Confederate Army of
Northern Virginia battle flag, $126,500.
Consistency
Means Success and Big Money for Confederate Flag at Julia
Firearms Sale
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - "Last year was one of our best years ever in
the history of our firm," Jim Julia, president and auctioneer of
James D. Julia, Inc, declared recently. "We have worked harder,
more efficiently and we have recently employed a number of new
innovations to maximize participation. This has resulted in a
stronger bottom line for our sellers."
On March 10-11, the firm conducted a $2.1 million firearms
auction, grossing more than $470,000 above the anticipated low
estimate.
"Our goal has been to work on a consistency of return rather than
to focus on only a few key lots," Julia remarked.
The two-day sale, which offered nearly 1,150 lots, presented
collections from across North American comprising Smith &
Wesson firearms, swords, Confederate and other Civil War items,
Colts and other early pistols, Winchester and high grade
shotguns.
One of the highlights was a grouping of more than 450 Smith &
Wesson firearms from the Mike Anderson collection of Oak Ridge,
Tenn. Anderson's collection was assembled throughout most of his
life and included the subcollection of fellow Smith & Wesson
collector R.B. Wayman, which Anderson purchased a few years ago.
Included was one of the first Smith & Wessons ever produced,
the Model 1, first issue, first type revolver (ser. #21).
Estimated at $8/15,000, it sold for $18,550. Anderson's
collection ranged from this early model to examples from the
mid-Twentieth Century, like a rare, circa 1960, premodel 44,
single-action, semiautomatic 9-millimeter pistol, which brought
$18,975 against a $5/10,000 estimate.
Bids for a cased M. 320 revolving rifle quickly shot up to
achieve $9,200, more than doubling the $4/7,000 assessment.
Expected to sell in the $4/6,000 range, a Nashville Police #3
American first model 44 brought $17,825. An engraved third model
Ladysmith double-action and an engraved second model, martially
marked Schofield, 45 caliber, with carved pearl grips, sold for
$6,000 and $6,200 respectively, tripling their estimates.
Jeweled model 1850 staff and field officer's presentation
sword, $17,800.
A hand-stitched rear admiral's flag from Admiral Dewey's flagship
Olympia, despite its delicate condition, flew at $10,062.
What Julia billed as the "finest Confederate battle flag ever
offered at public auction" achieved a final price of $126,500,
selling to a determined collector in attendance who beat out five
phone participants. This large square flag, in the design of the
Army of the Northern Virginia, was found recently in an eastern
Texas estate. It retained its braided fringe, which is similar,
if not identical, to the braided fringe on sword sashes of two
known Confederate Western Theater officers, one of who served
under Nathan Bedford Forrest.
Among other historical Civil War relics, a crushed blue velvet,
18th Georgia Confederate officer's kepi topped out at $20,125.
Effects of another Georgian officer, a sword belt and buckle,
sold for $8,300, while an oval brass belt buckle marked "6th
Inf./NC S.T." sold for $6,900.
Discovered packed away in a trunk in southern New England before
they were consigned, the accessories of William L. Scott of the
30th and 38th Regular New Jersey volunteers included hats, a cape
and a light blue partial uniform together with various personal
effects. This grouping saw tremendous competition and brought
$21,850, far exceeding the $8/12,000 estimate.
A handful of items did not sell. A rare Morse first model carbine
in original condition and a set of Morse cartridge boxes on their
original canvas belt failed to find buyers.
Colts were well represented by a rare first model Colt square
back Navy revolver, the rarest of all martially marked Colts,
with only three examples known to exist. It left the block with a
$13,800 price tag.
Early pistols included a rare cased pair of sequentially numbered
Purdey percussion double barrel pistols, which brought $10,900,
exceeding its valuation.
Most significant among Winchester offerings was a rare, historic
M. 66 saddle ring carbine once belonging to Oliver Winchester,
the founder of the Winchester firm.
Oliver Winchester's rare M. 66 saddle ring carbine, $34,500.
Neither an avid sportsman nor firearms collector, guns once owned
by Winchester are precious few. Accompanied by a factory letter
of authenticity, the carbine fetched $34,500. A scarce martially
marked Henry rifle, one of only about 1,900 such rifles purchased
by the Union Army during the Civil War, also brought $34,500. A
deluxe takedown Winchester model 1886, caliber 45-70, sold for
$22,425, exceeding its estimate of $12,5/17,500. Another M. 1886,
a 50 caliber Express in outstanding condition, also brought
$22,425. An engraved silver plate Samuel J. Hoggson Henry rifle
did not sell.
The auction included a grouping of swords from the collection of
Richard Lowry of Chambersburg, Penn. Of the more than 100 swords
offered, none was more prominent than a jeweled, inscribed Model
1850 presentation staff and field officer's sword. Presented to
Wallace M. Spear of the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, this
gold and silver sword was intricately decorated with eagles and
with acorn and oak leaf patterns. Although the large jewel on its
hilt was chipped and cracked, it cut through its $10/15,000
presale estimate to achieve $17,800. Other highlights in this
category included a silver eagle hilt sabre with ivory grip,
signed "E.T. Weaver," which sold for $14,375.
Among high-grade shotguns, an L.C. Smith Deluxe with elaborate
gold floral and faunal inlay and ornate engraving brought
$23,000. A Berrretta deluxe sporting over and under shotgun with
raised inlaid game scenes on the lockplates sold for $17,800.
A scarce 1902 Luger carbine with matching numbered detachable
buttstock brought $10,925.
