Rock Island Auction Company's (RIAC) 2015 December Premiere Firearms Auction is anchored by seven brilliant collections. The number of high condition, ornate, historic, rare, and artisan firearms spans across many genres. The Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Dec. 4, 5, and 6, sale will host over 2,800 lots containing over 3,000 firearms, not to mention the edged weapons, armor, military artifacts, and other accessories to be sold.
Four of the aforementioned collections are continuations Rock Island is proud to again host. The iconic Ralph Shattuck collection of German military arms is in its third installment and is a vast enough assemblage to still contain highly desirable items. The Walker West collection of antique Colts and Winchesters returns for a second showing of some of gun collecting's most prestigious and popular manufacturers. Also in its sophomore appearance is the Piedmont collection of world-class Kentucky flintlocks and high-end European arms, a collection with appeal on both sides of the Atlantic thanks to its spectacular, museum-quality selection of quintessentially American and European antique arms. Last and certainly not least is the G. S. Cooke collection of the finest Winchester Model 1885 rifles to come to auction. One look at the near new and mint condition finishes of this outstanding array is to know what these rifles looked like the day they came off the factory line.
The new collections appearing in this auction have much to live up to but more than meet the challenge. Three pieces from the esteemed Mac McCroskie collection will grace the facility, and while arms from the McCroskie collection are no stranger to RIAC, one never knows when the next pieces will be available to the public, making any showing of these superlative firearms a treat for any enthusiast. The collection of Ralf Eyster is also making a debut in this sale, with a number of impressive, high-condition, and embellished early Colt semiautomatic pistols. The largest of the newcomers, in both the number of items and the space required to house the visually arresting group, is without question the Royal Hunt collection of Imperial German hunting trophies. A collection of stately hunting mounts from Europe and Africa, it includes trophies from the personal collections of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Franz Josef, as well as from the Hohenzollern and Hapsburg dynasties and even the Rothschild and Eulenberg households. It has been assembled over 40 years with the help of the descendants of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Winchesters are featured in three of the seven collections, so the depth and abundance of these firearms should come as no surprise. This boon for collectors of Winchesters and pre-Winchesters is highlighted by a Winchester Model 1894 lever action that has been signed, elaborately engraved, and gold inlaid by master John Ulrich. With almost 400 Winchesters to choose from, the market is ripe for novice and experienced collectors alike.
Colts are also well-represented in the sale, with over 700 examples for collectors, investors, and shooters to add to their collections. With such an astounding number, every shape and size from the legendary manufacturer will be available: a diminutive No. 2 Paterson alongside lengthy sidehammer sporting rifles, a battle-scarred "A Company" Walker next to a pristine cased set of gold and silver inlaid No. 1 derringers, and of course a bountiful assortment of Colt wheelguns. Dedicated Colt collectors will be counting the days until our catalog is released and the full variety of Colts can be viewed in its entirety.
Foreign military aficionados will delight in not only the strong showing of German military pieces in the auction, but also a fine selection of Class III/ Title II machine guns from both World Wars. Of note are several early serial numbered Lugers, a stunning stocked 1930 Broomhandle, a German M30 drilling rifle with accessories and original metal case, an outstanding and crisp Borchardt Model 1893, a prototype of the Walther P-38, two rare "last ditch" German VG1.5 rifles, and even a watercolor painting by Adolf Hitler. Led by the Shattuck collection, this genre benefits yet again from the depth of that collection and the dedication of the collector.
Over 300 U.S. Military arms, spanning two centuries, provide a marvelous spread for enthusiasts of this ever-popular category, such as a Springfield Model 1875 officers model trapdoor rifle and an engraved Massachusetts Arms, Wesson & Leavitt dragoon revolver. Also to be sold will be a Springfield Morse centerfire conversion rifle; a breech loading Butterfield patent conversion carbine; and three different semiautomatic U.S. military rifles designed by J.C White. Perhaps rarity is the key, like the Colt Model 1909, SN 22, in .45 ACP; the Singer manufactured M1911A1 pistol; or the Serial no. 1, Confederate 12-stop revolver from the Augusta Machine Works. Many items in this auction are laden with documented histories.
High art pieces from antiquity will always have a home at RIAC. The Piedmont collection not only provides another installment of Golden Age Kentucky flintlocks, but also high art wheel lock pistols, stunning cased pistol sets, and other antiques with museums and world-class collections in their provenance. These distinguished pieces stand alongside stately and eloquent arms created by some of the world's premiere manufacturers and the smallest artisanal gunsmiths. Just like wondrously figured wood, finely engraved steel, and perfectly fitted parts all come together to form these enviable arms, so too does the variety shown here combine to create a sale worthy of attention of even the most discerning collectors.
A preview will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For further information, visit www.rockislandauction.com.