Their target was a pair of early 19th century pistols with walnut stocks engraved by the accomplished London gunsmith H. Nock.
A pair by a renowned maker always meant the duelling pistols would fetch rather more than the £200-300 estimate, and the winner had to go to £2400.
Also sought after was a collectable Wedgwood Queensware mug designed by Eric Ravilious.
It had a pink ground and was printed in blue with a silhouette of Edward VIII, the monogram ER and the date 1937. It took £1200.
Going at ten times the lower estimate was a 41/4in (11cm) high, celadon jade teapot with domed cover and a loop and ring finial.
The skilfully worked, 19th/20th century pot, which had a pierced scroll handle and bore a mark to its base, made £2000.
A stylish pair of Art Nouveau pewter candlesticks by the German firm Kayserzinn fetched £650 and a plated copper wall mirror in the style of Liberty & Co realised £750.
Bidding duel takes pistols to ten times estimate
Morphets, Harrogate, March 10. Buyer’s premium: 15/10 per cent A BIDDING duel by specialist arms and armour dealers was the highlight of Morphets’ 628-lot Yorkshire auction.
