Big guns at Rock Island

May 13-15 sees a three day bonanza for antique, classic and collectable firearms from US specialist, Rock Island Auction. The auction includes elite American treasures like Ulysses S Grant's Remington New Model Army revolvers, serial numbers 1 and 2. The ivory grips on these exquisitely engraved pieces feature carvings to honour Ulysses S Grant, General and Chief of the Armies of the United States.

An ultra-rare, documented Winchester ‘One of One Hundred’ 1873 lever-action rifle is another flagship item. One of only eight manufactured, this Model 1873 represents one of the most elusive variations of specialorder Winchesters and is a crown jewel in gun collecting. Other headline Winchesters include a documented Winchester One of One Thousand, a rare, LD Nimschke signed and engraved, gold gilt Winchester Model 1866 leveraction rifle, and an immensely significant Henry rifle that was owned by David Kalakaua, the

Last King of Hawaii. As the famous predecessor to the Winchester Model 1866, the New Haven Arms Co. Henry rifles are desirable collectables on their own. When you include the factory inscription and engraving, the impressive condition, and the historic provenance this Henry rifle carries as David Kalakaua’s gun, you have a worthy investment piece.

There are also numerous museum-worthy revolvers, including Wild Bill Hickok's Smith & Wesson Model No. 2. One of the legendary guns of the Old West, this Smith & Wesson is documented as the very revolver Hickok carried on the night he was shot.

Other notable historic offerings include a Colt New Model 1855 military rifle, factory presentation inscribed to Muragaki-Awajino-Kamio, the first Japanese ambassador to the United States, on his historic voyage to San Francisco in 1860.

A rare factory engraved and inscribed Colt Government Model is another highlight: a Colt pistol presented by US General of the Armies John ‘Blackjack’ Pershing to the President of Venezuela.

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