Morphy’s to unleash bonanza of fine firearms, militaria and Part II of celebrated Paul Friedrich arms and Gold Rush collection, May 7-10

DENVER, Pa. – Collecting elite firearms and militaria is an interest that has captivated crowned heads, presidents and history buffs for centuries. The study of such weaponry is one thing, but having the opportunity to acquire premier examples – especially those associated with immortal figures and world-changing events of the past – is quite another. That is the premise for Morphy’s auction marathon of incomparable military, civilian and sporting arms slated for May 7-10, with an opening session devoted exclusively to Part II of the Paul Friedrich collection.

By choice, Paul Friedrich (1943-2022) was a man of another era, enchanted by the romance of America’s Old West and Gold Rush days. He lived it, loved it and collected it. Throughout his 60+ years of amassing stellar firearms and artifacts, Paul focused intently on quality, rarity and careful historical research to support his purchases’ authenticity. Part I of his time capsule of historical American arms and objects, which was offered in a boutique auction at Morphy’s last October 25th, realized a hefty $3.4 million, with a Winchester “1 of 1,000” 1876 lever-action rifle leading the lineup at $344,400. There will be more treasures of the same high “caliber” for collectors to pursue in the May 7 session.

The Friedrich collection features some of the most important Colts and Winchesters ever to reach the marketplace. A prime example is the pair of extraordinarily rare and outstanding pre-WWII exhibition-engraved and gold-inlaid Colt Officers Model Double-Action Revolvers in a Deluxe French-style case. Accompanied by Colt factory letters, copies of descriptions from their sale at Little John’s auction house, plus other documentation.

Another gem is the documented .44-40-caliber smoothbore Nimschke-engraved Colt Lightning magazine rifle that was custom-made and inscribed for a member of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. It was factory-shipped in 1888, as a shipment of one gun, to Schoverling, Daly & Gales in New York also includes a Colt factory letter and other documentation.

A John Ulrich factory-engraved, nickel-plated Deluxe Winchester Model 1876 lever-action rifle was built in 1882 and chambered in .45-60 caliber. One of only 709 made with plating and one of only 127 with factory engraving, its action is stamped ‘J. ULRICH’ behind the trigger. This Winchester ’76 comes to auction with a 1981 factory letter, photographs, and an advertisement.

The May 8-10 Firearms & Militaria sessions contain many once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunities, like the pair of factory-engraved Colt 1851 Navy Revolvers commissioned and purchased by Victor Emmanuel II, first King of Italy, for presentation to General Alessandro Negri di Sanfront. The serial numbers indicate the guns were made circa 1853, at the beginning of the Colt London era. The guns are presented in a case inscribed with the Crown of Savoy complete with di Sanfront’s calling card and a postcard depicting the general, this pair of guns.

Another top prize is the fabulous high-condition original US Army-purchased Colt Model 1875 “Long Model” Gatling gun (.45-70 Government caliber) on its original field carriage, in a display case. Serial numbered “130” and one of 44 such guns purchased by the Army, it is unquestionably one of the finest to reach the auction marketplace in the last 25 years. It has matching numbers on the bolts and barrels, with the number “47” on the frame. Its line of provenance includes being gifted to Lafayette College’s class of 1952 by future businessman, philanthropist and 63rd US Secretary of the Treasury William Simon (1927-2000), who was a member of that year’s graduating class.

An important, documented, early flintlock Kentucky longrifle attributed to gunsmith John Walker is identified to James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851), author of Last of the Mohicans. Scrupulous research by the rifle’s former co-owners, Ed Louer and Gordon Barlow, concluded it was made in the mid-18th century in Augusta County, Virginia., for a mountain man named Jack Hays. Family history says it was used in the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812 before being given to Cooper in the early 19th century. It will be accompanied by its original ramrod, paperwork and other provenance.

Outstanding and extremely scarce, a Parker Brothers AAHE 28-bore side-by-side shotgun with 26-inch barrels is a Grade 7 gun, a type that is second only to Parker’s A1 Specials and legendary Invincibles. Per the serial number, this shotgun was made circa 1920. Its central vignette reads PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CT. U.S.A. WHITWORTH STEEL. 

Originating north of the border, a scarce North American Arms 1911 .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol is one of just over 100 original prototype (tool room sample) pistols produced by the Quebec City (Canada) manufacturer under a 1918 contract to the US Ordnance Department. Marked with serial #97, the pistol is mechanically excellent.

A desirable 8mm Nagoya Arsenal (Japan) Type 100 machine gun with its original magazine was registered on May 3, 1946 for importation from the “Pacific Theatre of Operations.” It retains its original 1946 US Treasury Dept IRS form stating the gun has been rendered “non-serviceable.” It is among the best specimens of its type to emerge in 20+ years and is fully transferrable upon approval from the BATF. 

Another Japanese highlight is the excellent Horikawa school katana signed Dewa Daijo Fujiwara Kunimichi, with a sayagaki written and signed by Honma Junji, and Tokubetsu Kicho papers. It has the distinction of appearing in Dr Junji’s Kanto Hibi Sho, Vol. II. The blade length is 28.5 inches, and its overall length is 39 7/16 inches. A desirable katana from a revered Shinto smith, it has a line of provenance that includes a March 2006 sale at Christie’s.

An artful addition to the sale is an early 20th-century Joseph Winn Fiske life-size zinc and cast-iron statue of a regal elk. More than a century ago, elk statuary appeared as installations in city parks or public places, often underwritten by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. Unfortunately, many such statues were scrapped for wartime metal drives. The auction example is one of few known and is identical to a Fiske elk sold by Sotheby’s in 2016 for $225,000.

There is so much more to entice collectors at Morphy’s May 7, 2024 auction of Part II of the Paul Friedrich Firearms and Gold Rush Collection Part II and the company’s May 8-10 Firearms & Militaria Auction. All sessions will be held live at the company’s Denver, Pennsylvania gallery, starting each day at 9am ET. All forms of remote bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Morphy Live. Questions: call 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.