Quality firearms from reliable "blue chip" regulars such as Winchester and Colt both achieved excellent prices at Rock Island Auction Company’s Premiere Firearms Sale, which was held Sept. 12 to 14. Collectors breathed new life into several genres, and there was a warm reception for the Gene Smith military collection, the Donald Kotecki collection, and Part II of the Von Norden collection. The three-day auction totaled over $11.6 million in sales.
Day one of the auction felt like the 1830s all over again with the way collectors were snatching up the smaller, personal protection arms of that era. Two unmarked cane guns in lots 132 and 133 went for 246 percent and 184 percent over their high estimates, respectively, and a Remington Dog Head cane gun in Lot 3,106 sold for $6,900. That was 138 percent over its high estimate. Also popular from the era were the Marston derringers, like that in Lot 162, and palm pistols like that in lot 1,272. Each sold well above estimates. The Gyrojet pistol in lot 683 more than doubled its high estimate selling for $6,325, and the prototype Krnka pistol in Lot 760 sold for $13,800.
The second day of the sale contained some of the auction's top items and they did not disappoint the crowd looking for a show. Arguably the star of the auction, the original German FG42 light machine gun with numerous accessories had the attention of bidders from around the world. Eventually the hammer fell and this amazing piece of firearms and military history had a new home for the sum of $299,000. The "C Company" Colt Walker in lot 1,164, from Walker's own Company and with a rich history of extensive use by other military units, now resides with a collector who bought it for $161,000. In another testament to the phenomenal German collections entrusted to Rock Island Auction Company, available to the collecting community was the grandfather of the legendary StG-44, the rare and desirable MKb-42(H). The only example remaining in private hands, this historically important firearm sold for $149,500.
While Sunday is typically a day of rest, the bidding was anything but serene during the final day of the auction. The bidding battles started early when Lot 3,064 was sought by two online bidders. The Smith & Wesson Model 2 Army revolver with Civil War provenance had a high estimate of $3,500 but would eventually sell to a determined bidder for $9,200. Attendees wouldn't have to wait long for the next contested item. Lot 3,372, a Remington bronze entitled "Trooper of the Plains," found two tenacious collectors who would not let it be had for less than $7,475, nearly five times its high estimate. Day three also saw some high dollar action when the finest known prototype Baby Luger in Lot 3,427 was auctioned to someone in the eager German collecting public, smashing its high estimate of $95,000 and finding a new home for $161,000. Almost 20 lots later, it was easy to tell that a desirable item was crossing the block. The phone bank was abuzz with callers and over a dozen bidding cards were being used. All the excitement was for Lot 3,448, a watercolor painting documented as made by Adolf Hitler during his years in Vienna. The bidding was fast and easily exceeded its high estimate of $15,000 by finishing at $34,500. Lot 3,806's Colt Super .38 pistol in its box, formerly of the J. P. Morgan collection, breeched its high estimate of $5,500 in a bidding battle that finally sold for $10,350.
Over the course of the weekend, many different genres performed well. All eras of Winchesters sold well. The exceptional third model 66 in Lot 1,012 that was estimated at $60,000, sold for $92,000. Colts also led the way and the results were clear in examples such as the aforementioned Walker, but also in increased prices for the Thompson submachine guns. Lot 1,463's "Chicago typewriter" came with its original FBI case and numerous accessories and rattled off a sale of $57,500, while the Tommy gun in Lot 3,392, a Navy overstamp, sold for $43,125. Another anticipated twosome of Colts were the elaborate matched pair of Cole Agee cattle brand engraved SAA revolvers with their Navajo silver and turquoise grips in Lot 185 that smashed their $25,000 high estimate en route to a price of $37,375.
The uptick of activity in genres such as curiosa and derringers, as well as modern sporting semi-automatic pistols, combined with the zealous bidding in "blue chip" and Class III categories, all resulted in yet another strong auction.
For more information on this sale or the company’s December Premiere Firearms Auction, visit www.rockislandauction.com or call 1-800-238-8022.