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/Auctions...
/Premier Firearms Auction #83

Premier Firearms Auction #83

September 10, 2021 to September 12, 2021

This auction has ended.

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/Auctions...
/Premier Firearms Auction #83

Premier Firearms Auction #83

September 10, 2021 to September 12, 2021

This auction has ended.

Log In to download catalog

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Auction Time Summary

Preview DayThursday, Sep 9th10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

SESSION IFriday, Sep 10th9 AMLots 1 through 688

SESSION IISaturday, Sep 11th9 AMLots 1000 through 1706

SESSION IIISunday, Sep 12th9 AMLots 3000 through 3670

To Be Sold At Auction

Preview Day Thursday Sept 9th
Open at 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

SESSION I - Friday, Sept 10th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 1 and 688
SESSION II - Saturday, Sept 11th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 1000 and 1706
SESSION III - Sunday, Sept 12th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 3000 and 3670

Phone: 1-309-797-1500

Email: [email protected]

Rock Island Auction Company
7819 42 Street West
Rock Island, Illinois, 61201, USA

Phone: 1-309-797-1500

Toll-Free: 1-800-238-8022

Email: [email protected]

Rock Island Auction Company - Rock Island

7819 42nd Street West

Rock Island, IL, 61201, USA

Page 1 of 1

Showing 1-6 of 6 results

Mid-19th Century Japanese Sword Bamboo Cane

Mid-19th Century Japanese Sword Bamboo Cane

Japanese sword with a 25 inch curved blade turned into a cane. Surrounded by carved wood to appear like bamboo with a metal ferrule on bottom and a pearl on top of the handle. The tang shows two mekugi-ana, one at the very end which was cut in half when the blade was shortened, 9 notches cut into the lower right side of the spine, and a 5-symbol signature on the left. Provenance: The Larry Mattson Collection

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Very Rare Imperial Japanese "North China" Type 19 Semi-Automatic Pistol

Imperial Japanese "North China" Type 19 Pistol

Produced in very limited quantities at the tail end of the war, the "North China Type 19" was an attempt to make a streamlined substitute for the Type 14 Nambu pistol for Japan's occupation forces in China. There were a number of factors underpinning this decision; the occupation was in constant need of fresh weapons to deal with the Nationalist and Communist Chinese forces, resources from the Home Islands were tight due to the pressure applied by the Allied "island hopping" campaign, and any shipment of supplies was in danger from air or submarine attack. Chinese industry was used to arm auxiliary units, and using it to arm main-line troops was a logical next step. Believed to have been made in or around either Beijing or Shanghai, the Type 19 closely follows the basic mechanism and general shape/ergonomics of the Type 14, though with a number of changes. The safety has been relocated and redesigned, being a simple thumb lever towards the rear; in addition to being easier to make, this safety is easier to operate with the shooting hand, a complaint expressed in some quarters against the Type 14. The trigger guard is a solid, integral frame component, and does not need to be manipulated to disassemble the pistol, with a spring-retained lever on the front right serving to secure the upper assembly to the frame. The barrel and bolt assembly are very close to the Type 14, as is the magazine, though there is no provision for a magazine well safety or a retention spring. Blade and notch sights, with the one-line Japanese nomenclature on the left side over a concentric circle stamp and the number "22", with a different number "21" appearing on multiple components, including the bolt, locking block, frame interior and magazine. The grips are ribbed hardwood. Quantities of this pistol on the American market are extremely limited; as they were made in China for use in China, few made it elsewhere in the Pacific Theater where a trophy-hunting GI would have the chance to claim one from a downed enemy or a cache of surrendered arms, versus the wave of Type 14s, 94s, 99s and swords that came home when demobilization began. Per Harry Derby in "The Hand Cannons of Imperial Japan" (page 202), "possibly 50" of these handguns were manufactured and this example is one of only 4 known (5 reported).

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 8 mm Nambu

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Outstanding “Sakanazukushi” Themed Pair of Japanese Swords, NBTHK Documented as an “Especially Precious” Ranked Daisho Set

NBTHK "Especially Precious” Ranked Japanese Daisho Set

Included with this attractive two-blade set are two NBTHK "origami" certificates, one for the wakizashi in the pair, and the other for the pair as a group. Both were prepared in 1980 with both the "green paper" certificate and a typewritten translated/summary, and rank the items as "especially precious" per the system in use until 1982. The wakizashi paper identifies it as an authentic but unsigned blade, with no comment as to possible origin or production date. The paper for the pair calls it out as paired "sakanazukushi" (sea life) themed set, and identifies multiple components as the work of Omori Teruhide. A craftsman by that name is known to have been active in the Edo period (1730-1798), and examples of their work are currently in the inventory of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, as well as other prominent historical and artistic institutions. The furniture on both blades is a solid pairing, with elaborately sculpted silver fittings, lacquered cord wrapping over rayskin on the grips, and speckled black sayas, each featuring an elaborate copper sculpted/inlaid shrimp at the tip. The katana-length sword measures 36 1/4 inches overall, with the 26 1/4 inch blade showing a fine wavy hamon and set into a serrated copper habaki. The tsuba, fuchi and kashira are all crafted from excellent sculpted silver, the tsuba and kashira showing golden fish motifs, shakudo infill on the tsuba, and the fuchi showing an elaborate three-dimensional octopus that extends beyond the conventional lines of the fuchi and onto the grip itself. Asymmetrical menuki are installed, with a fine shakudo squid with golden bead eyes on the right and a copper octopus on the left. The octopus motif of the fuchi continues on the saya, with a sculpted copper octopus wraps around the body, its extended tentacle acting as the kurikata. The shrimp measures 8 1/2 inches, its tail wrapping around and enclosing the tip. The wakizashi is 22 1/2 inches overall, with a 15 3/4 inch blade with a fine temper line, set into a sculpted silver habaki. The hilt fittings follow the same pattern as the katana, including the elaborately sculpted squid on the fuchi, with a shakudo fish menuki on the right and a copper crustacean on the left. The saya follows a similar pattern to the katana, with a sculpted octopus adorning a more conventional kurikata, 8 1/4 inch shrimp on the tip, and an 8 inch kozuka with handle sculpted to match the tsuba. Provenance: The Robert M. Lee Collection

Documentation

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Desirable Early Production U.S. Johnson Automatics Model 1941 Semi-Automatic Rifle, Serial Number "0022", with Bayonet

U.S. Johnson Model 1941 Rifle with Bayonet

This early Johnson M1941 semi-automatic rifle is serial number "0022" of the very first production serial block 0001-9999, predating the known A and B letter prefix rifles; the lowest serial number of one of these desirable rifles we have ever offered at Rock Island Auction! One source reports approximately 21,400 Johnson semi-automatic rifles in total were manufactured, and approximately 750 were procured by the U.S. Marine Corps for issue to the Paramarines (Canfield's book), with known use in action in the Pacific theater at Guadalcanal during the Solomon Islands campaign. The Paramarines favored these rifles partly due to the ease of barrel removal, allowing a compact length for carrying in a jump bag. These rifles were originally up for consideration by the Netherlands Purchasing Commission as a service weapon for colonial troops in the Dutch East Indies, and a large order for the Johnson rifle was placed in 1940, but the Japanese invasion of the East Indies prevented delivery, with the Marine issued guns diverted from there and only a small amount of identified serial numbers today. After World War II, the majority of these rifles were sold to foreign countries or destroyed as surplus. Features a blade front and adjustable 1,000 meter rear sight. The top of the receiver is marked "CAL..30-06 SEMI-AUTO/"JOHNSON AUTOMATICS"/MODEL OF 1941/MADE IN PROVIDENCE.RI..U.S.A/0022" ahead of the standard patent markings, and a small five-pointed Dutch acceptance star mark over "CRANSTON/ARMS/CO." in a triangle on the right rear of the receiver. The barrel is marked ".30-'06/41" on the front surface of the flange, "0023A" marked on top of the chamber and on the underside of the rear locking lug, and a small "sword" proof is marked on the underside of the chamber. The bolt body is marked with number "462" (common on all Johnson rifles to have non-matching numbered bolts), "503" underneath the extractor, "166" on the firing pin sleeve, "C2308" on the firing pin, "0167" on the right side of the trigger group, and "668" marked on the right of the hammer. Fitted with a two-piece stock featuring a checkered steel buttplate. Includes a distinctive Johnson bayonet marked with number "9222" on the side, and a brown M1907 leather sling. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 30-06

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Russo-Japanese Sword with Kyu-Gunto and Shirasaya Pattern Furniture and Exceptional Blade

Signed Antique Japanese Sword with Kyu-Gunto Mounts

Also known as the "Russo-Japanese Sword" due to its use in that conflict, the kyu-gunto shows a blending of European and Japanese sword features. While many kyu-gunto were outfitted with mass produced machine made blades, a limited number can be found with traditional blades, including antique and ancestral blades re-mounted to pass Army muster. Overall length is 36 inches overall, with a 26 1/4 inch blade with a nearly straight hamon and well developed grain, set in a striped and silver plated copper habaki and an elongated hilt with European style pierced through "D" handguard, cherry blossom themed decoration, wire wrapped rayskin grip and a nickel finished scabbard. A silver mon, unidentified, is mounted on the back of the hilt. The tang has turned nearly black in color, with two mekugi-ana and a signature on the right side; the signature has not been translated, but the aging of the tang would be appropriate to an antique blade. Additional hand markings can be seen on some of the hilt fittings. In addition to the kyu-gunto hardware, a set of shirasaya mounts and a finely embroidered cloth wrap are included.

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Signed Gunto-Pattern Japanese Sword

Signed Gunto-Pattern Japanese Sword

Measuring 37 inches in overall length, the blade is 26 1/4 inches long with a wavy hamon, active grain and a silver washed copper habaki. Fitted with a round iron tsuba, nickel plated furniture, cherry blossom themed menuki, and tan cord wrap over black painted rayskin. One mekugi-ana is present in the tang, and a six-figure signature on the left side; no arsenal/showa stamps visible. With a textured black saya fitted to match the hilt.

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