Military & Aviation History Auction 22nd May 2025

Our next Military & Aviation History sale will be held on 22 May. Amongst the many highlights already consigned is a fine Austrian wheel-lock carbine attributed to the 'Master of the Animal Head Scrolls' (Meister der Tierkopfranke), circa 1650. The 51 cm octagonal sighted steel barrel is engraved with a griffin, scrolls and winged angel and the walnut stock carved in relief with figures, stags and hunting hounds, cannons and dragons. The two screws incorporating brass engraved wings, brass serpent and profile of a head facing right wearing a laurel wreath. The cheek piece brass roundel depicts a heraldic lion. The lockplate is decorated with an engraved winged angel and gold inlaid flower heads, with a sliding compartment, double trigger and steel trigger guard. The action is in good working order and its overall length reaches 75 cm.

This fine carbine is attributed to the unknown carver commonly referred to as the 'Master of the Animal Head Scrolls'. It is understood that he was employed in the Imperial Court of Vienna between 1624 and 1659, and his work is characterised by the fine carving of the stock. This example is from a private estate that has been in the same family for generations. It has a presale estimate of £4000-6000. Other examples have fetched around £9000 at auction.

Also included is a German Lobster Pot Helmet (Zischägge), mid-17th-century (£600-800), WWI medals to Lieutenant C.L. Gage-Brown, 1st Life Guards attested to the Intelligence Corps and taken prisoner of war in France on 6 November 1914 (£200-300), the French Third Republic, Legion d'Honneur, which is a superb example of a Commander's neck badge in 18ct gold and enamel (£1500-2000).

Further highlights of the upcoming sale include a French Napoleonic bone model three-masted ship of the line, circa 1800, fully rigged displaying a British ensign. The ship is contained in a distinctive straw-work display case with a mirrored back and hinged glass front (27 cm high x 35.5 cm wide x 14 cm deep). These ships are very popular with collectors and have sold for between £5000 and £20,000. The estimate for this example is £3000-5000, so fingers crossed for a good result!

The May sale will also contain two photographic archives. The first is a very impressive collection of aviation glass negatives of photographs taken between 1913 and 1923 at Hendon and surrounding areas, taken by a Mr A.G. Cooke using his Thornton Pickard plate camera. Looking at these slides it’s apparent that he enjoyed the freedom of Hendon and the confidence of the renowned aviators including the RFC. The collection includes his camera and the estimate is £5000-8000. The second archive was compiled by the official Red Arrows’ photographer Arthur Gibson, who passed away in 1991. Gibson is best remembered for his iconic photograph of the QE2 with Concorde and the Red Arrows. The vast collection of photographs and negatives also includes Gibson’s Hasselblad camera, which he used for air-to-air photography. The estimate is yet to be confirmed.

We are still accepting further entries for this sale.
Please contact Henry Meadows on 01285 860006 or henry@dominicwinter.co.uk