RockIslandAuction

Cowboy action shooting is a great, fun way to put some lead downrange, meet new folks, compete, and to become more familiar with the classic firearms that helped shape America. Last time, Jacob Millichamp showed us three of the most popular shotgun options for cowboy action shooting matches. Now, he shows us three revolvers that'd he be happy to sling in his holsters any day.

Winchester rifles have long been a staple offering at Rock Island Auction Company. The classic Model 1873 and its developmental big brother, the Model 1876, are a must-have addition to any gun collection. In our February Auction there are over 40 Model 1873 Winchesters to choose from in a wide swath of variants: saddle ring carbines, rifles, muskets, .22 caliber versions, first models, antiques, deluxe, engraved, and loads of special order features. The 1876s number right around a dozen, and also bring their share of variety with second models, engraving, deluxe models, saddle ring carbines, antiques and more. Those looking to enter into the wide world of Winchester collection have a wonderful opportunity to do so.

Colt Walkers are fine arms collecting royalty and their recent sales numbers are a testament to that fact. So why does Colt Walker C Co. #10 represent such a surprising value? Because, for its five-figure estimate, one lucky collector gets the oldest known Walker with serialized matching parts, a piece of Colt history, Texas history, American history, Texas Ranger history, and one of the first Colt firearms EVER MADE.

Early Winchester rifles helped shape the country and tame the frontier. Their predecessors helped push firearm design and even served in the American Civil War. If you've ever wanted one to call your own, RIAC's Sporting & Collector Auctions are the place to go. Lead Historian Seth Isaacson walks us through a few of the steps in the Winchester story that represent a sampling of the significant selection in our February 14-17 Sporting & Collector Auction.

Only 288 Savage Model 1907 in .45 ACP were made for the 1907 Pistol Trials. They are a rare bird for collectors of U.S. military arms, early semi-autos, and 1911 pistols. In our auctions we've seen them break the $30,000 mark, but this February is a chance to add one to your collection at a price point that demands attention. This one was part of a world-class Savage Collection, was featured in THE book on Savage pistols, and is an important part of U.S. military small arms - what more could a collector ask for?

A quick search of our catalog reveals 40 options for sniper rifle collectors during our February 14-17 Sporting & Collector Auction. The options come from different nations, different wars, and offer a fascinating snapshot of the role of snipers throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. If you've been looking to enter into this popular genre of collecting, February may well be the perfect time to begin.

This winter, there's no larger gun auction than Rock Island Auction Company's February 14-17 Sporting & Collector Auction. We'll auction over 7,300 arms in just 4 days during this public event. We also invite you to come to our full day preview on Monday, February 13. From 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM CT, it's a full day to inspect, pick-up, touch, and handle ANY item in the auction. The selection is fantastic, containing items to appeal to collectors of any genre: modern, antique, milsurp, revolvers, Civil War, hunting arms, and all your favorite manufacturers. Bids can be placed in person or at our website.

It's been a wild ride at Rock Island Auction Company in 2022. We auctioned the highest priced item in our history, announced an expansion, welcomed thousands of new clients, and continued to lead the industry in sales and the sheer number of items offered. Thank you to everybody who helped make the year such a remarkable success. We look forward to setting the bar even higher in 2023 as well as hosting our first auction in our new Bedford, TX facility.

2022 was a phenomenal year at Rock Island Auction Company. We offered fine arms from Presidents, heroes, movie stars, famous battles, as well as high art pieces from top artisans of their eras. Here are the highest selling pieces we auctioned in 2022, with some blue chip stalwarts and few surprises!

Rock Island Auction Company is proud to unveil for the first time, the incomparable Greg Lampe Collection. Selections from this supremely well-curated grouping will be offered in our May 2023 Premier Auction. It is a collection decades in the making filled with the highest condition specimens, many of which are accompanied by tremendous amounts of scholarly research. Simply put, the Greg Lampe Collection is something all collections can aspire to.

"Union General Daniel Sickles is one of the most controversial figures of the American Civil War." Lead Historian Seth Isaacson dives into the mixed legacy of Major General Sickles. Was he a murderer, thief, and philanderer or was he a veteran Medal of Honor recipient that lost a leg for his country at Gettysburg and then fought to have the battlefield enshrined? While historians remain conflicted regarding Sickles, several of his personal items will be offered in our December Premier. Including a Colt factory presentation 1855 Sidehammer "Root" revolver, his inscribed and lavish Tiffany & Co. officer's sword, and his Civil War era cane with inscription. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

Bailey Brower Jr. authored the definitive book on Savage pistols, so one can safely say his collection on the subject is nothing short of extraordinary. RIAC Firearms Describer Brian Beck reviews several highlights of Mr. Brower's phenomenal grouping. Starting from the earliest in-the-white prototypes to high condition, finely embellished examples, the collection includes rare pre-production models, military trials pieces, and an array of award winning Savage pistols fit for the genre's leading expert. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

The Liberty Bell flintlock pistols were once the property of John Jacob Mickley, the man given the honor of transporting the famous Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to the Pennsylvania countryside in 1777 to keep it out of the hands of British forces. The pistols were given their moniker after it was said that Mickley wore them while transporting the Liberty Bell. What we know now, is that while the pistols did belong to Mickley, and remained with the family for at least five generations, the pistols themselves were not made until the early 19th century. They may not have traveled with the Liberty Bell that day, but they were unquestionably his pistols. Even without the story, the Liberty Bell pistols stand on their own. They are gorgeous pair of Kentucky pistols made by one of the finest gunsmiths of the Golden Age, Peter Kunz. The curly maple stocks, the varnish, the hand checkering, the silver furniture, and the inlays all remain in stunning condition. The fact that the pair remains together after two centuries is itself nothing short of extraordinary. They are a high condition, handsomely decorated pair from Peter Kunz that were proudly owned for generations by a historic colonial era family. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

George Gamble was a consummate collector of fine arms. For perspective, the Autry Museum of the American West currently has a firearms gallery named in his honor. But his passion didn't end at fine arms. Over the decades this icon of the collecting community amassed a wonderful collection of firearms related art. There are paintings, ads, illustrations, and signage from some of the period's top artists, depicting the outdoors, the Old West, sportsmen, and wildlife. Each is fantastically preserved and vibrant in color, allowing them to be as attractive as they are a glimpse of gun art of a bygone era. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

Only a small number of these prototype Lugers with their long, rapid-taper barrels were made in the early 10,000 serial number range. No two were alike, but this example, SN 10034, comes with its matching, prototype "push-button" shoulder stock. The pistol is machined for a stock lug, an idea that had not yet seen production. Eventually the push-button design, with only 4-5 ever produced, would give way to the simpler locking lever. With a prototype pistol laden with correct, early-Luger features, and a rare prototype stock, this combination should cause quite the stir with Luger collectors this December. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

Theodore Roosevelt's Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 is an absolute gem and one of the most important fine arms that RIAC has had the privilege to offer. To what price will collectors push this remarkable revolver? Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAu... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislanda... Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

Henry rifles are classic collectibles of the Civil war era and remain beloved by Winchester collectors as the immediate predecessor to the famed lever actions. However, few know of the rare iron frame Henry rifles. A seldom seen variant, only between 200-300 were manufactured in the earliest of Henry rifle production, and an estimated 90 survive today. Henry rifles are extremely desirable, consecutive Henry rifles are a rare prize, an Iron frame Henry commands attention, but consecutive iron frame Henry rifles? An unheard of rarity certain to become a centerpiece in an advanced fine arms collection. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

The M60 machine gun is an imposing presence, both in its sheer size and its impressive firepower. A stalwart of the Vietnam War, it provided fighting men with a variety of firepower options in multiple roles. Known as "the Pig," the M60 had its share of problems, but remained appreciated by troops for its sheer firepower, simplicity, and controllability. Eventual contenders such as the M249 SAW may have been lighter, but its 5.56mm cartridge was lacked the range and force of the 7.62 NATO rounds of the M60. Since then multiple military branches have gone through several variations of general purpose or light machine guns, but the M60 still sees use around the world with numerous military and law enforcement agencies. This heavy metal workhorse cranks out the firepower and heavy dose of nostalgia to boot. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

The custom built firearms of Griffin & Howe are on the wish list of every sportsman fortunate enough to have experienced their quality first hand. Cutting their teeth on custom built stocks, they soon moved on to custom rifle making and gunsmithing using popular actions of the time, especially Mauser and Springfield actions. RIAC Director of Acquisitions Rick Henley walks us through the superb selection of Griffin and Howe rifles in our December Premier, including a Savage lever action from the collection of Mr. Tom Selleck. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

The outlaw Jesse James needs little introduction in the United States. The Civil War bushwhacker and guerilla continued his lawless ways after the bloody conflict, and became a nationally known robber of trains, banks, stages, and more. Together with his brother Frank, they lead the James-Younger Gang to a limelight that even their brutal murders couldn't dim. Many guns throughout the years have been claimed to have been that of Jesse James, but few with any sort of historical backing. This Smith and Wesson First Model Schofield revolver brings with it a trio of supports that together make an excellent case that this revolver was once used by the James Gang with a strong likelihood that it was carried by Jesse himself. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

When the U.S. began the search for a semi-automatic service rifle in the 1920s, Remington designer John Pedersen was an instant front-runner. With several successful Remington designs under his belt, the government gave Pedersen an office, budget, and salary to develop the new rifle. Of course the Garand designed T1E1 would be adopted as the M1 rifle in 1936, but Pedersen never stopped working on his design. In an attempt to capitalize on problems with early M1 Garands, Pedersen designed his GX and GY rifles in 1939. Using elements of the already adopted M1 Garand, Pedersen made several improvements and elements of his own design in attempt to court favor with the Ordnance Department. Finally tested at Springfield in 1943, these designs were also not accepted, and today remain supremely rare and fascinating glimpses into Pedersen's final Hail Mary attempt to beat the M1 Garand.

The Winchester Model 1890 is one of the most successful Winchester repeaters ever built. Around 849,000 of the John M. Browning design were made from 1890 - 1932 and most folks are familiar with them from their familiar presence at county fairs and shooting galleries. Because of their hard use, either in the hands of boys or gallery goers, many examples are "well loved." However, the examples shown in this video lived much different lives. One is a rare Winchester tool room model with a metal slide and a barrel never cut for sights, and the other is a wonderfully deluxe version of a typically austere model, featuring silver plating, pistol grip, deluxe wood, schutzen butt, and master engraving by John Ulrich. From its origins to its zenith, RIAC's upcoming December Premier Auction will have an outstanding selection of Winchester 1890s slide action rifles. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

Abraham Lincoln could not overstate Kentucky's importance to winning the Civil War. Thankfully, he had a powerful and like-minded colleague there in John J. Crittenden. Crittenden, then serving as a U.S. Representative for the state, worked hard to support the Unionist cause. Lincoln presented this Burnside carbine to Crittenden just weeks after the Congressman's son, then a Confederate major general, suffered at defeat at the Battle of Mills Springs. As much a gift of consolation as a symbol of Lincoln's continued faith in Crittenden, this rare Second Model Burnside symbolizes the partnership between two men critical to navigating the Union through the Civil War. It is the only known, documented Lincoln presentation firearm in private hands. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

Big bore rifles were vital tools for any dangerous game hunt where stopping power was essential. However, as propellants evolved to provide higher velocities and longer ranges, "more lead" became less important. While big bore guns aren't as widely used today, there are still a handful of master craftsmen and manufacturers keeping the art alive with modern versions of these massive stopping rifles. RIAC's Rick Henley takes us through a few from the old school and a few from the new. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction

The Attack on Pearl Harbor will always be "a date which will live in infamy." The surprise attack by Imperial Japanese forces shocked the nation and temporarily set back the United States in their ability to fight in the Pacific theater. This M1903 was present on December 7, 1941 aboard the USS California when she was struck by two torpedoes and a bomb. Flagship of the U.S. Battle Force, almost 100 of her officers and men were killed that day. This M1903 from Rock Island Arsenal is a living artifact of one of the dark day that brought the United States into the World War 2. Follow us! Email: http://eepurl.com/cg4yPb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandAuctionCompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockislandauction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RIauction