Rock Island premier auction hits $8 million

The inaugural auction of Rock Island Auction Company’s new facility brought firearms enthusiasts of every level, from veteran firearms collectors to first time bidders, to the massive 86,000 sq. ft. facility. Every chair (300 now compared to the previous 175) was full as auctioneers Pat Hogan, and his son Kevin took the podium May 20-22.

Collectors were able to preview items at their own pace with plenty of room to look down a bore or through a scope without bumping into a buddy. With all the additional interest from the new facility and the impressive collection of firearms up for auction, bidders drove up prices on more than 2,700 lots to a total of over $8 million, bringing the total for the first two auctions of 2011 to more than $10 million.

Factory cased, St. Louis inscribed Sharps Model 1851 sporting rifle. Sold for $40,250.

Of the over 120 Colt Single Action Army revolvers offered, none were more impressive than an exceptional documented U.S. Lewis Draper inspected Colt Model 1873 single action cavalry revolver which sold above the estimate at $69,000. There were more than 400 Colts in the sale, including a fully automatic Colt 1921/28 “Navy” overstamp submachine gun with FBI type carrying case, two drum and three stick magazines that sold for $31,625.

This auction also featured the finest collection of Sharps to come to auction since the Frank and Karen Sellers collection. This outstanding collection was highlighted by a rare and historic, St. Louis inscribed, factory cased, Sharps Model 1851 sporting rifle which brought $40,250. A very rare documented Sharps Model 1874 No. 1 Creedmoor rifle went well above the estimated price of $8,500-$14,000 and sold for $28,750. A Sharps panel scene Gustave Young engraved Model 1853 sporting rifle left the building with a final sale price of $25,875, and a custom Sharps Model 1874 sporting rifle by Henry Slotterbek of Los Angeles, California realized $10,350.

Custom engraved gold inlaid Winchester Model 21 two barrel set 28 and 410 gauge Grand American double barrel shotgun with case. Sold for $31,625.

Rock Island Auction brought to auction an outstanding collection of Lugers in rare and desirable configurations, as well as other German military arms, Nazi hats, uniforms and militaria. The highlight of more than 250 lugers was an exceptionally rare documented, cased, gold-plated, factory-engraved, carved ivory-stocked Krieghoff presentation Luger pistol which reached a final sale price of $69,000. Other top luger lots were a scarce Borchardt semi-automatic pistol with shoulder stock, holster and spare magazine selling for $25,875 and a DWM Model 1900 U.S. Army test luger pistol with original Rock Island Arsenal holster with a selling price of $23,000.

Other German military arms attained high prices including a cased WWII German Luftwaffe issue Model 30 survival drilling with case and accessories which sold for $25,875, and a Mauser Tankgewehr-18 bolt action single shot anti-tank rifle with bipod which sold for $31,625.

Civil War New Haven Arms Co. Henry lever action rifle. Sold for $51,750.

The more than 300 U.S. military arms were highlighted with an impressive sale at $48,875 of a rare Pedersen device with metal case and U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Mark I rifle, a rare late WWII original inland “T3” carbine with M2 infrared sniper scope with accessories sold for $23,000, and a rare U.S. trials Colt Model 1907 Army contract semi-automatic pistol with factory letter sold at $14,950.

A Civil War New Haven Arms Co. Henry lever action rifle sold for $51,750. A rare engraved Spencer sporting rifle brought an impressive $19,550 and a rare Confederate second model Griswold and Gunnison revolver sold after a flurry of bidding for $21,850. Intense bidding drove up prices for early Martial Arms including a rare U.S. Springfield Model 1882 Chaffee-Reese rifle selling for $8,050.

U.S. Lewis Draper Inspected Colt Model 1873 single action Cavalry revolver with factory letter. Sold for $69,000.

The event had reached $8 million in sales when the final hammer fell.

Upcoming RIAC evnts include the July 16 and 17 Regional Firearms auction, and the next Premiere Auction Sept. 9, 10 and 11. RIAC is currently seeking consignments for upcoming auctions. For more information on selling at auction, contact Pat Hogan or Judy Voss at 800-238-8022 or visit the website www.rockislandauction.com.

Cased, gold-plated, factory-engraved, carved ivory-stocked Krieghoff presentation Luger pistol. Sold for $69,000.

Mauser Tankgewehr-18 bolt action single shot anti-tank rifle with bipod. Sold for $31,625.

Pedersen device with metal case and U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Mark I rifle. Sold for $48,875.

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