DENVER, PA.- Premier examples of military, civilian and sporting firearms crossed the auction block on May 13-15 at Morphy’s flagship gallery in Denver, Pennsylvania, with aggressive bidding – especially on NFA weapons – pushing the grand total to a heady $6,740,000.
The top-selling lot was a spectacular factory-original Fabrique Nationale (Herstal) U.S. M240B machine gun, one of very few specimens of its type confirmed to be fully transferable to an individual owner. In near-mint condition, it retained its original tripod and even its original shipping box. Per its consignor, the gun had never been fired since leaving the factory. Its markings included U.S. M240 / 11825980 / MACHINE GUN 7.62MM on the left side of the receiver, followed by its serial number, contract number and National Stock Number. Prior to the auction, Morphy Auctions’ founder and president, Dan Morphy, pegged it as a superstar lot, calling it “a tremendous example that would be all but impossible to upgrade.” Morphy’s observation proved correct. In “exceptionally high condition,” the gun sold for a solid $467,400, very near the midpoint of its estimate range.
Another big winner in the NFA category was a factory-original Heckler & Koch four-position-selector MP5SD3 machine gun, 9mm Luger caliber, with an HK MP5SD silencer. An IE proof code on top of the receiver indicated its year of manufacture to be 1984. It was further marked Made in W. Germany / HK Chantilly, Va on the right side of the magazine well, and HK MP5 SD on top of the receiver. Importantly, it conveyed to its new owner with an official BATF letter identifying the gun and silencer as being unrestricted and fully transferable to individuals. Extremely attractive with crisp mechanics, this sought-after gun rocketed to $96,000 against an estimate of $40,000-$60,000.
There was also great interest in a circa-2009 Westley Richards Droplock .470 Double Rifle with chopper lump barrels with the manufacturer’s patented flip-over front sight, and scenes of big game (cape buffalo, rhinos, elephant) engraved and signed by Peter Spode and dated ’09. The gun was further engraved over its chambers with CAL. .470 NITRO-EXPRESS and REG. FOR 500 GRN. BULLET. Its wide concave rib was gold-inlaid with the name WESTLEY RICHARDS & Co ENGLAND. Accompanied by a handsome Westley Richards case and accessories, it sold for $96,000 against an estimate of $45,000-$65,000.
The revered Colt brand was well represented by arms whose rarity and provenance easily landed them in the auction’s top 10. A treasure of the Civil War era, an outstanding cased set of Colts consisted of an 1860 fluted Army Revolver and an 1862 Police Revolver. The set was originally a factory presentation to Colonel Henry Craig, US Army Chief of Ordnance. It conveyed to its new owner with a copy of a 2019 factory letter confirming shipment on Feb. 25, 1861 to Major W.M.B. Hartley with the special notations: “To Col. Craig, U.S.A. Commanding Ordnance Corps From Colt’s P.F.A. Mfg. Co.” and “Furnished with a shoulder stock, a powder flask, 60 cartridges, and 500 belt caps.” According to firearms expert Greg Martin, this set was acquired directly from the Craig family. In excellent condition for its age, it sold at Morphy’s for $116,850.
Collectors stepped up to bid competitively on a very special Colt .357 Magnum Python Double Action Revolver that showcased the collaborative work of three of today’s finest active Colt Master Engravers: Mike Dubber, Barry Lee Hands, and Brian Powley. Proceeds specifically benefited the Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA). With sumptuous engraving that included an almost-three-dimensional acanthus scroll against a finely executed punch-dot background, plus the phrase FEGA 2025 and a superb Rampant Colt image to the left side of the frame, the gun was also richly enhanced with gold borders and embellishments. Presented in a custom Colt case, it came with a FEGA letter signed by the principals who were involved, with an additional notation stating that the gun was manufactured in 1974. The formidable Python concluded its bidding run just shy of the high estimate, settling at $29,500.
With a look that clearly reflected its Old West origins, an excellent Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine was a third model .44 Henry RF, manufactured circa 1872. It displayed stamped matching numbers in the stock channel and on the underside of butt plate and was evaluated as being in fine condition with the barrel and magazine tube retaining a great majority of their factory-applied blue. It made it to the top of its estimate range, selling for $28,800.
Edged weapons continued their hot streak, with a strong price paid for a historically important World War II sword forged by Masataka (Japan) at the Minatogawa shrine. It was signed (Kikusui mon) Minatogawa Jinja Masataka, dated the 4th month during the 17th year of Showa (April 1942), and, critically, signed Igo Kancho Tanabe Yahachi Chusa, which translates to “I-Class Captain Lieutenant Commander Yahachi Tanabe.” The date and rank would suggest the sword was very likely with Tanabe when he sank the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at the fateful Battle of Midway in June 1942. Accompanied by a copy of a 1963 article Tanabe wrote, titled I Sank the Yorktown at Midway, the 39½-inch sword was pursued to a final bid of $49,200, well in excess of its $18,000-$25,000 pre-sale estimate.
Crafted by Ron Lake, a custom 18K gold and mother-of-pearl tail-lock knife featured a 2½-inch mirror-polished ATS-34 blade marked LAKE and Au. In VG condition and housed in a plush zipper case, this knife boasted provenance from the collection of noted knife expert Frank Brownell. It attracted 24 bids before closing at $38,400, more than three times the high estimate.
To discuss consigning to a future Firearms & Militaria auction at Morphy’s, whether the potential consignment is a single item or an entire collection, please call Dan Morphy tollfree at 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Online:
www.morphyauctions.com.
