Rock Island Auction is famous for bringing out the best in historically significant firearms. On September 7-9, they are having the most anticipated auction in their history. Some very interesting guns will cross the auction block and we can’t wait to see what they bring in. Click here to view the online catalog.
What if you could own Billy the Kid’s Winchester 1873, or Wyatt Earp’s Colt Buntline Special? Holding a piece of history in your hands is an intriguing thing, and owning it is even better. Rock Island Auctions is giving everyone the opportunity to own a piece of history. Bob Dalton was the leader of the infamous Dalton Gang, a group of robbers and thieves that specialized in bank and train robberies in the old west. Next month on September 7-9, RIA is auctioning off his sidearm, which townspeople took from his hip when they killed him during a botched robbery attempt. The gun comes with an incredible amount of documentation including pictures, newspaper clippings, and other information surrounding the famous Coffeyville raid where several members of the Dalton Gang perished in the shootout.
The Colt Single Action Army has the serial number 147311 and Dalton had the gun sent directly from Colt using the alias A.E. Williams. The Dalton Gang wanted to outdo the James Gang and ordered a matching pair of Single Action Army pistols for each gang member complete with pearl grips and factory engraving. This reflected their flamboyant style since this level of panache was typical of the Dalton Gang. After the shootout, Bob Dalton’s pistol remained in Coffeyville at the Dalton Gang Museum for many years until recently when the owner made it available to private collectors. We are all waiting anxiously to see what this auction will bring in—if only I could find an extra 400 thousand bucks lying around!
The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!Rock Island Auction is famous for bringing out the best in historically significant firearms. On September 7-9, they are having the most anticipated auction in their history. Some very interesting guns will cross the auction block and we can’t wait to see what they bring in.
Bob Dalton Colt SAA
Bob Dalton’s Black Powder Colt Single Action Army
We can’t imagine owning such a rich piece of history. Any original Single Action Army would be amazing, but the actual one that locals took off the dead body of a real western outlaw—now that is impressive. The gun comes with an incredible amount of documentation including pictures, newspaper clippings, and other information surrounding the famous Coffeyville raid where several members of the Dalton Gang perished in a shootout with the townspeople.
Colt Buntline Special
Buntline Special
An original Colt Buntline Special is also up for grabs. This is an extremely rare, totally original example of a Colt Single Action Army Revolver with 16-inch barrel, special front and rear sights and attachable factory stock. Popularly known as the Buntline Special, this revolver is complete with two Colt factory letters dated 1969 and 1970. The factory letters describe the revolver as .45 caliber with 16-inch barrel and blue finish.
FN 1935
WWII FN 1935
This is an interesting lot. A Nazi proofed World War II FN 1935. FN Herstal manufactured this gun in 1940-45 with blade front and fixed rear sights. Standard three-line maker’s marks and patent on the left side of the slide with “WaA140″ Nazi proofs on the slide and frame. The machining is less than perfect indicating late in the period manufacturing. It features matching serial numbers on the barrel slide and frame. Serrated ring hammer, smooth trigger, unslotted back strap and they fitted it with checkered hardwood grips.
T3 Carbine
Inland T3 Carbine
This is an excellent example of an original very late WWII production, Inland T3 carbine. It is complete with an original M2 infrared sniper scope and accessories. This M2 scope is the original first model Infrared Sniper scope the military developed in early to mid-1944 that saw action in late 1944 for use with the original WWII T3 carbine. These T3 carbine and M2 infrared scope rigs are rare and the military only produced about 1 thousand of them. After WWII, the U.S. government demilitarized the vast majority of the T3 carbines by torch, cutting through the receiver. However, this example is all-original and has the correct uncut T3 receiver.
Johnson Semi Automatic Rifle
Johnson Semi-Automatic
This is a very desirable Johnson semi-automatic rifle. The manufacturer developed these guns in the late 1930s and intended them to compete with the M1 Garand for U.S. military contracts. The U.S. Army did not adopt these rifles. However, the Marine Corps Raider and Parachute Battalions in the early Makin Island, Guadalcanal, and Tulagi Island hopping campaigns in the Pacific subsequently used them. These rifles employed several unique features such as the rotary magazine, which allowed reloading at any time, a recoiling barrel that started the cycling of the rifle. The unique takedown barrel allowed them to be stowed in a parachute jump bag. The rifle receiver is unique in that it is a one-piece casting with an integral perforated front heat shield.
Winchester High Wall Schuetzen
Winchester High Wall Schuetzen
This is an exceptional example of a late pattern Winchester High Wall Schuetzen style off-hand target rifle that features an attached Winchester A5 target scope. Winchester manufactured this rifle some time after 1915. However, the specific date cannot be determined, as the manufacturer’s records do not identify it. This rifle features a full octagon, #4 heavy weight target barrel, that has the standard factory markings of MANUFACTURED BY THE/WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A. and caliber 32-40 markings both offset to the side of the barrel. To allow the mounting of the scope block directly on the top flat of the barrel. The Winchester firing proofs are directly in front of the rear scope base. The barrel is fitted with a Winchester pattern globe front sight that is adjustable for windage. The rear sight dovetail contains an unmarked blank plate and the rifle is currently fitted with a tang mounted, Winchester pattern, and mid-range vernier target peep sight.
Rock Island Auction Company will auction off over 6,000 firearms over three days on June 29 – July 1. Something for every level of firearms enthusiast will cross the block. The auction giant will sell antique Colts, Winchesters, Smith & Wesson’s, as well as new in the box shotguns, target rifles and sporting pistols. As hard as it is to narrow this list down, here is a list of some of the most interesting lots scheduled to cross the block.
Colt Model 1860
Lot Number 4078. Factory Engraved Colt Model 1860
This factory engraved Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver manufactured in 1863, has a small “E” stamped next to the serial number on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and black strap. Colt engraved the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap with Germanic style scrollwork on a punch-dot background, and engraved the hammer with a wolf’s head motif. This coverage approximates what Colt later designated level A engraving. The top of the barrel is marked with the U.S. America address with COLTS/PATENT on the left side of the frame. Colt stamped the Crown/V and P proofs on the left side of the barrel ahead of the wedge and alternating on each cylinder chamber. The full serial number, 136264, is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the partial number 6264 on the wedge and arbor pin.
Pre-Auction Estimate $5,000-10,000
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WWII German K98 Mauser Turret Style Sniper Rifle
Lot Number 2206. WWII German K98 Mauser Turret Style Sniper Rifle
The German military selected the K98 Mauser rifles due to their excellent accuracy during factory tests. The German military retrofitted them with telescopic sights to use them as sniper rifles. Karabiner 98k sniper rifles had an effective range up to 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) when used by a skilled sniper. Since designers didn’t make the K98 readily compatible with telescopic sights, the guns required gunsmithing in order to mount the scopes on the weapons.
Pre-Auction Estimate $2,500-4,500
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Early Pre-War Colt Model 1911 Commercial Government Model
Lot Number 2859. Early Pre-War Colt Model 1911 Commercial Government Model
The M1911 pistol emerged in the late 1890s as the result of a search for a suitable self-loading handgun. The military needed to replace the variety of revolvers then in service. The United States of America was adopting new firearms at a phenomenal rate; several new handguns and two all-new service rifles, as well as a series of revolvers by Colt and Smith & Wesson for the Army and Navy, were adopted just in that decade. The next decade would see a similar pace, including the adoption of several more revolvers and an intensive search for a self-loading pistol that culminated in the official adoption of the M1911 after the turn of the decade.
Pre-Auction Estimate $1,800-2,750
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Heckler & Koch Model 93
Lot Number 210. Heckler & Koch Model 93 Semi-Automatic Rifle with Three Extra Magazines
In the mid to late 1960s, Heckler & Koch developed the HK33, a scaled down version of the Heckler & Koch G3, but chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO. The HK33 entered production in 1968. In 1974, a semi-automatic version of the HK33 surfaced and HK designated it the HK43. According to H&K’s numbering nomenclature, the 4 indicates that the weapon is a paramilitary rifle, and the 3 indicates that the caliber is .223. HK originally sold the 43s with 25 round steel magazines. Of the approximately 377 HK43s produced, some researchers estimate that the United States imported about 200 in 1974. It is not entirely clear why Heckler & Koch re-designated the HK43 as the HK93 later in 1974. Part of the reason could have been to change the public’s perception of the rifle from a paramilitary-type weapon to a semi-automatic sporting rifle. After 1975, Heckler & Koch took over their own U.S. importation, which might have prompted the change in name to HK93. In any case, the HK43 and the HK93 are nearly identical and all the parts are interchangeable.
Pre-Auction Estimate $2,250-3,500
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Walther G22
Lot Number 216. Walther G22 Semi-Automatic Rifle with Scope and Case
The Walther G22 is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in the popular .22 Long Rifle cartridge. It is of bullpup design and constructed of polymer and steel. Like most bullpup designs, left-handed shooters cannot fire the gun from the left hand due to the proximity of the ejection port and bolt handle to the shooter’s face. However, Walther designed the stock so that the ejection port and cocking handle can switch to the other side for left-handed shooters. A spare magazine, held by friction, is stored inside the polymer stock behind the magazine well.
Pre-Auction Estimate $1,500-2,000
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CLICK HERE to see the entire catalog for this auction.
The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!Rock Island Auction Company had a huge day recently. If you haven’t heard of these guys before, listen up, you might find something you can’t live without. In the last auction, RIA sold over $12.6 million in guns!
Luger Hitler Guard Night Pistol
Some interesting pieces came across the auction block too. An excellent example of a Hitler Guard Luger popped up. This is the only example of this pistol, flashlight, and holster ever offered at public sale, making it one of the rarest of all Lugers and accessories. The consignor also states that a GI acquired the gun while he was in Germany. To our knowledge, this is the only one currently in private hands. The gun sold for $184,000, not a bad payday for the seller.
Colt 1861 Revolver
This is yet another example of the magnificent Colts that Rock Island Auction brings to the collector. This extraordinary Colt revolver, serial number 1, is factory cased and exhibition engraved and Colt presented it to Lewis Sheldon on December 1, 1871. Lewis Sheldon was the bookkeeper and paymaster of Colt’s Hartford factory and worked for Colt from around 1863 until 1871. Colt had the revolver inscribed and was presented to Lewis Sheldon when he left Colt and remained in possession of Sheldon or his direct family for 141 years until it was placed on consignment with the Rock Island Auction Company. The revolver sold for $368,000.
Colt No 3 Belt Model Paterson Revolver
This is an extremely rare, factory-cased presentation, Colt No. 3 Belt Model Paterson revolver. It was manufactured somewhere between 1837 and 1840. The revolver is complete with a factory mahogany case with beveled lid and brown velvet lining, extra cylinder and full complement of accessories. The top of the beveled case lid is inlaid with a silver plate inscribed: “W. Watson/from A. P.” After further research, “A.P.” appears to stand for Andrew Parsons. Andrew Parsons was a stockholder, owning 10 shares in Patent Arms Manufacturing Company in August of 1837. Mr. Parsons served in the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature, which the New Jersey Constitution established in 1776. The legislative council replaced the New Jersey Provincial Council, which had been the Upper house under colonial rule. The council consisted of 12 members appointed by and serving under the British crown. This pistol sold for an incredible $230,000.
Walther PP
Rock Island also sold an incredible relief engraved Walther with gold plating. Victor Lutze owned this pistol, which along with Goring, Himmler, and Heydrich drew up the lists of those to liquidate in preparation of the Purge of Rohm in 1934, which is also known as the Night of The Long Knives. Lutze joined the German Army in 1912 where he fought in a few infantry regiments during WWI. He became a company commander and joined the police force after the war. He joined the Nazi Party in 1922. Lutze worked with Albert Leo Schlageter in the resistance and sabotage of the Belgian and French occupation of the Ruhr in 1923. His organization of the Ruhr for the SA became the model for other regions after 1926. In 1933, officials appointed him Police President of Hanover and later its provincial governor and state counselor. He rose through the ranks and by 1933, was a SA-Obergruppenfuher. He was the Chief of Staff of the Sturmabteilung from 1934 to 1943. On May 1, 1943, he was involved in an automobile accident and died the next day during surgery in the hospital. Documents that accompany the pistol indicate the owner of an estate near Minden, Germany surrendered the gun to U.S. Army Lieutenant Winchester Kelso in the spring of 1945. The pistol sold for $241,500.
Rock Island Auction Company’s June 29, 30, and July 1 auction is set to be the largest firearms auction ever assembled in their two decades of firearms auctions. Over 6,000 firearms have pushed their summer regional auction from a two-day sale, to a full three days of firearms and military artifacts. For more information on selling at auction or consigning with Rock Island Auction Company call 800-238-8022 or visit rockislandauction.com.
The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!
