Witherell's had been selected to auction the pioneering gun collection of a prominent Petaluma family.

On Saturday March 14th, Witherell's will be offering nearly 100 antique firearms collected more than 100 years ago.

According to family lore, an uncle began collecting guns in the 19th century and a nephew, Sam Kerbey, continued the tradition.

Kerbey trained as a sailmaker, but as the industry faded he became a shoemaker.

Because custom shoes and repair was a growing profession during the Great Depression, Kerbey prospered.

In 1952, he passed the gun collection on to his son, Russell.

Russell Kerby placed the collection in storage that same year, where it remained undisturbed until recently.

“Discovering extensive fresh-to-market collections like this is what makes this business fun,” said Brian Witherell “Antiques Roadshow” appraiser and Witherell’s chief of operations.

Witherell’s chief executive officer, Brad Witherell, is an antique firearms expert.

Brian Witherell recently was featured on a Fox Business Network episode of "Strange Inheritance" with a similar discovery—that of the Carmel gun collection of Lt. Col. Arthur V. Crego.

While not as valuable, the Kerbey collection is as extensive.

“We are looking forward to offering a large portion of the collection at a live warehouse auction on Saturday, March 14,” said Witherell.

A preview will be held Friday, March 13th from 5 p.m to 7 p.m. and prior to the auction on Saturday, March 14th from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Auction starts at 10 a.m. at 1925 C Street, Sacramento, Calif.