Rock Island Auction is Proud to Announce the Sale of Three New to Market, Fresh, and Important Colt Firearms:

Rock Island Auctions Big Three

Rock Island Auction Company is proud to offer a stellar selection of outstanding, and historically significant Colt firearms for our upcoming April 20, 21, & 22 Premiere Firearms Auction. The entire auction exudes condition, quality and rarity but no where is it more apparent than with our selection of Colt firearms. It is not often a collector, auctioneer, or dealer is given the opportunity to own, sell, or buy a historically significant piece, or an “as issued condition piece” which has remained unknown to the collecting community for over 130 years. However, this opportunity has presented itself to the Rock Island Auction Company and three such Colts will be offered for sale in the upcoming April 20, 21, & 22 Premiere Firearms Auction.

The entire auction will be headlined by, Lot# 3174, Serial Number 1 Exhibition Engraved and Cased Colt Navy Cartridge Revolver Presented by Colt to Lewis Sheldon Colt Paymaster during the Civil War. In terms of importance, rarity, quality and condition a Colt collector could not ask for more. As world renowned author R.L. Wilson writes “the recent discovery of the Lewis Sheldon Serial No.1 1861/1871 Navy is a landmark event in the history of Colt Collecting”. Serial Number 1 firearms of any make or model always attract increased attention and compounding its significance as serial number 1 is that fact that this revolver was the direct predecessor to the Colt 1873 Single Action Army making it the first cartridge revolver ever made by Colt. The revolver is profusely engraved, and inscribed on the back strap “Lewis Sheldon/With Compliments of Colts P.F.A. Mfg. Co. Dec. 1st 1871”. The Lid of the case is also inscribed “Lewis Sheldon/1871”. Revolvers with factory inscription which are dated are almost unheard of and further emphasis the importance of this cased revolver. Mr. Sheldon himself was an extremely significant figure in the history of Colt firearms and worked as paymaster for the company during the Civil War until his retirement in 1871 when he was most likely presented this historic and extremely significant cased revolver. We at Rock Island Auction are not only excited to sell this firearm but are honored for the opportunity. To read the full description of this Historic find please visit: http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/55/lid/3174   

Lighting to Weaponry the Diversity of Tiffany & Co.

Rock Island Auction Companies April 20, 21 and 22 Premiere Firearms Auction is shaping up to be its finest auction in over 20 years of business. “From genre to genre this is the most complete sale we have ever offered. We have the best Winchesters, Colts, German and U.S. military that we have ever offered in a single auction” said Judy Voss Vice President of Rock Island Auction. Of the most interesting single genres that will cross the block in April will be the selection of Tiffany & Co. items that Rock Island Auction was able to assemble over the past several months. “Typically in situations where we are able to acquire these complete collections or groupings they come from the same consignor. However, this collection of Tiffany items is actually from a number of different collections that truly compliment each other perfectly” said Voss. Included in the sale will be: a Colt 1862 Police Revolver with L.D. Nimschke Engraving and Magnificent Tiffany American Eagle Grips, a Deluxe Cased Silver/Gold Thuer Conversion Factory Engraved Colt model 1861 Navy with Battle Scene Tiffany Grips, FOUR Tiffany & Co. officer sabers, a Tiffany Favrile Blown Glass Decanter with Stopper, a Tiffany Favrile Blown Glass Fluted Stem Vase, and last but certainly not least a Rare L.C. Tiffany Studios Laburnam Lamp.

“What makes this auction unique is that were are going to sell approximately 150 lots of Americana, which will be headlined by the stunning Tiffany Laburnam Lamp” said Voss. While Rock Island Auction has sold some smaller collections of Americana, including a collection of stoneware last September, in which RIAC was able to break several world records, this will be their first attempt at a large collection of Americana. “We know items such as the lamp and the two vases are valuable and carry with them a large following; it is our job to reach this following and judging by how well we did with the stoneware we are more than confident we will be able to do very well with the pieces that we have” said Voss.