A large 1930s silver trophy, sporting guns and wartime equipment were just some of the highlights in Mitchells’ three-day Country Sporting Sale, which totalled over £60,000.
The most valuable lot in the sale last week was 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 sold for £1,400.
The highest selling sporting gun from a collection of Beretta, Browning and Blaser shotguns for sale was a Beretta 686 Evo 12 bore over/under shotgun with 30” multichoke barrels which sold for £1,000.
Other valuable sporting guns included a Winchester model 1876 Express lever action rifle, cal 50-95 with 25″ barrel sold for £800.
A Mosin Nagant World War II 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, made £400.
The most valuable lots among shooting equipment and accessories was a World War One Luger P08LP artillery holster and stock board sold together with a cleaning rod which exceeded its £150 to £250 estimate selling for £700.
Three other World War One Luger PO8 holsters also did well selling for £600 for the three.
A Nightforce NXS 5.5-22×56 scope telescopic sight with sunshade and its original box made £600.
The star lot among the sporting ceramics was a Staffordshire Pottery pair of greyhounds, with gilt spotted decoration measuring 18cm in height which had been expected to sell for £50 to £80 but greatly exceeded its humble estimate selling for £480.
If you have sporting items for sale, entries are now invited for Mitchells next Country Sporting Sale in April 2026. Contact James Moore for free valuations.
Mitchells next sale will be a Woodworking, Engineering & Workshop Sale this Thursday, October 30, from 10am.
To view the sale catalogue and bid online go to the-saleroom.com/Mitchells or easyliveauction.com/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 about’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.
The book launch event will take place during viewing for this sale on Monday December 8 from 6pm and will be attended by the artist’s granddaughter Barbara and Charles’ widow Louise.
If you would like to attend the book launch or have a Thompson painting you’d like to sell, contact Mitchell’s office now with your details by telephoning 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 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].
Valuations for probate and insurance purposes and house clearance services are also available. Contact Mitchells now on 01900 827800 to arrange.
