The selection of rare firearms at a Rock Island Auction Company’s Premiere Auction will have participants from around the globe vying for the historic guns. The spring auction to be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 29, 30 and May 1, will consist of over 2,600 lots. It is difficult to remember a time when so many rare, prototype, and ornate guns were in the Rock Island facility.
This sale is anchored by six carefully assembled collections, four of which have appeared in previous RIAC auctions. The Royal Hunt collection of mounts taken by some of the most powerful men in the world at the turn of the 19th century, returns for a second installment featuring regal and historic taxidermy with noble provenance. The Piedmont collection of stunning Kentucky rifles and ornate high art antiques also makes a second showing, and leads the way for the over 850 items in this sale. In a staggering third appearance, truly an indication of the breadth and depth of the assemblage, is the Walker West collection of Colts and Winchesters with more of the pristine, iconic American firearms that collectors love. The Putnam Green/Sycamore collection is no newcomer to RIAC auctions, and will provide interest to collectors of German military items from WWII. These historic pieces of militaria include high condition original uniforms, rare helmets, among other items.
One of the new offerings to the market in this auction will be the Dr. Peters collection showcasing a large amount of historic Civil War weapons, and other fascinating arms from 19th century manufacturers, both the well-known and the obscure. It is a wide array of designs that shaped our country and others that never achieved the fame and fortune their creators sought. Last, and certainly not least, is the well anticipated, extraordinary, and expansive Robert "The Bear" Bretherton collection.
The Bretherton collection cannot be narrowed to a single genre, but it can be summarized with a single word: incredible. Appropriately, the word implies a sense of awe, and it also suggests that something cannot be believed. According to Lance Dillie of RIAC, this collection is beyond belief. With an emphasis on European semi-automatic arms, the collection hosts a medley of rare prototypes, experimental firearms, opulently decorated high art weapons, and so much more, all in the very highest of condition. Original finishes over a century old look as if they left the factory yesterday, and precious metals glint and glean enticing wandering eyes just as they did in decades past. Rock Island Auction Company is proud to bring this prestigious bounty of arms, never before seen in its entirety, to the collecting public.
Winchesters
When three of the top four firearms in the entire auction are Winchester and Henry rifles, it's a good sign for aficionados of high condition, iconic, lever guns. The most talked about arm of the auction thus far, appearing in Lot 1025, has earned itself the front cover spot on Volume I of this auction's catalog among many other places. It is an outstanding and historic Winchester Model 1886, serial number 1, presented to Captain Henry Ware Lawton for his capture of the Apache leader Geronimo, accompanied by his presentation watch and chain. A close runner-up comes nine lots later in 1034, and is a Hoggson engraved, first model Henry rifle with a lustrous gold plate finish. Other high condition examples abound in nearly every model, miraculously still in excellent condition. The Winchester 1876 “One of 1,000” rifle has not been seen by the collecting public since 1966.
Colts
There are over 500 Colts in the sale such as new and near new pre-war Single Action Army revolvers in their original boxes that must be seen to be believed. There are scores of stunning cased Colt revolvers smothered in the finest of factory embellishments, surprising rarities, and firearms with outstanding histories. One Colt that embodies all those qualities is the nickel plated, pearl gripped, Cuno Helfricht engraved Single Action Army in Lot 1251 that was a single gun shipment in 1917 to the extraordinary Texas cattle baron A. B. "Sug" Roberson, and has remained in his family ever since. Other Colt highlights will include a stunning early-1912 production Model 1911, a lavish factory engraved and silver plater Model 1851 Navy bearing a rare Tiffany grip as photographed in “The Book of Colt Engraving,” and the flagship of the entire auction: Lot 1222's spectacular and historic presentation cased, factory engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket inscribed to the leader of the Latter Day Saints and the Governor of the Utah Territory, Brigham Young.
Foreign Military
Led by the aforementioned Robert "The Bear" Bretherton collection, the selection of foreign military arms in this auction is unrivaled in its size, rarity, and condition. Scarce early models and seldom seen prototypes have been kept in pristine condition for decades awaiting their unveiling at this tremendous event. Among the stars is a rare Walther prototype "Armee-Pistole" with its matching shoulder stock, and the first production Walther G41. There will also be a rare Walther self-loading sheet metal prototype rifle, serial #3. A vast array of quality German, Japanese, and European weapons will be sold. There will be long arms, handguns, machine guns, and uniforms.
U.S. Military
Not to be outdone by the foreign military selection, the variety and condition of the U.S. Military arms in this auction spans centuries of weapons used by our nation's men-at-arms. From battle tested Civil War arms, such as a scarce Confederate Leech and Rigdon revolver in Lot 1102, to significant models of the 1911 including a gorgeous Singer manufactured version in Lot 3626, this auction will astound bidders. Attracting the most attention at the numerous shows and conventions RIAC attend have been a selection of rifles intimately involved in the competition to be the U.S. standard service rifle. Lot 1649 is a rare 1931 dated Springfield rifle serial number 15, that would eventually become the M1 Garand, chambered in .276, and labeled as "T3E2." It will appear next to its primary competition, a Pedersen rifle, as well as the extremely rare Pedersen GX prototype, serial number 1, which used a Garand action - only 12 of which were ever made. Astute collectors of this popular genre will be awaiting this sale with bated breath.
For further information, visit www.rockislandauction.com.