This website is dedicated to the study, preservation and collecting of historical arms and armour.

Over the past decade, I have specialised in under-represented areas of sword history, including writing the only fully English-language resource dedicated to 19th-century Italian swords. If this fascinating field interests you, you can explore my ongoing project: La Sciabola.

I am proud to say I have written for some of the world’s most important museums and collections so my large archive on Patreon is a must for new and veteran antique weapon collectors alike, for researchers, and even for anyone with a general interest in history. You’ll learn how weapons were really used in combat, how to identify items and if you can avoid forgeries, and how to care for historical pieces. You’ll also get access to ‘first-looks’ at sales from my own collection.

If you want a taster of these resources, simply browse my free articles here.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy your stay.

Latest Free Articles

Patreon

Helping the historical arms and armour community is a passion of mine, with this website growing over the years to reflect this. I’m proud that it now hosts many important free resources for beginners and veterans alike. Sadly, the hosting costs, the writing and researching of articles, the source-buying, and the illustration-making all require a lot of time and money, which, as a disabled person, can be hard to come by, so I recently established a Patreon to help out. On Patreon, supporters can play a vital role in communities that are otherwise overlooked, like this one. To become a patron head over to Patreon.

By becoming my patron and adding your support you get access to a growing archive of articles, interviews, case studies, competitions and guides. You can help out from as little as £1 (or $1) and there is no commitment involved. Your support will make a difference. For more details, and a full list of what’s currently in the archive, see here.

Highlights from the archive:

  • Item Spotlight: A Balochistani ‘Hisfar’ Shield

  • Large articles on Austin of Trichinopoly and Bodraj of Aurungabad

  • The Khanjarli Dagger: Why is it so Weird?

  • The Turbulent Story of Sword-Maker Charles Reeves

  • The Swords of Robert Mole and Sons of Birmingham

  • On Medieval Falchions by James Elmslie and Andy Johnston

  • Genuine or Forgery? A Collector's Guide to Chinese Swords by Andy Johnston

  • Case Study: Adding Value to an Antique Tulwar

  • Italian Gun-Swords: Colombo and Micheloni

  • The 1803 Pattern Sabre: The Best Sword Ever?

  • Case Study: Restoration of an Antique Jezail

  • Exploring the Swords of Master and Commander

  • The Sword Patterns of the Honourable Artillery Company

  • The Firangi: a Sword Forged in Empires

  • Case Study: Cleaning an Antique Indian Sword

  • The Bosun’s Cosh: Hitting with Style in the Royal Navy

  • The 1908 Pattern and the 1912 Pattern Swords: The Best Cavalry Swords Ever Made?

  • Joseph Rodgers: The Best Fighting and Hunting Knives

  • Colt 1851 Navy Revolvers and British Service

  • The Infamous 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Sabre

  • Arnachellum and the Mysterious Anglo-Indian Dagger Makers

  • British Weapons in the American Civil War

  • The Historical Use of Swords by the British Police

  • Antique Sword Collecting for Beginners: Tips and Secrets

  • Repairing Antique Sword Handles

  • Identifying African Swords

  • How to Etch Wootz Steel

  • Identifying Indian Daggers

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