Cowan's to Offer One-of-a-kind Mauser Pistol from Sidney Aberman collection
A one-of-a-kind pistol will hit the auction block on April 27, 2011, at Cowan's Spring Historic Firearms and Early Militaria Auction. The 800-lot sale, to be held at Cowan's salesroom, offers antique firearms and early militaria items from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Other highlights in the sale include a Rare 1841 Ames Naval Officer's Sword, and a 17th Century Qing Dynasty Chinese Cannon.
Cowan’s will offer an Experimental 1915 Mauser Nickl Pistol estimated to sell for $65,000/125,000. This pistol has an oiled finish and checkered walnut wraparound grips. This is the only known example of this rare Mauser pistol. It is pictured in many publications and is from the famous Sidney Aberman collection.
An 1841 Ames Naval Officer’s Sword Presented to a Mexican War Hero is expected to bring anywhere from $25,000/50,000. A historically important bejewled naval officer’s sword embellished with gemstones and hallmarked by Bailey and Co., the sword is inscribed in the oval counter-guard: “Presented by the citizens of Philadelphia to Lieutenant James Lawrence Parker of the U.S.N. for his heroic conduct in boarding and destroying the Mexican Big Creole on the night of the 21 of November 1846, while that vessel was moored to the castle of St. Juan D’Ulloa”.
A Raised Carved Flintlock Kentucky Rifle is estimated at $50,000/75,000.
Also offered in the sale is a Gold Inlayed Boutet Flintlock Pocket Pistol expected to sell for $15,000/20,000. The pistol has engravings on both sides of the frame, barrel, trigger, and hammer.
A Factory Engraved Colt Single Action Revolver is expected to bring $15,000/25,000. It is factory engraved with a factory letter and also contains a signed notarized affidavit from the family who's grandfather was given the revolver by the sheriff of Miles City, Montana. He was employed as deputy sheriff in Miles City in 1908. The revolver has remained in the family ever since.
An Ohio Made German Silver Mounted Half Stock Percussion Rifle by R. Yutzy is estimated at $15,000/20,000. R. Yutzy, who was Amish, made many fine Ohio rifles. The rifle has a back-action lock marked N. Ashmore and is engraved on the top of the barrel in script and scrolls R. Yutzy. In a previous sale, a similar R. Yutzy rifle hammered down at $24,150.
An exceptional 17th Century Qing Dynasty Imperial Chinese Cannon is estimated at $10,000/15,000. The 800 lb. cannon has Chinese and Manchurian markings at the breech and includes the original wagon wheels and metal straps which held together the carriage. The cannon is a very good condition with a nice untouched patina.
A Colt Single Action Army James Monroe Presidential Edition Howard Dove Engraved Revolver is expected to bring anywhere from $10,000/15,000. This set consists of a cleaning rod, an oil bottle, two screwdrivers, a cleaning brush, and a patch box. The dates 1817-1825, which are representative of James Monroe's term in office, are engraved at the top of the backstrap.
A Kentucky Rifle by GR is estimated at $10,000/15,000. This rifle was part of the famous Cook collection that was donated in 1929 to a Midwestern museum.
A Japanese Light 99 Machine-gun is estimated to sell for $10,000/15,000. This model 99 machine gun was obtained by Cpl. Anson R. Cooke, U.S.M.C. while serving with Marine Air Group 21 of the 4th Marine Air Division on Guam sometime before MAG-21 departed the island for home in March 1946.
A Colt Single Action Army Sherrif’s Model Howard Dove Engraved Custom Edition Revolver is expected to bring $8,000/12,000.
A German 20th Century WW II Knight’s Cross with Neck Ribbon is estimated at $6,000/8,000. This is a great example of a very rare medal.
A Cased Nimschke Engraved First Model Second Issue Smith and Wesson Revolver Presented to Captain J. Kilbourne Co H. 95TH OVI is estimated to bring $6,500/9,000
About Cowan’s Auctions, Inc.
As one of the nation’s leading auction houses with sales approaching $20 million, Cowan’s has been helping individuals and institutions build important collections for more than a decade. The company’s four divisions of American History, American Indian and Western Art, American and European Fine and Decorative Art, and Historic Firearms & Early Militaria hold semi-annual cataloged sales that routinely set records for rare offerings.
Through its extensive mailing list of more than 35,000 collectors, dealers and institutional clients, each Cowan’s auction typically attracts more than 1,000 bidders from across the globe. To learn more about Cowan’s visit our website at www.cowans.com.