Rock Island Auction Company celebrated its first full year in Bedford, Texas with world records from an unparalleled offering of legendary Colts from seven spectacular collections in the company’s recently-completed Premier Auction that realized $22.6 million.

Among the phenomenal Colts that crossed the podium were a pair of Wilbur Glahn engraved Single Action Army revolvers that went back to back on opening day for $235,000 and $117,500, the first achieving a world record price for a Glahn-engraved gun. A Fabrique Nationale M240 general purpose machine topped the auction, achieving $470,000 followed by a “Colt Baby Paterson” No. 1 with a full set of accessories that realized $411,250.

The auction opened with a bustling live preview day on Thursday before bidding got started on Friday morning. Here are some of the highlights of the sale.

Day One

Engraved guns led the way on the auction’s first day. Along with the Glahn-engraved revolvers, a C.F. Ulrich-engraved Winchester Model 1866 musket realized $223,250 in morning bidding, soaring past its high estimates.

While the stars shined, lesser known gun models also found enviable prices during the auction’s first day. A Winchester Model 1890 casehardened slide action rifle more than doubled its high estimate, collecting $49,938, and a special order Colt Police Positive eased past expectations to $26,438. A consecutive pair of Colt Boa double action revolvers struck for $52,875 to outpace predictions. A Colt Model 1877 Rainmaker brought $21,150 to splash past its forecast high.

This Colt Single Action Army revolver set a record for the price of a Wilbur Glahn engraved firearm, realizing $235,000 in Rock Island Auction Company's December Premier Auction.

Bidders also clamored for Class III items. A Rock Island Armory M60 topped the Class III items on the auction’s opening day, hammering for $88,125 to beat the pre-auction outlook and a Weapon Specialties/Beretta AR70 achieved $32,313 doubing up on expectations.

Among military arms, a rare Mauser Model 1916 Aircraft Selbstlader semi-automatic carbine earned $76375 to shoot down its high estimate, while a Walther PPK “Party Leader” pistol with a holster, case and accessories saluted for $35,250, passing its anticipated high.

A pair of Parker Brothers shotguns performed well back-to-back in the afternoon, as a .410 bore specialty grade earned $64,625, and in the next lot, a 20 gauge GHE grade double barrel shotgun bagged $41,125 both surpassing their expectations.

Gen. George S. Patton's swagger stick more than doubled expectations, returning $64,625 on the first day of the Premier Auction.

Day Two

The Baby Patterson and the M240 made for an exciting second day of the auction that saw excellent results in a number of genres, especially among luxury sporting arms. A trio of Purdey & Sons 28 gauge shotguns by Master Engravers Giancarlo and Stefano Pedretti returned $381,875, followed by the first .410 Boss over/under shotgun that grabbed $352,500. An Anja Dammenhayn engraved Westley Richards droplock double rifle earned $199,750.

This Fabrique Nationale M240 general purpose machine gun crossed the podium for $470,000 to lead the Premier Auction results.

A Colt Single Action Army “pinched frame” revolver powered to $293,750, to top its previous world record sale price that dated to 2012. Among Colts, a Model 1848 Baby Dragoon formerly of the William M. Locke Collection attained $117,500 to surge past its high, and an Alvin F. Herbert engraved Single Action Army topped its high estimate, collecting $70,500. A special order Winchester 1885 High Wall Schuetzen rifle earned $164,500.

Among military arms, a M60 machine gun performed well at the podium. A Daeweoo marked “Maremount” general purpose M60 outperformed one sold on the auction’s opening day, selling for $94,000. A Chinese Type 56/AK-47 blasted past its high estimate to $64,625. A J. Bury boxlock double rifle in .405 WCF owned by Hermann Goring landed $44,063, and an ATF-exempted Siamese contract Krupp 1906 mountain Howitzer acquired $38,188 to exceed its high.

This Colt Single Action Army "pinched frame" revolver earned $293,750 to set a world record, breaking the record that stood since 2012.

Day Three

A desirable World War 2 era Winchester Model 70 super grade chambered in .257 Roberts soared to more than 10 times its high, realizing $99,875 and nearly took Day Three honors away from a presentation Singer M1911A1 that crossed the podium for $117,500.

A Colt 1871-1872 Open Top revolver outdid its high estimate to collect $88,125 and a Cuno Helfricht engraved Colt Single Action Army reached $47,000 to beat its high while a very fine black powder Colt Single Action Army in .41 Long Colt outpaced its high for $23,500.

This outstanding, rare Colt 1871-1872 Open Top outperformed expectations, landing at $88,125 in the third day of the December Premier Auction.

Also on Day Three, a rare North American Arms Company M1911 serial number 62 pounced on $58,750 to go past its high estimate, an engraved and relief carved and ornate scrimshaw inlaid German flintlock sporting rifle gleaned $49,938, besting forecasts and an engraved and gold inlaid Mauser broomhandle with carved stock went for $35,250 to more than triple expectations.

Class III items that carried the day were a World War 2 production Beretta Model 38A submachine gun that brought $26,438 to nearly double its high, and back-to-back-to-back lots of a Solothurn S-18/1000 20mm autocannon and two lots of 224 rounds of 20x138mmB “Long Solothurn” anti-tank rifle ammunition each bested their predictions. The gun landed at $55,813, while the ammunition each earned $26,438. A German issue FN G1 FAL select fire rifle doubled its high estimate for $18,800.

This beautifully embellished Mauser broomhandle with gold inlays and a carved stock went for $35,250 more than triple its expected price.

What a Weekend!

Thank you to all of our consignors and bidders for a terrific and successful Premier Auction weekend. We look forward to working with you for our upcoming auctions, including our next in-person auction, the Feb. 21-23 Sporting & Collector Auction.