Lyon & Turnbull’s Arms & Armour specialists offer a range of lots throughout the year including fine guns, armour and blades, selling both through our Scottish auction house in Edinburgh, and internationally via online auctions.
Weaponry and armour collections are popular in Scotland, and our long association with Scottish country homes means Lyon & Turnbull regularly win consignments of exceptional lots, including notable collections such as the contents of Midmar Castle which sold for just under £300,000 in 2010.
Lyon & Turnbull’s penetration of the USA, UK and European markets ensures that the world’s most serious collectors are always aware of forthcoming lots. However, arms and armour is an emotive and evocative field, and by embarking on press and PR campaigns to tell the stories behind the object we routinely generate prices far above estimate, often selling to clients without a firm interest in weaponry and armoury but who have been enticed by romantic tales of courage from past eras.
An excellent example of this process is the sale of ‘the walking stick made from the spear which killed Captain Cook’. This compelling story about the famous captain’s life and demise travelled around the world, appearing in print and online. The campaign led directly to sixty potential buyers competing at auction, from as far afield as Alaska, Louisiana, Hawaii and South Island, New Zealand. The fierce competition culminated in a Louisiana Vs. London bidding battle eventually resulting in a sale of £150,000 (twenty times the estimate).
For a free, no-obligation valuation, or to tell us how we can assist building your collection, please contact us below.
All prices inclusive of premium.
