This fearsome-looking object is a flintlock trap gun used to deter poachers and trespassers on landowning estates in the early years of the 19th century. Buck shot was fired at the intruders from the gun which was activated from trip wires attached to rings. Thankfully, the use of these guns was outlawed in 1827 and are now ones for sporting gun collectors as a display piece. This example is priced at £675 with Fine Sporting Collectables on snaphaunce.com, a marketplace for antique arms, armour and militaria.
Peter Binfield is holding the line with his vintage and classic arms fairs which he has run since 2017 at Kempton Park Racecourse.
He said: “We kept the show afloat during Covid by moving it all outside. Zero profit due to reduced trader pitch fees, but it kept us on the map.”
Well-known stalwarts at the next fair – which runs on Sunday, December 11, with a planned 200 indoor tables plus 20 under cover outside – include specialist dealers Dominic Vincent of Garth Vincent, Philip Spooner of West Street Antiques, Peter Dyson & Son and Andrew Iosson of Fine Sporting Collectables.
A dealer in sporting guns and accessories for 20 years, Iosson said of these fairs: “Buying is more cautious now because of the concerns many people have over the economy and the state of the world. Lower-price pieces and really good high-price stuff sells well but the middle band is slower.”
