A Colt Model 1847 Walker revolver, the foundation of the Colt empire, brought $117,500 on the opening day of Rock Island Auction Company’s recently completed Sporting & Collector Auction that realized $8.5 million.

Thank you to all our clients and consignors that continue to make our terrific three-day Sporting & Collector Auctions such a success.

The No. 35 E Company Colt Walker, top, led the recently completed three-day Sporting & Collector Auction, earning $117,500, while the Colt Paterson Belt Model pictured with it earned $58,750.

Colt 1847 Walker and the Marx Collection

The Walker revolver, numbered 35 of the 120 marked for E Company, is one of only 19 known surviving revolvers from that unit and proved to be an exceptional offering on Day One. A Beretta Model 12S machine gun hit the stratosphere for $94,000 on Day Two, leading a strong slate of machine guns.

Guns from the Charles Marx Collection received a strong reception on the weekend. A “Colt Belt Model Paterson” collected $58,750, an engraved and inscribed Henry rifle earned $38,188, and a Colt Single Action Army Flattop drew $35,250, while a Colt Bisley Sheriff’s Model made $20,060 and a black powder Colt SAA in .22 Rimfire brought in $14,100. A pair of Volcanic pistols also from the Marx Collection eased past their high estimates, each returning $6,463.

It was a compelling weekend for Henry rifles. A late production Henry targeted $26,438 on Saturday, while an engraved Henry manufactured in 1865 landed at $19,975 on Sunday, making it a lucrative three-day stretch, led by the piece from the Marx Collection on Friday.

This Colt Single Action Army Flattop target model shipped to Brownsville, Texas in 1892. It roared past its high estimate for $35,250 in the recently completed three-day Sporting & Collector Auction.

American Antique Guns and European Pistols

Other high performing antique guns included a Colt etched panel Single Action Army that more than doubled its high estimate, nabbing $23,500, while a Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 rifle battled to $17,700. Civil War Confederate Griswold & Gunnison revolver obtained $18,800. A U.S. Springfield Officer’s Model 1875 trapdoor rifle rolled to $10,575, A Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top slipped past its high estimate for $8,225 and a Sharps Model 1874 heavy barrel buffalo rifle hunted up $9,988.

A couple of European pistols spawned surprise bidding battles on Day One. A Walther PP made in 1938 and with non-factory engraving rocketed to $38,188 and a short time later a late World War 2 German occupation Radom Vis 35 pistol powered its way to $29,375.  Also showing impressively on Saturday was a cased Ludwig Loewe 1893 Borchardt pistol and its stock made $38,188.

This Civil War Confederate Griswold & Gunnison percussion revolver realized $18,800 in the recently completed Sporting & Collector Auction.

Marvelous Machine Guns and Amazing Sporting Arms

Machine guns made plenty of noise on Saturday when the majority were offered. Following the Beretta Model 12S a U.S. marked Savage Lewis gun popped to $44,063, a Medea Corp M3 achieved $26,438, a Group Industries HR4332 powered to $19,975 and a Smith & Wesson Model 76 submachine gun earned $17,625. The weekend offered a preview of May’s Premier Auction which is slated to offer the largest-ever roster of machine guns.

Finely embellished sporting arms were available in this auction and bidders took advantage. A Verney-Carron Safari Luxe dangerous game double rifle chambered in .600 Nitro Express more than doubled its high estimate, bagging $26,438 to lead the way. A Purdey & Sons 10 gauge self-opening sidelock shotgun and a Holland & Holland Royal hammerless shotgun went back to back for $15,340 and $11,163, respectively. A Parker Brothers 28 gauge VHE Grade double barrel shotgun matched the Holland & Holland on Day Three, gathering $11,163, while a factory engraved Beretta SO5 Sporting over/under shotgun hammered for $9,988. Another big bore gun, an American Hunting Rifle/CZ 550 chambered in .600 Overkill bagged $7,638 to nearly double its high estimate.

This Beretta Model 12S machine gun was the top earner on Day Two of the recently completed Sporting & Collector Auction, crossing the podium for $94,000.

Thank You

Thank you to all our consignors and customers who made the recently completed Sporting & Collector Auction such a success, achieving $8.5 million. We look to the excitement and spectacular firearms of the May Premier in Bedford, Texas.