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196* Telescope. A WWI German Marine single-draw telescope, with nickel plated mounts, leather covered tube and silver presentation plaque inscribed ‘German Marine Telescope. Captured in Morogoro, when the ships instruments etc of the German cruiser “Konigsberg”, which was sunk in the Rufigi Delta of Utete in June 1915, her whole crew, guns, stores etc were safely landed during the final bombardment and became the main support of the land forces under Col.Von. Lettow. The day after the sinking of the “Konigsberg”, German divers who were summoned from Dar Es Salaam started operations and salvaged ammunition etc. Quite probably this telescope too. W. Fleischl, Major. R.A.O.C.’, hallmarks for Deakin & Francis, Birmingham 1918, telescope lenses inoperable, 63.5cm fully extended SMS Konigsberg was launched in 1905, and served in the High Seas Fleet’s reconnaissance force. She frequently escorted Kaiser Wilhelm II’s yacht on visits to foreign countries. In April 1914, the ship was sent on what was to have been a two-year deployment to German East Africa, but this was interrupted by the outbreak of WWI and called up for military service. In July 1915 Konigsberg was stationed in the Rufji River for repair work to her engines. Before the repairs could be finished, British cruisers located her, and, unable to steam into the river to destroy her, set up a blockade. After several attempts to sink the ship during the Battle of Fufiji Delta, the British sent two monitors, Mersey and Severn, to destroy the German cruiser. On 11 July 1915, the two monitors got close enough to severely damage Konigsberg, forcing her crew to scuttle the ship. The surviving crew salvaged all ten of her main guns and joined Lieutenant Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck’s guerrilla campaign in East Africa. Major Walter Fleischl O.B.E., R.A.O.C. (1892-1956), was the second son of an Austrian born wool worker, he was educated at Charterhouse School and the University of Lausanne. He joined the army at the outbreak of WWI and served in East Africa reaching the rank of major. In 1919 he changed his name by deed poll to Walter Fletcher and became a Conservative politician. During WWII Fletcher worked for the Special Operation Executive (S.O.E.), being involved in an operation smuggling foreign currency, diamonds and machinery to fund S.O.E. activities. (1) £300 - £500
194* Royal Lancers. An Edwardian Troopers lance cap, leather body, peak and crown with gilt metal fleur mounts, the upper section of scarlet cloth, with regimental brass helmet plate and brass chin scales with lion head bosses, horsehair plume, original lining stamped with war department arrow (1)
£300 - £500
195* Sword. A Victorian officer’s presentation sword, the 85.5cm blade by Austin & Oaker, Conduit St, London, with proof mark, numbered 97703, finely etched in a 10 part scroll ‘Presented to Major Parsons on promotion by the the officer’s & members of G. Company 1st Vol tr Batt n The King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regt June 4th 1887’, with recipients initials, the reverse side with VR cypher, brass guard pierced with VR cypher, wire-bound fish-skin grip and stepped pommel, 99cm long overall, in its brass scabbard (1)
Lot 195
£500 - £600
Lot 196
Each lot is subject to a Buyer’s Premium of 20% (Lots marked * 24% inclusive of VAT @ 20%)
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