Auction Recap: RIAC 2017 February Regional Firearms Sale

The 2017 February Regional Firearms Auction held by Rock Island Auction Company totaled over 10,000 collector firearms sold in four days. When the four-day event was finished, RIAC had sold over $8 million in firearms. This phenomenal result is further proof of a red-hot firearms collecting industry.

Gustloff-Werke "bcd/4" Code Model 98 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle in "Long Rail" Configuration SOLD $13,800

Day 1 of the auction began on Thursday. Lot 437, containing a Gustloff-Werke “bcd/4” Code Model 98 sniper rifle saw a winning bid of $13,800. Also popular was a collection of military rifles in lot 387. With one Mosin-Nagant sniper rifle, a Martini action, and two SVT rifles, it drew 43 sealed bidders and half a dozen live phone bidders, driving the realized price to $6,325.

Four Military Rifles SOLD $6,325

Colt M1911 pistols and U.S. military rifles also brought prices that exceeded recent market values. The top seller on Friday was a Henry rifle engraved with floral scroll and punch dots that achieved $23,000.

Scarce Colt Model 1855 Artillery Style Revolving Percussion Carbine SOLD $10,350

The third day of auction saw the ever popular Colts and Winchesters again resume center stage, with the exception of a S&W Model 320 revolving rifle and a Ford GPW Jeep that made their way into the day’s top sellers at $9,775 and $10,925, respectively. German World War II memorabilia enjoyed some protracted bidding battles, as did the derringers.

Engraved New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever Action Rifle SOLD $23,000

Day 4, a grouping of European military rifles had 35 bids before it came to the block and sold for $3,162. An AMC Auto Mag pistol with a 10-inch round barrel brought $8,050.