Summer Collector’s Auction! Firearms, Swords, Jewelry & Antiques! August 15th and 16th

Little John’s Auction Service is gearing up for their big Summer Sale of over 1600 Lots!  This is an auction of FRESH TO THE MARKET firearms, swords, jewelry and antiques.  There are pieces from the 1500’s to current day, sporting guns of high quality, and many items not offered for sale in over 30 years and right out of the attic!  Absentee bidding is now open and the auction kicks off live on both days at 11AM Pacific Time.

Lot 303 from Saturday’s auction is an Historic Borchardt!  Here is the description from the catalog:

Historic Borchardt 9mm semi-auto pistol with matching shoulder stock, holster, two extra clips manufactured by Loewe of Berlin, #938 obtained by our consignor directly from the grandson of Mexican President Alvaro Obregonwith accompanying family archives and personal effects.

Lot 318 presents a Cold 1851 1st model revolver.  Take a look at the description:

Colt 1851 Navy 1st Model Revolver Factory engraved with rare wedge over screw variation, S/N 697 and made for Crystal Palace exhibition. Among the rarest and most desirable of all engraved percussion coltexperts estimate less than a dozen of the wedge over screw variation were produced likely for display at the Crystal Palace exhibition where Colt introduced the new 1851 Model Navy revolver. The subject revolver is engraved in the early open vine scroll motif and remains in very good plus condition with approximately 30%-50% original blue on the barrel that has aged evenly with sharp edges and good markings. The cylinder shows almostall of its scene with clear engagement dates and Ornsby signature. The cylinder is a gray patina with a few small areas of erosion and spotting from age. The frame, hammer and loading lever show 30%-50% early smoky graycase hardening with some light colors in the patina. 

Over in the Sunday session, another 1851 Colt Navy is on the auction block.  This one is as follows:

Colt 1851 Navy revolver with history as belonging to “Dangerous Dave Rudabaugh” western outlaw and associate of “Billy the Kid”. This Colt, S/N 141775 is accompanied by a sworn statement recanting that this pistol was obtained by Joseph Thompson from Dave Rudabaugh for $15 dollars and that Thompson ran a gun shop in Mesilla, New Mexico. Joseph recalls other events surrounding a jail break where Rudabaugh obtained the pistol.The document states the revolver was brought to England in 1920 by Thomas Thompson son of Joseph Thompson. The letter is signed by A.D. Thompson of Featherstone, England dated 09/21/1981 selling the aforementioned Colt to noted international antique arms dealer Hans Schemke. A copy of 1981 English advertisement in “Collecting: Leisure newspaper listing “The Colt 1851 Navy revolver used to murder a jailer by DaveRudabaugh etc.”. Subsequent letters from A. O. Thompson to Ron Sario, noted Colt collector, further enlightens the connection to Thompson and the Rudabaugh navy. 

Little John’s Auction hopes that you enjoy their catalog! The team has taken many careful hours procuring, researching, professionally photographing, and preparing these amazing pieces for you to enjoy.  Please contact them at ltljohns@aol.com or 714-939-1170 for anything you need from questions on this auction to consignments for future auctions. Happy Bidding!

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