Military collectibles start year with a bang at Briggs Auction

GARNET VALLEY, Pa. – On Jan. 4, Briggs Auction Inc. offered a spectacular, lifetime personal collection of military memorabilia and firearms from the estate of Dale E. Biever, of Boyertown, Pa.

Biever was a noted collector and connoisseur of U.S. military and his collection included rare and important pieces of World War II and other military history.

The auction featured casual and dress uniforms from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Women's Army Corps, U.S. Red Cross, etc.; helmets from various wars and branches of service; rifles and other firearms; patches, medals, dog tags, insignia and more, many with documentation; a large collection of trench art; a field radio and much more.

Biever's collection attracted the interest of collectors throughout the U.S. and beyond. Nearly 700 bidders registered for the evening, which included more than 630 lots of military collectibles, as well as 1,300+ discovery lots. The auction was well received by both in-person attendees, and by absentee bidders over the telephone and online.

Selected highlights from the military collection include firearms: a Winchester model 1873 lever-action rifle with octagonal barrel ($1,595; all prices include buyer's premium); a Remington model 1858 U.S. musket with cartouche ($1,100); a Spencer lever-action carbine rifle ($2,530); a Colt .44-cal. Army pistol in fitted case ($1,595); a Japanese Paratrooper type-2 rifle ($1,210); a Winchester model 97 12-gauge shotgun ($2,640); a Tower flintlock musket ($1815); a Flintlock blunderbuss musket with chased stock ($2,310).

Military helmets and uniforms saw high prices as well: a green U.S Paratrooper's helmet with painted camouflage design, with the liner ($1650); green military helmet with blue/white regiment insignia, with liner ($1,075); a green WW-II era military helmet with liner ($660); a full army uniform with canteen and accessories on standing mannequin ($715); a green U.S. Army cold-weather coveralls set with jacket and hat ($305); a U.S. Army Airborne officer's jacket with patches and insignia ($360); and a U.S. Air Force green wool jacket with silver bars ($341).

A great collection of WWI- era trench art, sold in approximately 38 lots realized $3,015. Other military memorabilia included a binder of WWII photographs and currency ($220); a miniature officer's hat and boots ($250); a U.S. Army wall clock ($220); a tripod machine gun stand ($360); a framed Victory medal with photo of soldier and documentation ($330); a framed lot of medals, including Purple Heart, dog tag, etc. ($635); a short sword with gold-inlaid blade, with scabbard ($965); and an Italian dagger with sheath ($910).

"We were proud to offer this outstanding collection," said John Turner, president of Briggs Auction. "Collectors are always hungry for new items fresh to the marketplace, and prices reflected that. Bringing special items like this to the right buyers is what the auction marketing method is all about."

Contact: Briggs Auction, Inc. 1347 Naamans Creek Road, Garnet Valley, PA 19060. Telephone: 610.485.0412 (Showroom); 610.566.3138 (Office); info@briggsauction.com