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Premier Firearms Auction #70

May 05, 2017 to May 07, 2017

This auction has ended.

Premier Firearms Auction #70

May 05, 2017 to May 07, 2017

This auction has ended.

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Showing 1-7 of 7 results

Historic Impeccably Well-Documented The King of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley’s Exhibition Quality Engraved, Inlaid and Carved Smith & Wesson Model 19-2 Double Action Revolver Gifted to Vice President Spiro Agnew

Lot 471

Elvis Gifted Smith & Wesson Model 19-2 Revolver to Veep Agnew

Simply known as The King, Elvis Presley was rock & roll’s first star and remains one of the most important cultural icons in American history since his first number one charting song hit the airways back in 1956. He was after all the nightmare to 1950s conservative America: the white Southerner bringing together American music from both sides of the color line and performing with natural sexual flare. He was in essence a cultural liberation icon throwing the "system" into chaos. In his personal life Elvis had a well-documented interest in firearms. When he died in 1977, The King was reported to own 37 firearms, including one machine gun. Rock Island Auction Company is proud to offer an exhibition quality Smith & Wesson Model 19-2 double action revolver once owned by Elvis Presley who tried to gift it to Vice President Spiro Agnew only to have it returned and later presented it to Shelby County Sheriff Gene Barksdale. This is a well-documented piece of Elvis memorabilia and includes several documents. The first is a 6 November 1970 dated Beverly Hills Police Department firearm registration. This document lists this revolver by serial number as being registered to Elvis and is signed by Elvis. The listed place of residence is Elvis’ Beverly Hills home at 1174 Hillcrest Drive, and the listed business address is Elvis’ famed Graceland estate. According to the registration, Elvis obtained the gun from Beverly Hills firearm dealer Kerrs Sporting Goods. In the book "Elvis: What Happened?" by Steve Dunleavy, Elvis buying firearms from Kerrs is confirmed. Dunleavy wrote, "Presley had a real ball giving Kerrs Sporting Goods the best business they had ever had. In just one month he bought thirty-two hand guns, one shotgun and a rifle...The total cost of the shopping spree was $19,792." See page 83. The second piece of documentation is made up of three full color photographs. In one of the photographs Elvis holds this revolver in his right hand. In a second photo the revolver is displayed in a briefcase containing other handguns and Elvis looking proudly over his collection. In the third image it appears that the revolver is holstered on Elvis’ hip. A third piece of documentation is a notarized affidavit on Shelby County Sheriff’s Department letterhead that provides ownership history for this revolver. The affidavit is dated 8 January 1992 and is from Gene Barksdale. More than a twenty-six year veteran with the Memphis Police Department and Sheriff of Shelby County, Gene Barksdale was a close friend to Elvis. Barksdale explains in the affidavit that Elvis gifted him this revolver that is identified by serial number and embellishments. An additional notarized affidavit from Barksdale is also included and provides the same information. This affidavit is undated. A fourth piece of documentation is a notarized affidavit on Shelby County Sheriff's Department letterhead dated March 15, 2017 and is from Thomas Morgan Jr. a friend of Elvis, nephew of Sheriff Gene Barksdale and member of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department. This affidavit also authenticates the revolver and states that Morgan received the revolver from Sheriff Barksdale. A second notarized affidavit from Morgan explains his relationship with Elvis that began in the early 1950s when their families lived in the same apartment complex. Requested by Elvis' father, Morgan coordinated security for Elvis' funeral. It is well documented that Elvis had tremendous respect for law enforcement officers. As explained by Elvis' friend Marty Lacker, "Elvis played policeman every chance he got. He loved law enforcement and easily could have enjoyed pursuing it as a career…and as he toured the country there were always local police assigned for security." Until his death Elvis maintained close ties with Memphis Police and Shelby County Sheriff's departments. He often bestowed gifts to police departments and to individual members of law enforcement. These gifts included equipment and uniforms for the Memphis Police Department's softball team, cars for close police friends, donations and paying funeral expenses for a fallen officer. For more see the Shelby County diamond and ruby sheriff’s badge from Elvis’ personal collection that is in this auction. Finally, an accompanying letter from "the world's foremost Elvis memorabilia expert" John Heath authenticates the provenance and history of the revolver. "I believe," wrote Heath, "this to be one of the most valuable firearms from Elvis’ entire collection." According to Heath, Elvis had the revolver engraved by the Fredrick Wilhelm Heym Co. of Germany and originally presented the revolver to Vice President Spiro Agnew in 1970, but due to being the focus in an opened investigation of corruption, Agnew returned the revolver to Elvis. The investigation led to Agnew’s resignation and forced Agnew to return $268,482 in bribes from Maryland construction companies. This account has been retold in several books on Elvis. Agnew and Elvis met at a party in Palm Springs in early December 1970. Three weeks later, Elvis was in the Oval Office posing with President Richard Nixon for perhaps the most bizarre photo to be taken in the White House. As explained by Bud Krogh, Nixon's former deputy counsel who set up the impromptu meeting, "The two of them together somehow is almost incomprehensible. The king of rock and the president of the United States shaking hands in the Oval Office doesn't compute for a lot of people." Elvis presented Nixon with a commemorative Colt 1911 pistol. The purpose of the meeting remains up for debate. Some have concluded that the meeting was a stunt in order for Elvis, an avid collector of law enforcement paraphernalia, to obtain a federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs badge that he personally asked President Richard Nixon for. Others have argued that Elvis was sincere. The Nixon/Elvis photo remains one of the most requested documents from the National Archives. The revolver features near full coverage relief leaf and scroll engraving outlined by silver and gold inlaid borders. The frame has additional five raised gold North American game animals that range in size from a mountain lion to a moose. The barrel markings and serial number on the butt are in silver inside gold outlined oval panels. The sights are standard factory serrated ramp and adjustable notch. The two-piece grips feature relief carved stag heads among floral scrollwork. The pistol comes with a personalized leather tooled zipper pouch that displays Elvis’ name in bold letters on one side and a floral pattern with turquoise highlights on the reverse.

Documentation

Modern

Caliber / Gauge: 357 magnum

Price Realized:

Historic Extremely Well-Documented Exhibition Quality Engraved, Inlaid and Carved Colt Python Double Action Revolver Presented by The King of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley to Employee Richard Grob

Lot 472

Embellished Colt Python Revolver Presented by Elvis Presley

Others have proceeded him but Elvis Presley will forever remain The King of Rock & Roll. He was rock & roll’s first star and remains one of the most important cultural icons in American history since his first number one charting song hit the airways back in 1956. Rock Island Auction Company is proud to offer an exhibition quality Colt Python revolver linked to the Elvis Presley legacy. The revolver was gifted by Elvis to the Director of Security and Operations for Elvis Presley Enterprises Richard Grob. This is a well-documented piece of Elvis memorabilia and includes several documents. The first is a 2015 dated affidavit from Richard Grob. More than a security guard and specialist, Grob was a close personal confidant to Elvis from 1967 until Elvis' death in 1977. Grob explains in the affidavit that he advised Elvis on many of his firearm purchases and accompanied The King to the firing range to shoot an array of firearms from revolvers to full automatic rifles. This revolver, continues Grob, was "a special gift and surprise" given to him by Elvis who purchased the gun from Kerrs Sporting Goods in Beverly Hills, California, and had it engraved by the Fredrick Wilhelm Co. of Germany. In the book "Elvis: What Happened?" by Steve Dunleavy, Elvis buying firearms from Kerrs is confirmed. Dunleavy wrote, "Presley had a real ball giving Kerrs Sporting Goods the best business they had ever had. In just one month he bought thirty-two hand guns, one shotgun and a rifle….The total cost of the shopping spree was $19,792." See page 83 and a photocopy of the page is included. The included Colt factory letter confirms that this revolver was shipped to Kerrs Sporting Goods on 4 January 1967. Moreover, the accompanying 1982 dated teletype lists this revolver by serial number as being registered to Elvis and a transfer date of 27 November 1970. The revolver is documented in the September 1973 issue of the magazine "Guns" on page 36. This issue is included and documents the revolver as being sent to Fredrick Wilhelm Co. of Germany to be engraved and presented to Grob by Elvis. According to Grob, the embellishments were completed in "about a year." Finally, an accompanying letter from "the world's foremost Elvis memorabilia expert" John Heath and a March 15, 2017 dated notarized affidavit from Thomas Morgan Jr., a friend of Elvis and member of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, authenticate the provenance and history of the revolver. The revolver features 95% coverage of a relief leaf and scroll engraving outlined by gold and silver inlaid scroll borders. This engraving is found on the front and rear barrel sections, vent rib, frame, cylinder and trigger guard. The top of the frame has a cross hatching pattern engraving. The frame has additional five raised gold North American game animals that range in size from a mountain lion to a bison. The barrel markings are in silver inside gold outlined oval panels. The sights are standard factory serrated ramp and adjustable notch. The two-piece grips feature relief carved game animals among floral scrollwork. As evident in Dunleavy’s story, Elvis had a strong affection for firearms. When he died in 1977, The King was reported to own 37 firearms, including one machine gun. While staying at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, he shot a television set in a fit of rage during the airing of "The Mike Douglas Show" when singer Robert Goulet was a guest. The purported TV set has been displayed at Graceland. Also retained at the Graceland estate is a smokehouse that Elvis turned into a shooting range. He was known to give firearms as gifts such as this example. Also of interest is the fact that Grob was a member of the Palm Springs Police Department. Elvis had tremendous respect for law enforcement officers and regularly doted on police officers through friendship and gifts. For more see the Shelby County diamond and ruby sheriff’s badge from Elvis’ personal collection that is in this auction.

Documentation

Modern

Caliber / Gauge: 357 mag

Price Realized:

Historic Documented Spectacular King of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley's Diamond and Ruby Studded Shelby County Sheriff's Badge

Lot 473

Elvis Presley's Gem Studded Shelby County Sheriff's Badge

Well known for his hit music spanning multiple genres such as rock & roll, country, gospel and blues and coming of age teen movies, Elvis Presley is the quintessential American cultural icon who,40 years after his death, retains an enormous international fan base. Since the release of his debut studio album "Elvis Presley" in 1956, demand for personal effects from The King of Rock & Roll continues to dominate the pop cultural memorabilia market. Rock Island Auction Company is proud to offer one such piece of memorabilia: a diamond and ruby studded Shelby County Sheriff's badge from Presley's personal law enforcement badge collection. At first glance linking Elvis with law enforcement paraphernalia seems to be wildly illogical. He was after all the nightmare to 1950s conservative America: the white Southerner bringing together American music from both sides of the color line and performing with natural sexual flare. He was in essence a cultural liberation icon throwing the "system" into chaos. Presley's debut record "conjured up the vision of a performer who could be all things," stated music historian John Robertson: "a flirtatious teenage idol with a heart of gold; a tempestuous, dangerous lover; a gutbucket blues singer; a sophisticated nightclub entertainer; [a] raucous rocker". America would never be the same. It would therefore seem logical to conclude that Elvis had it out for all symbols of authority. Right? The answer is no. In fact, Elvis had deep respect and affection for law enforcement since he was a teenager. As explained by Elvis' friend Marty Lacker, "Elvis played policeman every chance he got. He loved law enforcement and easily could have enjoyed pursuing it as a career…and as he toured the country there were always local police assigned for security." One of Elvis' well documented hobbies was collecting police badges. He obtained his first badge from Shelby County of Tennessee Sheriff Bill Morris. Over the years his badge collection grew, and he sought badges from every city where he performed. So enthralled by police badges Elvis acquired Shelby County badges for every member of his entourage known as the "Memphis Mafia." His most prized badge was from the federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs that he personally asked President Richard Nixon for when they met in the Oval Office in December 1970. In the 1970s, Elvis was known for carrying a portable blue police light in his vehicle, using it to pull over speeding drivers. Once a driver was pulled over Elvis would flash a badge from his collection and lecture about the dangers of speeding. Before driving off Elvis usually gave an autograph to an often speechless law breaking driver. He even listened to a police scanner while patrolling the streets of Memphis and at times arrived at a scene of an accident or crime before the arrival of a police officer. Until his death Elvis maintained close ties with Memphis Police and Shelby County Sheriff's departments. He often bestowed gifts to police departments and to individual members of law enforcement. These gifts included equipment and uniforms to the Memphis Police Department's softball team, cars to close police friends, donations and paying funeral expenses for a fallen officer. Elvis was deputized as a member of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department. Offered here is a Shelby County of Tennessee Chief Deputy Sheriff's badge with the number 6. Elvis was presented the badge on February 10, 1972 by Sheriff Roy Nixon. At the time Sheriff Nixon appointed Elvis Chief Deputy Sheriff. Elvis had the diamonds and rubies added to the badge that he carried from 1972 until 1976 when he gave it as a gift to Sheriff Nixon's successor Billy Ray Schilling. In return Schilling gave Elvis his personal sheriff's badge. According to Lacker, an awaken Schilling agreed to exchanging the badges during a 1 am phone call Elvis made to his home. The back of the badge is marked "SHAPIRO/UNIFORMS/MEMPHIS." The accompanying 2009 letter written and signed by Elvis Presley expert, author and Swedish fan club founder Bruno Tillander authenticates the badge. An included notarized affidavit from Tomas Morgan, Jr., a friend to Elvis and member of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, also authenticates the badge and explains that Sheriff Schilling sold the badge to Tillander and that he acquired the badge from Tillander in 2000. An 18x12 inch plaque presenting the history of the badge and a soft pouch are also included.

Documentation

Price Realized:

Lot 474

Historic Elvis Presley Signed Contract to Purchase Graceland

Offered here is an iconic document signed by The King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley, and both of his parents: the purchasing contract for Graceland. This is one of the most historic pieces of Elvis memorabilia to be offered for public sale. From 1957 until his death in 1977, Elvis called Graceland home. Graceland will forever remain synonymous with Elvis, rock & roll’s first star and one of the most important cultural icons in American history. This real estate purchasing contract for Graceland is dated 17 March 1957, is two pages (front and back) and measures 8 ½ inches by 14 inches. The back of the contract is signed by Elvis, Elvis’ parents, Vernon and Gladys, and Elvis’ real estate agent, Virginia Grant. The contract is handwritten in red ink, and Virginia Grant calls it the "first contract." Accompanying the contract is a 26 March 1957 dated refund deposit receipt for $1,000 from Grant to Elvis. Two included letters written by Grant on Virginia Grant Realty letterhead and dated 25 May 1995 authenticate the contract. According to Grant, the contract had been in her possession from 21 March 1957 until 25 May 1995. A signed copy of Virginia Grant’s "How Elvis Bought Graceland," her personal account of the home sale, is also included. An included notarized affidavit from Tomas Morgan, Jr., a friend to Elvis and member of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, also authenticates the documents. Requested by Elvis' father, Morgan coordinated security for Elvis' funeral. The now legendary plantation style home in Memphis was originally bought by Elvis for $102,500 when he was just 22 years old. As part of the offer, he traded the Presley’s home at 1034 Audubon Drive for $55,000. The remainder of the purchase was funded by a $10,000 cash deposit and a $35,500 mortgage. Boasting over 600,000 visitors per year, Graceland is the second most visited home in the country, after the White House.

Documentation

Price Realized:

Historic Elvis Presley and "Memphis Mafia" Signed Personal Sheriff Department Files

Lot 475

Elvis Presley and 'Memphis Mafia' Signed Personal Files

Offered here is a collection of Elvis Presley and "Memphis Mafia" signed personal files. These documents are in reference to the deputation of Elvis and his closest friends by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department in the 1970s. Elvis had close ties to the Memphis Police and Shelby County Sheriff's Departments. The King of Rock & Roll had a tremendous respect for law enforcement officers and regularly doted on police officers through friendship and gifts. Those closest to Elvis have remarked that if not for his voice, Elvis would have enjoyed a career as a police officer. For further reference see the Shelby County diamond and ruby sheriff’s badge from Elvis’ personal collection that is in this auction. It is through this collection of paper ephemera that we get a glimpse into Elvis’ well-documented fascination with law enforcement. Six of these documents are signed by Elvis. The first part of this collection consists of Elvis’ special deputy applications. The first application is dated 10 October 1970 and the second application is dated 20 November 1974. Both applications are signed by Elvis. The 1974 application also provides handwritten answers to a series of personal questions whereas the 1970 application provides the only additional information of a home address. There is a 20 November 1974 dated affidavit of agreement for special deputy commission signed by Elvis. There are five unsigned application cover letters. Three letters are dated 25 November 1974, one letter is dated 15 August 1975, and one letter is date 2 September 1976. There is a 20 November 1974 directive authorizing the carrying of a weapon that is signed by Elvis. There is an 8 October 1970 dated and Elvis signed official bond and oath to the office of deputy sheriff. Other documents: honorary sheriff commission form dated 21 September 1964, photocopy of an affidavit of agreement, Shelby County special deputy requalification policy and Elvis’ signed rail travel card. The second grouping of documents consists of Elvis and friends special deputy identification cards. This includes 6 large notecard style personnel cards (one for Elvis, two for Elvis’ father Vernon Presley and three for Elvis' first cousin Billy Smith) and three laminated special deputy identification cards (one for Elvis confidant Charles Hodge, one for Elvis’ security guard and personal aide Alfred Strada and one for Elvis’ security guard and maintenance man William Pritchett, Jr.). The third and final part of this collection consists of a grouping of special deputy documents related to Elvis’ father Vernon. Included is a notarized affidavit on Shelby County Sheriff’s Department letterhead dated March 15, 2017 and is from Thomas Morgan, Jr., a friend to Elvis, nephew to Sheriff Gene Barksdale and member of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, who authenticates the documents. Morgan was the Administrative Assistant to Sheriff Gene Barksdale from 1976-1981, and after Elvis’ father died, Morgan obtained the files. A second notarized affidavit from Morgan explains his relationship with Elvis that began in the early 1950s when their families lived in the same apartment complex. Requested by Elvis' father, Morgan coordinated security for Elvis' funeral. A third affidavit from Morgan explains that he acquired Elvis’ railway travel card at an estate sale held by Elvis’ daughter.

Documentation

Two Nazi Daggers that were Previously the Property of Elvis Presley

Lot 476

Two Nazi Daggers Previously the Property of Elvis Presley

1) Helbig first pattern Luftwaffe dagger, 17 1/2 inches overall with a 12 inch blade marked "eagle/5", blackened silver furniture and a blue leather wrapped grip and sheath with chain hanger. 2) Nazi Red Cross enlisted dagger, 15 5/8 inches overall, 10 1/2 inch blunt tip sawback blade, alloy fittings, half-checkered grips and black enamel finished sheath with leather frog. In the two included notarized affidavits from Tomas Morgan, Jr., a friend to Elvis and member of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, it is explained that these two daggers are part of a five dagger collection that Elvis collected while serving a tour of duty in Friedberg, German for the U.S. Army. Morgan states that Elvis gave these two daggers to his Chief of Security Richard Grob. The daggers were later acquired by Morgan from Grob.

Documentation

Lot 2831

Cased Smith & Wesson Elvis Presley Taking Care of Business

This revolver has the standard markings and features for the Elvis Presley Taking Care of Business revolver. Complete with wooden glass top display case with blue velvet lining and a TCB plaque, shipping box, and key. This revolver is number 60 of the 500 produced.

Has Box

Modern

Caliber / Gauge: 357 magnum

Price Realized:

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