#RockIslandAuctionCompany

Welcome back to The Rimfire Report, our weekly article series where we discuss everything rimfire – history, news, guns, ammunition, equipment, gear, sports and more. For today’s edition, we have three rare rimfire rifles found in the catalog of the upcoming August 2023 Rock Island Premier Firearms Auction. While there are many amazing rimfire rifles consigned to this auction, in this author’s opinion, these are the top three in terms of rarity. Without further ado, let’s take a look at these unique specimens of the rimfire firearms world.

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.

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.

The Rock Island Auction Company was established in 1993 by Pat Hogan and has since grown to be one of the most well-respected and well-known names in the firearms industry for firearms auctions and other militaria collectibles and curios. Rock Island dedicates a considerable amount of time, and resources to acquiring new and old collectibles alike for their auctions, but does a lot of the behind-the-scenes work in researching each piece to asses not only its physical value but historical value as well. In the past, you’ve seen some pretty high-profile auctions featured here on TFB like the recent one featuring Han Solo’s DL-44 blaster pistol from the movie Star Wars (sold for over $1M USD). Today I bring on Joel from the Rock Island Auction Company to hear about their upcoming Premier Auction #87, as well as some of Joel’s personal favorite auctions from the past and some of the trends he’s noticed about the firearm collecting world during his tenure with RIAC.

The 26th President of the United States of America, Theodore Roosevelt, was quite fond of both Colt revolvers and Winchester lever-action rifles. However, during the summer of 1898, then Assistant Secretary of the Navy (under President William McKinley), resigned from his prestigious position to instead be part of the action in the upcoming Spanish-American war. Roosevelt was officially commissioned as a Lt. Colonel for the 1st U.S. Volunteer Calvary and eventually traveled to San Antonio, Texas to train the Rough Riders. It was during this time that factory records show that this Smith & Wesson Model No. 3 revolver was shipped to him with detailing and engraving purportedly done by Gustave Young. This historically significant wheelgun is now being offered up as part of Rock Island Auction Company’s Premier Firearms Auction #87.

Most firearms that make their way from private hands through the Rock Island Auction Company usually sell for anywhere between tens of thousands up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, a few select items often fetch much higher prices stretching all the way into seven-figure territory. We previously reported that Han Solo’s DL-44 Blaster pistol from the 1977 film Star Wars would be going up for auction at the end of August. With the conclusion of the August 2022 Rock Island Premier Firearms Auction, we’ve finally got the results and were surprised to hear that the DL-44 Heavy Blaster pistol prop sold for a whopping $1,057,500. Full details and the results from a handful of other famous pieces will be posted below.

Two of the most well-known assets from the Tomb Raider series of video games and films will soon be up for auction at the Rock Island Auction Company. The brace of H&K USP9 Match Semi-Automatic pistols features consecutive serial numbers and was modified to serve as props by the Bapty & Co prop house and used by the character Lara Croft. The pair of HK pistols is set to be up for auction on the same day that Han Solo’s DL-44 blaster is set to go live and is expected to fetch tens of thousands at the auction house.

On October 14, 1912, Theodore Roosevelt was shot while giving a speech to a crowd in Milwaukee. In a move that secures his place in history as one of the most badass presidents of all time, he declined medical treatment. Instead, he finished his 90-minute speech, bloody shirt and all. Ten days prior to this event, a gift was sent to good ol’ Teddy for his 54th birthday. The gift was a factory engraved Colt Single Action Army revolver. Roosevelt’s Colt recently sold at December 2020 Rock Island Premier Firearms Auction which the company called “The Sale of the Century”.

Photo Of The Day – Today we take a look at an offering from Rock Island Auction Company, one of the world’s top auction houses specialized in antique and collector firearms. This is offered in their December Premier, and you’re looking at a pair of factory engraved and silver-plated Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers. They feature master engraver  Gustave Young‘s classic floral scroll engraving along with various detailed engravings of animals throughout.

When your company is in a trouble and struggles to survive, you have to come up with unique solutions and make non-standard decisions if you want to save it from bankruptcy. And gun companies are no exception. History knows many examples of gun companies having to make non-gun products to survive the storm and stay afloat. Today’s article is based on a video published by the Rock Island Auction Company and tells about drills made by Ruger.

Continuing our series of articles telling about the most expensive firearms sold in the major US auction houses, today we’ll take a look at the ten most expensive firearms sold in December 2017 Rock Island Premiere Auction. This time there are also two world records set.

Rock Island Auction Company has released a video where they shoot some of the largest non-military cartridges and rifles ever produced. The three calibers include the .700 Nitro Express, 4 bore and .950 JDJ. And if you are going to shoot this kind of hand cannons, then you first need to warm up with some low recoiling cartridges like 12 gauge and .470 Nitro Express. Sounds fun?  Let’s watch that video!

Long before the MHS, the M1911, and even before the Colt Single Action Army the U.S. adopted its first sidearm. After the Revolutionary War Connecticut gunmaker Simeon North won a contract to manufacture the fledgling nation’s first officially adopted pistol. The result was the North & Cheney Model 1799 flintlock pistol. Heavily influenced by the French St. Etienne/Charleville Modele 1777 pistol, which had seen action in America during the Revolutionary War.

While walking the NRA Show floor, we had a once in a lifetime opportunity to talk with Rock Island Auctions about the Elvis guns that will be offered for sale at the next Premier Auction. Being offered for sale is a Smith Model 19-2 and a Colt Python. We also got a chance to take a very close look at Elvis’ very own badge.