The Pride of the Fleet: A Collection of Royal Navy Ship’s Crests, Barge Plaques and Gun Tampions to be auctioned on 20th November 2025 at Wincanton Auctions
11th Nov 2025 by Duncan Wills
The Pride of the Fleet: A Collection of Royal Navy Ship’s Crests, Barge Plaques and Gun Tampions to be auctioned on 20th November 2025 at Wincanton Auctions.
A rare and distinguished collection of Royal Navy ship’s crests, brass gun tampions, and barge plaques is to be offered at auction — a tribute to Britain’s proud maritime heritage and to the vessels and men who served under these distinctive emblems.
Beautifully crafted in cast brass, bronze, and painted relief, these crests once adorned the wardrooms and bulkheads of famous Royal Navy warships. Each piece carries with it the story of a vessel that served with courage and distinction through peace and war alike.
Among the highlights of the collection are several crests from destroyers, frigates, and submarines that saw action in both World Wars. The HMS Manxman crest, bearing the familiar three-legged triskelion of the Isle of Man, commemorates the celebrated minelayer launched in 1940. Fast and elusive, Manxman earned her fame for daring supply runs to Malta, dashing through Axis-held waters to deliver vital stores to the besieged island fortress.
Equally notable is the crest of HMS Campbell, a veteran destroyer of the “C” class launched in 1918. Campbell fought with the Dover Patrol and was famously the last ship to leave Dunkirk in June 1940, covering the final evacuation as German forces closed in. Her crest, showing a wolf’s head on black, reflects both ferocity and vigilance — fitting for a ship that protected so many lives under fire.
From the submarine service come the crests of boats such as HMS Turpin, whose black horse emblem recalls her silent wartime patrols, and HMS Tactician, which operated in the Far East and sank enemy shipping in the closing stages of the Second World War. Other submarines represented include Telemachus, Unbroken, and Sprat — each with their own proud chapter in the annals of the “Silent Service.”
The collection also features the crest of HMS Narvik, commemorating the famous 1940 battles off the coast of Norway, and HMS Lincoln, a destroyer bearing the red cross of St George and fleur-de-lys of her namesake city. Together, these carved and painted shields form a vivid roll-call of the fleet — ships that ranged from sleek destroyers to powerful aircraft carriers and humble minesweepers.
Complementing the crests are a number of early brass gun tampions, circular covers once fitted into the muzzles of naval guns to keep out sea spray and debris. Examples include finely cast reliefs of lions, seabirds, and heraldic devices — once part of the armament of Victorian and Edwardian warships. These early tampions are particularly prized for their sculptural quality and historic patina, connecting directly to the ships of the pre-dreadnought era.
A smaller group of barge crests — finely modelled roundels in gilt and bronze — represent the insignia of Royal Naval dockyards and command barges, used to convey admirals and senior officers. Each plaque combines craftsmanship with naval symbolism, echoing the grand maritime traditions of the Service.
Together, this collection represents over half a century of naval history, artistry, and service. Many of these crests were produced at the Admiralty Pattern Room or by skilled artisans at Chatham, Devonport, and Portsmouth Dockyards, using designs approved by the College of Arms. Today, they are treasured not just as decorative pieces but as tangible fragments of the ships and sailors who upheld Britain’s command of the seas.
For collectors of maritime artefacts and naval history, this auction offers a rare opportunity to acquire authentic pieces linked to some of the Royal Navy’s most storied vessels — from the dark days of Dunkirk to the triumphs of the Mediterranean convoys and beyond.
