The sale's top lot was this rare and important pre-World War II prototype Walther MP hammerless model semiautomatic pistol in .45 ACP caliber, circa 1935–36, which brought $126,500.
:Greg Martin Auctions' two-day winter event of edged weapons and fine and collectible arms and sporting guns concluded with another multimillion-dollar tally. When the gavel came down on the final lot, the sale on February 25 and 26 had realized more than $2.6 million, with buyers participating both nationally and internationally in the San Francisco auction gallery, online in real time and via telephone and absentee bidding.
The event featured Part I of the largest collection of Bowie knives and edged weapons ever to come to auction — the estate of Donald Littman of Portland, Ore., included more than 1,500 knives of superb quality and craftsmanship from the last two centuries. Part I came up for bid on February 25 and achieved more than $1 million; the results reaffirmed the strength of Bowie knives made in San Francisco. Part II will be offered at a future Greg Martin Auctions event. The second day of the winter sale featured more than 750 fine and collectible arms and sporting guns, where the sale of a rare prototype Walther semiautomatic pistol generated particular interest.
US martially marked cased Colt Second Model dragoon revolver with accessories realized $97,750.
A highlight from the first day of the sale, attaining $92,000, was a scarce hardware or cutlery store sample case of 98 pocket knives, with a matching gold hand-lettered wood sign "A. Burkinshaw, Pepperell, Mass."
For Elliot Morehardt of Milford, N.H., a relative of a previous owner of the sample case, it was a homecoming. "I was very pleased to bring this back home," said Morehardt, who placed the winning bid. "Owned by my father-in-law, Hobart Powers, this was a magnificent and one-of-a-kind advertising case made by the Burkinshaw Knife Factory of Pepperell in the mid-1800s. It was pure happenstance that I came across this auction, and was determined to bring it home. Mr Powers purchased it in the mid-1900s for a couple hundred dollars and proudly displayed it in his Brookline, N.H., home."
A rare 9-inch Colt Texas Paterson No. 5 holster model revolver made $97,750.
Other first day highlights in the sale were a rare engraved and silver-mounted San Francisco dress knife by M.J. Hayes, with ivory handle and silver scabbard, which sold for $80,500; a giant exhibition multiblade knife by Christian, Solingen for Deutscher Gewerbefleiss, 1893, which realized $57,500; and a W.&S. Butcher, Sheffield, alligator motif and pearl-mounted Bowie knife with scabbard, circa 1840s, which went out at $40,250. A Will & Finck Gold Rush period San Francisco push dagger with a walrus ivory grip and German silver scabbard fetched $34,500.
The focus shifted to arms and sporting guns on the second day of the sale. Leading the day's action and securing its place as the overall sale's top lot was a rare and important pre-World War II prototype Walther MP hammerless model semiautomatic pistol in .45 ACP caliber, circa 1935–36. It sold for $126,500.
This scarce hardware or cutlery store sample case of 98 pocket knives, with matching gold hand-lettered wood sign "A. Burkinshaw, Pepperell, Mass.,” sold to a relative of a previous owner for $92,000.
Two ensuing lots, both Colt revolvers, each finished at $97,750. The first was a US martially marked cased Colt Second Model dragoon revolver with accessories. The second was a rare 9-inch Colt Texas Paterson No. 5 holster model revolver.
Additional highlights were a massive four-bore British black powder double rifle, which brought $86,250; and settling at $69,900 was a rare and important US martially marked Colt Texas Paterson revolver, accompanied by a leather flap holster.
Prices reported include the buyer's premium. For information, 415-537-3800 or
www.gregmartinauctions.com
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