Willoughby, Ohio – October 2022– Over the weekend of October 29-30, Milestone Auctions in suburban Cleveland will host an exciting 1,469-lot Premier Collectible Firearms sale featuring the types of antique, military, and civilian weapons hobbyists yearn for.
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As always, there will be excellent examples to suit every pocketbook, with a historical timeline that starts in the pre-Revolutionary War era and advances through every successive conflict of the centuries to follow. In addition to gallery bidding, all forms of remote bidding are welcome, including absentee, phone, and live via the Internet.
The magical “Colt” name is seen throughout the auction catalog in descriptions of one rare entry after another. A top highlight is the Colt pinched-frame .45-caliber Single-Action Army Revolver manufactured in 1874. It was one of a shipment of 15 guns sent that year to J.P. Moores & Sons of New York City. The “pinched frame” configuration was used only the first 100 or so Single Actions produced, making the model very special to collectors. Although highly sought after, the pinched frame Colt is rarely available in the marketplace, either at auction or at shows. The example in Milestone’s October 29 session was a 1989 NRA Silver Medal winner and is accompanied by a 1985 letter of documentation signed by Colt factory historian M.S. Huber. Its pre-sale estimate is $40,000-$65,000.
Colt pinched-frame .45-caliber Single-Action Army Revolver manufactured in 1874 and one of a shipment of 15 guns sent to J.P. Moores & Sons (NYC) that year. Accompanied by 1985 letter of documentation from Colt factory historian. NRA Silver Medal winner in 1989. Estimate $40,000-$65,000
Another rare Colt .45 Single-Action in the sale is a US Cavalry Army Revolver manufactured in 1874 and bearing the serial number 91. It was one of a shipment of 115 guns sent that year to New York City retailers Schuyler, Hartley and Graham. The revolver is accompanied by a 2014 letter of documentation from Colt factory historian Beverly Jean Haynes, signed and annotated “Gov’t Sale.” This would suggest the gun was either a contract overrun or a buy-back (government-rejected gun). It comes to auction with a $12,500-$20,000 estimate.
Rare Colt .45 Single-Action U.S. Cavalry Army Revolver manufactured in 1874, serial number 91, one of a shipment of 115 guns sent to Schuyler, Hartley and Graham (NYC) that year. Accompanied by 2014 letter of documentation from Colt factory historian with the notation ‘Gov’t Sale,’ suggesting it may have been a contract overrun or buy back (rejected gun). Estimate $12,500-$20,000
Civil War history comes alive with a fine presentation Sharps 1853 carbine whose patch box is elegantly engraved J.W. CAMPION GOD AND OUR COUNTRY 81 PENNA VOLLS. The inscription refers to a benefactor of the courageous 81st Pennsylvania Infantry, which was attached to Howard’s Brigade, Richardson’s Division, Army of the Potomac and fought in many famous Civil War battles, including Gettysburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. There is even a monument at Gettysburg honoring the 81st. The gun’s recipient, John W. Campion, was a wealthy supporter of the Pennsylvania infantrymen and even purchased their bulletproof vests. The presentation firearm he received from them is deserving of much more than a mere footnote in history and is estimated at $6,500-$8,500.
Fine presentation Sharps 1853 carbine with patch box elegantly engraved ‘J.W. CAMPION GOD AND OUR COUNTRY 81 PENNA VOLLS,’ referring to the courageous 81st Pennsylvania Infantry, which was attached to Howard’s Brigade and fought in many famous Civil War battles, including Gettysburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Campion was a wealthy supporter of the 81st who even purchased their bulletproof vests. Historically significant firearm. Estimate $6,500-$8,500
From the post-Civil War period, when Western expansion was in full swing, comes a Springfield 45-.70 caliber Model 1873 rifle. It was produced in very limited numbers at the Springfield Arsenal over a three-year period, from 1875-77, on a special-order basis for military officers. It has crisp, legible markings with the 1873 model number shown on the breech block and lock. The trigger guard has the assembly number “69.” A very fine, authentic Model 1873 trapdoor rifle, it is expected to attract a winning bid in the $15,000-$20,000 range.
Model 1873 rifle, .45-.70 caliber, produced 1875-77 in very limited numbers by Springfield Arsenal on a special-order basis for military officers. Crisp, legible markings with 1873 model number shown on breech block, lock. Trigger guard has assembly number 69. Very fine, authentic example. Estimate $15,000-$20,000
Made in 1897, a 7.63-caliber German Mauser C96 conehammer broomhandle pistol is sure to attract bidder interest on both sides of the Atlantic. It has a 5½-inch barrel, a slide adjustable sight graduated to 1,000 meters, and matching numbers with the exception of the magazine base plate, which is of the period. Estimate: $3,500-$5,000
Antique (1897) 7.63-caliber Mauser C96 conehammer broomhandle pistol, 5½in barrel. Estimate $3,500-$5,000
Moving into the World War II period, an excellent Colt Service Model Ace with the two-digit serial number SM15 was manufactured in 1936 and reputedly was from the first group of Service Model Ace pistols obtained by the U.S. Government for trials and consideration. Retaining over 97% of its Parkerized finish, the firearm comes with a Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) shipping box with a label and SM15 scribed on the top, plus a copy of the 1954 RIA sales receipt issued to Captain Mark Jartman. The pre-sale estimate is $8,500-$15,000.
Produced at Mauserwerke, a P-08 9mm para Luger rig with two matched magazines has a toggle marked BYF and a chamber dated 42. The pistol is inspected WaA135, as is the loading/takedown tool. Its black leather P-08 shell holster is marked with the code cww and dated 1942. In very fine condition with more than 95% of the blue finish remaining, it is estimated at $3,500-$4,500.
World War II P-08 9mm para Luger rig with two matched magazines. Shell holster dated 1942. Produced at Mauserwerke with toggle marked ‘BYF’ and chamber dated ’42.’ Loading tool properly inspected and very fine. Estimate $3,500-$4,500
A very desirable 1935-37 Krieghoff 9mm para Luger, commercially polished and blued with Crown ‘N’ proofs on left side, has a toggle marked with the HK Kriefhoff monogram and KRIEGHOFF SUHL. The left side of the frame is marked HEINRICH KRIEGHOFF WAFFENFABRICK SUHL. In extremely fine condition, it retains more than 97% of its commercial blue finish, and its levers and controls display more than 80% of the straw finish. The bore is brilliant and bright, and the action operates properly. The auction estimate is $4,500-$5,500.
Krieghoff 9mm para Luger, 1935-37, commercially polished and blued with Crown ‘N’ proofs on left side. Toggle marked with HK Kriefhoff monogram and ‘KRIEGHOFF SUHL.’ Left side of frame marked ‘HEINRICH KRIEGHOFF WAFFENFABRICK SUHL.’ A desired Krieghoff in extremely fine condition. Estimate $4,500-$5,500
A predicted auction star is the circa-1890s Holland & Holland Royal Hammerless 450/400 Express double rifle with highly figured English walnut stocks and tight, profuse engraving. It is Birmingham proofed and marked 400 EX with the rifle’s serial number. Beautifully restored, with a fine Holland and Holland oak and leather travel case (possibly contemporary), it is estimated at $15,000-$25,000.
Circa 1890s Holland & Holland Royal Hammerless 450/400 Express double rifle with highly figured English walnut stocks, profuse engraving in tight rose-and-scroll pattern with finely chiseled border. Birmingham proofed and marked ‘400 EX’ with rifle’s serial number. Beautifully restored. Housed in fine oak and leather travel case with Holland & Holland label, possibly a contemporary replacement. Estimate $15,000-$25,000
A 1950 Winchester Model 21 with two-barrel rifle/shotgun set 28GA and 20GA is accompanied by a factory letter confirming the set was a salesman’s sample. It is in near-new condition, with bright bores and excellent stocks, and comes with its case and accessories. It is the only documented saleman’s sample Model 21 Milestone’s experts have ever encountered. It comes to auction with a $16,000-$22,000 estimate.
Winchester Model 21 with two-barrel rifle/shotgun set 28GA and 20GA. Manufactured in 1950 and accompanied by factory letter confirmed the set was a salesman’s sample. Near-new condition with barrels retaining more than 98% finish. Bright bores and excellent stocks. Comes with case and accessories. Only documented saleman’s sample Model 21 ever seen by Milestone’s experts. Estimate $16,000-$22,000
Bidder numbers increase with each successive firearms sale hosted by Milestone Auctions. “We think it’s not just because of the quality of firearms consigned to us but also the confidence bidders have in our descriptions and photos. We strive for accuracy,” said Milestone co-owner Miles King. “We’re very focused on customer service and creating a welcoming atmosphere for all of our auction guests, whether they’re old friends or brand new to the hobby.”
Milestone’s Saturday/Sunday October 29-30, 2022 Premier Collectible Firearms Auction will be held at Milestone’s gallery located at 38198 Willoughby Parkway, Willoughby (suburban Cleveland), OH 44094. Start time: 10 a.m. ET on both days. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Milestone’s own bidding platform, LiveAuctioneers, Proxibid, or Invaluable.
For additional information on any item in the auction, call 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. Online: www.milestoneauctions.com
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