Valuable guns, a cartridge case belonging to Major General Sir John Ponsonby and a rare Fairbairn-Sykes World War II fighting knife are some of the highlights in Mitchells’ three-day Country Sporting Sale.
The sale takes place from Wednesday April 9 to Friday April 11.
The most valuable lots in the sale are expected to be among the guns, which include a Holland & Holland Royal Brevis 12-bore side-by-side sidelock ejector shotgun with two sets of 28” barrels and leather case opening to a green velvet lined interior with an estimate of £16,000 to £18,000.
A circa 1885 John Rigby & Co London and Dublin 12-bore push forward underlever side by side shotgun, with 30″ damascus barrels, cylinder and improved choke is expected to sell for £3,000 to £5,000.
A cased Ernst Steigleder of Berlin made by Merkel 9.3×57 over-under double rifle with Zeiss scope is estimated at £2,000 to £3,000 and a Beretta 687EELL 12-bore over-under shotgun, with 28″ barrels, multichoke with seven chokes in its original box and a brown leatherette motor case should make £1,500 to £2,000.
An FX Crown cal 177 grey laminate PCP air rifle, with magazine and single shot pellet loader and FX hard case is estimated at £700 to £1,000 and a Charles Lancaster slide and tilt action shotgun and an early push forward top lever Westley Richards both have estimates of £500 to £800.
A rare Fairbairn-Sykes double-edged fighting knife, made by Wilkinson Sword for the British military during World War II, is expected to sell for £800 to £1,200.
It is a rare first pattern knife made circa 1940 which was used by early Commando units.
For sale from the estate of Major General Sir John Ponsonby KCV CMG DSO (1866-1952) of Haile Hall in Cumbria is an antique William Evans leather and brass cornered cartridge magazine case which opens to reveal a William Evans Gun & Rifle Manufacturer late with J Purdey & Sons 63 Pall Mall London trade label to the lid.
The outer body of the case has various railway labels and is marked to the top Captain J Ponsonby Coldstream Guards.
Sir John was born at No 6 The Cloisters Windsor Castle in 1866 and died in 1952 aged 86. The case is expected to sell for £300 to £500.
Taxidermy
Taxidermy features a Shrike in the manner of Henry Ward of London with an estimate of £200 to £300 and a Victorian Bittern in a Victorian glass dome with a wooden base, the dome measuring 72cm in height, which has an estimate of £100 to £150.
Sporting art
Highlights among the sporting art are a lidded box modelled as a barn owl by Anthony Theakston (British, b 1965) estimated at £100 to £200 and an original John Trickett (British, b 1953) oil on board of a black Labrador which is expected to sell for £200 to £300.
A set of four Abu Skal whisky glasses, each with gilt rim and featuring Toby, Droppen, Abu Fly, Hi-Lo, should make £40 to £60.
When does Mitchells Country Sporting Sale take place?
The first day of the sale on Wednesday April 9 will include guns and ammunition.
Day two on Thursday 10 will feature shooting accessories, taxidermy, ceramics, books and pictures.
Fishing rods, reels and tackle will be sold on day three of the sale on Friday April 11.
How can I see the lots in Mitchells Country Sporting Sale?
An illustrated catalogue can be viewed online at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells and also www.easyliveauction.com/mitchells where salegoers can also register to bid live online during the auction.
Alternatively lots can be viewed in person at Mitchells town centre saleroom in Cockermouth on Monday April 7 from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday April 8 from 10am to 7pm and throughout each sale day.
A printed, text only catalogue is available from the saleroom.
Anyone requiring further information about these and other lots featured in the auction should contact James Moore on 01900 827800.
What’s next at Mitchells?
Entries are open now for Mitchells next Antiques & Fine Art Sale and Vintage & Antique Toy Sale.
If you want to find out what something is worth, Mitchells offer free valuations by appointment at their Cockermouth saleroom and home visits by arrangement, including in the South Lakes and Furness.
Alternatively, you can email your valuation request and photographs to [email protected]
Contact Mitchells now on 01900 827800 to arrange your free valuation.
