In today's auction marketplace, few collecting categories can match the firepower of antique, vintage and collectible modern firearms. To answer the demand, Stephenson's in suburban Philadelphia is planning a Friday, Feb. 27, auction that includes a broad variety of sought-after firearms as well as edged weapons and militaria.
The core collection of handguns offered in the 300-lot auction comes from a single Philadelphia-area estate.
"We have dealt with this estate consignor before. It is the same source from which we received many of the long guns that were so popular in our last firearms auction," said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Bucks County-based Stephenson's Auctioneers.
Lot 908, an American Firearms .38 caliber pistol, was a personal defense weapon belonging to one of the 20th century's most high-profile American law-enforcement figures, Frank L. Rizzo (1920-1991). Rizzo rose through the ranks of Philadelphia's police force and ultimately became the city's police commissioner. He subsequently served two terms as mayor of the City of Brotherly Love. Throughout his career, Rizzo was known for his tough and unwavering stance against crime. His personal weapon of choice will be auctioned together with a letter of authenticity signed by Frank Rizzo Jr. It is entered in the sale with a $300-$500 estimate, but "might go much higher because of its provenance," said Stephenson.
Another semi-automatic pistol of note is Lot 932, a Stoeger American Eagle 9mm Luger. The seven-shot stainless steel gun has walnut grips and comes with a spare magazine and instructions manual. It is estimated at $600-$800. Also featured is Lot 925, a Fabrique Nationale Herstal Liege (Browning patent) semi-automatic .32 caliber pistol that might reach the $600-$1,000 range.
One of the sale's top-estimated items is Lot 959, a richly decorated 19th-century Ottoman Empire flintlock pistol. This 15.75-inch-long black-powder weapon is inlaid with silver-wire, brass and copper adornments. It is expected to make $2,000-$3,000 on auction day.
Lot 962 is a Navy Arms Co., .45 caliber single-shot black-powder rifle. It is stamped "Bennet" on the forestock and is also marked "Made in Italy, Pedersoli." Its presale estimate is $200-$300.
The second part of the auction is devoted to militaria, led by a single-owner collection of Nazi relics, with additional pieces sourced from several other consignors. The Nazi items include flags, helmets, uniforms and caps, daggers, rings, and several assault, combat and service medals. A $500-$800 estimate has been applied to Lot 1027, a World War II Nazi NCO master sergeant's uniform. It consists of wool pants and a wool tunic with epaulets, collar boards, a Nazi eagle breast patch and both EKII (2nd Iron Cross) and Ostemaille (Eastern Front) ribbons in the second buttonhole. The uniform also includes a field cap whose interior is marked "Otto-Schlientz-Uniformmotzen-Straubing, 1944."
Two Nazi cigarette cases will be offered in consecutive order. Lot 973 is a 1942 German Third Reich Kriegsmarine case with applied Nazi eagle and swastika logos, $200-$400, while Lot 974 is a Third Reich Luftwaffe cigarette case with applied eagle, swastika and paratrooper adornments, $250-$500. Lot 980 is a set of six forks, each monogrammed Waffen-SS, and the lot is group-estimated at $100-$200. The auction also includes World War II accessories and equipment, such as compasses, holsters, epaulets, a sextant and spyglass.
A wealth of swords, daggers, bayonets and other edged weapons follows a timeline that begins in the Civil War and runs through to the Iraqi Freedom campaign. Among the many quality choices in this category are Lot 1055, a Russian-made Shashka sword made for the Asian market, complete with scabbard, estimate $500-$800, and Lot 1047, a daunting Middle Eastern knife with an 11-and-5/8-inch Damascus blade and silver niello fittings, estimate $300-$500.
This large Firearms and Militaria auction will commence at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Bidders may also participate by phone, absentee or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable or AuctionZip. Stephenson's is a fully authorized and licensed seller of firearms, and in each of their Feb. 27 auction's catalog descriptions, prospective bidders may view clear and specific details regarding shipment of guns and any special restrictions that may apply.
Stephenson's gallery is located at 1005 Industrial Blvd., in Southampton, Pa.
For additional information, call 215-322-6182, email info@stephensonsauction.com, or visit www.stephensonsauction.com.
Images courtesy of Stephenson's.