Rock Island Auction Company is known for curating some of the most expensive, gorgeous, and unique collections of firearms to ever see an auction floor. Everything from canons, small arms, and even such blades as cavalry swords. Soon, on August 25th – 27th, they have coming up an auction that is going to cover some Civil War revolvers that could draw half a million dollars for a single pair! Let’s take a look at what will be on the auction block so we can all get our bidding numbers ready.

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Lot 159: L.B. Parsons’ Cased Engraved Colt Model 1860 Army Revolvers

The headlining set of Civil War revolvers that could fetch more than most of our houses is an L.B. Parsons’ cased, engraved pair of Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers. These are factory-engraved revolvers (with supporting factory letters to prove it) and come with a presentation case as well as lots of documentation. This pair is expected to be auctioned off for $450,000 – $650,000! Rock Island Auction Company wrote this to better describe this specific lot for the upcoming auction on August 25th:

Incredibly Historic and Extremely Well-Documented Civil War Presentation Cased Pair of Deluxe Factory Engraved Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolvers with Hand Engraved Cylinder Scenes and Presentation Inscription from Philo Parsons to Union Colonel Lewis B. Parsons, Later Chief of Rail and River Transportation, “Mover of Armies,” with Extensive Documentation Including Factory Letters

L.B. Parsons’ cased, engraved pair of Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers

Lot 3091: Civil War Era Spiller & Burr Round Frame Revolver

The next wheelgun in the auction listing is a Spiller & Burr Round Frame civil war revolver. This is only 1 of 4 known examples of this Confederate revolver according to Rock Island Auction Company. This firearm was graded as “Exceptionally Fine” and is expected to be auctioned off in the realm of $40,000 – $60,000. Rock Island had this short statement to make for this revolver:

Incredibly Rare, Outstanding, Civil War Era Round Frame Spiller & Burr Percussion Revolver

Lot 3091: Civil War Era Spiller & Burr Round Frame Revolver

Lot 1165: Massachusetts Militia Marked U.S. Colt Dragoon Revolver

This Civil War revolver has a unique back story as it was owned by a Civil War Union surgeon from the Massachusetts militia. Being an exceptional example of a Dragoon makes it desirable enough, but with its historic back story, it becomes even more desirable to the right collector. This piece will go up for auction on August 26th with an expected auction price in the neighborhood of $27,500 – $42,500.

This is a very fine example of a Colt U.S. Contract Second Model Dragoon revolver that was manufactured in 1851. This revolver was one of the Second Model Dragoon revolvers issued to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the Ordnance Department in the early 1850s, and is stamped with the Massachusetts “MS” property mark on the underside of the trigger guard between the trigger guard bow and screw. This revolver was the property of Dr. Norman Smith of Lowell, Massachusetts.

Lot 1165: Massachusetts Militia Marked U.S. Colt Dragoon Revolver

Lot 133: Civil War U.S. Contract Remington New Model Army Revolver

This item might not fetch the highest price from this Rock Island auction, but it might be one of the most mint examples to be featured on the auction block. As far as Civil War revolvers go, Rock Island states that this is “one of the finest known Civil War U.S. contract E. Remington & Sons New Model Army percussion revolvers” in existence. With such strong praise, it is expected to pull in $25,000 – $37,500.

The Remington New Model Army revolvers were the second most widely issued/used handguns of the Civil War after only Colt’s Model 1860 Army. They remained in use into the late 19th century. The design was built upon improvements of the earlier Remington-Beals design patented in 1858 and was released during the middle of the Civil War. This revolver is in such high condition that it is essentially what these revolvers would have looked like when they arrived in the hands of Union troops.

Lot 133: Civil War U.S. Contract Remington New Model Army Revolver

For anyone who considers themselves a serious wheelgun collector, some Civil War revolvers would be an absolute must. Civil War revolvers are an iconic part of America’s history, and especially so for the history of firearms in America. Every one of these is too rich for my blood, but a guy can still dream, right? If you could take home one of these revolvers and had a bottomless checkbook which one would you take?… As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback and insight as we share our passion for wheelguns. Also, for the complete auction listings check out this link HERE.

Images courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company, www.rockislandauction.com