Lockdales of Ipswich reports bumper sale

A set of military binoculars were estimated to go for £40-£50 but keen collectors soon pegged them as German WWII issue and the price rocketed to £500 before the hammer fell.

A group of five medals consisting of British War Medal, Mercantile Marine Medal to Ralph Allen, a Defence Medal, Civil Defence Long Service Medal engraved to RS Allen plus a Service Medal with three long service bars were estimated at £70-£75. However, along with accompanying Mercantile marine papers, they fetched a hefty £780.

Other highlights included a 1915 Star Trio and Death plaque to George John Alexander AVC who died 24 March, 1917, aged 45, serving with the 13th Vet. Hospital. Born in Earsham, Norfolk he was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery. The estimate was £220, the actual price realized was £620.

A very rare Coronation 1911 Police Medal Royal Parks, marked on the reverse to J Wright was listed at £1,000-£1,200. James Edward Wright was born in Stockport around 1867 and come the 1911 Census was listed as a pensioner, Royal Park Keeper living at 9 Barrow Hill Rd, Marylebone. The price realized, including the auction house premium, was £1380.

For something a little different, there was a Japanese Samurai helmet with device, dated circa 1730. It sold for £1,920.

Or if that doesn’t grab you, how about an interesting and unique lot from the Liebenau internment camp, based at a castle near Meckenbeuren in Württemberg, which held women from the UK, USA, Belgium, Greece, Holland and Poland. The lot included 10 handmade items, presented to floor Captain Miss Constance Lloyd in 1943, including a raffia bound album with Christmas card and a photo of the camp nativity play, signed inside by 109 UK and USA internee. Other, handmade, items included an RAF biplane, miniature sailing schooner, Polish doll in Cracow costume, trinket box with inlaid photo of group of nuns, two miniature hats, a book mark and various annotated photos. It sold for £455.

For a chunk of heavy metal there was an 18^th or 19^th century ship’s signal cannon. It has a 9.5in tapered barrel with cascabel and five reinforcing rings, heavy integral trunnions and a circular firing vent. Mounted in a heavy oak carriage with integral stabilising rings there are two iron wheels to the front. Given the weight, you were asked to come and collect this piece personally. The canon sold for £410.

Sword collectors were out in force for a Turkish Shamshir with curved ribbed back and chipped back blade measuring 27in approximately. It has engraved silver coloured langets and quillons with bulbous terminals. This was once a good quality sword, now with parts missing from grip and with a rusted (surface) overall. It didn’t even come with a scabbard so had an estimate of £50 - £60. Surprisingly, it sold for £960 including premium.