One of the most interesting entries at the 1185-lot Birmingham auction on June 12, was the pair of duelling or target pistols, top right, in their mahogany case. Dated c.1835, these evocative firearms by I. Witton, London, which came with original ebony ramrods, were contested to £3600. A 90-bore flintlock air rifle, c.1780, by H.W. Mortimer, London, brought £2500.
A less bellicose entry but one arguably as detrimental to long-term health was a novelty tomahawk pipe, c.1760-70, 13 1/2in (34cm). The English-made pipe had an iron head, wooden studded haft and a brass mouthpiece and sold at £700.
THERE was more action the following day for arms and armour enthusiasts at Wallis & Wallis who send their catalogues to more than 40 countries and for the past nine months have fully illustrated their catalogues on the internet.
The two blunderbusses, bottom right, made the top prices. Usually these pieces fetch £1000-1200, but the brass-barrelled flintlock example with spring bayonet, c.1820, 2ft 5 1/2in (75cm), in untouched condition took £1450 and the second example by Barbar, London, 2ft 6 3/4in (78cm), fetched £1500.
Gun sales proof against summer slowdown
PROOF that the specialist collector knows no close season was offered in June by Weller & Dufty (15% buyer’s premium), at Birmingham and Wallis & Wallis (15% buyer’s premium), Lewes, who held sales devoted to arms and armour and militaria on consecutive days.
