Bidders Take Aim at Firearms in Upcoming Garth’s Auction On October 31, 2009, Garth’s Auctions of Delaware, Ohio will present an auction of over 300 lots firearms and military accoutrements guiding bidders through about four centuries of world history.
News-Antique.com - Oct 08,2009 - Do you want to experience 400 years worth of world history in a single afternoon? On October 31, 2009, Garth’s Auctions of Delaware, Ohio will present an auction of over 300 lots firearms and military accoutrements guiding bidders through about four centuries of world history. The greatest segment of the auction represents part two of a southern collection of firearms, the first part having been sold in Garth’s recent annual Labor Day Auction. Strong results from that September sale included a 17th-century blunderbuss($5,405) and a mid-19th century Colt single-action revolver($32,900). Part two of this impressive collection to be sold October 31st, with a few additions, is exceptional for its chronologic and geographic diversity. There are items to be had for collectors in every price range. Unholster your auction paddle and prepare to be trigger-happy with your bids!
The auction features over 150 early pistols, and among the earliest is a mid-16th century wheellock pistol with elaborate wire inlay which is expected to bring $3/6,000. Also included are over 75 flintlock pistols, a wide variety of percussion pistols, and specialty items like pepperbox pistols, powder testers, and a rare Day’s Patent combination percussion pistol/truncheon. Over two dozen pairs of both flintlock and percussion pistols will be offered, including a number of cased pairs. Among these cased lots is a fine pair of French percussion pistols by Gastinne Renette estimated at $10/15,000.
From the much collected “cowboy era” of the mid-to-late 19th century, there are all the names you would expect: Colt, Smith and Wesson, Manhattan, and Remington. Revolvers abound, including an engraved Colt Model 1861 Navy, an early Manhattan .36 caliber with ivory grips, and perhaps the flashiest guns in the sale, a cased pair of Smith and Wesson Model 2 revolvers with elaborate gilt decoration( Est. $15/25,000). Long guns are also well-represented, from early European wheellocks and fowlers through 19th-century rifles, including a Winchester 1873 lever-action which will prompt many bidders to take a shot at the lot give the estimate of $3/5,000. The selection of shotguns includes a cased example by Joseph Bourne and an unusual example by Schoolfield and Vass of Danville, Virginia, with tobacco plants engraved on the locks(Est. $4/800).
As impressive in terms of depth and breadth is the offering of edged weapons, from early Mughal daggers to 20th century Great Lakes naval swords. A example of the Mughal dagger is an example with gold inlaid blade, jade handle and a guard encrusted with diamonds and rubies expected to reach $3/5,000. There are numerous European swords from the 18th through the 20th centuries, such as German hunting swords (including a fine example with a “built-in” flintlock pistol), Napoleonic swords, and German imperial swords, as well as American Naval and lodge swords. Along with a selection of bayonets, there is also a good group of knives, including early bowies and dirks, and more unusual knives including gauchos, krisses, and kindjals.
Rounding out the sale is wide variety of accoutrements, including holsters and powder horns, as well as
