If you are like me and your gun fund is currently overflowing with liquidity, the current RIA Premier Firearms Auction has an opportunity for you. Up for sale are some rare classic firearms that are beautifully customized and museum ready. The auction starts today and lasts through the weekend. Details can be found below.

Oh, just to clarify, my gun fund is compromised of dreams, fantasies, and Monopoly money, so I’ll be sitting this auction out.

RIA @ TFB:

• TFB Behind The Gun Podcast #49: Joel with the Rock Island Auction Company
• 10 Obscure Flintlock Guns from August 2022 Rock Island Premier Firearms Auction
• The 4 Most Expensive Firearms Rock Island Auctions Has Ever Sold

Well Heeled: RIA Premier Firearms Auction #88 – Winchester 1895 And More

Well Heeled: RIA Premier Firearms Auction #88 – Winchester 1895 And More

Well Heeled: RIA Premier Firearms Auction #88 – Winchester 1895 And More

RIA Premier Firearms Auction #88 – Friday May 19th, 2023

Zane Grey’s Winchester Model 1895 rifle engraved and signed by master engraver John Ulrich

Well Heeled: RIA Premier Firearms Auction #88 – Winchester 1895 And More

Famed American author Grey is best known for his novel, Riders of the Purple Sage, which is cited as defining the Western genre of literature, TV and film. Zane Grey’s Winchester features elaborate factory engraving, and gold inlay of a deer, mountain lion and grizzly bear on the receiver, and is embellished with arabesque scrollwork and artistic borders. Ulrich signed this firearm with his customary “JU” initials and inscribed the original owner’s name in gold: “ZANE GREY.”

The rifle carries a pre-auction estimate of $400,000 to $600,000.

Cased Colt 1861 Navy Revolvers Presented to Capt. Geo. Williams

Well Heeled: RIA Premier Firearms Auction #88 – Winchester 1895 And More

This extraordinary pair of presentation cased, factory engraved, silver plated, gold trimmed Colt Model 1861 Navy revolvers with spectacular raised relief grips is among the best-known pair of silver Colt revolvers in existence. This cased set – in magnificent condition, and a work of beauty worthy of any art museum- is also a set representative of the treasured history of the Civil War. This history combined with the rarity and beauty of the set itself truly sets them into a class of their own. Few Civil War presentation revolvers, let alone cased pairs, retain both their beautiful artistry and high condition as well as have traceable history. This set has all three.

The pre-auction estimate is $140,000 – $225,000.

Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Well Heeled: RIA Premier Firearms Auction #88 – Winchester 1895 And More

In 1985, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Arms and Armor Department benefit auction was standing room only and had Johnny Cash serving as a guest auctioneer for the 147 available lots. On this day, a Colt Single Action Army Revolver, which was made and donated by Colt Industries specifically for the Met, was sold. The revolver is one of a kind- from its serial number to its engravings of specific museum pieces.

Its pre-auction estimate stands at $75,000 – $110,000.