A rare knife used by the British military during World War Two was the highest selling lot in Mitchells Country Sporting Sale.
The Fairbairn-Sykes double-edged fighting knife sold for £1,800 at the Cockermouth sale.
The knife was a rare first pattern type made circa 1940 by Wilkinson Sword for use in combat by early Commando units during the Second World War.
The most valuable guns in the sale were 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 which sold for £1,450.
An FX Crown cal 177 grey laminate PCP air rifle, with magazine and single shot pellet loader and FX hard case also did well selling for £1,100.
A Thomas Horsley York percussion muzzle loading single barrel rifle made £800.
Taxidermy was also popular with a Victorian shrike, in the manner of Henry Ward of London, greatly exceeding its £200 to £300 estimate when it sold for £950.
A white goat taken on the isle of Jura and mounted on a shield made £650 and a ten point stag from Caithness mounted on a mahogany shield sold for £420.
A particular highlight among the sporting art was a lidded box modelled as a barn owl by Anthony Theakston, which sailed past its £100 to £150 estimate, selling for £650.
Lots of local historical interest included an antique William Evans leather and brass cornered cartridge magazine case from the estate of Major General Sir John Ponsonby KCV CMG DSO (1866-1952) of Haile Hall in Cumbria which made £400.
Mitchells is already accepting entries for its autumn Country Sporting Sale from October 22 to October 24.
Contact James Moore on 01900 827800 to consign items for sale.
Entries are also open for the summer Antiques & Fine Art Sale from June 25 to 27 and Vintage & Antique Toy Sale on July 31.
If you something to sell, Mitchells offers free valuations by appointment at its Cockermouth saleroom and home visits by arrangement, including in the South Lakes and Furness.
Alternatively, email your valuation request and photographs to [email protected]
