James D. Julia Auctioneers has established a new benchmark for the highest grossing firearms auction in history †$12.7 million attained with 1,270 lots.
The Julia auction on March 10 and 11 not only broke a record for the largest grossing firearms auction ever conducted in the world, but the 1,270 lots averaged out to $10,000 per lot, the highest per sale average of any firearms auction ever.
A huge crowd was in attendance at the spring firearms auction, some having flown in on their own private jets to attend the extravaganza.
The two-day sale included a number of notable collections and a diversity of rarity and quality, beginning with the collection of the late Bruce Stern of Connecticut. Stern was a passionate, lifelong collector of Twentieth Century military items, and his session started off with 100 of his Class III weapons.
A Rheinmetall Germany FG42, Second Model machine gun saw tremendous bidding competition and ended up at $149,500. A rare Johnson Model 1944 light machine gun flew to $74,750. A British Sten MKI submachine gun brought $32,000. A US Browning machine gun, .50 caliber M2HB, manufactured by Colt, sold for a final price of $51,750.
The afternoon session consisted of high-grade shotguns. The first lot was a rare L.C. Smith grade 16 gauge shotgun. Only two of these exquisite shotguns were ever made, this being the finest example in existence. It went out at $235,750. Also extremely rare was an L.C. Smith deluxe grade gold inlaid 20 gauge, which sold for $138,000.
The second day began with a collection of single-shot rifles, many of which came from the collection of the late Ron Kiser. A cased Daniel Frasier side lever single-shot dropping block 303 rifle with original scope brought $17,250. A one-of-a-kind Harry Pope Fugger-engraved Ballard single shot target rifle went out at $21,275. An extremely rare Sharps extra heavy Model 1874 target rifle realized $25,300.
Once again, Julia’s rounded up an array of Winchesters. Out in front was the extraordinary rare and important Ulrich deep relief engraved deluxe Winchester Model 1866 lever action from the Hank Vogel collection. It sold for a final bid price of $322,000. A rare Hoggson-engraved Model 1860 Henry lever action rifle, also from the Vogel collection, brought $97,750.
Another recent discovery was a rare engraved presentation Colt Model 1855 full stock sporting revolving rifle in .44 caliber. The workmen of Colonel Colt’s Armory in Hartford, Conn., had presented this gun decorated by the engraver Nimschke. The gun shot through to double the high estimate at $126,500.
The second day also included an extraordinary assortment of Colts. The ultrarare presentation Glahn-engraved gold plated single-action Army revolver went to a collector at $155,250. From the same collection, a rare Eugene Young factory engraved gold and nickel Frontier six shooter brought $172,500. The third lot from this same private collection was a pair of engraved and inscribed silver plated Colt single-action Army revolvers. In spectacular condition with little or no previous use, they went out at $195,500.
Included in a select offering of Civil War items was a New Hampshire-captured Confederate flag that went out at $95,000.
Slave tags are much reproduced, but a lot comprising 10 of 13 genuine tags that had been dug up by a well-known excavator sold for $184,000.
The sale concluded with a small interesting grouping of patent models relating to firearms. One such patent model included was a rare wood and brass example by Colonel Laidley, which sold for $1,265.
Preceding the Julia firearms auction was the Poulin auction sale on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The sale of approximately 1,500 lots included more than 1,000 items from the Bruce Stern collection, representing phase I. Poulin’s auction house, located only 50 yards from the Julia Auction house, was flush with activity over the three-day period and ended up at $1.5 million; thus, the combined total of the Julia auction and the Poulin auction for that short duration of time resulted in $14.2 million worth of firearms sold.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information about Julia’s auction, 207-453-7125 or www.juliaauctions.com . For information about the Poulin auction, 207-453-2114 or www.poulinantiques.com .
