The numbers are in – Collectors followed the trail to Old West treasures, sporting favorites and American military triumphs at Milestone’s $1.5M Premier Firearms Auction

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Milestone’s March 22-23 Premier Firearms Auction chalked up a robust $1,550,000 after collectors took their pick from 1,187 antique, vintage and modern guns produced by revered American, European and Japanese arms manufacturers. There was something to please every firearms enthusiast, whether their preference was for storied Colts of the Old West, rare World War II weapons, or expertly-engraved shotguns. 

A bonus section of the sale was devoted to antique and vintage firearms-related advertising. It was from this specialty category that the auction’s top lot emerged: the finest of all known examples of a Winchester Repeating Arms “Double W” cartridge advertising board. This fabulous rarity originated with Wilson Hardware Co., East Main Street, Eaton, Ohio, a firm that has been in business since 1867. The board was sent by Winchester in 1897 for display at Wilson’s, where it was kept for more than 120 years. In original, unrestored condition, it underwent a painstaking professional cleaning, with every measure taken to ensure retention of the original patina on the board and its affixed shells. It found its sweet spot at the midpoint of its estimate range, selling for $49,140.

Prized Colts from throughout the legendary Connecticut company’s 170-year history were up for bid. A near-mint Colt Frontier Six-Shooter Revolver, manufactured in 1878 in 44-40 WCF caliber, was nickel-plated with one-piece walnut grips. According to the accompanying Colt Archive letter, the gun was shipped in March 1878 to Spies Kissam & Co., a respected New York firm that would order blued guns from Colt and apply nickel directly over them. However, the guns were never buffed or “finished” after the nickeling process. According to Milestone’s research, there was a time during the 1800s when it was very difficult, if not impossible, to order nickel-plated revolvers from Colt. The nickel was more durable and popular, so New York companies like Spies Kissam filled a need by nickeling guns that came to them directly from Colt. The revolver closed within its estimate range for $14,400.

A later and also very desirable Colt, a 1992 Single Action Army revolver in .45 caliber was engraved and signed by Master Engraver Ben Shostle. It displayed many elegant touches, like double gold bands on the barrel breech and at the rear of the cylinder, and gold-inlaid line work and a high-relief inlaid bear’s head on the backstrap. A scrimshawed American Eagle appeared on the left panel of the grip. Presented in a deluxe French-fitted case, this handsome gun commanded $9,360 against an estimate of $3,000-$5,000.

Two commemorative productions, in particular, captured bidders’ attention. The first was a Colt Bicentennial cased set consisting of a Colt Model 1848 Dragoon in .44 caliber percussion, a Colt Single Action Army revolver in .45 caliber, and a 357 Magnum Colt Python. Each of the three guns was in as-new condition with a special 1776-1976 Bicentennial logo on the left side of its barrel and a custom rosewood non-checkered grip adorned with the Great Seal of the United States. Housed in a red-velvet-lined, French-fitted three-drawer walnut cabinet, it was one of only 1,780 such sets produced in 1976. It reached the midpoint of its estimate range, selling for $7,897

A Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 40, .38 Special revolver was known as a “Centennial Model” because of its having been introduced in 1953, the manufacturer’s 100th year. It had been custom ordered and engraved with the name “Cecil R. King,” who served 14 terms as a Member of the US House of Representatives from California’s 17th District (San Francisco Bay Area), finishing his service in 1974. Accompanied by an excellent factory box and a Smith & Wesson factory letter, it exceeded its high estimate to sell for $4,797.

Military weapons followed a 250-year timeline that started in the American Revolutionary War era and concluded with the Vietnam War. In between, there are Civil War weapons, guns from the Indian Wars, and an outstanding selection of World War II American, Nazi German, and Japanese arms. Leading the latter group was a Walther PPK 32 ACP caliber Police Model pistol manufactured in late 1940. “Walther” and a two-line address with the caliber “Mod PPK” were shown on the left side of slide, and an Eagle over Swastika C mark appeared on the left side of the frame. A very nice example that came with its correct serial-numbered factory box, owner’s manual and cleaning kit, it settled above its high estimate, at $6,600.

A rare Imperial Japanese Type 35 naval rifle manufactured around 1945 was especially significant because of its lack of a serial number. “These sorts of guns were made from left-over Type 35 barreled actions and Type 99 training rifle stock and sights,” Milestone’s co-owner Miles King explained. “The Japanese military pushed these guns into service to support their desperate, ‘last-ditch’ war effort. They may have been made by Izawa under Kokua supervision.” Estimated at $1,200-$1,800, the Type 35 in Milestone’s sale rose to $4,095.

A variety of choice sporting shotguns and rifles bore the names of such exalted brands as Winchester, Beretta, Remington, Browning, Parker Brothers, Sako, Ithaca, Marlin, Savage and more. One of the most popular entries was a Remington 11-48 Deluxe 28-gauge semi-automatic shotgun manufactured in 1952. Its panels were beautifully engraved with bird and dog scenes, and the top and bottom were scroll-engraved, following through to the top of the barrel. Its inlaid brass plate read “J.H. 100th Anniversary M.F. & Co. 1952.” Against an estimate of $3,000-$4,000, it outperformed expectations to reach $9,360.

From Italy, a high-quality Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon II 20/28-gauge Combo Edition over/under shotgun was produced in 2008, with no fine detail overlooked. Its design included blued finished barrels with white front and silver mid-beads, and its decorative qualities also spoke to the premier reputation of its manufacturer. The receiver was embossed and fully engraved with bird scenes, scroll-engraved under the bottom, and further engraved with the words “P. BERETTA SILVER PIGEON II J.E.G. SPECIAL” (Joel Etchen Guns). Accompanied by its custom hard case and 12 choke tubes, it surpassed its high estimate to retire at $5,520.

Another sporting highlight was a Winchester Model 1895 lever-action rifle manufactured in 1932, in 303 British caliber. Of blued finished steel with a brass bead blade-type front sight and installed Lyman #21 rear sight, it was stamped “.303 BRITISH” on the top of its barrel. The left side of the barrel was stamped “NICKEL STEEL BARREL FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and a two-line Winchester address was stamped on the receiver’s left side. It realized $4,680 against an estimate of $2,200-$3,000.

View Milestone’s March 22-23, 2025 New Year’s Premier Firearms Auction catalog and prices realized at Milestone’s website. To discuss consigning antique, vintage or modern firearms, gun-related advertising, or militaria to a future Milestone auction, please call Miles King at 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. Whether you have a single item or an entire collection, Milestone would be pleased to hear from you. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. https://www.milestoneauctions.com/