Topped by a $575,000 (£439,000) gold plated Marlin rifle made for presentation to Annie Oakley, this event totalled $16m, bringing the firm’s overall sales for the year to $77m.
An ivory-gripped Colt single-action revolver with exhibition-quality factory engraving backed this up with a $517,500 (£395,000) bid. This rarity had graced several great collections but came to auction here for the first time.
Living it large
1866 Model Winchester – estimate $20,000-30,000 at Rock Island on February 13-16.
Rock Island starts the new decade with a promise to stage the largest firearms auction ever over four days from February 13-16.
There will be 5500 lots comprising 11,200 guns and from that logistical nightmare we have selected lot 10: an 1866 Model Winchester rifle, gold-plated and decorated by the master engraver John Ulrich, which is estimated at $20,000-30,000.
