Upcoming Premiere Features Finest Assembly of Colt Single Action Army Revolvers!

Thank You Veterans!!!

Rock Island Auction Company would like to take this opportunity to Thank all members of the Armed Services. It is because of your sacrifices that we are able to enjoy our freedom.

This December, Rock Island Auction Company will bring the 2012 auction season to a fitting close with our Premiere Firearms Auction, which will include one of the finest assemblies of Colt Single Action Army Revolvers, featuring the final installment of the Gateway Collection.

Though this collection is fantastic overall, a few pieces stand out even within this distinguished grouping, including one of the rarest Single Action Army Revolvers known to collectors, the 1873 Pinched Frame (Lot #1303), one of the first 200 SAAs to come off Colt's production line during the introductory year for the revolver. So named for the sight arrangement, which has the rear sight notch cut into a "pinched" section of the top sight groove slightly ahead of the rear of the frame, this style was discontinued shortly after introduction in favor of the notch set at the rear of the top strap which remains the standard sight for both Colt and their imitators. One of these revolvers, in any condition, is a scarce and unusual piece which could serve to be a top item even in a very sophisticated collection, but this example, showing 95% of a period nickel finish, could be a "crown jewel" of nearly any grouping.

Embellished SAAs are also present in the sale, with an exceptional example in Lot #1283, a Frontier Six Shooter with factory documented engraving, silver finish, and steer head ivory grips. While fine scroll and punch dot engraving, special finishes, and raised carved ivory steer head grips are not unknown on the collector's market, typically such arms received their decoration from the retailer before sale, or had the work done later in life. This example is fully documented; every ounce of this top notch revolver is factory work verified from Colt's own records, no "Not Listed" fields on this one. Though not stated explicitly in the letter, from the 18 October, 1926 shipping date we can reasonably assume the grips are the work of noted Master Engraver Wilbur A. Glahn.

The scarce and desirable variants of the Single Action are also well represented. Lot #3359, a London Agency Bisley Flattop, is factory documented as shipped to the Pall Mall office on 21 June, 1897, and has multiple desirable features. First, the caliber of 455 Eley, with only 196 Flattop Bisley Revolvers chambered in it, due to the overall preference for smaller, lighter rounds among the target shooters the arm was meant for. Second, the front sight, documented in the letter as a special order feature, is equipped with a detachable extension, which serves as both a protector for the installed sight, and also doubles as a taller, more visible front sight. Additionally, the hardwood grips are documented to the gun.

Out of the variety of top notch collector's arms in the December Premiere Sale, the items mentioned above are only the tip of the iceberg. Starting November 30th, and running through December 1st and 2nd, our sale contains something for virtually everyone and covers the entire spectrum from antique black powder arms to Class III Items. Our catalog is available online for free, or we can ship you one today, just complete the online order form, call 1-800-238-8022, fax 1-309-797-1655, or e-mail info@rockislandauction.com. We look forward to any inquiries, and hope to see you in at the sale!

View the collection of Colt Single Action Army Revolver's in our online catalog today!!

• Colt SAA First Generation
• Colt SAA 2^nd and 3^rd Generation 

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 30^th, December 1^st and 2^nd 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 19^th 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 30^th, December 1^st & 2^nd 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!