Rock Island Auction Company, proudly announces their Spring Premier Firearms Auction 2012. After two decades organizing auctions, Company claims that this year auction will be the first great firearms auction of the decade. Rock Island Premier Firearms Auction which will be held on Friday, April 20th thru Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, will include examples for every level of collector.
Over 700 Colts will be available at upcoming spring auction, with some of the most significant Colts ever assembled into one auction. This time, we single out two models: Serial Number 1 Exhibition Engraved and Cased Colt Navy Cartridge Revolver and Colt No.3 model Peterson revolver.
Colt, serial no. 1 exhibition engraved and cased Colt Navy cartridge revolver was the direct predecessor to the Colt 1873 Single Action Army making it the first cartridge revolver ever made by Colt. The revolver is profusely engraved, and inscribed on the back strap and presented by Colt to Lewis Sheldon Colt Paymaster during the Civil War. It has remained in possession of the Sheldon family for 141 years until it was placed on consignment with the RIAC this spring.
Colt No.3 model Peterson revolver with full complement of accessories takes the top estimate of $275,000-$450,000. This revolver has special value for firearm collectors, because it was the first model handcrafted by Samuel Colt, and because presentation Paterson pistols are of the rarest commodity known to firearms collectors this may be a once in a lifetime chance to own one.
When it comes to to collectors of vintage military firearms, there is something for them also. Spring Premier Firearms Auction is offering the finest collection of Lugers in their history featuring many presentation Lugers including a cased 1902 carbine presented by Georg Luger ($90,000-$140,000), an ultra rare GL prototype baby Luger ($65,000-$95,000), one of two known Hitler Night Guard pistols with flashlight attachment ($75,000-$150,000), and many other rare, high conditioned, presentation and historic Lugers.
Another piece that deserves to be mentioned is the 1861 Navy revolver with battle scene Tiffany grips, which was in the procession of President Pierola of Peru. The notable feature would include the silver Thuer conversion with LD Nimschke factory engravings on it, which speaks of its special origin. The price estimated for this one is around the range of $120,000 and $160,000.
Also, more than 350 Winchesters are featured in this historic sale. We single out just a few. The first true Winchester, a Briggs Patent Henry Rifle is estimated to bring $180,000-$275,000. This rifle represents the first attempt of Oliver Winchester to improve upon the Henry rifle from the dissolved New Haven Arms Co., but was quickly outdated by the Kings patent improvement making the Briggs patent rifles obsolete. Less than 10 of these rare rifles are known to exist. Another rare Winchester to be featured is the Model 1876 Centennial revolver ($90,000-$150,000). This is the only known example of this prototype and showcases some of the most advanced firearm designs of the time. Two examples of the highly collectible 1 of 1,000 are offered in this sale: a Model 1873 with factory documentation has an estimate of $150,000-$275,000, and a documented Model 1876 with scarce 30- inch barrel is expected to bring $120,000-$180,000.
The Rock Island Gun Show will be held on April 20-22, 2012 at the Rock Island Auction Company and is hosted by the Rock Island Auction Company of Illinois. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding. [Rock Island Auction Company]
