Rock Island Auction Company’s gun auctions are always a jackpot for arms enthusiasts of every stripe, featuring an unmatched bounty of rare and historic offerings. With so many genres and eras to choose from, it can be tough to narrow down which firearms to add to a burgeoning collection, so today we're looking at 10 of the coolest guns offered in Rock Island Auction's recent Sporting & Collectors Auction.

From classic pistols to trench shottys, you'll find cool guns of every genre at Rock Island Auction Company.

The 10 examples below represent an eclectic mix of wish list favorites and rarely-seen firearms that would fill out any serious collection. In short, an assortment of some of the coolest guns you'll find anywhere, and just 10 more reasons to participate in Rock Island Auction Company upcoming auction. Click on the images throughout this article to learn more about each model.

The Colt Walker

The king of the black powder revolvers is an obvious inclusion on any cool guns list. A hefty upgrade from its Paterson predecessor, the Colt Walker was the heaviest hitting black powder revolver in history, firing a .44 caliber ball with a 60 grain maximum powder load. This impressive power was one of the features requested by Captain Samuel Hamilton Walker when he commissioned Colt to design a weapon that would aid the Texas Rangers on the battlefield, and Samuel Colt delivered a powerhouse of a gun.

Two of the earliest Colt revolvers: a Paterson (left) and a Colt Walker (right.)

Only 1,000 of the historical U.S. martial contract Colt Walker revolvers were manufactured in 1847. The iconic wheelgun saw hard use on the frontier, and many have been destroyed or lost over the last 175 years. The example featured below, E Company No. 35, is one of only approximately 19 E Company revolvers known today.

Often called the magnums of their day, the Colt Walker is one of the coolest guns around.

The MAC-10

Shifting gears, we have one of the coolest gun models in the Class III genre to be offered at RIAC. A staple of 80s cinema, the MAC-10 has been dubbed a bullet hose due to its blistering rate of fire. After the model was used in several high profile murders, the MAC-10 developed a notorious reputation and earned nicknames like "Miami chopper" and "the gun that made the 80s roar," which have since only added to the weapon's mystique.

Mitchell WerBell's company invented the Street Sweeper and the MAC 10, two of the coolest guns from 80s action films.

The MAC-10 has seen numerous variants over the years, including the even more compact MAC-11, the M11/Nine, and other other intriguing adaptations of the platform. The example below employs an M11-A1 frame fitted with a series of Lage upgraded components, most prominently a Max-31K upper, converting the weapon into a 9mm submachine gun compatible with KP31/PPSh41 drum magazines.

If cool guns are your thing, this SWD M11-A1 submachine gun with Lage Max-31K upper receiver assembly might check all the right boxes.

The Whitney Wolverine

If the MAC 10 design represents the gung-ho style of 80s action cinema, the Whitney Wolverine's sleek aesthetic encompasses the Atomic Age three decades earlier. The Whitney Wolverine was conceived as an advanced semi-automatic pistol with an aluminum frame and a futuristic profile.

There are cool guns, and then there's the singular Space Age aesthetic of the Whitney Wolverine.

Dubbed "The Lighting Model" and advertised as the "world's fastest pointing handgun," there's no doubt that the Whitney Wolverine is a gorgeous piece of engineering with a standout look. With only about 13,000 of these space-age .22 rimfire pistols produced, the Whitney Wolverine has become a popular and desirable collector's arm today and a top candidate on any list of coolest guns for firearms fans looking for a fun plinking pistol.

One of the coolest guns for pure aesthetic, the Whitney Wolverine pistol is nothing short of a fantastic collectible and shooter.

The Colt Python

Colt brought the Python to market in 1955, a premium double action revolver chambered in the imposing .357 Magnum cartridge. Its handsome lines, ventilated rib, full underlug barrel, and impressive size made the Python an all star with collectors and shooters alike. Hollywood coverage added to the fame, with the model most prominently featured in 1970s 'Starsky & Hutch' and as Rick Grimes' favorite zombie killer on ‘The Walking Dead',

A Colt Python double action revolver, one of the coolest guns of its era.

Known for its smooth trigger, hand fitting, small tolerances, and a super polished blued finish known as "Colt Royal Blue," the Colt Python was marketed as a premium revolver from the start. Dubbed the "Rolls-Royce of Colt revolvers" by R.L. Wilson, the Python's recent surge in prices demonstrate why these mighty wheelguns and their snake inspired siblings deserve a spot atop our list of cool guns for collectors.

A Colt Python Elite, a rare version of one of Colt's coolest snake gun.

The Ithaca Auto & Burglar

A one-handed shotgun might seem like overkill, but there's no denying that the Ithaca Auto & Burglar is an intimidating sight. In the early 20th century, personal protection was a high concern for truck drivers and couriers who spent long hours on the road. The Ithaca Auto & Burglar was more potent than a standard handgun but easier to maneuver than a full-length shotgun in a bedroom or a car and could be strapped to a steering column, nightstand, or desk. In short, a brutally effective self-defense weapon that could appeal to both travelers and homeowners alike.

The Ithaca Auto & Burglar Model A, one of the coolest guns intended for home defense.

While mainly chambered for 20 gauge shells, these four-pound close-combat firearms could also be ordered in .410 bore, 28 gauge, and 16 gauge. After a run of more than 13 years, the Ithica Auto & Burglar Model was discontinued with the passage of the National Firearms Act in 1934 and the expensive new tax stamp requirement. For their fascinating history, distinct profile, and undeniable cool factor, the Ithaca Auto & Burglar is a gun collection must have.

The short-barrel double gun qualifies as an AOW due to its classification a smoothbore pistol.

The .700 JDJ

J. D. Jones, a cartridge designer, handgun hunter, and SSK Industries founder, gained fame for his top quality hunting arms and ammunition, including designing some of the most powerful firearms ever to obtain an NFA sporting exemption. The most famous of these titans include the 14.5 JDJ, the .700 JDJ, and the monstrous .950 JDJ.

Jones introduced both the 14.5 JDJ and the mighty .700 JDJ in 1995. Each bullet is based on a necked up .50 BMG. The 14.5 JDJ bullet can launch an 1,173 grain projectile at 2,700 feet per second, generating nearly 19,000 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, while the .700 JDJ and its 1,200 grain projectile can deliver even more force downrange, earning a place on our list of cool guns for sheer firepower alone.

A McMillan Bros. bolt action rifle in 14.5 JDJ (left) and an MMCI bolt action rifle in .700 JDJ (right), two cool guns that pack a serious punch.

The SPAS 12 Shotgun

One of the coolest guns to define itself in popular culture, the Franchi SPAS 12 gained fame thanks to ample Hollywood and video game coverage. Designed for police and special forces, the SPAS 12 shotgun's unique set of features included a metallic folding stock, a distinctive butt hook, a large heat shield, and a dual-mode action.

With its iconic folding stock and butt hook, the SPAS 12 shotgun has plenty of cool factor.

Introduced in 1979 by the Italian company Luigi Franchias, the SPAS 12 was initially designated the "Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun." Franchi redubbed the firearm to "Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun" in an effort to attract more civilian sales, and a lower capacity version with a solid stock was introduced in 1990 in response to a California import ban, making original examples of this cool gun all the more desirable today.

A SPAS 12 with a fixed stock (top) and a SPAS 12 with a metal folding stock (bottom.)

The Arsenal Firearms 2011 Dueler Prismatic Double Barrel Pistol

Is there such a thing as .90 ACP? Italian manufacturer Arsenal Firearms introduced the next best thing with their 2011 Dueler Prismatic double barrel pistol. A derivative of the famed M1911 pistol, this two-triggered behemoth offers a pair of .45 caliber handguns merged together. Like the Desert Eagle, this cool gun is a conversation starter, an engineering showpiece, and a platform that provides one of the most memorable range experiences around.

One of the coolest guns for aesthetics alone, the Arsenal Firearms 2011 Dueler Prismatic double barrel pistol offers about as big of a round as anyone can handle double blast from.

Double barrel pistols and rifles have been featured in numerous recent films, television series, and video games over the decades, so it's no surprise that Hollywood quickly took a liking to the Arsenal Firearms 2011 Dueler Prismatic. Recent appearances include 'Deadpool 2,' 'Resident Evil: The Final Chapter,' and perhaps most famously wielded by Dave Bautista in 'Spectre,' the fourth James Bond film starring Daniel Craig.

The Arsenal Firearms 2011 Dueler Prismatic double barrel pistol has appeared in several recent Hollywood films.

The German Luger

Georg Luger's creation is often called the most famous pistol in history. Captured Luger pistols were considered valuable war trophies for the Allies in both World Wars. Today, popular media exposure, including countless WW2 films and video games, have kept the desirability high for this iconic pistol, one of the coolest guns in modern warfare.

German P.08 Krieghoff configured Luger pistol.

The Luger was manufactured in numerous variants, including early examples like the German DWM Model 1902 Luger carbine. One of only 2,500 reportedly manufactured between 1902 and 1904, the Luger carbine was intended as a substitute for the light hunting rifles then available on the market, being highly compact when disassembled and light and easy to maneuver when together, and many were exported to the United States during the time of production.

One of the coolest guns amid one of history's greatest gun genres, a German DWM Model 1902 Luger carbine with a shoulder stock and case.

The Sharps Rifle

One of the coolest guns of the frontier era, as well as one of the most historic, the Sharps rifle was the longarm of choice for the Union’s elite marksmen. The Sharps rifle proved well suited for the role of testing an enemy’s strength, slowing advances, picking off officers, and harassing a retreating foe. Perhaps its most famous variant was produced after the Civil War with the Model 1874, like the heavy barrel buffalo rifle pictured above

A Sharps Model 1874 heavy barrel buffalo rifle, a cool gun from one of the most popular historic genres.

Sharps rifle and carbine models went westward and continued to serve the Union in the Indian Wars, as well as being shouldered by countless cowboys, hunters, outlaws, and gangs who roamed the frontier. Today, the Sharps lives on in popular Westerns like ‘True Grit’ and ‘Quigley Down Under.’

Find the Coolest Guns at Rock Island Auction Company

RIAC’s Sporting & Collector Firearms Auctions are known for offering an abundance of historic firearms, vintage militaria, and a jackpot of top-tier wish list weapons, so even if these 10 selections for coolest guns aren’t your style, RIAC's auctions include thousands of firearms for every level of gun collecting.

As cool guns go, it doesn't get much better than the Desert Eagle.

At Rock Island Auction Company Preview Days, you never know what you'll find populating the countless rifle racks and glistening display cases spanning RIAC’s vast Preview Hall. Imagine thousands of affordable antiques, Wild West revolvers, classic sporting and hunting arms, and military rifles from every era that can all be examined firsthand. They're the best gun show you've never been to, an experience designed for the gun lover, and they are absolutely free to attend.

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Find cool guns and more at Rock Island Auction Company, like this cased pair of engraved, silver plated Colt Black Powder Series Model 1861 conversion revolvers carried by Will Smith in 'Wild Wild West' from Warner Bros.