WHETHER it's hunting, shooting or fishing, there will be lots for everyone at Mitchells next Country Sporting Sale next month.

The gun section has approximately 150 lots and includes what is expected to be the most valuable lot in the sale, a Boss and Co 12 bore side by side sidelock ejector shotgun built in 1913 for Lord Falmouth which has an estimate of £11,000 to £15,000.

Other valuable guns include a rare WW Greener Needham patent ejector push forward underleaver 12 bore shotgun made in 1898.

Only 6,000 of this type of gun were made between 1881 to 1890 and it is expected to sell for between £1,000 to £1,500.

Another interesting gun is a large bore percussion fowling piece by Cove of Hornchurch, Essex, with a 42in Damascus Barrel, circa 1850 to 1862, with an estimate of £200 to £300 and a T Graham of Cockermouth 410 hammer shotgun converted from a rook rifle with an unusual side leaver action estimated at £350 to £450.

Timothy Graham worked at 32 Station Road Cockermouth circa 1873.

A Cogswell and Harrison 20 bore side by side hammer shotgun should make £200 to £300 and a rare Sterling Armament Co HR81 .22 air rifle has an estimate of £100 to £150.

Amongst the knives is a Falklands war interest Argentinean Military Knife and Zeiss binoculars surrendered on West Falkland which should sell for £150 to £200.

The sale also features a collection of items relating to the Dumfries Foxhounds, Dumfries Otter Hounds and the Bell Irving Foxhounds, including a number of early 20th century photos and some fine taxidermy by the celebrated artist Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa.

Taxidermy by Spicer usually commands high prices at auction due to the natural look and poses of the animals and this sale features three fox masks including ‘Brocklerigg Feb 17th 1934’ and a rare fox ‘Death mask’ with estimates ranging from £100 to £200.

The sale also includes three otter masks, the best item being a whole cased otter specimen with Spicer trade label to the rear. Although in need of restoration, this is a superb lot set in a naturalistic setting and with a fine watercolour background and has been conservatively estimated at £200 to £300.

Other taxidermy includes a Van Ingen Indian Jackal's head dated 1942, conservatively valued at £50 to £80.

Amongst the pictures is a Sir Peter Markham Scott (1909-1989) oil on board titled Teal coming into the decoy with Rowland Ward trade label to the rear measuring 19 x 26cm which is valued at £1,000 to £1,500.

Nine ‘Wilk’ cartoons by the renowned Keswick cartoonist John William Wilkinson (1906-1994) will also be for sale with estimates ranging from £80-£600.

A cartoon showing Margaret Thatcher telling Blencathra huntsman Johnnie Richardson “Don’t worry Johnnie your hunting’s safe in our hands” has an estimate of £400-£600.

Other highlights in the sale include a late 19th to early 20th century tripod table with the top decorated with three fox cubs which is expected to make £150 to £200 and a life-size cast figure of a dog is expected to make £300 to £400.

Fishing lots will include an Illingworth No1 threadline casting reel which should sell for £300 to £500 and a fine boxed Hardy Perfect wide arbour Fly reel with an estimate of £200 to £300.

A highlight amongst the rods will be a rare Hardy Phantom split cane rod with an estimate of £200 to £300.

An illustrated catalogue for the sale can be viewed online at www.mitchellsantiques.co.uk or alternatively at www.the-saleroom.com where buyers can also register to bid online during the sale.

Alternatively lots can be viewed in person at Mitchells town centre saleroom in Cockermouth from Friday, October 4, from 3-7pm and from 8.30am on the day of the sale, Saturday, October 5.

Due to the large number of entries, the fishing section will now be sold the following Thursday, October 10, from 10am.

For more details contact auctioneer James Moore on 01900 827800.

Due to the increasing popularity of their biannual Country Sporting Sales, Mitchells will be running these sales as two-day auctions in the spring and autumn next year.