Holts classic weapons

The next modern, antique and obsolete firearms sale from Holts is to be held online only, on 8 January, using sealed bids that have to be in by 10.30am. There are actually all kinds of items, besides the firearms, including ammunition, clothing, edge weapons, pictures and prints, cartridges, sporting rifles, gun cases and books. However, let’s start with some flintlock longarms and a 28-bore miquelet lock Ottoman rifle from c. 1800. No signature or serial number, missing the trigger and a few bits and pieces so the estimate is a modest £70-£120. Then there’s an interesting looking 25-bore North African matchlock musket with white metal mounts, c. 1825. Featuring swamped octagonal

46in Damascus barrel, walnut full-stock with flaring tiller-style butt (losses, cracks), the heel covered in padded leather, the action body, wrist and barrel-bands made from sheet white metal except two iron sideplates. Estimate is £150-£250.

Now, a .695 flintlock musket signed 'Tower', model Charleville type, no visible serial number, of the style used by the marines in the American War of Independence. It has a 39.5in barrel, later Tower lock, iron furniture and walnut full-stock. Estimate is £300-£350.

Let’s have a look at the edged weapons next, starting with a British cavalry trooper’s 1796 pattern sword, signed ‘John Gills’, with strongly curving 32.5in blade, the left side etched in a central oval panel with 'MAY I CONQUER' (remainder obscured) and signed near the hilt with 'JOHN GILLS WARRANTED'. It has a P-shaped knucklebow, straight cross-guard with pointed langets, ribbed leather grip with reinforcing ears integral with the doves-head back-strap, complete with its iron scabbard, all cleaned and finely pitted. Estimate is £200-£300.

Good value possible in the next lot, a British Navy Ensign’s levee’s pattern sword, unsigned, model 1827 Pattern, pre-1846 production with quill-tipped 24in blade (cleaned, shallow pitting), solid gothic brass hilt with lionshead pommel and white fish-skin grip, no scabbard. Estimate is only £50-£70. Then we have a striking looking edged weapon, with a North African Touareg sword, with straight 31in blade, cruciform hilt, sheet iron conical pommel and dramatic red leather scabbard. Estimate is £60-£100.

The classic film Zulu will probably have been on over Christmas, so what better than this next lot, a pair of Zulu Assegai Iklwa/stabbing spears probably late 19th century, possibly earlier, with the shaft bound to the head with copper wire, one 46in overall, one 61in overall. Estimate is £100-£150.

Sporting guns up next and a

G.E. Lewis & Sons 12-bore boxlock ejector, serial No. H19901, 28in replacement nitro barrels, 2.5in chambers, bored approx. With

1/4 and full choke, treble-grip action, automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, acanthus scroll engraving (worn) and 14in stock. Estimated at £300-£500. If you want a cheap shotgun though, how about this Belgian 12-bore boxlock ejector, serial No. 1384, 28in nitro barrels (pitted), 2.5in chambers, 3/4 and full choke, automatic safety, bolstered treble-grip action, retaining traces of colour-hardening and finish, 14.25in stock including buttplate. Could be yours for £30-£50.

Nice looking gun next, a Section 2 Firearm, it’s a Midland Gun Co. 12-bore (3in) toplever wildfowling hammergun, serial No. 89040. It has 32in nitro barrels, matt rib engraved with ‘MIDLAND GUN CO. BIRMINGHAM & LONDON.’, the right tube engraved ‘FOR 3" PAPER CASES.’, 3in chambers, bored approximately 3/4 and full choke, treble-grip action, rebounding locks (replacement screws, hammers slightly loose), border and acanthus scroll engraving, retaining very slight traces of original colour-hardening and finish. Estimate is £500-£700.

Another Section 2 firearm is a Charles Lancaster 12-bore Lancaster patent slide-and-tilt, rotary-underlever hammergun, serial No. 3341. It has 29.75in black powder only Damascus barrels, the rib engraved ‘CHARLES LANCASTER. LONDON. NO. 3341.’ (faint), Lancaster patent slideand-tilt action, non-rebounding back-action locks with hammers of hare's-ear form, acanthus scroll engraving, bar engraved 'CHARLES LANCASTER PATENT.', bright finish, 14in stock, fore-end with crosspin release catch and horn finial. Estimate is £150-£250.

To finish with, some flintlock pistols, starting with a neat looking a 25-bore miquelet lock brass mounted pistol, unsigned, model 'ALBANIAN RAT-TAIL', no visible serial number c. 1790, with shortened 9.5in barrel, miquelet lock of typical form, engraved brass full-stock with applied white metal decoration and single broad barrel band. Estimate is £200-£300. There’s a chunky 50-bore flintlock cannon-barrelled pocket-pistol signed 'WILKINSON', no visible serial number, c. 1780. It has turn-off 2.25in barrel, squared action with central cock and guarded trigger and wire bordered slab-sided butt, action at fault. Estimated at £150-£200. And lastly, a composed pair of flintlock pistols for the tourist-market, c. 1850.

With above average quality in the Turkish style, featuring 13in white metal decorated barrels, white metal decorated locks and walnut full-stocks with applied wire scrolls and embossed brass furniture. Estimate is £200-£300 for the pair.