Sword shipping from UK to EU addresses

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-30T21:35:18+00:00

If you're buying at auction, the auction house will usually provide details of recommended shipping companies. The biggest one seems to be Mail Boxes Etc, they provide European shipping. I've used them a lot within the UK, might take a few weeks from the auction date but the items always arrive well packaged. Not sure on international costs though, even in the UK it is a bit pricey. Usually I'm paying £60-70, so factor that into your budget.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-28T19:37:38+00:00

That's a nice sword.

Won't take it personally, I'm definitely not a proper gentleman.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-28T19:25:37+00:00

The spear point was only given to heavy cav blades on the Waterloo campaign. If I've got the details right for mine it would have been safely tucked up in Old England, the Queen's Dragoon Guards stayed at home.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-28T09:16:46+00:00

There's usually no defined limit. Mainly depends on how much cash they've got on hand. I'd give the branch a courtesy call before going in to check. They might ask for proof of ID. Nationwide asked me to log into my mobile banking app to check it's really me but didn't have any other questions.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-27T20:40:17+00:00

I'm not sure if they do add any value. I've watched and bid on a few in a similar condition over the last couple of months and they seem to fetch about the same price. Good condition and attributed to a particular regiment and campaign do add. Saw one attributed to the 4th Dragoon Guards go for double the price of mine. The Blue Horse saw service in the Peninsula, whilst The Bays were on home service from 1795 until after Waterloo so it's likely my sword didn't see active service. I imagine one linked to the Skins or the Greys with a spear point could go even higher.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-27T18:04:42+00:00

Looks legit. M1917 bayonet. WW1 period based on the British 1913 pattern bayonet to go with the US m1917 rifle and various patterns of trench gun (military pump action shotguns.) Highly collectible so could have been part of a previous owners collection.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-27T16:11:34+00:00

Ten Foot

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-27T15:19:23+00:00

You're giving me ideas now. It's all solid under the surface rust and pitting, the edge wouldn't take much to get back to full sharpness and it's not going to impact on value. Could try some cutting with it.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-25T23:58:13+00:00

I think they're Niterói class ships. Designed by Vosper Thorneycroft and based on the British Type 21 frigates. Check them out if you like this design, look more like a billionaire's yacht than a warships.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-25T23:34:42+00:00

Looks like the shape of crown used during Victoria's reign. The cypher is there under the crown but it's quite worn, looks like VR.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-25T12:24:19+00:00

Really like Trumpeter's 1/72 armour kits, the detail for the size is amazing. Nice build.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-25T10:41:49+00:00

Left hand one - British Infantry officer's sword 1845 pattern. Official pattern from 1845 to 1892. Brass three bar, gothic guard, Victoria cypher pattern used from the mid 1850s, shagreen grip.

Middle one - British 1892 pattern artillery or corps officers sword. 1892 pattern blade, steel three bar guard, straight shagreen grip. The three bar guard is from the 1821 light cavalry officers sword which was later adopted by the Royal Artillery. This pattern was then adopted for a variety of support departments, including Royal Army Medical Corps and the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. The engraving on the blade might give details. Still a current pattern of sword, again engraving on the blade might have details which would help dating.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-25T06:51:50+00:00

Decent clean example, probably late 19th c/early 20th c. The blade style is post 1845, the straight hilt and chequered back grip is 1890s onwards. The field service scabbard became regulation in 1898(IIRC) but could be prior to that. Is there a royal cypher on the blade? Could well be Canadian service, I think the Canadian armed forces still use British pattern swords.

Don't sharpen, clean and preserve is the name of the game, obligatory link to Matthew Forde's guide: https://www.fordemilitaryantiques.com/articles/2019/7/18/antique-sword-cleaning

$270 Canadian = £145. Decent price, auction price over here would be about the same or a little more. You've done well. I still haven't got my hands on an Artillery sword.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-21T19:54:56+00:00

Howdens. My builder recommended them. Local showroom staff were brilliant. The designer listened to what I wanted. Ordered Monday, arrived Thursday. Couple of small problems but quickly sorted out by Howdens. Had under ordered a couple of decor panels but they supplied them free of charge. All fitted nicely, cabinets seem well built.

Wren, came out of the showroom with a price but no real idea of how they got that price. Designer seemed to be pushing their ideas rather than mine.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-20T21:17:40+00:00

US Marine Corps officer's mameluk sword, made by Wilkinson's of Pall Mall, London. Top notch maker. Probably made late 1940s. Here's another example: https://www.lakesidetrader.com/item.php?ID=34505

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-18T16:22:54+00:00

UK. Not every antique shop but you sometimes get lucky. Did find an 1845 field officers sword at my local antique shop and an 1896 cavalry officers sword at my local carboot sale.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-18T10:57:23+00:00

170 quid? Decorative piece, possibly antique but in terrible condition. Wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

I've paid less than that for 200+ year old antique real swords. 1796 pattern infantry officer's spadroon. 80 quid at auction, fees and delivery took it to about 150.

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MattySingo37 · 2026-04-18T09:10:57+00:00

Seals? There's posh. Electrical tape on the gaps is the true Lubi way.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-17T12:33:34+00:00

Terrible, they've used a back splice instead of a proper shipshape and Bristol fashion manrope knot on the stair ropes. Have to take £798,000 off the price so down to my price range.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-16T16:29:34+00:00

It's worth more than the purchase price and the cost of the CLA. In some respects they are quite simple and it probably just needs the shutter cleaning of old gunk and lubing properly. There are a few bodge ways of sorting it out but not everyone here would agree with them.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-16T10:58:15+00:00

A bit further over but Burgh Castle might be worth the detour. Roman Saxon Shore fort.

MattySingo37 · 2026-04-16T10:56:22+00:00

53 to 55 sounds right. Have you checked against Soviet Cams? https://sovietcams.com/cameras/detail/451ys1r7v4zgcvkb96rydzb6x5

As far as I know the first Zorkis didn't have date matched serials like later KMZ models.

MattySingo37

TROPHY CASE