Private Collections

The John Kirk Collection: Historic Scottish Arms and Armour

11 August 2025

Lyon & Turnbull

Synonymous with the collecting and research of Scottish pistols, swords and related items John Kirk’s collecting journey started in Scotland in the 1960’s and has lasted over half a century.

An avid follower of auctions John started buying at a time when Scottish arms and armour seemed ‘commonplace’. Items were presented to the market far more regularly than we see today and the challenge was picking the better and best from the offerings and avoiding the meagre. His collection is testament to his eye for detail and his drive to only have the best he could find.

This August, our Scotland Collected auction will present selected highlights from The John Kirk Collection, many of which have not been seen on the market since the 1960’s.

Scotland Collected

Explore our August 2025 auction celebrating Scottish creativity, craftsmanship and cultural legacy.

THE FOLIATE ENGRAVED LOCK SIGNED GS

A FINE LATE 17TH CENTURY SCOTTISH ALL METAL SNAPHAUNCE LOCK HEART BUTT BELT PISTOL

By the 1980’s his collection was showcased in his snooker room. The display was reminiscent of trophies of arms in Scottish castles, with claymore and targe flanked by a fine array of pistols, together with portraits of Princes Charles Edward and Henry Benedict Stuart. It has of course grown since.

John, avid in his search, met with many of the great collectors not only to discuss and learn but to trade and upgrade. When his sights were set on an item, he was very hard to discourage! These meetings honed his eye, fuelled his passion and strengthened his desire to collect.

The enjoyment of adding a piece to the collection didn’t end after purchase, this was only the beginning. There was the tireless research to prove theories and to find the comparable piece and then, all too often, the elusive hunt to find a gun’s pair previously lost.

OF STIRLING TYPE, IN THE STYLE OF WALTER ALLAN

AN 18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH BASKET HILTED BROAD SWORD

While known to many for his passion for collecting arms and armour John’s collections grew to include Scottish silver, Jacobite relics (sold within these rooms in Jacobite, Stuart & Scottish Applied Arts, 13th May 2015) and although only a collection of one his beloved Ferrari Dino 246 GT.

The common thread throughout all his collections was quality of craftsmanship. His appreciation for the skill and effort in making an item, its historical context, rarity and its survival for centuries, fuelled the purchase. Excellent at working with his hands and making in wood or metal John’s appreciation extended to working out how an item could be made, what it would take and how he would do it. This also helped when looking for alterations, restoration or fakes which were to be avoided.

BY PATRICK BUCHANAN OF GLASGOW

A RARE EARLY 18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH FLINTLOCK ALL METAL SCROLL BUTT BELT PISTOL

The collection was such a passion that when leaving Scotland to emigrate to Canada everything, including the Ferrari, had to come too. Living in Canada, John showcased the guns to a new group of collectors. He was an active member of collector’s societies, often showcasing the pieces to explore connections in the field and promote the appreciation of the work of Scottish gunsmiths.

It is John’s wish that these pieces, many of which have not been seen on the market since the 1960’s, return to Scotland to be sold and a new generation of collector is given the chance to acquire them.

Please note all pistols in this sale are sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act.

Buy and sell Arms, Armour and Militaria at auction in Edinburgh, London, Glasgow and online

Department

The John Kirk Collection: Historic Scottish Arms and Armour

Scotland Collected

A FINE LATE 17TH CENTURY SCOTTISH ALL METAL SNAPHAUNCE LOCK HEART BUTT BELT PISTOL

AN 18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH BASKET HILTED BROAD SWORD

A RARE EARLY 18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH FLINTLOCK ALL METAL SCROLL BUTT BELT PISTOL

Arms, Armour & Militaria