Finer firearms in the sale include a Springfield Model 1877 Trapdoor Rifle, a marked Boer War Colt Model 1878 Army revolver, and this turn-of-the-century Smith & Wesson New Model Number Three Target S.A. Revolver, which is sold with a first model 44 DA ($2,500-$3,500).

There are many group lots of guns and other weapons in this sale. Examples include numerous pairs and quartets of Winchesters, small groups of antique percussion and single action rifles, and groups of military swords from the U.S., U.K. and Spain. With hundreds of such group lots -- with estimates in the high hundreds and low thousands -- throughout the sale, this auction is a great opportunity for collectors to bid on a very large volume of sought-after antique and vintage weapons.

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The sale will begin with an range of fine and decorative arts, miscellaneous militaria and arms-related accoutrements followed by swords and other edged weapons from around the world including an spectacular African nimcha, a highly decorative Ottoman kilic, and a floral-motifed Indian military dagger. Firearms in the sale include several intricately engraved Ottoman rifles, an ornate Russian pistol, and a fine pair of Northern Italian pistols.

Other items include crossbows, rare books, a full suit of armor, and a number of 16th century European helmets, including this striking Milanese example with superbly preserved engravings of amphorae, grotesque animal heads, and helmets. It is expected to bring upwards of E18.000.

On June 6th, San Giorgio will be holding an auction of orders and decorations, featuring many rare and beautiful militaria items.

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This two-handed sword dates from the 19th century and is styled after late 16th century German examples. Sporting a quillon with decorative lily ends, a leather grip, and black tassles, this double-edged sword is expected to bring upwards of E1320.

Pieces of armour include a Dutch helmet, 16th Century Lower German half armour, and an Italian breast plate. Other edged weapons includes Swiss and German halberds, a Kris from Java, and many German Gala swords.

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Commencing with a pair of small 19th century carronades, the sale will move onto larger and finer examples, including a late 18th century 24-pdr naval cannon manufactured by Samuel Walker from Nelson’s flagship the Foudroyant, and a Dutch 6-pdr bronze cannon dated 1694, which was recovered from the wreck of the Dutch East-Indiaman Hollandia.

The star of the sale is this Louis XIV 24-pdr, recovered from the wreck of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell’s flagship HMS Association. Measuring over ten feet long, this magnificent cannon bears Louis XIV's royal arms among many other decorative details. It is strongly believed that this cannon was captured by the British during the Battle of Vigo Bay in 1702. The cannon was test-fired in 1969 and was offered at Sotheby's in 1979. The item is expected to bring 10,000 to 25,000 Stg.

Rare arms and militaria reference books -- both antique and modern -- originating from the Wigington Library will be offered, and the auction will conclude with several dozen lots of sporting and military firearms from Europe and America, among them cased pairs of flintlock duelling pistols, Remington revolvers, and late 18th century flintlock blunderbusses.

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