A rare Confederate Officer inscribed Civil War revolver realized $4,750 and a World War II Colt 1911A1 pistol saw $3,000 in Cordier Auction’s Firearms & Militaria auction held on March 24, 2013.
Approximately 164 bidders were registered in the room. Additionally, more than 1,150 bidders were pre-registered to bid via the internet. Prices were strong in the sale, which featured 300 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 antique handguns. A Civil War Confederate Officer inscribed 1851 Navy revolver generated strong interest, with a bidder from the internet seeing success with a winning bid of $4,750. The revolver was built in the second year of production (1851). The brass tang at the back of the revolver’s grip was inscribed “F.H. LITTLE 11TH GA. V.I.” and was attributed to Francis H. Little who was a major with the 11th Regiment of the Georgia Volunteer Infantry from July 11, 1862 to November 8, 1862 at which time he was promoted to colonel.
In the military handgun group, a group of World War I and World War II era pistols from a private collection saw strong results. A Colt 1911A1 manufactured in 1941 hammered down at $3,000 while another made in 1942 realized $2,100. Versions of this pistol made by Ithaca and Remington Rand brought $1,200 each. Additionally, World War I Colt 1911 pistols saw healthy prices as six pistols built between 1917 and 1919 realized $1,000 to $1,500 each. A German P-38 with one magazine hammered down at $650 while two Smith & Wesson Model of 1917 revolvers sold for $600 and $750 each.
Military long arms continued to remain popular. A nice example of the M-1 Garand from Springfield Armory realized $1,000 while the same model manufactured by Winchester hammered down at $1,200, both above estimate. A Remington 1903-A3 rifle brought $600 on an estimate of $400 to $700 while a US Springfield Model 1898 in .30-40 Krag sold at its high estimate of $700. An Enfield Jungle Carbine and a German GEW 98 Mauser rifle hammered down above their estimates and sold for $700 each.
Collectible firearms were a highlight, featuring commemoratives from Colt and Dan Wesson. A General George Patton Colt 1911A1 commemorative pistol in display case sold to an internet bidder for $1,400. A Second Amendment Commemorative revolver made by Dan Wesson also went to a bidder from the internet, hammering down right at its high estimate of $1,500. This revolver was presented in .44 magnum and featured gold plated metal components and its own display case, highlighting the 2nd Amendment phrase, “THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED”. A Ruger/Lyman 1878 Centennial rifle in display case with collectable accessories hammered down at $2,100 while a Winchester Model 9422 Boy Scouts of America 75th Anniversary Commemorative sold above estimate for $1,000.
Prices were strong among modern handguns. A Colt DiamondBack revolver with a four inch barrel realized $850 while an FNH Hi-power pistol in 9mm went for $700. A Walther PPK/S in .22 caliber saw spirited bidding and hammered down above estimate at $850. A Smith & Wesson Model 53 revolver in the rare .22 Jet caliber with a monstrous 8-3/8” barrel brought $950 while a new-in-box Colt 1911, representing a reproduction version of the World War I pistol, hammered down at $1,000. Both were above estimate. The diamond in the rough for this category was a Smith & Wesson Pre-War Kit Gun revolver in .22 caliber made just prior to World War II. This handgun was a 5-screw version of an early Smith & Wesson revolver. After an aggressive bidding session between two bidders in the room, the piece finally hammered down at $1,200, well above the estimate of $300 to $500.
Highlights from the long gun category included a beautiful H&R Small Bore Double Hammer shotgun in 28 gauge which sold right at the high estimate of $800. A Winchester 1884 realized $700 while an 1886 model hammered down at $850. A Browning A-bolt Bighorn Sheep rifle also sold right at the high estimate of $1,200 while a nice Winchester Model 70 in .458 Winchester magnum realized $1,000.
Military collectibles included items from pre-Civil War through the Vietnam Era. A US Army 1832 artillery waist belt realized $500 while a World War II era Hamilton Navigation Master pocket watch sold for $450, both above estimate. A 19th century gunner’s powder horn hammered down within estimate at $375 while a Civil War artillery gunner’s pouch saw $300.
The Edged Weapon category saw aggressive bidding from the internet. Highlights were a relic Confederate sword from the Shiloh battlefield and several German daggers. The Confederate sword was mounted on a piece of rough cut lumber and hammered down at $425, well above estimate. Two unit marked Nazi Police dress daggers with scabbards sold for $600 and $375 while a World War II era Chinese Nationalist Airforce dagger worn during the Sino-Japanese war of 1937-1945 sold above estimate for $425. A bidder from the room stepped up on a German Army dagger with its scabbard and porte pee, which realized $375.
Other highlighted items included a miniature photo of Abraham Lincoln that realized $225 and a bronze, After Frederic Remington, which sold for $325. Numerous Ned Smith prints were offered, selling for $60 to $140. However, a surprise came when a print entitled “Waiting for Dawn” crossed the block and sold to a bidder in the room for $850.
Cordier’s next Firearms and Militaria auction is set for the summer 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.CordierAuction.com. Questions can be directed to Cordier Auctions & Appraisals at [email protected] or by calling 717-731-8662.
