The Past That Drives Us

From museum-worthy masterworks, battle-tested military arms, frontier rifles and revolvers, and sporting arms passed down through generations, history lives at Rock Island Auction Company.

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The Past That Drives Us

From museum-worthy masterworks, battle-tested military arms, frontier rifles and revolvers, and sporting arms passed down through generations, history lives at Rock Island Auction Company.

Start Selling

Our Passion and CallingThe pursuit of fine and historic firearms is both a passion and a calling, a way to connect with and preserve the treasures of the past. No one has been more committed to sharing this passion with the world than Rock Island Auction Company. More than an auction house, we're seasoned storytellers and keepers of forgotten history. From museum-worthy masterworks to hunting arms passed down through generations, each piece entrusted to us has a tale to tell and a legacy to share.

Whether handling military arms that whisper of campaigns past or Old West lever guns that wear the scars of the frontier, we know what gets hearts pumping in the collecting community. Every day that same passion for the craft drives us to present these icons of history with the reverence and distinction they deserve. This commitment to excellence and focus on building strong relationships across the industry has cemented Rock Island Auction Company as the leading force in the fine and historic firearms market for over two decades and has allowed us to offer the field’s most prestigious collections.

A Providence Tool Co. Peabody-Martini "Kill Deer" rifle and a gold and diamond badge belonging to Western scout and lawman Henry S. Faucett each sold for $49,938.

Two Texas icons. (Left) A cased Colt No. 5 Holster Model "Texas Paterson" revolver sold for $352,500. (Right) A C Company No. 12 Colt Model 1847 Walker revolver sold for $470,000.

Magnificent in silver, this cased pistol pair by Gastinne-Renette once toured the world’s exhibitions.
Sold for $411,250.

Prestigious CollectionsA collection often represents a lifetime of dedication and scholarship, and we take great pride in safeguarding and celebrating these cherished achievements. Renowned collectors like philanthropist and businessman Robert M. Lee, magazine magnate Robert E. Petersen, and Hollywood icon Tom Selleck are just a few of the prominent names that have been featured at Rock Island Auction Company in recent years. Through meticulous research and presentation, we bring their treasures to life in vivid detail.

While items from scholarly collectors like Greg Lampe or noted Western historian John Fox are often accompanied by years of research, we also receive frequent consignments with little to no prior documentation. From Civil War presentation pieces to crown jewels of European artistry, our team of historians and firearm specialists have uncovered the untold stories behind some of the most coveted collectibles in the world.

Rock Island Auction Company has consistently expanded upon the narratives surrounding highly established pieces as well, revealing new insights that contribute to a firearm’s provenance and rarity. President Ulysses S. Grant's cased pair of Remington revolvers, for instance, had been known and written about before entering into our stewardship, but our added research and attention to detail helped these American treasures realize an outstanding $5.17 million at auction.

In decades past, becoming a high-level arms collector often involved finding an experienced mentor or inheriting the calling from a relative. Herb Glass, Jr., a legend in his field, was introduced to the world of classic 19th century American firearms by his father. In contrast, much of iconic collector Norman R. Blank's taste was influenced by author and curator William Keith Neal, a mentor to a generation of post-WWII collectors in the realm of high-end European arms. In the digital age, connecting with experts around the globe and researching rare firearms has never been easier.

The Museum You Can TouchRock Island Auction Company offers collectors numerous ways to examine some of the rarest arms in the industry. Our print and digital catalogs are rich with history and provide high-resolution photography that captures every defining detail. Each preview day prior to auction, collectors are invited to visit our state-of-the-art venue in Bedford, Texas, “the museum you can touch,” where guests can inspect and handle any of the thousands of items displayed in our 19,000-square-foot preview hall. These events are also great opportunities to network with a welcoming community of seasoned collectors eager to impart their wisdom.

Our Bedford, Texas Preview Hall fosters friendships and an education in fine firearms.

A cased pair of exhibition grade percussion pistols by Goellner of Suhl inscribed to Major Franz von Gmainer of Bavaria sold for $70,500

History Lives HereOne of Rock Island Auction Company’s mottos, “History lives here,” is reflected not only in our scholarly work and presentation, but in our efforts to ensure that a collector’s legacy is honored for generations to come. Many of our consignors take great comfort in knowing that their collection will find new homes with kindred spirits who share their reverence for the fine arms discipline. Our company’s Bedford facility is designed to instill that same passion for preserving the past into every arms enthusiast, where aspiring collectors can study these timeless pieces and step into the boots of the explorers, soldiers, lawmen, and desperados who rode the trails of yesteryear.

Experience the LegacyLocated deep in the heart of the America West, amid a thriving gun collecting culture, Rock Island Auction Company’s presence in Texas provides the fine and historic firearms sector with the global headquarters it has so long deserved. Combining technology and tradition, our new venue is the physical embodiment of the values that have guided the company since the beginning. We pass on legacies. We embrace innovation in the service of storytelling. We honor the past while always seeking the next horizon.

Rock Island Auction Company offers collectors numerous ways to examine some of the rarest arms in the industry. Our print and digital catalogs are rich with history and provide high-resolution photography that captures every defining detail. Each preview day prior to auction, collectors are invited to visit our state-of-the-art venue in Bedford, Texas, “the museum you can touch,” where guests can inspect and handle any of the thousands of items displayed in our 19,000-square-foot preview hall. These events are also great opportunities to network with a welcoming community of seasoned collectors eager to impart their wisdom.

A rare and fresh factory No. 1 engraved, gold inlaid and carved Winchester Deluxe Model 1895 Takedown lever action rifle in desirable 405 W.C.F. Express sold for $82,250.

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