Another Rock Island Auction Company event is coming up and you know what that means, lots of guns are up for bid. With this up-and-coming sale, RIAC seems to have taken its duties very seriously by creating a positively immense auction. From July 11–13, they will sell nearly 7,000 firearms in over 3,000 lots. While known for selling collector and investment grade arms, and those will certainly be present in the sale, this particular auction will have an abundance of modern sporting arms as well. Mausers will sell beside Magnum Research, Henry with Heckler & Koch, and Sharps with Sig Sauer. This large influx of modern hand guns and long arms should provide RIAC with a wider variety than usual, which is saying something if you’ve ever browsed their impressive auctions. Here’s a look at some of the more attention worthy aspects of this sale.
Smith & Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifle
“Lot 239: Cased Smith & Wesson Model 320 Single Action Revolving Rifle with 16-inch Barrel and Factory Letter”
RIAC has sold a few of these at its recent Premiere Auctions, they were undoubtedly the cream of the crop coming with cases, accessories, master engravings, and other highly desirable features. The examples in this sale don’t wear the high price tags of those “best of the best” type pieces, and they’re still an excellent opportunity to get your hands on an extremely rare and beautiful gun. Made from 1879–1887, it’s one of the rarest S&W firearms ever produced with only 977 ever manufactured. Different finishes, barrel lengths, etc. effect the rarity even further and there will be three of them appearing in this auction. You may never again see three of these guns for sale in one place.
Modern handguns
Lot 4727: Three Sig Sauer Semi-Automatic Pistols
OK, so there are way too many modern handguns to select just one and show it here, but to not include the modern handguns in this sale would be to omit one of the primary reasons the sale is so huge. Have you seen the pictures from the warehouse? Parts of that building are nothing but handguns as far as the eye can see, which would be much further if there weren’t so many handguns in the way. You want names? How about Colt, Browning, High Standard, Les Baer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Glock, Remington, Ruger, Taurus, Walther, Beretta, CZ, FNH, Kimber, H&K, Sig, Dan Wesson, and more. Your interest piqued yet?
Old Colts
“Lot 2234: Colt Bisley Model Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter”
Yes, RIAC can always be counted on to have an excellent selection of Colt revolvers. Any gun show or auction worth its salt is bound to contain more than a few of these Americana icons. Old Colts can easily find their way into the fice-figure mark with special examples reaching into six-figures. Thankfully, this Regional Sale has many models that collectors clamor over without breaking the bank. For well under five-figures, you can find such legendary Colt arms such as the Bisley, 1860 Army, Dragoon, Cavalry Model, 1862 Police, 1849 Pocket, Frontier Six Shooter, Artillery Models, fluted cylinders, Single Action Army with various inspector cartouches, and others pieces that spur the interest of collectors regardless of their specialized genre.
Shotguns
“Lot 4597: World War II Era Winchester Model 97 Trench Shotgun”
There are no less than 1,000 shotguns in this auction. As that sinks in, it should also go without saying that you should be able to find nearly any style of shotgun your little heart desires. Winchesters galore? Goes without saying. Beautiful engraved, Damascus barreled, side by sides? A regular sight at these auctions. Military shotguns? Of course. Mean looking tactical variants. You better believe it. Proven, classic models? Present and accounted for. Whether it’s collectibles or something you look to use for the next several decades, you’ll find it here.
The previous sentence really says it all. RIAC typically sells between 20,000 and 22,000 guns each year, so chances are that if you’re looking for something they’re going to come across it, but auctions of this size make the timeline for finding a particular gun even smaller. July 11–13 should provide a perfect opportunity for many collectors to check one more sought after gun off of their list.
About Rock Island Auction
Rock Island Auction Company is the world’s #1 auction company for firearms, bladed weapons and militaria. Founded in 1993 by its current Owner and President Patrick Hogan, RIAC continues to set records for sales and to lead the industry with its extensive and beautiful marketing efforts. Their 86,000 square foot facility hosts eight auctions each year. RIAC actively seeks consignments, be it a single item or a collection of hundreds; a thousand dollar item or one million. For more information, visit www.rockislandauction.com or call 1-800-238-8022.
[dave]
Mistakes happen when the correction isnt viewed
Did anyone happen to see the pictures of Mr Heston’s vault room where he stored his machine gun collection?
A few were published after his passing.Now THERE was a “gun collection”.
Auctions like this serve a purpose but too often they break up collections that some dedicated soul spent a lifetime putting together.
RIP whoever you were.
Im reminded of Mr Mel Torme, who was a passionate collector of Single Action Army Colts.
After he passed his heirs put them “on the block”.
He is probably still rolling over in his grave.
It amazes me that no matter how many times it is corrected that the photo is NOT Charlton Heston’s collection but Bruce Stern’s people still keep reposting it and other’s keep repeating it!