British-made Civil War rifle led the charge at Milestone’s $1.8M Premier Firearms Auction

Parker Field & Sons (London) 39in, .577 caliber Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle manufactured circa 1861 under commission to the Confederacy. Number on butt plate and loading rod indicates it was among the first 10,000 rifles the gunsmiths delivered to the buyer across the Atlantic. Fresh to the market, it sold for $15,600 against an estimate of $4,000-$5,000.

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Antique and vintage firearms collectors converged at Milestone Auctions’ suburban Cleveland gallery over the weekend of June 10-11 to bid on 1,421 lots of outstanding military, civilian and sporting arms. The summer edition of the company’s popular Premier Collectible Firearms series, which also benefited from absentee and Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers, closed the books at a hefty $1.8 million, with many surprises along the way. All prices quoted in this report include the buyer’s premium.

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Milestone presents fine sporting, Civil War & Old West firearms, June 10-11

Very fine Winchester Model 1866 Yellow Boy .44-caliber rimfire rifle designed by Oliver Winchester as the continuation to the famed Henry rifle. This example, manufactured in 1886, features a gunmetal brass receiver with full-length octagon barrel and full-length magazine. Barrel has two-line Winchester address, German silver sporting blade front sight, and elevation-adjustable rear sight. Excellent full-size stocks. Estimate $15,000-$25,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Over the weekend of June 10-11, Milestone Auctions will open its doors to an arsenal of antique, vintage and other fine weapons chosen expressly for the summer edition of its Premier Collectible Firearms sale. The 1,421-lot auction event, featuring the types and brands of military, civilian and sporting arms hobbyists yearn for, welcomes absentee and Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.

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Morphy’s Firearms & Militaria Auction hits the bull’s-eye at nearly $7M

Circa-1988 Armi Fabbri bespoke over/under shotgun with demi-bloc 27in nitro proof blued steel barrels, serial no. ‘E701,’ Italian proof marks. Flawless example with engraving by Claudio Tomasoni, presented in fitted Fabbri leather case. Sold for $84,000

DENVER, Pa. – Collectors turned out in force for Morphy’s April 11-13 Firearms & Militaria Auction, which surpassed even seasoned experts’ pre-sale expectations as it closed the books at nearly $7 million. Morphy’s president and principal auctioneer Dan Morphy reported an average selling price of $5,600 per lot, a result he attributes to the firearms department’s focus on “quality consignments versus volume” and a lineup of Class 3 and sporting arms that discerning collectors found hard to resist. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.

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Morphy’s April 11-13 Firearms & Militaria Auction ‘presents arms’ of exceptional quality, rarity and provenance

Remarkable original .40-caliber percussion Kentucky long rifle made circa 1835 by master gunsmith John Armstrong of Emmitsburg, Md. One of only four known original percussion Armstrong rifles. Magnificently carved stock, brass inlaid plate on barrel signed ‘JOHN ARMSTRONG’ and handmade percussion lock signed in script ‘J A.’ Super condition, Golden Age rifle. Provenance: Joseph Kindig collection. Estimate $70,000-$100,000

DENVER, Pa. – At every level of the antique firearms hobby, savvy collectors are guided by three non-negotiables when considering a purchase: impeccable provenance, genuine rarity and unimpeachable condition. They will find all three qualities in uncompromising abundance at Morphy’s April 11-13 Firearms & Militaria Auction. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Morphy’s Dec. 13-15 Firearms & Militaria auction a virtual survey of American history

Rare-pattern 1760 British light infantry flintlock carbine. Distinctive furniture is of a type seen on carbines recovered from French and Indian War sites. Identical to an example in DeWitt Bailey’s reference ‘Small Arms of the British Forces in America.’ Estimate $20,000-$30,000

DENVER, Pa. – Year after year, collecting firearms and militaria ranks as one of America’s favorite hobbies – and it’s easy to see why. It’s a pastime whose subject matter uniquely crosses history with technology, and it’s accessible to enthusiasts at all levels, from absolute beginner to seasoned pro. A preferred source for arms and military relics from the pre-Revolutionary War era through modern day is Morphy Auctions’ popular Collectible Firearms & Militaria series. The next event produced under this banner is set for December 13-15, 2022 at Morphy’s Pennsylvania gallery. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Morphy’s Nov. 15-16 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria Auction targets rarest and best

Pair of circa-1978 Ivo Fabbri (Italian) sidelock side-by-side 12-gauge shotguns, custom made with engraved mythological and fantasy scenes by Claudio Tomasoni. The duo has been featured twice on the cover of American Shotgunner magazine (April 1981, June 1986). Beautiful pair of game guns exhibiting the world’s highest standard of quality and design from a company that makes only around 30 firearms per year. Presented in fine two-gun leather luggage case. Estimate $60,000-$90,000

DENVER, Pa. – Two days of unprecedented buying opportunities await bidders at Morphy Auctions’ Nov. 15-16 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria Auction. A breathtaking 800-lot selection of rare military and civilian arms follows a timeline that runs from the early 18th century through contemporary times. Several lots are historically significant, with ties to Civil War legends and even “The King” himself, Elvis Presley. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Bidders aimed high at Milestone’s $2.5M Collectible Firearms Auction

Fine Civil War 2nd Model Martial Henry rifle manufactured in 1865. Barrel shows late large 2-line barrel address with serial number stamped behind rear sight. Sold above high estimate for $48,000

 WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – On March 12-13, 2022, Milestone Auctions in suburban Cleveland held its first-ever two-day Premier Collectible Firearms sale, a well-received outgrowth of its single-day firearms events, which have proved consistently popular. The March sale featured a curated selection of antique, vintage and modern-era weapons. The opening session, which was geared toward higher-end firearms, produced the majority of the top 10 prices realized, while day two was notable for its diverse array of military, civilian and sporting arms with estimates to please most collectors. Bolstered by absentee and Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers, the sale cashed out at $2.5 million, inclusive of buyer’s premium.

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Morphy’s Nov. 17-18 Firearms Auction led by Mel Guy’s legendary Colt ‘Buntline Special’ 

Noted collector Mel Guy’s Colt Buntline Special single-action Army Revolver with a 16-inch-long barrel. Shipped by Colt in 1884. Accompanied by extensive provenance and numerous experts’ letters attesting to the firearm’s authenticity and originality. Estimate $400,000-$800,000

DENVER, Pa. – On Nov. 17-18, Morphy’s will proudly present its fall 2021 Extraordinary Firearms Auction, the latest in a series known for its premier consignments from long-held private collections. As always, a historically important firearm will serve as the marquee piece, following in the footsteps of such icons as the flintlock musket that fired the first shot at the Battle of Bunker Hill (sold by Morphy’s for $492,000, Oct. 23, 2019). The November sale’s signature firearm is one of the most renowned and coveted of all known Colt single-action Army Revolvers: Mel Guy’s “Buntline Special.”

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Milestone’s Oct. 23 Firearms Auction loaded with fresh-to-market one-off productions

Iconic New Haven Arms Model 1860 brass-framed Henry rifle, manufactured 1863, .44 Henry caliber, 24¼-in barrel length. Wonderful example of the reliable, high-capacity lever-action rifle that was immediately pressed into service during the Civil War and later used during the westward migration. Untouched, never tampered with or cleaned, this is a recent discovery from a northern Colorado collection. Estimate $20,000-$30,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – A choice selection of recently discovered firearms that have never before appeared at auction will headline Milestone’s October 23, 2021 Premier Antique & Modern Firearms sale. After months of traveling extensively and visiting private collections, Milestone’s firearms team has secured a number of top prizes, including guns that were produced in very low numbers or for a specific agency, arms with a low survival rate, and early examples that display historically significant design innovations. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Morphy’s to auction 1,500+ lots of firearms and militaria, July 13-15

Beautifully decorated Kentucky-style percussion rifle recently discovered with consignor provenance stating it once belonged to a Dr. Emmanuel Meyer (b. 1818, Basel, Switzerland; later a surgeon in Texas). Family ownership since the 1840s. Estimate $30,000-$50,000

DENVER, Pa. – In preparing for Morphy’s big July 13-15 sale, the Pennsylvania company’s firearms specialists have once again come through with flying colors, curating a first-class selection of firearms, edged weapons, armor and militaria from fine American and international collections. More than 1,500 lots will be presented over the three-day period, with absentee and Internet live bidding available through LiveAuctioneers.

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