Poulin Antiques & Auctions’ Late Summer Three Day Collector Select Firearms Auction hammers home $1.4 million in sales
Poulin Antiques & Auctions’ Late Summer Three Day Collector Select Firearms Auction had a strong showing with over $1.4 million in sales.
Fairfield ME - Poulin Antiques & Auctions announced the results of their three day, 2,500+ lot event held on August 8th-10th, 2025. The auction had a 99% sell through rate. All prices noted include the auction house's buyer's premium.
Important 19th and early 20th century firearms took several of the top slots in this inaugural summer event.
- Lot #3015, a custom cased, refinished Civil War Colt 1861 Percussion Navy Revolver, was estimated at $2,000-4,000 and sold for $7,250. This stunning, standard configuration example with elephant tusk grips was decorated with custom engraving, the words To H E Dimick St. Louis, Mo. from Sam Colt on its grip frame, and a gold inlaid relief portrait of Samuel Colt on its left barrel lug. It was housed in a modern mahogany compartmented case and accompanied by a reproduction navy sized eagle flask, an engraved and reblued Colts Patent 2-cavity mold army mold, and a modern cap tin.
- Lot #1243, an early pattern Mosin Nagant Dragoon bolt action rifle, was estimated at $700-1,000 and delivered $5,750. This seldom seen firearm, originally designed for mounted infantry, had a 29" barrel engraved with 1904 and Izhevsk factory markings, a blade front sign, and an early pattern rear sight graduated to 2500 Arshins. The right side of its butt also featured a 1904 dated Izhevsk roundel.
was estimated at $1,000-1,500 and sold for$3,630. Poulin Antiques and Auctions
- Lot #3002, a scarce 1st model Confederate C&R "Q" marked 1862 Sharps & Hankins army carbine, was estimated at $1,000-1,500 and traded hands at $3,630. This standard configuration, Civil War firearm had a 24" barrel, a sliding breech mechanism, and a brass buttplate. It was plate stamped Q, which is consistent with other arms cleaned and repaired at the Richmond Armory in 1864 and 1865. According to Poulin's experts, this is the only documented Confederate captured C&R S&H Army carbine known.
This sale also included a fine collection of ceremonial and functional edged weapons.
- Lot #3052, a very impressive, large Confederate Side Knife from a Texas estate, was estimated at $2,000-4,000 and realized $6,050. It measured 18-1/2" overall, with a 14" clip point blade. It had an "S" shaped crossguard, short iron ferrule, sculpted grip, and a peened iron washer at its pommel. This fine, untouched survivor was sold with its original, well-fit tooled leather sheath.
- Lot #3186, a Tanzimat era (c. 1839 to 1876) Ottoman Shamshir more than quadrupled its high estimate to sell for $3,325. It measured 38-1/4" overall, with a 30-1/2" plain swept blade. It was detailed with a simple wooden grip and pommel; a gilded, downturned guard typical of Persian swords of its era; and nautical style knot suspension loops. It was sold with its hide covered wooden scabbard with gilded silver mounts.
- Lot #3058, a Civil War Ames Foot Officer’s Sword presented to Lt. Pg Galvin, 6th MO Infantry, was estimated at $2,000-3,000 and realized $3,930. This standard configuration model 1850 sword measured 30-1/2" and had a patriotic etched blade, a sharkskin grip, and a brass mounted Ames scabbard. Its throat was engraved: PRESENTED to / LT PG GALVIN / 6TH REG. MO. INF. / by the / MEN OF HIS COMMAND. This sword was sold with its 1976 bill of sale from Woody Summerlin and copy of Patrick G. Galvin’s war history where he mustered in Saint Louis as Lieutenant in 1861 to his Commission as major in 1865.
Collections of Civil War-era militaria, battlefield materials, and ephemera caught the eye of bidders worldwide.
was estimated at $2,000-3,000 sold for $3,325. Poulin Antiques and Auctions
- Lot #3005, a collection of materials from Albert H. Benham of the 29th Ohio Infantry Regiment, was estimated at $2,000-3,000 and made $3,325. These included his 1863 dated William Muir contract 1861 rifled musket used in the 1864 Civil War Atlanta Campaign and three hand written diaries from 1863, 1864, and 1865. These annual journals provided details of the daily movements and actions of the regiment from January, 1863 to July, 1865. All were easy to read and in overall good condition considering they were carried on his person throughout the war.
was estimated at $4,000-6,000 and sold for $6,655. Poulin Antiques and Auctions
- Lot #3065A, an archive of Civil War surgeon’s field apparatus and medical insignia, was estimated at $4,000-6,000 and realized $6,655. This collection included a 2-tier military-style surgical amputation kit by HG Kern of Philadelphia; a Jappaned quinine tin with a US Medical Depot label and an original stopper cork; a cased scale; a military surgeon’s green silk sash; a worsted green medical Hardee hat cord; a pair of medical staff epaulets, and a pair of medical staff shoulder straps.
This three day, 2,500+ lot auction came full circle with parts and accessories, taxidermy, accoutrements, and ammunition.
- Lot #1509, a well-engineered German WWII-era Lafette Tripod, was estimated at $600-800 and realized $5,445. This example was designed for the German MG34 machine gun. Its rear mounting lugs were marked "eat" indicating that it was produced by Rudolf Schluckebier & Co. in 1943. This multi-functional tripod was designed for ground firing with a wide berth of traverse and elevation as well as the ability to add an anti-aircraft mount. Use of this mount allowed the MG34 to be fired while partially concealing the position of the operator if desired.
According to Nick Poulin, President of Poulin Antiques & Auctions, "Our inaugural Collector Select Auction, featuring quality middle-market firearms and militaria, was a massive success with participation from clients across the globe, generating approximately 30% over high estimate for the entire auction; proving once again that now is a great time to take advantage of a strong market and capitalize on our 0% Sellers Commission on expensive items and valuable collections."
About Poulin Antiques & Auctions: Poulin Antiques & Auctions Inc. is located in Fairfield, Maine. We are a family owned business, and based on annual sales, we are the second largest specialty firearms auction house in the world. We also specialize in fine art and antiques. For over 30 years we have offered professional high-quality auction services. Our dedication to fair and honest business dealings with consignors and buyers alike has catapulted our company to the forefront of the firearms auction industry. For more information, please see www.poulinauctions.com.
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