Milestones Premier Firearms Auction held March 22 and 23 chalked up a robust $1,550,000 after collectors took their pick from 1,187 antique, vintage and modern guns produced by revered American, European and Japanese arms manufacturers. There was something to please every firearms enthusiast, whether their preference was for storied Colts of the Old West, rare World War II weapons, or expertly-engraved shotguns. A bonus section of the sale was devoted to antique and vintage firearms-related advertising. It was from this specialty category that the auctions top lot emerged: a Winchester Repeating Arms Double W cartridge advertising board. This rarity originated with Wilson Hardware Co., East Main St., Eaton, Ohio, a firm that has been in business since 1867. The board was sent by Winchester in 1897 for display at Wilsons, where it was kept for more than 120 years. In original, unrestored condition, it underwent a professional cleaning, with every measure taken to ensure retention of the original patina on the board and its affixed shells. It sold midpoint of its estimate range, for $49,140. Prized Colts from throughout the legendary Connecticut companys 170-year history were up for bid. A near-mint Colt Frontier Six-Shooter Revolver, manufactured in 1878 in 44-40 WCF caliber, was nickel-plated with one-piece walnut grips. According to the accompanying Colt Archive letter, the gun was shipped in March 1878 to Spies Kissam & Co., a New York firm that would order blued guns from Colt and apply nickel directly over them. However, the guns were never buffed or finished after the nickeling process. According to Milestones research, there was a time during the 1800s when it was difficult, if not impossible, to order nickel-plated revolvers from Colt. The nickel was more durable and popular, so New York companies like Spies Kissam filled a need by nickeling guns that came to them directly from Colt. The revolver closed within its estimate range for $14,400. A later and also very desirable Colt, a 1992 Single Action Army revolver in .45 caliber was engraved and signed by Master Engraver Ben Shostle. It displayed many elegant touches, like double gold bands on the barrel breech and at the rear of the cylinder, and gold-inlaid line work and a high-relief inlaid bears head on the backstrap. A scrimshawed American Eagle appeared on the left panel of the grip. Presented in a deluxe French-fitted case, this handsome gun commanded $9,360 against an estimate of $3,000-$5,000. Two commemorative productions, in particular, captured bidders attention. The first was a Colt Bicentennial cased set consisting of a Colt Model 1848 Dragoon in .44 caliber percussion, a Colt Single Action Army revolver in .45 caliber, and a 357 Magnum Colt Python. Each of the three guns was in as-new condition with a special 1776-1976 Bicentennial logo on the left side of its barrel and a custom rosewood non-checkered grip adorned with the Great Seal of the United States. Housed in a red-velvet-lined, French-fitted three-drawer walnut cabinet, it was one of only 1,780 such sets produced in 1976. It reached the midpoint of its estimate range, selling for $7,897 A rare Imperial Japanese Type 35 naval rifle manufactured around 1945 was especially significant because of its lack of a serial number. These sorts of guns were made from left-over Type 35 barreled actions and Type 99 training rifle stock and sights, Milestones co-owner Miles King explained. The Japanese military pushed these guns into service to support their desperate, last-ditch war effort. They may have been made by Izawa under Kokua supervision, furthered King. Estimated at $1,200-$1,800, the Type 35 in Milestones sale rose to $4,095. A variety of choice sporting shotguns and rifles bore the names of such exalted brands as Winchester, Beretta, Remington, Browning, Parker Brothers, Sako, Ithaca, Marlin, Savage and more. One of the most popular entries was a Remington 11-48 Deluxe 28-gauge semi-automatic shotgun manufactured in 1952. Its panels were beautifully engraved with bird and dog scenes, and the top and bottom were scroll-engraved, following through to the top of the barrel. Its inlaid brass plate read J.H. 100th Anniversary M.F. & Co. 1952. Against an estimate of $3,000-$4,000, it outperformed expectations to reach $9,360. Another sporting highlight was a Winchester Model 1895 lever-action rifle manufactured in 1932, in 303 British caliber. Of blued finished steel with a brass bead blade-type front sight and installed Lyman #21 rear sight, it was stamped .303 BRITISH on the top of its barrel. The left side of the barrel was stamped NICKEL STEEL BARREL FOR SMOKELESS POWDER, and a two-line Winchester address was stamped on the receivers left side. It realized $4,680 against an estimate of $2,200-$3,000. To learn more, call Miles King at 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. All images courtesy of Milestone Auctions.