A large 1930s silver trophy, valuable sporting guns and World War Two military rifles are just some of the highlights in Mitchells three-day Country Sporting Sale.
The sale takes place in Mitchells’ Cockermouth saleroom from Wednesday October 22 to Friday October 24.
One of the most valuable lots in the sale is expected to be a large silver trophy made by Walker & Hall Sheffield in 1937.
The trophy was presented by Captain EW Brook for the Best Foal born in 1938 sired by Star & Garter and was won by Mrs JR Strong, of Yew Tree, Thursby, near Carlisle.
With a height of 43cm, excluding the stand, the trophy is expected to sell for £800 to £1,200.
From a collection of valuable Beretta, Browning and Blaser shotguns for sale is a Beretta 470 Silver Hawk 20 bore side by side shotgun, with 28″ barrels, quarter and full choke, 3″ chambers, boxlock, ejector, top lever, single trigger, marked to the underside Silver Hawk, to the sides P Beretta and to the top lever with a golden hawk.
The Beretta is fitted with a well figured 14 1/4″ lop straight hand stock and comes with the original maker’s case and cardboard box, and is expected to sell for £1,200 to £1,800.
Other sporting guns include a circa 1877 Winchester model 1876 Winchester Express lever action rifle, cal 50-95 with 25″ barrel marked to the top Winchester Repeating Arms Newhaven CT and with rear ladder sight and full length magazine tube which has an estimate of £500 to £800.
A Williams Brown Bess India pattern flintlock musket, with 39″ barrel and an overall length of 139 cm, with crown and cross swords proof marks, the lock marked Williams, with steel ramrod and brass trigger guard, butt plate etc. is estimated at £600-£800.
World War Two guns for sale include a Remington model 03-A3 cal 30-06 bolt action rifle, circa 1943, with a 23 1/2″ barrel, the top of the receiver stamped US Remington Model 03-A3, fitted with a leather sling and the stock stamped SA with an S below, and to the underside of the wrist P which is estimated at £700 to £1,000.
Also for sale is a Mauser K98 World War Two Third Reich military rifle 7.92 x 57 cal, with 23″ barrel, the top of the receiver stamped Dot 1944, to the side Model 98.
Both barrel and stock are stamped with matching serial no 42835 and the rifle has an estimate of £700 to £1,000.
A Mosin Nagant World War Two bolt action military rifle, 7.62 x 54 cal with 29″ barrel, the top of the receiver stamped with a hammer and sickle and dated 1942, is estimated at £300 to £500.
Fitted with a canvas sling and post and hair telescopic sight stamped with a hammer and sickle, the lot comes with a double ended oil bottle, field kit and bayonet.
Decorative ceramics include a Staffordshire Pottery pair of greyhounds, with gilt spotted decoration measuring 18cm in height which is expected to sell for £50 to £80.
Other eye-catching highlights include a Royal Doulton Reynard coffee pot and cans with an estimate of £50 to £80.
Sporting artwork feature a watercolour by Ralston Gudgeon RWS (Scottish 1910-1984) depicting a cock pheasant in flight and measuring 45 x 73cm, framed and mounted, which has an estimate of £150 to £200.
A John Tennent limited edition print of curlews is estimated at £30 to £50.
When is Mitchells Country Sporting Sale?
The first day of the sale on Wednesday October 22 will include guns and ammunition.
Day two on Thursday October 23 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 October 24.
Where can I see the lots of Mitchells Country Sporting Sale?
An illustrated catalogue can be viewed online at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells and www.easyliveauction.com/mitchells where salegoers can also register to bid live online during the auction.
Alternatively lots can be viewed in person at Mitchell’s town centre saleroom in Cockermouth on Monday October 20 from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday October 21 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 now open for Mitchells next Antiques & Fine Art Sale from Wednesday December 10 to Friday December 12, which will include a special section of paintings by Edward H Thompson (1879-1949).
If you have a Thompson painting that you might consider selling, now is the time to do it because Mitchells are appealing for entries to coincide with the launch of an important new book, The Lake District’s Most Prolific Painter, by Charles Nugent.
Hundreds of Thompson paintings have been sold through Mitchells’ saleroom over the years which holds the all-time auction record of £10,800 for a large Thompson watercolour Winter Sunset, Vale of Keswick sold in June 2011.
If you would like to attend the book launch or have a Thompson painting you’d like to sell, contact Mitchells’ office now with your details by calling 01900 827800 or emailing [email protected]
Entries for the sale close on Friday November 7.
Entries are also now invited for Mitchell’s next Vintage & Antique Toy Sale.
If you have something to sell and want to find out what it’s worth, Mitchells offers 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 a free valuation.
