER', treble-grip action with carved side-clipped fences, removable striker discs, cocking-indicators, automatic safety, bouquet and scroll engraving, 14 7/8in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock with sling swivels, horn pistolgrip-cap and including 1in. rubber recoil pad, weight 7lb. 3oz. Other Notes: Please see Lot 2284 (Sealed Bid sale) for appropriate reloading dies and a quantity of suitable ammunition
AUG. RICKELT (DORTMUND). AN UNUSUAL 9.3X72R / 8X57IR / 20-BORE PUSH-FORWARD UNDERLEVER TRIGGERPLATE-ACTION DRILLING, serial no. 12104 with extra 12-bore / 8x57IR barrels, serial no. 11441, 25 5/8in. nitro 9.3x72R / 8x57IR / 20-bore barrels with raised matt rib, open sights with folding leaf sight and bead foresight with flip-up moonsight, the breech end mounted with a Carl Zeiss Zielvier telescopic sight in quickly-detachable mounts, 2 1/2in. shot chamber, bored approx. 3/4 choke; 27 3/4in. nitro 12-bore / 8x57IR barrels with raised matt rib, flip-up open sights and raised bead foresight, 2 1/2in. shot chambers, bored approx. 1/4 and 3/4 choke; patent bolstered treble-grip triggerplate action marked with numerous European patent numbers, underlever cocking, the hand with under barrel selector switch, the underside with secondary left / right selector switch, gold cocking-indicators, set front trigger, border and scroll engraving, silver finish, 14 1/2in. figured pistolgrip stock with ammunition trap, sling-swivels, horn pistolgrip-cap and buttplate, fore-end with Deeley & Edge patent release catch with secondary sprung catch, weight 8lb. 10oz. (9.3x72R / 8x57IR / 20-bore) 8lb. (12-bore / 8x57IR), in a fitted modern case
FRIEDRICH WILH. HEYM. A 9.3X74R / 20-BORE HAND-DETACHABLE SIDELOCK NON-EJECTOR DRILLING, serial no. 51108, 24 7/8in. nitro barrels with raised matt rib, flip-up open sight and ramp-mounted blade foresight, the breech end mounted with a Zeiss Varipoint 1,1-4x24 T* telescopic sight in quickly-detachable mounts, 20-bore shot barrel with 2 3/4in. chamber, bored approx. 1/2 choke, treble-grip action with side-bolsters, gold cocking-indicators, barrel selector switch, sprung safety, hand-detachable pinless lockplates with concealed flush release lever, set front trigger, bold acanthus scroll engraving on a matt background, the lockplates with woodland scenes of wild boar and red deer, old silver finish, 14 1/8in. figured pistolgrip stock with sculpted cheekpiece, sling-swivels, pistolgrip-cap with engraved escutcheon, wooden insert to underside (previously an ammunition trap) and including 3/4in. rubber recoil pad, weight 11lb.
A cased double barrelled percussion pistol, by Samuel Nock, twist browned barrels 4 3/4 in. with foliate bands to the muzzles and London proof marks, action with acanthus scrolls and marked 'SAMUEL NOCK' to the tang, finely chequered butt with white metal escutcheon bearing the initials 'GWH', butt cap with hinged lid concealing recess for ammunition, in a fitted and blue baize lined mahogany case with accessories including powder flask and bullet mould.
Militaria - The Zulu Wars, Isandhlwana 1879. A collection of relics from the battle field, comprising a Slade Wallace equipment buckle; a .45 Boxer cartridge case; and ammunition box band screws, presented in a framed and glazed case, 30.5cm x 28cm; together with a banded wooden drum type water bottle. Visit www.dnfa.com for condition reports.
Russian-German legion & the Napoleonic campaignA.L.S. from Earl Cathcart to Sir Hudson Lowe, discussing payments for the Russian German Legion, ordering his reports to be sent to "His Majesty's ambassador at the Court of Russia", supplies: "all supplies except arms and ammunition at to be met in the first instance by Russia", Lowe's duty "to ascertain the condition of the legion, and the manner in which the convention between Great Britain and Russia is executed", subsidies &c., 7pp., Inchenberg [?], 11 July 1813 Note: The Russian-German Legion was a military unit set up in 1812 by the banished graf Peter of Oldenburg on the instigation of Tsar Alexander I of Russia. It was formed to fight against Napoleon as part of the Imperial Russian army, but was paid by Russia's ally Great Britain. Earl Cathcart, ambassador and military commissioner to Russia, served with distinction with the headquarters of the allies throughout the War of Liberation (1812-1814). Major-General Sir Hudson Lowe was sent in January 1813 to inspect the Russo-German legion then being formed and accompanied the armies of the allies through the campaigns of 1813 and 1814, being present at thirteen important battles.
Artillery and Tank Warfare Bull (G.V.) & Murphy (C.H.), Paris Kanonen-the Paris Guns and Project Harp, 1988, boards; Pigeon (Trevor), The Tanks at Flers, 1995, 2 vols., 4to., illustrated boards; Hogg (I.V.) & Thurston (L.F.), British Artillery Weapons and Ammunition, 1914-1918, 1972, 4to., boards; with a quantity of others (qty)
A BRONZE SALUTING CANNON, EARLY 19TH CENTURY, with multi-stage tapering barrel swelling towards the muzzle (previously fitted with a sight), raised mouldings, fitted with an iron back-sight, rounded cascabel drawn-out to an acorn-shaped button, and a pair of trunnions (small dents) on its steel-clad wooden carriage with a pair of iron-shod wheels, together with an iron-clad ammunition truck mounted en suite, 38.5cm; 15 1/8in barrel, 1.8cm; 3/4in bore
A Third Reich Model 1940 Steel Helmet, in excavated condition, lacking liner; a Third Reich M31 Field Canteen, (Feldflasche 31), the aluminium screw top stamped CFL 39, felt covered with all black carrying straps and alloy spring clip; a black leather Map Case, the reverse stamped L.G.06., the inside flap inscribed in ink, May 7th 1942; a Third Reich Kar 98 Ammunition Pouch, (Patronentaschen), the reverse stamped 0/0396/0027; a Third Reich M38 Gas Mask Canister, retaining much of its original paint finish, lacking mask
Third Reich - A Steel Bound Wooden Ammunition Case, the lid marked in paint 'Luftdichter Pationenkasten', tin lined with original paper label '1500 Patronon, S.M.K. L' Spur (Gelb)', 50cm x 38cm x 37cm, another similar with original paper label '2 cm Brand-Sprenggranat Patronen', 50cm x 38cm x 37cm, (2).
An Aluminium Two Draw Trench Telescope by Negretti & Zambra, with blue cloth sleeve, on a brass folding tripod; a Rhino 4 X 32 Sight; an Imperial German Leather Army Belt, the brass clasp stamped with a double headed eagle; a British Leather Army Belt and an Ammunition Belt; a Wilkinson 1907 Bayonet, with steel mounted leather scabbard and webbing frog; a Cane Swagger Stick; an Asprey Leather Covered Stationery Casket, (8)
A Dinky No.736, Bundesmarine Sea King Helicopter, grey and red, mint, in original bubble pack (bubble with broken corner); Dinky No.721, Junkers JU87B Stuka, grey-green, mint, in original bubble pack; Dinky No.281, Military Hovercraft, olive green, mint, in original bubble pack; Corgi Gift Set No.10, Mack Tank Transporter and Centurion MkIII Tank, green and camouflaged respectively, excellent condition, boxed; Corgi No.909, Quad Tractor, Ammunition Trailer and Field Gun, sand livery, near mint, boxed; and two other boxed Dinky models, (7).
Large boxed set Britains type of the British Army No 29 (4 sections) comprising 4 Carbineres with 2 mounted officers, 10 red coated infantry, 2 drummers, 2 buglers and an officer, 8 guardsmen in grey topcoats, 3 mounted lancers. Mountain Artillery comprising 6 marching figures, 1 mounted officer, 4 mules with limbered gun and ammunition (total 43 figures)
A French 1831 Pattern Infantry Sword, the leaf shape blade stamped TALABOT, PARIS, the brass hilt with ringed quillons and ribbed grip, with brass mounted leather scabbard; a Fencing Foil, with cup shaped guard (rusty condition); two swagger sticks, with silver pommels; a Hunting Whip, with antler handle and silver ferrule; a Leather Ammunition Carrier (6)
A technical profile bound manuscript of the First Class barbette "Majestic" class battleship H.M.S. Hannibal, 1896 comprising ten double pull-out leaves, the first with a full list of specifications, the remaining nine technical ink and watercolour drawings of profile and deck views, hull shapes and details of boilers and ammunition chambers etc., bound with quarter calf marbled boards with title label 6½ x 9¼in. (16.5 x 23.5cm.) One of the ten "Majestic" class First Class battleships - the largest ever built at 14,900 tons, Hannibal was launched on 28th April 1896 at Pembroke Dock. She mounted 4-12in., 12-6in. and 18-12pdr guns and measured overall 421 feet with a 75 foot beam. Her reciprocating engines could produce 16 knots under normal conditions and also powered electrical hoists and lamps throughout. Crewed by a complement of 672, Hannibal never saw action and was sold from the service in 1920. The volume offered here may have been a naval architect's student piece, or possibly produced on board by a talented midshipman to supplement his log. The drawings are of a very high standard and remain in exceptionally good condition.
A group of four World War II medals to include Africa Star, 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal and War Medal all with ribbons in original postage box addressed to S.W.Gregory, a German Luftwaffe belt buckle and leather belt, ammunition tin, pocket watch, lighters, photographs, a copy of "Poems and Drawings by H.Field", brass artillery shell case, etc.
Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (unsuccessful) (Captn. G. H. Ovens, ‘Border Regiment ‘, 4th October 1890) edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine £160-200 For the unsuccessful rescue of Sergeant J. H. Dray, The Buffs, by Captain G. H. Ovens of the Border Regiment at Aghat, near Calcutta, on 4 October 1890. Awarded the Silver Medal (ref: R.H.S. Case No. 25,376). ‘The sergeant was in charge of a powder boat and was proceeding with ammunition to the S.S. Pandua, and he inadvertently fell into the river. Strong tide. Captain Ovens was a passenger on the Pandua. He jumped into the river and endeavoured to rescue Dray, but was unsuccessful as the man was drowned’. Sold with copied details.
The Second World War St. Nazaire raid V.C. group of eleven attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. Newman, Essex Regiment, attached No. 2 Commando Victoria Cross; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., with 2 Bars; French Legion of Honour, silver, gilt and enamel; French Croix de Guerre, with palm, mounted as worn, the Coronation awards with reversed ribands, very fine or better (11) £600-800 Ex Spink, 17 July 1997 (Lot 850), when part of a ‘fine collection of miniature medals’. Augustus Charles Newman was awarded his V.C. for outstanding bravery in the famous raid on St. Nazaire in March 1942, when, as Commanding Officer of the military forces, he was one of the first ashore, leading his men and directing operations, quite regardless of his own safety. He later attempted to fight through to open country and not until all ammunition was expended were he and his men overwhelmed and taken prisoner (see the London Gazette 19 June 1945 for full details); sold with a copy of The Art of Jack Russell, with a signed dedication to Newman’s bravery at St. Nazaire, together with a photocopy of his lengthy handwritten report on the raid, written as a P.O.W.
Pair: Rear-Admiral A. D. S. Denison, Royal Navy China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Fatshan 1857 (Lieut. Hon. A. D. S. Denison, R.N.) engraved naming; Royal Humane Society Medal, large, silver (Hon. A. D. S. Denison, Mate, R.N., 15 Novr. 1856) contact marks mainly to first, nearly very fine and better (2) £350-400 The Hon. Albert Denison Somerville Denison was born in 1835, the second son of the 1st Baron Londesborough, the younger brother of William Henry Forester Denison, 1st Earl of Londesborough. He entered the Royal Navy in 1851. As an Acting Mate he was awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal for effecting a rescue in November 1856: ‘On the 15th of November 1856, as boats belonging to H.M.S. Hornet were leaving to attack the Bogue Forts, in the Canton River, China, a private of marines stepping from the ship into the boat missed his footing and fell overboard, being at the time fully accoutred, and with sixty rounds of ammunition in his pouch, he could not keep on the surface of the water, and a strong tide running, which carried from reach of the boat’s crew. When the Hon. Albert D. S. Denison acting mate, H.M.S. Hornet (at that time officer of the boat), gallantly jumped overboard, swam to his relief, and succeeded in keeping him afloat until the boat came their assistance’. He served in the China Expedition of 1857-60. His service paper recording: ‘While a Mate was wounded in an engagement with Chinese (Sir M. Seymour 14 Jan. 57). 24 Mar. 57 Sir M. Seymour reports creditable conduct in engagement with Chinese Junks. 1 Aug. 57 Gazetted as engaged in 2 boat actions with Chinese Junks. 14 Jan. 59 Sr M. Seymour reports his being engaged in expedition against Chinese ? near Canton’. He was appointed an Acting Lieutenant in August 1857 and Lieutenant in November the same year. Promoted to Commander in August 1866 and Captain in September 1873. He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 4 October 1881 and was advanced to Rear-Admiral on the Retired List on 29 November 1889. Rear-Admiral Denison died on 2 September 1903. Sold with copied research.
A most unusual group of six awarded to Captain H. V. Dorey, Rhodesian Forces, late Tientsin Volunteer Fire Brigade and Army Service Corps British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. V. Dorey); War Medal 1939-45; Tientsin Volunteer Fire Brigade Long Service, silver, with gold engraved centre and gold-faced fire axes between arms, by Vaughton, hallmarks for Birmingham 1907, the reverse engraved, ‘Tientsin, 1909 to 1914, Presented by the British Municipal Councils for Long Service to H. V. Dorey’, complete with ‘T.V.F.B.’ riband buckle for wearing, in a fitted Merry Weather & Sons Ltd., London case of issue, with gilt ‘T.V.F.B.’ title to lid; China, Medal for Military Academy Excellence, silver-gilt and enamel, obverse, portrait of Marshal Wu Pei-Fu, reverse, enamelled Chinese flags and characters, complete with original riband and hook-fastener for wearing, in a Spencer & Co., London case; China, a silver-gilt and enamel star-shaped award, the enamelled obverse with Chinese characters and flowers, the plain reverse officially numbered ‘1101’, complete with integral loop, chain and hook device for wearing, in a Spencer & Co., London case, upper reverse centre on the fifth with chipped enamel, otherwise good very fine or better (6) £800-1000 Harry Vaughan Dorey, who was born in London in July 1892, was otherwise employed at a General Storekeepers and Gentlemens Outfitters in Victoria Road, Tientsin, during the period of his service in the local Volunteer Fire Brigade. Returning to the U.K. from Taku, China at his own expense in early 1916, he enlisted in the Army Service Corps that April, and was commissioned shortly thereafter. Ordered to France in July 1916, he was attached to 129th Siege Battery, R.G.A., until invalided home in the following year as a result of ‘an explosion of an ammunition dump through enemy action at Roclincourt on approximately 24 May 1917 .. I was in the New Zealand Hospital at Hazebrouke from 11 June until evacuated to England on 19 July to the 5th Southern General Hospital.’ Demobilised as a Captain, Dorey arrived in Rhodesia ‘from China with his sister (Mrs. Thompson) and four children’ in June 1926, and settled there as a farmer at Bromley. Recalled in the 1939-45 War, he was appointed a Lieutenant and Platoon C.O. at Bromley in August 1940, Quarter-Master of the 1st Battalion, Rhodesian Regiment in January 1942, and placed on the War Emergency Reserve of Officers in August 1942; sold with a quantity of related research.
Sold by Order of the Family The outstanding Gallipoli V.C., Western Front M.C. group of seven awarded to Major H. James, Worcestershire Regiment, who was thrice wounded - twice in Gallipoli and again on the Somme in July 1916: his V.C. - the first such distinction won by his regiment - was awarded for extraordinary acts of bravery in June-July 1915, the last of them amounting to a protracted one man stand in an enemy sap near Gully Ravine throughout which, amidst mounds of dead and dying, he was exposed to ‘a murderous fire’ and ‘a shower of bombs’ Victoria Cross (Lieut. H. James, 4th Bn. Worcestershire Regt; 28 June & 3 July 1915); Military Cross, G.V.R. unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., Worc. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); French Croix de Guerre 1914-1916, with palm, the reverse of the upper and lower arms privately engraved, ‘Lt. H. James, V.C., 1st Bn. Worc. Regt.’ and the reverse centre ‘July 7th’; Panama, Medal de la Solidaridad 1917, bronze, generally good very fine (7) £160,000-180,000 V.C. London Gazette 1 September 1915: ‘For most conspicuous bravery during the operations in the southern zone of the Gallipoli Peninsula. On 28 June 1915, when a portion of a regiment had been checked owing to all the officers being put out of action, 2nd Lieutenant James, who belonged to a neighbouring unit, entirely on his own initiative, gathered together a body of men and led them forward under heavy shell and rifle fire. He then returned, organized a second party, and again advanced. His gallant example put fresh life into the attack. On 3 July 1915, in the same locality, 2nd Lieutenant James headed a party of bomb-throwers up a Turkish communication trench, and after nearly all his bomb-throwers had been killed or wounded, he remained alone at the head of the trench and kept back the enemy single-handed till a barrier had been built behind him and the trench secured. He was throughout exposed to a murderous fire.’ M.C. London Gazette 15 October 1918: ‘During an attack, he rode forward when the situation was obscure under heavy fire, and brought back most valuable information. He then reorganised and led forward parties of men from other units and skilfully formed a defensive flank where a gap had occurred, exposing himself for many hours to a very heavy fire. By his gallantry, coolness, and utter disregard of personal safety, he set a splendid example to all ranks.’ Herbert James was born in Ladywood, Birmingham in November 1887, where his father ran a jewellery engraving business. According to his sister, it was decided that he should enter the teaching profession after his education at Smethwick Central School, and certainly he was employed as a teacher’s assistant and later primary teacher at the Bearwood Road and Brasshouse Lane Schools, but, ‘being of a roving disposition’, he wanted to go abroad, and, in April 1909, against his father’s wishes, he enlisted in the 21st Lancers, in which regiment he was appointed a Trooper and embarked for Egypt. Gallipoli By the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, James was serving as a Lance-Corporal in India, but he was quickly appointed to a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment and, in March 1915, embarked for the Dardanelles. Landing at ‘W’ Beach, Cape Helles on 24 April, James received a serious head wound in the severe fighting of the 25th-26th, and was evacuated to Malta. About two months later he rejoined the 4th Battalion, in time for a newly planned attack up Gully Ravine. The following account of his exploits on 28 June was taken from The Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War, by Captain H. F. Stacke, M.C.: ‘All was ready and at 9 a.m. that morning the British guns opened fire, and at 10 a.m. the attacking troops advanced. The Worcestershires were not involved in that attack, their role being confined to holding the Brigade line further to the right, but the Battalion came in for heavy gun fire while the struggle on their left swayed to and fro. On the left flank the Turkish defences along the sea cliffs were taken with comparative ease; but in the Gully Ravine itself the fire of two strong redoubts held up the attack and drove the Lowland Battalions back into our lines. That evening the 5th Royal Scots renewed the attack on these two redoubts, only to fail in their turn. The 5th Royal Scots in particular were heavily punished and most of their Company Officers were killed or wounded. Orders had been given that the 4th Worcestershires further to the right were to keep touch with the Scotsmen and to be ready to exploit any success. For that purpose Lieutenant James had been sent into the trenches of the Royal Scots to act as a Liaison Officer. When affairs became critical, he went up to the front line, at the request of the Royal Scots’ C.O., to assist in the attack. All the Scots officers in his vicinity had fallen, so Lieutenant James took command of the disorganised troops around him, restored order and established a satisfactory position. Then he went back and brought up reinforcements, only to find on his return that a renewed counter-attack by the enemy had shattered the defence. Once again, Lieutenant James re-established the line and maintained the defence until darkness fell.’ In point of fact, as verified by the citation for his subsequent award of the V.C., James led two counter-attacks himself, an extraordinary feat given the losses suffered during earlier attempts made by the Lowland Battalions - by way of illustrating the ferocious nature of the enemy’s response to such initiatives, it is worth noting that one of them, the 8th Scottish Rifles, lost 25 of its 26 officers and 448 men - all of them in the space of five minutes. And the slope up which he led his men was bereft of cover except for bushes and scrub. Over the next two or three days the fighting surged back and forth until, by 1 July, the Turks had been pushed back each side of the Ravine, but not to its immediate front, where their positions formed a salient. And it was in the attack launched on that salient by the Worcestershires and Hampshires on the 2 July - not the 3rd as cited in the London Gazette - that James rounded-off the deeds that would result in the award of his V.C. The regimental history continues: ‘After due consideration it was decided that, in view of the increasing shortage of gun ammunition, a bombing attack up the existing saps would be preferable to a big attack over the top. Two saps in the centre of the hostile line were assigned to the Worcestershires; other saps further to the left were allotted to the Hampshires. At 9 a.m. on 2 July the attack began. The attacking parties climbed out of our own sapheads, dashed across the open, rushed the sapheads of the enemy and made their way forward up the trenches. The two Turkish sapheads assigned to the 4th Worcestershires were each attacked by a party of about 30 men, those on the right being led by Lieutenant Mould and those on the left by Lieutenant James. At first all went well. The enemy, surprised by the unusual hour of attack, fell back along the trench and Lieutenant James’ party were able to make their way up the saphead. Their advance was difficult for the winding trench was full of dead bodies. Since 4 June fight after fight had raged along it and soldiers of all ranks, including even a dead General, a Brigadier of the Lowland Division, were now heaped in the trench, some half-buried by fallen sand, others but newly killed. The bombers advanced up the saphead to the trench junction at its further end. There the enemy were in waiting, and a furious bombing fight ensued. The enemy were well provided with bombs (in Gallipoli the British forces had at that date only ‘jam-tin ‘bombs. The Turks were supplied with spherical bombs of archaic appearance, but of much greater effect). and in rapid succession
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. pair awarded to Second Lieutenant G. T. Crook, Royal Field Artillery, late Royal Naval Air Service, who served in Gallipoli with the Royal Naval Armoured Car Division Military Cross, G.V.R., rev. inscribed, ‘G. T. Crook, 2nd Lt. R.F.A., July 31st 1917’; 1914-15 Star (F.728 P.O.M., R.N.A.S.); together with an erased pair of British War and Victory Medals, mounted for wear, B.W.M. with contact marks, fine; others good very fine (4) £450-550 M.C. London Gazette 26 September 1917; citation London Gazette 9 January 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a hostile bombardment of his battery a gun-pit was struck by a shell, which flung the gun 20 yards away and buried a serjeant and a bombardier. He immediately set about digging them out, regardless of personal danger, and successfully accomplished this task. Later, while the hostile fire still continued, he took charge of six wagons of ammunition which had come up, and by his coolness and splendid personal example got them unloaded and away without loss’. Gerald Turpin Crook was born in Streatham, London, on 16 July 1890 and educated at Dulwich College. A Military Outfitter by occupation and having previously served in the R.A.M.C. (T.F.), he entered the R.N.A.S. as a Petty Officer Mechanic on 28 October 1914, based firstly at Pembroke III, October 1914-March 1915, and then on President II, April 1915-January 1916. During this time he served with the R.N. Armoured Car Division and saw 14 weeks service in Gallipoli. On 1 February 1916 the R.N.A.C.D. was disbanded and Crook was discharged. He then entered the Royal Field Artillery and in August 1916 was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, entering the France/Flanders theatre of war on 26 September 1916. For his services in action with the R.F.A. he was awarded the Military Cross. He was advanced to Lieutenant in February 1918. In September 1918 he was posted for duty with the W.A.F.F. and service in Nigeria. On 26 June 1920 he was demobilised and relinquished his commission, retaining the rank of Lieutenant. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers.
A Great War ‘Battle of Kut’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Serjeant W. Cole, Dorset Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7728 Pte., 2/Dorset Regt.); 1914-15 Star (7728 Pte., Dorset R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (7728 Pte., Dorset R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (5718090 Sjt., D.C.M., Dorset R.) last with correction to service number, some contact marks, very fine (5) D.C.M. London Gazette 22 January 1916. ‘For conspicuous gallantry at Kut-al-Amara (Mesopotamia), on the 28th September 1915, in bringing up ammunition to the firing line at least three times under heavy fire’. M.I.D. London Gazette 5 April 1916. Private William Cole, Dorset Regiment, entered the Asiatic theatre of war on 6 November 1914. Serving in Mesopotamia with the Dorsets he won a D.C.M for the battle of Kut, 27-28 September 1915. The regimental history states: ‘After some months spent in Amara the battalion covered themselves in glory at the Northern Redoubt which they took at bayonet point during the assault on Kut in September 1915. Not listed among the Dorset’s taken after the fall of Kut-al-Amara. Sold with copied m.i.c. and other research. .
A rare and impressive East Africa 1941 operations immediate D.F.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant J. G. P. Burl, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve: in the unenvious position of being a Lysander air gunner under attack - and having had two or three bullets pass through one of his hands - he managed to force down an Italian CA. 133 and damage a CR. 42, following which his own aircraft crash-landed after serious damage inflicted by Italian fighter ace Maresciallo Soffritti - still under attack, he then proceeded to drag his unconscious pilot clear of the Lysander’s wreckage before leading him through difficult terrain to the safety of a Sudan Defence Force camp Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (776358 Sgt. J. G. P. Gurl, R.A.F.), note surname spelling; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, generally good very fine (6) £2500-3000 D.F.M. London Gazette 1 April 1941. The original recommendation states: ‘On 2 February 1941, while on reconnaissance patrol off the Scipitale-Tole road in Lysander N. 1206, three CA. 133 aircraft were encountered. After a careful search which failed to locate escorting fighters, Flying Officer Johnson attacked the formation. As a result of this attack, one CA. 133 was forced to land but crashed in doing so. Flying Officer Johnson was then attacked himself by three CR. 42s which had evidently been ‘sitting in the sun ‘. In the first attack, Sergeant J. G. P. Burl, the Air Gunner, was wounded in the hand by two or three bullets which passed through it. However, in spite of this, he succeeded in firing off three pans of ammunition and evidently caused some damage to one of the enemy fighters as it was seen to break off its attack with smoke emanating from the engine area. Enemy fire caused the destruction of the flying controls of the Lysander and the pilot was forced to attempt a landing by increasing the engine revolutions and momentarily he succeeded in clearing a ridge ahead of him, although the elevators were ineffective, and throttled back to effect a landing on the other side. By a combination of wing dropping, which could not be corrected as the ailerons were not under control and an obstruction in the landing path, the aircraft crashed on landing and Flying Officer Johnson was rendered unconscious. He was extricated from the wreckage by Sergeant Burl. While this was being done, one CR. 42 continued the attack. The engagement occurred in the hills to the end of Tole and, when Flying Officer Johnson recovered, the crew set off on foot in a northerly direction in order to avoid possible Italian forces withdrawing along the road. The country was difficult and after a few miles, Sergeant Burl found it necessary to give Flying Officer Johnson considerable assistance in addition to carrying a three gallon water tank which he had removed from the aircraft. Later, they met some natives who put them on donkeys and led them into a Sudan Defence Force H.Q. camp where they received first aid attention and they were subsequently sent back by ambulance.’ John Graham Ponsonby Burl was serving in No. 237 Squadron at the time of the above deeds, the subsequent award of his immediate D.F.M. being erroneously announced in the London Gazette under the surname ‘Gurl’. His pilot, Flying Officer Miles Johnson, was awarded the D.F.C. No. 237 Squadron was formed from No. 1 Squadron, Southern Rhodesia Air Force, in April 1940 and went operational against the Italians in East Africa in June 1940, flying out of Nairobi, Kenya. Thus ensued a busy round of operations against enemy positions, troops and transport, in addition to Army co-operation work alongside such units as the King’s African Rifles, an agenda that gathered pace with the Squadron’s move to the Sudan that September - Burl’s brother, Alan, was also serving as an Air Gunner in 237 and became the Squadron’s first fatality when killed in a combat against CR. 42s on 27 November. In early 1941, 237 lent valuable support to the ground offensive against the Italians at Kassala and Keren, and it was in a related mission on 2 February that Burl won his immediate D.F.M. - in addition to the remarkable engagement recounted above, it is worth noting from the Squadron’s history that a Daily Express correspondent was on hand to witness Burl and Johnson stagger back into their base: ‘He reported that Burl, though in great pain and suffering from loss of blood, had carried the pilot a considerable distance on his shoulders. It had taken the men two days to reach British lines.’ In March 1941, the Squadron was re-equipped with Gladiators and remained actively engaged until that May, so it is probable that Burl witnessed further action in the intervening period - certainly 12 accompanying original photographs include images of Gladiators, in addition to wrecked Italian aircraft.
Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Richd. Wolseley, Asst. Surn. XX Regt. 1854) contemporary engraved naming, with ornate silver brooch bar, claw tightened but slack, edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine £600-800 Richard Wolseley was born in Co. Dublin on 30 June 1834, the second son of Major Garnet Joseph Wolseley and the younger brother of Field Marshal Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley. He was appointed an Assistant Surgeon with the 20th Foot on 28 July 1854. With them he served with distinction in the Crimea, being present at the battles of Alma, Balaklava and Inkermann - being wounded at this latter action; and in the siege of Sebastopol, including the assaults of 18 June and 8 September 1855. At Inkermann, a detachment of the 20th Foot found itself with men of the Coldstream Guards at the Sandbag Battery. In this advanced position Assistant Surgeon Wolseley established a dressing station. Left behind, as the Guards and men of the 20th advanced, he became involved in the confused fighting which followed their repulse. In a desperate position finding themselves cut off and being the only officer around, Wolseley led a charge through the enemy lines to safety. He wrote: ‘I remained for some time in the Battery attending as well as I could to some wounded men. I also collected some ammunition from the pouches of the wounded men, for men who had exhausted their supply. After a short time .. the order was given by someone to ‘retire and keep up the hill’. The line of retreat was along the side of the hill. We had not gone more than fifty yards to the rear when we found a line of Russians drawn up, cutting off our retreat. In consequence of the thick mist they were not visible until we were within twenty or thirty yards from them. They apeared to me as a very close line of skirmishers and when first seen were firing rapidly at us. On looking round me I found I was the only officer within sight and gave the order to the men who were close to me to ‘fix bayonets, charge and keep up the hill’. We charged through the enemy, losing, I should think about half our number.’ The reported last words of the mortally wounded General Sir George Cathcart, commanding the Guards and other units in their fight for freedom was, ‘Nobly done, Twentieth’. Colour Sergeant (later Captain) P. Geraghty later wrote of Wolseley, ‘.. I may here say that Dr. Wolseley was always to be seen where there was the greatest danger, he volunteered for, and did duty in the Trenches every night his Regt. was ordered there, and by arrangement, left the Hospital duties to others’. Wolseley was appointed to the Staff in August 1856 and then to the 24th Foot in January 1857. Returning to the Staff in July 1859, he was promoted to Surgeon in March 1867 and was later ranked as Surgeon-Major in the Army Medical Department. After being advanced to Brigade Surgeon in November 1879 he served for a time in Afghanistan during 1880. He attained the rank of Deputy Surgeon General in September 1883. He died at Meerut following a fall from his horse on 22 December 1886. Sold with copied research. .
A FINELY CONSTRUCTED FRENCH MODEL CANNON BASED ON THE GRIBEAUVAL SYSTEM, COMPLETE WITH ITS AMMUNITION WAGON AND LIMBERS, DATED 1826 comprising tapering multi-stage brass barrel swelling at the muzzle, chiselled with neo-classical foliage behind and a pronounced roped band, chiselled with further bands of foliage at each end of the chase, the date in a panel and a coat of arms, two fleur-de-lys divided by a tierced in bend beneath a hatched chief enclosed by a wreath of laurel foliage and surmounted by a further fleur-de-lys, over the first reinforce, plain vent field, the cascabel chiselled with foliage and a roped band en suite with the muzzle, a pair of faceted lifting handles, and a pair of plain trunnions, on its steel clad wooden carriage with provision for the barrel in service and in transport, fitted with a pair of steel-shod spoked cambered wheels, complete with its fittings including rammers and clearing rods, and iron clad ammunition box, with its limber mounted en suite, and ammunition wagon comprising a long box fitted with one lid covering four compartments, the carriage with two steel-shod spoked cambered wheels and with two additional spare wheels, complete with its limber 44.5cm; 17 1/2in barrel 2cm; 3/4in bore (4) PROVENANCE Robin Wigington EXHIBITED International Art Treasures, The Assembly Rooms, Bath, 1973, no. 332A General Jean-Baptiste Vaquette de Gribeauval (1715-89) was responsible for reorganising the French artillery which was effective from 1774 to 1827. For ease of manufacture all guns were cast without the characteristic decoration of earlier French guns. The system also included a lighter and more mobile series of standard gun carriages and accessories for the first time. See H. L. Blackmore 1976, p. 231.
JULES BURY, A FINE BELGIAN .35 WINCHESTER BOXLOCK EJECTOR RIFLE, NO. 7918, 24 3/4-inch chopper-lump barrels with solid file-cut rib, cross-bolt extension, bolstered frame with border engraving and matted top surface, articulated front trigger, 14 3/4-inch figured swan-neck stock with rubber recoil pad, 7lb. 10oz., Belgian nitro proof. Seven rounds of recently manufactured ammunition may be made available to the purchaser of this lot.
ELEY, TWO MINIATURE PAPER WRAPPERS, for the miniature cartridges built for King George V's miniature pair of Purdey shotguns, 1/6 scale; together with the Eley factory manager's copy of the 1936 ammunition catalogue, with annotations in which they were found. For the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935, James Purdey & Sons presented His Majesty with a miniature pair of hammer ejector guns, nos. 25000 and 25001. Built to exactly 1/6 the size of the king's pair of 12-bore guns, the fully working miniatures were supplied with fully functioning ammunition. The cartridges were .47 inches long, .18 in diameter and loaded with 2.02grns of dust shot. It is said that the cartridges cost as much to produce as the guns themselves. Housed in miniature Eley boxes, these two paper outer wrappers were kept as samples of the very small number actually produced. The guns and a complete box of 25 cartridges are preserved in the Royal Gun Room at Sandringham. For further information, please refer to The Royal Gun Room at Sandringham, by David Baker.
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