Rare Revolvers in Upcoming Rock Island Auction

Since 2003, Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) has been the top firearms auction house in the world, auctioning tens of thousands of firearms, bladed weapons, military artifacts and firearm accessories each year. Hosting more than a dozen auctions annually, RIAC Premier Firearms Auctions are held three times per year and offer collectors a special chance to bid on more than 2,000 rare, historic and unusual gun lots.

Later this week (Dec. 4–6, 2020), RIAC will hold its last Premier Auction of the year, so we dug through the online lot index and auction catalog to find some of the most interesting revolvers available on auction.

Annie Oakley’s Hand Ejector

A classic case of being at the right place at the right time, this Smith & Wesson .22/32 Hand Ejector Double Action Revolver was found at a local pawnshop and purchased for just $300. Later confirmed by the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation, the revolver had been ordered in the summer of 1916 by Frank Butler, the husband of famed exhibition shooter, Annie Oakley.

A 6-inch blued revolver, the Hand Ejector features walnut grips, target sights and period modifications, including provisions for a grip adaptor and buttcap. The lot also includes a leather flap holster, also purchased from the pawnshop.

Estimated Price: $30,000–50,000

Colt Serpentine Set

Manufactured in 1995 as part of its Serpentine Series, Colt produced a limited run of 50 three-gun sets including a Colt Anaconda, Python and King Cobra. Included in this lot are three guns featuring markings noting “1 of 50” and “Serpentine Series of 1994,” as well as matching collector serialize numbers of “9415.” Each gun is graded in excellent condition with minor handling evidence.

Chambered in .44 Magnum, the stainless Colt Anaconda features a 6” vented rib barrel with rubber grip. The .357 Magnum Colt Python features a 6” vented rib barrel with rubber grip. The .357 Magnum Colt King Cobra features a 6” vented rib barrel with rubber grip.

Estimated Price: $12,000–22,500

King of Rock & Roll’s Model 36

The King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley had a well-documented personal interest in firearms, reportedly owning 37 firearms when he died in 1977. Of those the King owned was a Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chiefs Special, purchased in early 1971 according to included ATF Form 4473 documentation. Pressley would later have the pistol engraved with “TCB” and a lightning bolt, referring to his later band’s name, “Taking Care of Business,” and acronym “in a flash,” respectively.

Chambered in .38 Special, the blued revolver with 3” solid rib barrel with walnut grips was reported used when Presley shot a hotel TV while watching Robert Goulet perform on “The Mike Douglas Show.” A friend of Elvis, a spokesman for Presley’s home and museum said he “just shot out things on a random basis.”

Estimated Price: $20,000–40,000

LeMat Revolver Carbine

Popular among Confederates during the Civil War, Frenchman Dr. Jean Francois Alexander LeMat was known for his distinctive percussion and pinfire firearms., including the “Grape Shot Revolver.” A rare carbine version, this Belgian-made Revolver Carbine features two 23.25” barrels — one for .44 caliber revolver ammunition and another chambered in 20ga. — a nine-shot cylinder and a smooth walnut stock.

A folding leaf rear sight is notched for 100, 200, 300 and 400 yards, while the front barrel is fitted with a band and bladed front sight. Loading the carbine is done by way of a central loading gate at the back for the shotgun barrel and another on the lower right for the cylinder.

Estimated Price: $12,000–18,000