Rare Gallery

Archaeopteryx fossil, Berlin specimen C016/5071

Archaeopteryx fossil, Berlin specimen. Cast of the Archaeopteryx specimen held at the Berlin Natural History Museum. This cast shows the spread-out wings and long, clawed fingers. Archaeopteryx is the earliest known bird, dating from the Upper Jurassic. This cast is part of the collections held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

© NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Indian Smoothbore.656 in musket, Pattern 1858

Indian Smoothbore.656 in musket, Pattern 1858, lock dated 1856.Converted from a Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-musket in India 1858 (c), this exceptionally rare item was part of an original issue of 10, 000 weapons sold by the British Government to the East Indian Company in 1856. These weapons were a contributory cause of the Indian Mutiny because of the belief that animal fat had been incorporated in the grease for the cartridges. After the Mutiny, most Indian troops were issued with smooth-bore muskets which at the same time were to look similar to Enfield rifles. In this case the original rifling was bored out and a locally-made ramrod fitted. Also, a simple fixed backsight replaced the graduated rear sight of the Enfield.Now in poor condition, it is identified by the faint stamp on the butt of the EIC lion rampant regardment and holding the crown. In addition the initials WD (War Department) over the broad arrow combined with I (India) and the date 1856 are present. The weapon was subsequently bored smooth and re-sighted to conform with the pattern 1858-1859.656in muskets for Native Infantry. Date: 1858

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library

Great crested newt

Great crested newt (Triturus cristata) underwater. It is named for the large crest that develops on the backs of the males in the mating season. The juveniles lack the dark-spotted orange bellies of the adults. This newt can reach 11-18 centimetres in length, feeding at night on invertebrates in and around water. It hibernates in the winter. The great crested newt is found in northern Europe, and is protected under European law

© ANDY HARMER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY