Inviting Entries: Militaria, Medals, Weapons & Sporting Guns


August 2025

There is still time to consign your items for our upcoming Militaria, Medals, Weapons & Sporting Guns sale, a specialist auction that brings together remarkable objects from across centuries of military and ceremonial history.

From battlefield swords to campaign medals, flintlock pistols to trench art, this is a sale where craftsmanship, provenance and story all come into play. And this time around, we’re especially on the lookout for swords - so if you’ve got something with a bit of edge, this is the perfect moment to get in touch with entries closing Thursday 28 August.

Swords & Daggers: The Heart of the Sale

There’s something undeniably powerful about a well-made sword. Whether created for combat or ceremonial use, swords carry a presence and a history, that captivates collectors. They’re also among the most desirable weapons at auction.

Right now, we’re especially keen to see British military swords from the 18th and 19th centuries. These might include cavalry sabres from the Napoleonic era, officer’s swords from the Victorian army, or early infantry blades bearing regimental markings. Naval examples like dirks or cutlasses are always welcome, particularly when paired with scabbards or presentation plaques.

Foreign swords also have a strong following - especially those from Imperial Germany, Russia, or Japan. We’ve seen solid results for both battlefield pieces and decorative models, with international bidders drawn in by rarity and condition.

Even fencing foils and sporting swords can attract interest, particularly when early or well-crafted. Recent highlights in our sales include a WWII German Kriegsmarine naval officers sword, fetching £500 at auction and a Prussian cavalry officer's sword which created a flurry of bidding activity. 

If you’ve inherited a sword or have one tucked away in storage, we’re happy to assess its potential value - no obligation, no fuss.

Left to right: Prussian cavalry officer's sword - Sold £200, British Fairbairn-Sykes Commando fighting knife - Sold £150 & WWII German Kriegsmarine naval officers sword - Sold £500

Medals: Stories You Can Hold

There’s nothing quite like medals for telling a story in the space of a few inches. These compact, often modest-looking objects can hold entire lifetimes of service, bravery and dedication - which is precisely why collectors care so much about them.

Named campaign medals are always of interest, particularly those with documented service records or personal effects included. We frequently see medals from the Napoleonic Wars, Crimean War, Boer War, and both World Wars, but there’s also growing interest in post-war medals and foreign awards, especially when awarded to named British soldiers or civilians.

Our most recent Militaria sale saw the rare and evocative medal group awarded to Surgeon Probationer Norman Jennings, a 23-year-old medical student recruited by the Royal Navy during WWI to serve as a shipboard medic. With little more than a month’s training, Jennings was deployed aboard HMS Waveney for anti-submarine patrols in the North Sea. He later became a prominent figure in East Yorkshire’s civic life as His Majesty’s Coroner for Hull. While the individual medals - such as the 1914-15 Star and British War Medal - are not uncommon, the significance of the group lies in Jennings’ unique status as a Surgeon Probationer, a rank held by only a few hundred young men during the war.

If you’ve come across a box of medals and aren’t sure what’s what - let us take a look. You might be surprised by what you’ve got.

Left to right: Collection of medals including George V Distinguished Service Medal - Sold £420, Surgeon Norman Jennings group of five medals and corresponding miniature - Sold £440 & Group of ten medals awarded to Major P.T Sanders - Sold £700.

Sporting Guns & Firearms: Classic Craftsmanship

Another core section of the sale covers sporting guns and antique firearms. These aren’t just tools, they’re beautifully engineered objects, often passed down through generations and admired as much for their form as their function.

We’re especially looking for English-made shotguns, such as side-by-side or over-under models by traditional makers. Vintage and antique rifles are also welcome, particularly those from the 19th and early 20th centuries, along with early air rifles that have gained cult collector status in recent years.

We also regularly feature flintlock and percussion pistols, which tend to appeal to serious collectors both in the UK and overseas. 

Please note - certain regulations apply when selling firearms. We’re always happy to guide you through the legal requirements to make sure everything is handled correctly and securely.

Left to right: B.S.A, L model .177 air rifle - Sold £190, 19th century Enfield percussion rifle - Sold £700 & 19th century 1793 Brown Bess flintlock musket - Sold £1,200

Provenance: Why the Story Behind the Item Matters

In a sale like this, provenance isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s often what turns a fascinating item into a truly sought-after one.

Military collectables come alive when we can trace their history. A name engraved on a blade. A campaign medal linked to a well-documented officer. A photograph, painting or letter that places a person in a time, a place, a moment of service. These details are what collectors crave and in recent sales, they’ve made a real difference.

Take our earlier sale from this year, which featured a remarkable group of lots connected to Colonel S.C.F. Jackson of the 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment. His 1897 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword, complete with full dress scabbard, field service scabbard and travel case, was inscribed with his name - as well as that of his son, Brigadier A.C.F. Jackson. That continuity of service across two generations added huge appeal.

Alongside the sword, we offered a formal oil portrait of Colonel Jackson by the celebrated artist John Saint-Helier Lander, dated 1912. The portrait captured Jackson in full dress uniform, with exquisite detail and a quiet authority. And then, completing the story, we had his full set of campaign medals, eight in total, spanning decades of service from Burma to Somaliland to the Great War which sold for an impressive £4,200

Each piece was strong in its own right. Together, they told a story that resonated deeply with collectors. The result? Competitive bidding, national interest and some of the best results in the sale.

Left to right: Colonel S.C.F Jackson's group of eight medals and corresponding miniatures, his British 1897 Pattern Infantry Officers Sword & a portrait of Jackson by John Saint-Helier Lander (British 1869-1944)

Get in Touch

We welcome single items or entire collections, and we’re happy to provide free, no-obligation valuations. Whether you’ve recently inherited a piece, are downsizing your collection, or simply want to find out what something’s worth, our specialists are here to help.

For more information or to discuss consigning to the sale, please get in touch with our team - or come along to one of our upcoming valuation events. The sale takes place on 25 September and the final day for consigments is 28 August.

We look forward to hearing your story.
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