Rock Island Auction Company based in Rock Island, Illinois, has closed out the 2012 year with over $47 million in sales! With a $12.7 million auction held November 30 to December 2, they continue to prove their dominance as the #1 Firearms auction house in the world - for the ninth consecutive year. “Again we at Rock Island Auction Company were able to offer collectors a magnificent variety of important and rare firearms from some of the top collections in the country. Before 2012 no other auction house had been able to come close to our industry sales record of 32 million dollars in a calendar year, which we achieved in 2010; however, this year we have raised the bar to a monumental level at $47 million, proving historic firearms achieve historic prices at Rock Island Auction,” said Patrick Hogan, President and CEO of Rock Island Auction Company.
Over the course of three days, hundreds of bidders from around the world converged into the RIAC auction hall for a chance to own one of the many important pieces that were offered throughout the weekend. Additionally, thousands of phone bidders were called from across the globe, and over 13,000 sealed bids were placed before the first drop of the hammer. The anticipation could be felt in the air throughout the weekend as eager collectors and curious spectators watched firearms from a number of world-class collections cross the auction block. A few of the major genres that held the spotlight were Winchesters, Sharps, Walther, Mauser, Smith & Wesson, Remington and Colt. The Ulrich Family Factory Engraved Winchester Rifles accounted for the top three lots, each selling for over $100,000 each. A John Ulrich Factory Panel Scene Engraved Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 1894 Deluxe Factory Takedown (Lot 1001) brought $115,000, while a Gold Plated Relief Engraved Winchester Model 1866 Carbine Factory Engraved by his brother Conrad F. Ulrich also brought $115,000 (Lot 3001). Other notable Winchester’s include a Fine Early Production Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine with Henry Patent Barrel Address (Lot 3009) which brought $63,250, and a special order Winchester Model 1886 in 50 Express (Lot 1004) achieved $48,875. Volcanic firearms and Henry rifles, the predecessor to Winchester, also experienced a banner weekend: an exceptional Henry Lever Action Rifle (Lot 3004) sold for $46,000 while a factory engraved New Haven Arms Volcanic Carbine commanded $43,125 and a factory engraved New Haven Arms No. 1 Pocket Pistol brought $10,350 respectively.
Colt firearms from two legendary collections: the World Renowned Gateway Collection and the estate of Legendary Colt Collector and dealer Bobby Smith, experienced fierce bidding throughout the weekend, and the auction results prove it. This auction boasted EIGHT Paterson arms and their accessories. The top Paterson piece brought $86,250 which was a stunning and Rare Texas Paterson Case with Accessories (Lot 3321) while a Colt Paterson Belt Model Revolver fetched $43,125. Paterson’s were not the only Colts to do well in Rock Island, a very Rare U.S. Colt Model 1847 Walker Revolver (Lot 1255) issued to Samuel Walker’s own Company sold for $103,500. Colt Single actions from the final installment of the Gateway collection also drew tremendous interest as a pre-war single action with factory carved ivory grips with its original factory box (lot 1303) commanded $69,000 while serial number 48 “pinched frame” single action realized $51,750. Colt’s largest competitor Smith & Wesson had a record weekend as well. RIAC was pleased to offer The Anthony Urbanowski Collection, which was considered one of the world’s finest collections of antique Smith & Wesson’s. This collection presented buyers with a unique chance to own a very scarce Nashville Police Department Smith & Wesson Model 3 First Model American Single Action Revolver (Lot 264). This particular revolver is “No. 3” of 32 special order revolvers and has “Nashville Police” factory engraved on the back strap and brought $18,400. The rarities did not end there, a documented 38 Single Action 3rd Model “Mexican Model” of 1891 Revolver with British Proof marks and Pearl Grips (Lot 256) went for $18,400. The only known blue finished S&W Favorite exceeded its high estimate of $15,000 and went out the door for a staggering $18,400, proving that when it comes to owning a 1 of 1 or the only known example, collectors take it personally.
This Auction also offered Part III of the Finest Luger Collection RIAC has every offered, and the prices once again support the claim. Buyers had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a one-of-a-kind original Georg Luger Prototype 1902/06 Carbine in “9mm”(Lot 1466), this fine handgun went for a final price of $86,250. The DWM factory only made two “1902 carbines” in 9mm, this is one of the reasons it is such a rare pistol. It was in great company by an extraordinary DWM Luger Model 1902 Carbine Rig (Lot 1474) that sold for $51,750 and an Early Production Three Digit Serial Number DWM Swiss Model 1900 Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol (Lot 3515), which topped out at $37,375. Lugers were not the only firearms manufactured in Germany that rang the bell. A Walther PPK Party Leader Pistol with its matching magazine, estimated $18,000 to $27,500, experienced some of the most heated bidding of the weekend, which realized $43,125; while a Pre-War Commercial Walther in 22 LR in its original box, estimated $5,500 to $7,500, commanded an impressive $28,750.
The December Auction held numerous possibilities to own many pieces with very rare serial numbers in numerous genres such as Winchesters, Colts, Smith & Wessons, and Military Pieces. One of the most historic was a Two Digit Serialized original U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Rod Bayonet “Serial Number 24” (Lot 3630), which sold for $57,500. The 1903 Bayonet is said to be one of the most difficult to obtain as far as U.S. martial arms go; there are only said to be around 100 of them that escaped modification. RIAC also offered a documented pair of Consecutively Serial Numbered Factory Cut-Away Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers (Lot 3298), which Colt experts believe were manufactured by Colt for Classroom instruction at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; they sold for $63,250.
For more information regarding this sale or for information on selling with Rock Island Auction Company, call (800) 238-8022 or visit www.rockislandauction.com. Catering to all levels of collecting, a $1,000 item or $1 million item is welcome as firearms specialists are on staff and more than one auction venue is available to accommodate varying needs. RIAC works with advisors, estates and collectors and is prepared to buy single firearms and collections outright and/or can sell through private treaty. There is no limit to what RIAC can buy. To find out more, visit www.rockislandauction.com or phone 1 (800) 238-8022.