'Vampire-slaying kit' containing pocket-sized pistol could fetch up to £3,000 at auction

A “vampire slaying kit” equipped with crucifixes and a bible could spark a bidding war when it goes under the hammer at an auction next week.

Constructed from a metal lockable box, the kit contains an array of religious symbols, including a 19th century copy of the New Testament, rosary beads and an oval picture of Jesus.

Glass bottles enclosing holy water and garlic paste, a pocket sized pistol and a silver blade are among the other items contained within the velvet lined “Gothic box”.

It is expected to create a flurry of interest among fans of the supernatural when it is auctioned next Thursday, with experts predicting a final cost as high as £3000.

The owner, who is from the West Midlands and wished to remain anonymous, told how he was initially attracted by the design rather than the provenance of the kit.

They said: “I know very little of its history. I have had it in my own collection for three years now. I bought it from a large antiques fair in Newark.

“I loved the look of the Gothic box and, when I opened it, I just had to have it. I thought it was so interesting- a great conversation piece.”

Charles Hansons, owner of Derbyshire based Hansons Auctioneers, who are handling the sale, said there has already been wide interest for the item on social media.

He added: “People are fascinated by stories of vampires, hence their continued appearance in films and TV today. They have been part of popular culture for more than 200 years.

“Items of religious significance, such as crucifixes and Bibles, were said to repel these monsters, hence their strong presence in the kit we have found.”