RIAC's Sept. 6-8 Premier Auction Preview

Rock Island Auction Company's September 2019 Premier Firearms Auction will live up to their stellar reputation. Held September 6 – 8, the event is filled with world-class firearms, bladed weapons, and historic items certain to astound. Some of the notable groupings in the sale:

The Robert M. Lee Collection
The Mac McCroskie Collection
A Selection of Fine Arms from the Esteemed Larry Jones Collection
A Selection of S&W Icons from the Award Winning Ray & Sheryl Cheely Collection
Property from the Spenger’s Fish Grotto, Berkeley, CA Firearms Collection
Items from the John Ross Collection, author of the bestselling novel “Unintended Consequences”
Dick Salzer Collection
Ruby Bymaster Collection
Robert C. Chandler Collection
Gerald Klaz Collction
The Estate of James Frisbie
The TLC Collection
The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection

Colt Firearms

U.S. Military Contract E Company No. 120 U.S. Colt Model 1847 Walker Percussion Revolver: The Last Martial Colt Walker Manufactured and One of the Finest Martial Examples Extant

Exceptional Colt firearms will always be a staple at Rock Island Auction and in the September Premier they comprise six of the nine highest estimates of the sale. Serving as flagship will be a Colt Walker revolver, marked No. 120 from E Company, thus making it the last martial Colt Walker ever manufactured. Of similar importance will be a National Treasure 1860 Army revolver, lavishly engraved by Gustave Young, which served as a presentation piece from Colt to famed Union General George B. McClellan, Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Also of note will be an 1877 Colt “Bulldog” Gatling gun, Colt Single Action Army #37 from the Mel Torme Collection, numerous percussion revolvers in exquisite condition, and a host of early semi-automatics.

1880 Production Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Revolver with Factory Letter

U.S. Army Colt Model 1877 "Bulldog" Gatling Gun with Tripod

Winchester Repeating Arms

John Ulrich Signed Masterpiece: Factory No. 1 Engraved, Gold Inlaid and Carved Winchester Deluxe Model 1895 Takedown Lever Action Rifle Inscribed to Famed Western Author Zane Grey

The selection of Winchester Arms is a mix of rarity, artistry, and variety. One of the holy grails of Winchester collecting will be available to the collecting public, as RIAC proudly offers a historic and documented “Centennial 1876” single action U.S. Navy test revolver. Not only is it recognized as the rarest Winchester of all, but it also pioneered the independent swing-out cylinder. Standing shoulder to shoulder with this historic behemoth is the remarkable Winchester Model 1895 smothered in engraving and gold inlay by John Ulrich and inscribed to famed Western author Zane Grey. Other highlights include an early production, serial number 116, open-top Winchester 1876 First Model; a Winchester Model 12 shotgun serial number 2, a rare pre-production M1 Garand, and numerous special order and historic lever action rifles.

Smith & Wesson Revolvers

This sale will also contain the efforts of several collections of Smith & Wesson arms. First and foremost of these will be the well documented and NRA Silver Medal winning Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum that belonged to S&W Vice President Douglas B. Wesson, accompanied by a host of significant accouterments. RIAC will alsooffer the only surviving example of the four Triple Lock revolvers chambered in S&W .45 special, and submitted to the 1906 U.S. Army handgun cartridge trials.

Incredible Collector Firearms

World War II Singer Presentation/Tool Room/Prototype U.S. Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol

Matched Pair of E.H. Collier Second Model Revolving Flintlock Pistols

Dangerous Game Themed Engraved and Gold Inlaid 4 Bore Rodda & Co. Side by Side Hammer Double Barrel Rifle Owned by Noted Author John Ross

There are exciting possibilities for every interest. You may be interested to find the Confederate 12-pound field howitzer or several of the other historic Confederate pieces in the sale. If one seeks antiques, there will be the only known matched pair of Collier Second Model flintlock revolvers and a Belton four-shot repeating flintlock pistol accompanied by its wooden patent model up for sale. Military enthusiasts can find Georg Luger’s personal use, 7-shot prototype Baby Luger pistol, a pre-production Singer M1911A1 pistol, and even a 1902 American Eagle “Cartridge Counter” Luger.