There is something rather wonderful about an ammunition and accessories sale. It is the working end of the sporting world — the decoys, the wallets, the brass, the trophies — the bits and pieces that get used, treasured, handed down and quietly tell the story of how people have spent their weekends in the British countryside for generations. Our Ammunition & Accessories 6 catalogue is a particularly cheerful mix, and we cannot wait to share our highlights with you.
From a flock of pigeon decoys to a tidy parcel of Sellier & Bellot brass for the reloader, this is a sale that rewards a careful read of the catalogue. Several of these lots carry modest estimates that belie just how useful — or how charming — they really are.
Pigeons, pockets and a touch of theatre
Pigeon shooting has been a cornerstone of British rough shooting since at least the post-war years, when surplus shotguns and an abundance of woodpigeon on freshly drilled fields turned the humble decoy pattern into something of a national pastime. A dozen full-bodied decoys is the classic starter set — enough to throw out a tidy horseshoe over a flightline and convince inquisitive birds to commit. Lot 6 offers exactly that: twelve decoys at a price that barely buys you a box of cartridges. Whether you are setting up over rape stubbles in February or laid-up beside a flightline in August, this is the sort of kit that earns its keep season after season. A lovely entry point for a young shot, or a useful top-up for a hide-bag already groaning with kit.
MTM Molded Products has been turning out its tough polypropylene Case-Gard range from Ohio since the 1960s, and the little flip-top ammo wallet has become a quiet classic on the rifle range and in the deer-stalker’s pocket. The nine-round wallet is the sweet spot — slim enough to live in a coat pocket, deep enough to hold a hunting day’s worth of centrefire cartridges, and with that reassuring snap-shut lid that keeps everything dry on a grim morning out. Lot 13 offers two of them at a sensible estimate. If you stalk, deerwatch or simply like your ammunition organised, these are honest, hard-wearing pieces of kit that will outlast a great many of the rifles they accompany.
Blanks, brass and a handsome roe
The Webley Can Launcher is a properly British piece of garden-and-paddock fun — a spring-loaded device that fires an ordinary drinks can skywards on the report of a .22 blank, giving the snap-shooting practice that used to be the preserve of clay traps. Webley, of course, need little introduction; the Birmingham firm has been a fixture of British shooting since the 1830s, and their air weapons and accessories remain firm favourites. Four boxes of blanks is enough to keep a long summer’s afternoon entertained, or to drill a young shot into something approaching consistency. Lot 21 is one of those small, friendly lots that ends up being remembered for the bank holiday it provided.
Roe deer have been stalked across the British Isles since the chase was first formalised, and a well-prepared roe trophy mounted on an oak shield is one of the most handsome objects a sporting hall can offer. The pleasing thing about roe is the variation — pearling, length, tine character, the colour and curve of the burrs — and a piece like Lot 24 rewards close inspection. Whether destined for a study wall, a snug or a sporting lodge, this is the kind of piece that brings a corner of a room to life. Modest in estimate, but rich in atmosphere.
For the home loader, sixty unprimed Sellier & Bellot .222 Remington cases is a parcel worth lingering over. S&B have been making cartridges in Bohemia since 1825, which makes them one of the very oldest ammunition firms on the continent, and their brass enjoys a deservedly strong reputation for consistent wall thickness and a long, reload-friendly life. The .222 Rem itself is a lovely round — a fox and varmint classic that briefly held the world benchrest crown in the 1950s and 60s, prized for its inherent accuracy and gentle manners. At this estimate, Lot 166 is a thoroughly sensible way to top up the press bench.
Join us for the sale
From the decoy pattern in a stubble field to the reloading bench in a quiet workshop, these are the lots that make our Ammunition & Accessories sales such a pleasure to put together. Have a proper browse, register to bid and we very much look forward to seeing you there.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Ammunition & Accessories 6 sale?
The full sale details, viewing dates and bidding instructions are listed on the upcoming auctions page of the Lonsdales website. Click through to the catalogue for the latest information.
Do I need a firearms or shotgun certificate to bid on these lots?
The lots featured here — decoys, ammo wallets, blanks, a deer trophy and unprimed brass — generally do not require a firearms or shotgun certificate, but please check the individual lot description and contact us if you are unsure.
Can I bid online or do I need to attend in person?
Yes, you can bid live online, leave commission bids in advance, bid by telephone or attend the sale in person. Simply register through our website ahead of the sale.
Do you offer postage and packing?
We can arrange postage on most accessories and non-restricted items. Please get in touch with the saleroom after the auction and our team will be happy to quote.
