Anglesey 19 Bargain Hunt

Today on Bargain Hunt, we're paying tribute to those who

served in the First World War.

In the centenary year since the First World War began,

we remember the men and women who fought on the battlefront and the

home front to keep the home fires burning and to deliver victory.

We're in Anglesey today, celebrating the skills

and achievements of our armed forces.

We've got two teams with military backgrounds, all lined up

and ready to serve.

So, let's go bargain hunting, yeah.

So, coming up on today's show...

The Reds take control.

-I think we should go for it.

-I think it's too much.

It needs to come down to be able to make a decent profit.

-While the Blues are happy to take orders.

-What's your rank?

-Sergeant.

Get those boots sorted. I want to see my face in them.

But before we give too much away, let's meet the teams.

Quick march!

So, it's a battle of the forces today on Bargain Hunt.

For the Reds, we've got Jo and Lisa, who are civil partners

and met in the army in Afghanistan.

And for the Blues, we've got the boys in blue,

-Johnny and John, who serve in the RAF. Hello, everyone.

-Hello.

Lovely to see you.

Jo, you're now in the reserves,

-but how long were you in the army for?

-I was in the army for 24 years.

I started off in the WRAC, the Women's Royal Army Corps.

I trained as a military accountant, and I continued all the way

through the ranks to WO1 - warrant officer class one -

and I've now joined the reserves.

What sort of theatres did you work in?

I worked all over the world.

I served in Hong Kong, Belize, the Falkland Islands,

Afghanistan, Bosnia. I could go on, Tim.

That sounds like an advertisement.

-"Join the army and see the world."

-That's exactly why I joined.

Lisa, how long were you in the army for?

I was in the army 26 years, Tim.

-And did you love every year of it?

-Yeah, I've had a really good time.

I've been all over, like Joanne has,

and carried it on in the full-time reserve service.

-And you have a pretty fancy title, don't you?

-I do, yes.

I'm apparently the first women regimental quartermaster sergeant,

serving with the fourth Battalion,

the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, in Preston.

-Which is right up there, right?

-It is, yes.

It's a really busy job at the minute.

When you were in the army, what was your role?

I was serving in the Royal Logistics Corps.

It took me all over the world, making sure the soldiers have

got their food, water, clothes and bullets.

And all that supply business would not have been possible

-without the RAF, I guess, in many instances, right?

-Brylcreem boys.

Brylcreem boys. They look very much the part, don't they?

-Lovely food.

-They get better food in the RAF than the army?

I feel a bit of envy between the services here.

-We're going to have a battle royale today, aren't we?

-We're going to win.

-Are you looking forward to this?

-Really looking forward to this.

Great to have you on the show.

Chaps, we've heard the army's side to all of this,

now we're going to get the RAF's, which is marvellous.

-Johnny, you're still serving with the RAF, yes?

-That is correct.

Eight years now. I work in the mobile movement squadron,

RAF Brize Norton, which provides global logistics on a worldwide reach for the MoD.

Tell us about the places you've been in the RAF.

-A lot of the desert in the Middle East.

-A lot of sandy stuff.

I'm very familiar with that area.

Must be a real bore, all that sand blowing into your equipment.

-It's up the nostrils...

-That's equipment...

your breathing equipment.

There's a term of "desert bogey",

-which we are all very familiar with.

-Oh, dear.

Leaving that to one side.

John, you've also had an interesting career in the RAF,

-tell us about that.

-Yeah.

I've been in for 22 years now, still serving.

-You joined as a child, presumably.

-I joined when I was 16 years old,

straight out of school and college, straight into the RAF.

What was the first job?

The first job was at RAF Lyneham, based with the C130s.

-That's the Hercules to us, isn't it?

-Indeed.

-Good old trusty aeroplane.

Absolutely. The tactical mover.

Spent about four or five years there before being posted to Cyprus

-and spending three years of my life there.

-That would be a penance.

-A lovely sunny island.

-It was really hard work.

-All those beaches.

Anyway, to kick off then, we have £300 apiece.

There you go, there's your armaments. You know the rules.

Your experts await and off you go, and very, very, very good luck.

What fun this is going to be.

Our military experts are on hand today.

Hoping to keep the Reds in order,

we have Bargain Hunt captain Henry Meadows.

Whilst the Blues are under the watchful eye of

Bargain Hunt sergeant Paul Laidlaw. Attention!

I've got to make reference to the fact this appears to be

-an interservices competition today. Yes?

-That's right.

-Competitive ladies, are you?

-Oh, yes.

What sort of items do think you'll be looking for today?

-I like Lorna Bailey.

-Lorna Bailey?

-She's quirky.

I've got good taste, so whatever I think is maybe going to get us

a profit should work.

I'm looking more for a nice medal, as rare as possible,

to make loads of money to beat the RAF.

-We need to get cracking.

-Come on.

March on, teams, the clock has started.

You scan that bit, I'll scan this bit.

The Reds have spotted something of interest already.

This is the Queen's South African medal.

-Can you see it says, "Cape Colony"?

-Oh, yes.

An Orange Free State and the Transvaal.

What's nice about this one is it's got this Paardeberg-class

bonnet, which is for the Battle of Paardeberg.

Can you see just around the edge here?

-Servicemen's details around it.

-That's it.

-Regimental number.

This chap is Private H Boyce, West Riding Regiment. That's nice.

And he was wounded at Paardeberg and invalided at home,

and then, obviously, was killed. It's all there.

I mean, the only thing that is worrying is the fact it's

more than we've got. It's £480.

That's the thing about medals.

It's their history and prominence that makes them special,

and rare ones can fetch phenomenal prices.

Now, the boys in blue aren't hanging about.

This looks military, doesn't it?

Some wad. Who's that, a signals major?

Looks like it, absolutely. Mess dress.

-The most interesting thing about that guy - light bulb.

-He's a para.

Non-operational parachutist. And it's £100.

All the money is in what I will call field service dress.

Show me khaki and I'll probably show you a more valuable object.

I've got plenty of that.

You can't go selling your own uniform, John.

-Now, what's Lisa spotted?

-There's a silver dresser in there - £30.

-Might be able to come down a little bit for us...

-Yeah.

Enable us to make a profit.

You know what I'm like for rings. I like that.

-We should have a look at it then.

-I'll have that for myself.

I thought you might.

Bit blingy, isn't it? Look at that. Sparkly.

I'm just seeing if there's any markings on it.

What's your best price on that?

-20 on that.

-20.

-Would you be able to do it for 16?

Give us a good profit.

-It's army against RAF, you see.

-See what he says.

-This is a very cheap ring, isn't it?

-Yeah.

It's 925, so it's an English standard silver.

These, for £20, are going to be paste.

Not entirely sure what that stone will be, but obviously

it's probably be a glass with foil-backed, or something like that.

The thing is, it's a decorative little ring, isn't it?

-It's no money at all.

-No money for £18.

-£18.

-Then we can spend more on another item.

-It's inexpensive.

Somebody might get carried away and it might make £30, £40, £50.

I think we should go for it. Let's make our first buy.

-How much was it?

-£18, the gentleman said.

-15?

Would you split the difference and go 17?

-17. Go on.

-Go on, then.

-All right, we've done a deal.

-Thank you.

-Great, Reds!

And you've got one to match, Jo.

Meanwhile, I don't think those boys could give a brass monkeys.

-Let me show you a pair of candlesticks.

-Please do.

-A leap of faith here.

-THEY LAUGH

They can be six quid, that's three quid per candlestick.

-Look, that's 200-year-old.

-Wow.

That's a Georgian brass candlestick. How do I know that?

Well...seamed construction.

Back in the day, at this period, which is, let's say, 1800,

these were made in two pieces. Later on they're cast in one and so on.

Further, to save metal, once they'd constructed it, they would

skim a wee bit out of the bottom.

These shavings at the end of a shift added up to some useful material.

Push eject. This gets the wee stump out.

Very genuine antiques.

Dirt cheap at six quid, let me assure you.

Listening to the words of the wise there, I think

-it might be worth a go, John.

-Do you think that might be the first piece?

Is there a profit in them? Yeah, I reckon. It could be a safe opener.

-Let's do it for six quid.

-OK, John.

-Yeah? Safe bet?

Your polishing it.

And your boots. You can do something with them at the same time.

Polish the candlesticks, get those boots sorted. I want to see my face in them.

That's you told, Johnny. Well done, Blues.

So that's one item down for each team,

but they're not spending much, are they?

-£50.

-I love it, but I think it's too much.

They're cautious all right,

and it looks like the Blues have spotted some trench art.

Pretty strange, that'd do for you guys.

Father of the Royal Air Force, but I think one brass item is...

-HE LAUGHS

-"More than enough", he says.

-Absolutely.

Trench art is a piece of work

created by soldiers serving in war time.

And here on Bargain Hunt,

we've come across a number of such treasures over the years.

-These are out of old shells.

-Yeah.

-Bit of trench art.

Look, this is a First World War, 1917,

and it's been fired in anger, you can see, here.

It's amazing to think that these items were made

whilst bombs and bullets flew all around,

and it's moving how memories of some of our war heroes

can live on through them. So, how are our teams getting on?

Now, now, chaps. No time for pratting about.

-Holy Moses, how long do you think we've had?

-15 minutes?

-Half an hour.

How did that happen?

Time flies, Blues. Chop, chop.

Let's get all the good gear before the army.

Now, that's fighting talk.

And it seems the Reds are positively obsessed

about contemporary potter Lorna Bailey.

What do you like most about her?

It's Lisa's thing, really. You like them.

I love the quirkiness, I like the animals.

-She likes animals and we've got two cats and two dogs.

-Oh, right.

-OK.

-Yeah.

-But they're not, your cats and dogs aren't vibrant orange

-and blues and things like that, are they?

-No.

-Not yet.

-Not yet?

Ooh, blimey.

I should hope not, Lisa.

There's a bit of khaki, you mentioned that earlier.

This is what we were talking about.

-You'll see this badge today on your army compadres, won't you?

-Yes.

Desert Rats, 7th Armoured, is it?

To the right of it, the four-pocket tunic.

That's an other ranks service dress,

that's exactly what everyone wants.

Introduced in 1902, worn during the First World War.

If that dated to the First World War, I can tell you it doesn't,

that would be worth £600-800.

Yeah, for some tired, old khaki tunic.

That's the value in this stuff.

Sadly, too much for your guys.

-Think Toby Jugs.

-I thought we were looking to Lorna Bailey,

not Toby.

Lisa's just potty about pottery.

Hang on. I think they've hit the jackpot.

-Jo, look.

-Hey, a load of Bailey.

-Wow. Brilliant.

-Let's have a look.

Oh, lovely.

-This is what Lisa collects.

-I love...

-Right, OK.

-Somebody has to.

-THEY LAUGH

I don't think Henry is impressed with your collection.

No, I mean, different strokes for different folks.

I can see the appeal with the vibrant colours and stuff like that.

-It's quirky. Look at some of the stuff.

-Absolutely.

-Art Deco.

Are there any pieces here that you think

have potential in the auction rooms?

-Well, he's cute.

-Right, OK.

-Cat lovers, two cats.

You've got, sort of, the crossover market there, really.

That's showing as £45 on this.

And what do you think of the price on that one?

It needs to come down a lot.

-It needs to come down to be able to make a decent profit.

-Yeah.

Erm...probably 25.

Can I just intercept for you before you get going?

We might be the army, but we want things to fly.

-THEY LAUGH

-All right?

-'Oh, Henry...'

You're not a blue boy as well, are you?

So, you've got 45 on there.

What do you think you could make a profit on it?

I'm thinking, at auction that would probably go for about 30-32,

-at auction.

-Yeah, you're not far wrong.

So I was hoping you'd be really kind and do 20-25.

-I know it's a big ask.

-I would be looking at 35.

-25.

-25, all right.

-Oh, yes.

-Oh, you are legends.

-High-five.

HE LAUGHS High-five.

You've got to listen to the wife.

Well, that's right, otherwise I'd get a...

I think that's our second purchase. Thank you so much.

-It's fantastic.

-Thank you, the boss.

I think Lisa and Jo know their Lorna Bailey market

and we'll see just how right they are later on.

-What's your rank?

-Sergeant.

You'll use one of... Do the RAF? Do they not?

-The RAF does, but I'm not at that rank yet.

-OK, so. Swagger stick.

Not nickel. Look for silver. And this cries out silver to me.

And there you go, we can tell who made it, his smith's mark is MB.

It was assayed in Birmingham.

Sterling silver, your Lion Passant mark, and a date letter,

which is telling us it's a late Edwardian.

It's pre-First World War, 1910/1911, I would say, OK?

Now that is a Paschal Lamb, isn't it?

I think that's maybe the bays. Is that one of the Surrey regiments?

Pre-First World War, ball top because they're not all ball top,

but the better ones are ball topped with some substance.

Looks like a bit of Malacca rather than bamboo

and it's got its ferrule. That's ticking a lot of boxes apart from...

Looks like it's been wrapped round a few privates' heads HE LAUGHS

"State of those shoes, boy!"

-I quite like it.

-It's 40 quid, which I assure you, is not a bad price.

For a collector and an enthusiast, I think

he'd be really excited with that.

-I think it'll sell.

-I think so.

-I'm pumped about that, mate.

You're pretty low key when you're pumped, man.

-THEY LAUGH

-What are you like when you're unenthused? Comatose?

-He's got to work for you, so he's got a relaxed manner.

-Just laid back.

Put a mattress on his back.

Speaking of mattress, I could do with a bit of a lie down.

Go on, then, chaps. See what you can do.

Have you got an idea for your last item?

-Maybe a little bit more expensive.

-OK.

-It's when you look at something, would you buy it?

-Yeah, you'll know.

-So we're just...

-I wouldn't mind something military.

-If we can.

Well, your on the same wavelength as the Blues, speaking of which...

-Paid £35.

-Well, what do you reckon?

-I think it's...

-It's a bargain.

-It's a done deal, isn't it?

-Yeah. Get in!

-Excellent.

-Happy with that.

Magic.

Magic, indeed, Blues. Now swagger off and get your third item, eh?

And the Reds have found a military item, too.

I really like it. It's a well-painted portrait, you know,

obviously you've got the campaign star and things.

And coming up to the anniversary,

I can see a lot more interest in this sort of thing.

-How much did you say it was?

-225, I'll do it for 160.

-140?

-I'll do for 145.

-It's a big spend, isn't it, £145?

It is, yes, at that point.

It is indeed, Reds, but you've got plenty of dosh left.

Good taste. You surprise me. Silver buttons.

Interesting...

Meanwhile, the Reds are taking a closer look at the portrait.

I mean, the condition of it is...

It's obviously got a hole there,

which is a pity, but in the right hands it could be easily restored.

He's wearing his medal there, First World War campaign medal, 1415.

And obviously we've got this B Nicholson,

so I'm afraid it's not a name that springs out to me straightaway

without any reference books,

but it's a good looking portrait of an unknown soldier.

It's got a story to tell.

-And there were a lot of unknown soldiers.

-Yeah.

It makes me feel quite sad when I look at this picture.

It's like remembering the dead, I mean, this is 1920,

-it's nearly 100 years.

-Yeah.

I just feel like...

-The stories he could tell.

-I just don't think he came home.

-Yeah.

-So maybe we should take him home.

-Aw.

-Yeah. Good point, yeah.

So let's do it, eh?

-Absolutely. 145?

-Let's honour the man.

Lovely sentiments, Lisa.

And well done, Reds, that's your final purchase,

but those RAF boys are running out of time.

I'd say the Harrier, but it's brass. THEY LAUGH

-I like the look of that.

-Do you?

Obviously these accompany it.

-We call this a garniture.

-It's not something that I'd have.

It's not something to my taste.

I agree. I think we're probably all in that camp.

But do you see it appealing elsewhere?

This is it, I don't think it's...

I don't think it's got much on it, to be honest.

I think, of its kind, late 19th century, French,

touch of the Art Nouveau going on there, you know,

these flighty ladies.

That's enduringly appealing.

What is it made out of?

It's spelter, which is a cast base-metal alloy

and then it's bronzed...in imitation of.

They're not top quality. They're a poor man's bronze,

but there's loads of show there.

And if you saw them on a grand mantelpiece,

you wouldn't question them for a minute.

What are they worth at auction?

80 quid?

100 quid?

Can you give us good news about the garniture or not?

Do it for 90.

It's there or thereabouts.

Can you squeeze that? Have you had them long?

Give me a glimmer of hope. Say, "I've had them forever."

-Can you give us a best price?

-I'll go 80.

Shall we have another few minutes and then come back to it maybe?

-Because I like it.

-All right. One last punt.

-Right.

Go, go. This once, this once.

Only two minutes left, Blues.

On closer inspection, it looks...

-a little bit cheap.

-There's something holding me back.

Come on, Blues.

We're going to win this campaign.

It's hanging on you getting more money off that.

-Come on, John.

-Let's go and do it.

So, with seconds to spare, it's back to the clock.

Would you be able to do it for 60?

SELLER: I can't. I'll go 75 and that is rock bottom.

-I still don't want it.

-You don't want it?

-I still don't want it.

- 70? - 70. You happy with that, John?

If you're happy, I'm happy.

Are you happy, Paul?

-I'm ecstatic, I'm pumped.

-THEY LAUGH

-Shake the man's hand. 70 quid, we've done it.

-Thanks very much.

-Superb.

And just in the nick of time.

Right. That is a pleasure, guys, an absolute pleasure.

Attention!

Time's up. Let's check out what the Red team bought, eh?

First up, they spent £17 on the silver-mounted dress ring.

They bought the Lorna Bailey Fur-licity cat for £25.

And £145 was spent on the portrait of the gallant soldier.

-You spent how much in total?

-187.

-187, I'd like £113 of leftover lolly, please.

-Right.

-Thank you.

-£113 of leftover lolly. Are you going to spend the lot, Henry?

-Uh...

-A large wodge.

-I'm going to try to.

-I'm going to really try to dent it as much as I can.

-OK.

Well, bravo and I'm glad you had fun.

Meanwhile, why don't we check out what the Blue team bought, eh?

The Blues flew in and bought a pair of Georgian candlesticks for £6.

The swagger stick from the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment cost £35.

And finally, the spelter clock garniture cost them £70.

-How much did you spent all round?

-£111 altogether.

£111, so does that mean I want 189?

-I think I do want 189.

-We shared the burden.

-Oh, did you?

There's four to make up the nine. Thank you very much.

Straight over to Paul.

Now, Paul, militaria-wise, how easy was this fair for you?

-Did you have a good scratch?

-Everyone wants it.

I turned over every stone I could find, but it wasn't there.

We struggled. We found a good thing,

but I'm determined to find something else...

-Yeah.

-..for this programme.

-And it's your challenge?

-It certainly is.

-THEY LAUGH

-Couldn't be in better hands here, I fancy.

Anyway, jolly good luck, chaps.

Meanwhile, I'm heading off to the Royal Artillery Museum

in Woolwich to look at some of the treasures

and memories that are there relating to World War I.

I'm here at the Artillery Museum in Woolwich

on the South Bank of the Thames.

This place is home to some three and a half million items

concerned with the history of artillery and its use in conflict.

It's an extremely powerful place, not only explosively,

but also emotionally.

And what stirs the emotions of former military personnel

and their relations?

Well, it's the orders and medals

that they received during their military service.

And what makes these two bronze cannon particularly special?

Well, they're made of bronze

and they were captured by the British in China

during the Opium wars and brought back here to Woolwich.

And they were running short of metal for certain medals,

and they decided that what they'd do is to lob a bit off the back here,

a spherical lump called a button.

And with those lumps of bronze

they melted them down and reformed them

into the most prestigious award for gallantry,

the hint for which is sitting there on the wall.

It's incredible to think that these two guns

have provided the metal to create 800

of the most highly-regarded medals in British military history -

the Victoria Cross.

In World War I alone, 634 Victoria Crosses were awarded

and here to tell me more about this very special accolade

is curator of the museum Mark Smith.

Now, how and when did Britain's highest award

for bravery come about?

Starts in the Crimean War.

The Crimean War is a very technologically advanced war,

and one of the things about it was that stories were coming back

from the front very quickly and being printed in newspapers.

And suddenly people started to see, in almost real-time,

what British soldiers were doing and how brave they were.

And public opinion said, "What medal is there for all ranks

"to represent the highest award for bravery?"

And the answer was, there wasn't one.

It was Queen Victoria who came up the name the Victoria Cross

and it was Queen Victoria who actually had a really big part

in the designing of the cross, the wording on it

and what it was actually going to be made of.

And when were they first awarded?

The first parade was on the 25th of June, 1857 in Hyde Park,

when the first 62 men were presented with their Victoria Crosses.

It was Edward VII who, in 1907, introduced the award posthumously

because of public petitions.

It was then back-dated to soldiers from the Zulu war of 1854,

and to date 1,360 Victoria Crosses have been awarded,

including one to this gallant soldier from World War I,

Captain Gourley.

What a splendid image of Captain Gourley.

Well, yes, captain in the photograph,

but Cyril was a sergeant when he won his Victoria Cross,

and he is actually the only territorial soldier of the Royal Regiment of Artillery

to win the Victoria Cross in the First World War

and these are his medals.

So what exactly did he do to deserve his Victoria Cross?

Well, on the 30th of November, 1917,

the Germans had made a large push at a place called Cambrai in France.

Most of the gunners were driven away from the guns,

but Cyril kept returning on his own to keep his one gun in action.

Eventually, the Germans got a machine gun on his flank

at about 500 yards distance, so Cyril,

using a four and a half inch howitzer,

just like the one behind us, which weighs in at about two tons,

he moved this gun completely on his own out of the gun position,

turned it sideways and fired one shell at the German machine gun,

blew it up completely. Then pushed the gun back into position,

and then kept on firing in support of the infantry,

who were having such a hard time in front of him.

By the time he'd finished the day, he had kept his one gun

in action for roundabout 12 hours, completely on his own.

It was his one and only moment, he took it,

he fired that one shell and he won the day.

-Thank you very much for talking...

-It was an absolute pleasure.

Now, before we head off to the auction,

why don't we spend a moment or two

in remembrance to those fallen heroes from the First World War?

We've travelled to Frank Marshall's salerooms in Knutsford

for today's auction and to meet auctioneer Nick Hall.

-Good morning, Nick.

-Welcome, Tim. Good to see you again.

-Very nice to see you too,

-and we've got a moving collection of objects today.

-We certainly have, yes.

In fact, one of our objects has moved before we started

-and got missing, which is the ring.

-Yeah.

-And I'm sorry about that.

In these circumstances, normally the insurance within the auction world

would kick into place, wouldn't it?

Yeah, well, what we would normally do would be paying out mid-estimate.

So what would your estimate have been on that ring?

My estimate would have been £20-30, so we would pay 25.

OK, fine. Well, £17 the team paid.

We'll treat it as if it was an insurance claim

and therefore treat it as if it sold at £25.

I'll fill them in on this and tell them that they've made a profit before they've started.

Unfortunate, but there we are.

-But moving on, we've got the Lorna Bailey cat.

-Yes.

What's a bit of Lorna Bailey likely to be worth?

Well, Lorna Bailey is one of these contemporary ceramic artists

that has atually got quite a following, quite collectable.

And it seems that they've all got their, sort of,

-names attached and this one is known as Fur-licity.

-Oh, yeah.

-THEY CHUCKLE

-That's very amusing, isn't it?

What's it likely to bring at auction?

Well, there seems to be a batting average

-of about £25-30 on some recents that we could find.

-OK.

-£25 they paid so they may make a...

-Spot on.

-..may make a small profit.

And their last item is this portrait,

-which I think is a moving record, don't you?

-Very much so.

Of an incredibly young-looking soldier.

A private who fought in 1914 and 15.

The team bought this by an unknown artist, B Nicholson,

of this young chap in 1920.

So, what do you think it might bring at auction?

Well, you've got to bear in mind that whoever buys it is going to have some restoration costs.

We've put 50-80 on it but, you know, these military collectors,

once they get their teeth stuck into a thing,

it could push on and make a bit more.

-Right. Well, it needs to because they paid £145.

-Right.

And that could be the item that drags them back,

in which case they'll need their bonus buy,

so let's go and have a look at it.

-So, girls, this is exciting, isn't it?

-Oh, yes.

So, the first bit of excitement I have to reveal is that,

unfortunately, your ring has gone missing.

And as such, in the auction game, when something like this happens,

lost in transit, whatever it may be, you get an insurance claim.

And that's based on the auctioneer's estimate,

and his estimate on that ring is £20-30

so the insurance payout is £25.

You paid £17.

You have already made £8 profit and you've done absolutely nothing.

Hooray!

But that is the only way that we can sort it out, all right?

So, you spent £187 overall. You had £113, Henry.

What did you spend it on?

What do you think to these?

Take your pick.

-I'll have a napkin ring, thanks.

-Fantastic.

Well, in the early 20th century, when ships were scrapped,

basically the wood form the ships was used to create

little souvenirs, like we've got here.

And quite helpfully they've put these brass plaques on

telling us which ships they were from.

For example, we've got HMS Ganges and RMS Mauritania.

-Yeah, I've got Mauritania.

-What do you think?

-Yeah, unusual.

-Yeah, they are unusual, bit of history.

How much do you think they're going to make in auction?

I'd like to think I'm relatively shrewd.

I spent £25 on these and I think there's a profit in them.

-So, three napkin rings and two mini barrels, yes?

-Yeah.

All with their little plaques.

-He says you're going to make a profit, yes?

-Yes.

-OK.

Just think about that. Meanwhile, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Henry's old bits of decking.

Right, then, Nick. Roll out the barrel.

There we are. Any rum in it? No?

Quite fun, taking apart these vessels

and making commemorative things, isn't it?

Yeah, well, the thing lives on, doesn't it, then?

The ship, the memory, the history,

it all lives on for future generations.

So quite nice collectables.

-We've got three napkin rings and a couple of old barrels.

-Good.

How do you rate these?

Well, they're unusual things.

They're going to have a following. Not huge money.

£30-50 as a novelty.

OK, fine. Well, Henry paid 25 and he's hopeful.

Mark you, Henry's always hopeful.

Anyway, that's it for the Reds and now for the Blues.

We've got the pair of candlesticks.

Pretty standard, ordinary Georgian-style candlesticks, those.

-They are. Two a penny.

-Not easy to sell.

-No.

I mean, once upon a time everyone wanted a set.

Now they end up in a job-lot in a box of bits, really.

So, how much for these two lonely ones?

Well, we've been quite bullish, we've put a £15 estimate on them.

-Have you? Well, if you can get £15, everybody will be happy.

-Good.

Then we've got the swagger stick. Nice piece of militaria, that.

Surrey Regiment, I believe.

It is indeed, the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment.

Nice silver cap on the top.

Yeah, good condition, good collector's item.

-Birmingham 1911, so it's got a bit of period history to it.

-Bit of age.

-How much for that, then?

-40-60.

-OK.

£35 paid, so that should turn a profit.

And then we move to these very elaborate spelter figures,

which are normally not easy to shift, are they?

Yes. They've got that Art Nouveau flavour about them,

-but they're not true classic Art Nouveau, are they?

-No.

It's something you just stick on the mantelpiece

and it's a decorative furnishing filler, really.

-OK.

-We've put 40-60.

-£70 they paid. They may get away with it.

-They might do.

-But overall, I fancy they're going

to need their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

Well, well, well, chaps.

£189 of leftover lolly went to Paul Laidlaw and I dare say

-he's bought something of that ilk.

-HE LAUGHS

Well, we have the Air Force proudly represented

and the Reds represent the Army.

Welcome the Royal Navy.

-Wow.

-What's in there?

One ratings cap.

-Wow.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, I like it.

-Now, the tin. I love these tins.

They were always for ratings caps and they were thus designed,

specifically this diameter,

to slip down into the bottom of your kit bag, your sailor's sausage bag.

-Yes.

-Yeah, right down the bottom.

This band here gives us the vessel upon which our man served,

HMS Belfast, and of course, that's down on the Thames to this day.

Commissioned just before the outbreak of the Second World War.

-One of the most historic ships we've still got.

-Isn't it just?

How much was it, Paul?

-30.

-30 quid?

-30 quid. You like?

-I do like.

That is the business.

It's got to be worth 30-50.

Well, the chaps are liking it

and let us hope that the audience does, too.

Meanwhile, why don't we find out what the auctioneer

thinks about the pork pie hat?

Well, Nick, this is fun, isn't it?

We've got a naval ratings tin box, who was called WH Heeley.

And then that genius Paul Laidlaw has found,

-appropriately for this programme, a ratings pork pie hat.

-Very nice.

Not necessarily the hat that went in the box,

-but nevertheless, a hat from a famous vessel.

-Yes.

Clever Paul, really. Interesting ship, this Belfast.

Of course, it's a museum now, moored up on the Thames.

So something like this could be quite a nice souvenir

for someone that's been and had a look round it as a museum.

-Exactly.

-Bidding against the military collector, hopefully.

-Paul paid £30, it's his bonus buy. He's salivating over it.

-Is he now?

Is he likely to make a profit, do you think?

Well, we've put 30-50 and hopefully it'll make the top end of that.

Well, for our special military programme, very, very, good luck.

He who dares, wins.

100, new bidder. 120 there. 130 on my left, at 130 now.

On my left at 130.

140.

Now then, Jo, Lisa, how are you feeling?

-Nervous.

-Is this front line stuff for you?

-Nervous and excited, yes.

Well, it's a bit like that, isn't it?

It's a darned shame about the ring and I'm really sorry about that.

I'm not going to hark on about it.

It could easily have made more than his estimate, but we'll never know.

As is, you start out with that nice profit of £8, which is good.

-The next item is Lorna Bailey and here comes Fur-licity.

-Come on.

Come on, Fur-licity.

Good collector's pieces these, Lorna Bailey. What are we going to go?

£30.

At £20. Come on. Let's get a perfect bid on this.

Come on, it's Lorna Bailey.

At £20. 20 online, thank you.

-At £20, the bids online at 20. 20 I'm bidding. 20.

-Come on.

It's cheap.

It's 20 only. It's £20 online. At £20, Lorna Bailey. £25.

THEY CHEER Come on!

£25. Is that it? At 25, I sell.

£25 is a wiped face.

-Yeah.

-He's wiped his whiskers.

That's perfect. Now, the portrait.

Lot 208 is the portrait by B Nicholson

of a British Army private, wearing the 1914-15 Star.

A nice bit of historical, military interest. What's it worth? £80?

-80? 50? Fairly rare thing this.

-Come on, for the army.

Come on, surely, someone somewhere. £40. Come on, £40. 30 to start me.

-Unbelievable.

-Getting a sinking feeling.

Online at £10. 12, 15. Nothing in the room. Very disappointing.

-At £15.

-Disappointing is not the word.

-Going once, twice...

-20 now.

-Oh, 20. It's moving slightly.

-Any advance on 20?

At £20 only. £20, it's your last chance.

-20 it's sold.

-£20 equals minus 125.

-Whoops.

-That is a body blow, isn't it?

-Can't believe someone didn't buy it.

-I know, it's sad, isn't it?

Minus 117.

-So. The bonus buy, are we going with that?

-Oh, definitely.

Definitely. £25 paid and the auctioneer's estimate is £30-50.

-Oh, good.

-That's encouraging.

-That's encouraging, yes.

Lot 212 is the collection of maritime treen,

including some nice little miniature barrels

made from the decking of some quite well-known and famous ships of old.

What's it worth? £30? £20, anyone?

£20, surely?

SHE LAUGHS

£20 anywhere? 20 online, thank you.

-20 I'm bid.

-Better come up.

-Gosh, yeah.

-It's 25 only, online.

-Henry, you've wiped your face, mate.

£25, hammer will fall. You sure? All done?

-What a shame there, Henry. 25.

-There you go.

-That is a wiped face.

So...

Overall then, that is minus 117. Quite a blow to take on the chin.

Yes. THEY LAUGH

-Fortunately, you've been trained to take such things.

-Oh, yes.

-Oh, yes.

Johnny, how are you feeling?

Erm... A mixture between positive and negative.

-More negative surrounding the clock.

-Really?

-Yes.

John was displeased when we bought it and then...

So, yeah, I'm not holding out as much hope for that item.

-Is it because you picked it and you think it might do badly?

-HE LAUGHS

Is this a big old pride thing?

There was some enthusiasm from me when we picked that.

Well, here we go then. We're going to start with the brass candlesticks

and they're coming up right now.

Lot number 228 is a pair of late 18th/19th century brass candlestick.

They're 200 years old. Come on, £25.

£25. These are 200-year-old candlesticks, come on.

Where's £25? £20? Thank you, sir.

20, I bid on my right. On my right at 20.

-What did I tell you?

-20 bid. At 20 now. Any advance on £20? All sure?

20 and selling. All yours.

We bit his arm off. £20 is plus 14, that is very good.

Lot 229 is the George V officer's swagger stick

for the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment.

Good collector's lot this.

I've got some commission interest as well and start straight in at £30.

30, I'm bid. At 30, 5, 40, 4, 50...

5, 60. 60 now, on my right at 60 here.

-At £60, any further bids? All gone quiet this side.

-Hey.

-At 60 now.

At £60 and selling away.

£60 is plus 25. 25, 35, you are plus 39, chaps.

Lot 230, a late 19th/early 20th century spelter clock garniture.

-Classic...

-Look at John's face.

-..form there,

I've got more commission bids on this lot.

-I'm going to start straight in now at £35.

-Good.

40's in the room. 45 here. 50 now. 50 standing at the back.

At 50 has it. With you, sir.

-Come on, come on, come on...

-It's like football.

It's dirt cheap, come on.

-55, 60 here. At 60, 5 now. 65, shakes his head. 70 here.

-Get in!

-Keep going.

-5.

-Yes!

At £75, here we go. It's all online. At 75, 80 now, 80 bid.

Oh, look at that, lads.

Try a bit harder. 90 now, try a five.

There's £95 online I have and online I sell.

That's £25, chaps. That's 30, 40, 59, 64, plus 64.

Hey, you spent £111, you just made £64 profit. How good is that?

-Fantastic.

-I mean, is that good, or is it good?

Now, what are we going to do about this ratings cap?

-You going to go with HMS Belfast?

-We're on a roll, aren't we?

-You reckon?

-Yeah.

-Let's go for it.

-Yeah, let's go for it.

-I like your style.

-Risk it for a biscuit?

-Definitely.

-We'll take the biscuit.

-Lovely. £30 paid.

I can tell you the auctioneer's estimate

is 30-50, so he rates it, all right?

We're going with the bonus buy and here it comes.

Lot 234 is the World War II period Royal Navy ratings pork pie hat

with the Royal Navy cap tally.

Embroidered gold lettering for HMS Belfast.

I'll start straight in here at £30. 30 I'm bid.

At 30. Any advance on £30? 30 I'm bid.

-And 5, 5 with you, and 40, 40 I'm bid.

-In profit, Paul.

On commissions at 40.

Nothing online? I've got £40 on commission.

The room's gone quiet. It's £40 I have then.

All done and selling at £40.

-£40, that's a profit, well done. It's £10.

-Clean sweep, guys.

You are plus £74.

-THEY LAUGH

-Well.

-As if you need it, you can walk tall.

-THEY LAUGH

And stand to. Anyway, don't say a thing to the girls, all right?

It will come as a very, very, very nasty shock to them.

-All will be revealed in just moment, OK?

-Excellent.

-Spot on.

Well, it's like we've had another Gulf War,

so big is the gulf between the two teams today.

I just can't believe this in our militaria special.

And sadly, for jolly old Reds, you're way, way back there.

-We know.

-Oh! Anyway, so bad luck. The runners up are the Reds,

with a score of minus 117.

It is a tragedy, but on another day

it could all have been so very different.

So I do sympathise with you, honestly,

but you've been very sporting about it.

And you have to be quite British to take this

-type of news on the chin, you know.

-Oh, we do.

-Yes.

Anyway, bad luck all round,

but the victors today are going home with £74.

-Yes.

-Look at these chaps, the grin. There you go. Here's your £74.

You got a profit of £14 on the candlesticks,

you made a profit of £25 on the swagger stick

and £25 on the spelter clock garniture, despite everything, John.

So that was very good.

And as a result, you can also become members

of the ancient order of the Golden Gavel.

-So, Johnny, help yourself.

-Thank you very much, Tim.

-Well done for that.

There you go, John. Well done for that.

Help yourself. Which is very, very good.

Paul Laidlaw, to add to his collection.

You can walk tall. Congratulations.

Join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes? Yes!