RIAC Blog

Ithaca Auto & Burglar Pistol: Protect Yourself

In the 1920s, Ithaca Gun Company offered the Auto & Burglar, a short-barreled shotgun in pistol form for personal protection on the road and at home.

Welcome to the Gun Show of Gun Shows

Welcome to the gun show of gun shows! Guns from every genre imaginable can be examined firsthand at Rock Island Auction Company, and it's absolutely free.

Bench Rest Rifles Are Accurate Shooters

Often brightly colored, bench rest rifles are finely tuned tools that provide a long-range test of accuracy from 100 to 1,000 yards.

Weird Guns and Curious Collectibles

Weird doesn't mean bad with these guns but rather that the duckfoot pistol or pistol knife didn't catch on but remain valuable collectibles.

Gun Collection Must Haves

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or first-time buyer, the selection of gun collection must haves at RIAC caters to every type of arms enthusiast.

Starr Carbine: Stung by Sharps Carbine

Starr Carbines were well-reviewed by Union ordnance officers contracting for Civil War carbines, but an ammo mixup cost the gun its reputation.

Mosin Nagant Price Trends

Mosin Nagant price trends are turning heads in the collecting community. An analysis of more than seven years of auction data yields surprising results.

Norden Bombsight Was Top Secret and Over-Hyped

Key to American bombing strategy in World War 2, the Norden bombsight was top secret, hard to operate and not as accurate as hyped.

Muzzleloader Cleaning 101

Cleaning your gun after use is always recommended, especially black powder rifles. Here's a helpful guide to make cleaning your muzzleloader a breeze.

Flying Battery Artillery and Cannon Innovation

Flying battery artillery tactics and Thomas J. Rodman's cannon innovations were products of mid-19th century industrialization and modernization.

MAC-10 Made the 80s Roar

The MAC-10, a sturdy gun that fires more than 1,000 rounds per minute, didn't win fans in military or police but found a home in 80s Hollywood.

The Colt Paterson and its Predecessors

Samuel Colt did not invent the revolver, though he did create the first widely produced design. Explore the Colt Paterson and its numerous predecessors.