Poulin’s Auctions had its most successful firearms sale to date, grossing $1.5 million March 7‹. The sale featured the first session of the important military collection of the late Bruce Stern of Trumbull, Conn.
The March 7 session comprised varied lots of military and non-military items from private collections from across the country, and the latter two days of the sale were devoted to the Stern collection. With 5,000 absentee and phone bids and a large crowd in attendance, enthusiasm was high. With many examples of rare items in fine condition, a large portion brought well over high estimate.
A British Godsel patent rifle by Webley & Scott realized $18,650. Another British experimental rifle achieved $8,740. An Australian Lithgow No. 6 Mk I sold for $7,705.
Other rifle offerings included a Winchester No. 3 Mk I that took $5,290, a SMLE Mk III 1916 sniper rifle at $4,600 and a Lithgow Australian L1A1 rifle at $4,485. A Steyr model 95 Straight Pull fetched $4,715.
Also, a Mauser model 1871 bolt rifle hammered down at $4,600. A British E.A. Company model 1862 SS officer’s musket brought $5,750, a Norfolk 1862 musket made $2,875, while a French model 1886 M27 rifle finished up at $3,680.
Handguns continued with strong prices. A Belgian Browning 1935 pistol topped out at $8,280. A Dreyse model 1910 pistol brought $5,175. A Walther model 6 pistol sold for $4,370. An important RZM marked PPK with capture papers realized $4,025.
With a prewar PPK fetching $2,530, there were two Star model A carbines at $3,795 and $2,585, respectively.
Other handguns included an Australian Mannlicher model 1901, which attained $3,680; a Beretta model 1931 Navy issue pistol sold for $3,450; and a Smith & Wesson Schofield first model revolver took $2,415.
A selection of more than 70 German daggers, swords and accessories included a rare Luftwaffe Honor goblet (presented for outstanding achievement in the air war) at $6,612, a rare Eickhorn presentation model 36 NSKK chain dagger at $6,900 and an Eickhorn gold government official’s dagger at $6,600.
The second session of the Bruce Stern collection will take place in October. For information, 207-453-2114 or www.poulinantiques.com .
