FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    October 30, 2008 For more info or photos contact Letisha Murray or Judy Voss at info@rockislandauction.com or 800-238-8022.

 
Make a Solid Investment in an unstable economy at
Rock Island’s December Firearms Auction

Moline, IL, Rock Island Auction Company announces its next Premiere Firearms Auction December 6, 7 and 8 at their auction facilities in Moline, Illinois. In a time when the markets are changing daily people are turning to hard collectables such as firearms. Rock Island Auction Company has the proof; establishing industry records five years running with sales this year set to exceed our record setting $28.6 Million last year by topping $30 Million, which is not only impressive in this economy but also given the fact that in the previous year no other firearms auction company exceeded $20 million! The December auction provides a phenomenal opportunity for collecting and investing at all levels - 95% of this auction is unreserved! Rock Island looks to continue their 97% sell through rate, providing opportunities for collectors, new and old, to make solid investments and add to their collection. With historic pieces to modern sporting and values from $500 to $500,000 this auction has firearms for every level of collecting.

 

The auction will feature the massive Will Hoffeld Estate & Firearms Collection. A fantastic old time collection of this quality and quantity is rarely seen today. Will Hoffeld was an avid student of history and the manufacturing of firearms which is shown not only in the pieces he collected, but the documentation he kept on each firearm. He kept individual records on each piece telling from who and where he acquired it. The records include well known names in the gun world such as Red Jackson, Herb Glass, Norm Flayderman, Al Kelly, Bill Lock, Frank Sellers & others. Mr. Hoffeld’s collection is a history lesson in Colts including prototypes and Brevetes, this large collection is comprehensive. Mr. Hoffeld’s philanthropy will continue to insure the future of gun collecting as this sale will benefit the NRA Foundation. The sale will also feature an extraordinary amount of high quality firearms from other consignors representing major collecting areas such as general antique firearms, Civil War, military arms, sporting arms and others.

           

This auction has over 1000 Colts containing over 350 Percussions, led by a historic Extremely Rare C Company Walker Colt Revolver owned by Confederate General Joseph William Burton Edwards, of the Georgia Militia (estimate $490,000 - $650,000). This auction also contains over 175 Single Action Army Revolvers including a Colt Model 1873 'Pinch-Frame' Single Action Army Revolver with "U.S." marked frame verified by John A. Kopec (estimate $175,000 - $250,000). This sale will also include a Rare Colt Texas Paterson Revolver with Seven German Silver Bands and Ivory Grips ($125,000 – $225,000) one of eight Patersons in this auction – all of which are unreserved! Another Colt masterpiece of this auction is an ultra-rare mint-condition historic Colt Double Barrel Rifle, NRA best firearm of the year award winner. Most of the Colt Double Rifles were specially manufactured for friends of Samuel Colt's son, Caldwell Hart Colt. It is inscribed "Blair D. Taylor/U.S.A." a Colonel in the U.S Army ($85,000 – $130,000). This auction has over 80 Colt Brevetes featuring a magnificent exhibition quality N. Gilon Liege engraved Brevete Colt Walker Model Revolver.

 

A truly antique and collectable auction! Over 2000 items classified as antique or curio and relic! Over 100 antique Derringers including a unique British Four-Barrel Flintlock Duckfoot Pistol. Other fine antique examples are a Cook marked extra heavy single shot percussion rifle with scope and Civil War history. An extremely rare cased set of antebellum southern percussion dueling pistols ($30,000 – $45,000).

 

This auction is rich with history from the Revolutionary War through WWII. There is an impressive amount of Civil War items, over 100 firearms and many valuable presentation swords. A piece of Civil War era history is offered in a magnificent cased, deluxe, presentation Savage Revolving Fire-Arms Co., navy model revolver ($35,000 – $55,000). Representing the Confederate side includes an exceptionally fine and rare Confederate Rigdon, Ansley & Co., Percussion Revolver ($25,000-$50,000) and other Confederate pistols. There will also be an Exceptional Civil War Production Henry Lever Action Rifle one of five Henry’s in this auction ($65,000 - $90,000). The Civil War items continue with an identified Confederate forage cap and several Carbines and Longarms.

 

Many fine WWII items will also be offered at the sale including two magnificent WWII medals, one being a ultra rare German Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with oak leaves, swords and diamonds ($27,500 – $42,500) and a rare Kriegsmaine High Seas Fleet War Badge with diamonds ($18,000 – $27,500).

 

Over 500 European, Japanese and U.S. military items offer quality and quantity. A prime example is an extremely rare magnificent DWM Model 1906 American Eagle Luger pistol with original matching number box, manual, and accessories ($20,000 – $30,000). Aside from firearms, the military portion of this auction will also contain a massive rare collection of U.S. bayonets and WWII daggers.

 

Rock Island’s December sale has the finest grouping of Browning, Merkel and other shotguns and sporting rifles we have ever offered. There are nearly 600 outstanding sporting arms, from firearms for every day hunting and target practice to collectable high end sporting arms. Led by a cased pair of consecutively serial numbered Winchester built Model 21 three barrel set .410, .28 & .12 gauge shotguns ($65,000 – $85,000). A fantastic Merkel KR-1 'Presentation Grade' Weimer luxury bolt action rifle with Swarovski scope in a quick detachable mount will also be offered at this sale ($10,000 – $15,000). Other manufactures are represented including Woodward, Hoffman, Aguirre & Aranzabal, Winchester, Beretta, Holland & Holland, J. P. Sauer, Stevens and more.  Quality sporting arms include Browning Olympian’s, single shot rifles, modern sporting pistols including Smith & Wesson’s, Browning Renaissance and other manufactures and models.

 

Other items to be offered include over 100 collectable canes from the Will Hoffeld Estate, featuring a spectacular rare Remington Arms dogs head rifle cane. The vast range of firearms in his collection also includes a rare Hotchkiss revolving naval cannon with carriage mount and accessories ($50,000 – $75,000). This Massive Estate also included four vintage vehicles including a 39 Plymouth Pickup, 49  Chevrolet Coupe, 49 International ¾ Stake Bed Pickup and a 43 John Deere Model A.

 

In its entirety, over 2700 lots will be sold on December 6^th, 7^th and 8^th by Rock Island Auction Company.  With 95% unreserved you get the real deal, you are not bidding against the house to achieve a minimum goal. Get a bargain or fill a hole in your collection, this sale will have what you are looking for. The December auction is catalogued in a full-color two-volume catalogue, which can be ordered through the mail ($60) or viewed on their website at www.rockislandauction.com.  Rock Island Auction Company is currently seeking consignments for their upcoming auctions. 

 
ITEMS OF NOTE IN THE AUCTION….

LOT 1391 – Extremely Rare C Company Walker Colt Revolver Owned by Confederate General Joseph William Burton Edwards, who was a General in the Georgia Militia   

PRE-AUCTION EST: $490,000 - $650,000

 

LOT 3410 – Colt Model 1873 'Pinch-Frame' Single Action Army Revolver with "U.S." Marked Frame  PRE-AUCTION EST: $175,000 – $250,000

 

LOT 3248 - Rare Colt Texas Paterson Revolver with Seven Silver Bands and Ivory Grip 

PRE-AUCTION EST:  $125,000 - $225,000

 

LOT 3074 - Important and Historic Double Cased Set of Presentation Inscribed Civil War Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers with Ivory Grips  PRE-AUCTION EST:  $100,000 – $125,000

 

LOT 1399 - Ultra-Rare Colt Double Barrel Rifle 

PRE-AUCTION EST:  $85,000 - $130,000

 

LOT 1012 - Deluxe, Engraved, Silver-Plated, Henry Lever-Action Rifle 

PRE-AUCTION EST:  $75,000 – $125,000

 

LOT 1463 - Consecutively Serial Numbered Pair of U.S. 3rd Model Dragoon Revolvers-A) U.S. 3rd Model Dragoon Revolver   PRE-AUCTION EST:  $60,000 - $90,000

 

LOT 140 - Cased Pair of Consecutively Serial Numbered Winchester Built Model 21 Three Barrel Set Shotguns   PRE-AUCTION EST:  $65,000 - $85,000

 

LOT 3290 - Rare, Inscribed, Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver with Fluted Cylinder, Serial Number 3

PRE-AUCTION EST: $50,000 - $75,000

 

LOT 3516 - Rare Hotchkiss Revolving Naval Cannon with Carriage Mount and Accessories   PRE-AUCTION EST: $50,000 - $75,000

 

LOT 1178 - Extremely Rare Sharps Ultra Heavy Barrel Special Order Model 1874 Bench Rest Target Rifle with Factory Letter

PRE-AUCTION EST:  $32,5000 – $45,000

 

LOT  319 - Fantastic Merkel KR-1 "Weimer" Luxury Bolt Action Rile with Kahles Scope in a Quick Detachable Mount with Factory Box

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $10,000 - $15,000

 

LOT 165 - Winchester Model 21 Skeet Grade Double Barrel Shotgun with Case

  PRE-AUCTION EST:  $7,000 – $9,000

 

LOT  3752 - Excellent Prewar Colt First Series Match Target Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol with Original Box

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $2,750 - $4,250 

SPORTING ITEMS OF NOTE IN THE AUCTION….

LOT 140 - Cased Pair of Consecutively Serial Numbered Winchester Built Model 21 Three Barrel Set Shotguns

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $65,000 - $85,000

 

LOT 1178 - Extremely Rare Sharps Ultra Heavy Barrel Special Order Model 1874 Bench Rest Target Rifle with Factory Letter

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $32,500 - $45,000

 

LOT  1184 - Charles Axtell's Stevens-Pope Two Barrel Set Scoped Single Shot Schuetzen Rifle With Tools

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $25,000 - $35,000

 

LOT  331 - Master Engraved Merkel Model 323E Sidelock Over/Under Double Rifle With Box

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $18,000 - $25,000

 

LOT  451 - Exceptional 'Exhibition Grade' Factory Engraved and Gold Inlayed  Browning Superposed Over and Under Four-Barrel Shotgun Set with Fitted Luggage Case

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $18,000 - $25,000

 

LOT  427 - Master Engraved Double Signed 2001 IWA Show Merkel Model 160S Luxus Double Barrel Rifle with Extra 20 Gauge Barrel Set and Box

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $15,000 - $25,000

 

LOT 1196 - Custom Pope Winchester Model 1885 High Wall Special Single Shot Rifle

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $18,000 - $22,500

 

LOT  319 - Fantastic Merkel KR-1 "Weimer" Luxury Bolt Action Rile with Kahles Scope in a Quick Detachable Mount with Factory Box

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $10,000 - $15,000

 

LOT 320 - Fantastic Merkel KR-1 'Presentation Grade' Weimer  Luxury Bolt Action Rile with Swarovski Scope in a Quick Detachable Mount

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $10,000 - $15,000

 

LOT 459 - Angelo Bee Cased Engraved Gold Inlaid Custom Browning Superposed Shotgun

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $10,000 - $15,000

 

LOT  89 - Master Engraved "Hans-Ulrich Sorg" Merkel Model 360 SL Pette Frame SxS Shotgun

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $9,000 - $14,000

 

LOT 165 - Winchester Model 21 Skeet Grade Double Barrel Shotgun with Case

PRE-AUCTION EST:  $7,000 – $9,000

 

LOT  25 - Cased Engraved Winchester Model 70 Ultra Grade 1 of 1000 Featherweight Bolt Action Rifle

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $4,000 - $6,000

 

LOT  803 - Cased Set of Three Engraved Belgium Browning High Power Renaissance Semi-Automatic Pistols

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $3,500 - $5,500

 

LOT  3752 - Excellent Prewar Colt First Series Match Target Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol with Original Box

PRE-AUCTION EST:    $2,750 - $4,250

 

Quick Highlights of the December Auction:

95% Unreserved

Over 2700 Lots, many historical, rare and unique firearms

Only 600 classified as modern

Over 1000 Colts

Over 300 Winchesters

5 Henry Rifles

100 Civil War Firearms

Over 80 Colt Brevetes

 

 

Auction times:

Auction begins 10 am December 6, 7 & 8

Full day preview Friday, December 5 from 10 am – 6 pm

Preview:  December 6, 7 & 8 from 8am – 10am, and during the auction for items not being sold that day.

Location

Rock Island Auction Company’s newly increased 23,000 square foot state-of-the-art auction facility is located at,

4507 49^th Avenue, Moline IL 61265

Phone 800-238-8022, Fax 309-797-1655, email info@rockislandauction.com

www.rockislandauction.com for more location, directions, and hotel information