Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

A collection of twelve Boxer .450 brass cartridge bullet cases, used in Martini-Henry rifles during the battle between British forces and the main Zulu army. 110 grams total, 17-60 mm



Found by local Zulu people living at Khambula, South Africa, 1990s-early 2000s. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

The battle resulted in a heavy defeat for the Zulus, who had been full of confidence from their earlier victories against the British at Isandlwana and Hlobane.

Flying helmet with bakelite ear-covers to accept earphones, strap with buckle, electric cable and plug; metal-framed goggles with padded leather surround, original card supply box; rubber respirator mask with webbing straps, reinforced tubing and nozzle; in glazed and lined display case. 10.65 kg total, cabinet: 45.7 cm high



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an Essex militaria collector.

A spring mechanism pedal, part no.4058830-2, behind the pedal. 1.59 kg, 31.7 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an Essex militaria collector.

Cylindrical body with loop handle and curved nozzle, stamped with 'Made in England', a crown with A.M below and the year 1940. 242 grams, 39.5 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an Essex militaria collector.

Aluminium cast model of a P38 Lightning fighter aircraft mounted on a spigot in the centre of a piston casing; on a wooden stand. 1.88 kg, 17 cm high



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an Essex militaria collector.

Olive drab cassette for a film with panel to record dates of exposure; winder mechanism operable from cog to reverse. 166 grams, 11.9 x 7.8 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an Essex militaria collector.

With a bump pad to the front and interior with a leather liner system, size 6 7/8. 525 grams, 25.3 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an Essex militaria collector.

Including American Loyalist Butler's Rangers [40 pieces], British Royal Artillery [10 pieces], and others plain [15 pieces]. 561 grams total, 15-24 mm



From the private collection of author and historian Dr DeWitt Bailey, one of the global authorities on the confederate army in the US civil war; thence by descent to his grandson.

Butler's Rangers was a Loyalist provincial military unit of the American Revolutionary War, raised by John Butler.

A collection of battlefield artefacts from the 1879 siege of Moorosi's Mountain in Basutoland (now Lesotho), South Africa, consisting of fifteen brass cartridge cases fired by Cape forces. 128 grams total, 36-49 mm



From an old South African collection, 1990-2000. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

Dark blue lined fabric cap with chin strap, stamped 'U.S.N.' at the neck flap. 176 grams, 33.5 cm high



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an Essex militaria collector.

A collection of battlefield artefacts including a horseshoe, a small Zulu throwing-spear blade, a soldier's knife blade, and Boxer .450 brass cartridge bullet cases. 428 grams total, 3.8-23.3 cm



Found by local Zulu people living at Khambula, South Africa, 1990s-early 2000s. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

The battle resulted in a heavy defeat for the Zulus, who had been full of confidence from their earlier victories against the British at Isandlwana and Hlobane.

A silver and paste set navel crown brooch unhallmarked, originally attached to an officer's dress sword scabbard, the sword being engraved for 'J.S. Eaton, R.N.', and offered for sale in these rooms on 3 March 2026. 7.02 grams, 28 mm



The sword and badge are believed to have been owned by Midshipman James Eaton, famed for serving at the battle of Trafalgar; in later life, a Royal Navy Commander. Ex Newbury antique emporium. Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman collector.

The sword and brooch are believed to have belonged to Eaton in later life, when he had been promoted to the rank of Commander. The Trafalgar Roll (p.53) and other sources record his career in some detail. James Eaton was born in London in 1783 and entered service in the Royal Navy in 1799, aged 16, aboard the Quebec stationed in the West Indies, and in 1800 he was appointed Midshipman to the vessel La Prompte. He was in the mizentop of the Hannibal in the action off Algeciras, Spain, in 1801 when she was obliged to surrender, having sustained losses of 81 men killed and 62 wounded; he was then in an exchange of prisoners and returned to Britain aboard the San Antonio which had been captured from the Spanish in battle at Cadiz. As a midshipman in 1803, he served on the Atalante intercepting enemy smuggling and supply vessels near St. Gildas in the bay of Quiberon, Brittany. Eaton was the Signal Midshipman of the Téméraire at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and was the first signal officer to repeat Nelson's famous message 'England expects that every man will do his duty' to the rest of the fleet, an illustrious and important achievement: J.M.W. Turner created a magnificent painting of the Téméraire which is now featured on United Kingdom £20 notes. This ship took part in the thick of the action at Trafalgar - she came alongside and was lashed to the French ships Fougeux and Redoutable, the crew of which was about to board Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory until a broadside was delivered which caused a huge loss of life and saved Nelson's vessel from the hands of the French. He was promoted to lieutenant the following year and appointed to the Lion where he served for six years. He sustained wounds in an action aboard the Lion while escorting a convoy to China and took part in 1811 in the invasion of Java mounted against the Dutch East India Company. In 1813, he was aboard the Beaver when she rescued the crew of a Swedish merchant vessel and received a distinction for his part in the action. He retired in 1842 with the rank of Commander with the Naval General Service Medal and two clasps in recognition of his distinguished career. He finally settled in West Bromwich; he died fifteen years later. Less glorious, perhaps, is his nickname 'Snotty' Eaton - the normal term in those days used to describe any midshipman. The vendor has been told by Will Heppa, curator at the Royal Navy Museum, that there appears to be only one 'J Eaton' in the records of the appropriate period; there is thus every reason to accept that the sword did belong to the Eaton of Trafalgar fame.