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The Finest B Company Marked U.S. Walker Model 1847 Colt Revolver known to exist sold for $345,000.

Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island, IL --(Ammoland.com)- Rock Island Auction Company continues their dominance as the worlds leading auction house for firearms, edged weapons and military artifacts for the eighth year running.

Fresh off the heals of the television debut of Discovery Channel’s Ready Aim Sold, Rock Island Auction Company’s December Premiere Firearms Auction realized a stunning $10 Million dollars in sales.

The seven digit figure is more impressive considering the pre-auction estimate was $8.2 Million! The success of the December sale puts Rock Island Auction at 31 million dollars in sales for 2011 and almost tied the previous record which they also hold from 2010 which stands at 32 million. Over the course of three days hundreds of bidders from coast to coast made their way to Rock Island, IL to preview and bid. Phone bidders called in from across the globe, and over 13,000 bids were placed before the first drop of the hammer.

Colts took four of the top five lots of the auction commanding nearly one million dollars. The top lots include: The finest ‘B’ Company marked U.S. Walker Model 1847 Colt Revolver known ($345,000). The most anticipated firearm of the sale was the Gold Inlaid Factory Presentation, to standing President Theodore Roosevelt’s Colt 1902 ideal stocked semi-automatic pistol ($207,000), factory engraved documented Colt 1871-72 Open Top Revolver from the 1876 Centennial celebration in New York City ($184,000), and an Ainsworth Inspected, Company K, 4th Cavalry Marked, Colt Single Action Cavalry Revolver ($115,000).

Winchester Firearms were also in high demand. A John Ulrich engraved gold plated Winchester Model 1873 short rifle brought an impressive $74,750. Another John Ulrich signed masterpiece from the Winchester display at the Paris Exposition of 1889, a gold and nickel plated, factory engraved Winchester Model 1873 Carbine sold for $57,500. Lever action rifles and pistols which predate Winchester also had a strong showing. Of the 10 Henry Rifles in the sale, a martially inspected first contract rifle took top honors at $46,000. And a Large Frame Smith & Wesson Lever Action Magazine pistol realized $48,000!

The December auction marked the final chance to own a piece from renowned Putnam Green Collection of rare, high condition, and historical U.S. and German Military items. An extraordinarily rare Walther, prototype “Armee-Pistole” with original walnut shoulder stock/holster sold for $74,750. A 1902 DWM Luger Carbine Rig with matching shoulder stock, ammunition, and “VL&A” Chicago marked leather case went well above its pre-auction estimate selling for $51,750.

U.S. Military arms continue to surge in value. The finest conditioned U.S. Model 1903 Springfield 1913 Warner & Swasey sniper rifle saw some of the most heated bidding of the entire auction and set a new World Record at $46,000! A martially inspected Colt Super 38 pistol reached a record price of $31,625. Civil War arms from both the North and South made up a large section of the sale. A rare Greene breech loading carbine realized $25,875 and an original advertising flyer for a Henry Rifle brought $6,325 well over the pre-auction estimate of $800-1,000.

Other notable sales from the auction include a London agency pair of Theur derringers with ivory grips for $69,000, a Colt 1921/28 Thompson submachine gun for $48,875, and a historic Sharps John Brown model 1853 carbine for $34,500.

For more information on selling at auction or consigning with Rock Island Auction Company call 800-238-8022 or visit rockislandauction.com.

Factory Presentation, to a Standing President, Theodore Roosevelt's Colt Model 1902 Ideal Stocked Semi-Automatic Pistol Sold at $207,000

About:
Rock Island Auction Company has been solely owned and operated by Patrick Hogan. This company was conceived on the idea that both the sellers and buyers should be completely informed and provided a professional venue for a true auction. After working with two other auction companies, Mr. Hogan began Rock Island Auction in 1993. Rock Island Auction Company has grown to be one of the top firearms auction houses in the nation. Under Mr. Hogan’s guidance the company has experienced growth each and every year; and he is the first to say it is his staff’s hard work and determination that have yielded such results. Visit: www.rockislandauction.com

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Colt Donates Commemorative M1911 Pistol & 2 New LE6920MP Rifles To Dan Wheldon Memorial Auction

Colt Defense

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. --(Ammoland.com)- Colt Defense LLC, one of the world’s leading designers, developers, and manufacturers of rifles and carbines, is pleased to announce the donation of a custom Colt M1911 pistol, as well as two Colt LE6920MP rifles, to the Dan Wheldon Memorial Auction.

The custom 100th Anniversary model of the M1911 is highly engraved to highlight the 100th Anniversaries of both the Model M1911 handgun and the Indianapolis 500.

The donated LE6920MP rifles represent two color variations of a new line of Colt rifles for 2012 that come standard with several Magpul accessories.

“We are proud to put these items up for bid to help contribute to the Wheldon family and honor Dan’s legacy,” says David Ridley, Vice President, Colt Defense LLC, “The highest bidder on the 1911 will own something that is truly one-of-a-kind and the winner of each rifle will hold one of the first guns from this brand new line.”

The donated Colt M1911 is a 100th Anniversary model of the pistol, which is available only in 2011. This gun features several unique customizations that highlight the 100-year anniversary of the Colt M1911 pistol and commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The gun’s slide features a silver-plated engraving of the Indianapolis 500 trophy. The gun is finished in Polished Royal Blue and has Cocobolo grips that feature gold-plated C100 medallions. The 1911 pistol will also ship with a walnut glass case etched with the Serpentine Colt.

The gun’s special serial number, 98INDY500, memorializes Dan Wheldon’s car number when he won this year’s Indy 500.

“Because this gun is so very unique, I cannot even begin to say what it might appraise for or the amount it might garner in this auction,” said Ridley.

The two donated rifles represent the first line of products that Colt Defense and American firearm accessories maker, Magpul, have developed together. These rifles feature Colt’s popular 6920 Law Enforcement Carbine at the base, with several Magpul accessories added as standard equipment.

Magpul Original Equipment (MOE) additions featured on the LE6920MP rifles include the MOE Carbine Stock, MVG (MOE Vertical Grip), mid-length MOE Hand Guard, the Generation 2 Magpul Back-Up Sight (MBUS), MOE-K Hand Grip and MOE trigger guard. One donated rifle, the LE6920MP-B, has all Magpul parts in black, while the other (LE6920MP-FDE) features Magpul accessories in flat dark earth.

The Dan Wheldon Memorial Auction was established for the family of the late Dan Wheldon, two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, who died in a race accident on Oct. 16, 2011. The auction began when Graham Rahal, fellow IndyCar racer, offered to auction his own helmet, gloves and shoes worn in the race in which Wheldon died, to raise money for the family. To bid on these Colt firearms and contribute to the trust fund, please visit www.gunbroker.com/auction/SellerAuctions.aspx?User=2006466. The auction will close on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011.

About Colt Defense LLC
Colt Defense LLC is one of the world’s leading designers, developers and manufacturers of small arms weapons systems. The Company has supplied military, law enforcement and individual customers throughout the world for 175 years. Our subsidiary, Colt Canada Corporation, is the Canadian government’s Center of Excellence for small arms and is the Canadian military’s sole supplier of the C7 rifle and C8 carbine. The Company maintains manufacturing facilities in West Hartford, Connecticut and Kitchener, Ontario. For more information on Colt Defense LLC and its subsidiaries please visit www.colt.com.

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