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 | 'Mariner' Ship's Life Ring - A good genuine example with an applied transfer indicating the ship's name with the number 65 painted below. The life ring features a stitched canvas cover and coir rope surround which is a little flakey with one bound repair but fine for display purposes. Measures 31" diameter (79 cm)
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| HMS Alert Vice Admiral's Gong - This superb brass gong was probably made up to commemorate Alert entering service in October 1946. She was originally laid down as Loch Scamdale, then the name was changed to Dundrum Bay but finally named HMS Alert, pennant number K 647. She was a Bay Class frigate and was referred to as an Admiralty Yacht for command and gunboat diplomacy duties in the Mediterranean and Far Eastern stations. In service she was always referred to as 'The C in C's Yacht! She spent much of her service life in the Far East and won Battle Honours in the Korean War in 1951 as well as taking part in 'Operation Grapple', the first UK nuclear weapons test at Christmas Island in 1957. She was finally laid up in Plymouth in 1964 and scrapped in 1971. Our gong is finely worked in brass and as well as the ship's name, is engraved with the date 3rd October, 1946 and below a Vice Admiral's Ensign picked out in coloured paint. The gong was acquired through an ex Royal Navy family although we don't have any direct provenance with it but we assume would have been used in the Officers' Mess on board. The gong has a superb deep tone and would serve again today just as it clearly did throughout its service life. This is an absolutely unique piece of Royal Navy memorabilia - a real one off! Diameter of the gong is 17" (43 cm) and is 2" deep (5 cm) it weighs in at 8 kilos so please check shipping costs to your destination before ordering!
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| Superb Antique Sideboard/Dresser from a Gentleman's Yacht - Please note we have just reduced the price of this gorgeous item of furniture by a massive 35% as the owner needs the space, so grab a bargain while you can! It is both practical and decorative and while probably not unique, we suspect you would be hard pressed to find another to match it. This is a family item which we are marketing on behalf of the owners. It was purchased many years ago in the port of Falmouth, Cornwall. Sadly we have no specific history with it but the current owner was told it was removed from a gentleman's yacht. It is made from solid mahogany with 9 drawers, 2 of which are deep cellarette, both drawers with room to store up to 18 bottle of the captain's favourite grog! It also features a central cellarette cupboard with 3 shelves. A row of 3 top drawers surmount 6 smaller drawers which have brass handles and dove tailed joints. The base features 3 trap door style compartments which we are told would have given access to the bilges. The top of the dresser features a brass fiddle rail to prevent the loss of plates and glasses in a rolling sea. A wonderful hidden feature of this stunning item is the rear mirror which operates in the fashion of a sash window and glides down on a weight and pulley system to provide access to a serving hatch that separated the saloon from the galley when in service. This item is currently in Cornwall and ideally we would prefer collection by the purchaser but UK delivery may be possible by separate negotiation. It is extremely heavy, as you would expect for a piece of this quality but it will disassemble for transit. You certainly won't find one of these in Ikea! Width 54" (137 cm), depth 26" (67 cm), height to work surface 39" (99 cm), height to top of mirror 75" (190 cm)
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| Bofors Gun Speaking Tube & Plaque - A most unusual grouping comprising firstly, a copper and brass speaking tube with a section of the original communication pipe. This carries a plaque reading Bofors Guns and Wheelhouse. This is accompanied by a heavy brass plaque which we imagine was fixed to the Bofors Gun and is marked Branch Breaker EWI-13. Both items are in extremely good condition, but sadly we do not know what ship they came from. Speaking tube measures 19.5" (50 cm), and the plaque 6" (15 cm)
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| Brass & Copper Drip Tray - Originally this would have been attached to the port frame of a ship's scuttle (porthole)and was designed to catch condensation which formed on the inside glass. In good original condition. These items are often misidentified as spill holders or holy water trays! 7" (17 cm)
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| Royal Navy Cigarette Case - An early 20th century hallmarked silver cigarette case with Royal Navy connections. The front carries a family coat of arms and initials below. These show some wear and while the initals are not entirely clear, they may be CFH. The reverse is engraved with 20 Royal Navy ships' names and beside each a corresponding date, which appears to indicate the time served on each vessel. The first entry is for HMS Britannia from January 1905 and the final posting is for HMS Vernon in November 1921. Throughout WWI he served on HMS Blenheim (Feb 1914-August 1918). Some of the early engravings are a little worn, but it is possible to decipher HMS Isis, Eclipse, Africa, Greenwich, Excellent, Stranner, Monarch, Irresistible, Erin, Caledon, Curacoa. The case is hallmarked Birmingham 1907 with maker's mark A&JZ. It measures 3.5" x 3" (9 cm x 8 cm). Generally good condition with minor service wear.
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| Junghans Radio Room Warship Clock - A fine original example of a design issued and used by the Kriegsmarine in WWII although we believe this clock to date from the post war period. The case is finished in chrome and is of the classic bevelled pattern used on German ships clocks of the period, including the U boat clock. The case is fitted with a hacking device to allow the minute and second hands to be synchronised accurately. The clock carries the Junghans star logo and carries a 24 hour dial with 4 second coloured segments to the perimeter. The bezel has a locking screw. The rear case of the clock has three bulkhead mounting brackets, one of which appears to have been re soldered at some stage. Whilst the clock seems to be in good running order we have not had it serviced and have no idea when this was last carried out, so may benefit from a clean and oil but we will leave this to the new owner. The back of the instrument measures 8" (20 cm) and it is 3.25" deep (8 cm). It comes complete with a winding key.
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| Ship's Life Vest by Victory Young - This one would be just the job for a Titanic themed fancy dress party! The white canvas, while in generally excellent condition, shows some stains and general grubbiness. This would also be [perfect as a decorator's item in a nautical themed room or for a film or stage prop. Marked "Front" on front and makers details on reverse and with original cordage. Sold only as a collector's item!
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| Ship's Copper & Brass Drip Tray - These are often mis-identified but were designed to hang below a ship's skuttle (porthole) to catch water that has condensed on the inside of the glass. We have seen them described as spill holders or holy water receptacles but now you know better! It has clearly seen some use but still in good issued condition with brass hanging clips intact. Measures 8" (19 cm)
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| Wills' Ships' Crest Cigarette Cards - Here we have a full set made up of 50 original cigarette cards issued by W. D. & H. O. Wills of Bristol and London in 1925. The set, which would have been collected individually from 50 packets of cigarettes, are all different with the crest printed in full colour and the motto detailed below. On the reverse of the cards is some background information on the individual ship including name, class, tonnage, armour and date of launch. Many famouse vessels of the Royal Navy are detailed including HMS Hood, Argus, Vindictive and Repulse. The set comes in a display folder but would benefit from being framed and glazed.
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| HMS Ajax Royal Navy Life Ring - An original example from the Leander class light cruiser launched in 1934 and was famously involved in the Battle of the River Plate where she was badly damaged by the Graf Spee. Her Battle Honours also include the Mediterranean, Patapan, Greece, Crete, Malta convoys, Agean, the D Day Landings and South France. Ajax was finally broken up in 1949 at which time this ring was recovered and previously formed part of the Ferrers Walker Collection. Measures 31" (79 cm)
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| 1930's Yacht Rudder and Tiller - This large example is finished in waxed and polished hardwood with iron fitting and is complete with an oak tiller. It was originally fitted to a clinker built Bermudan rigged sailing yacht dating for the 1920's or 30's. Sadly while on her moorings the lines parted in a storm of the south coast of England the the vessel fetched up on a reef and was wrecked becoming a total loss. The rudder and tiller was the only item the owner was able to recover. Its sailing days are now over but it would make a fine display item in a seaside pub, seafood restaurant or even in a nautically themed room. The rudder measures 78" x 26" (198 cm x 66 cm) and in view of its size we are restricting this sale to UK based customers.
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| Ship's Ventimeter - In original cardboard case in excellent condition with full instructions for use as well as how to interpret the wind strength measured. Designed for marine and meteorological use to measure wind speeds from o to 82 mph or force 0 (calm) to Hurricane Force 12! Whilst for sale as a collector's item, it appears to function correctly but cannot guarantee its accuracy, although the last one of these we sold went back to sea and we were told subsequently its readings aligned accurately with today's high tec equipment! Described on the packaging "durable, rust proof and buoyant"! We would estimate it dates from the mid 20th century. 7.5" (20 cm)
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| HMS Tally-Ho Presentation Plaque - With engraved plate "To HMS Tally-Ho from the submarine force US Atlantic Fleet 21st October, 1949. HMS Tally-Ho was a T class submarine no. P317 and launched in December, 1942. She is the only ship in the Royal Navy to carry this name. She had an illustrious career sinking the Japanese cruiser Koma and the German U-boat UIT-23, both in 1944. She was nearly lost in a collision with a Japanese torpedo boat but made it back to port where parts of the attacker's phosphor bronze propeller were discovered in her ballast tanks! She survived the war and was finally broken up in 1967. The plaque measures 10.5" (26 cm) and appears to have been mounted somewhere within the submarine, possibly the wardroom.
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| Boat Badge from HMS Cleopatra - Seven ships of the Royal Navy have carried the name Cleopatra which this badge almost certainly came from the D class cruiser of 5, 450 tons which was launched in 1940 and finally went to the breakers in 1958. The badge is made from alloy (common during WWII) and the relief is picked out in the original paint. Since being removed from one of the ship's boats, it has been nicely mounted on a mahogany display shield. Cleopatra was adopted by the town of Harrogate and she served with distinction throughout WWII and won battle honours on Malta convoys and for Sirte (1942) and for Sicily in 1943. Badge measures 5.5" (14 cm)
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| C.E. Heinke 3 bolt 4 light Lightweight Harbour Helmet - This scarce Heinke is a real 'sleeper' having been with the previous owner since he acquired it while living in Bahrain in the 1960's. It served with a Diving Services company in the island who were laying cables at the time. The brass makers plaque to the corselet reads C.E.Heinke Established 1820, 87, Grange Rd, London S.E.1. The plaque, despite somewhat over zealous polishing of the helmet, still exhibits some of its original blue paint. The faceplate is hinged and the spitcock is located on the left side of the hat to allow operation by the divers right hand. The helmet has access points for two coms connectors although it is lacking the the communication system. It has one exhaust valve fitted to the rear. The inside shows exactly the patina and age wear you would expect of the real deal and we are happy to issue a 100% guarantee on the originality of this item and it is definitely not one of the convincing replicas currently being surfacing on the market. Grab yourself a piece of diving history while you can;this one won't be with us long!
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| HMS Leopard Pewter Bowl - This item is similar in style and design to the Medusa bowl we have just listed. Named to the ship and broad arrow marked, this is again not dated so we can not identify which vessel this served on but could possibly be from the destroyer of 1897 which was sold out of service in 1919. Diameter 5.5" (13.5 cm)
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| HMS Ark Royal Brass Plaque - We believe this item to be from the Ark launched in 1950 and withdrawn from service and broken up in 1980. The plate is nicely engraved with the ship's name and was removed from the foreway electrical link box and marked no. 53131, 220 volts and features a wiring diagram listing millivolt drop values. The detail is engraved into the brass which is of a very solid built quality. Any item which served on the Ark is hugely desirable to collectors and moreso seeing our government has chosen to scrap the current Ark despite having no replacement for her in the foreseeable future - but we are antique dealers and what do we know about defence and politics? Grab yourself a piece of naval history whilst you can! Measures 7.5" x 8.5" (19 cm x 21 cm)
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| HMS Medusa Pewter Bowl - We have no idea of actual use but cleary marked with the ship's name as well as a broad arrow property mark. Eight ships of the Royal Navy have carried the name and as the bowl is not dated, diffiult to identify the actual vessel it came from. At a guess, possibly the cruiser launched in 1888 and sold out of service in 1921. Diameter 5.5" (13.5 cm)
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| HMS Ajax Wreck Artifacts - Mounted within a glazed collector's display board and featuring 12 items recovered from the wreck. HMS Ajax was a ship of the line launched in 1798 and took part in the battles of Cape Finisterre and Trafalgar in 1805 before being lost to a disastrous fire in 1807 during the Dardenelles operation. The fire started accidentally in the bread-room and blew up off the island of Tenedos with the loss of 250 men, many of whom had fought at Trafalgar. The relics displayed included 2 broad arrow marked nails and assorted items of copper, one assumes from the ship's hull which survived the fire. A possibly unique set with a direct connection to the most famous battle in British history. Frame measurements 12.5" x 8.5" (31 cm x 21 cm)
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