RIAC December Premier Review
The momentum had been building all year. From the civilian Colt Walker that brought $1.8 million this April, to the powerful military vehicles and the masterpiece Winchester Model 1886 that found $1.18 million in…
The momentum had been building all year. From the civilian Colt Walker that brought $1.8 million this April, to the powerful military vehicles and the masterpiece Winchester Model 1886 that found $1.18 million in September, collectors were picking up speed all year and it finally came down to three exciting days in December. The 2018 December Premiere Auction at Rock Island Auction Company, held December 14-16, did not disappoint. The RIAC December Premiere realized a total of $18.3 million.
Within the first 45 minutes on Friday RIAC had sold a gorgeous Baby Paterson in lot 17 for $472,500, a semi-Deluxe Winchester 1886 in lot 39 for $138,000, as well as the high dollar item of the entire auction: a Winchester Model 1873 “One of One Hundred” rifle in lot 35. Documented as the last of the eight that were ever produced it brought about a suspense-filled round of bidding that soared past its $375,000 high estimate en route to $805,000. While Winchesters of all types – lever actions, Model 1890s, and modern lever actions – performed extremely well, other genres were not without their high performers, such as the rare Civil War Mont Storm patent carbine in lot 187 that more than quadrupled its $7,500 high estimate by bringing $34,500.
Day 2 would start no less enthusiastically. Just five lots into the auction, in lot 2005, a high art Winchester 1886, engraved, carved, inlaid, and signed by John Ulrich, went for $586,500. Only three lots later in lot 2008, a Briggs patent Henry rifle crossed the block to the tune of $195,000. It wasn’t until halfway through the day that the ornate Government Model in lot 2461 was offered. Smothered in master engraving by William Gough this engraved and gold inlaid work of art was serial number C5, a first day production, and was presented by Colt Agent Albert Foster Jr. to his attorney, James Bowen. The significance of an early model, the aesthetics, and the presentation were not lost on dedicated collectors who drove the final price to $241,500.
The final day of the year’s final auction would not go quietly into the night. Early action saw the Savage Model 1899 Monarch Grade rifle, an exhibition of the gunmaker’s art in lot 3127, best its $375,000 high estimate for a well-deserved $540,500. In lot 3600 was an item that emphasized rarity over artistry – a North American Arms Model 1911 pistol. With less than 100 ever produced, collectors clamored past the $95,000 high estimate and the pistol found a new caretaker for $218,500. Even the collection of air rifles performed admirably, with one Austrian made Girandoni-system rifle easily surpassing its $8,000 high estimate and, after a competitive bidding battle, was added to a new collection for $28,750.
The upcoming February Regional Auction (Feb 14-17) is another four day even that will offer nearly 10,000 guns, while the 2019 May Premiere is filling up nicely and will see more of the military vehicles that made such a splash in 2018 – even including a MiG 21 fighter jet! Not to mention that in 2019 RIAC will be hosting 11 different auctions; filling the months not already hosting a Premiere or Regional auction with one of their popular Online Only Auctions. Ever growing, the January 3, 2019 event is the largest Online Only Auction to date with over 1,000 lots.
Seeking Consignments for Our Upcoming Auctions:
Premiere: May 3rd ,4th & 5th, 2019
Online Only: March 28th, 2019
Regional: June 20th-23rd, 2019
Click here to view past and upcoming auctions.
