Poulin Antiques & Auctions’ Premier Firearms & Militaria sale totals over $10 million in sales

Fairfield ME - Poulin Antiques & Auctions announced the results of this 2,300+ lot sale held from February 26 - March 1, 2026. The auction had a 96% sell through rate.

The top lot in this event was #1081, an iconic JLM / Garwood M134 Minigun post-1986 dealer sample machine gun. Estimated at $125,000-150,000, it more than doubled its high estimate to realize $329,400. This cal. 7.62x5 firearm had only been test fired, had a 22" barrel, and serial #MINI-001. It was a modern Garwood Industries variation, registered by JLM, and technologically improved several-fold since its introduction. This Minigun offering was a complete, turn key package and was sold with a number of accessories, including its ground mount, feed chute, power supply, SU-88/TVS-5 night sight, Garwood feeder-delinker, and more.  It came directly from the Military Museum Collection of Shooters Outpost, Hooksett, NH. 

Lot #1001, a General Motors Guide Lamp Division M3 grease gun, was estimated at $20,000-30,000 and delivered $48,800. This model was once owned by David "Carbine" Williams (American, 1990-1975), the creator of the legacy M-1 Carbine and the U.S. Army's favorite semi-automatic rifle during World War II. GM efficiently produced just under 650,000 M3 and M3-A1 grease guns during that conflict timeframe. This specific .45 ACP caliber submachine gun had an 8" barrel and serial number #314358. It was sold with its 9mm conversion kit. This lot also included a letter from Ross E. Beard, Jr., author of the 1977 book CARBINE - The Story Of David Marshall Williams, written to Rhett Taber. In it, he explained his relationship with Mr. Williams and the history and relevance of this gun.  

Lot #1073, a post 86 dealer sample HK 21E M13 machine gun, was estimated at $18,000-24,000 and made $39,650. This fully marked, overall near excellent condition Heckler & Koch firearm had a 24" barrel over a flash hider with a matching number. It featured a black composite stock with a hard rubber serrated butt pad, a bipod and vertical foregrip, and a quick release full, burst, semi, and safe ambidextrous selector.     

Lot #1061, a post 86 dealer sample original German HK MP5 SD submachine gun with its original box, was estimated at $14,000-18,000 and realized $33,550. This cal 9x19mm factory original example was fully marked, had a 6" barrel (without the suppressor), and serial number SMG= 63-105620. This as new and as yet unfired example was sold with its unopened, original matching numbered factory suppressor in its original plastic wrap, its original box, user's manual, and web sling.  

Lot #1016, a Long Branch Chinese contract STEN MK II submachine gun, was estimated at $8,500-12,500 and traded hands at $31,720. This cal. 9mm (9x19mm Parabellum) had serial number # 12 L 3305 and an 8" barrel. It was one of only about 73,000 Sten MK II submachine guns produced in Canada at the Long Branch arsenal for the Chinese military. The top of the magazine was marked with three lines of Chinese characters, appearing to denote the model and country of origin. The magazine's underside was stamped with the serial number above "STEN MK II/ LONG BRANCH/ 1945". This firearm was sold with a 1944 khaki web sling, which showed age related discoloration and some wear, but otherwise remained sound.  

Lot #4001, a "Type II" Confederate Read & Watson rifle, was estimated at $8,000-12,000 and delivered $37,820. This cal. 54 firearm had serial #23 and measured 47-1/2" long overall, with a 32-1/2" barrel. It was produced by N. T. Read & John J. Watson of Danville, Virginia using obsolete Hall rifles and carbines which had been supplied under the Militia Act to the state of VA prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. These rifles represented an unusual conversion from breechloader to muzzleloader, instead of the more usual reverse. According to Poulin's experts, "these Type II rifles are quite scarce, with very few large brass breech models extant." 

Lot #3506, a Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Single Shot "Buffalo Rifle", was estimated at $4,000-6,000 and made $20,740. This cal. 44 (44-90 Straight for 2-5/8" shell) firearm had serial number #158681 and a 28" barrel. Its top flat was marked "Old Reliable", with the company's Bridgeport, CT address. It weighed 10 lbs. 7oz and featured double set triggers, a Schnabel tipped walnut forearm, and straight grip stock with a checkered steel buttplate. This rifle was sold with a letter from Sharps Ledger Authority Dr. R.L. Moore stating in part: "Serial number 158681 is designated as model 1874 sporting octagon rifle and was invoiced to C.O. Trask and Son, Bannack, Montana, and was shipped in care of Keisel And Company who had a Utah address... The list price was forty two dollars. Shipment date was August 17, 1877 from the Bridgeport plant."

Lot #1019, a Japanese type 99 light machine gun brought back by Clayton Decker of the USS Tang, was estimated at $8,000-12,000 and made $57,950. This cal. 7.7 firearm had serial number #12240 and a 21-1/2" barrel. It was made by Hitachi and dated March, 1944. It featured standard 99 LMG sights with a drum adjustable rear, a receiver mounted Tomioka made T99 2.5x13 scope numbered "5638", and a rubber eyepiece.  This machine gun was a souvenir of former prisoner of war Clayton Decker, a machinist who served on the USS Tang, a Balao class submarine that sank 33 Japanese ships totaling 116,454 tons. This firearm was sold with a T99 canvas magazine pouch and a letter from Bud Steffen Design detailing the history of Decker, the USS Tang, and the gun.  

Lot #4385, a massive ivory grip New Orleans made Confederate Bowie knife, was estimated at $12,000-15,000 and sold for $57,340. This 2 pound-plus, well balanced knife measured 20" overall with a 14-3/4" clip point blade with a choil. It was sold with its original scabbard; both elements were featured in a number of important publications, including Melton, Phillips, and Sexton's Confederate Bowie Knives from 2012. That reference identified it as a Louisiana Naval Side Knife. It had provenance to both the Compton Labauve and the James R. Johnston collections.

Lot #2198, a Double Diamond Deluxe 2-1/2" chamber Winchester Model 42 Skeet pump shotgun, was estimated at $10,000-15,000 and made $27,450. This cal .410 firearm had serial number #113000, a 28" solid rib barrel, and the large Model 12 style hard rubber pistol grip cap that was available on special order. Its stock and forearm had double diamond deluxe hand checkering. This shotgun was made in 1954 and was in outstanding condition overall, with sound action and a bright, near excellent bore. It was from the estate of Lloyd Robinson.

All prices noted include the auction house's buyer's premium, which is calculated at a default 22%; actual prices may fluctuate based on different selling platforms.

About : 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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