The Militaria and Ethnographica Sale at Tennants Auctioneers on 18th March is set to include over eighty lots of medals, such as a Second World War D.S.C. Group of Medals, awarded to Lieutenant Commander James Ian Curickshank R.N.V.R (estimate: £1,800-2,500 plus buyer’s premium). The medals comprise a Distinguished Service Cross awarded for gallantry and outstanding service, a 1939-45 Star, an Atlantic Star with France and Germany Clasp, a MID Oak Leaf, and a Defence and War Medal. Cruickshank, when serving on HMS Corena, ‘rescued’ three men onboard a yacht in the North Sea, one of which turned out to be a German Spy. The Medal section will also include a Private Collection of Army Temperance Badges, which were awarded to soldiers in the 19th and early 20th centuries for voluntarily abstaining from alcohol for set periods, often featuring the motto ‘Watch and Be Sober’ and were issued to combat rampant drunkenness, improve discipline, and promote health.
A Private Collection of Cap and Headdress Badges and Accoutrements, which includes over eighty lots with examples from the Indian and South African Armies. Notable amongst the collection is an Indian Army Silver Pouch Belt Plate to an Officer the 130th King George’s Own Baluchis (estimate: £300-400) and an Indian Army Officer’s Helmet Plate to the Coorg & Mysore Rifles circa 1884-1917, sold with two further examples (estimate: £200-300).
Interesting lots of Militaria include Four Early 19th Century Mosaic Roundels, which were once set into the floor of the Guards Chapel in Wellington Barracks, London. Built in 1838, the chapel was destroyed by a bomb in 1944, with great loss of life. The roundels depict regimental badges of the Scots Guards, the Grenadier Guards and the Irish Guards (estimate: £500-700). Also of interest is a Pair of Second World War German Kriegsmarine 10x80 Deck Binoculars from the S-Boat Tender Ship ‘Tsingtau’ (estimate: £2,500-3,500). The ‘Tsingtau’ was commissioned in 1933 and saw years of active service in the German navy before becoming British war booty in 1945; later ending up at a ship breakers’ yard at Dunston on the River Tyne, the directors of the company used the binoculars to oversee their workforce. Amongst the helmets and uniforms in the sale are a Second World War German Luftwaffe Paratrooper’s (Fallschirmjäger) M38 Single Decal Helmet (estimate: £2,000-3,000), and a Post-1902 Full Dress Uniform to a Trooper 16th Lancers (estimate: £750-950).
Moving onto weapons, there is an interesting 19th Century French Romantic Dagger decorated with a medieval huntsman mounted on a rearing horse and fighting a wildcat (estimate: £350-450), and a Mid-20th Century Large World Cup Commemorative Bowie Knife made to honour the 1966 World Cup Victory (estimate: £200-300). Leading the pistols in the sale is a good Pair of Early 19th Century Scottish All-Steel Flintlock Belt Pistols by Daniel Ross of Edinburgh (estimate: £6,000-7,000) and a Post-1802 East India Company New Land Flintlock Pistol (estimate: £500-600). Amongst the guns and accessories is a 19th Century 4 Bore Percussion Wildfowling Gun (estimate: £800-900), and a Private Collection of 19th Century Powder Flasks.
Ethnographic and Tribal Art from across the world includes three rare Late 18th/Early 19th Century Pre-Contact Australian Aboriginal Boomerangs, on offer with estimates starting at £80-120, and an Early 19th Century Australian Aboriginal Sword Club, on offer with an estimate of £300-400. From Fiji, are two good Early 19th Century Fijian Ulas or Throwing Clubs with estimates of £450-550 and £550-650.
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