Flathead Beacon
10-08-08

FAIRFIELD, Maine – An anonymous bidder paid a record $920,000 for a historic .44-caliber revolver, and Maine auctioneer James Julia said that despite the price, it was a bargain.

The Colt Walker pistol made for U.S. marshals in the 1840s belonged to University of Maine graduate John McBride’s great-great-uncle.

…The $920,000 price includes a $120,000 buyer’s fee charged by the auctioneer.

The handgun known as “The Marshal’s Gun” was the most powerful handgun in the world for more than a century until the .44 Magnum appeared in the mid-1950s.”

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(Atlanta, Ga.) – Fine estate jewelry, antique guns and other weaponry, rare and vintage automobiles, artwork by important artists and more will be sold in an anniversary estate sale to be held Sunday, March 16, by Gallery 63. It’s been just about a year ago to the day that Gallery 63 relocated from its previous location about five miles away, as rapid growth dictated the need for more space.

“It’s been quite a year,” said Paul Brown of Gallery 63, surveying the building that once housed a church fellowship hall, at 4577 Roswell Road in the fashionable Buckhead section of Atlanta. “In just twelve short months, we sold a $300,000 diamond, uncovered a previously unseen Civil War document and moved hundreds of pieces of furniture, paintings, jewelry and other estate merchandise.”

The March 16 sale will be in keeping with the Gallery 63 tradition of offering outstanding items in a broad range of categories. “As usual, we’ll be offering fresh-to-the-market, world-class art, antiques, furniture, architecturals, jewelry, collectibles and decoratives,” Mr. Brown said. “We’ll have dozens of antique weapons, fine jewelry and watches, some beautiful carpets and select automobiles.”

Where to start? Why not rare and vintage cars – a staple at most Gallery 63 sales. Sure to jump-start the crowd will be a snow crest white 1959 Corvette with red interior, 4-speed transmission and (perhaps most important) matching numbers. The Corvettes made between 1956-1962 are deemed by collectors the most desirable, and this one – in outstanding condition – is even fully dated correctly.

Another show-stopper is a bright red 1939 Ford Tudor Standard, completely rebuilt and restored to better-than-new condition. The motor looks like it’s auditioning for a spread in Hot Rod Magazine (and likely cost a small fortune to build). The paint was lovingly applied by a master, right down to the “ghost flames” on the fenders. “This one won’t take long to cross the block,” Brown said.

Other cars in the sale include a bright red 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible – one of the grand-daddies of the muscle car class, and a rag-top no less – with black hood trim, new black top, 350 cu.-in. engine and a full frame-on restoration; and a 1984 Mercedes 380SL with low miles and in super clean condition. The car isn’t old, but the 1984-85 Mercedes Benzes are considered classic collectibles.

One of the stars of the weaponry and militaria category promises to be a Colt Bisley single-action revolver with mint ivory grips and finely detailed engraving on a nickel finish. The classic Colt single-action was introduced in 1873 and it remains in production today. Theodore Roosevelt once remarked, “Every ranchman carries a revolver, a Colt or Smith & Wesson — by preference the former.”

Another revolver certain to attract keen bidder interest is the cased Tranter in near mint condition that once belonged to Confederate Gen. Francis T. Nichols. The gun, still sporting the New Orleans Agent’s mark engraved at the top of the barrel, was presented to Nichols by his wife. He lost an arm in the Civil War, but recovered well enough to eventually serve as the Governor of Louisiana.

Other vintage weapons to be offered include a late 18th-century silver mounted Flintlock pistol, long barrel, inlaid at the stepped breech with silver and gold signature in the inlaid panel; a rare Civil War musket made by Savage and stamped 1863, with excellent stock and beautiful patina; and a Short Cavalry single-shot trap door Remington rifle, a favorite with Indian fighters and buffalo hunters.

Also to be sold will be a rare 1863 Confederate infantry tower musket (a favorite with CS sharpshooters); a matched pair of early 18th-century Italian dueling pistols by the famed gun maker Vincenzo Comminazzo, converted to percussion in the early 1800s; and American Indian weapons (circa 1870-90), including a hand-forged tomahawk, hand-forged Chief’s knife and decorated war club.

Marvelous estate jewelry pieces will include a 3.86 carat cushion cut sapphire set in 18k white gold and flanked by 2.5 carats of trillion cut diamonds; a 4.50 oval cut emerald in 18k white gold with 48 diamond bezel setting; a 3.25 carat, H color VS round brilliant diamond in an 18k necklace; and an 18k white gold designer pendant with 2.50 carat sapphire and 3 carats of emerald cut diamonds.

The sale will also feature an exceptional collection of men’s collector and designer watches, to include a Cartier Santos in platinum; a Patek Philippe in 18k gold; and a Corum watch with $20 gold coin face. And collectors will be hot to bid on a pair of Pippo chronographs, both in gold and both with diamonds. The consignor reportedly chose to buy these watches rather than make a mortgage payment!

Fine art will include a signed pastel-on-paper by the American Impressionist Arthur Clifton Goodwin (1864-1929); an original hand-colored drypoint pencil etching by Louis Icart (French, 1880-1950); several works by the British-born Atlanta visual artist Paul Chelko (1934-2008); and original oil paintings by John Grabach (American, 1886-1981) and Alfred Thompson Bricher (British, 1837-1908).

Rounding out the day’s offerings will be an original 45 rpm record commemorating the sale of the song “Eight Days a Week,” signed by all four Beatles; a Harry S. Truman signed letter; a Grace Kelly autograph on the cover of Time magazine; a rare piece of original scrimshaw on a sperm whale tooth; an all-original Louis Vuitton valise and suitcase; and a John A. Broadwood & Sons grand piano.

The sale will begin at 11 a.m. and end around 7 p.m. A preview will be held the entire week prior, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Gallery 63 has begun backing up its bigger Sunday auctions with smaller, follow-up sales on Tuesday evenings. They are generally held the second Tuesday following a regular Sunday auction. So, after the March 16 Sunday auction the next Tuesday night sale will be March 25.

The Tuesday evening sales have a start time of 4 p.m. and usually end around 9 p.m. They are held across the parking lot from where the Sunday auctions are held, in a converted church facility. For details and directions, click on the website at www.gallery63.net. Gallery 63 is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. Call (404) 252-2555, or e-mail to rbaron2@bellsouth.net.

Cincinnati.Com
Saturday, February 16, 2008

“Cartridge boxes became popular in the 1860s with the invention of the repeating rifle and carbine. Much like sports fans collect baseball cards, firearms aficionados look to add rare cartridge boxes to their collections.

The boxes come in a variety of materials. The earliest usually were made of tin. In the 1860s, two-piece paper boxes became more popular and gradually evolved into today’s standard one-piece construction with a fold-over lid. These one-piece paper cases were coated with wax to make them water-resistant. In the 1960s, Remington made plastic boxes to help further protect against water damage.

Some of the most collectible cartridge boxes come from the Civil War period.”

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Star-Telegram.com: | 11/12/2007
By ERIC O’KEEFE
The New York Times

“DALLAS — Prospective bidders looking to buy a piece of the Old West were greeted by an intimidating view straight down the barrel of a Model 1883 Gatling gun. Behind the weapon, a vast exhibit hall at the Hilton Anatole hotel was arranged FAO Schwarz-style, with row upon row of exquisitely beaded moccasins, revolvers and well-oiled Western saddles.

The items were included in an auction of more than 800 artifacts from a trove of period photographs, American Indian artifacts and historic memorabilia acquired by Mayor Stephen Reed of Harrisburg, Pa.

Gross sales on Saturday exceeded $1.5 million. Some of the most sought-after items went on auction Sunday, including the Gatling gun, which sold for $280,000; the stagecoach; and the wagon.”

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Dwight Stevens described the October 20 auction as “a man’s sale” because so many of the items in the single-owner collection relate to cars, motorcycles, petroliana, knives and weaponry. The collector, a resident of Canton, Miss., has consigned more than 500 lots. His rifle, shotgun and handgun collection alone would be a show-stopper at most other sales. About 300 guns will be sold.

“About 30 of the firearms are antiques,” Mr. Stevens pointed out, “but most are field-ready, for hunting purposes. All are in immaculate condition, well-oiled and beautifully maintained.” Featured will be examples from world-renowned makers like Winchester, Remington and Colt. There is also a Winchester Model 9432 rifle (ca. 1890), as well as high-powered rifles, small boot guns and derringers.

Over 150 collector knives will be offered, most by major manufacturers and some from collector editions of Southern favorites such as John Deere, John Wayne and Elvis Presley. Military swords will also be sold. And the selection of petroliana advertising signs is breathtaking, with some forgotten names like Delco and Red Crown, as well as some old familiar faces like Shell and Pennzoil.

Previews will be held the day before each sale, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Both sales will be held at Stevens’ showroom, at 609 No. Meridian Street in Aberdeen, Miss.

For more information, visit the Stevens Auction website at www.stevensauction.com.

Stars and Stripes
By Zeke Minaya,
Mideast edition, Friday, May 25, 2007

“BAGHDAD – While searching for weapons caches, American soldiers near Abu Ghraib often play the part of accidental archaeologists.

…Rifles etched with the Nazi eagle and swastika, Tommy guns seemingly straight out of black and white gangster movies, and a British Sterling submachine gun familiar to any World War II enthusiast have been found among the weapons troves of insurgents.”

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Associated Press
Published January 4 2007

“MERIDEN, Conn. — This is a story about a Meriden shotgun, made for Czar Nicholas II, the last czar to rule Russia.

The gun was on its way to Russia when World War I broke out and it was returned to its maker in Meriden, the renowned Parker Brothers. The czar never saw it. Eventually, a new buyer was found.

… Now the gun has resurfaced, and will be up for auction in early March. It is expected to attract bids from $225,000 to $325,000.”

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Winchester Offers Collectible John Wayne Ammunition Cartridges

Financial News – Yahoo! Finance
Tuesday January 2, 2007

“NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Whether you’re a fan of classic Westerns, John Wayne, Winchester Ammunition or, just a cowboy at heart, the finest set of collectible ammunition ever produced is available to you in 2007.

The legendary John Wayne, Winchester Ammunition, and the classic Wild West have come together in a limited edition collector’s set of ammunition offered in three classic cartridges–44-40 Winchester, 45 Colt, and 30-30 Winchester–to commemorate 100 years of “The Duke”. The cartridges are designed with customized head stamps and will come in specially designed embossed packaging.”

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You can visit the Winchester website here.

Smoking Gun

Forbes.com
David Armstrong
12.25.06

“The king of the antique firearms business, Larry Wilson, sits in prison. Is he a con artist–or did he just shoot himself in the foot?

To his defenders, Robert L. (Larry) Wilson is the most prominent expert in collectible antique firearms, a scholar who pops up in the middle of almost every major transaction in the gun trade. “He’s the king,” says his friend, sometime business partner and New York antique dealer Martin Lane. “His research single-handedly made this hobby what it is. This stuff wouldn’t be worth nearly what it is if it weren’t for Wilson.”

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