Sale of Putnam Green Collection continues

Author:
kquinn
Publish date:
Aug 18, 2011

Excitement builds for premiere firearms auction

Lot 3189. Desirable WWII inland M1 carbine with M3 infrared sniper scope and accessories. Estimate: $4,500-$6,500.

Rock Island Auction Company announces their premiere collector’s firearms auction to be held Sept. 9, 10 and 11 at their new facility in Rock Island, IL.

This auction will offer some of the highest condition, extremely rare and historic firearms to ever be offered at auction. The Putnam Green Collection was the finest U.S. & European Military collection ever offered at auction. This September, RIAC is proud to feature The Putnam Green Collection Part II: An outstanding collection of rare, historic, and high condition U.S. and German Military Arms.

This collection features over 100 of the most unique firearms, uniforms and holsters. Highlights of this historic collection include: The finest known historical U.S. DWM Model 1902 American Eagle cartridge counter Luger pistol serial number 22430 with holster ($50,000-$90,000), a magnificent Mauser Model 1912/14 experimental pistol in 9mm, with matching shoulder stock ($45,000-$80,000) and a rare early production U.S. Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol serial number 33 ($40,000-$80,000). The quality military arms in this collection also include prototype P-38’s, DWM Model 1900 Test Luger, multiple presentation pistols, exceptional German military longarms and sniper rifles, and the finest known Springfield 1903 with shipping case as well as many posters, uniforms and military memorabilia. This incredible collection is only the beginning of the outstanding military arms being featured this September at RIAC.

Lot 1069. Revolutionary War, Thomas Ewing inspected, Maryland Council

of Safety Gunlock Manufactory Flintlock pistol, 1 of 2 known. Estimate: $50,000-$250,000.
This September auction offers quantity with over 400 U.S. Military arms brought to auction. Over 25 trench shotguns from WWI and WWII, more than 130 1911s and Part 1 of the finest M1 Carbine Collection, featuring every serial number block for each contractor of M1 Carbines during WWII. Top U.S. Military lots include an excellent WWI production Winchester Model 1897 trench gun ($5,000-$7,500) and a desirable WWII inland M1 carbine with M3 infrared sniper scope and accessories (4,500-$6,500). Also many uniforms and memorabilia identified to historic generals such as Douglas MacArthur, David McCampbell, and George S. Patton.

German military arms are also well represented in a collection of more than 350 Lugers, with highlights including: a cased Model 1893 Borchardt pistol rig complete with matching walnut shoulder stock, four matching magazines and accessories ($25,000-$45,000), a WWII Nazi "1943" Dated Krieghoff luger rig with Luftwaffe/Krieghoff proofed holster and matching magazine ($8,500-$13,000), and a DWM Model 1900 American Eagle Luger semi-automatic pistol with rare ideal stock ($4,500-$6,500). Other notable German arms include two WWII Cased J.P. Sauer & Sohns Luftwaffe M30 Survival Drillings, nearly 50 P-38s including prototypes and zero series, and sniper rifles — many of which are rare and in high condition.

Lot 3002. Inscribed presentation Henry Lever Action Rifle, inscribed

to Andersonville Prison survivor Frank W. Smith from famed Ohio philanthropist

Stillman Witt with extensive documentation. Estimate: $50,000-$100,000.

Going back further into military arms, RIAC is offering some of the rarest and historical Martial arms to ever come to auction. Among them is a John Miles 1798 U.S. Philadelphia contract blunderbuss with “Aetolian Waterloo” inscription ($50,000-$150,000) It is one of the few examples of a brass barreled shoulder blunderbuss made by John Miles Sr., circa 1798-1799 in existence. Going back even further is an extremely rare Revolutionary War, Thomas Ewing inspected, Maryland Council of Safety Gunlock Manufactory flintlock pistol ($50,000-$250,000). This pistol is 1 of 2 known to exist. More than 40 additional martial flintlocks will also be offered.

Civil War offerings will include three Henry rifles: A deluxe factory engraved, New Haven Arms Henry lever action rifle with silver plated frame ($90,000-$160,000), a historical presentation Henry Lever Action Rifle, inscribed to Andersonville Prison survivor Frank W. Smith from famed Ohio philanthropist Stillman Witt with extensive documentation ($50,000-$100,000), and a U.S. Contract Henry Rifle ($45,000-80,000). In addition are many rare Civil War handguns and longarms.

Lot 3127. The finest known historical U.S. DWM Model 1902 American Eagle cartridge

counter luger pistol serial number 22430 with holster. Estimate: $50,000-$90,000.
Rare antique presentation pistols will be up for auction. More than 750 antiques, a documented magnificent pair of exhibition quality engraved, gold-inlaid and silver-mounted J.H. Krider Percussion Pocket Pistols ($65,000-$95,000), magnificent Sultan of Turkey presentation exhibition grade Mannlicher semi-automatic pistol with deluxe hand tooled leather bound, French fitted display case ($50,000-$100,000), and magnificent royal presentation cased engraved gold inlaid Mangeot percussion pistol with elaborately carved stock and accessories ($30,000-$50,000) are a few of the top lots to be offered. Other antique firearms include: a very fine collection of 175 antique pinfire, 90 antique derringers, and over 20 Kentucky Rifles.

More than 450 sporting arms will be presented. An exhibition quality, engraved, massive "Owen-Rewa" 4-Bore elephant double rifle ($85,000-$140,000) is one of the most beautiful and most powerful sporting arms to ever be offered by RIAC. Owen made only six of these enormous double rifles and spent approximately "1,000 hours" modeling each gun after the only known 4-bore rifle made by Holland & Holland for the Maharajah of Rewa, India in the early 20th century. Other double rifles to be offered include a factory engraved Merkel Model 140 "Three Gun Set" safari series ($35,000-$55,000), an engraved gold inlaid Johann Fanzoj Ferlach side lock over / under with scope and case ($25,000-$40,000), and an engraved John Rigby & Co. (Paso Robles CA.) marked third quality double express rifle ($8,000-$14,000).

Lot 3131. Early production U.S. Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol serial number 33.

Estimate: $40,000-$80,000.
The auction will also feature Remington shotguns from the collection of James Tipton. Among the highlights of the collection is a consecutively numbered four-gun set of Remington custom shop R.P. Runge master engraved Model 1100SF skeet Premier Grade semi-automatic shotguns ($25,000-$50,000). A grouping of Winchester Model 21s (16 total), Model 70s (24 total), and over 90 Browning rifles and shotguns, and more than 50 “black” rifles. There will be over 35 Class III arms from WWII to modern day, including a Ramo Manufacture full automatic M2 50 Cal BMG Rig with Tripod, T&E and Pintle ($15,000-$25,000).

Perennial powerhouses Colt and Winchester are well represented each with quality and quantity. A rare Colt Model 1855 revolving carbine ($40,000-$60,000) and a unique lot of Colt percussion revolvers of the specific type used by Commodore Perry in his expedition to Japan of 1852-1853 ($25,000-$75,000) lead the list of more than 500 Colts. More than 250 Winchesters are lead by an exceptional special order deluxe Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle with Cody letter ($30,000-$40,000)

Lot 3157. U.S. Springfield Model 1903 bolt-action rifle with shipping case accessories. Estimate: $15,000-$30,000.
Rock Island Auction has also acquired a special collection of 300-plus pieces of American stoneware. More than 75 are from the historic Anna Pottery which is the most Anna Pottery ever offered at auction.

In its entirety, more than 2,700 quality lots will be offered. Call 800-238-8022 to order your two-volume full-color catalog with the supplemental pottery catalog or view it online at www.rockislandauction.com.