Duelling at Tennants

A pair of 19th century duelling or officer’s pistols topped Tennants Auctioneers’ Militaria and Ethnographica Sale when they sold for £9,672 (includes Buyer’s Premium of 24%). The pistols were made by Joseph Manton of London, one of the leading gunsmiths of his age, and were sold in a fitted mahogany case with Manton’s original paper label.

A small private collection of World War I and World War II propaganda and recruiting posters and signs sold well throughout. The top lot of the collection, selling for £1,488, was an early 20th century enamel advertising sign for The Passing Show magazine. The sign depicted Lloyd George seated reading the magazine whilst his steward restrains members of his War Cabinet with an inscription stating: ‘Hush!! He’s Busy’. Medals continued to sell well, and the leading group in this sale came with provenance from Forcett Hall, North Yorkshire. The group of three Victoria Campaign Medals, which sold for £1,240, were awarded to NG Fraser. The group comprised the India General Service Medal 1854, the India Medal 1896, and the Queens South Africa Medal. Also of note was a Bronze Medal commemorating the visit of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron to South Africa and South America in 1908. With 14 clasps it sold for £850.

An interesting item next, a rare pair of World War II US Submarine Mk. 91 Torpedo Forward Control Binoculars, by Bausch & Lomb. They featured black enamelled brass with central steel rod, each turret with a gas valve, the left turret numbered ‘6’, the right turret numbered ‘2’. They sold for £868.

Of all the war artists of WWI, there are few more recognisable than Bruce Bairnsfather. Here we have a set of five Bruce Bairnsfather silk pictures, of square form, each painted with a differing scene, 15cm. With some perishing to the silk, they still sold for £136.40.

Some uniform action now with a WW II No. 2 service uniform to Captain William Webster RASC, comprising a tunic with brass buttons, rank pips, bronze collar dogs and Dove of Peace sleeve insignia, with maker's label for ‘Wm Anderson & Sons, Edinburgh & Glasgow’. The tunic was inscribed with owner's name and dated ‘1941’ and there was a shirt and trousers. Captain Bill Webster was the vendor's uncle and was Mentioned in Despatches in Italy.

Finally, a 19th century IndoPersian steel shield sold for £620. The convex circular shield was highly decorated with applied brass flowerheads and tendrils. ■