AVOID
UPDATE: I am now suing Littleton in the County Court over this; case ref 011JE880 and am asking the court to refer to Trading Standards.
Their photos avoided the damage and if you call for a condition report they tell you everything is good (if you email and ask, they tell you to call, hmmmmmm!). BUT they say they mark any obviously defective lots as "AF" but did not. So, I received something seriously damaged, which damage they did not show / describe / mark "AF"
PLUS, GET THIS. They were still reminding me to pay my invoice by bank transfer when / while they had already charged my card on record without asking me. hmmm
AVOID
response to their reply
130 years old you say??!!
I suggest you read your own item description!
"Post 1953 Queen Elizabeth II 1897 pattern Infantry officer's sword"; the pattern year is when that model of sword was regulated, not when it was made! Current King Charles 3rd British infantry officer swords are still 1897 pattern, duh!
That proves you do not know what you are doing or saying.
See you in court.
Reply from Littletonauctions
We are sorry to learn that you are dissatisfied with your purchase.
The item concerned is an antique approximately 130 years old. As with many historical items, signs of age and wear are to be expected and form part of the item's overall condition.
We encourage all bidders to request additional information or condition reports prior to bidding if they require further detail about a lot. In this case, no condition report was requested before the auction.
Regarding payment and dispatch, our terms and conditions state that items are not released until payment has been received in full. In addition, we do not send bladed items by post.
Our catalogue descriptions, photographs and condition notes are prepared in accordance with our standard procedures, and any additional markings are applied where we consider them appropriate.
As legal proceedings have now been initiated, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further on the specific matters raised in this review. We will respond fully through the proper legal process.