LONDON.- The unique and highly important ‘Dettingen Standard’ of the 8th Regiment of Horse (late the 7th Dragoon Guards), dating from 1743 - one of the earliest British standards of a regiment of cavalry known to exist and therefore extremely important in the history of British military flags is among Thomas Del Mar Ltd’s auction. Held in association with Sotheby’s, the auction of Antique Arms, Armour and Militaria will be held at 25 Blythe Road, London W14 on Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

The Battle of Dettingen was the last battle in which a King of England (in this case George II) led his troops into battle. The standard has an important provenance, since it has descended in the family of Cornet Henry Richardson - the subaltern (officer) who carried it at Dettingen in Bavaria on June 16, 1743. It has remained his family until the present day and it has also been exhibited in three museums (Museum of Royal United Services; the National Army Museum and the Museum of Royal Dragoon Guards in York) for lengthy periods (Est: £25,000-35,000).

Elsewhere in the sale is an important French Royal long flintlock holster pistol by Bertrand Piraube, Aux Galleries du Louvre a Paris, dated 1676, made for Charles XI, King of Sweden (reigned 1660-97), which is estimated at £30,000-40,000, while an important German Renaissance silver-mounted hand-and-a half sword, dated 1540 decorated with the winged figure of Justice carries the same estimate.

The sale comprises 556 lots ranging from swords to muskets to helmets from all over the globe. Notable interesting pieces include a fine Japanese silver-mounted Tanto Aikuchi (dagger) with a blade dating from 1559 and exquisitely worked 19th century silver and lacquered mounts (Est: £5,000-7,000), while a remarkable 17th/ 18th century North East Himalayan quiver – from either China or Tibet – retaining some of its original painted decoration is estimated at £1,500-1,800.

A timely inclusion in the sale, following the opening of the Wallace Collection’s new exhibition of the Noble art of the Sword, is a group of more than 40 rapiers, small swords and daggers. These date from the late 16th century onwards and originating from Germany, England, Italy, Sweden, Holland, Spain, Poland and Austria. Estimates range from £300 to £10,000.

Elsewhere a collection of 44 lots relating to the regiment the Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), which was also known as the 1st Foot - the oldest Line regiment in the British Army (prior to the recent amalgamation), having been originally raised in 1633. Although not as famous or widely known as the kilted Scottish regiments, they have a very long and distinguished record, and were present at most of the major battles of the British Army over the last three and a half centuries. This collection has been assembled over 35 years, and contains some significant rarities, especially among the swords as well as badges, uniforms and helmets as well as documentation.

Among the Armour section is an outstanding collection of 15 pieces amassed in the USA. Interesting items include a fine and rare German etched and gilt comb morion (helmet) of the Saxon Trabantenleibgarde of Christian II, Elector of Saxony (1591-1611) and decorated with the arms of the Dukes of Saxony and the Archmarshallship of the Holy Roman Empire which is expected to fetch £14,000-18,000.