RIA News
Moline, IL Rock Island Auction Company announces the next Premiere Firearms auction to be held at their facility in Moline, IL. Rock Island prides itself in offering high quality firearms for every level of collecting, serving the entire firearms industry. At the September 11, 12 & 13 auction, collectors will gather to participate in another fantastic offering put on by Rock Island Auction Company. As with every collection or hobby, there are various levels of collecting and this auction will have something for everyone. Rock Island inspires the beginning collector, igniting the passion with high quality firearms; to the hard-to-find centerpiece of an experienced collection. The September sale will offer several star-worthy items in several genres including derringers, Colts, Winchesters, antique firearms, sporting, military and more!
Collectors of all levels will appreciate the rarity and quality of the derringers in this sale. The derringers are part of a well known world class collection (the collector wishes to remain anonymous). An outstanding example includes a pair of near new, and quite possibly best condition large size Henry deringer pocket size pistols (among other exceptional examples of the classic Henry or Philadelphia pocket pistols). Two of the finest Remington derringers in existence will be offered; a blued Remington Zigzag derringer ($15,000- $22,500) and a Remington rider magazine pistol with extremely rare casehardened and blue finish ($10,000 - $15,000). Exhibition quality Palm Pistols from both Minneapolis and Chicago: a magnificent finest known factory engraved very early two digit serial numbered Chicago Palm Pistol with relief carved pearl side plates and original box ($25,000 - $50,000) and an exceptional boxed "Protector" Palm Pistol by Minneapolis Firearms Company with extraordinarily unique incised carved pearl side plates in original box. Other amazing pieces from this collection include a magnificent presentation pair of exhibition grade, heavily silver mounted and gold inlaid flintlock T. Dobson pistols made for the Sultan of Turkey ($40,000 – $60,000), a pair of highly embellished, spectacular, finest pistols of his historic career Adolph Frohn, Suhl Germany pistols ($90,000-$140,000) and a magnificent relief diamond mounted silver eagle hilted Tiffany sword from the famous Flayderman / Medicus collection ($25,000 – $50,000). Also from this collection are five massive Meerschaum pipes including an excellently carved Meerschaum Pipe with elaborate hunting scene. There are several fine canes including an extraordinary silver inlaid Mid-Eastern iron sword cane ($2,000 - $3,000).
Rock Island is also fortunate to have a nice grouping of firearms from the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum. This collection features two fantastic factory engraved presentation grade Winchester Model 21 Grand Americans two-barrel trap shotguns presented to and owned by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. It will also offer several fine Colt single actions, a Cole Agee engraved Colt single action army revolver documented as being Roy Rogers "Holster Gun" ($10,000 - $20,000), a documented historical Audie Murphy shipped and subsequently presented to Roy, Colt pre-war/post-war single action army revolver ($15,000-$25,000) and a black powder U.S. Colt single action cavalry revolver ($3,000 - $4,000).
Other famous and historical firearms include a Walter Earp (great grand nephew of Wyatt Earp) presentation Colt single action “Buntline Special” ($15,000 -35,000), a William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) presentation inscribed Colt Model 1903 Hammerless 32 Pocket Semi-Automatic Pistol ($10,000 – 20,000), a documented Blackpowder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter and Cowboy Hat Owned by John Hart, "The Lone Ranger" ( $7,500 - $15,000) plus firearms of William Bill Tilghman, Turner Kirkland, Arvo Ojala “Gunsmoke”, Texas rangers and Western Sherrifs!
Over 300 Colts, offering the spectrum of Colt production, including exquisite cased sets, fine percussions, single action armies, early autos, rare longarms, quality double actions and more! An exceptional black powder Colt frontier six shooter single action etched barrel revolver ($30,000- $50,000) stands out as does the Exhibition quality Warren signed engraved and gold inlaid presentation grade, Colt new service, flattop target revolver with gold inlays marked “44 S&W CTG”.
A massive grouping of antique pistols and longarms provides bidding opportunities for every collector. A scarce factory engraved Merwin Hulbert & Company 1st Model frontier army single action revolver with pearl grips ($10,000 - $15,000) and a deluxe Tiffany & Co. Smith & Wesson .32 double action 4th model revolver exhibited by the factory at the 1893 "World's Columbian Exposition" in Chicago ($65,000 - $90,000). Underhammer rifles & pistols, trapdoors & flintlock are also in this antique grouping.
Exceptional pieces of history can be obtained in the many significant Civil War era pistols, rifles and muskets. The Civil war selection touts a historic Smith & Wesson No. 2 old model army revolver inscribed to Civil War hero Colonel Augustus van Horn Ellis ($10,000-$20,000) and a rare special order Sharps Model 1859 carbine inscribed Capt. J.W. Carr 2 New Hampshire Volunteers with double set triggers. There are 4 volcanic pistols and carbines and 5 Henry lever actions lead by a very fine Civil War 3rd regiment U.S. veteran volunteer infantry martial inspected Henry lever-action rifle ($50,000 - $90,000).
Several astounding centerpieces for the Winchester collector can be found in this auction. The finest known, factory engraved, digital “1 of 1000” Winchester model 1873 headlines the incredible selection of Winchesters ($350,000 - $650,000). Its 1-1000 inscription is digital one of less than ten ever done by the factory; the factory engraving is again, one of less than ten! An exceptional, Conrad Ulrich engraved, silver-plated, deluxe Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifle ($90,000 - $130,000) is not to be missed! In all there are over 500 Winchesters with many quality examples that range from hundreds of dollars to $350,000. Lever actions in every model will be offered starting with Volcanics, Henrys and 1866’s through 1895’s, plus commemorative, sporting, single shot and slide actions.
Winchester Model 70’s spotlight the many fine Winchester sporting arms. There are over 50 Winchester Model 70’s in this auction, several desirable calibers, many new in box, pre 64’s and some pre war! An example is a spectacular pre-64 first year Winchester super grade Model 70 bolt action rifle in extremely rare .338 Winchester magnum caliber with factory box ($15,000 – $25,000). Other Winchester sporting arms include single shot rifles, slide actions, Model 21’s and sporting rifles.
Over 700 Sporting arms in this auction featuring the fantastic collection of E. Warner Bacon. He collected many types of sporting arms and particularly liked the Ithaca and Parker shotguns. Two incredible offerings are the Cased Engraved Piotti King Royal Extra Double Barrel Detachable Side Lock Shotgun with Accessories ($27,500 - $37,500) and a rare 28 Gauge Parker Bros. VH grade double barrel shotgun with letter ($18,000 - $25,000). The avid sportsman will also enjoy an extraordinary relief engraved Gunter Retz Vierling with scope and sling ($13,000 - $20,000). The number of other high quality manufacturers of shotguns and rifles is equally impressive such as Cogswell & Harrison, A.H. Fox, Merkel, Westley Richards, Purdy, Browning, Churchill, Kreighoff, and Holland & Holland.
Rock Island Auction once again offers a wide selection of U.S., European and Japanese military firearms, swords and daggers. There are over 50 German military daggers and nearly 25 swords featuring a magnificent historic ball, Thompkins & Black Mexican American War state of Illinois presentation sword ($30,000 - $50,000). A few military highlights include an interesting 1899 style Swiss test luger serial number “20”- one of over 100 lugers, a mint U.S. Navy Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol – one of over 50 1911’s and a desirable WWII J.P. Sauer M30 Luftwaffe survival drilling with cased and accessories.
This auction also contains an impressive Victorian collection of gambling items, over 20 slot machines, advertising signs, spurs, canes, back bar bottles and more!
In its entirety, over 2700 quality lots will be offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 11th, 12th & 13th by Rock Island Auction Company. With a 97% sell through rate over the past 5 years, items in this auction are for sale. Start a collection or find the missing piece, this auction’s diversity, rarity and quality will have what you are looking for. Call now 800-238-8022 to order your two-volume full-color two-volume catalogue or view it online at www.rockislandauction.com.
Quick Highlights of the September Auction:
Over 2700 Lots, many historical, rare and unique firearms
Less than 500 classified as modern
Firearms from the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum
Nearly 400 Colts
Over 500 Winchesters
5 Henry Rifles & 4 Volcanic Pistols
Over 700 Sporting Arms
Over 150 Deringers
A Fantastic Victorian Collection
Auction times:
Auction begins 10 am September 11
Full day preview Thursday, September 10 from 10 am – 6 pm
Preview: September 11, 12 & 13 from 7:30am – 10am, and during the auction for items not being sold that day.
Location
Rock Island Auction Company’s 23,000 square foot state-of-the-art auction facility is located at,
4507 49th 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
