RIAC’S July Firearms Auction Hot as Ever

At GunDigest, we independently review products. However, we may earn a commission when you purchase through links on our site. Learn More

The Rock Island Auction Company set the summer on fire with its most recent Regional Firearms Auction.

The July 11-13 event turned out to be the largest in the Illinois-based company’s history. Some 6,500-plus guns were moved in the three-day auction. And the volume of sales helped RIAC set another mark.

The $4.4 million in sales made the event the third-highest grossing Regional Firearms Auction the company has staged. And it garnered some truly epic bids for some of the world’s most sought-after firearms.

The bell of the ball turned out to be a New Haven Arms Company Volcanic lever-action carbine. The rifle featured a desirable 21-inch barrel, and drew a winning bid of $21,850.

Also turning heads in the auction hall was a historic first generation Colt Single Action Army revolver that came with a posse of accessories. The revolver at one time belonged to “Longhair” Jim Courtright, one of the first marshals of Fort Worth, Texas and was won with a bid of $18,400.

While firearms obviously were in the limelight of the auction, it was edged weapons that stole the show. A lot containing two Soviet swords and two shorter knives was sold for an astounding $40,250.

The lot was a true sleeper, going on the block at a reasonable $800. But two bidders fought each other for the edged weapons from remote locations, leaving the auction hall awash in astonished murmurs.

Revolvers had a strong draw at the event with every type and vintage piquing interest from buyers.

Of particular note, was a Colt 1860 Army with a two-digit serial number. The revolver was reasonably presumed to have been manufactured in the first months of production. In turn, the early example of the popular and historic handgun fetched a price of $10,925.

Also reaching attractive prices were a Remington 1890 Single Action Army ($4,600), a Colt 1851 Navy ($3,450) and a Texas Longhorn Arms Grover’s Improved No. 5 single action ($2,875)

Military arms, both foreign and domestic, were a major source of interest for bidders and drew corresponding prices. Three arms in particular enjoyed strong bids from this area.

A high condition Mauser “S/42” code “K” date luger with holster went home with a collector for $3,450. And two artillery Lugers drew the same winning bid. The first was a DWM 1914-dated artillery Luger with its accessories; the other a 1914-dated artillery Luger with blond grips.

Also drawing interest from military collectors, were several lots of M1 carbines from various war-time manufacturers. Not one sold for less than $1,000. One specimen, a World War II Inland M1A1 paratrooper carbine, went for $2,185. And a 1918 manufactured Colt M1911 brought in $2,587.

The July event was Rock Island’s second and final Regional Auction of 2014. The company will hold two Premiere Firearms Auctions September 12-14 and December 5-7.

 

 

---

2015 Standard Catalog of Firearms