: The auction of fine antique and collectible firearms on November
14-16 at Greg Martin Auctions demonstrated strong sales. During
three days of nonstop selling, more than 3,400 lots went on the
auction block at the company's San Francisco gallery. When the
bidding was over, total sales exceeded $4.6 million.
The auction showcased a vast array of products supported by three
catalogs. These included important antique and collectible
firearms; the estate arms collections; and Remington Arms
collections, featuring the estates of Leon Wier, Richard C.
Gooding and Bud Hebditch.
The sale also launched Greg Martin Auctions' Native American
department, headed by industry veteran and Indian art expert
Russell Kloer. To initiate this new department, Greg Martin
Auctions presented the collection of Adam Fortunate Eagle
Nordwall, a longtime Indian activist, artist and collector, well
known in the Bay Area and beyond for his leadership on behalf of
Indian rights. Fortunate Eagle led the 19-month Indian occupation
of Alcatraz, which began in mid-November 1969. His collection of
Indian items and his return to the Bay Area from his present home
on the Paiute-Shoshone Indian reservation in Fallon, Nev.,
attracted a great deal of regional media attention.
Principal Greg Martin said that the three-day event was on track
with the company's goals and went as expected. "Three thousand
lots were sold over three days, which, we believe, echoes the
resilience of the gun market and its continuing strength for
collectors," said Martin.
Shown left is a historic Holland & Holland royal grade
double-barrel Nitro Express rifle used by big-game hunter,
adventurer and author A.S. Mather in circumnavigating the
globe, 1907-1908 realized $56,750. Shown right is a cased
deluxe relief engraved and gold inlaid Marcel Thys and Sons
sidelock .600 Nitro Express double-barrel sporting rifle,
embellishments by Philippe Grifnee and Rene Delcour, $53,913.
Highlights of the sale included a Winchester Model 1866
deluxe lever-action rifle with gold-washed finish and deep relief
engraving by Conrad Ulrich, one of the Nineteenth Century's master
firearm engravers. This rare and important firearm inscribed to
Mexican General Fidencio Hernandez realized $181,600.
A fine cased Colt Model 1851 small trigger guard Navy revolver
with accessories well exceeded its auction estimate of $45/55,000
to bring $65,406. The .36 caliber, 6-shot cylinder features a
naval engagement roll scene.
Finishing at $59,587 was a very rare iron frame Henry repeating
rifle, one of only 200 made and one of only a handful that
survive. Used in the Civil War, the Henry rifle is considered the
"father of the Winchester."
A historic Holland & Holland royal grade double-barrel Nitro
Express rifle used by big game hunter, adventurer and author A.S.
Mather in 1907-1908 when he circumnavigated the globe far
exceeded its $20/30,000 estimate to fetch $56,750. Amasa Mather
was a nephew of John Hay, secretary of state for President
Theodore Roosevelt.
A .600 bore double rifle by Marcel Thys and Sons, engraved by
Belgian Philippe Grifnee, one of Europe's master engravers, went
out at $53, 912.
Scarce iron frame Henry lever-action rifle, $59,588.
A rare and historic Colt belt model Paterson revolver
associated with the "Caroline Affair" (1837-1842) brought
$51,075. The incident began on the US side of the Niagara River
near Buffalo, N.Y., when Canadian loyalists seized and burned an
American steamer, Caroline, then sent her over the falls,
killing one American. The ship had been leased to run supplies to
Canadian rebels seeking a more democratic government. The incident
strained US-Canada relations for several years.
A deluxe factory engraved Winchester 1895 owned by Zane Grey
(1872-1939), the prolific writer and pioneer of the Western
genre, sold for $45,400.
Other highlights included a fine Colt single-action revolver,
documented to showman and entrepreneur William "Pawnee Bill"
Lillie (1860-1942), whose Wild West show toured the world for
more than 30 years, $19,295; a fine Spontoon Tomahawk with
faceted bowl, the shaft featuring five bands of brass tacks, each
band decorated with burns from a heated file, $15, 890; and
Plains pipe and stem by Fortunate Eagle, circa 1965, with T-form
catlinite bowl inscribed on the base "Alcatraz/ Nov. 1969,"
$5,675.
Fine cased Colt model 1851 Navy small trigger guard Navy
revolver with accessories made $65,263.
Prices reported include 131/2 percent buyer's premium.
The first of two sales of the J. Robert Howard collection is
scheduled for April 24. The collection includes the best examples
of a variety of American antique firearms. Martin predicts that
the event, which will feature more than 1,650 firearms, will be
"the sale of the decade."
Greg Martin Auctions spring auction of fine antique and
collectible firearms is planned for June 19-21. For information,
800-509-1988 or www.gregmartinauctions.com.
