Old West firearms from estate of Mike Stewart plus two other premier estate collections form high-powered trifecta to lead Sept. 13 Montrose auction
On Saturday, September 13, Montrose Auction in Central Georgia will present a fully-curated 551-lot live gallery sale that brings together prized firearms from three elite estate collections.
GREENSBORO, Ga. – On Saturday, September 13, Montrose Auction in Central Georgia will present a fully-curated 551-lot live gallery sale that brings together prized firearms from three elite estate collections. The spotlight will shine on early Colt, Remington and Smith & Wesson revolvers from the estate of Mike Stewart – who was a well-known presence in the firearms-collecting community – as well as rare handguns, rifles and shotguns sourced from two other fine estate collections. Exceptional sporting arms by Caesar Guerini, Holland & Holland, Christensen and many other revered gunsmiths are included.
bridging cap-and-ball to modern designs. Features a cut-to-4½” barrel. All matching numbers but no number visible on cylinder. Long 1860-type grip frame with brass trigger guard retaining some nickel. Surprisingly bright bore with light pitting, strong rifling, good action, half-cock. A beautiful old one-piece ivory.
Provenance: Mike Stewart Collection. ATF Form 4473 not required. courtesy of Montrose Auction
The Mike Stewart collection revisits America’s Old West through several outstanding 19th-century revolvers. Manufactured in 1872, a Colt 1872 Open Top Revolver, .44 RF, represents Colt's first purpose-built cartridge revolver, a model that served as a bridge between cap-and-ball and modern designs. With a cut-to-4½” barrel, the gun is serial-numbered 1317 and has all matching numbers, with no number visible on the cylinder. It has a long 1860-type grip frame with a brass trigger guard that retains some nickel. A beautiful old one-piece ivory, it has a surprisingly bright bore, strong rifling, good action, and a half-cock safety.
Surprisingly bright bore with traces of pitting, great action, good half-cock. Provenance: Mike Stewart Collection. ATF Form 4473 not required. courtesy of Montrose Auction
A Colt 1860 Army Conversion Revolver bearing the serial number 6443 was manufactured in 1870, has all matching numbers, and features a cut-to-4¾” barrel with no front sight. Like the 1872 Open Top, it has a nice, bright bore with only traces of pitting; great action and a good half-cock.
An 1875 is known to have been used by bank robber Frank James. Auction example is a nice, early gun with nickel 7½” barrel, bright bore with light to moderate
pitting and excellent hammer notches. Spring for cylinder locking bolt is broken. Provenance: Mike Stewart Collection. ATF Form 4473 not required. courtesy of Montrose Auction
From Remington, a .44 caliber 1875 Revolver was manufactured in the first year of the model’s production and is serial-numbered 197. Known for its big, sturdy frame, the 1875 was a worthy competitor to Colt’s Single Action Army, differing from the older Remington 1858 percussion model in that it has a bored-through cylinder chambered for metallic cartridges. With the release of the 1875, Remington entered the cartridge-revolver market. Their game-changing gun was used by men on both sides of the law. Confederate soldier, guerilla and bank robber Frank James is known to have used one. The auction example has a 7½” nickel barrel, a bright bore and excellent hammer notches.
Features cut-to-4¼” barrel, original nickel. All matching numbers. Functions well. Provenance: Mike Stewart Collection. ATF Form 4473 not required. courtesy of Montrose Auction
A fourth highlight from the Stewart collection’s trove of historical firearms is a large-frame .44 caliber Smith & Wesson 2nd Model American Revolver manufactured in 1872 for both military and civilian use. Featuring a cut-to-4¼” barrel and retaining its original nickel, this gun is serial-numbered 23092, has all-matching numbers, and functions well.
Comes complete with original factory case and box, factory paperwork, special Chip McCormick magazine loaded with six custom .999 silver
bullets shaped to commemorate the edition, and two additional magazines courtesy of Montrose Auction
The second prominently-featured collection contains a rare and very desirable Cabot Guns “American Joe” .45 ACP pistol, serial-numbered AMJOE002 and produced in 2013 within the company’s limited First Edition run. Headquartered in Pennsylvania, Cabot Guns is known for its aerospace-grade machining and the hand-fitted perfection of its pistols. The auction example comes with its original factory case and box, factory paperwork, a special Chip McCormick magazine loaded with six custom .999 silver bullets shaped to commemorate the edition, and two additional magazines.
for close-quarters battle and defense. Excellent+ to like-new condition, likely test-fired only. Accompanied by factory soft case, factory build sheet and paperwork. courtesy of Montrose Auction
A Wilson Combat .45 ACP CQB pistol has a 4” modern barrel and is serial-numbered WCT33552. Manufactured in the 2010s as a compact 1911 for close-quarters battle and defense, the gun is in excellent+ to like-new condition and was probably never used, other than being test-fired. It is accompanied by its attractive factory soft case, factory build sheet, and paperwork.
Features carbon-fiber barrel and muzzle brake, 1:10 twist, LOP 13¾”. Excellent+ to like-new condition with factory box. courtesy of Montrose Auction
Three outstanding Christensen Arms Ridgeline 14 bolt rifles follow. A .30-06 with a 24” modern barrel was manufactured in 2020 and bears the serial number CB00012. This gun was fabricated from aerospace-grade materials, enabling outdoor enthusiasts to benefit from the design’s focus on lightness and precision. Its specs include synthetic stock with grain pockets, a carbon-fiber barrel and muzzle brake; and 13¾” LOP. It is in excellent+ to like-new condition with a factory box numbered to the gun.
A second .30-06 has a slightly shorter 22” modern barrel, was manufactured in 2018 and is serial-numbered A92M00869. It has a carbon-fiber barrel and muzzle brake, 1:10 twist, and 13¾” LOP. Like the previously-mentioned .30-06, it is in excellent+ to like-new condition in its original factory box.
Features carbon-fiber barrel and muzzle brake, 1:10 twist, LOP 13½”. A lightweight yet accurate rifle for hunting and long-range shooting.
xcellent+ to like-new condition with factory box numbered to gun. courtesy of Montrose Auction
Manufactured in 2014, a .270 Win with a 24” modern barrel is serial-numbered 14M12041. It features Christensen Arms’ distinctive carbon-fiber barrel and muzzle brake, 1:10 twist, and 13½” LOP. This lightweight yet accurate rifle is ideal for hunting and long-range shooting and is in excellent+ to like-new condition with a factory box numbered to the gun.
The third of three major collections being auctioned on September 13 evokes images of an invigorating day in the countryside, where the terrain is ideal for the perfect shot. If any manufacturer understands what sportsmen want, it’s the esteemed Italian firm Caesar Guerini. Their guns are produced to the exacting specifications of top American hunters and shooters and combine the fine craftsmanship, precise manufacturing tolerances and premium materials for which Italian gun makers are so famous. It’s no wonder so many collectors clamor for a Guerini. The auction selection includes several exceptional examples.
1:10 twist, LOP 13½”. A lightweight yet accurate rifle for hunting and long-range shooting. Excellent+ to like-new condition with factory box numbered to gun. courtesy of Montrose Auction
A Caesar Guerini Invictus 12 gauge over/under shotgun, manufactured in 2017, has a 30” modern barrel, 2¾” chambers, figured walnut stocks, diamond-point teardrop checkering, a right-hand palm swell, and midbead sight. Additionally, it has a single select trigger, case-colored receiver, interchangeable chokes (Skeet/Cylinder installed), and 14 7/8" LOP with ejectors. It has been lavishly engraved with gold inlay by Master Engraver Bottega Giovanelli.
Also from the Caesar Guerini workshop, a Maxum 12 gauge over/under shotgun made in 2011 has a 30” barrel and 2¾” chambers with a single selective adjustable trigger and ejectors. Its factory extended Maxischoke system has eight tubes and a wrench. The French grey receiver is adorned with a scroll & foliate motif applied by Master Bottega Giovanelli. Its varnished checkered select-grade walnut stocks have an adjustable comb and factory recoil pad. Other specs include: LOP 14½”, DAC 1¼”, DAH 1 3/8” (adjustable). Mechanically fine with an excellent receiver and VF stocks, its condition is assessed as VF with bright bores and barrels retaining 98% finish. An exceptional over/under shotgun for competition, this beauty will convey to its new owner in a factory luggage case with chokes, tools and paperwork.
Montrose Auction’s Sept. 13, 2025 Live Firearms & Accessories Auction will start at 10am ET, following an in-person preview from 8-10am. The sale will be held onsite at Alligood’s, 203 North Main St., Greensboro, GA 30642; on GA44 only 2.7 miles from I-20 exit 130. Live online bidding available through Montrose Live, LiveAuctioneers and Proxibid. To leave an absentee bid, reserve a phone line for bidding on auction day or for additional information about any auction item, call 478-376-4559 or email staff@montroseauction.com. Online: https://www.montroseauction.com.
Travel Notes:
Several major airports serve north-central Georgia, as well as Greene County Regional Airport (3.7mi from Greensboro) for smaller commercial and private aircraft, including light jets. Those wishing to book accommodations will find a variety from which to choose, whether their preference is for a bed and breakfast, a hotel such as Tru by Hilton or the brand-new Holiday Inn Express; or the 5-star luxury of the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, approximately a 90-minute drive from Greensboro.
About Montrose Auction: Montrose Auction was founded in 1977. Since 1992, it has been owned and operated by company president Trey Cottle. Conducting up to 16 auctions per year, Montrose has positioned itself as Georgia’s leading auction house for the most-desired antique, vintage and modern firearms, edged weapons and sporting-related items. In addition to its popular gallery and online sales, Montrose Auction works closely with estate executors to evaluate items and prepare them for auction, confidentially and professionally. Georgia Auction License No. GAL2006
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