Vintage pistols from the First Balkan War, police-issue firearms from decades past and rifles from a mysterious arms dump are all available for collectors and enthusiasts in an unprecedented police auction.

The four-day sale, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday, includes 425 weapons formerly in police service or stock, and a further 342 that were seized by the courts, mostly for environmental crimes.

Also up for grabs are 129 former police vehicles – including cars, speedboats, and ribs – and a number of spare parts, which are being auctioned on Tuesday 24.

Auctioneer Pierre Grech Pillow said that the auction was a historic occasion, the first time in Malta’s history that the police were holding an arms auction.

Viewing of the lots, which opened yesterday, attracted hundreds of people in the first few hours, vastly exceeding expectations.

The weapons going under the hammer include WWII-era Albion revolvers, Webley & Scott models from the 1960s and 1970s Smith & Wessons, all of which were used by the police over the years.

Also on sale are a set of pistols from the 1912 Balkan War, which ended up in Malta due to its colonial status at the time and which were stored away in the police armoury for decades.

Superintendent Kenneth Haber explained that the auction came about after an external board confirmed that the weapons and vehicles were no longer fit for police use, and that their sale would help finance the purchase of more modern equipment.

He stressed that anyone purchasing firearms would need to show the appropriate licence for the weapon, and that despite fears over putting more weapons into the hands of the public, enthusiasts could get hold of similar firearms from any number of other sources.