WELCOME TO THE HISTORIC ARMS GALLERY

The Historic Arms Gallery is an internet based business located in the West Country of England, which draws upon 50 years of experience of collecting and researching antique arms. We pride ourselves in not only providing just rare items, but a broad selection of arms across the price range. We aim to produce interesting, well researched histories for as many of the items as possible. The Historic Arms Gallery has access to one of the most historic private collections of ams in the country.    

 We specialise in fine Antique Arms Including Flintlock and Percussion Pistols, Antique and Obsolete Calibre Revolvers, Blunderbusses, Military Muskets, Rifles, Swords, Edged Weapons and Militaria for the Collector or Investor. Not all our stock is on the website. We have many more high quality Antique Arms for sale so please contact us if you are looking for a particular item for your collection as we may be able to help.    For our own private collection we are only interested in purchasing high quality items by Egg, Wogdon, Nock or the Mantons.    

  ~ PLEASE NOTE ~  

  Due to time constraints we are no longer able to offer appraisals or valuations via email or telephone.

From 6 June 2022, it is against the law in the United Kingdom to deal in items containing or made of elephant ivory, unless they are registered as exempt or certified as exempt, under the Ivory Act 2018.

   Items that fall within this legislation include elephant ivory key escutcheons, elephant ivory case compartment lids, elephant ivory pots and elephant ivory handled tools such as pan brushes, turnscrews etc. Whilst the legislation allows for exemptions (see government guidance link below), the reality is that even these exemptions involving small amounts of antique elephant ivory have to be certificated. Exemptions include items of historic importance and also where the elephant ivory accounts for less than 10% of the item. However, an exemption certificate for such standard exemption cases is now required by law at a cost of £250 per application plus £20 per registered item or £50 for a group of 3 to 20 items. Further fees include a £20 payment to notify that you intend to sell or hire out an item with an exemption certificate that was issued to someone else.

  Elephant ivory sword and edged weapon grips, weapons with elephant ivory inlays etc are further examples of how this new law affects our collecting hobby.   

 This new law has caused us to check every item in our inventory honestly with the result that several items have been withdrawn from sale where antique elephant ivory has been used (schreger lines present in the ivory), even in very small quantities. Some may re-appear after registration but the fact is that a cost of £270 for keeping and registering such original elephant ivory items as a pair of case lid lifters and/or a key escutcheon is not viable so these are being replaced by light/figured bone case lifters or marine ivory which looks equally as good and were often also used in period.  

  Please note that due to time limitations, we are unable to offer advice on any ivory items that you may own, irrespective of whether they be elephant or marine ivory. The law only applies to elephant ivory items but does not apply to elephant ivory items that are owned if you have no intention to deal in them. However, if you sell, hire or buy in the UK, or any part of the transaction happens in the UK, then the item must be registered or certified as exempt. If you break the law on this ban you face a maximum fine of £250,000 or 5 years’ imprisonment.  

For further guidance please see;- 

 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dealing-in-items-containing-ivory-or-made-of-ivory