: December 3-5 was the third Premiere Auction for Rock Island
Auction Company in 2005, totaling more than $4 million in sales.
The company's December sale has pushed the yearly sales total to
well past $15 million. This total breaks the nearly $15 million
industry record set in 2004 by Rock Island Auction, which
continues to be a leader in the firearms auction industry in 2005
as in 2004.
Patrick Hogan, the president of Rock Island Auction Company,
commented that he was hoping for a $3.2 million sale and was
astonished at reaching the $4 million mark. The sale was strong
across all genres of firearms collecting, although Winchesters
took five of the top six lots.
Historic Western Sharpshooters inscribed Henry rifle, $48,875.
An extremely rare Mauser 06-08 automatic pistol was the
sale's top lot, achieving $63,250.
Smith & Wesson examples and ephemera associated with Major
General Harry Hill Bandholtz were the surprise of the sale. Hogan
stated, "The firearms market is still peaking at this time."
Given the fact that real estate and other hard assets are
improving, he adds firearms to that group. A record number of
absentee bidders as well as a very strong live audience led to
the sale that allowed Rock Island to eclipse the record it set
just last year.
Custom Pope Winchester Model 1885 High Wall Schuetzen rifle
with shooting kit, $40,250.
Rounding out the sale's top ten lots were an historic Western
sharpshooters inscribed Henry rifle, $48,875; a rare historically
significant Model 1873 Winchester rifle from the film Winchester
'73 marked "One of One Thousand," $43,125; custom Pope
Winchester Model 1885 High Wall Schuetzen rifle with shooting kit,
$40,250; SA presentation Walther Model PPK with SA marked holster,
$40,250; extremely rare cased, engraved gold inlay special order
Winchester Model 21 two-barrel set, Grand American double barrel
shotgun, $34,500; extremely rare 20-shot Astra Model 900
semiautomatic pistol with holster/stock and case, $31,625; engraved
Stevens Model 51 single-shot rifle, $28,750; Winchester Model 1885
High Wall Helm Pattern Schuetzen rifle, $28,750; and Winchester
Model 1885 High Wall Helm Pattern Schuetzen rifle, $25,875.
Prices reported include buyer's premium. Rock Island Auction
Company's next Premiere Auction will be conducted in April or
May. For information, www.rockislandauction.com or
800-238-8022.
