Arms, Armour & Militaria
Arms and armour stretches from ancient times to modern conflicts, with weapons ranging from swords and clubs to firearms, armour including helmets and shields, and militaria such as medals, uniforms, flags and ephemera.
Medals and militaria are often sold at auction as specialised categories, with arms and armour sales also held.
![img_18-1.jpg](/media/100015/img_18-1.jpg?rxy=0.48257839721254353,0.69411764705882351&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133522021710000000)
Gallantry top-seller: Crimean War naval VC
12 February 2024The best-selling gallantry medal of 2023 was offered at Noonans late in the year on December 6. The Naval Victoria Cross awarded to Seaman James Gorman at the Battle of Inkerman sold for a hammer price of £320,000 (plus 24% buyer’s premium) and now forms part of a private collection of Crimean War medals.
![img_43-5.jpg](/media/100134/img_43-5.jpg?rxy=0.65972222222222221,0.494949494949495&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133522114240000000)
Deluxe rifle ‘belonged to Napoleon’
12 February 2024A hunting rifle believed to have belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte when he ruled as emperor of France led the line at Alexander Historical Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).
![img_19-3.jpg](/media/100025/img_19-3.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133522051720000000)
Coins & medals: Stable currency but market is far from static
12 February 2024Total sales across London coin and medals auctions were £61.6m in 2023, just a fraction down on 2022’s record aggregate
![img_51-2.jpg](/media/100144/img_51-2.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133522110380000000)
London arms fair finds new venue in Woodford Green
12 February 2024The organiser of The London Antique Arms Fair had been searching for a new venue in which to hold the event throughout 2023.
![img_18-8.jpg](/media/100022/img_18-8.jpg?rxy=0.4861111111111111,0.68652037617554862&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133522030210000000)
Dambuster scored a direct hit using bombsight he designed
12 February 2024The Distinguished Flying Cross group of five given to Flt Lt Edward ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, who flew during Operation Chastise – the Dambusters – was sold for £105,000 (plus 20% buyer’s premium) at Spink on November 29.
![George Mitchell VC Obverse](/media/99976/george-mitchell-vc-obverse.jpg?rxy=0.50093808630394,0.77583333333333337&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133518637570000000)
London Scottish Regimental Trust to sell Victoria Cross to fund upkeep of Westminster home
09 February 2024The London Scottish Regimental Trust is putting up for auction one of the three Victoria Crosses that it holds.
![The premises of Pennsylvania auction house Morphy Auctions](/media/99988/morphy-premises.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133518876040000000)
Morphy unveils transatlantic tie-up
08 February 2024In a move that will be watched closely by US and European auction houses, Pennsylvania-based Morphy Auctions has launched a new operation in Switzerland.
![Jaywick Noonans Morris Pic](/media/99356/jaywick-noonans-morris-pic.jpg?rxy=0.48296593186372744,0.2951096121416526&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133501472420000000)
Medal given to 'Taffy' after audacious Operation Jaywick mission to sink Japanese ships in the Second World War takes £120,000
23 January 2024A medal awarded secretly following Operation Jaywick, one of the most daring raids of the Second World War, has sold for a hammer price of £120,000 in a London auction.
![img_18-3.jpg](/media/99410/img_18-3.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133502217140000000)
English Civil War siege relics race away to hammer for 25 times the low estimate
22 January 2024This 19th century glazed wooden case containing musket balls, ceramic fragments and three complete clay pipes was eagerly contested at auction.
![Churchillsfalseteeth Clipped Rev 1](/media/99306/churchillsfalseteeth_clipped_rev_1.jpg?rxy=0.44244604316546765,0.43884892086330934&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133498908140000000)
Winston Churchill's false teeth and RAF Book of Heroes signed by Douglas Bader come to a Cotswolds saleroom
17 January 2024Stubs of cigars smoked by Winston Churchill are common visitors to auctions. But it is pretty rare to find his gnashers on offer.
![George III brass mortar](/media/98755/img_1-1.jpg?rxy=0.50526315789473686,0.45259938837920488&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133486647970000000)
Having a blast: 18th century mortar fires up Essex auction
02 January 2024Sending the old year out with a bang, a George III brass mortar by Jan Verbruggen took £49,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) at Sworders.
![img_11-1.jpg](/media/98766/img_11-1.jpg?rxy=0.50350877192982457,0.14961832061068703&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133486635260000000)
Tiny but with 48 blades — a remarkable exhibition knife
01 January 2024It was with dazzling exhibition pieces that Joseph Rodgers & Sons made its reputation as Sheffield’s foremost knifemaker.
![Miniature penknife](/media/98745/miniature-penknife-2624hh-21-12-2023.jpg?rxy=0.51166965888689409,0.22644927536231885&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133475597060000000)
Exceptional 19th century miniature penknife stars in our pick of five auction highlights
21 December 2023ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare Joseph Rogers & Sons miniature penknife made for royal presentation that more than doubled estimate.
![img_12-8.jpg](/media/98150/img_12-8.jpg?rxy=0.43654822335025378,0.20868824531516184&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133461639800000000)
Dangerous not just decorative dirk
04 December 2023Decorative Highland dirks from the late 19th century, often mounted in silver and set with cairngorms, appear for sale with some frequency.
![Napoleon hat](/media/98074/img_9-8.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133455544040000000)
Ridley Scott's Napoleon hits cinemas as a Bonaparte bonanza takes hold of auction houses and dealers
28 November 2023Napoleon director Ridley Scott’s film charting the rise and fall of the French emperor is in cinemas across the UK.
![img_31-2.jpg](/media/97467/img_31-2.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133443489160000000)
Chinese cannon blasts away estimate
13 November 2023A rare 17th century Chinese bronze naval cannon guided at £30,000-50,000 made £165,000 in a Somerset saleroom.
![img_30-1.jpg](/media/97462/img_30-1.jpg?rxy=0.3783783783783784,0.79283887468030689&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133443659990000000)
Helmet made famous by the dashing but dastardly Banastre
13 November 2023The Tarleton helmet was named after the dashing but ruthless Sir Banastre Tarleton (1754-1833), who commanded the British Legion during the American War of Independence.
![img_33-1.jpg](/media/97476/img_33-1.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133443501370000000)
Mr Durs Egg describes his pistol power
13 November 2023Stellar English, Indian and Turkish pieces are promised at Olympia Auctions on December 6 in west London.
![img_32-5.jpg](/media/97474/img_32-5.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133443498820000000)
Farmer’s interest in militaria grew rapidly
13 November 2023A childhood in Wiltshire partly spent picking up ammunition lying around as a result of the Allied preparations for D-Day helped to spark Alexander Jeremy Peckover Penrose’s (known as Jerry) interest in firearms.
![img_32-1.jpg](/media/97470/img_32-1.jpg?rxy=0.50720461095100866,0.58566978193146413&mode=crop&width=125&height=125&rnd=133443491280000000)
Griffin tribute from Ombersley Court
13 November 2023On November 29 Christie’s will offer Ombersley Court: The Collection of Lord and Lady Sandys – a historic collection of an English aristocratic family spanning five centuries.
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