DENVER, PA.- The Colt 1921 Thompson machine gun used to wound the gangster Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, and a Colt Single Action Army revolver with documentation to a member of General George A Custer’s 7th Cavalry regiment are just a taste of what bidders will find in Morphy’s big three-day Firearms & Militaria auction slated for September 15, 16 and 17.
With a pre-sale estimate of $100,000-$180,000, the Colt 1921 Thompson submachine gun that wounded “Pretty Boy” Floyd during an April 9, 1932 confrontation with law enforcement, is a strong candidate for the auction’s top lot. Floyd ended up winning the gunfight, firing five times and fatally shooting Oklahoma Sheriff Ervin Kelly with an M1911 pistol. Ervin died clutching the Colt Thompson that is up for bid, but not before striking Floyd four times. This is a rare opportunity for a lucky bidder to own a true slice of American gangster history. It is lot #1005 in the sale.
The Colt Single Action Army revolver with provenance to Michael Lang, a member of Custer’s 7th Cavalry regiment, and has remained in the possession of Lang family descendants for the past 120 years. The revolver falls at the beginning of the legendary Lot 7, Serial Number 6526. It retains all of its original parts from its production in 1874 and is in untouched condition. Lang worked as a blacksmith in Company C and was the personal blacksmith for General and Mrs Custer, as both were avid equestrians. The weapon is lot #1307. Estimate: $40,000-$60,000
A rare and desirable World War II German C G Haenel MKb.42(H) machine gun – the very first Sturmgewehr – was a select-fire rifle that used an intermediate-size cartridge, able to fulfill many combat roles. This was an important historical development, as it meant soldiers could carry more readily available ammunition and could quickly change between aimed fire and suppressing fire. Nearly all of the 8,000-12,000 units produced from 1942-43 were fielded to Russia, which is why so few are found in the United States. The one up for bid, lot #1006, has a near-excellent original finish, with clean and attractive wood. Estimate: $80,000-$120,000
Lot #1216 is a DWM Model 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger, representing one of the rarest, most desirable early semi-automatic pistols associated with United States military trials. Manufactured during a critical period when the US Army was evaluating self-loading handguns to replace revolvers, these Lugers stand among the most advanced and refined sidearms of the era. This weapon – Serial Number 22432 – is one of about 50 pistols made for the US Board of Ordnance during the 1902–1903 trials program, and was once part of the prestigious Dr Geoffrey Sturgess collection. It is extensively documented in The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols by Gortz and Sturgess. Estimate: $85,000-$125,000
A North American Arms Company Limited Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol, manufactured in Quebec, Canada at the conclusion of World War I, is widely regarded by collectors as one of the rarest of all US-contract-associated 1911 pistols. When the war ended, the contract was canceled and no completed pistols were ever accepted for military service. A limited number were subsequently assembled from surviving components. The pistol in the sale, lot #1206, has the highly desirable control #1111, believed to be a presentation example, and is an upper-echelon firearm. Estimate: $60,000-$80,000
Lot #1308 is an important prototype (or experimental) Colt 1851 Navy conversion single-action revolver with 7-inch octagonal barrel, brass pin front sight and early New York City address with dashes. This .38 CF caliber revolver is pictured on Page 112 of The William M Locke Collection by Frank Sellers. It is almost without question a one-of-a-kind prototype for the later factory conversions of the ’51 Navy and others that followed. This is an exceptional and exceedingly rare gun in very fine condition and a wonderful piece of Colt history. Estimate: $45,000-$75,000
A David McKay Brown 12 bore over/under shotgun with accessories and case, lot #1274, is a fine modern gun by a noted Scottish maker who’s been keeping the Dickson round-action tradition alive. The weapon has 28-inch demi-bloc barrels mounted with a narrow, flat matted rib. The action is engraved with nearly full coverage of very well cut medium sized open shaded scroll. It is in excellent shape, showing limited field use. The bores are excellent and the action tight. Also, the walnut and black morocco leather case is exceptional. Estimate: $40,000-$60,000
Manufactured in 1871, a Winchester Model 1866 saddle ring carbine in .44 Rimfire is engraved by master engraver Louis D Nimschke. The receiver is embellished with his full scroll and vine with figural eagle's-head motif as depicted on page 55 of the LD Nimschke: Firearms Engraver by RL Wilson. The weapon, lot #1367, is in very fine condition, with barrel and magazine retaining 40 percent dark blue with balance thinning and toning to the period patina. The bore is very good, with well-defined rifling. Mechanically, it is in excellent shape. Estimate: $25,000-$35,000
From London, England comes lot #1271, a Rigby Big Game .416 bolt action rifle with case, a great example in the classic African cartridge, in excellent condition and retaining virtually all of its factory-original finishes throughout. It is a modern-day big bore rifle, manufactured in 2022, Serial #7524, with a 24-inch-long barrel. The Rigby shipping box contains a Rigby leather folio with introductory letter, manual, registration card, and test target with three shots at 65 yards. The target was shot in July 2022 with Norma 400 grain ammo and is signed by Jamie Holland. Estimate: $18,000-$24,000
An Izumi no Kami Owari Nobuie katana with mounts and NBTHK papers, 38 inches in length, has a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$15,000. While Nobuie originally signed his swords with a different character, he changed his signature after receiving the title “Izumi no Kami,” which was granted by the Imperial Court in recognition of his craftsmanship. This sword is signed Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Nobuie, and utilizes the second character. It has a powerful gunome midare hamon, and is housed in a refined set of mounts. This is an outstanding ubu (uncut) sword by a maker recognized for his skill and is already mounted and papered. It is lot #1402 in the sale.
Morphy’s September 15-17 Firearms & Militaria Auction will be held at the company’s Denver, Pennsylvania gallery, starting all three days at 9am EDT. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through
Morphy Live. Questions: call 877-968-8880 or email
info@morphyauctions.com. Online:
www.morphyauctions.com.
