For its Sept. 5, 6, and 7 Firearms and Militaria Auction, Morphys rolled out the big guns, from coveted Kentucky rifles to Class 3 machine guns, ultimately closing the books at a resounding $6.34 million. Along the way, the 1,443-lot sale kept collectors engaged, as one historical highlight after another crossed the auction block. Class 3 weapons, a strictly-controlled group that includes machine guns and requires BATF approval prior to transfer, were led by an iconic Fabrique Nationale M249 Minimi (Squad Automatic Weapon) light machine gun. Serial-numbered E00037 and widely known to collectors as simply Number 37, it is the only fully transferable example of its particular model in the National Firearms Act Registry. The guns description in the auction catalog included this important point and added that the gun was accompanied by an original BATF-signed letter confirming its transferability to pre-approved individuals. In near-mint condition, the top prize of the three-day event attracted 21 bids before selling within its estimate range for $602,700. A world-record auction price for the model, it broke the previous machine gun auction record of $480,000 (Morphy Auctions, Nov. 16, 2022). Thomas B. Nelsons reference book The Worlds Submachine Guns (published 1963) lists only four observed specimens of a 9mm Parabellum Mauser Schnellfeuer Broomhandle machine pistol, a special-order gun introduced in 1932 and known as the Westinger model. While the exact number of extant examples of this particular model is not known, there is no argument as to the guns extreme rarity. One of the few known survivors was consigned to Morphys and presented in superlative original condition with a Mauser logo and other requisite markings. It opened at $15,000 and was bid aggressively to $63,960, exceeding its high estimate of $40,000. In achieving such a high price, it also set a world auction record for the model. We now hold more world-record auction prices for machine guns than all other auction houses combined, with more than ten machine gun models selling individually for prices in excess of $100,000, said Dan Morphy, president of Morphy Auctions. A fine relief-carved Berks County, Pa., flintlock swivel breech Kentucky rifle in .52 rifled caliber with a highly figured tiger-maple stock came with excellent documentation and provenance that linked its original ownership to a French trader and Indian language interpreter named Francis Duchouquet (1751-1831). The distinctive longarm was featured in a Kentucky Rifle Association educational display in June 2000, and its auction-catalog description noted that it is nearly identical to a rifle from the Joe Kindig Jr. collection that is pictured in Patrick Hornbergers reference book, Berks County Longrifle & Gunmakers. Most recently part of the Louie Parker collection, the auction gun sold above high estimate for $73,800. Every firearms auction at Morphys includes something special for Winchester fans. The September auction featured a Deluxe Winchester Model 1892 takedown lever-action rifle, .32 WCF FFL, that shipped from the factory in 1910. The original receipt from that transaction accompanied the rifle to auction, where it sold for $19,065 against an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. Some of the most sought-after firearms in the sale came from the revered collection of Dr. Jim Watson of Scottsdale, Ariz. One such highlight was a factory-engraved and silver-plated Colt .45-caliber Single-Action Army Revolver with matching serial numbers. A signed Colt Industries letter, which was included in the lot, confirmed that the manufacturer had shipped the gun in 1931 to Baldwin Bros., in New Orleans, for subsequent conveyance to Russek Bros. It sold within estimate for $29,520. After the auction, Dan Morphy remarked that he was extremely pleased with both the $6.34 million result and the collector enthusiasm for firearms at the top end. We have the best firearms team in the business. They leave no stone unturned in securing the finest fresh-to-the-market guns and historical material for our auctions, he said. With highlights like the Annie Oakley shotgun, the Berks County flintlock Kentucky rifle, and the extraordinary Class 3 weapons, whose rarity only increases with every specimen we sell, the September sale lineup lived up to the standards of investment-grade quality and rarity that todays collectors desire. All prices quoted in this postsale report are inclusive of buyers premium as detailed in Morphys Terms and Conditions. For additional information, email info@morphyauctions.com or visit www.morphyauctions.com. All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions.