Morphys Firearms And Militaria Auction
Model 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger Brought $150,000
October 30, 2026
A rare and desirable German WWII C G Haenel MKb.42(H) machine gun, the very first Sturmgewehr, soared to $270,600, and an equally hard-to-find German WWII MG-34 machine gun with matching bolt, barrel and amnesty form hit the mark for $150,000 in Morphy’s big Firearms and Militaria auction held Sept. 15 to 17. The sale featured nearly 1,200 lots of antique and collectible firearms and grossed $6.4 million.
The C G Haenel MKb.42(H) machine gun was the overall top lot of the auction, more than doubling its $120,000 high estimate. The weapon was a select-fire rifle that used an intermediate-size cartridge, able to fulfill many combat roles. This was an important historical development, as it meant soldiers could carry more readily-available ammunition and could quickly change between aimed fire and suppressing fire. Nearly all of the 8,000 to 12,000 units produced from 1942-43 were fielded to Russia, which is why so few are found in the United States. The one in the auction had a near-excellent original finish, with clean and attractive wood.
An Amnesty registered German MG-34 machine gun with matching visible numbers (including Bakelite butt, barrel and bolt) came from a collector with great foresight who acquired German WWII machine gun specimens more than 20 years ago. He was so forward-thinking that he had a noted machine gun dealer acquire and match three sets of correct barrels and bolts for it. Of all the MG-34 guns Morphy’s cataloger has handled, very few have had originally-matching barrels and bolts. Also, the gun was in a condition that every advanced German machine gun collector desires. The selling price was exactly twice the $75,000 high estimate.
A DWM Model 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger, representing one of the rarest, most desirable early semi-automatic pistols associated with United States military trials, sold within estimate for $116,850. Manufactured during a time when the U.S. Army was evaluating self-loading handguns to replace revolvers, these Lugers were among the most advanced and refined sidearms of the era. This weapon, Serial Number 22432, was one of about 50 pistols made for the U.S. Board of Ordnance during the 1902 to 1903 trials program. It was documented in “The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols” by Gortz and Sturgess.
An extremely desirable Japanese Type 100 machine gun, perhaps the most sought-after of all the Japanese machine gun models of WWII, finished above high estimate at $110,000. The gun was manufactured by Nagoya Arsenal and included one original magazine, a reproduction sling and a steel buttplate. Fewer than 6,000 of these Type 100 weapons were manufactured, and there aren’t many specimens listed in the National Firearms Act registry. Interest in Japanese machine guns is on the rise, especially now that suitable modern ammunition is obtainable.
An important prototype (or experimental) Colt 1851 Navy Conversion Single Action Revolver with a 7.5-inch octagonal barrel, brass pin front sight and early New York City address with dashes, changed hands within estimate for $56,580. This .38 CF caliber revolver was pictured on Page 112 of “The William M Locke Collection” by Frank Sellers and is almost certainly a one-of-a-kind prototype for the later factory conversions of the ’51 Navy and others that followed. The winning bidder saw this for what it was: an exceptional and exceedingly rare gun in great condition and a piece of Colt history.
A 2nd Model Confederate Morse single-shot carbine, manufactured at the State Military Works in Greenville, S.C., and chambered for its proprietary .50 Morse cartridge rang up $28,800 against a $15,000 high estimate. The serial number was located on the underside of the frame forward of the trigger guard, and the 20-inch-long round barrel had a diminutive drift adjustable front blade sight with dovetailed rear sight. The overall length was 39.5 inches. These rare little carbines are hardly ever encountered and seldom appear for public sale.
For additional information, visit www.morphyauctions.com.
All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions.
The C G Haenel MKb.42(H) machine gun was the overall top lot of the auction, more than doubling its $120,000 high estimate. The weapon was a select-fire rifle that used an intermediate-size cartridge, able to fulfill many combat roles. This was an important historical development, as it meant soldiers could carry more readily-available ammunition and could quickly change between aimed fire and suppressing fire. Nearly all of the 8,000 to 12,000 units produced from 1942-43 were fielded to Russia, which is why so few are found in the United States. The one in the auction had a near-excellent original finish, with clean and attractive wood.
An Amnesty registered German MG-34 machine gun with matching visible numbers (including Bakelite butt, barrel and bolt) came from a collector with great foresight who acquired German WWII machine gun specimens more than 20 years ago. He was so forward-thinking that he had a noted machine gun dealer acquire and match three sets of correct barrels and bolts for it. Of all the MG-34 guns Morphy’s cataloger has handled, very few have had originally-matching barrels and bolts. Also, the gun was in a condition that every advanced German machine gun collector desires. The selling price was exactly twice the $75,000 high estimate.
A DWM Model 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger, representing one of the rarest, most desirable early semi-automatic pistols associated with United States military trials, sold within estimate for $116,850. Manufactured during a time when the U.S. Army was evaluating self-loading handguns to replace revolvers, these Lugers were among the most advanced and refined sidearms of the era. This weapon, Serial Number 22432, was one of about 50 pistols made for the U.S. Board of Ordnance during the 1902 to 1903 trials program. It was documented in “The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols” by Gortz and Sturgess.
An extremely desirable Japanese Type 100 machine gun, perhaps the most sought-after of all the Japanese machine gun models of WWII, finished above high estimate at $110,000. The gun was manufactured by Nagoya Arsenal and included one original magazine, a reproduction sling and a steel buttplate. Fewer than 6,000 of these Type 100 weapons were manufactured, and there aren’t many specimens listed in the National Firearms Act registry. Interest in Japanese machine guns is on the rise, especially now that suitable modern ammunition is obtainable.
An important prototype (or experimental) Colt 1851 Navy Conversion Single Action Revolver with a 7.5-inch octagonal barrel, brass pin front sight and early New York City address with dashes, changed hands within estimate for $56,580. This .38 CF caliber revolver was pictured on Page 112 of “The William M Locke Collection” by Frank Sellers and is almost certainly a one-of-a-kind prototype for the later factory conversions of the ’51 Navy and others that followed. The winning bidder saw this for what it was: an exceptional and exceedingly rare gun in great condition and a piece of Colt history.
A 2nd Model Confederate Morse single-shot carbine, manufactured at the State Military Works in Greenville, S.C., and chambered for its proprietary .50 Morse cartridge rang up $28,800 against a $15,000 high estimate. The serial number was located on the underside of the frame forward of the trigger guard, and the 20-inch-long round barrel had a diminutive drift adjustable front blade sight with dovetailed rear sight. The overall length was 39.5 inches. These rare little carbines are hardly ever encountered and seldom appear for public sale.
For additional information, visit www.morphyauctions.com.
All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions.
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