Antique swivel guns will be a blast at George Kidner's Militaria sale

George Kidner auctions of Hampshire, UK has an intriguing Arms, Armour and Militaria auction coming up which offers some excellent chances to snaffle some entry-level investments.

Some of the most exciting lots are antique firearms:

Firstly, a Burnside breech loading carbine, fifth model type with Bacon's patent guide pin to the frame. This boasts a sighted barrel 20 inches long, with the top of the frame marked 'Burnside Patent March 25th 1856' and numbered 34402, whilst the breech block is numbered 36871.

The back action lock plate is marked 'Burnside Rifle Co./ Providence R.I.'. It has a two part wooden stock, metal parts with tinned finish; together with a book: Edward A. Hull, 'The Burnside Breech Loading Carbines'. It is estimated at £1,500 - £2,000 (up to $3,250).

Seconly, there is a scarce Richards Colt .44 revolver, with 5 inch long barrel, chambered by the Richards system for the (obsolete) .44 Colt Revolver calibre, in a later fitted case, with later accoutrements.This is listed at £3,000-4,000 (up to $6,500).

Antique swivel guns

Best of all is an interesting group of four early 19th Century miniature swivel guns.

These have multi-stage bronze cannon barrels 11 inches long including cascobels, with reinforcing rings and swollen muzzles, touch holes within rectangular borders, each with an iron pintle forked at the top to unite with the trunnions and with pierced rails for elevation adjustment (missing from one gun), each with an iron tiller fitted to the cascobel.

These are expected to bring £4,000 - £5,000 (around $8,100), and should make an excellent investment. The sale takes place on March 17^th 2011.