Antique arms, edged weapons, suits of armor and modern sporting guns brought more than $1.5-million during a day-long auction at Bonhams & Butterfields in San Francisco on Monday, November 23rd 2009.  A global audience of collectors and dealers vied for Colt firearms, edged weapons and militaria, with strong prices realized throughout the sale.  A rare ornate lime squeezer made in San Francisco in the mid-1800s brought nearly $30,000 – six times its pre-sale expectation.

Desirable lots in the November antique arms sale comprised Colt firearms.  A factory engraved Colt single action Army revolver attributed to Cuno E. Helfricht brought $38,025, more than doubling the estimate.  Colt factory records indicate the pistol was shipped in 1888.  It retains its blued finish and scrollwork, its elephant ivory grip carved with a Mexican eagle grasping a snake.  An historic Gustave Young-engraved Colt Model 1860 Army percussion revolver was one of a pair presented to military commanders.  The .44-caliber pistol’s engraving depicts a dog’s head as well as an eagle’s head and has been illustrated in multiple books documenting the history and beauty of Colt engraving.  Estimated at $12/18,000, the Colt pistol brought $16,380.

Another fine Gustave Young engraved and presentation inscribed Colt Model 1849 pocket percussion revolver doubled its estimate to bring $14,625.  This pistol’s barrel displays an animal head engraved to one side while a stagecoach hold-up scene appears on the five-shot cylinder.  A collector paid $15,210 for a scarce cased Colt Model 1851 Navy percussion revolver with shoulder stock, a Hartford-produced revolver intended for the London market but never shipped overseas. 

An interesting and rare lot made by the noted (and highly collectible) San Francisco knife-maker Michael Price brought bids from several clients.  An elaborate silver and ivory-mounted San Francisco lime squeezer by Price features silver handles in the form of bird claws gripping the egg-shaped elephant ivory squeezer, supported by marine ivory handles.  Estimated at $3/5,000, bids climbed to nearly ten times the expectation, the lime squeezer ultimately bringing $29, 250. 

Top lot of the day was a composite late-16th century Italian three-quarter suit of armor in the Pisan manner.  The suit exceeded its estimate to sell for $70,200.      

Bidders were attracted to many firearms, swords and Bowie knives stemming from private collections.  Strong selling lots included: $15,210 paid for a First type Model 1808 Virginia Manufactory flintlock pistol and $21,060 paid for a U.S. Model 1811 flintlock martial pistol by Simeon North.  A rare Confederate Morse Type I breech loading carbine is one of 200 rifles made.  The model was designed by George Washington Morse, who was granted a patent on breach loading firearms as early as 1856.  His rifles, manufactured in Greensboro, SC, were issued mainly to South Carolina units, the offered rifle brought $16,380. 

A rare 1st Model Burnside breech loading percussion carbine, one of 300 produced by the Bristol Firearms Company, sold for $17,550 while another example of a 1st Model Burnside breech loading percussion carbine - this lot one of 50 altered transitional 1st Models - sold for $16,380.  The majority of these Burnside carbines had been purchased by the government for the 1st US Cavalry.  According to Bonhams & Butterfields specialists, the offered carbines were likely reserved for commercial sale. 

The November sale’s illustrated catalog with prices realized will remain online at www.bonhams.com/us.

-End-

Press Contact:   Levi Morgan, PR.US@bonhams.com, 415-503-3348