Old Barn Auction held a summer firearms sale June 26-27 in Findlay, Ohio. Several hundred people attended the show with half the bids coming in by phone. Along with the surge in gun sales as a result of the presidential election, organizers suggested that people are more comfortable investing in collectible antiques than they are investing in the turbulent financial industry. Total sales for the auction came to $628,177.50. Old Barn's next auction will be held in late October.
Highlights of the sale included:
Henry U.S. Purchased Rifle – SN#3686 This gun is U. S. Inspected, 1 of 1200 issued to the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry in 1864, it has matching numbers on the barrel, frame, buttstock, butt plate and even the screws in the butt plate – the rifle was shipped and received by the D.C. cavalry in March 1864, some time in 1864 the gun was lost, or captured by the confederates and issued to one of their soldiers who engraved his name S.R. Heckman, and the date 1864 on the side of the receiver S.R. Heckman, during the Civil War served in 3 Confederate Units, Co. E. 136th Infantry Co. D. 146th Infantry and Co. D. Virginia Reserves Infantry. He was born 1821 and died 1903, buried Mt. Cavalry Cemetery Tremont City, Virginia, included is a book The Historic Henry Rifle by Wiley Sword with much information on Henrys – the rifle is in very good to fine condition $34000
Flintlock Indian Trade Fowling Gun with Dragon Side Plate, converted to percussion, 36 5/8” barrel, lock marked with setting Fox within a circle “Hollis” marked behind hammer, brass hardware 1/2” upper tang broken off – a rare gun $3000
Plus:
Henry Rifle, 44 Rimfire, 24” barrel, Brass frame is a dark mustard color SN#9112, barrel is dark gray and smooth with lettering clear, stock has a few minor dents & dings, but nothing major, sling is from the period, overall the gun is very good and appears all original $24000
Browning “Olympian” Grade Bolt Action Rifle – 243 caliber, SN#987188 Beautiful extra fine checkering with floral carving outline, mountain lion engraved on floor plate, Leupold 2 x 7 Vari-Xscope – excellent $4500
Alderfer
Alderfer Auction held a firearms sale on July 20 in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Strong turnout and sales culminated in solid gun prices. Highlights of the sale:
Smith & Wesson 27 double action revolver. Cal. 357 Mag. 8 1/4″ bbl. SN S210495. Blued finish with checkered walnut grips. Excellent. $632.50
Smith & Wesson 629-1 double action revolver. Cal. 44 Mag. 8 1/2″ bbl. SN AFB7694. Stainless steel finish with checkered walnut grips. Excellent. $687.50
Smith & Wesson 60 double action revolver. Cal. 38. 2″ bbl. SN AYP7044. Stainless steel finish with custom ivory-style grips, firearm is highly engraved. In factory box with manual and factory grips. Excellent. $990.00
Colt Single Action Army single action revolver. Cal. 32 WCF. 4 1/2″ bbl. SN 334809. Reblued finish on metal with bone style grips. Very good. (C&R) $1,045.00
Colt Woodsman Match Target Model semi-automatic pistol. Cal. 22. 6 5/8″ bbl. SN MT9932. Blued finish with walnut target grips. Target Sights. Very Good. $1,243.00
Wildey semi-automatic pistol. Cal. 45 Win Mag. 8 1/2″ bbl. SN 45-1526. Stainless steel finish with checkered walnut grips, adjustable rear sight, adjustable gas regulator. In factory box with manual and 2 magazines. Excellent. $1,356.00
Browning Superposed over/under double barrel shotgun. 12 ga. 26″ bbls. SN 8553. Blued finish with steel receiver, checkered walnut stock and forend, double triggers, auto ejectors and rubber butt plate. Very good. $880.00
AH Fox Sterlingworth side by side double barrel shotgun. 12 ga. 30″ bbls. SN 73236. Blued finish, case colored receiver, checkered walnut stock and forend. Very good. (C&R) $1,210.00
Semper & Krieghoff drilling. 16 ga./7.8mm. 26″ bbls. SN 12333. Reblued finish with case colored receiver, checkered walnut stock and forend with raised cheek piece has minor handling marks, plastic butt plate. Stock has had a large piece broken off which has been repaired. Good. (C&R) $990.00
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