Arms, Armour & Militaria

Operation Chariot on March 28, 1942, was one of the most daring British commando raids of the Second World War, aimed at destroying the heavily fortified dry dock at St Nazaire used by the German battleship Tirpitz.

Veteran antique arms and armour specialist David Williams is joining the Olympia Auctions team as senior consultant.

As this year commemorates VE and VJ days, there are likely to be even more collectors and dealers than usual converging on the first of 2025’s biannual Britannia Medal Fairs on Sunday, May 11.

Our selection of lots from seven upcoming auctions

A sword presented to one of only three Jewish winners of the Victoria Cross in the Second World War has sold for a hammer price of £7200 at Plymouth saleroom Eldreds (20% buyer’s premium).

Late 18th century Order of the Garter soars way over estimate as part of an Austrian sale

The museum gallery created to house the extensive collection of one of the most active British medal collectors of recent times is to close.

Tommy nearly made the supreme sacrifice to support the Allied cause in the Second World War.

Two excellent examples of the highest British awards for courage are coming up in the same London auction on March 11.

A British airborne forces smock offered in the C&T (22% buyer’s premium) February 12-13 auction told its own tale thanks to a remarkable discovery concealed within.

Lieutenant General John Burgoyne (1722-92) was put in command of the British forces in Canada in 1777 after outlining the shortcomings of his own commanding officer.

Although much less well known than many ‘last stands’, medals for the Wilson’s Patrol in 1893 are prized by collectors

Total sales across London coins and medals auctions fell £10m in 2024. So, are the first cracks appearing in a market that was riding high in Covid? As always, the devil is in the detail.

A look at some of the numismatic lots that caused a stir in 2024, starting off with a scarce example of Civil War coinage

A scarce First World War recruiting poster proclaiming Irishmen Avenge the Lusitania has sold to a London museum as part of a large collection offered at Dorset saleroom Onslows (29% buyer’s premium inc VAT).

British regiments stationed in Canada in the early to mid- 19th century suffered from a peculiar problem: soldiers had a habit of deserting across the American border.