The soldiers who fought in World War One are all gone now. But their equipment, uniforms and weapons remain, and always prove popular in antiques auction.

That was demonstrated at Thomson Roddick’s last sale in Carlisle, when a Royal Field artillery tunic with service stripe and officer’s cap sold for £550 – despite not being in the best condition.

A Tommy’s khaki cap with the badge of the Royal Engineers and a greatcoat which was also in poor order were expected to fetch £40 to £60, but in the end sold for £480.

“World War One uniforms are extremely sought after,” explains auction manager Steven Parkinson.

“Even though this smelt of moth balls and hadn’t seen the light of day for 60 years, the customers were here to bid very well.”

When soldiers fought with bayonets attached to their rifles, the most advanced also had a hooked quillon – a curved piece of metal that could be used to hook an opponent’s bayonet and break it off.

However they could also catch on a soldier’s clothing, so were removed – and a bayonet with quillon still attached is a rare find.

One turned up at the auction. “It was found next to the fireplace at a routine house call, probably used as a fireside poker,” Steven says.

“The usual 1907 bayonets are only worth £30 to £40 at best.

“However this rare example existing with the hooked quillon sold for £350.”

A set of summer issue clothes belonging to a Lieutenant Colonel TW Hamilton fetched £450.

But the best price among military items was achieved by one from World War Two, a German SS dagger, which reached £1,500.

Vintage toys also sold well and two Meccano Dinky sets were snapped up by buyers.

One with six vehicles and the original box went for £900, while another of five vehicles reached £480.

But the highest price in the whole auction of a set of four UK gold commemorative coins from 1980, in a case.

It comprised a £5 coin, a £2 coin, a sovereign and half-sovereign, and sold for £1,900.

Three coins each fetched £1,100. There were South African Krugerrand from 1981, a UK gold £5 coin from the same year, and a Victorian crown from 1847.

Also from the Victorian era was a set of maundy money, the money the monarch traditionally gives out the day before Good Friday.

It came in a red case and dated from 1840, and sold for £150.

A South African set of nine gold coins from 1965 made £350.

Collectors’ sales are held at the Carlisle saleroom every two months and typically comprise coins, toys, medals and militaria. But the next sale is a music auction on Wednesday, September 11.