An auction of arms and armour

Danish arms and armour

In the category of Danish arms and armour, a Danish tige rifle M/1848 was sold for the record-breaking price of DKK 32,000. The rifle was preserved with the original blueing and the original “locust visor” as patented by gunsmith Jessen. The rifle was also in very good condition, and it was one of first ever made of its kind – which was reflected in the hammer price. Also, a rare Danish military pistol, a Løbnitz test pistol M/1841 with underlying guard lock, was sold for DKK 37,000 against an estimate of DKK 20,000.

As something quite extraordinary, three butt pistols used by the Schleswigian gendarmerie as of 1851 were offered for sale at the auction in the spring. The pistol was produced in a total of about 170 specimens. The best of the three specimens included in the auction came with tools and was sold for DKK 46,000. A similar specimen, although in somewhat poorer condition, was sold for DKK 22,000. The last one, however, was sold for a mere DKK 9,000.

Also included in the auction was a pair of Danish cavalry pistols with interior locks, Model 1807. These were sold for DKK 15,500 and 5,500, respectively. The sizeable difference between these prices reflects two important considerations that are highly significant when you buy collector’s weapons. Firstly, one of the two pistols was in poorer condition than the other, and this, of course, is bound to influence the price. Secondly, the most expensive of the two carried the mark of a specific military unit and was dated later than 1842 which means that it had presumably been in service during the First Schleswigian War, while the least expensive of the two bore no stamp and thus could not be attributed any traceable history.

Private weapons

The most expensive of the pistols sold at the auction belonged to the category of private weapons. The pistols in question were a pair of Greek flintlock pistols from about 1800 with stocks cast in gilt brass and decorations in the form of winding leaves. Pistols of this type were used across most of Caucasia, but they are seldom seen in this condition in our part of the world. As could be expected, they were sold to a Greek collector for a staggering hammer price of DKK 80,000 against an estimate of DKK 18,000 – 20,000. Within the same category, a set of remarkably fine pistols by Johan Andreas Kuchenreuter were sold. They were in perfect condition and were sold, complete with original case and all accessories, for DKK 60,000.

In general, private pistols were sold at prices in the vicinity of or higher than the estimates. Everything indicates that there is once again a significant demand for private luxury pistols among Danish as well as foreign collectors. For a number of years the price level for such pistols has been low, but the results achieved at the auction certainly indicate that this tendency has been reversed.

Older rifles and fowling pieces achieved handsome prices as well. What we are dealing with in this category is most often extremely fine craftsmanship. Rifles and fowling pieces were often used by several generations of hunters and gamekeepers that have taken very good care of them. At the auction, for example, a double-barrelled rifle in the finest quality by the renowned German gun-makers Funck & Söhne in Solingen was sold for a hammer price of DKK 10,000. In addition, a well-preserved rifle by the English gunsmith Whitworth in accompanying case found a new owner when it was sold for DKK 30,000.

Japanese body armour and Oriental weapons

Among the many items included in the auction, especially the three Japanese body armours must be mentioned. Two of them were sold for DKK 70,000 each. One of these was sold with accompanying storage case and bore the mark of the Omodoka family on the chest plate, just as it carried yellow bands. It was probably made in the 19th century, while the other was made much earlier – presumably in the late 17th century. Japanese body armours are remarkably decorative and, along with Japanese weapons, they have been the object of much attention from a large international clientele in the last 100 years. This means that the price level for really interesting items is very high – which also proved to hold true for the two body armours.

In addition, the auction also offered a number of Oriental weapons. Most remarkable among these was an extremely rare child’s shamseer that was sold for DKK 29,000. Furthermore, a broad Persian Oama sword with sheath was sold for a hammer price of DKK 25,000.

Side-arms and older weapons

Also, a number of European side-arms were included in the auction. Most noteworthy in this regard was a rare Danish memorial sabre from The Battle of Copenhagen, April 2nd 1801. It was sold for DKK 18,000. Among the older weapons included in the auction could be mentioned a set of rare flintlock pistols by Danish gunsmith Heinrich Kappel from about 1710 – hammer price DKK 16,000.

We accept consignments on a continual basis for our online auctions of weapons, held every fourth Tuesday of the month. Just now we are open for submissions to our comprehensive, international auction of weapons in December, so if you are in possession of weapons, trophies or collections that you would be interested in having valuated for the purpose of a possible sale at our auctions, we are, of course, at your service.