2019 continued an amazing stretch of firearm sales at Rock Island Auction Company. Industry figures that were unfathomable 5-6 years ago are now being achieved and surpassed with a shocking regularity. 2019 saw $77 million in annual sales, besting the previous year's $75.5 and dwarfing the then-remarkable $63 million seen only two short years ago.

Four out of RIAC's last six auctions have seen a firearm sell in excess of one million dollars. Prior to this unfathomable stretch, you could count on one hand the number of firearms sold publicly for such a sum. The market for collectible firearms continues to swell with new collectors and investors, unearthing new, fantastic, fresh-to-market pieces as its popularity spreads to previously unreached corners.

So what can you as a collector take away from all of this?

Collector Firearms Are Increasing in Value

In almost every genre, collectible firearms are enjoying growth in value. This is not unexpected as the market expands, driving up demand for a limited number of pieces. This increase can be seen at the very top, with more firearms surpassing the $1 million mark, and also at the opposite end of the spectrum where the floor continues to rise.

Collector Firearms Are Relatively Inexpensive

We don't mean to sound cavalier, but they are. Compared to other alternative hard assets such as modern art, Ferraris, paintings, fine watches, and even baseball cards, one can enter the very top of the collector firearms market for far less of an investment that these other categories. For that matter, one could enter almost ANY financial level of firearms collecting for less initial investment relative to those others mentioned. Best of all, since values are on the rise, one could stand to make quite a return on their investment.

Collectors are a growing number...

...and so are our clients!  We continue to reach and more and more people through our comprehensive marketing efforts, vibrant online presence, and collaborations with numerous, popular internet personalities and brands. More people have heard of RIAC than ever before, resulting in more bids, more selection, surprising prices, and never before seen guns that keep coming out of the woodwork.

All that said, here at the Top 10 sales prices at RIAC in 2019 that helped us to get to an unprecedented $75.5 million.

10. Winchester 1895 - A Masterpiece Engraved by John Ulrich and Belonging to Famed Western Author Zane Grey

Sale price: $345,000 - September 2019

Zane Grey is often considered the "Author of the American West" and the "Father of Big Game Fishing." Two lofty titles to be sure, but well deserved for the consummate storyteller and avid fisherman. He wrote numerous books, contributed to Outdoor Life for 14 years, he set 13 deep-sea fishing records, and his characters are even the basis for the iconic Lone Ranger.

All that alone would be enough to made this rifle desirable to collectors, but this was no ordinary Winchester 1895. This was a masterpiece cut by respected Master Engraver John Ulrich. Normally, such high art pieces are relegated to a role as a "safe queen," but not this one. The golden wire inlays and panel scenes can clearly be seen in several photographs of Grey out in the field with this very rifle. Provenance doesn't get much more iron clad than that, and few rifles are decorated so elaborately.

9. World War II Trophy Factory Presentation Engraved Walther PP, Attributed to Heinrich Himmler

Sale Price: $356,500 - May 2019

This beautiful gun was made for one of the worst war criminals the word has ever known. Provenance aside, it is a unique and well-crafted firearm: plated in chrome and finely engraved, it differs from typical factory production with three runes featured in the engraving work. The backstrap also features the monogram "hH" which when combined with Heinrich Himmler's affinity for the neo-pagan symbols is more than highly suggestive.

This gun had never before been offered to the public and came straight from the family of the WWII veteran PFC John DeGeorge of Recon Comapny, 813th tank Destroyer battalion, who won the elaborate pistol in a poker game from another GI. The path of DeGeorge took through Europe would have given him the opportunity to acquire such a pistol. The combination of significance and artistry in this Walther took it to new heights and a place in a very advanced German military collection.

8. The Finest Known Documented 1880 Production Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Revolver

Sale Price: $402,000 - September 2019

What else is there to say, but it's the finest known example of its kind? When you take a popular, "blue chip," perennial brand like Colt and offer the best of any given model, the bids are going to fly. Some discussion was had online regarding the original 2004 Kopec letter, so Rock Island Auction Company personally transported this revolver back to Mr. Kopec to obtain a renewed letter and to settle any discrepancies. The new letter confirmed his original statements that the revolver is 100% authentic, never fired, and remains in "as new" condition. With Mr. Kopec's blessing and gold seal, this revolver remains the finest known example of its kind. RIAC first had the pleasure of offering this revolver back in 2012 where it sold for $161,000. Not a bad turnaround after just seven years.

7. Hiram Maxim Presentation DWM Model 1902 Luger Carbine

Sale Price $425,500 - May 2019

Only four 1902 Presentation Carbines are known to exist, and each bears the "GL" monogram of Georg Luger himself on the rear toggle. They are uniquely marked and clearly were set aside at the factory for special presentations. This particular pistol bears the initials of its recipient and the date of presentation in gold atop its chamber. "H.S.M. March 15, 1903." This was presented to inventor of the machine gun Hiram Maxim from Georg Luger, tying two of the greatest names of firearms design into a single incredibly significant pistol.

6. Winchester Swing Out Cylinder Revolver - the Rarest Winchester

Sale Price: $431,250 - September 2019

A Winchester revolver? You read that correctly. Not only is a Winchester revolver an absolute unicorn of a gun, but this one is gorgeous. Featuring the swing out cylinder that wouldn't be patented for almost another decade, this is one of four Winchester revolvers with the rare feature. Did we ALSO mention that this revolver was likely on display at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, was submitted to the U.S. Navy Ordnance Bureau in December 1876 for testing, and was almost undoubtedly present at the meeting that spawned the "Gentlemen's Agreement" between Colt and Winchester? That's a mountain of historic significance in a single revolver.

5. Newly Discovered, Factory Exhibition Panel Scene Engraved Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Sale Price: $517,500 - December 2019

This revolver truly has it all: high condition, a rare engraved panel scene, ties to the World's Fairs of the last 19th century, a desirable black powder frame, and it had never before been publicly offered. This is a work of 19th century American art in every sense of the word. The significance to collectors and historians is so great that RIAC President Kevin Hogan took 20 minutes in a recent video to detail the rarity, provenance, and history about these revolvers about which so little is known.

4. Annie Oakley's Golden Presentation Marlin Deluxe Model 1897 Lever Action Rifle

Sale Price $575,000 - December 2019

Annie Oakley is a woman that needs no introduction. Sure we could tell you all about the rifle again.We could wax poetic about its beautiful engraving, carved stock, total gold coverage, and how significant Annie is to American history, but instead know this: holding this gun was an experience.

To have your hands placed where hers were, to rest your cheek on the the same stock, to touch the same trigger was a nearly hallowed encounter. It is to be in the presence of greatness and legend and that is not hyperbole.

3. Near Mint, Cased Colt No. 1 Pocket Model "Baby" Paterson Revolver

Sale Price: $644,000 - May 2019

The true first-production Colt revolver is the No. 1 and only 500 were ever made. It began the Colt legacy and this one somehow has defied father time to remain in 98% overall, original condition. This Baby Paterson has graced some of the greatest collections, especially those of the Graham Galleries of New York, William M. Locke, Herb Glass Sr. and Jr., Frank D'Agonstino, Greg Lampe, and Greg Martin. It is easily the finest example of its kind and well deserving of its healthy price tag.

2. Colt Walker E Company, No. 120

Sale Price: $1,035,000 - September 2019

In the minds of many Colt Walker revolvers are the true beginning of Colt Firearms. Despite their problems, the Walkers enjoyed success and began an American icon. There were 1,100 Walkers made: 1,000 for the military, and 100 for the civilian market and presentations. E Company, No 120 represents the very last martial Colt Walker manufactured. The gun has been housed in a "Who's who" of the greatest American gun collectors of the 20th century, and remains one of the finest examples of a Colt Walker remaining. Many museums do not have an example in a condition equal or close to E Company, No. 120. It the 5th highest value firearm we have ever sold, putting it with some elite company.

1.The Millikin Dragoon

Sale Price: $1,667,500 - May 2019

The collector pedigree of this revolver alone puts it in rarified air. Owned by the world's top collectors, it is a perfect storm of immaculate condition, Gustave young's master engraving, a remarkable Civil War history, and a concrete provenance. It is an absolute rock star in the world of collector firearms. Featured in near countless books and periodicals, it is the second highest priced firearm Rock Island Auction Company has ever had the privilege to sell in over a quarter-century of business. For an auction house that regularly sets and resets world records, that alone should be say volumes.

In case the new world record for an annual total was not clear enough, 2019 was a momentous year for collector firearms. New world records were set in several significant collecting genres and numerous pieces in December alone were available that had never before been publicly offered. It's a remarkable time to be a firearm collector as the market continues to soar and unearth new treasures, one can scarcely guess what the next few years will hold for this centuries old hobby.