To reserve an item email: alligatormilitaria@gmail.com or text: +44 (0)7970 273034

USSR balancing circus bear figurine

Desirable 1960s/70s pottery figurine manufactured at the Koniakov Kalinin Faience Factory which made a name for itself for its artistic flair. Established in 1809, the factory won the Grand Prix at the Great World Exposition in Paris in 1937, the artists winning gold medals together with the highest accolades for their work. These eye-catching figurines were hand painted and therefore no two examples are identical often varying to some degree in both shade of colour and application. A collection of these can display interesting variations.

The back stamp Made in USSR together with the 'green sprig' foliage mark over 3NK (Zeke or Zik mark) are bold and crisp and date this to between 1962 - 1974. The number 36 can be seen (better with a magnifying glass) near the vent hole. We believe this number was probably allocated to the person who painted it. This is a great example in lovely condition with no chops or cracks.

Height: 14cm approx. £40.00 + £4.79 P&P UK

Vintage Art Deco style ashtray

Ultra stylish cast aluminium roadster, designed as an ashtray but works equally well as an ornament / object d'art. In nice condition, never been used as an ashtray.

L:21 x W:8.5 x H:5cm

£45.00 + £4.70 P&P UK

Scarce dragon money box by Paolo Chiari

Paolo Chiari started working in 1978 and teaches at the Academy of Digital Arts in Florence, Italy. He is a talented sculptor and modeller and was one of the first to introduce fantasy subjects such as witches, elves, dragons etc. as gift items. He also produces sculptures utilising natural elements collected from riverbanks, woodland and seashores. His range of animal based resin money boxes were highly popular and he is also responsible for modelling the flock of sheep for the board game ‘Shear Panic’ as well as a series of chess boards. This whimsical hand painted dragon is now quite a rare find. P. Chiari name stamp on right hand side and with original stopper. Four tiny marks / paint chips, but overall great condition.

L:23 x W:16.5 x H:17cm

£25.00 + £6.45 P&P UK

Minichamps 2010 FIAT Yamaha YZR-M1 - signed by Jorge Lorenzo

A limited edition of just 250 autographed models worldwide.

For anyone not familiar with the Minichamps name, it is a German based model company acknowledged as one of the world's finest quality die-cast model manufacturers producing official replicas for many of the leading motoring and motorcycling brands including BMW, Ducati, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha. The attention to detail is simply phenomenal.

In itself this is a beautiful 1:12 scale replica of Jorge Lorenzo's FIAT sponsored Yamaha YZR-M1. released to mark his first Moto-GP Championship title in 2010, and again we stress, the attention to detail is stunning.

The icing on the cake was provided by Jorge himself, who agreed to sign 250 of the models to be released as an exclusive limited edition. Jorge of course retired from Moto-GP in 2019 and is sorely missed, both for his on-track, almost clinically perfect, smooth riding style and his whacky off-track celebration antics.

Vintage 10-point Eckenstein wrought iron climbing crampons by Stubai, Austria

Named after their INVENTOR, Oscar Eckenstein. A respected mountaineer and bouldering pioneer, Oscar Eckenstein famously led the first serious attempt on K2 in 1902. In 1908, working with Italian blacksmith Henry Grivel, he designed what is considered to be the forerunner of the modern-day crampon. With 10 long, sharp spikes, they were attached to hiking boots, allowing the user to literally walk up mountains, Previously, climbers cut steps in the ice with axes to make progress. Compared to modern crampons these appear cumbersome but were, without doubt, innovative. Henry Grivel helped Eckenstein make the product commercially available and in 1938, Grivel's son Laurent altered the design to include two front spikes - the 12-point crampon proving even more efficient. The points on this set vary in length depending on their position from 3cm - 4cm.

Overall surface rust to ironwork, but nothing serious (treated with ACF-50). The maroon coloured leatherwork (single application of saddle soap) has darkened in places but remains supple with very little surface wear or cracks. Karabiner for attaching crampons to belt when not required. Stamped on each crampon: 44, Made in Austria, STUBAI (diamond logo) and ECKENSTEIN.

£85.00 + £6.30 P&P UK

Vintage laboratory cork press

Born out of an amalgamation of two companies in 1954, Griffin & George became one of the largest laboratory equipment and chemical wholesalers in the world. This cast iron press is designed to reduce the diameter of corks evenly to fit into bottle necks without increasing the porosity. ‘Ghost marks’ can be seen on the back of the solid wheel indicating the casting mould was a simplified version of an earlier Victorian design which was pierced to create ‘wavy’ spokes.

Minor loss to hammer finish silver paint and slight surface corrosion, otherwise nice vintage condition - this could be an interesting and unusual desk ornament. Heavy item at over 2.6kgs.

With handle up - H:30.5 / Handle down - H:15.8 x W:6.5 x L:34.5cm

£28.00 + £9.99 P&P UK

Vintage ‘exploding’ cork-firing toy pistol

A quirky little French tinplate toy designed to fire corks fitted with a small detonating cap which explode when struck by a spring-loaded 'firing pin' just inside the muzzle. After firing, the pin is re-cocked by pushing the trigger forward. The slot behind the muzzle is for regular lubrication. An interesting and scarce collectable.

In working condition, the overall condition of the pistol is good apart from the muzzle area which has suffered some paint loss and surface rust owing to the corrosive nature of the explosive charge. Box is in reasonable condition with wear commensurate with age. Cellotape repair to one tuck-in flap and missing one small flap at either end.

Detonating corks now obsolete.

Box: H:8.5 x W: 13.5cm Pistol: H:8 x W: 11.5cm

£48.00 + £4.20 P&P UK sales only

Vintage cobbler's last on metal stand

Wooden shoe last - the underside inset with steel heel and toe plates and a leather pad applied at the ankle. The stand comprises a substantial metal plate with welded on post, finished in black lacquer and a black velour lining to the base. Numeral 9 is stamped into the wood in two places.

The wood has an oiled finish which highlights both the grain and the flowing shape and also evidence of its previous work life to which the simple 'rustic' stand harmonises so well.

A great example of repurposing / appropriation - a humble vintage tool can be an attractive object when displayed ‘in its own light’.

H:17 x W:9.5 x L:27cm

£30.00 + £4.20 P&P UK