A Colt Model 1847 Walker revolver, the foundation of the Colt empire, brought $117,500 on the opening day of Rock Island Auction Company’s recently completed Sporting & Collector Auction that realized $8.5 million.

Thank you to all our clients and consignors that continue to make our terrific three-day Sporting & Collector Auctions such a success.

Colt 1847 Walker and the Marx Collection

The Walker revolver, numbered 35 of the 120 marked for E Company, is one of only 19 known surviving revolvers from that unit and proved to be an exceptional offering on Day One. A Beretta Model 12S machine gun hit the stratosphere for $94,000 on Day Two, leading a strong slate of machine guns.

Guns from the Charles Marx Collection received a strong reception on the weekend. A “Colt Belt Model Paterson” collected $58,750, an engraved and inscribed Henry rifle earned $38,188, and a Colt Single Action Army Flattop drew $35,250, while a Colt Bisley Sheriff’s Model made $20,060 and a black powder Colt SAA in .22 Rimfire brought in $14,100. A pair of Volcanic pistols also from the Marx Collection eased past their high estimates, each returning $6,463.

It was a compelling weekend for Henry rifles. A late production Henry targeted $26,438 on Saturday, while an engraved Henry manufactured in 1865 landed at $19,975 on Sunday, making it a lucrative three-day stretch, led by the piece from the Marx Collection on Friday.

American Antique Guns and European Pistols

Other high performing antique guns included a Colt etched panel Single Action Army that more than doubled its high estimate, nabbing $23,500, while a Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 rifle battled to $17,700. Civil War Confederate Griswold & Gunnison revolver obtained $18,800. A U.S. Springfield Officer’s Model 1875 trapdoor rifle rolled to $10,575, A Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top slipped past its high estimate for $8,225 and a Sharps Model 1874 heavy barrel buffalo rifle hunted up $9,988.

A couple of European pistols spawned surprise bidding battles on Day One. A Walther PP made in 1938 and with non-factory engraving rocketed to $38,188 and a short time later a late World War 2 German occupation Radom Vis 35 pistol powered its way to $29,375.  Also showing impressively on Saturday was a cased Ludwig Loewe 1893 Borchardt pistol and its stock made $38,188.

Marvelous Machine Guns and Amazing Sporting Arms

Machine guns made plenty of noise on Saturday when the majority were offered. Following the Beretta Model 12S a U.S. marked Savage Lewis gun popped to $44,063, a Medea Corp M3 achieved $26,438, a Group Industries HR4332 powered to $19,975 and a Smith & Wesson Model 76 submachine gun earned $17,625. The weekend offered a preview of May’s Premier Auction which is slated to offer the largest-ever roster of machine guns.

Finely embellished sporting arms were available in this auction and bidders took advantage. A Verney-Carron Safari Luxe dangerous game double rifle chambered in .600 Nitro Express more than doubled its high estimate, bagging $26,438 to lead the way. A Purdey & Sons 10 gauge self-opening sidelock shotgun and a Holland & Holland Royal hammerless shotgun went back to back for $15,340 and $11,163, respectively. A Parker Brothers 28 gauge VHE Grade double barrel shotgun matched the Holland & Holland on Day Three, gathering $11,163, while a factory engraved Beretta SO5 Sporting over/under shotgun hammered for $9,988. Another big bore gun, an American Hunting Rifle/CZ 550 chambered in .600 Overkill bagged $7,638 to nearly double its high estimate.

Thank You

Thank you to all our consignors and customers who made the recently completed Sporting & Collector Auction such a success, achieving $8.5 million. We look to the excitement and spectacular firearms of the May Premier in Bedford, Texas.