I bought a garden feature for £20 – and now I’m selling it for £3,000… here’s how
A MAN who bought a garden feature for £20 has revealed how he is now selling it for £3,000.
Auctioneer Charles Hanson said owner of the bronze piece picked it up in a Hertfordshire flea market and used it to decorate their rock garden.
But they were shocked when they learned that it was actually a 600-year-old medieval hand cannon.
Charles said: “It’s a rockery rocket of a find. The bronze hand cannon was brought at a flea market in Hertfordshire for less than £20.
“The seller was unaware of its true context and added it to their rockery as a decorative touch.
“When we came to assess it properly we were amazed. It’s a heavy, triple-ring cast cannon.
“This type of weapon was seen in late medieval Europe around 1400-1450.
“It was the first true small weapon of its kind, the most mechanically simple form of a metal-barrel firearm.
“Perhaps it was used by a knight in shining armour. In more than 20 years in the antiques business I have never seen one like it.
“Until now, my only knowledge of late medieval hand cannons has come from reading about them in reference books.”
Hand cannons were widely used in China from the 13th century onwards, before making their way onto the battlefields of Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The first use of this type of gun powder weapon is known to have taken place around 1330 by two mounted German knights.
By 1340 weapons like these were widely used in France during the Hundred Years’ War with England.
The first English mention of a hand-held firearm dates back to the early 15th century.
Charles said: “It really is a remarkable find.
“Originally this cannon would have been mounted on wood with a powder bag and ram rod.
“It evolved to become a match-lock firearm with trigger.
“It’s incredible to think this historical treasure ended up in a rockery.
“We will never know how the original seller discovered it but, looking at remnants of soil on the cannon, we suspect it may have been dug up.”
The hand cannon will be offered in Hansons’ Militaria Auction on June 15 with a guide price of £2,000-£3,000 – more than 200 times its flea market cost.
It comes as a time capsule Renault Clio is set to sell for a whopping six-figure sum at auction after doing just 1,872 miles in 18 years.
The surprising household items that are worth a fortune and how to find them
ANTIQUES expert Kate Cranfield told The Sun how to spot amazing finds in your own attic
Vintage sideboards:
- Kate bought a collectable lounge sideboard table for £50 and sold it for £1,200.
- Kate’s advice: All sideboards go for about £300 so finding it at the right price is key.
- For vintage furniture Kate advises to keep an eye on the Ikea catalogue, when something appears on there, it will make your original more valuable.
Old video game consoles:
- Kate picked up a Commodore video console for just £2 and sold it for £250.
- Kate’s advice: These are hit with fans and Kate knew it would be valuable because it’s a “cool retro item”.
- She advises you to do your research ahead, the older the consoles the more valuable it is for collectioners.
Vintage magazines:
- A bundle of her own vintage magazine from the 1970s sold for £10 per item or £140.
- Kate’s advice: Obviously you will recognise old magazines from the design and the date, which is usually on the cover.
- She advises bargain hunter to buy and sell these in bulk to get a better pricer.
Your nan’s wedding dress:
- A 1930s wedding dress and veil can reach £450 to £1000, according to Kate who sold several.
- Kate’s advice: Vintage wedding dresses are very desirable especially if they are pre-1950s and in lovely condition.
- The most important thing is to check the labels: “Made in great Britain” or “made in the United Kingdom” are the ones to look out for. If it’s in good condition you’ll also get a better price
Coloured Pyrex:
- Vintage Pyrex can be really popular as it often comes in bright colours, ideal to use in the kitchen.
- Some rarer styles such as the Gooseberry Cinderella mixing bowls can be worth over £300 for the set
- Kate’s advice: Check for prices on eBay. It’s knowing what’s worth something then keeping your eye out for it. These need to be sold back to the US though as that’s where the buyers are though