Investment and Collecting Opportunities at Rock Island Auction Company’s April Premiere Auction
Moline, IL – -(AmmoLand.com)- Rock Island Auction Company announces the next Premiere Firearms auction to be held at their facilities in Moline, IL. The huge success of our regional sale ($2.2 million) proves that people are investing in what they know: firearms are solid investments that hold value through economic downturns. Investing and collecting opportunities abound at Rock Island’s fantastic Spring Premiere Auction to be held April 25th, 26th and 27th. At a time when the stock market changes daily, gun collectors are seeing the worth of their investments. Hard assets are the place to invest your money and gun values continue to rise. This auction has firearms for every level of collecting and investing from Colts to Winchesters, military to Class III and the hundreds of high quality sporting arms. Rock Island’s continued sell through rate of over 97% proves that items that come to RIAC are for sale and now is your chance to make a solid investment.
Three prominent collectors will be featured in the April Auction. The second part of the Will Hoffeld estate and firearms collection – a massive old time collection that is rarely seen today. Will Hoffeld was a well know and respected collector known for his detailed collecting of Colts and Colt Brevetes. A rare Colt holster model Paterson revolver No. 5 or “Texas Paterson” revolver ($80,000 – $120,000) is one of the four Patersons in this auction and is a fine example of his grand collection. Over 700 Colts are in this sale! Nearly 25 engraved single action army’s, led by a special order cased Abercrombie & Fitch custom engraved and gold inlaid Colt single action army revolver with steer head grips and extra cylinder dedicated to the author Andy Adams (estimate $18,000-$30,000). Other exceptional Colts include a flattop double action model 1878 frontier revolver serial number 1 ($35,000 – $85,000) and nine inspected Colts including an outstanding Ainsworth inspected U.S. Colt model 1873 cavalry revolver with Kopec letter ($30,000-$50,000).
The Spring sale has great opportunities for the Sharps collector. The final installment of the Frank and Karen Sellers Collection will be offered. Frank Sellers, a respected Sharps expert, was the author of Sharps Rifles and over 20 other books. This auction will not only offer firearms from his collection, but also rare and unusual parts, patent models, and other items from this important gathering. Some of the outstanding Sharps to be auctioned include a rare Sharps model 1877 No. 1 long range rifle (estimate $27,500 – $42,500) and a rare Sharps model 1850 rifle with Robertson and Simpson breech block (estimate $16,000 – $25,000). A C. Sharps Model 2B four barrel pepperbox pistol with magnificent relief carved ivory eagle grips (estimate $6,500 – $9,000) is among the many fine sharps handguns in this auction.
Over 350 Deringers! One of the finest Deringer collections to come to auction including over 50 high condition Henry and Philadelphia Deringers. A rarity at auction – an extremely rare engraved Butterfield patent self-priming deringer pistol (estimate $50,000 – $75,000). Other exceptional Henry deringers include a magnificent silver mounted/gold inlaid cased engraved pair of exhibition quality Henry deringer percussion pocket pistols ($45,000 – $65,000) and a superb cased, engraved and gold banded pair of Henry deringer percussion pistols with coin silver furniture ($40,000 – $60,000). Many rare antique deringers and curio type weapons include Chicago palm pistols, Remington vest pocket pistols, Frankenau’s patent change purse revolver and an extremely rare, presentation, Morrill, Mosman and Blair cutlass pistol with inscribed scabbard ($16,000 – $22,500).
The only factory documented 50/100 caliber Winchester model 1886 deluxe take-down lever action rifle with R.L. Wilson and George Madis letters of authenticity (estimate $60,000 – $90,000) is just one example of the quality of Winchesters to be offered, over 250 in total. Others include an exceptional and extremely rare Winchester Model 1886 musket with bayonet in mint condition ($50,000 – $80,000) and an exceptional Winchester Panel-Engraved Model 1866 Carbine ($45,000 – $65,000).
An outstanding collection from the Indian Wars contains fine trapdoors, Smith & Wessons, Colts, Remingtons and documented Custer battlefield relics. This collection has a very rare and historical Indian War silver presentation medal for valor ($20,000 – $30,000), unique framed 19th century Native American ledger drawings – all Kepi’s in the drawing show “7th” Cavalry and a documented 7th Cavalry trooper’s ring recovered from the Battle of Little Bighorn ($5,000 – $10,000). Firearms include an outstanding U.S. Springfield Model 1873 carbine in 7th Cavalry serial number range ($15,000 – $25,000), a rare U.S. Springfield Model 1877 trapdoor carbine and a Custer Era U.S. Springfield model 1873 trapdoor Carbine with Indian alterations and decoration.
Over 600 European, Japanese and U.S. military items will be offered including firearms from the Scott Meadows collection. A knowledgeable collector in his field, Scott Meadows is the author of U.S. Military Automatic Pistols Volume 1 & 2. His WWII U.S. Model 1911A1 Union switch and signal “presentation” pistol serial number 9 with box is one of the examples of the dozens of rare, experimental, and prototype 1911’s in this auction. Nearly 200 1911’s and Colt early automatics as well as 8 historical general officers pistols led by historical general Curtis LeMay’s U.S. contract Colt .380 caliber model M pistol with general officer belt and holster ($25,000 – $35,000).
WWII firearms and items include an exceptional WWII J.P. Sauer M30 Luftwaffe survival drilling with case ($17,000 – $22,500) and a deluxe, engraved, pre-war Walther model PPK pistol. Many posters with WWII U.S. propaganda themes will also be offered. An excellent WWII ‘U.S. Property’ marked M1A1 auto-ordnance Thompson sub machine gun with accessories is one of several Class III items in this sale. This auction also has over 25 M1 Grands and Carbines, U.S. Krag’s, Johnson’s, V-42 Stilettos, and an excellent Springfield model 1879 Trapdoor Carbine ($14,000 – $22,500).
Rich history is found in the Civil War items including a custom engraved Remington new model navy percussion revolver with ivory grips (estimate $12,000 – $14,000) and an excellent Zouave percussion rifle with bayonet. Also offered are unique engraved ivory Confederate field glasses attributed to Terry’s Texas Rangers ($5,000 – $10,000) and a fine Civil War Henry lever action rifle ($30,000 – $40,000) which is one of 7 Henry rifles and 3 Volcanic pistols in this auction.
Many quality edged weapons are included in this sale. A magnificent cased Joseph Rodgers & Sons exhibition quality bowie knife is just one of the 20 spectacular ornate and rare Bowie knives in this sale. Over 50 swords will be in this auction, with an outstanding Ames regulation staff and field officers sword presented to Ulysses S. Grant’s Vice President, Col. Henry Wilson.
Rock Island’s April sale boasts the largest grouping of small bore shotguns ever offered! Over 100 .410 gauge, over 100 20 gauge, over 50 28 gauge and over 30 16 gauge! With Over 600 exceptional shotguns and sporting arms this auction has something for every level of collecting from quality hunting and target practice firearms to collectable high end sporting arms! Some fine examples include an extremely rare engraved Parker Brothers model AH double barrel boxlock shotgun in 28 gauge (estimate $45,000 – $70,000, a cased M. Ghidini engraved Famars Venus Prestige .410 sidelock double barrel shotgun ($20,000 – $35,000) and a master engraved Olaf Weill Merkel Model 303EL 28 gauge over and under shotgun ($14,000 – $20,000). Over 100 Brownings will be offered as well as shotguns from Aguirre & Aranzabal, Beretta, Browning, Churchill, Cogswell & Harrison, Holland & Holland, Ithaca, JP Sauer, Purdy, Remington, L.C. Smith, Winchester and many more!
Several rare double barrel rifles are part of the outstanding sporting arms in this auction including a special order cased engraved gold inlaid exhibition grade Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Co. Model 21 ($30,000 – $50,000). Also in this auction is an entire collection of Winchester model 70,s many in rare calibers and a complete Browning Centennial set ($8,000 – $10,000). An example of the fine sporting pistols to be included is an exceptional factory engraved Colt Pre-Woodsman .22 Caliber Semi-automatic pistol with box carrying a presale estimate of $22,500 – $30,000.
In its entirety, over 2700 quality lots will be offered April 25th, 26th and 27th by Rock Island Auction Company. With a 97% sell through rate over the past 5 years, items in this auction are for sale. Start an investment or fill a hole in your collection, this auction’s diversity, rarity and quality will have what you are looking for. Call now 800-238-8022 to order your two-volume full-color two-volume catalogue or view it online at www.rockislandauction.com.