ROCK ISLAND, ILL. — May 17, 2022 – ROCK ISLAND, ILL. ̶ A significant and rare pair of revolvers presented to Civil War general and 18th President Ulysses S. Grant sold Friday at Rock Island Auction Company for a record $5.17 million on the opening day of the company’s three-day May Premier Auction. Grant’s revolvers led the way in the $28.2 million auction, the second largest in the company’s history.
The magnificent, cased set of Remington New Model Army revolvers was estimated to sell for $1 million to $3 million. Bidding started at $800,000. Grant’s Remingtons soared past RIAC’s previous top seller, a garniture of six arms presented to Napoleon Bonaparte that realized $2.875 million in the company’s December 2021 Premier Auction.
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“We are seeing remarkable prices in the collectible firearms market, and this is a tremendous example,” RIAC President Kevin Hogan said. “It’s an honor to be the company that people come to with their elite and historic firearms. Just last year we sold Napoleon’s garniture, Alexander Hamilton’s Revolutionary War flintlock pistols and John Wayne’s Colt Single Action Army.”
Grant’s Remingtons, numbered 1 and 2, are arguably the most significant firearms discovered from the Civil War. The set is covered with the artistry of L. D. Nimschke, one of the most renowned master engravers of the 19th century, and features grips carved with Grant’s portrait. They come nestled in their original rosewood case with full complement of accessories.
The pair of revolvers only came to light just recently at the 2018 Las Vegas Antique Arms Show.
The Remington revolvers are being called an American treasure and drawing comparisons to President Abraham Lincoln’s gilt and engraved Henry rifle or President George Washington’s flintlock pistols. They were likely presented to Grant after he captured Vicksburg on the Fourth of July in 1863 and thus secured the length of the Mississippi River for the Union.
RIAC’s May Premier Auction also included arms from well-known figures such as Wild Bill Hickok, Frank Sinatra, J. Edgar Hoover and a Colt Single Action Army revolver documented as a battlefield pickup at the Little Bighorn.
About Rock Island Auction Company
Rock Island Auction Company is the world’s #1 auction company for firearms, bladed weapons and militaria. Founded in 1993 by its current CEO Patrick Hogan, RIAC continues to lead the industry with record sales numbers and their extensive and beautiful marketing efforts. Their 150,000 square foot campus consists of two buildings and hosts around 18+ auctions each year. They actively seek consignments, be it a single weapon or a collection of hundreds, a thousand-dollar item or one million. For more information, please visit www.rockislandauction.com or call 1-800-238-8022.
For more information, contact Joel Kolander, jkolander@rockislandauction.com, or call (309) 797-1500.
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