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#WinchesterCollectibles #FirearmsAuction #AntiqueGuns #HistoricFirearms #ColtRevolvers #GunCollectors #VintageAdvertising #MilestoneAuction #RareWeapons #WWIIWeapons #AmericanHistory #EngravedFirearms #SemiAutomaticShotguns #AuctionHighlights #FirearmsEnthusiasts
Milestone Auctions’ March 22-23 Premier Firearms Auction in Willoughby, Ohio, achieved a total of $1.55 million, featuring 1,187 antique, vintage, and modern firearms from renowned manufacturers such as Colt, Winchester, Smith & Wesson, and others. The sale catered to a wide range of collectors, offering everything from historic Old West Colts to rare World War II weapons and engraved shotguns. A notable section of the auction was dedicated to firearms-related advertising, which included the top lot of the sale: a Winchester Repeating Arms Double W cartridge advertising board. This exceptionally rare advertising piece, displayed at Wilson Hardware Company in Eaton, Ohio since 1897, sold for $49,140, landing within its estimated range of $40,000 to $60,000. The board was in original, unrestored condition and represented over 120 years of history at Wilson Hardware, a business established in 1867.
Colt firearms were a major highlight of the auction, with several standout pieces. A near-mint Colt Frontier Six-Shooter Revolver, manufactured in 1878 in .44-40 WCF caliber, sold for $14,400. This nickel-plated revolver featured one-piece walnut grips and was shipped to Spies Kissam & Company in New York, a firm known for applying nickel plating to Colt firearms during the 19th century when direct orders for nickel-plated guns were difficult to obtain. Another notable Colt was a 1992 Single Action Army revolver in .45-caliber, engraved by master engraver Ben Shostle. Featuring gold bands, gold-inlaid line work, a bear’s head inlaid on the backstrap, and a scrimshawed American eagle on the grip, this revolver exceeded expectations, selling for $9,360 against an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000.
Commemorative firearms also drew significant interest. A Colt Bicentennial cased set, produced in 1976 to mark the United States’ 200th anniversary, included a Colt Model 1848 Dragoon, a Colt Single Action Army revolver, and a Colt Python, all engraved with a special Bicentennial logo and housed in a custom French-fitted walnut cabinet. The set, one of only 1,780 produced, sold for $7,897. Another commemorative piece, a Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 40 .38 special revolver, was sold for $4,797, exceeding its high estimate of $4,500. This “Centennial Model” revolver, introduced in 1953 to celebrate Smith & Wesson’s 100th anniversary, was custom-engraved with the name of Cecil R. King, a long-serving U.S. Congressman from California.
Military weapons spanned a 250-year timeline, from the American Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War. Among the highlights was an Imperial Japanese Type 35 naval rifle manufactured around 1945, which lacked a serial number. This rifle, believed to be a product of Japan’s late-war “last-ditch” efforts, sold for $4,095, well above its estimate of $1,200 to $1,800. Other military offerings included Civil War-era weapons, Indian Wars firearms, and an impressive selection of World War II arms, catering to collectors with diverse historical interests.
Sporting shotguns and rifles from brands like Winchester, Beretta, Remington, Browning, and Parker Brothers also performed well. A Remington 11-48 deluxe 28-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, manufactured in 1952 and engraved with bird and dog scenes, sold for $9,360, far surpassing its estimate of $3,000 to $4,000. Another standout was a Winchester Model 1895 lever-action rifle in .303 British caliber, manufactured in 1932 and featuring a brass bead blade-type front sight. This rifle sold for $4,680, comfortably within its estimated range of $2,200 to $3,000.
In addition to firearms, antique and vintage firearms-related advertising pieces attracted significant attention. The Winchester Double W advertising board was the clear standout, but other advertising items also performed well, reflecting collectors’ growing interest in preserving and celebrating the history of firearm marketing.
Overall, Milestone’s Premier Firearms Auction demonstrated the enduring appeal of historic and collectible firearms, with strong prices across multiple categories. The sale showcased the rarity, craftsmanship, and historical significance of the pieces offered, drawing bidders from across the collector spectrum. Prices reported include the buyer’s premium, and additional information about the auction can be found at Milestone Auctions’ website or by contacting the auction house directly.
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