WILLOUGHBY, OHIO.- Over the weekend of October 24-25, rare and historically-important military weapons from the Revolutionary War through Vietnam era will join a powerful lineup of antique and vintage sporting and handguns at Milestone Auctions in metro Cleveland. The auction will be webcast live from the gallery, with all forms of remote bidding welcome, including live online.
An exceptional selection of World War II arms is led by an unfired 1944 Lahti (Finland) L-39 20mm anti-tank rifle and kit. Designed by legendary arms engineer Aimo Lahti, the L-39 was born out of Finland's urgent need for a mobile anti-armor weapon to counter Soviet forces in the late 1930s. Finnish soldiers nicknamed the model the “elephant gun” due to its immense size, weight and ability to fire high-velocity 20x138mmB Long Solothurn cartridges from a top-mounted 10-round magazine. Manufactured by the state rifle factory Valtion Kivritehdas (VKT), the L-39 was built with an innovative gas-operated system, open-bolt firing mechanism, and a specialized dual bipod equipped with wooden snow skis to give two-man infantry crews critical mobility across deep Arctic snowdrifts. Because authentic WWII Finnish 20x138mmB ammunition is incredibly rare and elusive, today’s shooters load their own. The kit includes a rare single German WWII round plus 5 shootable rare practice cartridges with highly-specific ordnance stamps marked to identify them as modern, custom-reloaded ammunition rather than 1940s combat rounds.
The L-39’s included original transport crate is, in essence, a self-contained combat station and field maintenance depot engineered specifically so a two-man crew could independently operate, maintain, and repair the massive 109-pound weapon entirely out of a single coffin-size chest. Its interior is meticulously partitioned with bespoke compartments, internal storage canisters, and heavy field gear. The markings on the receiver, outer wooden crate and ammunition supply tell the exact story of its journey from a 1944 state arsenal to a commercial American importer and, most recently, a modern-day firearms collector. Estimate: $30,000-$40,000
Rare and extremely desirable, a Swiss SIG PE57 pre-ban semi-automatic rifle is the civilian variant of the Swiss military’s iconic Stgw 57(Sturmgewehr 57) battle rifle. Manufactured by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) and serial-numbered PE3054, it is chambered in the potent Swiss 7.5x55 caliber. PE57 stands for “Privat Einzelfeuer (Private Single Fire).” The rifle features an iconic roller-delayed blowback system and heavy steel construction. It is often described as a heavy, rugged "space gun," displaying design elements borrowed from both the
MG-42 and FG-42 machine guns. It has an in-line stock layout that minimizes muzzle climb, a built-in folding bipod and incorporates the traditional “beer keg” shaped cocking handle famously seen on the Swiss K31. Because of its weight and full-power cartridge, it excels as a highly accurate, long-range fixed-position rifle. The Stgw57 used a three-position selector marked S (Safe), E (Semi-Auto), and M (Full-Auto). An integral muzzle brake reportedly cuts recoil by about 25%. The folding winter trigger allows firing while wearing mittens or gloves, and the integral dovetail receiver allows for specific quick-detach telescopic optics. The SIG PE57 comes with one 20-round magazine, one 6-round magazine, a leather sling, a black nylon sling, and a PE57 scope mount. In as-new condition with its original (foam) factory shipping container, it is estimated at $20,000-$25,000.
A Smith Manufacturing FG42 II semi-automatic rifle in 308 Win caliber with a 20-inch barrel was made in the 2000s and is serial-numbered GCY535. The original and now-iconic Fallschirmjagergewehr 42 (FG-42) used by German paratroopers during WWII was a robust lightweight machine gun packing the full punch of the standard German 8mm Mauser cartridge in an easy-to-carry platform. This semi-automatic clone built by Smith recreates the quintessential WWII Second Model FG-42 for the civilian market and is stamped with imitation German Eagle proofs in addition to the “fzs” Krieghoff code. Mechanically fine and in excellent condition, it comes with a fitted hard-sided case and eight 20-round magazines. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000
Manufactured in 1940, an exquisite Krieghoff Commercial P Code 9mm pistol retains its deep-blue finish with an Eagle over “N” imprinted on its upper and lower frame sections and “HK” with an anchor over “Krieghoff Suhl” on the toggle. It has a standard serrated-blade front sight with V-notch rear, a straw-finish safety, and trigger and take-down lever. The metal is graded at 99% with a tiny bit of edge wear on the muzzle and a light safety drag line. The bore is bright with bold rifling and the grips are excellent. Early P Series 1 pistols of its type are featured in Randall Gibson's book The Krieghoff Parabellum. This truly flawless example in fine working order would please even the most discerning collector. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000
An elegant custom-engraved Winchester Model 21 trap 12-gauge rifle, Serial Number 25776, was manufactured sometime between 1940 and 1950 and has 3/4-inch chambers choked Full and Imp-Mod. It was masterfully engraved by Bill Mains (in 1978) with dog and bird scenes enhanced with gold inlays and a fully-scrolled background. The receiver is fully engraved with the initials JMS on the trigger guard. The barrels are engraved with gold inlays to enhance the scroll engraving at the chambers and muzzle. With 98% metal intact, and bright bores and chambers, this rifle will cross the auction block confidently with a $15,000-$20,000 estimate.
Serial-numbered 4533, a custom Marlin Ballard hammerless Hubalek-style rifle for match shooting was built in 1877-78 in 22LR caliber with a 31-inch barrel and was custom-engraved by JD Engraving, New York. The receiver of this particular gun was featured on the cover of the March 2022 issue of Single Shot Rifle Journal. Its handmade custom burl walnut stock and smooth-finished forend are a testament to premium-level craftsmanship. It is mounted with PA Litschert Spot Shot 7/8 scope. Eye-catching and in excellent condition with a bright bore and strong rifling, the Ballard is entered in the auction with a $7,000-$10,000 estimate.
Colt collectors are “next level” when it comes to being brand-loyal, and there’s no way they’ll miss the chance to bid on a consecutive set of two Colt 2nd Generation Single Action Army revolvers. Manufactured in 1971 with Serial Numbers 60055SA and 60056SA, the guns have a Colt single-line address on top of their barrels, while COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 45 appears on the left side of each gun’s barrel. Two-line patent dates and a rampant pony are shown on the left side of their frames. Each gun comes in its own correct Colt factory box, together with paperwork, shipping sleeves and a Colt letter confirming the guns are a factory set. Both revolvers appear to be unfired. A special treasure for the Colt aficionado, this lot is estimated at $9,500-$12,500.
A formidable survivor from the late-19th century, a cased Bergmann Model 1896 No. 3 semi-automatic pistol, Serial Number 278, was manufactured in 1896-1897 in 6.5mm caliber with a 102mm barrel. It is blue-finished with straw and niter blue controls and has a post-type front sight and square notch-style rear sight. The excellent-condition grips are checkered walnut with an oil finish, and the metal retains 85%-90% of its finish, with only a minor bit of wear to the muzzle edge. It has a bright bore and strong rifling, and operates normally. Remarkably, it still has its very rare Bergmann lined case with four rounds of 6.5 Bergmann ammo, two stripper clips, an oil bottle and cleaning rod. The case shows signs of repair and wear, but its presence in any condition would be welcomed by any collector of rare antique guns. Estimate: $6,500-$9,500
Milestone’s Oct. 24-25, 2026 Fall Premier Firearms Auction will be held live, and webcast in real time, at Milestone’s gallery located at 38198 Willoughby Parkway, Willoughby (metro Cleveland), OH 44094. Start time: 10 a.m. ET on both days. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through
Milestone’s own bidding platform,
LiveAuctioneers,
Proxibid,
Invaluable or
AuctionZip. For additional information on any item in the auction, to reserve a phone line or leave an absentee bid, call 440-527-8060 or email
info@milestoneauctions.com. Online:
www.milestoneauctions.com
