Historic militaria at old Kilmore Gaol auction

A Japanese matchlock musket, dating from 1470 and containing the first ever firing mechanism invented for guns, will be a major highlight for Oldies Collectables forthcoming two-day auction from 10am Saturday September 10 at the old Kilmore Gaol, 8 Sutherland Street, Kilmore.

The auction, which continues from 10am the next day, contains 1400 items of historic militaria, garage memorabilia, cast iron moneyboxes and American animal traps.

Collectors will be particularly interested in two late 18^th century Brown Bess flintlock muskets – made famous during the American Revolution and Napoleonic Wars and used by British soldiers to guard convicts arriving in Australia on the First Fleet.

Another intriguing item is a North American trade musket complete with leather bindings and brass studs, along with a Davey Crockett Kentucky rifle.

American Civil War carbines and muskets are other items to attract plenty of attention.

Bayonets, swords, Bowie knives, collectable German Third Reich items, flags, arm bands, batons, caps, hats, helmets flare pistols, medals and badges are among other historic militaria on offer.

Intriguing is the Renactor Spanish cannon, Roman chariots and miniature suit of armour.

The garage memorabilia in the sale features a 1920s Hammond petrol bowser, oil racks and bottles, enamel advertising petrol signs and a range of gasoline, oil and grease tins.

Other items in the auction include a range of old tools, including jacks, double headed axes and ships pulleys, toys, railway signs, carved ship’s figurehead and a carved 1920s wooden carousel horse on a brass Coca-Cola stand.

The American animal traps (which have no teeth) include those used to trap wolves, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, moles, weasels, beavers, muskrats and gophers in the 19^th century.