Arms, Armour & Militaria

Airborne forces memorabilia is usually a winner at auction but especially when it’s an early example

Originally Roman, Portchester Castle near Portsmouth was first used to house captured enemy soldiers in 1665, when England was at war with the Netherlands.

The front page of ATG No 2558 featured a Second World War nurse’s cape decorated with an array of cloth regimental badges that sold at Essex auction house Sworders in August last year.

Among recent paratrooper items that impressed at auction, this Polish badge with combat wreath doubled the top estimate at Bosleys to take £4000 from a UK online private buyer.

One of the best performers against estimate at Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) Militaria & Ethnographica sale on September 20 was a fascinating collection of photographs and ephemera relating to a French Second World War hero.

The ‘fine and scarce’ 1918 Sopwith Camel fighter ace’s Distinguished Flying Cross and bar awarded to Captain Solomon Clifford Joseph (previewed in ATG No 2613) sold within estimate for £20,000 in Mayfair.

An intriguing painted wooden British soldier doll sold for more than 10 times the top estimate when it was offered at Guernsey auction house Martel Maides (24% buyer’s premium).

A never-before-seen photo of soldiers leaving Ulster to fight in the First World War and a serviceman’s diary from the trenches have been uncovered.

Although Gallipoli in the Great War became a defining moment in Australian nationhood and identity, the second Boer War from 1899-1902 featured the first-large scale involvement of troops from Down Under.

The art of the Samurai comes to Essex firm Sworders on November 2.

Two previously unrecorded swords from the Tiger of Mysore are among the stand-out lots on offer in upcoming auctions and from dealers

Relic belonging to French military hero sells in Versailles, with one of Napoleon’s bicorn hats still to come

The Distinguished Flying Cross and bar awarded to the highest scoring Jewish ‘ace’ of the First World War is to be offered at Noonans’ auction in London on October 13.

A shotgun built for sharpshooter Annie Oakley in 1888 and used during a significant period of her career has sold for $210,000 (£170,100) in Denver, Pennsylvania.

John Eamer was a wholesale grocer who dealt in sugar imported from the West Indies. His success led to him becoming Sheriff of London in 1794.

A sword that saw action in the famed Charge of the Light Brigade sold for £1900 at Elstob Auctioneers’ (25% buyer’s premium) Antiques & Fine Art Sale.

This Second World War Distinguished Conduct Medal group of five was awarded to Serjeant John Chapman of the 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers.

Australian saleroom Abacus Auctions will feature a compact but significant collection of medals formed by British expatriate Dr Cecil Walkley.

The latest edition of the Coin Yearbook is published this month.