Hidden Treasures At Holts

- 

In previous articles I have given a broad selection of what is on offer in the Holts auction, from the £10 oil bottle to the £20,000 sidelock ejector. I thought for a change I would give you some examples from the September sale at the upper end of the scale – the lots fetching good money. 

Condition is everything. Firearms in their original condition with little evidence of use will always fetch high prices. Such condition and originality was  exemplified in a beautiful pair of 40 bore flintlock officers’ pistols by Champion of Chichester in Lot 455. Estimated at £3,000-£5,000 they went for £4,800 and were a joy to behold; resplendent in their original case with accessories. Another pair of guns in remarkable original condition were in Lot 521, a pair of 12 bore percussion sporting guns by James Beattie of London fromc.1850. These guns sparkled in their original colours and looked almost untouched. For some reason they did not sell in the last sale, but in this one, estimated at £5,000-£7,000, they went for £8,000.