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Thursday, November 1, 2012

Rock Island Auction Company Proudly Offers a Magnificent and Unprecedented Assemblage of Factory Engraved Firearms For their November 30th, December 1st and 2nd Premiere Firearms Auction:


From Samuel Colt Presentations to Signed Master Engraved Exhibition Arms
This Sale has just shy of 100 Factory Engraved Firearms:

Factory engraved firearms of any manufacturer or model remain the most prized and highly sought after pieces in antique and modern firearms collecting and this November 30th, December 1st and 2nd collectors will be given the opportunity to own some of the most important and magnificent engraved firearms RIAC has had the privilege to offer. The most prolific of these arms are the three Winchesters rifles and one carbine engraved by two brothers, John and Conrad F. Ulrich. It has been said that the Ulrich family was the “greatest dynasty” of engravers and stock makers of the 19th century and the four pieces offered for sale were done in the hands of the most well-known and famous of the Ulrich clan, Conrad and John. Lot number 3001 is the only one of the four that is not signed but was undoubtedly done by the hand of Conrad F. Ulrich. Each side of the frame exhibits a wonderful relief engraved panel scene of a single animal as well as two brilliantly executed hunting scenes. Of particular importance is the Indian scene on the left side of the frame. The detail which can be observed here is simply magnificent; the shooter clutches an 1866 Winchester rifle and puffs of smoke can be seen coming from the barrel. Lot 1012 and 3020, which are only eight serial numbers apart, are both stamped “C.F. Ulrich”, and both feature exhibition panel scenes unique to only these two rifles. Of particular interest is lot 1012 which is stamped with “C.F. Ulrich” twice on the face of the frame under the magazine tube, four times on the upper tang under the stock, and twice on the lower tang behind the trigger and behind the serial number - AMAZING! The crown jewel, however, is lot 1001 which is a John Ulrich signed, factory panel scene engraved, gold inlaid, Winchester Model 1894 Takedown with Factory Relief “D” carved deluxe stock. 

These four Winchesters are only the beginning of a stunning and diverse array of factory engraved firearms. From Colt Firearms Manufacturing comes the largest selection of factory engraved Colt’s RIAC has ever offered (over 50) and includes:  Lot 1232 which is one of two Colt Factory three gun garniture presentation sets and is the only one of the two in which all three guns are factory engraved. The set is a presentation “Compliments of Col. Colt to a Mr. Hugh Rose Esq”. Lot 1220, a mate to another Colt presentation previously sold by RIAC, is the Rare and Historic Cased Factory Deluxe Engraved Samuel Colt Presentation Model 1849 Pocket Revolver presented to J.J. Comstock, Captain of the U.S. Ship Baltic. Lot 1221 is a Historic Presentation Cased Factory Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver with Civil War Philadelphia National Guard Officer's Inscription. All three of these magnificent pieces are attributed to none other than the master himself, Gustave Young. Once again these are only the beginning to a historic and unsurpassed offering of factory engraved Colts. Other highlights include lot 1594, Factory Engraved Serial Number #1 Camp Perry presented to Connecticut Governor John Trumbull; lot 1283 which is one of the most deluxe factory documented single actions a collector could ever hope to acquire - factory engraved, factory silver plated, and with factory relief carved ivory steer head grips.

From the Remington Arms Company this sale will feature TWO documented Louis D. Nimschke engraved rolling block pistols.  Lots 3065 and 3074, one signed, and both featured in his famous pattern book, L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver by Wilson.  But that is not all for Remingtons, also featured is lot 1079, a factory engraved and etched, silver plated ring trigger derringer still with its original box as well as its companion piece, a factory engraved silver plated No.1 vest pocket pistol, also with its original box.

If it’s high art firearms you are seeking, look no further than lot 1714 which is one of the most ornate and beautiful double barrel shotguns we at RIAC have ever cataloged. Made by the famous European master gunsmith Heinrich Barella, this shotgun is engraved in deep relief and accented by gold inlays with a stunning relief carved stock. Also of interest is lot 1077, a magnificent exhibition quality matching pair of Silver Mounted Gold Inlaid Cased Engraved Henry Derringer Percussion Pocket Pistols.

The examples discussed here are only a small sample of the exceptional pieces we have in our upcoming November 30th, December 1st & 2nd Premiere Firearms Auction. In fact, the entire auction is stunning, from Winchesters, Remingtons, Colts, and Lugers to European and American 18th & 19th century arms - this sale has it all.  Please be sure to view the online catalog by visiting www.rockislandauction.com.   

Please call 1-800-238-8022, fax 309-737-1655 or email any questions you may have. We look forward to your inquiries and hope to see you at the end of the month!