CINCINNATI – Cowan’s and Hindman Auctions have announced a new era in Arms and Armor with the addition of three new arms historians. Tim Carey has been appointed as the new Director and Specialist of the department, while long-time Cowan’s consultant Tim Prince will formally join the team, along with Ashley Hlebinsky, as Senior Specialists. “For the better part of two decades, Cowan’s has been synonymous with arms and armor. With the addition of such talented experts, we are reaffirming our commitment to maintaining our position as the industry leader and look forward to expanding the department into new and exciting categories,” said Jay Krehbiel, Hindman’s Chief Executive Officer.

Tim Carey is a 40-year veteran of the sporting arms and outdoor recreation industry. Carey joins Cowan’s from Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farms in Andover, New Jersey, where he was responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, and consignment of top-tier firearms consignments from important makers such as James Purdey and Sons of London; Holland and Holland, Boss and Co, David McKay Brown, and John Rigby and Co.

“My top priority is maintaining the level of excellence that bidders and consignors have come to expect from Cowan’s over the years,” said Carey. “Cowan’s will remain a leader in historic firearms and militaria from the American Revolution, Civil War, the settling of the American West, and beyond. I think our clients will also be excited by some of the new directions we’ll be taking the department in the coming months.”

Tim Prince is one of the most widely known and respected experts in the arms and armor field. A member of the prestigious American Society of Arms Collectors, Prince has published numerous books on Civil War-era arms and has appeared as a featured appraiser on PBS Television’s Antiques Roadshow since 2016.

Prince’s relationship with Cowan’s also dates back to 2016 when he began cataloging 19th-century and Civil War-era military arms for Cowan’s on a contract basis. During his time at Cowan’s, he has catalogued and evaluated some of the most valuable and unusual pieces handled by the auction house. As Senior Specialist, Prince will help the department locate and solicit collections and consignments as well as increase his involvement in the cataloguing process.

“It’s an honor to formally join the Cowan’s and Hindman family,” said Prince. “I look forward to continuing my relationship with all the buyers and consignors I’ve met along the way and look forward to being part of this new chapter.”

Ashley Hlebinsky is one of the foremost authorities on firearms history, technology, and culture in the United States. Hlebinsky began her career at the Smithsonian Institution where she simultaneously earned her master’s in American History with an emphasis on firearms and militaria from the University of Delaware. By 25 years of age, Hlebinsky was curator in charge of the Cody Firearms Museum, one of the largest and most prestigious firearms museums in the United States. Also a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors, Hlebinsky is an author for several popular and academic publications as well as a television personality and producer.

“I have been immersed in arms and armor material for over a decade, and I am thrilled to be able to work with Cowan’s and Hindman to help preserve the history and culture of this collecting category,” said Hlebinsky. “It is even more exciting to be part of a passionate team, with such an established presence and proven success in the auction industry.”

The new team’s first auction will be held on May 25 and 26, 2021 at Cowan’s Cincinnati location, with absentee and Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers. The auction will feature more than 350 lots of historic firearms and militaria from the lifelong collection of Charlie Hinton, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Hinton’s collection is fresh to the market and the long arms collection covers the full range of American military arms from the Indian War era through World War II, with additional highlights that include many of the representative long arms used by the Axis powers and a nice selection of Winchester rifles from the Old West period through the early 20th century. The handgun collection is equally wide ranging, covering American military handguns from the Indian Wars through World War II, as well as a broad selection of Lugers and large number of Axis handguns as well.

The Arms and Armor department will continue to operate out of Cowan’s Cincinnati location with all auctions continuing to be held on site.

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