Rock Island guns
Lot’s of spectacular weapons at the Rock Island Premier Firearms Auction 82 in May. The very first lot was a Volcanic No. 1 Lever Action Pocket pistol with extra cost factoryengraving, silver-plated frame, which was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. 1857. This pistol had a 4in non-ribbed barrel with integral six-shot magazine, silver-plated brass frame and two-piece, flat base walnut grips. The New Haven Arms Company manufactured approximately 850 No. 1 Pocket Pistols between 1857 and 1862, this was a very good example of an early production model. It sold for $16,353.
Next, a factory-engraved, No. 2 Lever Action Repeating Pistol that was manufactured by Horace Smith and Daniel B Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut, c. 1854. This Type I No. 2 pistol had an 8in, partoctagon barrel with integral 20-shot magazine, iron frame with distinctive hump behind the hammer, single lever spring screw and lever with distinctive early pattern finger spur. Smith & Wesson No. 2 pistols are rarely encountered with more than traces of the original finish but this one had 85% plus of the original brown finish, which has aged slightly to rich plum brown, on the barrel. The barrel and magazine surfaces were smooth and free from scratches and handling marks with sharp edges. The S&W legend on the top barrel flat was crisp. It went for $37,475.63.
A really fancy item now with a stunning and important Gustave Young factory-engraved, nickelplated Winchester Model 1866 lever action saddle ring carbine with factory letter. Likely exhibited as part of Winchester's ‘200 gun’ display at the Philadelphia Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. In exceptionally fine condition, retaining 90% plus original nickel plating with general loss on the lever and breech of the barrel. The engraving was crisp. The wood was very fine with a number of minor dings and scratches and most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. A grand work of embellishment rarely encountered on a Model 1866 carbine. An important and exciting, previously undocumented work by Gustave Young that sold for $95,392.50.
And if you thought that was fancy, how about this extraordinarily historic and incredibly well-documented, special order, high-sight Colt single action Army revolver and holster rig. It was personally ordered, owned and carried by American legend, Western lawmen and gunfighter, Bat Masterson. It came with a Colt factory letter and additional documentation. Described as being worthy of the most distinguished museum, historic and the most important and valuable of Colt revolvers, the bidders went all in. It finally sold for a stunning $579,168.75.
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