Musket flints, believed to be from a shipwreck which killed Captain John Wordsworth, brother of the Lakes poet William, is just one of the highlights in Mitchells three-day Country Sporting Sale.
It takes place from Wednesday April 15 to Friday April 17 and also features a selection of shotguns, including a private collection, fine taxidermy and Hardy fishing rods and reels.
The most interesting lot in the sale is a collection of large worked musket flints, some with barnacles attached.
They are accompanied by a handwritten note, which says: “Earl of Abergavenny Captain Wordsworth 1805.”
It suggests they were retrieved from the wreck of The Earl of Abergavenny, an East India Company ship captained by John Wordsworth.
It sank on April 5 1805 off the coast of Weymouth, killing Wordsworth and 250 crew and passengers.
The wreck was designated a protected dive site in 2024.
Mitchell’s head of antiques, fine art & country sports James Moore said: “The flints themselves are not particularly valuable so have an estimate of £50 to £80.
“However they could sell for considerably more given the story attached to them and their connection with William Wordsworth which is of great historical interest. The barnacles on some of the flints also add to their provenance.”
The sale also features a single owner collection of 20 shotguns including an Alex Blair, Nile Street, Glasgow 8 gauge double barrel hammer shotgun with 36in barrels with an estimate of £1,500 to £2,500.
From another vendor is a William Atkinson Lancaster 12 bore side by side sidelock shotgun, with 28″ barrels and a leather motorcase with green fitted baize lined interior is estimated at £500 to £800
Antiques guns for sale include an Army & Navy CSL 20 bore side by side hammer shotgun, with 28 1/4″ Damascus barrels made on 30/10/1893 which comes with photographs of the order book and an estimate of £600 to £800.
An early 1800s Blake of London brass barrelled flintlock pistol with 8 in barrel and 34 cm overall length is expected to make £300 to £400.
The taxidermy section features a Scottish wild cat by Edwin Ward (Brother of Rowland) valued at £200 to £300 and a fine quality Namibian Gold medal Gemsbok with an estimate of £80 to £120.
In the fishing section, rods include a Hardy the Marvel rod Palakona split case trout fly rod, in three sections with two tips, 7′ 6″, comes with two Hardy bags and an alloy tube, which is expected to make £150 to £250 and a Hardy Deluxe Smuggler spinning rod, in seven sections, 8′ 3″, 2-14 grams estimated at £100 to £150.
Reels include a Hardy The Perfect 4″ wide drum salmon fly reel valued at £180 to £220 and a G P Graham & Son Cockermouth Walter Dingley Hardy Perfect style salmon fly reel worth £50 to £80.
Decorative sporting items include a large modern bronze horse, height 66cm, nose to tail 102cm with an estimate of £250 to £350, a Border Fine Arts At The Slip limited edition hound trailing figure by Paul Back valued at £50 to £80 and a Royal Doulton English Setter with Pheasant, height 21cm worth £40 to £60.
Other sporting lots include a Barbour Beacon brand gents wristwatch, marked to rear Swiss movement water resistant, with black quilted style strap and case with an estimate of £30 to £50.
When does Mitchells Country Sporting Sale take place?
The first day of the sale on Wednesday April 15 will include guns and ammunition.
Day two on Thursday April 16will 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 17.
How do I view 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 13 from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday April 14 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.
Melbreak Curlew Recovery Project
Representatives from the Melbreak Curlew Recovery Project will be attending during viewing for the sale on Monday and Tuesday to help raise awareness of their conservation work in the Cocker Valley.
An exhibition about the project is also on at Keswick Museum until the end of April.
What’s next at Mitchells?
Entries are now invited for Mitchells Antiques & Fine Art Sale from Wednesday June 10 to Friday June 12 and Vintage Toy & Model Sale on Thursday July 30.
If you have something you think might be valuable and might consider selling at auction, 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].
Valuation services for insurance and probate and house clearances are also available. Contact Mitchells now on 01900 827800 to arrange.
