During my career thus far as an auctioneer, I have had the pleasure of offering many rare and valuable items for sale, and have achieved world record prices on more than one occasion.
In March, however, we will be holding the sale of a lifetime – not just because we will be offering valuable and historically interesting lots for sale, but also because we have the honour of holding a sale for a gentleman who turned his knowledge and passion into an extraordinary collection of militaria and rare military vehicles.
Peter Sayer moved to Stockton, just outside Beccles in 1940 when his parents moved from Norwich to take over as landlords of the Stockton Black Boy public house.
Mr Sayer was a Royal Engineer and was stationed in Egypt during the second world war. He worked on military railway engines, as well as motorised vehicles.
The passion for restoration of the military vehicles that he had been trained on grew and the collection started to take shape in the early 1970s.
He wanted the vehicles to be restored to an original condition and as good running order as possible.
This sale is the product of one man’s lifelong passion for his chosen subject – in this case military vehicles (second world war era), radios, vehicle and air ministry, and a vast collection of uniforms and military related equipment.
Within the collection there is an airborne folding bicycle by BSA in outstanding original condition.
Amongst the equipment are mine detecting sets, complete in their crates and cable laying reel with rods.
The radio collection spans from very early through the war until post war examples.
No. 11 sets, No. 19 sets and No. 38 A.F.V. sets are amongst the collection.
There is also a vast amount of spares and parts both for second world war and post war vehicles. Extensive tools and workshop goods also feature in this sale.
The star lots within the sale are of course the: 1943 Bedford MW 15cwt truck, complete with radio set No 19, 1942 Austin Tilly Light Utility 10hp model G/YG, and the 1941 Ford Woody V8 3.6 litre station wagon which was made in Canada. All of these vehicles are in running order and have been restored to an extremely high standard and come with their original V5 documents.
Not only were they exhibited in the UK and abroad (including 60th anniversary events in Antwerp for the Woody and the Tilly), but these vehicles never travelled via low loader – they were all driven there and back again.
? The Peter Sayer Collection of Militaria and Military Vehicles sale will be held on Saturday March 21. Catalogues will be available from February 28 For further information regarding the sale, contact Durrants auctioneers on 01502 713490 or auctionrooms@durrants.com
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