Churchill false teeth go on sale

A partial set of false teeth made specially for Winston Churchill to disguise his lisp could fetch as much as STG5000 ($A8700) when they go up for auction on Thursday.

The World War II premier's dentures were so important to him that he ensured a spare set was on hand at all times.

The son of dental technician Derek Cudlipp, who made dentures for the former prime minister, decided to sell part of a spare set, said auctioneers Keys, of Aylsham, Norfolk.

Keys' valuer Andrew Bullock said: "It is so quirky - one of those things which is so unusual that it could make a huge amount of money.

"The teeth are set in dentist's gold - but I think it is safe to say they won't be sold for their scrap value."

Bullock said the false teeth, which have a guide price of STG4500 to STG5000 ($A7800 to $A8700), were specially constructed to disguise Churchill's natural lisp.

He said the wartime premier suffered from terrible teeth and gums and needed complicated dentistry from childhood.

Churchill valued so highly the skill of his dentist, Wilfred Fish, that he nominated him for a knighthood.

The delicacy and special design of the teeth were widely credited with helping Churchill speak clearly and effectively, said Bullock.

Churchill's oratory skills and emotive speeches are widely acclaimed to have re-galvanised the country during the war.