Cynthia Busuttil
Rifles, cannon, swords and bayonets under the hammer
A selection of British and Maltese army uniforms, accoutrements and optical instruments including some dating back to the Victorian era. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi.
A vast collection of firearms and military uniforms will be going under the hammer on Sunday.
Over 130 weapons and 200 military artefacts were collected over some five decades by Philip deDomenico, well-known among collectors.
Mr deDomenico, who passed away last year, was mainly interested in British army artefacts, especially the Victorian era, Stephen Petroni, director of specialised gun collectors’ shop Lock, Stock and Barrel, said.
The collection includes almost every model of rifle used by the British forces from Victorian times until the 1960s. There is also a selection of Ottoman Turkish Mauser rifles, captured at Gallipoli, apart from a World War II Spitfire 20-millimetre cannon, swords and bayonets.
“He was very keen on firearms used by the military,” Mr Petroni, who has known Mr deDomenico since 1985, said.
However, Mr deDomenico, who served in the British army in the 1960s, collected anything that came his way and among the items that will be auctioned is an 1820 sextant (a nautical measuring instrument) made by instrument maker George Stebbing, who had accompanied Charles Darwin on his voyages on the HMS Beagle.
There is also the hat used by Rear-Admiral R.C. Hugill, a British engineer who had been put in charge of organising the new arsenal and dockyard in Lisbon in the late 1930s.
Mr Petroni said his friend had helped set up the Arms, Armour and Militia Society in 1985, which has since become the Association of Maltese Arms Collectors & Target Shooters.
“He was active until the very end, attending the association’s annual general meeting and even acquiring new items just days before he died,” he said.
The collection, being auctioned by Obelisk Auctions, is open for viewing tomorrow and on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and on Sunday between 9 and 10 a.m., just before the auction starts at Lock, Stock and Barrel Gunshop, Santa Venera.
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Walter Busuttil
Oct 30th 2009, 10:18
Totally agree with Mr Cassar that it would be a real worthwhile gesture if anything asssociated with the history of Malta in terms of aerospace be donated or acquired by the Malta Aviation Museum. The team there are a very dedicated enthusiasts and any contribution to help them built and enhance their exhibits will be more than welcomed and appreciated.
James Zammit Gauci
Oct 29th 2009, 14:31
What an awsome collection put together by a great guy. I knew Philip or as i called him uncle Philip ever since i was 4 or 5 years old and have many a happy memory of accompanying him as a child on some of his many hunting trips.
He was a real gentleman of the old school and and extremely knowledgable on anything to do with military and weapons.
It is with sadness that i read the above article about the upcoming auction as i remember well how passionate he was about his collection,but nothing is forever and uncle Philip will be in my prayers tonight.
MARK CASTILLO
Oct 29th 2009, 13:29
Not only have I lost my dearest brother-in-law, but a true friend who was an unlimited source of information on the history and events behind each and every item in his collection. He was an expert on victoriana and I am sure he has since introduced himself to Queen Victoria and is now getting first hand recollections of events in the late 19th and early 20th centuries!
A gentleman whose sense of humour is sadly missed but never forgotten.
May successful bidders treasure their purchases and care for them in memory of Philip.
A.Charles
Oct 29th 2009, 12:47
The WWII cannon from a spitfire would be in the right place if exhibited at the Malta Aviation Museum, Ta'Qali.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Oct 29th 2009, 11:25
Truly a remarkable collection of memorabilia that only a connoisseur could amass.
May all those who purchase any item from this collection say a little prayer for Philip.
A true gentleman, sadly missed but never forgotten.
His hunting partner anf fellow collector
Mark.