Full Text:

COLTS RUN WILD AT JAMES D. JULIA'S

(with 5 cuts)

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- James D. Julia's November firearms sale resulted in a

gross of over $1 million after three days of auctioneering at Yoken's

Convention Center from October 26 to 28.

The event featured more than 1,200 lots and three collections, including early

Colt revolvers from the collection of the late Sam Pachanian, the William

Crowley collection of early Winchester rifles, and cased pistols and early

weapons from the Lang collection of New York.

Additional offerings also attracted dealers and collectors in a range of areas

such as Lugers, Mausers, flintlock and percussion pistols and rifles, Japanese

swords, Native American items, bowie knives and Civil War weaponry.

Among the top sellers, Colts ran away with the show thanks to an unusually

wide array of choices of rare pieces such as a pinch frame Colt single action

revolver in .45 caliber that fetched a final price of $29,325. The 7« inch

barrel piece featured several signs of its early age, including a two-line

patent date on the left side and slanted writing on top of the barrel.

A Colt model 1860 Army Thuer conversion revolver, with eight inch barrel,

brought $13,800, while an engraved Colt model 1860 Army revolver with ivory

grips went out at $12,075. Another cased Colt, the 93 percent blue on the

eight inch barrel, brought $9,200, and a Colt Model 1848 second dragoon

revolver fetched $9,085.

A number of Colt Army and single action revolvers also brought solid prices. A

pair of 1860 Colt Army revolvers, together with the saddle holster they came

with, were one of the standouts of the Pachanian collection. The three pieces

together realized $24,150. The pistols were consecutive numbers 1502 and 1503.

(Interestingly, number 1501 was the firm's catalogue #891). The second half of

the Pachanian collection of Colt percussion revolvers will be offered in

Julia's April 1999 firearms auction.

The second most popular name at the auction was Winchester. A last-minute

addendum turned out to be the top-selling Winchester: a rare martially marked

Henry (serial number 3888) that sold early in session II for a final price of

$25,300. In addition to the martially marked Henry, another Henry rifle with

the post-Civil War engravings of "Capt Wm Collins/Co H 7th Illinois/Vol Cav"

on the right side and "Shiloh" on the left sold for $14,375.

Collectors with pockets slightly less deep went after numerous other choice

Winchesters, like the Winchester model 1873 special order deluxe pistol grip

rifle that sold for $4,542 while deluxe Winchester 1886 take-down rifle

brought $3,162.

Winchester advertising and ephemera was highlighted by a framed image of four

dogs by H.R. Poore, which sold for $2,587.

"Tiffany & Co" was marked on the blade of a 31‹-inch presentation US model

1852 officer's sword, which commanded more than a little attention when it

sold for $17,825 (est $10/15,000). The sword came on the block with a

silver-mounted engraved gilt scabbard. An engraved and gilt-mounted Civil War

presentation sword was added to the sale literally eight minutes before the

auction and placed together with its documents on a special table for viewing.

This last-minute addition brought a strong $9,775.

An 11Ô-inch bowie knife by "P. Rose-New York," from the Pachanian collection,

with clip point blade and checkered rosewood grip featuring a German silver

band and pommel, sold at $19,950.

A selection of 23 powder testers and tinder lighters from the Lang collection

included a rare pocket-size flintlock tinder lighter with built-in pipe

tamper, which sold at $3,250 (est $1/2,000).

A 44 calibre Kentucky rifle signed by "J. Metzger" reached $10,925 and was

followed on the block by another raised-carved Kentucky (possibly Christian

Beck) which promptly sold at $9,200.

Smith and Wesson was another strong seller. A unique cased engraved

presentation model 2 Army revolver (est $8/10,000) reached a final price of

$18,400. The revolver retained nearly all of its original nickel plate and

featured decorative detail, including a grip sculpted in the form of an eagle

holding a snake in its beak. The revolver was marked with its recipient's

name, W.H. Heiss, who was an early telegrapher and assistant superintendent to

the US Military Telegrapher. A John Dickson & Son cased under lever double

rifle, with 28-inch barrels, was in excellent condition and sold for $10,925.

A Wesley-Richards explora double-barrel shotgun sold for $7,475.

A 1902 Luger carbine pistol in excellent condition made bidders sit up and

take notice and achieved a final price of $9,430.

Japanese items included a signed, 11-inch Tanto sword dating to the Nineteenth

Century Edo Period. It included gold, mother-of-pearl, and bone inlay and

topped its estimate when it sold for a final price of $8,050.

Rare ephemera and historic documents were also offered. Most significant,

perhaps, was a large, parchment Presidential appointment document signed by

both Abraham Lincoln and Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. The document

appointed George C. Strong as Brigadier General of Volunteers and was dated

November 29, 1862. General Strong's carte de visite and a copy of US Infantry

Tactics were also included in this lot, which fetched a final price of $7,762.

An important group of documents and letters concerning American Colonial

patriot, Jeduthan Baldwin, was in very good to fine condition and sold for

$9,315 (est $500/1,000). This remarkable group of papers included personal

letters, business documents, articles, books, tintypes, and ship's logs dating

from 1775 to 1826.

For information, 207/453-7125. Julia's next firearms auction is scheduled for

April in Portsmouth, N.H. Consignors should contact Mark Small at the firm's

offices.