ROCK ISLAND, ILL. — Rock Island Auction Company’s September 9–11 firearms auction, featuring the Robert “The Bear” Bretherton Collection and the Robert M. Lee Collection, shot its way up to a $16.1 million total.

The top lot, and the third lot to achieve more than $400,000, was a German silver framed, exhibition quality, panel scene-engraved Winchester Model 1866 with ties to trick shot Chevalier Ira Paine, dubbed the “Master Shooter of the World.”

Available to the public for the first time, the rifle drew tremendous fervor and bids. When the dust settled, the silver Winchester was the sale’s top lot at $483,000.

A complete review will appear in a future edition.