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/Auctions...
/Premier Firearms Auction #83

Premier Firearms Auction #83

September 10, 2021 to September 12, 2021

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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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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 1-4 of 4 results

Factory Engraved Presentation Smith & Wesson No. 3 American 1st Model Single Action Revolver Inscribed to Civil War Battle of Tebbs Bend Hero Union Colonel Orlando Moore

Military Presentation Smith & Wesson No. 3 American Revolver

The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with 8 inch barrel, nickel plating, factory engraving, and smooth walnut grips (currently carved pearl) when sold on March 4, 1871 and shipped to George W. Schofield, who acted as a S&W distributor for U.S. troops in the Western states and territories and served as a lieutenant colonel in the Union Army. Schofield, who was breveted a Union Army brigadier general in the Civil War, is best known for his contributions to the development of Smith & Wesson’s .45 caliber revolver that bears his name and was issued to the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars. The shipment including this revolver was for 10 units (8 blued and 2 plated in nickel), and it was the only revolver with engraving. Although the back strap inscription is not listed in the S&W records, it was certainly period applied. The engraving consists mostly of pattern floral scrollwork along with intertwining line, star and arrow motifs. The back strap is inscribed "Col. Orlando Moore U.S.A." The revolver wears pearl grips. The left panel features checkering and relief carved dragoon bust. The right panel features a carved floral pattern with a blossom in the center. The rib has the one-line address/patent dates marking. Matching assembly marks appear on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. Copies of Col. Moore's extensive military records provided by the National Archives to S&W historian Roy Jinks in 1993 are included. Col. Moore served from 1856 to 1865 and again from 1874 to 1884. Among the storied periods of his Army career, he helped to foil a conspiracy by Southern sympathizers in the Western states and territories to form a Pacific Republic in 1861 and spent most of the Civil War commanding the 25th Michigan Infantry which had been organized in Kalamazoo in the summer of 1862. One of the regiment's first major assignments was the occupation of Louisville, Kentucky. There men of the 25th Michigan defended roads and bridges from Confederate raiders. On July 4, 1863 Moore's outnumbered command of 260 relatively untested men repeatedly repealed assaults by 800 to 1,000 battle hardened Confederate dismounted cavalrymen under the command of Brigadier General John Morgan. Arriving at sunrise, Morgan's men made little progress against the Union defenses. Nevertheless, Morgan demanded surrender to which Moore replied, "Present my compliments to General Morgan, and say to him, that this being the 4th of July, I cannot entertain the proposition to surrender." The attacks were renewed. It was fierce and bloody, often reverting to hand-to-hand combat. Lasting under four hours, the Battle of Tebbs Bend, as it would be known, was a catastrophe for the Confederacy as the battle claimed the lives of 36 men including 22 officers, who were the primary targets of Moore's sharpshooters, 45 wounded, and 30 captured. Total Union losses stood at 6 dead and 24 wounded including the female soldier Lizzie Compton, who disguised herself as a man to enlist and fight in the Union Army at the age of 14 and saw extensive action while serving in a total of seven different regiments by the time the Civil War concluded. In the words of historian James Ramage, the battle was "one of the most outstanding small victories in the Civil War. It was unusual for a small Union force to resist Morgan, and to fight so fiercely and effectively." In his private journal, Morgan's chief of staff wrote of Moore, "The colonel is a gallant man and the entire arrangement of his defense entitles him to the highest credit for military skill. We would mark such a man in our army for promotion." Moore in fact received brevet promotion and recognition for his gallant and meritorious service in action at Tebbs Bend. Moore's triumph is largely overshadowed by the victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. He later faced two court martials generally considered a result from his outspoken support for the rights of blacks, ending his chances of making general. During the latter part of his military career, he served in the West where this revolver was likely presented to him. He retired from the Army in 1884 and died on October 31, 1890 in Coldwater, Michigan. Includes three inches of original document copies from the National Archives containing Col. Moore's complete military service record of assignments, promotions and demotions, battles he participated in, awards and his court martial. Truly a trove of mid-late 19th century military history. This revolver is from the collection of world famous American country singer and song writer Hank Williams Jr. and includes a certificate of authenticity confirming his ownership as well as the aforementioned factory letter, which is addressed to him. Provenance: The Hank Williams Jr.'s Collection

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 S&W American

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Well-Documented Douglas B. Wesson Factory Big Game Hunt Presentation Inscribed Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver with Extremely Scarce 7 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter

Presentation Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Revolver

This very desirable Registered Magnum, number 4313, has an extremely scarce original 7 inch barrel. According to S&W historian Roy Jinks, only 72 Registered Magnums had 7 inch barrels. Included are two factory letters confirming the 7 inch barrel, McGivern gold bead front sight, deep "U" notch rear sight, blue finish, checkered select walnut Magna stocks and factory engraved inscription acknowledging presentation from Douglas Wesson to his guide on a bear hunt in Crazy Bear Canyon, British Columbia, on the side plate. The revolver was shipped to then S&W Vice President of Sales Douglas B. Wesson, Springfield, MA. In the factory letter S&W historian Roy Jinks speculated that the revolver was a Christmas present in 1938. Other documents (copies) include the S&W order form for the revolver filled out and signed by Douglas Wesson, the S&W invoice indicating the revolver was charged to Douglas Wesson, the S&W requisition for the engraving and a short period article from The Philadelphia Inquirer detailing Douglas Wesson's grizzly bear hunt in Crazy Bear Canyon, British Columbia, in October 1938 when he brought down a grizzly measuring 7 1/2 feet as well as a bull moose with a Registered Magnum. Douglas Wesson conducted extensive and highly publicized big game handgun hunts of moose, elk, grizzly and antelope in the 1930s as part of a grand marketing strategy that helped popularize big game handgun hunting and forged the legacy of the .357 Magnum cartridge. The initials "HB" in the presentation inscription are for Wesson's Danish guide Hulger Bidstrup. The inside of the frame is marked "REG. 4313." Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder and ejector shroud. This revolver is from the collection of world famous American country singer and song writer Hank Williams Jr. and includes a certificate of authenticity confirming his ownership as well as the aforementioned factory letters, which are addressed to him. Provenance: The Hank Williams Jr.'s Collection

Documentation

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 357 magnum

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Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson Model 24-3 Double Action Revolver with Box and Factory Letter Presented to Hank Williams Jr.

Hank Williams Jr. Presentation Smith & Wesson Model 24 Revolver

The included factory letter from S&W historian Roy Jinks confirms the Class A engraving, blue finish, barrel length, and Goncalo Alves target stocks when it was shipped from the factory on December 13, 1983 through the Smith & Wesson Marketing Department. Mr. Jinks also states that the gun was presented to the recipient of the letter, world famous country singer and song writer Hank Williams Jr., for his special support of Smith & Wesson. Includes a certificate of authenticity confirming Williams' ownership, original box with birthday and Christmas wishes from S&W Historian Roy Jinks on the lid, and the aforementioned factory letter addressed to Williams. Provenance: The Hank Williams Jr.'s Collection

Documentation

Has Box

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 44 S&W special

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Smith & Wesson Prototype Model 629 Double Action Revolver with Case and Roy Jinks Letter Presented to Hank Williams Jr.

Hank Williams Jr Presented Smith & Wesson Prototype 629 Revolver

This prototype stainless .44 Magnum revolver was one of the 139 produced in 1978 for testing the new Model 629. Per the included letter from Roy Jinks on S&W letterhead to country music icon Hank Williams Jr., this was done in response to Ruger, who was in development on their own stainless .44 Magnum revolver. The letter also states that this revolver sat in the company vault for over ten years until it was released for presentation on Williams' 40th birthday in May, 1989. The sideplate is engraved with "HANK" over his trademark rising phoenix with "40" in the center and "May 26, 1949" (Williams' birthday) underneath. In addition, the letter states that only 75 of these first 139 revolvers made it through testing, making this revolver even more rare. Included is a factory hardwood display case, unmarked factory box, and certificate of authenticity confirming Hank Williams Jr.'s ownership of this revolver. Provenance: The Hank Williams Jr.'s Collection

Documentation

Has Box

Modern

Caliber / Gauge: 44 Magnum

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