Arms, Armour & Militaria

Medals specialist David Erskine-Hill has left Dix Noonan Webb to rejoin former employer Spink.

One of the most famous firearms in French literary history has sold for €360,000 (£305,605) at Christie’s in Paris.

Antiques Roadshow expert and militaria specialist Graham Lay has passed away. A well-known personality on the show for more than 25 years, his death was announced by the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.

Besides the danger of a dog bite, delivering the mail is not generally seen as a perilous business. However, as a presentation sword up at auction in London shows, on occasion it can be a matter of life or death.

It is easy to understand the appeal of a Victoria Cross to medal collectors. Likewise, any honours connected with the name ‘Dambusters’ or those awarded to flying ‘aces’ have a high value.

The first Chinese firearm with an imperial reign mark ever offered at auction sold at Sotheby’s yesterday for £1.65m.

In the run-up to the US election on November 8, Frances Allitt takes a look at the objects previous presidents borrowed, bought – and sometimes broke.

An antique’s appearance in an exhibition in a gallery or museum can help boost auction value in several ways. One factor after the show is adding to the provenance: this item was so important it was selected for a landmark display on the artist or designer.

Manfred von Richthofen aka the Red Baron is one of those historical figures with a high fascination value, meaning high demand for relics.

A musket made in the Chinese Imperial workshops, complete with marks, will become the first of its kind to be offered at auction next month.

A D-Day Landings Omaha Beach flag is being offered at C&T Auctioneers on September 28.

The Dutch buyer of ‘the most valuable Second World War battle flag ever sold’ has loaned it to the National Military Museum in Soesterberg, the Netherlands.

Coin specialist Tom Eden is to retire from Morton & Eden after 47 years in the industry.

An archive telling the poignant story of one of the 300 nurses who lost their lives during the First World War sold for £11,200 at Hansons of Etwall latest sale.

A sword owned by Benjamin Franklin will be offered at an upcoming Christie’s sale in New York, estimated at $200,000-300,000.

A ‘unique’ Victoria Cross at auction usually means one thing – a bid from Lord Ashcroft. And that’s exactly how it turned out at the latest orders and decoration auction held by London saleroom Dix Noonan Webb.

Salisbury-based auctioneers Woolley & Wallis have launched a new department and welcome Ned Cowell as their head of Arms & Armour, Medals & Coins and Militaria

Three leading specialists in orders, decorations and medals are leaving Spink to join rival London firm Dix Noonan Webb.

Dix Noonan Webb have achieved the second highest price for a George Cross just eight months after selling the GC awarded to the secret agent Violette Szabo for a record £260,000.

The Law Commission, the independent body which reviews laws in England and Wales, have recommended to the government that the term ‘antique firearm’ be defined in statute for the first time.