Morphy’s May 13-15 Firearms & Militaria Auction well stocked with coveted, transferable NFA guns plus 19th century, Civil War-era and WWII rarities

DENVER, Pa. – While collecting elite firearms and militaria has captivated crowned heads, presidents and historians for centuries, it is an interest that knows no social or national boundaries. Practically everywhere on Earth, there are passionate firearms enthusiasts who enjoy studying and displaying their prized acquisitions, especially those associated with immortal figures, legendary battles or other world-changing events of the past. The next opportunity collectors will have to bid on premier examples of military, civilian and sporting firearms comes on May 13-15 at Morphy’s flagship gallery in Pennsylvania, with all forms of remote bidding available, including live via the Internet.

The 1,218-lot auction selection contains many once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunities, starting with rare NFA guns, which are fully transferable upon receipt of BATF approval.

“As each scarce NFA gun passes into private hands, it narrows the field, leaving even fewer that qualify for individual purchase,” said Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions. “That’s why, over the last several years, we’ve seen such incredible competition for the NFA guns in our sales, not to mention consistently higher prices. Many collectors view them as investments.”

Morphy singled out one NFA gun, in particular, that he thinks might end up being the top lot of the entire May 13-15 auction: a Fabrique Nationale (Herstal) U.S. M240B machine gun. Chambered in .308, it is one of very few specimens of its type that would be fully transferable to an individual owner. In near-mint condition, retaining its original tripod and even its original shipping box, this gun has never been fired since leaving the factory, per its current owner. It is marked on the left side of the receiver U.S. M240 / 11825980 / MACHINE GUN 7.62MM, followed by its serial number, contract number and National Stock Number. The gun was described by Dan Morphy as “a tremendous example that would be all but impossible to upgrade.”

A rare and desirable Japanese Type 5 Garand semi-automatic rifle with the serial number 13 is one of approximately 125 that were assembled in Japan as experimental firearms at the midpoint of World War II, starting in 1944. This model, an adaptation of the American Garand, has standard Japanese 7.7mm chambering. It comes to auction with a 1946 capture certificate showing its recipient to be Colonel Walter D Buie, plus a shipping box addressed to (Major) Buie at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and his wife in North Carolina. This example is an outstanding and well-documented WWII rarity from a period of time when Japan was becoming increasingly desperate for armaments.

Several exceptional highlights lead the arsenal of 19th-century military and Old West arms. The earliest of the featured lots is an Isaiah Jennings 1821 patent 5-shot .44 smoothbore repeating flintlock Kentucky pistol built by JM Caswell. A noted gunsmith based in upstate New York, Caswell was especially well known for his half-stock Kentucky rifles. His Kentucky pistol was actually a refinement of an earlier Revolutionary War-era flintlock pistol created by Belton and represents one of the earliest of American repeating-arms designs. It was produced in limited numbers for martial trials, and although it was never placed in full military service, its features blazed a trail for the later adoption of repeating arms by American forces. One of its important features is an auto-primer that would dispense a charge of powder into the pan each time the weapon was cocked. The auction pistol’s line of provenance includes renowned dealer/collector Eric Vaule, who owned it until its 1996 sale to another, unnamed collector. The firearms is in a fine state of preservation with attractive engraving on its lock.

A rare and fine Martial Colt Paterson Model 1839 percussion revolving rifle, .525 smoothbore, was manufactured sometime between 1838 and 1841. It was one of 360 specimens purchased by the US War Department from a total production run of only 950 guns. The cylinder is roll-die-engraved by WL Ormsby with three vignettes that include a lion-hunting motif and early naval-engagement scenes. The name Patterson, with 2 t’s (correct for this model), appears on the cylinder, while the stock is correctly marked WAT, for William Anderson Thornton, within an oval US inspection cartouche. The Colt is a fine historical model from a production run with a very low survival rate, it displays matching numbers.

Another great prize is a cased deluxe engraved and fully-nickel-plated Volcanic Repeating Arms No. 2 Navy Model lever-action pistol manufactured around 1856. Its barrel is marked with a three-line address and date THE VOLCANIC / REPEATING ARMS CO. / PATENT NEW HAVEN CONN. FEB. 14, 1854, and its original pair of two-piece smooth ivory grips are stamped inside with matching serial numbers. According to a card found in the case, the auction gun was featured in a 1957 issue of The Gun Report. Together with various accessories, this attractive cased pistol in near-excellent condition is worthy of any advanced Winchester collection.

A treasure of the Civil War era, a superb cased set of Colts consists of an 1860 fluted Army Revolver and an 1862 Police Revolver. The set was originally a factory presentation to Colonel Henry Craig, US Army Chief of Ordnance. It will convey to its new owner with a copy of a 2019 factory letter confirming shipment on Feb. 25, 1861 to Major W.M.B. Hartley with the special notations: “To Col. Craig, U.S.A. Commanding Ordnance Corps From Colt’s P.F.A. Mfg. Co.” and “Furnished with a shoulder stock, a powder flask, 60 cartridges, and 500 belt caps.” According to firearms expert Greg Martin, this set was acquired directly from the Craig family.

A good-looking Colt Shooting Master .38 Special Double-Action Revolver is factory-engraved with acanthus scrollwork and has later mother-of-pearl grips. Per the accompanying Colt factory letter, it was sent in a shipment of one on July 14, 1932 to MacFarlane and Co., Watsonville, California. There are as few as 10 known examples of a factory-engraved Shooting Master, making the example offered by Morphy’s especially desirable. It retains the vast majority of its blued finish, is mechanically fine and has an excellent bore.

Field action will heat up with the introduction of a superlative Holland & Holland Royal .375 flanged Magnum Double Rifle that, according to the Donald Dallas reference book Holland & Holland: The Royal Gunmaker, was made between 1910 and 1922. Its chopper lump barrels are fitted with a bead front sight on a stippled spearpoint ramp island relieved on its sides for a sight hood. Additionally, it has an express rear sight with two leaves, one standing regulated for 50/200 yards, the other folding for 300 yards. Both have silver express lines and are screwed to a spearpoint quarter rib with anti-glare matting. The gun is engraved with near-full coverage of the classic Holland & Holland Royal scroll, with vignettes for the company name. Recoil shields are embellished with bouquets of flowers and borders with rope and beadwork, and they are signed on the bottom The Royal Hammerless. Matching serial numbers and a trademark appear on the barrels’ undersides. Mechanically fine with excellent action and stocks, the rifle is graded excellent in a VG relined case with accessories. Holland & Holland aficionados would recognize this as a very rare gun in full-bore magnum chambering.

Morphy’s May 13-15, 2025 Firearms & Militaria Auction will be held live at the company’s Denver, Pennsylvania gallery, starting each day at 9am ET. All forms of remote bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Morphy Live. For condition reports, to reserve a phone line for bidding, or for any other enquiries, call 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.