On Thursday 24 April we held our Spring Sale of Fine Sporting Arms.

It threw up some interesting results.

First off, President Trump’s tariffs are certainly having an effect on the market. We’re talking US-based buyers of side-by-side shotguns, who were not out in force as much as they have been.

However, in the UK certain commodities sold well, including modern stock rifles and shotguns which maintained good prices for UK sellers. Specifics include Steyr Mannlichers and Browning 525s, one of which sold for well over £100 the estimated price.

Auctions are always full of surprises.

What’s next?

Our next auction is an Air Weapons & Trade Firearms Sale and takes place on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM GMT+1.

Your best bet is to come along to visit us here in Carnforth, roll your sleeves up and have a look around. There are some real gems of airguns there. Plus single barrel .410s and Baikals.

We’re always ready for a chat. If you have any queries please email us at enquiries@lonsdales-auctioneers.com
or call us on 01524 233430 (US +1 833 699 2667)

Many of our gun auctions attract US-based buyers who appreciate the variety and provenance of the lots we offer in our various gun and ammunition sales. (Read the catalogue for our 19 October sale of Fine and Sporting Arms here.)

US-based buyers also welcome our export services when it comes to shipping their purchases back home.

Customer based service

We are very much a customer-based service and so we do everything we can to assist with shipping your gun purchase to the USA.

This means that everything is handled efficiently, legally and swiftly. Guns bought in the UK by US buyers are collected from the seller, paperwork handled for both export and import, cleared for customers and then delivered to the buyer.

Documents and permits

Our selected partner for shipping your gun purchase to the USA is My Gun Import, who collect bought items, pack them securely and then deliver to the US address. My Gun Import handle all necessary documents, including approved import permits.

There are no expensive and unwelcome surprises for the buyer. A fixed price is given for each item imported and insurance is included, however an additional duty and customs filing fee will need to be paid (this is quoted for when a shipment has cleared customs).

Please get in touch with us via e mail here if you have any further questions and we will be happy to help.

Here are some of the key lots for our forthcoming autumn sale of fine and sporting arms. You can view the full catalogue here.

Remember, get in touch if you have any questions. If you are a US-based buyer we work closely with US-based My Gun Import who will ship your purchase to the US and assist with all the necessary paperwork.

Highlights

Lot 193 WINCHESTER

A Mod 1886 .45-90 UNDERLEVER RIFLE Ser No 42918

Est £7000 to £9000

Lot 78 BERETTA

AN SO6 SPORTING 12-BORE SIDEPLATED OVER & UNDER EJECTOR

Ser No C12002B

Est £7000 to £9000

Lot 79  WESTLEY RICHARDS

A SCARCE FINE ‘OVUNDO’ DOUBLE-TRIGGER SIDEPLATED OVER AND UNDER EJECTOR

Ser No O1570

Est £8000 to £9000

Lot 99 C INGRAM

A 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR c/w 2 BARRELS Ser No 4497

Est £1800 to £2200

Lot 100 J GRAHAM

A 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR Ser No. 78504

Est £2500 to £3000

Lot 195 WINCHESTER

A Mod 1894 .30 WCF UNDERLEVER RIFLE Ser No 503248

£800-£1000

One particular gun that will be on sale in our Fine & Sporting Guns sale on 19th October, is a Winchester A Mod 1886 .45-90 underlever rifle, serial number 42918.

It’s already attracting a great deal of attention and so we thought we’d fill you in on the rifle’s back story.

Its origins began when John Moses Browning, America’s renowned gun designer, was asked if he could design a stronger action that could fire big game hunting ammunition such as the buffalo-stopping .50-110 Winchester cartridge. As a result he designed the Model 1886, which introduced a stronger, vertically sliding, locking-block action to replace the weaker toggle lock.

The Winchester 1886 was remarkable. It could be used to hunt huge game and was a constant companion of those settling the then ‘Wild West’.

President Roosevelt and the Winchester 1886

American President Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt was a fan of the Winchester 1886 and used to gift the gun to those he admired. He liked big-bore guns and the Winchester 1886 rifle was one of his favourites due to the powerful cartridges and rapid follow-up shots. He carried a customised .45-90 version which he used extensively. When his mother and first wife died on the same day in 1884, Roosevelt dealt with his sorrow over the next two years by living in the saddle, driving cattle and hunting big game on his ranch in Dakota Territory.

Presidents aside, the Winchester 1886 was also an instant hit with scouts, hunters, lawmen, bandits and Native Americans. It was a rifle made for the West and with its chambering could deal with big game such as bison, elk, grizzy bear, moose and more.

View the full 19 October auction catalogue here.