A collection of exceptional knives and an ornate double barrel shotgun led the final total for Heritage Auctions’ December 9, 2018 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Auction to $1,486,262. The auction included the sale of more than 130 lots to benefit the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum based in Claremore, Oklahoma.

“You could see and feel the bidding pick up when the J.M. Davis Museum lots took the podium,” Heritage Auctions Arms & Armor Consignment Director David Carde said. “Buyers know when items are fresh to the market and have not been offered in the past. The prices realized are a reflection of our clients’ knowledge and understanding of the historical significance of many of these lots.”

A Michael Price Abalone Mosaic California knife became the focus of four competitive bidders, who drove its price to $45,000 – nearly double its preauction estimate. A cased and engraved James Purdey & Sons sidelock ejector double barrel shotgun tempted 10 collectors into making bids before it crossed the block at $28,750, nearly 50% above its preauction estimate. 

Additional lots that raced past preauction estimates included a clip point Bowie by J.D. Chevalier, New York at $27,500; an extremely rare hunting knife by Schively, Philadelphia, that finished at $23,750; and a CSA Confederate General Richard Gano: half-plate ambrotype, which at $21,250 reached more than four times its preauction estimate. 

Other top firearms in the sale included cased 12 gauge Holland & Holland royal hammerless ejector double barrel shotgun with extra set of barrels: $20,000; cased 12 gauge Holland & Holland royal hammerless ejector double barrel shotgun with extra set of barrels: $17,500; and a Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifle with handwritten Madis letter: $14,375. 

The auction included a collection of 132 lots to benefit the J.M. Davis Collection at the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum. The top lots from the collection, which sold for a combined $267,700 included a Webley-Fosbery Army/Navy single revolver ($13,750), French LeMat second model single action Ppercussion revolver ($11,875), and heavy Japanese Matchlock Blunderbuss cannon ($10,625). 

Other lots that exceeded preauction estimates included the 68 lots in the Schützenfest Collection, including a collection of ten gold shooting medals mainly from the San Francisco Schuetzen Verein, 1885-1915, which reached $3,250. As well as 13 American Shooting Club medals, circa 1888-1931 that brought $2,531. Additional highlights included, but were not limited to a rare Bowie by J. English & Hubers which ended at $20,000 and a coffin hilt Bowie knife by Rose that realized $15,000. 

Heritage Auctions’ next Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria auction will be June 9, 2019.