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.

Rock Island Auction Company to Donate Rare Winchester to the NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction

 Rock Island Auction Company is proud to announce it will be donating a rare Winchester Model 1873 Musket to the National Rifle Associations Institute for Legislative Action annual dinner and auction scheduled for Friday April, 13 at Grant Farm in St. Louis Missouri. The dinner and auction is held in conjunction with the 2012 NRA Annual Meeting and show. The show attracts 70,000 plus gun enthusiasts from all over the world for 7 acres of guns, gear and outfitters. The show itself will feature over 500 displays ranging from firearms and shooting accessories to hunting outfitters and ATV’s.

The event raises money for the NRA-ILA, the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association who is entrusted to “preserve the rights of all law abiding individuals to purchase, posses and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution”. The ILA was formed in 1975 and is involved in “any issue that directly or indirectly affects firearms ownership and use. These involve such topics as hunting and access to hunting lands, wilderness and wildlife conservation, civilian marksmanship training and ranges for public use, law enforcement-related issues, product liability, trapping, crime victim rights and criminal justice reform”.

 “We attended the show last year for the first time and had a remarkable experience” said Kevin Hogan an Auctioneer at Rock Island Auction Company. In fact Rock Island Auction had such a great show last year that they booked a 30 X 40 foot booth for this years show in St. Louis. “The show is totally unique for us and we have never been involved with such a large display. No other auction house attends the show and it’s a great opportunity for us to meet potential consignors and potential buyers who have never heard of us before. We can introduce new people to the world of antique gun collecting and open their eyes to brand new investment opportunity.” As for the dinner and auction Kevin said “my father and I attended the NRA-ILA banquet last year at the Pittsburg show and could not have been more impressed. The room is filled with businessmen, celebrities, and politicians who are all rallying around the idea of protecting and preserving the Second Amendment. It’s thanks to this organization today that we are able to continue to do business and grow. Donating to the auction allowed us the opportunity to help this wonderful organization and also get the word out about what we do at Rock Island Auction Company.” For more information on the NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction and to see the Rock Island Auction Company’s donation please visit:

2012 NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction

To view highlights of the spring auction: April 2012 Auction