(Photo courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company)
May 19, 2023
By Handguns Staff
Today is the big day that some highly historic antique firearms and significant fine art pieces are going up for auction in Rock Island Auction Company’s May Premier Auction, running Friday through Sunday, May 19-21 .
Rock Island Auction Company offering collectors the opportunity to acquire rare, historic and significant collectibles such as fine arms, art, vintage flight jackets, Tiffany & Co. swords and more.
(Photo courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company) This extraordinary pair of presentation-cased, factory engraved, silver-plated, gold-trimmed Colt Model 1861 Navy revolvers with spectacular raised relief grips is among the best-known pair of silver Colt revolvers in existence. This cased set - in magnificent condition, and a work of beauty worthy of any art museum- is also a set representative of the treasured history of the Civil War. This history combined with the rarity and beauty of the set itself truly sets them into a class of their own. Few Civil War presentation revolvers, let alone cased pairs, retain both their beautiful artistry and high condition as well as have traceable history. This set has all three.
The pre-auction estimate is $140,000 - $225,000 . (Photo courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company) Famed American author Grey is best known for his novel, Riders of the Purple Sage, which is cited as defining the Western genre of literature, TV and film. Zane Grey’s Winchester features elaborate factory engraving, and gold inlay of a deer, mountain lion and grizzly bear on the receiver, and is embellished with arabesque scrollwork and artistic borders. Ulrich signed this firearm with his customary “JU” initials and inscribed the original owner’s name in gold: “ZANE GREY.”
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The rifle carries a pre-auction estimate of $400,000 to $600,000 . (Photo courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company) In 1985, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Arms and Armor Department benefit auction was standing room only and had Johnny Cash serving as a guest auctioneer for the 147 available lots. On this day, a Colt Single Action Army Revolver, which was made and donated by Colt Industries specifically for the Met, was sold. The revolver is one of a kind- from its serial number to its engravings of specific museum pieces.
Its pre-auction estimate stands at $75,000 - $110,000 . Contact Lauren Witt, account supervisor, at (817) 721-5576 or lauren@interdependence.com if you would like to set up a time to chat with an RIAC representative about any of the items in this weekend’s May Premier Auction. She can coordinate a video conference so you can see the items in a private one-on-one as well.
