Greg Martin prepares for summer auction

Lot #1271. Rare Historic German Third Reich SS
White Top Visor Cap Belonging to SS Reichsleiter
and Obergruppenfuhrer Max Amann.
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000

Greg Martin Auctions will hold its Summer Sale on June 23 - 24 in Anaheim, California, near Disneyland. This recent change in venue, reflecting the company headquarters’ recent move to Southern California, proved to be popular among bidders at the first sale held there in March. The June event, expected to be a multi-million dollar sale once again, offers over 1,300 antique arms, armor and collectibles with a focus in four distinct and distinctive areas:

– Fine Collectible Firearms, Sporting Guns & Militaria – Featured fine Winchester rifles include a Model 1886 in .50 Express caliber, factory engraved on barrel “Made in America for Oakes & Co.;” a rare Model 1885 Single Shot two-barrel set, in 38-55 & 20 gauge, both smoothbore; Model 1886 Deluxe, in 40-82 caliber; Model 1866 Third Model; a Custer-period Winchester; several Model 73s and 94s; Winchester Double Barrel Match Grade shotgun; and more. Fine Colts include a New York engraved model; a Flat-Top Target shipped to Colt’s London Agency; a Cole Agee engraved and gold-plated model; plus several 1849 Pocket Models; a rare Henry Nettleton inspected Single Action; and an inscribed California Gold Rush era Colt 1851 Navy with significant San Francisco vigilante and steamship line history. Several of these are highlighted below.

– Colt Factory Archives Collection – Part 3, offering 350 lots in the final part of this unique grouping, is another highlight of the June sale and gives arms enthusiasts one last chance to own a piece of history. Featured over three auctions in 2009, the Colt Collection comprised over 1,200 items, including prototypes, production models, samples, presentation and engraved pieces, and miscellaneous arms. Many of these had never previously come up for sale. Maintained by the factory, this collection of Colts – a name known as an American icon since the mid-1800s – has provided a valuable resource for both historical reasons and reference – and generated exceptional enthusiasm among collectors. Known for their rarity, condition and diversity, the Colt Factory Archives Collection realized a stunning sell-through rate of 95% or more for Parts I and 2.

–  The Museum-Quality Pre-Columbian Collection – With offerings from three American collectors, these items encompass a broad range of objects from Mexico, Central and South America. The distinctive lots include ceramics, stone sculpture, textiles, gold and silver works of art, and objects made of wood, from cultures as early as the Olmec period of 2000 B.C. through the Inca and Aztec eras of the 14th century. Objects include ceremonial and funerary items for the elite, as well as utilitarian and specialized items. Complementing these unusual historic lots, the auction also offers items from the Alexandrian period of ancient Greece, and Spanish gems and relics.

– Fine Collectible Knives and Edged Weapons – Knives and edged weapons include several Bowie knives by Will & Finck, Michael Price, W.H. Wragg and James Dixon & Sons; many multi-bladed knives and daggers by Jos. Rodgers, George Wostenholm, Brooks & Crookes and J.A. Henckels; several Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knives; Richtig hunting knives; many fine Randall knives; a collection of German daggers and bayonets; and rare Indo-Persian blades. A large selection from the Donald Littman collection of knives is among the offerings.

Greg Martin Auctions’ two-day sale will be held in three sessions: Session I, which begins at noon on Tuesday, June 23, presents Fine Collectible Firearms, Sporting Guns & Militaria. On Wednesday, June 24, Session II features the Museum-Quality Pre-Columbian Collection, starting at noon; Session III offers Fine Collectible Knives and Edged Weapons, beginning at 3 pm. Like the company’s March sale, the summer event will be held at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, 2085 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, California. Parking is free for the event. Auction Previews are held from 10 am – 5 pm on Tuesdays – Saturdays through June 22 at Greg Martin Auctions’ new headquarters, located at 2152 Alton Parkway, Suite K, Irvine, California.

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