Rock Island Auction Breaks 2004 Industry Sales Record

MOLINE, ILL.

: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.

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.

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.