$7,500 BROWNING CENTENNIAL SET AND $5,500 NAME INSCRIBED REMINGTON NEW MODEL ARMY CONVERSION ARE TOP 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' Firearms & Militaria Auction.
News-Antique.com - Feb 04,2013 - 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.
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
