Auction Preview: Morphy June Firearms Sale

DENVER, Pa. _ Morphy Auctions’ annual Firearms Sales Event will take place June 9-10. Bdding starts promptly at 9 a.m. each day. All lots from are on display in Morphy's Denver auction gallery and available for preview now.

Highlights include a presentation Winchester Henry rifle given to Wells Fargo detective James Hume, the man responsible for bringing in the notorious Black Bart. Also on offer are several volumes of related provenance and his original gold badges. Another important rifle is a silver-mounted Daniel Searles of Baton Rouge, inscribed and given to Robert Anderson, commander at Fort Sumter. It features gold and platinum bands around the breech and muzzle.

This sale presents a number of important Bowie Family items that include provenance from direct descendants. These include a miniature portrait on ivory of Rezin Pleasant Bowie and his own personal silver-mounted rifle by Bartlett and inlaid with a large silver alligator on the buttstock.

More than 30 of the best-known Bowie knives in existence, including the largest known “Improved Pattern” Schively along with seven others, will be up for bids. Many examples are from world renowned collections and have been extensively studied and documented.

The sale also features a fine collection of Southern made and retailed Deringers and rifles, including a silver and gold mounted Searles-made Deringer presented to Stephen Henderson, who was the recipient of one of the original Searles Bowie knives. Other examples include a large pair of Deringer pistols by Libeau of New Orleans, a silver and gold-mounted Deringer retailed by Hyde & Goodrich, a scarce American dueling pistol by Searles & Fitzpatrick, and several other important pistols. Also offered is an ornate silver and gold mounted rifle by Fitzpatrick, another important and early Bowie knife maker.

More than 100 swords spanning all time periods and countries will be offered for edged weapons collectors. Highlights include a 1st Model Virginia Manufactory Cavalry saber, several Scottish basket hilts, fine eagle hilts, and a well-known Napoleonic Prince of Wales presentation sword. Other accessories offered include a large collection of powder flasks and powder horns. One of the most significant horns is engraved with a depiction of Fort Ontario and dates from the French and Indian War. There is also a variety of uniforms, helmets and headgear from many different countries and periods of history.

The offering of deluxe and high grade Winchesters is the company’s largest to date. A one-of-a-kind nickel plated Broomhandle Mauser given by Kaiser Wilhelm to Captain Von Luckner, World War I’s most decorated German Naval hero.

Included in the sale are a Napolese Bira Gatling gun, a high condition assortment of Colt 1911s and Luger pistols, and a vast offering of both military and Wild West-era memorabilia. There is also three of the earliest boxed Colt Pythons — one in factory nickel, a selection of London doubles with several early and unique examples, a large collection of 19th century Smith & Wesson revolvers including a Wells Fargo, numerous pre-war boxed Colt revolvers, a collection of early high grade Mannlicher Schoenauer sporting rifles, and a collection of Colt automatics.

Internet pre-bidding is available at www.morphyauctions.com.