Antique revolvers to cross block at Cordier Auctions

Cordier Auctions will hold their Fall Firearms and Militaria Auction in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Nov. 24. Highlights of the sale include a duck decoy carved by Lee Dudley, a Colt 1860 revolver inscribed to Brigadier General James Barnes, a Colt single action Army revolver named to Sheriff John Dillingham and an 1868 West Point graduation 18K pocket watch named to Brigadier General James Worden Pope. The auction will be held in the company’s auction house located at 1500 Paxton St. in Harrisburg.

The Sunday sale is slated to offer antique, military, and modern handguns and long guns, edged weapons, military collectibles and related art but will start with several historical Colt revolvers. One is a Colt 1860 Army revolver manufactured in 1862 and presented to General James Barnes by his Officers a short time after the battle of Gettysburg in 1863. The general was involved on day two of the famous battle.

The second inscribed revolver to be offered is an 1860 Army 2nd Model Richards Conversion with ivory grips inscribed on the back strap “UPRR Company Express”. This revolver was in style around the time the Cross Country Railroad was completed. Additionally, a Colt single action Army revolver named to Sheriff John H. Dillingham will go across the block along with a leather holster, handcuffs, inscribed pocket watch and a letter of authenticity from Colt. Sheriff Dillingham was killed in the line of duty on August 20, 1900 by a doctor who was abusing pain killers and was immediately avenged by his son who killed his father’s murderer. No death was more widely mourned at the time than his.

Other handguns to be offered will range from World War German Lugers to the latest modern hunting revolvers. Of special note are two pistols made by Beretta. One is a TerCentennial engraved Model 84 with exceptional grip panels and display case celebrating 300 years of Beretta firearms (estimate $2,500-$3,000). The other is a fully engraved and gold plated Model 70 with display case (estimate $2,000-$2,500).

An array of antique, military and modern long guns will follow the handguns. Several Springfields will be offered including an 1873 and two 1884 trapdoor rifles. Military long guns will be highlighted by a collection of Springfield Model 1903 rifles including an original and unaltered Standard and Sporter, a National Match and two Model 1922 M2s.

Modern sporting arms are well represented by Perazzi and Browning shotguns as well as rifles by Winchester, Remington, Ruger, Weatherby, Hall and Hammond.

Edged weapons will be represented by a nice selection of World War II era blades including a German Army Officer’s dress dagger and hanger (estimate $450-$650), a Civil War era cavalry sword (estimate $500-$700) and a 16th century Japanese sword signed “ Sukemune”. Sukemune was a smith who worked in the Suruga in the 16th century. The sword carries an estimate of $800 to $1,200.

Military collectibles will be offered next and include items from the Civil War through the Vietnam War era. Civil War era items include a US marked cap pouch and the 1868 West Point graduation pocket watch named to Brigadier General Pope. Following his graduation in 1868, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant for the 5th United States infantry. His career culminated in his becoming Chief Quartermaster of the United States Volunteers in 1898 for the Spanish-American War.

World War era items will include a wide selection of German collectibles including wound medal certificates, marksman lanyards, and original tinnies as well as U-boat and Destroyer badges which carry estimates of $400 to $600 and $350 to $550 respectively.

Art, prints, and other items will also be offered including a duck decoy carved by Lee Dudley (estimate $10,000-$15,000). Lee Dudley (1860-1942) was a well-known decoy carver from Knotts Island, North Carolina. Lee and his twin brother Lem were both carvers who operated Dudley's Island club. They were trappers and among the first market hunters in the area. This decoy was purchased by the consignor's grandfather from an antique dealer in the 1970's. Also to be offered will be an exceptional Yellowstone Roper saddle made by Bridger Creek Outfitters in the early 1960’s and kept in immaculate condition (estimate $1,000-$1,500).

The sale will conclude with a wide selection of non-cataloged military and sporting equipment.

A full online catalog of the auction is available by visiting www.CordierAuction.com. Questions can be directed to Cordier Auctions & Appraisals at auctions@cordierauction.com or by calling 717-731-8662.