The orders unleashed a veritable wave of enthusiasm, such as that for lot number 61. The Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold with war decoration had been valued at 4,000 euros. The announcement saw tumultuous scenes in the saleroom, on the telephones and the various bidding platforms, before the sale was eventually completed at a gratifying 12,500 euros.

Hermann Historica had succeeded in procuring three orders from the estate of Graf Maximilian von Montgelas (1860 - 1938). His 2nd Class Royal Bavarian Order of Military Merit with Star and Swords was listed as lot number 175. The plethora of pre-sale bids quickly eclipsed the starting price of 4,500 euros. In the end, one enthusiast was coaxed into investing 13,000 euros, which included the presentation case. Next up, lot 177 turned out to be even more expensive. Also cased, the 1st Class set of the Royal Bavarian Order of Military Merit with Swords opened at 12,000 euros. The rare decoration increased its catalogue price by 30 percent, fetching a remarkable 16,000 euros.

Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (1758 - 1805), is probably the best known Admiral of the Royal Navy. The auction house was delighted to present lot number 365, "The Armorial Ensigns of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson", a hand-painted coat of arms belonging to the illustrious officer. It was the work of Sir George Nayler (1764 - 1831), the legendary painter, who was knighted circa 1813, and genealogist of the Order of the Bath. Despite the auctioneer inviting bids from the paltry sum of 800 euros for this fabulous document, the price had already shot up way beyond on one bidding platform. After a collective gasp around the room, a veritable bidding fever broke out that culminated in the incredible sum of 13,500 euros.

The auction house also made history with a photograph album of an Ottoman general around 1916/17 (lot number 476). It is a rare testimony to the collaboration with the Allies during World War I. Bids from 1,200 euros were welcome for this collection of over 130 photographs. Having sparked plenty of interest during the run-up, some buyers had even made a special trip to attend the auction in person. Although it was to prove expensive, the journey was worth it. The new owner had to dig deep into their pockets to snap up the unparalleled photo album, which changed hands for a sensational 24,000 euros.

It was a different story for lot 741. Wanting to play it safe, a number of high bids had been submitted in writing beforehand. Customers were only too aware that the helmet for officers in the 1st (Silesian) Life Cuirassiers Regiment "Großer Kurfürst" was a much sought-after collector's item. And they were right. Ten times its reserve, namely 10,000 euros, was the price commanded by the phenomenal, high-ranking helmet of the elite Prussian regiment around 1910.

Furthermore, the many beer steins that came under the hammer in the evening were expected to sell for favourable prices. Collectors were looking forward to lot number 842, for example. The two brightly painted reservist steins were moderately estimated at 150 euros. However, the limit soon fell by the wayside. Back and forth, like a game of ping pong, came an outpouring of offers via the bidding platforms. More than one buyer had set their heart on the steins from the machine gun companies in Bavaria and Saxony, dating from 1907 to 1914. After battling it out, the winning bid of 2,400 euros prevailed, a whopping 16 times the guide price.

The bloodthirsty pirates of yesteryear exert such an enormous fascination to this day that it could almost be called a Viking cult. Hermann Historica tempted its audience with an exceptionally magnificent Viking battle axe in the Jelling style (lot number 4155). Dating from the 10th century, the fearsome weapon had been valued at 9,000 euros. However, thanks to the numerous pre-sale bids, the price immediately jumped to 14,500 euros. After a moment of panic, offers came in thick and fast. At 32,000 euros there was a brief hiatus, but then bidding continued and the historical piece now graces a new collection for 38,000 euros.

Lot number 4378 presented a similar challenge. Two monumental 19th century busts from Italy had a reserve of 5,000 euros.  The two decorative figures depicted a woman and a man with a fully sculptured lion's head, their faces framed by its gaping maw and its paws crossed over their chests. The pelts had been carved in white marble. The busts certainly appealed to the art connoisseurs. Their announcement triggered a flurry of excitement and bids came pouring in on all platforms. The rare busts ultimately changed hands for 10,500 euros.

Meanwhile, a significantly smaller bronze statue, opening at 600 euros as lot number 4393, closed with a surprisingly high price increase. Delicately cast in bronze, it showed a lady riding her horse. The figure clearly resembled the famous equestrian statue in Berlin-Karlshorst and no wonder – it was also the work of celebrated sculptor Willibald Fritsch (1876–1948). The bronze subsequently coaxed an enthusiast into investing 5,800 euros, almost exactly ten times its limit.

The sales quota for Meissen porcelain in particular was testimony to its exceptional popularity among art collectors. The "Schneeballen" vase (lot 4777) and the exquisite "Schneeballen" tea set (lot 4778) were both snapped up in the blink of an eye. Lot 4778 fetched the final price of 5,400 euros, its estimate of 2,000 euros notwithstanding.

The companion piece to the vase, a table clock, also attracted attention. The winning bid for the elegant eye catcher turned out to be well over double the guide price. Made of nephrite, the clock was designed in Fabergé style, embellished with finely appliquéd silver garlands and beaded band decoration. Listed for 3,500 euros as lot number 5006, the fabulous timepiece found a new owner for 5,400 euros.

Catching sight of the impressive suits of gleaming armour and defensive arms in the saleroom at Hermann Historica, you can almost picture the knight riding his horse, a long lance in his hand. Two suits of armour from Bavaria gave rise to veritable skirmishes, if "only" on the various bidding platforms and in the room. Several bids had already been submitted for lot number 6263, a black and white cavalry armour from Nuremberg. Within seconds, the price of the armour, forged sometime between 1560 and 1600, had shot up to the hammer price of 9,500 euros. By contrast, it was expected to fetch 8,800 euros. Moreover, the new owner of lot number 6264 was forced to dig even deeper into his pocket. Bids from 9,600 euros were invited for the three-quarter armour, also from Nuremberg; the hammer finally fell at 13,500 euros for the attractive suit of armour, which had been assembled from old components.

Hermann Historica achieved the top price of the morning with a distinguished two-handed sword wielded by the trabant guard of Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus (lot number 6380). The catalogue price for the formidable two-handed sword, forged circa 1612 and bearing the clergyman's personal coat of arms, was 12,000 euros. This masterpiece now takes pride of place in a new collection for 14,500 euros.

Nevertheless, the more moderately priced pieces were also well received by the numerous buyers, among them a splendidly ornate jambia from Oman (lot number 6028). Despite opening at 600 euros, the 19th century curved dagger, with its delicately adorned rhinoceros horn grip resplendent in silver, sold for nine times that sum, finally chalking up a highly respectable 5,400 euros.

The doors opened at ten o'clock on the dot and the auctioneer guided the audience expertly through the proceedings. When it came to lot 8306, he could not help but smile as he announced a Borchardt C93, which was produced by DWM of Berlin. The pre-sale bids alone doubled the estimate of 5,000 euros. After a short intake of breath, the audience switched into gear on the platforms. The good condition of the phenomenal weapon commanded its price, finally selling for 13,500 euros.

Hermann Historica attracted buyers in their droves with a Korriphila, model HSP 701 (lot number 8366) that had been valued somewhat too modestly at 6,000 euros. The strategy worked and the auction house achieved the top price of the day with this superlative weapon. Countless pre-sale bids had been received for what is probably the rarest and most desirable sport pistol of all. The competition was fierce on both the telephone lines and the internet. The last rivals finally surrendered at 21,000 euros and the exceptional weapon now takes pride of place in a new collection.

Meanwhile, a special series of Heckler & Koch pistols also met with buyers' approval and fetched gratifying prices. Bids from 5,000 euros had been invited for lot number 8339, the precursor of the standard P7 weapon, Model PSP. Only 239 of this type were ever made; they were modified several times over the course of production and the subsequent testing. The virtually mint condition also made it a clear winner. The hammer only fell at 10,500 euros. Furthermore, Hermann Historica elicited the final price of 9,500 euros for lot number 8340, another Heckler & Koch Mod. PSP in similar condition. This was almost triple the original estimate of 3,800 euros. Yet another highlight of the series was the Heckler & Koch P7 M13, "Training Program Weapon" (lot number 8342). Likewise in almost mint condition, it did not disappoint as the eleventh series-produced pistol. The remarkable firearm weapon closed at 8,000 euros, its asking price of 5,000 euros notwithstanding.

A Parabellum Mod. 1900 gave rise to a wave of spirited bidding (lot number 9304). It is anyone's guess whether the heightened interest was caused by the letter E before the serial number or whether it was the rarity of this Luger pistol alone. One thing was clear, however: the bidders on the telephone lines and the in-house platform were in it for the long haul. As the audience paid homage, it ultimately fetched a respectable 13,000 euros, almost quadrupling its limit of 3,200 euros.

The next highlight was from Switzerland: as lot number 9311, a W+F pistol from Bern came under the hammer at 8,500 euros. Between 1944 and 1945, various models of this weapon were tested in competition with SIG. This piece of firearm history now changed hands for 17,000 euros.

It is no exaggeration to claim that the Mauser C96 Flatside from 1901 is exceptionally rare. Hermann Historica had managed to acquire a weapon that was used in the German army field trials of the "Gewehr-Prüfungs-Kommission" (GPK) in Spandau (lot number 9581). Opening at 9,500 euros, it prompted a barrage of bids. One telephone buyer proved extremely determined, however. Snapped up 21,000 euros, this ultra-rare piece, in outstanding condition, now graces a new collection.