RIAC Blog

Does “AR” Stand for “Assault Rifle”?

Does "AR" stand for "assault rifle"? We'll dive into the origin of both terms and the various attempts to define assault rifles as a firearms class.

SVT 40: Soviet Semi-Automatic Rifle

The Soviets made the SVT 40 semi-automatic rifle intending it to be standard issue for the Red Army, but the Nazi invasion of 1941 kept that from happening.

Colt Revolvers for Regular Joes

Highly collectable Colt Single Action Army revolvers can be found at a reasonable price.

Black Powder & Black Powder Substitutes

With a black powder shortage and market uncertainty from the sale of GOEX, knowing your options for black powder and black powder substitutes is vital.

Guns of 1883: the Yellowstone Prequel

Paramount's new Western, “1883," a Yellowstone prequel, features numerous Old West guns. Similar period examples can be found at RIAC's upcoming auctions.

Columbus Arsenal Mystery: The 9 Pounder Cannon that Shouldn’t Exist

A rare Confederate Columbus Arsenal bronze 9-pounder sold by RIAC last May might be the last of its kind, and its mere existence defies historical record.

Muzzleloader Basics: Loading and Shooting a Percussion Rifle

Loading and shooting a muzzleloader is not complicated when you know the basics. Here is how to safely load, prime, and fire an antique percussion rifle.

Best Looking Guns from the RIAC Describers

Choosing a favorite gun isn't easy, especially when you examine hundreds per day. RIAC's describers break down some of the best looking guns of 2021.

The Hi Power Returns: The Springfield Armory SA-35

The Hi Power pistol returns with the Springfield SA-35. How does it compare to the classic Browning design, and how will the collector market be impacted?

American Original: Townsend Whelen

Townsend Whelen was a soldier, outdoorsman, and author. A Springfield M1901 carbine inscribed to him is on offer at Rock Island Auction in February.

Tulsa Gun Show

The Tulsa Arms Show attracts gun owners from all over globe, and for Rock Island Auction Company it's a chance to share our love for all things firearms.

Gun Gift Ideas

Rock Island Auction Company has some last minute gift ideas for gun enthusiasts that you can find in our Dec. 15 Arms and Accessories auction.

The Top 10 Guns of 2021

The top 10 items sold by Rock Island Auction Company in 2021 displayed amazing beauty, spectacular workmanship, preservation and grand history.

Napoleon Conquers in Second-Largest Firearms Auction in History

Napoleon's garniture led the way to Rock Island Auction Company's $25.2 million dollar December auction, the second-largest firearms auction ever held.

My FOID Card Misadventure: 20 Months and Counting

Excessive waiting, mismanaged funds, delayed rights, errors, understaffed, and just plain ineffective. Is there a reason for Illinois to keep the FOID?

A Mormon Prophet's Sharps Pistol-Rifle

The beehive, a symbol of the Mormon Church, adorns the Sharps pistol-rifle of Brigham Young, a towering figure in the settling of the American West.

Cane Guns: Remington's Dandy Rifle

As crime grew in cities prior to the Civil War, E. Remington & Sons offered cane guns as a way for proper gentlemen to fight off thugs and stray dogs.

The Art Behind Napoleon's Garniture

The Napoleon garniture is a masterpiece of fine art embellished throughout with Greco-Roman symbols that foreshadow the emperor's rise to power.

Why Emory Upton Matters

Major General Emory Upton is an often overlooked Civil War hero and military tactician who is considered the father of the modern U.S. Army.

Nimschke's Solid Silver Winchester

With its cast solid silver frame, Nimschke masterwork engraving, and history as a gift between two dictators, this Winchester '66 is a one-of-a-kind icon.

Strikebreaker Tommy Gun

Tommy guns are the legendary weapon of gangsters and G-men, but this example carries the legacy of a violent, union-busting detective agency.

The Men of Gettysburg

The Colt revolvers of William Conner and Emory Upton who fought at the Battle of Gettyburg are on offer Dec. 3-5 at Rock Island Auction Company.

The George Moller Gun Collection

Author and historian George Moller assembled one of the most comprehensive gun collections around, and this December is your chance to own a piece of it.

Bows vs Guns

Dating as far back as feudal Japan and beyond, find out how historic firearms stacked up against archery and why the gun ultimately prevailed.