Record Breaking Sale at Rock Island Auction Company
The December sale set several world record prices and overall the auction proved strong for all genres of firearms. The top seller in the auction was the finest belt model Paterson revolver, which set a world record for its kind by achieving a lofty sales price of $414,000.
Rock Island Auction Company shattered the industry record for sales in a calendar year with the recent success of its December Premiere Firearms Auction. Total 2007 sales for the auction house reached $28 Million - $9 million over the previous high of $19 million set by RIAC last year. The December sale, which garnered nearly $11 million, is also a company record for a single auction.
The December sale set several world record prices and overall the auction proved strong for all genres of firearms. The top seller in the auction was the finest belt model Paterson revolver, which set a world record for its kind by achieving a lofty sales price of $414,000. The other two marquee firearms of the auction, the Tears of Gettysburg 1861 Colt revolver and its companion piece the General Meade's Presentation New Model Remington, brought $368,000 and $287,500, respectively. Percussion Colts did exceptionally well in the auction, notably the 1860 Cased Engraved Army Percussion Revolver (sold for $143,750), Model 1861 Presentation Navy Revolver (sold for $97,750), Glahn-Engraved Pre-war Single Action Army Revolver (sold for $92,000), 1849 Kidder-cased Presentation Model Pocket Revolver (sold for $74,750), 1861 Factory Engraved Cased Navy revolver (sold for $74,750) and the Glahn-engraved Single Action Army Revolver (sold for $63,250).
Lot 3692 WWII U.S. Singer M1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol, Sold at $80,500 - World Record Price!
A truly outstanding piece of the auction was the new in original box Volcanic pistol. This incredible pistol set a new world record price of $143,750. A very nice Henry rifle (the next generation of lever actions from the aforementioned Volcanic) brought $74,750. All across the board the Winchester rifles did very well.
Lot 2506: Mauser 1916 Dated Caliber 7.92 MM Aircraft Self-Loading Carbine, sold - $37,375
Nearly doubling the previous world record price for a Singer 1911 was lot 3692, which brought $80,500. Generally speaking, the Colt 1911 and WWII military genres sold at the high end of the spectrum. An extremely rare Japanese paratrooper rifle brought $6,325, and another world record price was set when a Luftwaffe Drilling sold for $37,375. An extremely rare Luftwaffe shotgun - the companion piece to the Luftwaffe Drilling - sold at $12,650.
Lot 2582: J.P. Sauer M.30 Luftwaffe Survival Drilling with Case and Accessories, sold - $36,800
The Frank Sellers collection led the way throughout the auction with outstanding results. When told what his collection brought in total dollar amount Mr. Sellers commented, "It was twice what I had expected." Mr. Seller's outstanding Kentucky and half stock rifles were in high demand as indicated by lot 2416 bringing a whopping $97,750 as well as lot 2407 bringing $46,000 and lot 2423 bringing $27,850. As a student of the history of firearms Mr. Sellers also collected many experimental and trials rifles. This area of his collection brought a lot of attention with lot 3173, an experimental Smith & Wesson revolving rifle bringing $9,775 and others such as lot 3349, a unique Civil War Trials Carbine bringing $8,050.
Lot 3347: Issued 1st D.C. Cavalry Civil War U.S. Contract Martial Henry Lever-Action Rifle, sold - $31,625
Mr. Patrick Hogan, owner of RIAC, stated "We knew we had a high quality auction yet the results surprised us all. I however am not amazed that the collectable firearms continue to do better in this economy. The stock market and uncertainty in markets in general have led people to seek "hard assets" and collectable firearms in my opinion are still very much under priced."
Lot 2586: Late WWII German K43 Sniper Rifle With Scope Mount and Scope Can, sold - $14,950
Rock Island Auction Company is currently seeking consignments for their upcoming Spring Premiere Auction, to be held May 3-5, 2007. Rock Island Auction Company will accept single items or entire collections. For more information please call 800-238-8022, or visit www.rockislandauction.com.
Lot 2583: Nazi Luftwaffe Merkel Over/Under Shotgun, sold - $12,650
Lot 3693: WWI U.S. Army Colt M1911 "Black Army" Semi-Automatic Pistol, sold - $9,775
Lot 2659: Tokyo Arsenal Japanese "Baby Nambu" Semi-Automatic Pistol with Two Matching Magazines and Scarce Clamshell Type Leather Holster, sold - $7,475
Lot 2671: Japanese "Baby Nambu" Semi-Automatic Pistol, sold - $7,475
Lot 2663: WWII Japanese Type 2 Paratrooper Rifle with Sniper Scope and Case, sold - $6,325
