American Civil War militaria for auction buffs

A massive array of militaria including muskets and carbines from the American Civil War will be a major feature of Blackburn Auctioneers two-day sale from 10am on Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31 at Unit 5, 66 Railway Road, Blackburn.

Large and small cannon are some of the more intriguing American Civil War items along with swords, bayonets and an 1860s surgeon’s medical box originally belonging to S. Clay Brown, a surgeon with the 18^th Independent Regiment.

Colonial weapons used by early Australian settlers, miners and bushrangers are other important militaria collectables.

Also featuring is a very rare Boer War gold sovereign brooch, rare gun sights, jet ejector seats from the Vietnam War and uniform epaulettes.

The auction contains a range of “petrolnalia” including Ampol and Shell petrol bowsers, old tins, a Champion spark plug tester and a Michelin collection.

Other items of note include carnival glass in various colours, tea sets, souvenirs, kerosene and banquet lamps and parts, watches and fob chains.

There is a rare canvas map of Victorian railway lines, original 1918 canvas backed boxing advertising poster, 1890s lithographs and a 1960s picturesque atlas of Australia.

Unusual is the cast iron light horse statue, cast iron pillar box, jockey on his mount and collectable boxing money boxes.

For those collectors interested in early newspapers, there are bound volumes from 1852 on which they can feast their eyes.

Cast iron toy cars and chain driven pedal cars join original ships chronometers as other interesting auction items.