The numbers are in, and Poulin’s Premier Late Fall Firearms Auction brought in over $9 million

Fairfield, ME - Poulin Antiques & Auctions announced the results of their four day, 2,500+ lot sale held October 30th - November 2nd, 2025. The event had a 94% sell through rate. All prices noted are calculated at a default 22% buyer’s premium; actual prices may fluctuate slightly due to fees which vary across selling platforms.

The top lot in this signature sale was #3272, Wyatt Earp's (American, 1848-1929) Colt SAA revolver. Estimated at $100,000-400,000, it delivered $195,200. This fully provenanced firearm, owned by the legendary Western lawmen, was sold with an archive of provenance materials, including a copy of Earp's obituary and a short story about Earp written by his friend and confident James "Jimmy" Mitchell; notarized letters between the Mitchell and Earp families; documentation on the revolver's history; and a Colt Factory archive letter. Nearly a century after his passing, Earp retains his mythical status on the Western Frontier given his ability to remain unscathed during heated gun battles, including The Gunfight at the OK Corral in 1881.

Lot #4214, a Confederate Naval uniform belonging to Lieutenant John Low (Scottish American, 1836-1906), was estimated at $60,000-100,000 and made $122,000 - setting a new auction world record price for a Confederate coat sold at auction. Low served with distinction on the C.S.S. Alabama and in various other capacities for the Confederate Navy. His double breasted coat was detailed with two rows of nine coat size Confederate Navy buttons in front; vest size plain anchor buttons and bullion tape loops on the cuffs; and bullion borders with a gold star on the shoulder straps. It was lined with cotton fabric. According to Poulin's experts, this uniform was arguably the finest know Confederate Navy uniform in public or private hands. This museum quality example was sold with Low's original Certificate of Competency as MASTER issued by the British Privy Council for Trade on July 17th, 1865, and a small archive paperwork relating to Low, his life, and military service.

Lot #4206, a Confederate First National Battleflag of the McNeill Partisan Rangers, was estimated at $30,000-40,000 and sold for $73,200. It measured 63" on fly and 32.5" on hoist and was sewn by the Confederate ladies of Moorefield, VA. It was made from silk and lightweight bunting, and decorated with one white horizontal bar, two red horizontal bars, and 15, 3" white stars on a blue background forming a Southern Cross. 15 star Confederate flags are rare and represent all states including ones Union occupied that could not secede but produced Confederate troops. This battleflag was sold with several letters documenting its history, as well as a research report written by military historian Greg Biggs.  

Lot #4192, the cased presentation sword and medals of General Oscar Fitzalan Long (1852-1928), was estimated at $10,000-15,000 and sold for $26,840. Long was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor in action during the Indian Wars in 1877 and spend his long military career in the west. This display was housed in a fine oak case and included a handsome 1860 staff and field officer sword with a 31” double edged blade; 15 medals with most engraved with Long's name and/or ID numbering; about 20 boutonnieres; and several ribbon racks and neck ribbons. Also sold with Long's materials was a copy of letter from General Nelson Miles citing Long’s gallantry at the Battle of Bear Paw Mountain on September 30, 1877 against Chief Joseph, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.  

Lot #4106A, a Confederate Tucker and Sherrard dragoon revolver, was estimated at $50,000-100,000 and traded hands at $158,600 - setting a new auction world's record for a Tucker and Sherrard dragoon sold at auction. This .44 caliber firearm had serial #106 and was one of 12 documented examples produced by Tucker and Sherrard of Lancaster, TX. According to Poulin's experts, There has not been a “real” Tucker & Sherrard Dragoon discovered since I started this database 40 years ago, these three low hammers may be the only survivors. This fully provenanced dragoon was once owned by firearms expert Willam "Bill" Gary (American, 1924-2014), author of Confederate Revolvers. It was sold with its 1973 original Gary's collector card and a signed copy of Gary's reference book from 1987.

Lot #4008, a factory engraved Colt Belt Model Paterson revolver, was estimated at $25,000-45,000 and realized $70,150. This handgun was made in the late 1830s and had serial #537. It was engraved with early vine scrolling and a hound’s head and mounted with ivory grips. According to Poulin's experts, there are about 25-40 engraved Paterson belt models extant, and only a fraction of those are ivory gripped. As such, engraved Colt Patersons are among the rarest and most desirable of all American arms. This fully provenanced revolver was sold with a copy of the December, 1971 Antique Arms Annual where it was pictured on back cover; a letter from historical firearms expert John Gangel describing the history of the revolver; and other related documentation.

Lot #2219,  a 505 Hoffman (Gibbs) Magnum Mauser sporting rifle, was estimated at $15,000-30,000 and delivered $48,800. This large caliber, .505 Gibbs had serial #129, was built in 1924, and weighed 10 lb. 8 oz. It was elaborately engraved with shaded scroll surrounding a relief game scene of a trumpeting elephant under trees and feather bursts encircling the mounting screws. It is thought that this handsome decoration was from the hand of Rudolph Kornbrath, considered America's finest 20th century engraver. According to Poulin's experts, it is likely that only four or five Hoffman rifles were manufactured in this huge caliber. This exact rifle was pictured and briefly described on page 253 of 1997's Mauser Original Oberndorf Sporting Rifles by Jon Speed et. al; it is also pictured in color on page 425 in that same publication.

Lot #1043, an Air Force issued M110 KAC semi-automatic sniper rifle, was estimated at $30,000-50,000 and sold for $79,910. This firearm had rifle serial #05508, suppressor serial #S078624, and was made by Knight's Armament in Titusville, FL. It featured a 20" barrel with a flash hider, and was sighted with a FDE finish Leupold MK4 3.5-10x power scope on a Knight's Armament mount. It was sold with its associated accessories including its coverings, cases, and pouches; military manual; KAC and Otis cleaning kits; and sling, as well as a document detailing the rifle's history and a CMP Certificate of Authenticity. As far Poulin's experts could tell, this was the first time an Air Force issue M110 offered for sale at public auction.

Lot #3316, an engraved and inlaid SAA Colt by Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) Master Engraver Michael Dubber, was estimated at $14,000-18,000 and brought $30,500. This breathtaking, one of a kind Colt SAA, named The Buffalo Hunt, had serial # SA40181 and paid tribute to the buffalo hunts of the American Plains. Its 5-1/2" barrel was detailed with a double banded gold wire inlay at both ends. Its handsomely rendered decorations included bison; stationary and horse mounted hunters; snowcapped mountains, the golden sun, arrows; a Rampant Colt logo; a bison skull motif, a Native American bust, feathers; prairie flowers and thistles; a stunning raised relief herd of thundering bison, and other related imagery. This example was sold with its original factory Colt wood grain presentation and storage box.

About Poulin Antiques & Auctions Inc: 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.