Firearms Estate of Respected Collector Drives Bidding Interest The excitement of the C.W. Slagle firearms estate collection pushed Rock Island’s April auction to the $7.6 million dollar mark.
News-Antique.com - May 14,2010 - Moline, IL April 30, May 1 & 2, 2010. Rock Island Auction started the year strong with its first premiere sale of 2010 attaining over $7.6 million! Bringing the yearly total over $10 million! While dazzling stories of shockingly high prices excite many readers, this auction held much that will encourage the majority of firearms collectors. Prices set not by high auction house reserves but competing collectors proved that mid-range items are valuable for firearms collectors.
The main draw of the auction was no surprise, C. W. Slagle’s unique derringers, palm pistols and curio type firearms. Well known in the firearms world as a collector of the unusual, the antique derringer and curio type weapons in this auction drew bidding attention. An extremely rare AM. Sterling marked solid sterling silver Colt second model derringer pistol attained $69,000. Other examples include a large Morrill, Mosman & Blair Elgin patent cutlass pistol, serial number 52 bringing $13,800, and an unusual Sedgley fist gun selling above estimate at $8,625. A cased Femme Fatale pistol ring also hammered above estimate at $5,750
This auction included an extraordinary selection of Winchesters. The top seller of the auction was a magnificent factory cased and engraved Volcanic lever action navy pistol commanding $74,750. An exquisite one of a kind custom engraved gold and nickel plated Winchester model 1873 lever action rifle with carved ivory stock and forearm relief realized $40,250; while $28,750 took home an outstanding rare deluxe special order Winchester 1873 lever action rifle in rare 22 short with a factory mounted Winchester A5 scope. Several outstanding 1866’s were sold including an exceptional Winchester model 1886 lever action rifle with casehardened receiver and factory letter bringing $25,875.
During the three day sale other genres also brought impressive prices. Colts were vastly represented with over 650 in this auction. The high seller was a magnificent Gustave Young factory engraved, J.P. Lower shipped Colt model 1878 sheriff model double action revolver with factory letter that went near the high estimate at $46,000. Other examples are an exceptional Colt Bisley frontier six shooter flattop target revolver with factory letter and a scarce 44 rimfire black powder Colt single action army revolver with factory letter attaining $25,875 and $18,400.
Rock Island Auction proves that it is the auction house for buying and selling all military genres. Beginning with the Civil War, an excellent unissued condition Burnside carbine sold for $9,775 while a rare Confederate Richmond marked percussion carbine with an original sling sold for $8,625. The swords did exceptionally well, featuring an exceptional historical Civil War inscribed presentation 9th Illinois cavalry officer's saber and a historical high grade 17 Michigan Infantry (Stonewall regiment) inscribed presentation Civil War staff and field officer's sword both selling above estimate at $9,200 and $8,050 respectively.
Moving on to WWI & WWII brought sniper rifles, edged weapons and semi-automatic pistols. Of the 1911’s and early automatics most sold at or above estimate, the leader being a rare WWII Singer contract U.S. M1911A1 semi-automatic pistol with
