A rare four piece collector’s edition Browning Centennial set realized $7,500 and a name inscribed Remington New Model Army Conversion saw $5,500 in Cordier Auctions & Appraisals’ Firearms & Militaria auction held on December 2, 2012.
S.E. Stilwell Inscribed $5,500
Approximately 150 bidders were registered in the room. Additionally, more than 725 bidders were pre-registered to bid via the internet. Prices were very strong in the sale, which featured 375 plus lots in categories including Antique & Modern Firearms, Collectible & Military Firearms, Edged Weapons and other Military collectibles. The auction was held in Cordier Auctions’ salesroom located at 1500 Paxton Street in Harrisburg. Prices realized do not include the buyer’s premium (10%-15%).
The Sunday sale began with handguns. Two name inscribed revolvers generated strong interest. A Remington New Model Army Conversion realized $5,500. The brass tang at the back of the revolver’s grip was inscribed “S.E. Stilwell” for Simpson Everett “Jack” Stilwell. He served as a post guide for troops at Fort Dodge, Kansas and later headed to the Indian Territories with General George Custer’s expedition, including service as a post guide at Fort Sill, as inscribed on the bottom of the revolver’s grip. Another revolver was a Civil War Soldier inscribed Colt model 1851 Navy which sold for $3,250. The brass tang at the back of the revolver’s grip was inscribed, “T.H. BISCOE 5th LA. VOL.”. Biscoe was a soldier in the 5th Louisiana Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.
In the always popular Military handgun group, a German Luger with holster and 2 magazines hammered down at $1,300 while another without the holster brought $900. Colt 1911 pistol sales continued to be strong. An early model from 1918 sold for $1,000 while two 1911 A1 Army models made in 1943 sold for $1,300 and $1,700.
Collectible firearms were a highlight, most of them in New in Box condition and part of a 150 piece collection from the estate of a private gun dealer. Among modern handguns, Colt DiamondBack revolvers were well represented from the collection. Two 6” engraved Diamondbacks in .22 caliber sold for $3,500 each (one with a nickel finish and the other with a blued steel finish). Additionally, a 6” Diamondback in .22 caliber and a 6” Diamondback in .38 caliber with blued steel finishes hammered down at $1,700 each. Two nickel plated versions of the revolver in .22 caliber, one 4” and the other 6”, sold for $2,900 each. Another nickel plated Diamondback in .38 caliber with a 6” barrel realized $3,000 while the same revolver in 4” brought $2,100. All sold above estimate. Other Colt handguns were popular as well. A Colt Python revolver experienced aggressive bidding, selling for $2,100. A 1976 Bicentennial Set with display case hammered down at $2,600 while a 1986 Double Diamond Set with display case brought $4,200.
Representing another significant portion of the auction were antique, military and modern collectible and sporting long arms, including a rare collectible set from Browning that was the top lot of the sale. Called The Centennial Set, it included the Centennial O/U rifle/shotgun, a Hi-Power pistol, a B92 lever action rifle, a flintlock Mountain rifle and 3 knives, all of which were in presentation cases. A bidder in the room won the set with a bid of $7,500 on an estimate of $6,500-$8,500.
Browning dominated the long gun category. A High Grade Model 71 rifle sold at the high estimate of $1,200 while an Auto-5 Classic Light 12 Gauge shotgun with engraving sold within estimate for $1,700. The Browning B-SS shotgun series was well represented. A 12 and 20 Gauge Grade I Sporter both realized $1,600 while a Grade II brought $2,000. Additionally, a B-SS Sidelock in 20 Gauge hammered down at $3,700 while its 12 Gauge counterpart sold for $3,000, both within estimate. An engraved German Drilling with 12 Gauge barrels over a .30-06 rifle barrel was also very popular, bringing $2,800.
The highlights of the Edged Weapon category were a Japanese sword and Pre Civil War saber. The Japanese sword was an army officer’s signed Shin Gunto sword in World War II army mounts and metal scabbard with tassel that realized $800. The Pre-Civil War “N STARR” marked Calvary Saber came with a white buff leather belt marked “DINGEE” and realized $1,100. A surprise in this category was a US WWI M-1 Trench Knife that hammered down above the estimate at $700.
Military collectibles were popular once again, including a WWII 65 Mission Decorated A-2 Flight Jacket that sold for $1,200. The jacket belonged to Hershey, Pennsylvania native Joseph Gould, who was a captain in the Air Force from 1942-1945. He served in the 447th squadron/321st bombing group as a bombardier based in Corsica, Italy during WWII. As fate would have it, Captain Gould was grounded during the 66th mission due to illness, a mission from which his fellow crew members and plane never returned.
Other highlighted items included a WWII German Battle Uniform that realized $1,500 and two Japanese Uniforms that each sold for $1,000, all above estimate. These were among a group of seven uniformed mannequins which were part of collection from Maryland. A surprise came in the form of a NSDAP Air Traffic Controller’s Gorget, which after intense bidding sold to an internet bidder for $950. Another item that brought spirited bidding was an Imperial German Napoleonic Era Standard which smashed the estimate of $200-$300 and sold for $2,000. Additionally, a WWI German Medal Bar, two Iron Crosses and Merenti brought $800 while two German Close Order Combat Clasps realized $700. A Civil War Trunk from the 10th Regiment, West Virginia hammered down at $800.
Cordier’s next Firearms and Militaria auction is set for the spring at their auction facility located at 1500 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Consignments including antique and modern firearms, edged weapons and military collectibles are currently being accepted.
Information on Cordier Auctions & Appraisals can be found at www.CordierAntiques.com. Questions can be directed to Cordier Auctions & Appraisals at [email protected] or by calling 717-731-8662.