Ewbank’s, Surrey’s and Hampshire’s leading international auction house, is seeking items of militaria for sale in its Militaria, Stamps, Books, Maps and Photographic auction, taking place on August 22. 
 
Items of militaria, such as medals and antique swords, and weapons always garner much interest from collectors, both in the room, and online all over the UK and internationally.
 
Chris Ewbank, senior partner and auctioneer, said: “Militaria is an ever-growing section of this sale, and there’s a good market with plenty of collectors out there looking for interesting and unique pieces. 
 
“Military pieces with a good back-story or interesting provenance often lead to vastly increased interest and higher estimates. We have already had more than 150 lots consigned for sale, but there is still time to have items valued and catalogued for sale. The deadline is August 16.”
 
One of the most intriguing pieces already consigned is a WWII double-sided silk Chindit ‘panic map’ of North Burma and Central Burma. The Chindits, known officially as the Long Range Penetration Groups, were special operations units of the British and Indian armies and were the largest of the allied Special Forces of the 2nd World War. They operated deep behind enemy lines in North Burma in the war against Japan.
 
For many months they lived in and fought the enemy in the jungles of Japanese-occupied Burma, totally relying on airdrops for their supplies. These orange escape maps, also tied around the neck to absorb sweat, were unique to the Chindits, and were often waved at aircraft overhead to indicate where supplies should be dropped.
 
The one going under the hammer has notation in ink, ‘983331 Sgt. Murphy, Wingates Army, 1944’ and is the size of a scarf; 59cm by 72cm. It has a pre-sale guide price of between £100 and £200. 
 
It was originally owned by Robert George Murphy who joined the forces in March 1940. Murphy went on to serve all over the world, most frequently posted to South Africa, and was admitted to hospital on several occasions. He constantly volunteered for dangerous situations, including his time in Burma. He died at the age of 66 in Townsville, Australia
 
Other lots of note include a Victorian percussion Coast Guard, or sea service, belt pistol, which carries an estimate of between £300 and £500. The lockplate is marked with Tower 1849, crowned reign mark, and arrow, and has a swivel steel ramrod with 6" barrel. The stock is marked POLICE 1866 around a Crowned VO and arrow. On the side of the stock, is stamped P Rosson.
 
A Naval officer’s dress sword, with 79.5cm blade, has been valued at between £250 and £350. It was made by J R Gaunt & Son Ltd, Late Edward Thurkle, London & Birmginham.
 
It bears a crown, star and fouled anchor, and with Royal Cypher, knotted rope and acorns; and has a gilt brass guard with fouled anchor, lion head pommel and shagreen grip and has its original brass mounted scabbard and cover.
 
A scale model of a field gun or cannon, with brass barrel and furniture on an oak carriage, measuring 51cm, has been valued at between £150 and £250; and two Crimean clasps (1854-1856) from Sebastopol and Azoff, together with a Turkish Crimea, Sardinian Issue, 1855 medal; have been valued at between £100 and £150. Both are un-named and presumably as awarded to Royal Navy or Marine personnel, serving in the Sea of Azoff.
 
The Ewbank’s auction room is open from Monday to Friday for valuations between 9am and 5pm at Burnt Common in Send just off the A3. 

 
-          Ewbank’s: 01483 223101 or email valuations@ewbankauctions.co.uk. 

-          Live internet bidding is available through www.ewbankauctions.co.uk. 

-          2019: Celebrating 25 years of auctions at The Burnt Common Auction Rooms